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Please answer the question as a medical doctor.
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What are the Overview of Melanoma?
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Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that make the pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin.
Melanoma typically starts on skin that's often exposed to the sun. This includes the skin on the arms, back, face and legs. Melanoma also can form in the eyes. Rarely, it can happen inside the body, such as in the nose or throat.
The exact cause of all melanomas isn't clear. Most melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light, also called UV light, comes from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds. Limiting exposure toUVlight can help reduce the risk of melanoma.
The risk of melanoma seems to be increasing in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the symptoms of skin cancer can help ensure that cancerous changes are detected and treated before the cancer has spread. Melanoma can be treated successfully if it is found early.
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What are the symptoms of Melanoma?
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The first melanoma signs and symptoms often are:
• A change in an existing mole.
• The development of a new pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin.
Melanoma doesn't always begin as a mole. It also can happen on otherwise healthy skin.
Melanomas symptoms can happen anywhere on the body. Melanomas most often develop in areas that have had exposure to the sun. This includes the arms, back, face and legs.
Melanomas also can happen in areas that aren't as exposed to the sun. This includes the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and fingernail beds. Melanoma also can happen inside the body. These hidden melanomas are more common in people with brown or Black skin.
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What are the causes of Melanoma?
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Melanoma happens when something changes healthy melanocytes into cancer cells. Melanocytes are skin cells that make pigment that gives skin its color. The pigment is called melanin.
Melanoma starts when melanocytes develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA holds the instructions that tell a cell what to do. In healthy cells, DNA gives instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions tell the cells to die at a set time. In cancer cells, the DNA changes give different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can keep living when healthy cells would die. This causes too many cells.
The cancer cells might form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. In time, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body. When cancer spreads, it's called metastatic cancer.
It isn't clear what changes the DNA in skin cells and how it leads to melanoma. It's likely a combination of factors, including environmental and genetic factors. Still, healthcare professionals believe exposure to ultraviolet light is the leading cause of melanoma. Ultraviolet light, also called UV light, comes from the sun and from tanning lamps and beds.
UVlight doesn't cause all melanomas, especially those that occur in places on your body that don't receive exposure to sunlight. This means that other factors may contribute to your risk of melanoma.
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What are the risk factors of Melanoma?
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Factors that may increase the risk of melanoma include:
• A family history of melanoma.If a close relative has had melanoma, you have a greater chance of developing a melanoma, too. Close relatives may include a parent, child or sibling.
• A history of sunburn.One or more severe, blistering sunburns can increase your risk of melanoma.
• Exposure toUVlight.The ultraviolet light, also called UV light, that comes from the sun and from tanning lights and beds increases the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.
• Having many moles or moles that aren't typical.Having more than 50 typical moles on your body indicates an increased risk of melanoma. Also, having a type of mole that isn't typical increases the risk of melanoma. Known medically as dysplastic nevi, these moles tend to be larger than typical moles. They may have unusual borders and a mixture of colors.
• Living closer to the equator or at a higher elevation.People living closer to the earth's equator experience more direct sun rays. Therefore, they experience higher amounts ofUVlight from the sun than people living farther north or south. Also, people who live at a higher elevation are more exposed toUVlight.
• Skin that sunburns easily.Anyone can get melanoma, but it's most common in people with white skin. If you have blond or red hair, light-colored eyes, and freckle or sunburn easily, you're more likely to develop melanoma.
• Weakened immune system.If the body's germ-fighting immune system is weakened by medications or illness, there might be a higher risk of melanoma and other skin cancers. People with a weakened immune system include those taking medicines to control the immune system, such as after an organ transplant. Certain medical conditions, such as infection withHIV, can weaken the immune system.
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What is the prevention of Melanoma?
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You can reduce your risk of melanoma and other types of skin cancer if you:
• Avoid tanning lamps and beds.Tanning lamps and beds give off ultraviolet light, also called UV light. Exposure to this kind of light can increase your risk of skin cancer.
• Avoid the sun during the middle of the day.For many people in North America, the sun's rays are strongest between about 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day, even in winter or when the sky is cloudy.
• Become familiar with your skin so that you'll notice changes.Check your skin often for new skin growths. Look for changes in existing moles, freckles, bumps and birthmarks. With the help of mirrors, check your face, neck, ears and scalp.Look at your chest and trunk and the tops and undersides of your arms and hands. Check both the front and back of your legs and your feet, including the soles and the spaces between your toes. Also check your genital area and between your buttocks.
• Wear protective clothing.When you go outside during the day, wear clothes that help protect your skin from the sun's rays. Cover your skin with dark, tightly woven clothing that covers your arms and legs. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or visor. Some companies also sell protective clothing. A dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand.Don't forget sunglasses. Look for those that block both types ofUVlight that come from the sun, calledUVAandUVB.
• Wear sunscreen year-round.Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with anSPFof at least 30, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen generously. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.
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What are the Overview of Meniere's disease?
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Meniere's disease is an inner ear problem that can cause dizzy spells, also called vertigo, and hearing loss. Most of the time, Meniere's disease affects only one ear.
Meniere's disease can happen at any age. But it usually starts between the ages of 40 to 60. It's thought to be a lifelong condition. But some treatments can help ease symptoms and lessen how it affects your life long term.
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What are the symptoms of Meniere's disease?
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Symptoms of Meniere's disease include:
• Regular dizzy spells.You have a spinning feeling that starts and stops suddenly. Vertigo may start without warning. It usually lasts 20 minutes to 12 hours, but not more than 24 hours. Serious vertigo can cause nausea.
• Hearing loss.Hearing loss in Meniere's disease may come and go, especially early on. Over time, hearing loss can be long-lasting and not get better.
• Ringing in the ear.Ringing in the ear is called tinnitus. Tinnitus is the term for when you have a ringing, buzzing, roaring, whistling or hissing sound in your ear.
• Feeling of fullness in the ear.People with Meniere's disease often feel pressure in the ear. This is called aural fullness.
After a vertigo attack, symptoms get better and might go away for a while. Over time, how many vertigo attacks you have may lessen.
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What are the causes of Meniere's disease?
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The cause of Meniere's disease isn't known. Symptoms of Meniere's disease may be due to extra fluid in the inner ear called endolymph. But it isn't clear what causes this fluid to build up in the inner ear.
Issues that affect the fluid, which might lead to Meniere's disease, include:
• Poor fluid drainage. This may be due to a blockage or irregular ear shape.
• Autoimmune disorders.
• Viral infection.
• Genetics.
Because no single cause has been found, Meniere's disease likely has a combination of causes.
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What are the risk factors of Meniere's disease?
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Meniere's disease is most common in people ages 40 to 60. Females may have a slightly higher risk than men.
You may have a higher chance of getting Meniere's disease if someone in your family has had the condition.
You may have a higher risk of Meniere's disease if you have an autoimmune disorder.
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What are the complications of Meniere's disease?
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The most difficult complications of Meniere's disease can be:
• Unexpected vertigo attacks.
• Possibly losing your hearing long term.
The disease can happen at any time. This can cause worry and stress.
Vertigo can cause you to lose balance. This can increase your risk of falls and accidents.
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What are the Overview of Meningioma?
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A meningioma is a tumor that grows from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges. A meningioma is not a brain tumor, but it may press on the nearby brain, nerves and vessels. Meningioma is the most common type of tumor that forms in the head.
Most meningiomas grow very slowly. They can grow over many years without causing symptoms. But sometimes, their effects on nearby brain tissue, nerves or vessels may cause serious disability.
Meningiomas occur more often in women. They're often found at older ages. But they can happen at any age.
Because most meningiomas grow slowly, often without symptoms, they do not always need treatment right away. Instead, they may be watched over time.
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What are the symptoms of Meningioma?
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Symptoms of a meningioma most often begin slowly. They may be hard to notice at first. Symptoms may depend on where in the brain the meningioma is. Rarely, it can be in the spine.
Symptoms may include:
• Changes in vision, such as seeing double or blurring.
