Sudden Confusion Or Change In Mental Status
Whenever someone has a change in mental status that is not caused by substance abuse, intoxication, or withdrawal of medications, they should immediately see a doctor, says Dr. Rajput. In addition, if the confusion occurs while the person has a fever, they are at a higher risk of infection of the brain, such as meningitis and encephalitis. Sudden confusion can also be the result of a head injury, a reaction to a new medication, dangerously low blood sugar, or a neurological problem, such as a stroke. Whatever the root cause, immediate medical attention is necessary. Check out these 15 stroke symptoms that women should never ignore.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Associated With Fatigue
Fatigue is a symptom that usually has some underlying cause. Fatigue may be described by people in different ways, and may include some combination include weakness, lack of energy, constantly tired or exhausted, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and/or difficulty starting and completing tasks.
Other symptoms such as fainting or loss of consciousness , near-syncope, rapid heartbeat , dizziness or vertigo may also be described as part of the fatigue experienced by the affected individual. The presence of these symptoms may actually help lead a health care practitioner to discover the underlying cause of the fatigue.
The potential causes of fatigue are numerous. The majority of diseases known to man often list fatigue or malaise as possible associated symptoms. This is complicated by the fact that fatigue can occur in normal healthy individuals as a normal response to physical and mental exertion. However, normal fatigue may begin to become abnormal if it becomes chronic, extreme or prolonged fatigue usually this occurs when a person experiences chronic or prolonged physical or mental exertion. For example, unusually hard physical or mental exertion for one day can result in normal fatigue that may last about a day or sometimes more, depending on the exertion level, while daily unusually hard physical or mental exertion may result in prolonged fatigue . This latter situation may develop into abnormal fatigue.
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How Can Shortness Of Breath And Nausea Be Treated
1. Gastritis
In cases when gastritis is the cause, its treatment depends on the underlying cause of gastritis. In cases of acute gastritis caused by alcohol abuse or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, stopping alcohol abuse or the use of these drugs will relieve the symptoms.
Certain over-the-counter medications as well as prescribed medications can help relieve gastritis, such as:
- Antibiotics in cases of an infection with Helicobacter pylori
The most important thing when it comes to the treatment of gastritis is a lifestyle change. Follow these tips in your daily life.
- Eat more frequently and in smaller portions.
- Avoid certain types of food which will irritate your stomach, such as spicy foods, fatty foods, fried foods, and acidic foods.
- Dont drink alcohol as it irritates the lining of your stomach.
- Avoid stress as it is known that the symptoms of gastritis just get worse due to stress. Yoga, massage, tai chi, meditation, swimming, walking, etc., can help you reduce stress as much as possible.
- Choose safe pain relievers such as acetaminophen which tend to have a smaller effect on your gastritis.
2. Panic Attack
What if the shortness of breath and nausea are caused by panic attack? Certain medications and psychotherapy can help treat panic attacks, based on the severity of your panic attacks, your medical and family history, etc. With proper treatment, the frequency and intensity of your panic attacks can be reduced.
3. Heart Attack
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Despite Recovering From Covid
Advanced testing of the heart and lungs may reveal why some people who have recovered from COVID-19 still have shortness of breath. This testing is highly specialized and available only at a few sites nationwide, including at Yale.
Many patients continue to have ongoing symptoms well after their initial SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms are not limited to those who required hospitalization or ICU admission and commonly occur in those with a history of mild COVID-19. Patients often have normal findings on tests such as lung function testing, chest X rays or CT scans. Physicians at the Winchester Center for Lung Disease have been exploring additional ways to evaluate patients with post-COVID-19 conditions, who are also known as Long Haulers.
Singh and colleagues, including PVDP Associate Director Phillip Joseph, MD, recently published original research in CHEST Journal in which they discussed how patients who have recovered from mild cases of COVID-19 without cardiopulmonary disease have a marked reduction in their peak oxygen consumption. Singh said this is because of impaired oxygen extraction by the muscles.
The team is planning more studies. Were drawing blood when the patients are at rest and at the peak of exercise to see if theres any circulating biomarker that could explain our findings, said Singh.
Chest Pain Pressure And Discomfort
Most people with heart attacks experience some sort of chest pain or discomfort. But its important to understand that chest pains dont occur in every heart attack.
Chest pain is a common sign of a heart attack. People have described this sensation as feeling like an elephant is standing on their chest.
Some people dont describe chest pain as pain at all. Instead, they may say they felt chest tightness or squeezing. Sometimes this discomfort can seem bad for a few minutes and then go away. Sometimes the discomfort comes back hours or even a day later. These could all be signs your heart muscle isnt getting enough oxygen.
If you experience chest pains or tightness, you or someone around you should call 911 immediately.
Pain and tightness can also radiate in other areas of the body. Most people associate a heart attack with pain working its way down the left arm. That can happen, but pain can also appear in other locations, including:
American Heart Association , some women may even think their heart attack symptoms are flu-like symptoms.
A heart attack can cause exhaustion due to the extra stress on your heart to try to pump while an area of blood flow is blocked. If you often feel tired or exhausted for no reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong.
