Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that usually affects the lungs by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attacks the lungs but can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another by coughing, sneezing, speaking, laughing, spitting, or singing from someone infected with the disease. When a person breathes in the bacteria, it can settle in the lungs, begin to grow, and spread through blood to other parts of the body.

Signs and symptoms of active TB include:

• Coughing that lasts three or more weeks
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain, or pain with breathing or coughing
• Unintentional weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills
• Loss of appetite

In some countries, children receive an anti-TB vaccination — the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine — as part of a regular immunization program. However, experts in the U.S. do not recommend BCG inoculation for most people unless they have a high risk of TB. Dozens of new TB vaccines are in various stages of development and testing. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment please contact us at secondopinions.com.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing. The brain and nerves may misinterpret or overreact to normal pain signals which may be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain or abnormality in the dorsal root ganglion affecting the central pain (brain) sensitization. The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are

• Pain and stiffness all over the body.
• Fatigue and tiredness.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Sleep problems.
• Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.
• Headaches, including migraines.
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
• Pain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw known as a temporomandibular joint syndrome (also known as TMJ).
• Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and even irritable bowel syndrome (also known as IBS).

If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.

Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid results in your thyroid gland producing too much of the hormone thyroxine. It accelerates your body’s metabolism causing involuntary weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. This disorder develops in almost one percent of all Americans and usually affects women five to ten times more often than men.
There are two major hormones that affect how your body works which are produced in your thyroid. These hormones are called thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3); their function is to help keep your heart rate, body temperature, and other body functions working properly. T-4 and T-3 accomplish this by helping your body manage carbohydrates and fats appropriately. Another essential hormone that your thyroid produces is called calcitonin, and this aids in keeping a healthy amount of calcium in your blood.
The first step in diagnosis is to obtain a complete medical history and physical exam. There are also tests that may be performed to further evaluate your diagnosis such as a cholesterol test, a thyroid hormones (T-3, T-4, and free T-4) test, a thyroid stimulating hormone level test, a triglyceride test, a thyroid scan and uptake, and an ultrasound, CT or MRI scans. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Roughly 11 million Americans have heart valve disease (HVD), a potentially disabling and deadly disease. Many know little to nothing about HVD. The heart contains four one-way valves that allow blood to flow in and out of the heart muscle. Heart valve disease occurs when one of these valves stops working. This may be caused by a hidden heart condition or even an illness or simply from aging. In rare cases, HVD can lead to a heart attack. Some symptoms of heart valve disease range from chest pain, fluttering or heart palpitations with physical exertion, increased heartbeat with physical activity, symptoms of congestive heart failure, which include swelling of the legs and feet along with shortness of breath and fatigue. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid results in your thyroid gland producing too much of the hormone thyroxine. It accelerates your body’s metabolism causing involuntary weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. This disorder develops in almost one percent of all Americans and usually affects women five to ten times more often than men.

There are two major hormones that affect how your body works which are produced in your thyroid. These hormones are called thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3); their function is to help keep your heart rate, body temperature, and other body functions working properly. T-4 and T-3 accomplish this by helping your body manage carbohydrates and fats appropriately. Another essential hormone that your thyroid produces is called calcitonin, and this aids in keeping a healthy amount of calcium in your blood.

The first step in diagnosis is to obtain a complete medical history and physical exam. There are also tests that may be performed to further evaluate your diagnosis such as a cholesterol test, a thyroid hormones (T-3, T-4, and free T-4) test, a thyroid stimulating hormone level test, a triglyceride test, a thyroid scan and uptake, and an ultrasound, CT or MRI scans. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and malnutrition. It most commonly occurs in the small intestine and the colon. This disease can affect any part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can involve some parts of the GI tract and skip other parts. Over time, inflammation can damage sections of the digestive system, resulting in complications such as the narrowing of the intestine or a channel developing between the end of the bowel. These problems would usually require surgical treatment. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or an upset stomach, is a condition that describes discomfort in the upper abdomen with symptoms of abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness after eating. It is often a sign of an underlying problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, or gallbladder disease, rather than a condition of its own. Some symptoms include bloating, belching and gas, nausea and vomiting, an acidic taste in the mouth, fullness during or after a meal, growling stomach, burning in the stomach or upper belly, and/or belly pain. To diagnose, the doctor will likely start by asking questions about medical history and eating habits. A patient will undergo a physical examination. The doctor may order X-rays of the abdomen to see if there are any abnormalities in the digestive tract. They may also collect blood, breath, and stool samples to check for a type of bacteria that causes peptic ulcers. Also, the doctor can order an endoscopic exam to check the upper digestive tract for abnormalities. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.

National Men’s Health Week has been celebrated annually since 1994, this event was created to raise awareness and educate on the proper screenings and health issues specific to men.

Men’s Health Week was created in the month of June, the week leading up to father’s day. The event is meant to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of diseases including cancer, heart disease, and depression.

Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life. Encourage exercise, eating healthy, health screenings, health fairs, and regular check-ups.

A brain tumor can be very dangerous and life-threatening if not treated. There are more than 200,000 cases per year in the US. If you have a family history of tumors you may have a more likely chance to get one yourself. Tumors often require many lab tests or imaging. Treatment from a medical professional is highly recommended. This can last several months or years. If you’re experiencing any of the following below please see a medical professional.

• Headache
• Weakness in the limbs, face, or one side of the body
• Impaired coordination
• Difficulty while walking
• Difficulty in routine activities like reading and talking
• Noticeable changes in senses like taste and smell
• Bladder control problems
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
• Nausea or vomiting
• Memory loss

Some of the common procedures for a tumor are Neurological examination, Biopsy, CT scan, EEG, PET scan, and MRI. Chemotherapy can kill the cancer-causing cells. Radiation therapy is also highly recommended. If the pain has increased you might want a medical second opinion as this can be life-threatening.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. Blood supply may be reduced or completely blocked.

Symptoms will vary as different parts of the brain control different parts of our body, these symptoms will depend on the part of the brain affected and the amount of damage.

Below are common symptoms:

• Confusion
• Difficulty Understanding
• Dizziness
• Loss of Balance
• Numbness
• Severe Headache
• Trouble Speaking/Walking
• Change in Vision
• Face Droop
• Weakness

There are 3 main types of stroke transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke. Treatment is based on the type of stroke.

If you have been diagnosed as having a stroke, would like a second opinion on a possible stroke, or have images confirming a stroke and would like a better explanation please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.