• Headaches that are worse in the morning.
• Hearing loss or ringing in the ears.
• Memory loss.
• Loss of smell.
• Seizures.
• Weakness in the arms or legs.
• Trouble speaking.
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What are the causes of Meningioma?
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It isn't clear what causes a meningioma. Experts know that something changes some cells in the meninges. The changes makes them multiply out of control. This leads to a meningioma.
Being exposed to radiation as a child is the only known environmental risk factor for getting meningioma. There's no good evidence to show that meningiomas happen because of cellphone use.
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What are the risk factors of Meningioma?
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Risk factors for a meningioma include:
• Radiation treatment.Radiation therapy that involves the head may increase the risk of a meningioma.
• Female hormones.Meningiomas are more common in women. This might mean that female hormones may play a role. Some studies also have suggested a link between breast cancer and meningioma risk related to the role of hormones. Some research suggests that the use of oral birth control and hormone replacement therapy could raise the risk of meningioma growth.
• An inherited nervous system condition.The rare condition neurofibromatosis 2 increases the risk of meningioma and other brain tumors.
• Obesity.A high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for many types of cancers. Several large studies have found that meningiomas happen more often in obese people. But the link between obesity and meningiomas is not clear.
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What are the complications of Meningioma?
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A meningioma and its treatment can cause long-term complications. Treatment most often involves surgery and radiation therapy. Complications may include:
• Trouble focusing.
• Memory loss.
• Personality changes.
• Seizures.
• Weakness.
• Changes in the senses.
• Trouble with language.
Your healthcare professional can treat some complications and refer you to specialists to help you cope with other complications.
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What are the Overview of Meningitis?
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Meningitis is an infection and swelling, called inflammation, of the fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.
The inflammation from meningitis most often triggers symptoms such as headache, fever and a stiff neck.
Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States. Bacteria, parasites and fungi also can cause it. Sometimes meningitis improves in a few weeks without treatment. But meningitis also can cause death. It often needs quick treatment with antibiotics.
Seek medical care right away if you think that you or someone in your family has meningitis. For meningitis caused by bacteria, early treatment can prevent serious complications.
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What are the symptoms of Meningitis?
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Early meningitis symptoms may be like those of the flu. Symptoms may come on over several hours or over a few days.
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What are the causes of Meningitis?
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Viral infections are the most common cause of meningitis in the United States, followed by bacterial infections and, rarely, fungal and parasitic infections. Because bacterial infections can lead to death, finding the cause is vital.
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What are the risk factors of Meningitis?
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Risk factors for meningitis include:
• Not getting vaccinations.Risk rises for anyone who hasn't gotten all the childhood or adult vaccinations.
• Age.Viral meningitis most often happens in children younger than age 5 years. Bacterial meningitis is common in those younger than age 20 years.
• Living in groups.College students living in dorms, people on military bases, and children in boarding schools and child care facilities are at greater risk of meningococcal meningitis. This is probably because the germ quickly spreads through large groups.
• Pregnancy.Pregnancy increases the risk of an infection caused by listeria bacteria, which also may cause meningitis. The infection raises the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature delivery.
• Weakened immune system.AIDS, alcohol use disorder, diabetes, medicines that lower the immune system and other factors that affect the immune system raise the risk of meningitis. Having a spleen removed also raises risk. For people without a spleen, a vaccine can lower the risk.
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What are the complications of Meningitis?
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Meningitis complications can be serious. The longer someone has the disease without treatment, the greater the risk of seizures and long-term nervous system damage. Damage can include:
• Hearing loss.
• Trouble with vision.
• Memory issues.
• Learning disabilities.
• Brain damage.
• Trouble walking.
• Seizures.
• Kidney failure.
• Shock.
• Death.
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What is the prevention of Meningitis?
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Common germs that can cause meningitis can spread through coughing, sneezing or kissing. Germs also can spread by shared eating utensils, toothbrushes or cigarettes.
These steps can help prevent meningitis:
• Wash your hands.Careful hand-washing helps prevent the spread of germs. Teach children to wash their hands often. Teach them to wash hands before eating and after using the toilet, spending time in a crowded public place, or petting animals. Show them how to wash and rinse their hands well.
• Practice good hygiene.Don't share drinks, foods, straws, eating utensils, lip balms or toothbrushes with anyone. Teach children and teens to avoid sharing these items too.
• Stay healthy.Keep your immune system strong by getting enough rest, exercising regularly, and eating a good diet with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Cover your mouth.When you need to cough or sneeze, be sure to cover your mouth and nose. Even better, cough or sneeze into your shoulder.
• If you're pregnant, watch what you eat.Reduce your risk of a listeria infection by cooking meat, including hot dogs and lunch meats, to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Eat only cheeses made from milk that has been pasteurized to kill germs. Check labels to be sure cheeses are made with pasteurized milk.
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What are the Overview of Menopause?
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Menopause is when periods stop for good. It's diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period, vaginal bleeding or spotting. Menopause can happen in the 40s or 50s. But the average age is 51 in the United States.
Menopause is natural. But the physical symptoms, such as hot flashes, and emotional symptoms of menopause may disrupt sleep, lower energy or affect mood. There are many treatments, from lifestyle changes to hormone therapy.
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What are the symptoms of Menopause?
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Most often, menopause happens over time. The months or years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause or the menopausal transition.
During the transition, the amount of hormones your ovaries make varies. Perimenopause can last 2 to 8 years. The average is about four years.
The hormone changes can cause symptoms such as:
• Irregular periods.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Hot flashes.
• Night sweats.
• Sleep problems.
• Mood changes.
• Trouble finding words and remembering, often called brain fog.
Different people have different menopause symptoms. Most often, periods are not regular before they end.
Skipped periods during perimenopause are common and expected. Often, menstrual periods skip a month and return. Or they skip a few months and then start monthly cycles again for a few months.
Period cycles tend to get shorter in early perimenopause, so periods are closer together. As menopause gets closer, periods get farther apart for months before they end.
You can still get pregnant during this time. If you've skipped a period but aren't sure it's due to menopause, think about taking a pregnancy test.
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What are the Women’s health topics - straight to your inbox of Menopause?
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Get the latest information from our Mayo Clinic experts on women’s health topics, serious and complex conditions, wellness and more.Click to view a previewand subscribe below.
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What are the causes of Menopause?
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Menopause can result from:
• Natural decline of hormones.As you enter your late 30s, your ovaries start making less of the hormones that control your period. These are called estrogen and progesterone. With lower levels of them, it's harder to get pregnant.In your 40s, your menstrual periods may get longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, and happen more often or less often. In time, your ovaries stop releasing eggs. Then you have no more periods. This happens on average around age 51.
• Surgery that removes the ovaries, called oophorectomy.Ovaries make hormones, including estrogen and progesterone, that control the menstrual cycle. Surgery to remove the ovaries causes instant menopause.Your periods stop. You're likely to have hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Symptoms can be severe because the surgery causes hormones to drop all at once rather than slowly over several years.Surgery that removes the uterus but not the ovaries, called hysterectomy, most often doesn't cause instant menopause. You no longer have periods. But your ovaries still release eggs and make estrogen and progesterone for a time.
• Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.These cancer therapies can cause menopause. They can cause symptoms such as hot flashes during or shortly after treatment. Periods sometimes return after chemotherapy. Then you can still get pregnant. So you might want to keep using birth control.Radiation therapy aimed at the pelvis, belly and lower spine can cause menopause. Radiation to the whole body for stem cell transplant also can cause menopause. Radiation therapy to other parts of the body, such as breast tissue or the head and neck, likely won't affect menopause.
• Primary ovarian insufficiency.About 1% of people who have menopause get it before age 40. This is called premature menopause. Premature menopause may result from the ovaries not making the usual levels of hormones. This is called primary ovarian insufficiency. It can happen from gene changes or an autoimmune disease.Often no cause of premature menopause can be found. Then healthcare professionals most often suggest hormone therapy. Taken at least until the typical age of menopause, hormone therapy can protect the brain, heart and bones.