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Correct Answer: C Administer Intravenous Immunoglobulin1 G/kg For 2 Days
I am sure that many of you quickly recognized that the patient was manifesting a life-threatening and fortunately rare complication of COVID-19 vaccination with certain of the vaccines in use, namely thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome. It would be an oversight by me to not address in some way the COVID-19 pandemic in our Whats the Take Home? column, given its importance these last 2 years. I will not get into diagnosis/therapeutics of actual COVID-19 infection, as one cannot open a newspaper or medical journal without encountering information overload about the entity. Instead, we will deal with a complication related to the spectacularly successful vaccine program, which happily seems quite rare. Of note is that it is primary care providers who may see this first. And let us complement our profession for its very prompt recognition, accurate response and good science that has addressed the problem.
Patient Follow-Up
Angiographic studies revealed the presence of a pulmonary embolism in the left lower lobar artery and the presence of splanchnic thrombosis in the distal portal vein and splenic arteries with an evolving splenic infarction.
Therapy was immediately initiated in the form of intravenous immunoglobulin, 1 g/kg, for the following 2 days and oral apixaban, 5 mg, twice daily. Her condition clinically stabilized with improved pulmonary findings. By day 4, her platelet count was 152,000 × 103/L, and her overall status continued to improve.
Whats the Take Home?
Is Shortness Of Breath One Of The First Symptoms Of Covid
COVID-19-related shortness of breath usually occurs a few days after initial infection. However, some people may not develop this symptom at all.
On average, it sets in between day 4 and 10 of the disease course. It typically follows milder symptoms, such as:
According to doctors observations while working in a clinic, the onset of shortness of breath, along with sudden drops in oxygen saturation after very little exertion, may help clinicians distinguish COVID-19 from other common illnesses.
Shortness of breath on its own usually rules out COVID-19. But when it occurs with other key symptoms, such as fever and cough, the likelihood of having an infection with SARS-CoV-2 increases.
The reports that 31 to 40 percent of people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 have experienced shortness of breath.
The occurrence of other symptoms is as follows:
- fever: 83 to 99 percent
- cough: 59 to 82 percent
- fatigue: 44 to 70 percent
- loss of appetite: 40 to 84 percent
- sputum production: 28 to 33 percent
- muscle, body aches: 11 to 35 percent
Another CDC study of confirmed cases in the United States found that shortness of breath occurred in about 43 percent of symptomatic adults and 13 percent of symptomatic children.
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A Stiffening Of The Heart
Cardiac amyloidosis is an often overlooked medical conditionalthough it is becoming increasingly recognized. The most common form is usually diagnosed in men over the age of 70.
Amyloid proteins build up in the heart, causing stiffness and pressure. The condition often leads to heart failure.
Read: Living With Heart Failure
The first symptom for many patients with cardiac amyloidosis is shortness of breath, says Dr. Jignesh Patel, director of the Cardiac Amyloidosis Program.
Thats because as amyloid proteins take up space in the wall of the heart, the hearts ability to fill up with blood between heartbeats becomes more difficult, leading to breathlessness.
Dr. Patel says that as many as a quarter of patients over the age of 80 may suffer from cardiac amyloidosis, but many arent diagnosed for an average of 3 yearsmaking it crucial to see a specialist if you or a loved one suspects the condition.
To diagnose cardiac amyloidosis, patients often undergo a series of tests, including imaging scans of the heart, blood and urine tests, and in many cases, genetic testing.
Treatment for the condition varies depending on the severity and type of the disease. It usually begins with medications, but can include a bone marrow transplant or a heart transplant.
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Home Remedies For Abdominal Pain
Getting an accurate medical diagnosis is the first and safest step to relieve abdominal pain, because a doctor or other healthcare provider can perform an exam and order tests to rule out serious causes. However, if you have generalized abdominal pain and suspect it is due to minor gastrointestinal issues, consider these home remedies:
- Baking soda for heartburn
- Ginger to aid digestion and reduce nausea
- Heated compress on your belly for cramp-like pain
- Liquid diet of broth and watered-down, non-caffeinated sports drinks
- Lying reclined on your left side, which can help you pass gas
- Modifying your diet to exclude problem foods, such as dairy products, beans, broccoli, and potential allergens
- Blackstrap molasses for constipation
- Tylenol for pain or fever
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Diagnosis Of Shortness Of Breath
To treat your shortness of breath, the doctor must determine what is causing it first. You need to let them know how long you have been experiencing the problem, and what makes it worse or better. They need to know if there are any other symptoms and if they are mild or severe.
Doctors will review your medical history and perform an examination of your heart and lungs. They may also conduct blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests to uncover the underlying cause.
Heartburn That Doesnt Go Away
If you find yourself popping antacid pills regularly, you might want to take the time to find the source of your discomfort. If you change your diet for the better and take steps to remove stress, but youre still suffering, it could be a sign of stomach or throat cancer. And even if its not the big C, it could cause the condition known as Barretts esophagus, in which your stomach acid damages the lining of the esophagus and, ultimately, could put you at a higher risk for esophageal cancer. This could also cause chest pain while exercising.
