The COVID-19 pandemic can trigger anxious feelings in anyone. However, people with an anxiety disorder such as agoraphobia may find that the pandemic has heightened their anxiety even further.

Dec 3rd, 2022 - Overview When the muscles and ligaments supporting a woman's pelvic organs weaken, the pelvic organs can drop lower in the pelvis, creating a bulge in the vagina (prolapse). Women most commonly develop pelvic organ prolapse years after childbirth, after a hysterectomy or after menopause. If you have symptoms, such as a feeling of pressure in your pelvic area, see your health care provider. Prod...

Dec 3rd, 2022 - Overview Healthy airway Open pop-up dialog box Close Healthy airway Healthy airway This shows a child's healthy airway. Croup Open pop-up dialog box Close Croup Croup When the upper airway is infected with the virus that causes croup, tissues around the voice box (larynx) and the windpipe (trachea) will swell. When a cough forces air through this narrowed passageway, it may sound like a seal ba...

Dec 3rd, 2022 - Diagnosis If your doctor suspects you are having or may have had a stroke, are older or suffered a blow to the head, he or she may immediately order an MRI or CT scan. Most people visiting their doctor because of dizziness will first be asked about their symptoms and medications and then be given a physical examination. During this exam, your doctor will check how you walk and maintain your bal...

Dec 2nd, 2022 - Overview Persistent depressive disorder is a continuous, long-term form of depression. You may feel sad and empty, lose interest in daily activities and have trouble getting things done. You may also have low self-esteem, feel like a failure and feel hopeless. These feelings last for years and may interfere with your relationships, school, work and daily activities. If you have persistent depre...

Dec 2nd, 2022 - Diagnosis If your health care provider thinks that you may have persistent depressive disorder, exams and tests may include: Physical exam. Your health care provider may do a physical exam and ask in-depth questions about your health to determine what may be causing your depression. In some cases, it may be linked to an underlying physical health problem. Lab tests. Your provider may recommend ...

Dec 1st, 2022 - Diagnosis A pulmonary embolism can be difficult to diagnose, especially if you have underlying heart or lung disease. For that reason, your health care provider will likely discuss your medical history, do a physical exam, and order tests that may include one or more of the following. Blood tests Your health care provider may order a blood test for the clot-dissolving substance D dimer. High le...

Dec 1st, 2022 - Overview Illustration showing person with acromegaly Open pop-up dialog box Close Illustration showing person with acromegaly Illustration showing person with acromegaly Symptoms of acromegaly include an enlarged face and hands. Changes to the face may cause the brow bone and lower jawbone to protrude, and the nose and lips to get larger. Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that develops when you...

Nov 30th, 2022 - Overview Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This condition also is called overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body's metabolism. That can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism. Anti-thyroid medicines and radioiodine can be used to slo...

Nov 30th, 2022 - Overview Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This condition also is called overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body's metabolism. That can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Several treatments are available for hyperthyroidism. Anti-thyroid medicines and radioiodine can be used to slo...

Nov 30th, 2022 - Diagnosis Your doctor will typically diagnose you with tinnitus based on your symptoms alone. But in order to treat your symptoms, your doctor will also try to identify whether your tinnitus is caused by another, underlying condition. Sometimes a cause can't be found. To help identify the cause of your tinnitus, your doctor will likely ask you about your medical history and examine your ears, h...

Nov 30th, 2022 - Overview Tinnitus Open pop-up dialog box Close Tinnitus Tinnitus Tinnitus can be caused by a number of things, including broken or damaged hair cells in the part of the ear that receives sound (cochlea); changes in how blood moves through nearby blood vessels (carotid artery); problems with the joint of the jaw bone (temporomandibular joint); and problems with how the brain processes sound. Tin...

Nov 30th, 2022 - Overview Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is an uncommon disorder that causes inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and kidneys. Formerly called Wegener's granulomatosis, this condition is one of a group of blood vessel disorders called vasculitis. It slows blood flow to some of your organs. The affected tissues can develop areas of inflammation called granuloma...

Nov 29th, 2022 - Overview Vision with macular degeneration Open pop-up dialog box Close Vision with macular degeneration Vision with macular degeneration As macular degeneration develops, clear, typical vision (left) becomes impaired by a general haziness. With advanced macular degeneration, a blind spot forms at the center of the visual field (right). Wet macular degeneration is a long-lasting eye disorder tha...

Nov 29th, 2022 - Overview Vision with macular degeneration Open pop-up dialog box Close Vision with macular degeneration Vision with macular degeneration As macular degeneration develops, clear, typical vision (left) becomes impaired by a general haziness. With advanced macular degeneration, a blind spot forms at the center of the visual field (right). Wet macular degeneration is a long-lasting eye disorder tha...

Nov 29th, 2022 - Overview Vision with macular degeneration Open pop-up dialog box Close Vision with macular degeneration Vision with macular degeneration As macular degeneration develops, clear, typical vision (left) becomes impaired by a general haziness. With advanced macular degeneration, a blind spot forms at the center of the visual field (right). Wet macular degeneration is a long-lasting eye disorder tha...

Nov 29th, 2022 - Overview Vision with macular degeneration Open pop-up dialog box Close Vision with macular degeneration Vision with macular degeneration As macular degeneration develops, clear, typical vision (left) becomes impaired by a general haziness. With advanced macular degeneration, a blind spot forms at the center of the visual field (right). Wet macular degeneration is a long-lasting eye disorder tha...

Nov 29th, 2022 - Diagnosis Endoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close Endoscopy Endoscopy An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope down your throat and into your esophagus. A tiny camera on the end of the endoscope lets your provider examine your esophagus, stomach and the beginning of your small intestine, also called the duodenum. Your health care provider or specialist ...

Nov 25th, 2022 - Overview What is neuromyelitis optica? Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare chronic condition that affects your eyesight and your ability to move. It’s an autoimmune disorder, meaning it happens because your immune system mistakenly attacks parts of your central nervous system. This condition has undergone name changes over the years. The condition’s original name, Devic’s disease, comes from E...

Nov 24th, 2022 - Overview Polycystic kidney Open pop-up dialog box Close Polycystic kidney Polycystic kidney A healthy kidney (left) eliminates waste from the blood and maintains the body's chemical balance. With polycystic kidney disease (right), fluid-filled sacs called cysts develop in the kidneys. The kidneys grow larger and gradually lose the ability to function as they should. Polycystic kidney disease (P...