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What are the risk factors of Menopause?
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People assigned female at birth go through menopause. The main risk factor is reaching the age of menopause.
Other risk factors include:
• Surgery to remove the ovaries.
• Certain cancer treatments.
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What are the complications of Menopause?
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After menopause, your risk of certain medical conditions increases. Examples include:
• Heart and blood vessel disease.This also is called cardiovascular disease. When your estrogen levels fall, your risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both women and men.
• Weakened bones, called osteoporosis.This condition causes bones to become brittle and weak, leading to a greater risk of breaking bones. During the first few years after menopause, you may lose bone density quickly. This ups your risk of osteoporosis. Bones often broken after menopause include the spine, hips and wrists.
• Loss of bladder control, called urinary incontinence.As the tissues of your vagina and urethra change, you may have sudden, strong urges to urinate often. Then you might lose urine, called urge incontinence. Or you might lose urine with coughing, laughing or lifting, called stress incontinence. You may have urinary tract infections more often.
• Sex problems.Menopause causes the vagina to get drier and lose its stretch. This can cause discomfort and slight bleeding during sexual intercourse. Also, less feeling in the area may lessen your desire for sex, called libido.
• Weight gain.Many women gain weight during and after menopause because calorie burning, called metabolism, slows.
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What are the Overview of Mental illness?
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Mental illness, also called mental health disorders, refers to a wide range of mental health conditions — disorders that affect your mood, thinking and behavior. Examples of mental illness include depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.
Many people have mental health concerns from time to time. But a mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect your ability to function.
A mental illness can make you miserable and can cause problems in your daily life, such as at school or work or in relationships. In most cases, symptoms can be managed with a combination of medications and talk therapy (psychotherapy).
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What are the symptoms of Mental illness?
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Signs and symptoms of mental illness can vary, depending on the disorder, circumstances and other factors. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts and behaviors.
Examples of signs and symptoms include:
• Feeling sad or down
• Confused thinking or reduced ability to concentrate
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Withdrawal from friends and activities
• Significant tiredness, low energy or problems sleeping
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily problems or stress
• Trouble understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Problems with alcohol or drug use
• Major changes in eating habits
• Sex drive changes
• Excessive anger, hostility or violence
• Suicidal thinking
Sometimes symptoms of a mental health disorder appear as physical problems, such as stomach pain, back pain, headaches, or other unexplained aches and pains.
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What are the causes of Mental illness?
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Mental illnesses, in general, are thought to be caused by a variety of genetic and environmental factors:
• Inherited traits.Mental illness is more common in people whose blood relatives also have a mental illness. Certain genes may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, and your life situation may trigger it.
• Environmental exposures before birth.Exposure to environmental stressors, inflammatory conditions, toxins, alcohol or drugs while in the womb can sometimes be linked to mental illness.
• Brain chemistry.Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that carry signals to other parts of your brain and body. When the neural networks involving these chemicals are impaired, the function of nerve receptors and nerve systems change, leading to depression and other emotional disorders.
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What are the risk factors of Mental illness?
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Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a mental illness, including:
• A history of mental illness in a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling
• Stressful life situations, such as financial problems, a loved one's death or a divorce
• An ongoing (chronic) medical condition, such as diabetes
• Brain damage as a result of a serious injury (traumatic brain injury), such as a violent blow to the head
• Traumatic experiences, such as military combat or assault
• Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
• A childhood history of abuse or neglect
• Few friends or few healthy relationships
• A previous mental illness
Mental illness is common. About 1 in 5 adults has a mental illness in any given year. Mental illness can begin at any age, from childhood through later adult years, but most cases begin earlier in life.
The effects of mental illness can be temporary or long lasting. You also can have more than one mental health disorder at the same time. For example, you may have depression and a substance use disorder.
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What are the complications of Mental illness?
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Mental illness is a leading cause of disability. Untreated mental illness can cause severe emotional, behavioral and physical health problems. Complications sometimes linked to mental illness include:
• Unhappiness and decreased enjoyment of life
• Family conflicts
• Relationship difficulties
• Social isolation
• Problems with tobacco, alcohol and other drugs
• Missed work or school, or other problems related to work or school
• Legal and financial problems
• Poverty and homelessness
• Self-harm and harm to others, including suicide or homicide
• Weakened immune system, so your body has a hard time resisting infections
• Heart disease and other medical conditions
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What is the prevention of Mental illness?
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There's no sure way to prevent mental illness. However, if you have a mental illness, taking steps to control stress, to increase your resilience and to boost low self-esteem may help keep your symptoms under control. Follow these steps:
• Pay attention to warning signs.Work with your doctor or therapist to learn what might trigger your symptoms. Make a plan so that you know what to do if symptoms return. Contact your doctor or therapist if you notice any changes in symptoms or how you feel. Consider involving family members or friends to watch for warning signs.
• Get routine medical care.Don't neglect checkups or skip visits to your primary care provider, especially if you aren't feeling well. You may have a new health problem that needs to be treated, or you may be experiencing side effects of medication.
• Get help when you need it.Mental health conditions can be harder to treat if you wait until symptoms get bad. Long-term maintenance treatment also may help prevent a relapse of symptoms.
• Take good care of yourself.Sufficient sleep, healthy eating and regular physical activity are important. Try to maintain a regular schedule. Talk to your primary care provider if you have trouble sleeping or if you have questions about diet and physical activity.
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What are the Overview of Mesenteric ischemia?
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Mesenteric ischemia (mez-un-TER-ik is-KEE-me-uh) is a condition that happens when narrowed or blocked arteries restrict blood flow to the small intestine. Decreased blood flow can permanently damage the small intestine.
Sudden loss of blood flow to the small intestine is called acute mesenteric ischemia. The acute type is often caused by a blood clot and needs immediate treatment, such as surgery.
Mesenteric ischemia that develops over time is called chronic mesenteric ischemia. The chronic type is usually caused by a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. Chronic mesenteric ischemia is treated with open surgery or a procedure called angioplasty.
Chronic mesenteric ischemia can become acute if it's not treated. It also can lead to severe weight loss and malnutrition.
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What are the causes of Mesenteric ischemia?
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Both acute and chronic mesenteric ischemia are caused by a decrease in blood flow to the small intestine. Acute mesenteric ischemia is most commonly caused by a blood clot in the main mesenteric artery. The blood clot often starts in the heart. The chronic form is most commonly caused by a buildup of fatty deposits, called plaque, that narrows the arteries.
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What are the risk factors of Mesenteric ischemia?
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The most common risk factors for acute mesenteric ischemia include:
• Atrial fibrillation — an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm.
• Congestive heart failure — a condition in which the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
• Recent vascular surgery.
The most common risk factors for chronic mesenteric ischemia include:
• Type 2 diabetes.
• High cholesterol levels.
• High blood pressure.
• Artery disease.
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Older age.
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What are the complications of Mesenteric ischemia?
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If not treated promptly, acute mesenteric ischemia can lead to:
• Irreversible bowel damage.Not getting enough blood flow to the bowel can cause parts of the bowel to die.
• Sepsis.This potentially life-threatening condition is caused by the body releasing chemicals into the bloodstream to fight infection. In sepsis, the body overreacts to the chemicals, triggering changes that can lead to multiple organ failure.
• Death.Both of the above complications may lead to death.
People with chronic mesenteric ischemia can develop:
• Fear of eating.This happens because of the after-meal pain associated with the condition.
• Weight loss that isn't intended.This can occur as a result of the fear of eating.
• Acute-on-chronic mesenteric ischemia.Symptoms of chronic mesenteric ischemia can get worse, leading to the acute form of the condition.
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What are the Overview of Metachromatic leukodystrophy?
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Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a rare hereditary (genetic) disorder that causes fatty substances (lipids) to build up in cells, particularly in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves. This buildup is caused by a deficiency of an enzyme that helps break down lipids called sulfatides. The brain and nervous system progressively lose function because the substance that covers and protects the nerve cells (myelin) is damaged.