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Other Causes Of Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can also be caused by problems in body systems other than the digestive tract including:
- Abdominal trauma: Damage of the organs or blood vessels within the abdomen can result in internal bleeding, even if there is no sign of trauma from the outside. Always seek professional medical care after an accident or injury from blunt force or an explosion to rule out internal damage.
- Abdominal tumor or mass: Ranging from a simple cyst to cancer, an abdominal mass causing pain and other symptoms requires prompt medical attention to diagnose and treat the problem.
- Endometriosis: A condition in which the uterine lining grows abnormally outside the uterus. Symptoms include lower back and abdominal pain during and after your period, cramps, fatigue, and heavy bleeding. Medication can help relieve endometriosis symptoms surgery is necessary in some cases.
- Hernia: A painful lump is one sign of an abdominal hernia. A hernia causing problems in the lower abdomen is usually an inguinal hernia. A painful hernia may involve surgical repair.
- Kidney disease: Symptoms vary widely depending on the cause kidney stone pain is usually severe and felt in the side of the abdomen and moves into the lower abdomen and groin. Treatment also depends on the cause.
- Medication side effect: Examples include anti-cancer drugs, antibiotics, and sodium phosphate.
Therapies For Severe Cases
A person with severe COVID-19 may need supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation. The latter involves inserting a tube into a persons windpipe. The tube is connected to a machine called a ventilator that helps the person breathe.
Other treatments aim to help control the infection and address problems involving the blood and the functioning of other organs.
The American Lung Association say that doing breathing exercises can help make the lungs work more efficiently. This may help a person with a mild case of COVID-19 that causes shortness of breath.
Here are a few strategies to try:
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Moles That Bleed Or Change Are Red Flags
Having moles isnt inherently a problem, but moles that bleed or change form are red flags, says Daniel Aires, MD, JD, dermatologist with the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City. The rule of thumb is to follow the ABCDE of your mole:
- Asymmetric appearance
- Diameter larger than a pencil eraser
- Evolving size, color, and shape
The American Academy of Dermatology says these are warning signs of possible melanoma.
If there’s a history of skin cancer in your family, watch your moles even more closely. Routine evaluations can help find potential problems. If you have a concern about a mole, it may be wise to take a photo of it every six months to make it easier to notice changes over time.
What Can You Expect For Dyspnea/shortness Of Breath Care
The Dyspnea Center brings together the full range of BWHs services and expertise. Our team of experts will examine your lung function to determine the severity of your shortness of breath. Your team will then diagnose the cause and collaborate with a range of specialists to treat this condition. Some causes of unexplained dyspnea are due to structural abnormalities including blood clots, structural heart disease, valvular heart disease, structural lung disease and abnormalities due to congenital heart and lung disease that could be treated with surgery.
In addition, patients have full access to the Brighams world-renowned academic medical community with its diverse specialists and state-of-the-art facilities.
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During Pregnancy You Feel Decreased Movement From The Baby
Moms-to-be are notoriously nervous, but this is one time that you should definitely err on the side of caution, especially if youre in your third trimester. First, see if you can get your baby moving by drinking some juice and lying on your left side. If you still dont feel any movement, head straight to the hospital, advises Carolyn Alexander, MD, an ob-gyn at Southern California Reproductive Center. Time is of the essence because the umbilical cord supplies blood to the baby, she says, and if it is compromised, the baby may need to be delivered immediately.
What Causes Abdominal Pain
Common causes of abdominal pain often involve the digestive system. Relatively harmless gastrointestinal conditions include indigestion, gas and constipation. Stress and anxiety can also cause general abdominal pain. Sometimes children say they have a stomachache because they are trying to avoid a stressful or frightening situation, such as, trying to miss school to avoid issues with peers or friends.
However, it is always important to consider and rule out the possibility of physical causes, as abdominal pain can be from infection, malignancy, inflammation, trauma, obstruction, and other abnormal processes.
Life-threatening conditions, such as trauma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and a bleeding peptic ulcer can cause abdominal pain and should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Conditions involving other body systems, such as the endocrine, nervous, reproductive, and urinary systems, can also cause abdominal pain.
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Chest Pain Under Strain Get It Checked Out
In older white males, we know chest pain may be a sign of heart attack. But we havent gotten that same sort of education with women, Baechler says. Women fear breast cancer more than heart disease, but they are more likely to have heart disease. In fact, heart disease is the No.1 killer of women in America today, causing more deaths than all types of cancer combined.
If you lift something and have chest pain that youve never had before, get it checked out. You should also see your doctor about any new chest pain when you walk upstairs or exert yourself in some way. This is particularly important if the pain goes away after a short period of rest. Women are more likely than men to have atypical symptoms of a heart attack: shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, extreme fatigue, a cold sweat, or pain in the arms, back, neck, or stomach, Baechler says. Get these, and any of the more traditional symptoms, checked out.
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