Diseases & Conditions Archive

An ad for a medication to treat thyroid eye disease accurately describes the symptoms of the condition, but as is common with such ads it does not discuss other possible treatment options, or other information that people should be aware of.

Adopting healthy self-management strategies that focus on a healthy diet, physical activity, and achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, can improve the quality of life of people with gout. Many of these same strategies can help reduce the risk of developing gout to begin with.

A 2022 study suggests that sleep irregularity—night-to-night variations in sleep duration and timing (when someone falls sleep)—are linked to atherosclerosis (plaque buildup in the arteries).

For many people, attacks of vertigo recur periodically. The attacks are usually caused by a disorder of the balance (vestibular) system. Examples of balance disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), cervical vertigo, Meniere's disease, and vestibular migraine. Treatment for recurring vertigo involves getting the underlying cause under control; seeking physical therapy tailored to people with balance disorders; and (for people with BPPV) doing a particular maneuver to reposition loose debris in the ear canal.

Unlike a few decades ago, there are now a number of minimally invasive ways to treat varicose veins. Doctors can shut down problem veins with injections of various substances or certain catheter procedures. A treatment currently in clinical trials in the United States promises to simply "zap" away varicose veins from outside the body. Called high-intensity focused ultrasound, it converts sound waves into a focused beam of heat that seals a malfunctioning vein.

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can cause a range of unsettling symptoms, including slurred speech or arm weakness. The symptoms appear suddenly but usually last less than five minutes, which is why TIAs are often ignored or missed. However, two of every five people with a suspected TIA who get an appropriate brain imaging test find out that they actually had a stroke. Recognizing the symptoms and seeing emergency care right away is vital. The mnemonic BE-FAST (which stands for balance, eyes, face, arms, speech, and time) was designed to help people identify the symptoms of a TIA or stroke and to act quickly.

Daily persistent nasal drip or congestion is usually caused by chronic nonallergic rhinitis. Daily nasal irrigations and prescription nasal sprays are the recommended treatments.

A 2023 study suggests that women who practice many aspects of a healthy lifestyle are about half as likely as women who don't to experience persistent symptoms after a COVID-19 infection.

Many factors can increase heart rate from the normal pace of 60 to 100 beats per minute. Lifestyle choices and certain medications can raise heart rate, as can serious conditions. When an elevated heart rate is joined by urgent symptoms, seek immediate care.

"Brain freeze" happens when people eat ice cream or other cold treats, drastically dropping the temperature at the back of the mouth. This results in rapid changes in blood vessel size, sending pain signals to the brain. Brain freeze typically disappears within 30 seconds.