There are three forms of metachromatic leukodystrophy, which involve different age ranges: late infantile form, juvenile form and adult form. Signs and symptoms can vary. The infantile form is the most common and progresses more rapidly than the other forms.
There is no cure for metachromatic leukodystrophy yet. Depending on the form and age of onset, early identification and treatment may help manage some signs and symptoms and delay progression of the disorder.
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What are the symptoms of Metachromatic leukodystrophy?
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Damage to the protective myelin covering the nerves results in progressive worsening of brain and nervous system functions, including:
• Loss of the ability to detect sensations, such as touch, pain, heat and sound
• Loss of intellectual, thinking and memory skills
• Loss of motor skills, such as walking, moving, speaking and swallowing
• Stiff, rigid muscles, poor muscle function and paralysis
• Loss of bladder and bowel function
• Gallbladder problems
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Seizures
• Emotional and behavioral problems, including unstable emotions and substance misuse
Each form of metachromatic leukodystrophy occurs at a different age and can have different initial signs and symptoms and rates of progression:
• Late infantile form.This is the most common form of metachromatic leukodystrophy, starting around 2 years of age or younger. Progressive loss of speech and muscle function occurs rapidly. Children with this form often do not survive beyond childhood.
• Juvenile form.This is the second most common form and starts in children between 3 and 16 years of age. Early signs are behavior and cognitive problems and increasing difficulty in school. Loss of the ability to walk may occur. Although the juvenile form doesn't progress as fast as the late infantile form, survival is generally less than 20 years after symptoms begin.
• Adult form.This form is less common and typically starts after age 16. Signs progress slowly and may begin with behavior and psychiatric problems, drug and alcohol misuse, and issues with school and work. Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations may occur. The course of this form varies, with periods of stable symptoms and periods of rapid decline in functioning. Adults may survive for several decades after initial symptoms.
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What are the causes of Metachromatic leukodystrophy?
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Metachromatic leukodystrophy is an inherited disorder caused by an abnormal (mutated) gene. The condition is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. The abnormal recessive gene is located on one of the nonsex chromosomes (autosomes). To inherit an autosomal recessive disorder, both parents must be carriers, but they do not typically show signs of the condition. The affected child inherits two copies of the abnormal gene — one from each parent.
The most common cause of metachromatic leukodystrophy is a mutation in the ARSA gene. This mutation results in a lack of the enzyme that breaks down lipids called sulfatides that build up in the myelin.
Rarely, metachromatic leukodystrophy is caused by a deficiency in another kind of protein (activator protein) that breaks down sulfatides. This is caused by a mutation in the PSAP gene.
The buildup of sulfatides is toxic, destroying the myelin-producing cells — also called white matter — that protect the nerves. This results in damage to the function of nerve cells in the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
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What are the Overview of Metastatic prostate cancer?
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Metastatic prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate and spreads to other parts of the body. Other terms for this condition include advanced prostate cancer and stage 4 prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the prostate. The prostate is a small gland that helps make the fluid part of semen. It's found just below the bladder. The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.
Most prostate cancers are found when the cancer is only in the prostate. It's less common for someone to have metastatic prostate cancer when first diagnosed with prostate cancer. Metastatic prostate cancer happens most often in people who had treatment for prostate cancer in the past.
There are many treatments for metastatic prostate cancer. Treatments aren't likely to cure the cancer, but they can slow its growth.
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What are the symptoms of Metastatic prostate cancer?
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Metastatic prostate cancer doesn't always cause symptoms. As the cancer grows and becomes more advanced, symptoms might happen. Signs and symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer can include:
• Feeling very tired.
• Having to urinate more often or feeling pain when urinating.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pain, which might be felt in the back, hips, pelvic area or in a bone. The pain tends to get worse over time.
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What are the causes of Metastatic prostate cancer?
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It's not clear what causes metastatic prostate cancer. This advanced form of prostate cancer happens when cancer cells break away from where they started in the prostate. The cancer cells can travel through the lymphatic system or the blood to other areas of the body. A metastatic prostate cancer also is a stage 4 prostate cancer.
Metastatic prostate cancer most often spreads to the:
• Bones.
• Lymph nodes.
• Liver.
• Lungs.
Rare places that metastatic prostate cancer spreads include:
• Adrenal glands.
• Brain.
• Pancreas.
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What are the risk factors of Metastatic prostate cancer?
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The risk factors that raise the risk of metastatic prostate cancer are the same for prostate cancer in general. Factors that can increase the risk of prostate cancer include:
• Older age.The risk of prostate cancer goes up with age. It's most common after age 50.
• Race and ethnicity.In the United States, Black people have a greater risk of prostate cancer than do people of other races and ethnicities. Healthcare professionals aren't exactly sure why. In Black people, prostate cancer also is more likely to grow quickly or be advanced when detected.
• Family history of prostate cancer.If a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk may be increased. The risk also may be increased if other close relatives have had prostate cancer. This includes your grandparents and your parents' siblings.
• Family history of DNA changes.Some DNA changes that increase the risk of cancer are passed from parents to children. The DNA changes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 can cause a higher risk of prostate cancer. These DNA changes are best known for increasing the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
• Obesity.People with obesity may have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with people considered to have a healthy weight. Studies of this issue have had mixed results. In people with obesity, prostate cancer is more likely to grow quickly and more likely to come back after treatment.
• Smoking tobacco.Some research shows a link between smoking and prostate cancer. But not all studies agree. People with prostate cancer who smoke may have a higher risk of the cancer coming back. People who smoke also have a higher risk of the cancer spreading beyond the prostate.
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What are the complications of Metastatic prostate cancer?
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Some treatments for metastatic prostate cancer can cause thinning bones. This complication can cause bones to break more easily.
To help reduce the risk of thinning bones, your healthcare team might recommend that you:
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Stop smoking if you smoke.
• Get 30 minutes of weight-bearing exercise most days of the week. Weight-bearing exercises include activities where your legs carry your weight. Examples include strength training, lifting weights, walking, running, basketball and pickleball.
• Eat foods that are rich in calcium. Examples include dairy products, such as cheese, milk and yogurt, and some vegetables, such as bok choy, broccoli and kale.
• Take vitamin supplements, but don't do this without talking with your healthcare team. Your care team can tell you which vitamins to take and how much to take.
You might have bone density testing when you start treatment. The test might repeat every year or two to watch for signs of thinning bones. Sometimes medicines can help build up the bones that start to thin.
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What are the Overview of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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Mild cognitive impairment is the in-between stage between typical thinking skills and dementia. The condition causes memory loss and trouble with language and judgment, but it doesn't affect daily activities.
People with mild cognitive impairment, also known as MCI, may be aware that their memory or mental ability has changed. Family and close friends also may notice changes. But these changes aren't bad enough to impact daily life or affect usual activities.
MCI raises the risk of developing dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease or other brain conditions. But for some people with mild cognitive impairment, symptoms might never get worse or even get better.
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What are the symptoms of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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Symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, also known as MCI, include trouble with memory, language and judgment. The symptoms are more serious than the memory issues that are expected as people get older. But the symptoms don't affect daily life at work or at home.
The brain, like the rest of the body, changes with age. Many people notice they become more forgetful as they age. It may take longer to think of a word or to recall a person's name. But if concerns with memory go beyond what's expected, the symptoms may be due to mild cognitive impairment.
People with MCI may have symptoms that include:
• Forgetting things more often.
• Missing appointments or social events.
• Losing their train of thought. Or not following the plot of a book or movie.
• Trouble following a conversation.
• Trouble finding the right word or with language.
• Finding it hard to make decisions, finish a task or follow instructions.
• Trouble finding their way around places they know well.
• Poor judgment.
• Changes that are noticed by family and friends.
People with MCI also may experience:
• Depression.
• Anxiety.
• A short temper and aggression.
• A lack of interest.
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What are the causes of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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There's no single cause of mild cognitive impairment. In some people, mild cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer's disease. But there's no single outcome. Symptoms may remain stable for years or they may improve over time. Or mild cognitive impairment may progress to Alzheimer's disease dementia or another type of dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment, also known as MCI, often involves the same types of brain changes seen in Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. But in MCI, the changes occur at a lesser degree. Some of these changes have been seen in autopsy studies of people with mild cognitive impairment.
These changes include:
• Clumps of beta-amyloid protein, called plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles of tau proteins that are seen in Alzheimer's disease.
• Microscopic clumps of a protein called Lewy bodies. These clumps are related to Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and, sometimes, Alzheimer's disease.
• Small strokes or less blood flow through brain blood vessels.
Brain-imaging studies show that the following changes may be related to MCI:
• Decreased size of the hippocampus, an area of the brain important for memory.
• Larger size of the brain's fluid-filled spaces, known as ventricles.
• Reduced use of glucose in key brain areas. Glucose is the sugar that is the main source of energy for cells.
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What are the risk factors of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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The strongest risk factors for mild cognitive impairment are:
• Older age.
• Having a form of a gene known as APOE e4. This gene also is linked to Alzheimer's disease. But having the gene doesn't guarantee a decline in thinking and memory.
Other medical conditions and lifestyle factors have been linked to a higher risk of changes in thinking, including:
• Diabetes.
• Smoking.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol, especially high levels of low-density lipoprotein, known as LDL.
• Obesity.
• Depression.
• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Hearing loss and vision loss that are not treated.
• Traumatic brain injury.
• Lack of physical exercise.
• Low education level.
• Lack of mentally or socially stimulating activities.
• Exposure to air pollution.
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What are the complications of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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Complications of mild cognitive impairment include a higher risk — but not a certainty — of dementia. Overall, about 1% to 3% of older adults develop dementia every year. Studies suggest that around 10% to 15% of people with mild cognitive impairment go on to develop dementia each year.
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What is the prevention of Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
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Mild cognitive impairment can't be prevented. But research has found that some lifestyle factors may lower the risk of getting it. These steps may offer some protection:
• Don't drink large amounts of alcohol.
• Limit exposure to air pollution.
• Reduce your risk of a head injury, such as by wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle.
• Don't smoke.
• Manage health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression.
• Watch your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and get treatment if the levels are high.
• Practice good sleep habits and manage any sleep conditions.
• Eat a healthy diet full of nutrients. Include fruits and vegetables and foods low in saturated fats.
• Stay social with friends and family.
• Get moderate to vigorous exercise most days of the week.
• Wear a hearing aid if you have hearing loss.
• Get regular eye exams and treat any vision changes.
• Stimulate your mind with puzzles, games and memory training.
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What are the Overview of Miscarriage?
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Miscarriage is the sudden loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week. About 10% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. But the actual number is likely higher. This is because many miscarriages happen early on, before people realize they're pregnant.
The term miscarriage might sound as if something was amiss in the carrying of the pregnancy. This is rarely true. Many miscarriages happen because the unborn baby does not develop properly.
Miscarriage is a somewhat common experience — but that doesn't make it any easier. If you've lost a pregnancy, take a step toward emotional healing by learning more. Understand what can cause a miscarriage, what raises the risk and what medical care might be needed.
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What are the symptoms of Miscarriage?
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Most miscarriages happen during the first trimester of pregnancy, which is about the first 13 weeks.
The symptoms can include:
• Bleeding from the vagina with or without pain, including light bleeding called spotting.
• Pain or cramping in the pelvic area or lower back.
• Fluid or tissue passing from the vagina.
• Fast heartbeat.
If you have passed tissue from your vagina, place it in a clean container. Then, bring it to your health care professional's office or the hospital. A lab can examine the tissue to check for signs of a miscarriage.
Keep in mind that most pregnant people who have vaginal spotting or bleeding in the first trimester go on to have successful pregnancies. But call your pregnancy care team right away if your bleeding is heavy or happens with cramping pain.
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What are the risk factors of Miscarriage?
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Various factors raise the risk of miscarriage, including:
• Age.If you're older than age 35, you have a higher risk of miscarriage than a younger person. At age 35, you have about a 20% risk. At age 40, the risk is about 33% to 40%. And at age 45, it ranges from 57% to 80%.
• Past miscarriages.If you've had one or more prior miscarriages before, you're at higher risk of pregnancy loss.
• Long-term conditions.If you have an ongoing health condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, you have a higher risk of miscarriage.
• Uterine or cervical problems.Certain uterine conditions or weak cervical tissues, also called incompetent cervix, might raise the chances of a miscarriage.
• Smoking, alcohol, caffeine and illegal drugs.People who smoke have a greater risk of miscarriage than do nonsmokers. Heavy use of caffeine or alcohol use also raises the risk. So does using illegal drugs such as cocaine.
• Weight.Being underweight or being overweight has been linked with a higher risk of miscarriage.
• Genetic conditions.Sometimes, one of the partners may be healthy but carry a genetic problem that raises the risk of a miscarriage. For example, one partner could have a unique chromosome that formed when the pieces of two different chromosomes attached to each other. This is called translocation. If either partner carries a chromosome translocation, passing it to an unborn child makes a miscarriage more likely.
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What are the complications of Miscarriage?
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Sometimes, pregnancy tissue that stays in the uterus after a miscarriage can lead to a uterine infection about 1 to 2 days later. The infection is called a septic miscarriage. Symptoms include:
• Fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit more than two times.
• Chills.
• Pain in the lower stomach area.
• Foul-smelling fluid called discharge from the vagina.
• Vaginal bleeding.
Call your health care professional's office or your local OB triage or emergency department if you have these symptoms. The illness can get worse fast and become life-threatening without treatment.
Heavy bleeding from the vagina, called a hemorrhage, is another miscarriage complication. Along with the bleeding, a hemorrhage often happens with symptoms such as:
• Fast heartbeat.
• Dizziness from low blood pressure.
• Tiredness or weakness due low red blood cells, also called anemia.
Get medical care at once. Some people who have a hemorrhage need blood from a donor or surgery.
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What is the prevention of Miscarriage?
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Often, there's nothing you can do to prevent a miscarriage. Instead, focus on taking good care of yourself and your unborn baby:
• Get regular prenatal care while you're pregnant and right after you give birth.
• Stay away from miscarriage risk factors — such as smoking, drinking alcohol and illegal drug use.
• Take a daily multivitamin.
• If you've had one or more prior miscarriages, ask your health care professional if you should take low-dose aspirin.
• Limit caffeine. Many experts recommend having no more than 200 milligrams per day while pregnant. This is the amount of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee. Also, check food labels for amounts of caffeine. The effects of caffeine aren't clear for your unborn baby and higher amounts may include miscarriage or preterm birth. Ask your pregnancy care team what's right for you.
If you have a long-term health condition, work with your health care team to keep it under control.
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What are the Overview of Mitral valve disease?
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Mitral valve disease is a problem with the valve located between the left heart chambers. The upper left heart chamber is called the left atrium. The bottom left heart chamber is called the left ventricle.
Mitral valve disease includes:
• Mitral valve regurgitation.The mitral valve flaps, also called leaflets, may not close tightly. This causes blood to leak backward.
• Mitral valve stenosis.The flaps of the mitral valve become thick or stiff, and they can fuse together. This narrows the valve opening, which reduces blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
Treatment for mitral valve disease depends on the severity of the condition and whether it is worsening. Sometimes, surgery is recommended to repair or replace the mitral valve.
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What are the symptoms of Mitral valve disease?
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Some people with mitral valve disease might not have symptoms for many years, if at all.
Symptoms of mitral valve disease can include:
• Fatigue.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath.
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What are the causes of Mitral valve disease?
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To understand the causes of mitral valve disease, it may be helpful to know how the heart works.
The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Each valve has flaps, called leaflets, that open and close once during each heartbeat. If a valve doesn't open or close properly, blood flow through the heart to the body can be reduced.
• In mitral valve regurgitation,the flaps don't close tightly. Blood flows backward when the valve is closed, making it harder for the heart to work properly.
• In mitral valve stenosis,the valve opening narrows. The heart now must work harder to force blood through the smaller valve opening. If the opening in the valve becomes small enough, it can reduce blood flow between the left heart chambers.
Mitral valve disease has many causes. Some forms of mitral valve disease can be present at birth. A heart problem that you're born with is called a congenital heart defect.
Mitral valve disease also may develop later in life. This means it is acquired. For example, mitral valve stenosis is often caused by rheumatic fever. This fever is a complication of a strep infection that can affect the heart. When this happens, it's called rheumatic mitral valve disease.
Other causes of acquired mitral valve disease include:
• Other heart conditions.
• Infection.
• Age-related changes.
• Autoimmune disease, such as lupus.
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What are the risk factors of Mitral valve disease?
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Several things can increase the risk of mitral valve disease, including:
• Older age.
• Certain infections that affect the heart.
• Heart attack and some types of heart disease.
• Use of certain drugs.
• Heart condition present at birth, called a congenital heart defect.
• Radiation to the chest.
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What are the complications of Mitral valve disease?
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Mitral valve disease can cause many complications. Severe mitral valve regurgitation, for example, causes the heart to work harder, which can cause the left ventricle to enlarge and the heart muscle to weaken.
Other complications of mitral valve disease may include:
• Irregular and often rapid heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation.
• High blood pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs, called pulmonary hypertension.
• Blood clots.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Stroke.
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What are the Overview of Mitral valve regurgitation?
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Mitral valve regurgitation is the most common type of heart valve disease. In this condition, the valve between the left heart chambers doesn't close fully. Blood leaks backward across the valve. If the leakage is severe, not enough blood moves through the heart or to the rest of the body. Mitral valve regurgitation can make you feel very tired or short of breath.
Other names for mitral valve regurgitation are:
• Mitral regurgitation (MR).
• Mitral insufficiency.
• Mitral incompetence.
Treatment of mitral valve regurgitation may include regular health checkups, medicines or surgery. You may not need treatment if the condition is mild.
Severe mitral valve regurgitation often requires a catheter procedure or heart surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve. Without proper treatment, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause heart rhythm problems or heart failure.
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What are the symptoms of Mitral valve regurgitation?
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Mitral valve regurgitation is often mild and develops slowly. Some people do not have symptoms for many years.
But sometimes, mitral valve regurgitation develops quickly. When this happens, it's called acute mitral valve regurgitation.
Fatigue is a common but nonspecific symptom of mitral valve regurgitation. Other symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation include:
• Irregular heartbeat, called an arrhythmia.
• Shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
• Feelings of a rapid, pounding or fluttering heartbeat, called palpitations.
• Swollen feet or ankles.
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What are the causes of Mitral valve regurgitation?
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To understand the causes of mitral valve disease, it may be helpful to know how the heart works.
The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Each valve has flaps, also called leaflets, that open and close once during each heartbeat.
In mitral valve regurgitation, the valve flaps don't close tightly. Blood moves backward when the valve is closed. This makes it harder for the heart to work properly.
If mitral valve regurgitation is due to problems with the mitral valve, the condition is called primary mitral valve regurgitation.
If a problem or disease affecting other areas of the heart cause a leaky mitral valve, the condition is called functional or secondary mitral regurgitation.
Possible causes of mitral valve regurgitation include:
• Mitral valve prolapse.In this condition, the mitral valve's flaps bulge back into the left upper heart chamber when the heart squeezes. This common heart problem can prevent the mitral valve from closing tightly and cause blood to flow backward.
• Rheumatic fever.Rheumatic fever is a complication of untreated strep throat. Rheumatic fever can damage the mitral valve, leading to mitral valve regurgitation early or later in life. If rheumatic fever causes mitral valve disease, the condition is called rheumatic mitral valve disease. Rheumatic fever is rare in the United States.
• Heart attack.A heart attack can damage the area of the heart muscle that supports the mitral valve. If there is a lot of heart attack damage, sudden and severe mitral valve regurgitation can occur. A leaky mitral valve caused by a heart attack is called ischemic mitral regurgitation.
• Heart problem present at birth, also called a congenital heart defect.Some people are born with heart structure problems, including damaged heart valves.
• Thickening of the heart muscle, called cardiomyopathy.Cardiomyopathy makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. The condition can affect how the mitral valve works, causing regurgitation. Types of cardiomyopathy linked to mitral valve regurgitation include dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
• Damaged tissue cords.Over time, the pieces of tissue that hold the flaps of the mitral valve to the heart wall may stretch or tear. This is especially likely in people with mitral valve prolapse. A tear can cause blood to suddenly leak through the mitral valve. It may require mitral valve repair surgery. A chest injury also can cause rupture of the cords.
• Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves, called endocarditis.This condition is usually caused by an infection. Germs get into the bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in the heart.
• Radiation therapy.Rarely, radiation therapy for cancer that is focused on the chest area can lead to mitral valve regurgitation.
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What are the risk factors of Mitral valve regurgitation?
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Several things can increase the risk of mitral valve regurgitation, including:
• Certain infections that affect the heart.
• Heart attack.
• Heart problems present at birth, called congenital heart defects.
• History of other heart valve diseases, including mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve stenosis.
• Older age.
• Radiation to the chest.
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What are the complications of Mitral valve regurgitation?
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Mitral valve regurgitation complications often depend on the severity of disease. Mild mitral valve regurgitation usually does not cause any problems.
As mitral valve regurgitation gets worse, the heart must work harder to pump blood to the body. The strain on the heart can cause the left lower chamber to widen. The heart muscle may become weak.
Potential complications of severe mitral valve regurgitation include:
• An irregular and often rapid heartbeat, called atrial fibrillation.Mitral valve regurgitation may trigger this common heart rhythm disorder. Atrial fibrillation has been linked to an increased risk of blood clots and stroke.
• High blood pressure in the lungs, called pulmonary hypertension.Long-term untreated or improperly treated mitral regurgitation can increase pressure in the blood vessels in the lungs. As pressure rises, fluid builds up in the lungs.
• Congestive heart failure.In severe mitral valve regurgitation, the heart has to work harder to pump enough blood to the body. The extra effort causes the left lower heart chamber to get bigger. Untreated, the heart muscle becomes weak. This can cause heart failure.
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What are the Overview of Mitral valve stenosis?
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Mitral valve stenosis — sometimes called mitral stenosis — is a narrowing of the valve between the two left heart chambers. The narrowed valve reduces or blocks blood flow into the lower left heart chamber. The lower left heart chamber is the heart's main pumping chamber. It also is called the left ventricle.
Mitral valve stenosis can make you tired and short of breath. Other symptoms may include irregular heartbeats, dizziness, chest pain or coughing up blood. Some people don't notice symptoms.
Mitral valve stenosis can be caused by a complication of strep throat called rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is now rare in the United States.
Treatment for mitral valve stenosis may include medicine or mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. Some people only need regular health checkups. Treatment depends on how severe the valve disease is and whether it's getting worse. Untreated, mitral valve stenosis can lead to serious heart complications.
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What are the symptoms of Mitral valve stenosis?
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Mitral valve stenosis usually worsens slowly. You may not have any symptoms, or you may have mild ones for many years. Symptoms of mitral valve stenosis can occur at any age, even during childhood.
Symptoms of mitral valve stenosis include:
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when you lie down.
• Fatigue, especially during increased activity.
• Swollen feet or legs.
• Pounding, skipping or otherwise irregular heartbeats, called arrhythmias.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Fluid buildup in the lungs.
• Chest discomfort or chest pain.
• Coughing up blood.
Mitral valve stenosis symptoms may appear or get worse when the heart rate increases, such as during exercise. Anything that puts stress on the body, including pregnancy or infections, may trigger symptoms.
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What are the causes of Mitral valve stenosis?
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To understand the causes of mitral valve disease, it may be helpful to know how the heart works.
The mitral valve is one of four valves in the heart that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Each valve has flaps, called leaflets, that open and close once during each heartbeat. If a valve doesn't open or close properly, less blood may flow through the heart to the body.
In mitral valve stenosis, the valve opening narrows. The heart now must work harder to force blood through the smaller valve opening. Blood flow between the upper left and lower left heart chambers may decrease.
Causes of mitral valve stenosis include:
• Rheumatic fever.This complication of strep throat is the most common cause of mitral valve stenosis. When rheumatic fever damages the mitral valve, the condition is called rheumatic mitral valve disease. Symptoms may not be seen until years to decades after rheumatic fever.
• Calcium deposits.As you age, calcium deposits can build up around the mitral valve. This can cause narrowing of the structures that support the mitral valve flaps. The condition is called mitral annular calcification, or MAC for short. SevereMACcan cause mitral stenosis symptoms. It's difficult to treat even with surgery. People with calcium around the mitral valve often have similar problems with the heart's aortic valve.
• Radiation therapy.This is a treatment for certain types of cancer. Radiation to the chest area can sometimes cause the mitral valve to thicken and harden. The heart valve damage typically occurs 20 to 30 years after radiation therapy.
• Heart condition present at birth, called a congenital heart defect.Rarely, some babies are born with a narrowed mitral valve.
• Other health conditions.Lupus and other autoimmune conditions may rarely cause mitral valve stenosis.
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What are the risk factors of Mitral valve stenosis?
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Risk factors for mitral valve stenosis include:
• Untreated strep infections.A history of untreated strep throat or rheumatic fever increases the risk of mitral valve stenosis. However, rheumatic fever is rare in the United States. But it's still a problem in developing nations.
• Aging.Older adults are at increased risk of calcium buildup around the mitral valve.
• Radiation therapy.Radiation causes changes in the mitral valve shape and structure. Rarely, people who receive radiation therapy to the chest area for certain types of cancer may develop mitral valve stenosis.
• Illicit drug use.MDMA, short for methylenedioxymethamphetamine and commonly called molly or ecstasy, increases the risk of mitral valve disease.
• Use of certain medicines.Some migraine medicines have an ingredient called ergot alkaloids. Ergotamine (Ergomar) is an example. Ergot alkaloids may rarely cause heart valve scarring that leads to mitral stenosis. Older weight-loss medicines that contained fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine also are linked to heart valve disease and other heart problems. Fen-phen is an example. It's no longer sold in the United States.
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What are the complications of Mitral valve stenosis?
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Mitral valve stenosis that is not treated can lead to complications such as:
• Irregular heartbeats.Irregular heartbeats are called arrhythmias. Mitral valve stenosis may cause an irregular and chaotic heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. It's commonly known as AFib.AFibis a common complication of mitral stenosis. The risk increases with age and more-severe stenosis.
• Blood clots.Irregular heartbeats linked to mitral valve stenosis can cause blood clots to form in the heart. If a blood clot from the heart travels to the brain, a stroke can occur.
• High blood pressure in the lung arteries.The medical name for this condition is pulmonary hypertension. It can happen if a narrowed mitral valve slows or blocks blood flow. Decreased blood flow raises pressure in the lung arteries. The heart must work harder to pump blood through the lungs.
• Right-sided heart failure.Changes in blood flow and high pressure in the lung arteries put a strain on the heart. The heart must work harder to pump blood to the chambers on the right side of the heart. The extra effort eventually causes the heart muscle to become weak and fail.
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What is the prevention of Mitral valve stenosis?
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Rheumatic fever is the most common cause of mitral valve stenosis. So the best way to prevent mitral valve stenosis is to prevent rheumatic fever. You can do this by making sure you and your children see a healthcare professional for sore throats. Untreated strep throat infections can develop into rheumatic fever. Strep throat is usually easily treated with antibiotics.
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What are the Overview of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz is one-sided, lower abdominal pain associated with ovulation. German for "middle pain," mittelschmerz occurs midway through a menstrual cycle — about 14 days before your next menstrual period.
In most cases, mittelschmerz doesn't require medical attention. For minor mittelschmerz discomfort, over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies are often effective. If your mittelschmerz pain is troublesome, your doctor may prescribe an oral contraceptive to stop ovulation and prevent midcycle pain.
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What are the symptoms of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz pain usually lasts a few minutes to a few hours, but it may continue for as long as a day or two. Pain from mittelschmerz may be:
• On one side of your lower abdomen
• Dull and achy, similar to menstrual cramps
• Sharp and sudden
• Accompanied by slight vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Rarely, severe
Mittelschmerz pain occurs on the side of the ovary that's releasing an egg (ovulating). The pain may switch sides every other month, or you may feel pain on the same side for several months.
Keep track of your menstrual cycle for several months and note when you feel lower abdominal pain. If it occurs midcycle and goes away without treatment, it's most likely mittelschmerz.
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What are the causes of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz occurs during ovulation, when the follicle ruptures and releases its egg. Some women have mittelschmerz every month; others have it only occasionally.
The exact cause of mittelschmerz is unknown, but possible reasons for the pain include these:
• Just before an egg is released with ovulation, follicle growth stretches the surface of your ovary, causing pain.
• Blood or fluid released from the ruptured follicle irritates the lining of your abdomen (peritoneum), leading to pain.
Pain at any other point in your menstrual cycle isn't mittelschmerz. It may be normal menstrual cramping (dysmenorrhea) if it occurs during your period, or it may be from other abdominal or pelvic problems. If you have severe pain, see your doctor.
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What are the risk factors of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz has no clear risk factors. But it may be more likely to happen between the ages of 15 and 25.
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What are the complications of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz doesn't lead to other health conditions, also called complications. The pain goes away on its own, or with medicine or home remedies.
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What is the prevention of Mittelschmerz?
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Mittelschmerz can't be prevented. It's linked with natural changes in the body that happen during the menstrual cycle.
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What are the Overview of Molar pregnancy?
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A molar pregnancy is a rare complication of pregnancy. It involves unusual growth of cells called trophoblasts. These cells typically become the organ that feeds a growing fetus. That organ also is known as the placenta.
There are two types of molar pregnancy — complete molar pregnancy and partial molar pregnancy. In a complete molar pregnancy, the placental tissue swells and appears to form fluid-filled cysts. There is no fetus.
In a partial molar pregnancy, the placenta might have both regular and irregular tissue. There may be a fetus, but the fetus can't survive. The fetus usually is miscarried early in the pregnancy.
A molar pregnancy can have serious complications, including a rare form of cancer. A molar pregnancy requires early treatment.
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What are the symptoms of Molar pregnancy?
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A molar pregnancy may seem like a regular pregnancy at first. But most molar pregnancies cause symptoms that can include:
• Dark brown to bright red bleeding from the vagina during the first three months
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Sometimes grapelike cysts that pass from the vagina
• Pelvic pressure or pain
Because of improved ways of detecting a molar pregnancy, most are found in the first trimester. If it is not found in the first three months, symptoms of a molar pregnancy might include:
• A uterus growing quickly and being too large early in the pregnancy
• Preeclampsia — a condition that causes high blood pressure and protein in the urine — before 20 weeks of pregnancy
• Ovarian cysts
• Overactive thyroid, also known as hyperthyroidism
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What are the causes of Molar pregnancy?
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An egg fertilized atypically causes a molar pregnancy. Human cells usually have 23 pairs of chromosomes. In a typical fertilization, one chromosome in each pair comes from the father, the other from the mother.
In a complete molar pregnancy, one or two sperm fertilize an egg. The chromosomes from the mother's egg are missing or don't work. The father's chromosomes are copied. There's none from the mother.
In a partial or incomplete molar pregnancy, the mother's chromosomes are present, but the father supplies two sets of chromosomes. The embryo then has 69 chromosomes instead of 46. This most often occurs when two sperm fertilize an egg, resulting in an extra copy of the father's genes.
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What are the risk factors of Molar pregnancy?
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Factors that can contribute to a molar pregnancy include:
• Earlier molar pregnancy.If you've had one molar pregnancy, you're more likely to have another. A repeat molar pregnancy happens, on average, in 1 out of every 100 people.
• Age of the mother.A molar pregnancy is more likely in people older than age 43 or younger than age 15.
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What are the complications of Molar pregnancy?
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After removing a molar pregnancy, molar tissue might remain and continue to grow. This is called persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).GTNhappens more often in complete molar pregnancies than it does in partial molar pregnancies.
One sign of persistentGTNis a high level of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) — a pregnancy hormone — after the molar pregnancy has been removed. In some cases, the mole that causes the molar pregnancy goes deep into the middle layer of the uterine wall. This causes bleeding from the vagina.
PersistentGTNis usually treated with chemotherapy. Another treatment possibility is removal of the uterus, also known as hysterectomy.
Rarely, a cancerous form ofGTNknown as choriocarcinoma develops and spreads to other organs. Choriocarcinoma is usually successfully treated with chemotherapy. A complete molar pregnancy is more likely to have this complication than is a partial molar pregnancy.
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What is the prevention of Molar pregnancy?
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If you've had a molar pregnancy, talk to your pregnancy care provider before trying to get pregnant again. You might want to wait six months to one year. The risk of having another molar pregnancy is low, but it's higher once you've had a molar pregnancy.
During future pregnancies, a care provider may do early ultrasounds to check your condition and make sure the baby is developing.
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What are the Overview of Moles?
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Moles, also known as nevi, are a common type of skin growth. They often appear as small, dark brown spots that are caused by clusters of pigment-forming cells called melanocytes. Most people have 10 to 45 moles that appear during childhood and the teenage years. How these moles look may change over time. They also may fade over time.
Most moles are harmless. Rarely, they become cancerous. Being aware of changes in your moles and other pigmented patches is important to finding skin cancer, especially malignant melanoma.
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What are the symptoms of Moles?
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The typical mole is a small brown spot. But moles come in different colors, shapes and sizes:
• Color and texture.Moles can be brown, tan, black, blue, red or pink. They can be smooth, wrinkled, flat or raised. They may have hair growing from them.
• Shape.Most moles are oval or round.
• Size.Moles are typically less than 1/4 inch (about 6 mm) in diameter — the size of a pencil eraser. Those present at birth, known as congenital nevi, can be bigger and cover part of the face, trunk or a limb.
Moles can grow anywhere on your body, including your scalp and armpits, as well as under your nails and between your fingers and toes. Most people have 10 to 45 moles. Many of these moles occur by age 40. Moles may change or fade away over time. They may become darker and larger with hormonal changes that occur during the teenage years and while pregnant.
Clusters of brown spots around the eyes, cheeks and nose are dermatoses papulosa nigra — a type of seborrheic keratosis that is noncancerous and appears as waxy brown, black or tan growths. They aren't clusters of pigment-forming cells, known as nevi. Dermatoses papulosa nigra are more common among Black women. These lesions don't carry a risk of melanoma, but they can be treated as a cosmetic concern.
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What are the causes of Moles?
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Moles are caused when cells in the skin called melanocytes grow in clusters. Melanocytes generally are distributed throughout the skin. They produce melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color.
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What are the complications of Moles?
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Melanoma is the main complication of moles. Some people have an above-average risk of their moles becoming cancerous and leading to melanoma. Factors that raise melanoma risk include:
• Being born with large moles.These type of moles are called congenital nevi. They are subclassified based on their estimated adult size. Large and giant congenital nevi that are more than 20 centimeters in diameter are at higher risk of developing melanoma.
• Having unusual moles.Moles that are large with an irregular border are known as atypical nevi, also known as dysplastic nevi. They tend to run in families.
• Having many moles.Having more than 50 moles suggests a greater risk of melanoma and possibly breast cancer.
• Having a personal or family history of melanoma.If you've had melanoma before, there is a higher risk of getting melanoma again. Also, some types of atypical nevi lead to a genetic form of melanoma.
• Using tanning lamps or beds.Tanning lamps and beds releaseUVrays and can raise your risk of skin cancer.
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What is the prevention of Moles?
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The following measures can help limit the growth of moles and the main complication of moles: melanoma.
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What are the Overview of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a condition in which an atypical protein is found in the blood. The protein is called monoclonal protein or M protein.
This protein is made in the soft, blood-producing tissue in the center of bones. This blood-producing tissue is bone marrow. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance occurs most often in older men.
MGUSusually causes no problems. But sometimes it can lead to more-serious diseases. These include some forms of blood cancer.
People who have high amounts of this protein in the blood need regular checkups. That's so they can get earlier treatment if the condition gets worse. If it doesn't get worse,MGUSdoesn't need treatment.
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What are the symptoms of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
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People with monoclonal gammopathy often don't have symptoms. Some people have a rash or nerve problems, such as numbness or tingling. A blood test for another condition might findMGUSby chance.
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What are the causes of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
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Experts don't know what causesMGUS. Changes in genes and being around certain chemicals, such as those used to kill pests, appear to play a role.
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What are the risk factors of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
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Factors that increase your risk of developingMGUSinclude:
• Age.The average age at diagnosis is 70 years.
• Race.Africans and Black Americans are more likely to getMGUSthan white people are.
• Sex.MGUSis more common in men.
• Family history.Having family members withMGUSmight increase the risk.
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What are the complications of Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS)?
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Each year, about 1% of people withMGUSget certain types of blood cancers or other serious diseases, such as:
• Multiple myeloma.
• Light chain amyloidosis.
• Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia.
• Lymphoma.
Other issues linked toMGUSinclude broken bones, blood clots, kidney problems, and damage to nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, also known as peripheral neuropathy.
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What are the Overview of Mood disorders?
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Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder, affect people emotionally. If you have depression, you may constantly feel sad. You also may be anxious. If you have bipolar disorder, you'll likely have extreme mood swings. Your feelings may range from being very sad, empty or cranky to being very happy — going back and forth between each mood. Mood disorders are more common in women.
Having a mood disorder may raise your risk of suicide. This risk is higher if the mood disorder is serious and you also have problems with alcohol or drugs.
If you're thinking about suicide, contact a hotline for help. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It's available 24 hours a day, every day. Or use theLifeline Chat. Services are free and private. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish-language phone line at 1-888-628-9454 (toll-free).
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What are the symptoms of Mood disorders?
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Symptoms depend on the type of mood disorder.
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What are the causes of Mood disorders?
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Mood disorders are caused by traits passed down to you, as well as environmental factors and life events. Environmental factors can include, for example, childhood experiences and stressful life events. Some prescription drugs, such as corticosteroids and medicines for Parkinson's disease, and street drugs also can cause mood disorders.
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What are the risk factors of Mood disorders?
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Risk factors include life experiences and stressful life events that increase the risk of certain types of mood disorders.
Mood disorders may occur along with neurological disorders. These are conditions that affect the brain and the nervous system. For example, depression is common among people with multiple sclerosis, dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke and epilepsy. Depression also often occurs in people who have movements disorders like Parkinson's disease and those who have other long-term health conditions.
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What are the Overview of Morning sickness?
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Morning sickness is feeling like throwing up, also called nausea, and throwing up, also called vomiting, that occurs during pregnancy. Despite its name, morning sickness can strike at any time of the day or night.
Many people have morning sickness, especially during the first three months of pregnancy. But some people have morning sickness all through pregnancy. Home remedies, such as snacking during the day and sipping ginger ale or taking medicine you can buy without a prescription, might help relieve nausea.
Rarely, morning sickness is so bad that it turns into hyperemesis gravidarum. This is when the nausea and vomiting cause serious fluid loss or loss of more than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight. Hyperemesis gravidarum might require going to a hospital for treatment.
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