Lactose Intolerance is a condition of the digestive system in the small intestines with symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas, after consuming foods or drinks that contain lactose. The condition, which is also called lactose malabsorption, is usually harmless, but its symptoms can be very uncomfortable and embarrassing. Lactose malabsorption occurs when your small intestine doesn’t produce enough of an enzyme (lactase) to digest milk sugar (lactose). Being lactase deficient, the lactose in food moves into the colon instead of being processed and absorbed. In the colon, normal bacteria interact with undigested lactose, causing the signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance. Symptoms may include bloating, diarrhea, gas, nausea, and pain in your abdomen. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord, that disrupts the flow of information between the brain and the body. Some signs and symptoms include numbness and weakness in one or more limbs, electric shock sensations that occur with certain neck movements, involuntary shaking of the body or limbs, partial or complete vision loss, prolonged double vision, blurry vision, slurred speech, dizziness, fatigue, tingling or pain in parts of the body, and problems with sexual, bladder, and bowel functions. There is no cure for MS; however, there are treatments to help speed the recovery from attacks of the nerves. There are many different options for treatment whether it be through injections or oral medication that decrease the frequency of relapses and to delay disease progression. Research has shown that Multiple Sclerosis does more damage in the first year than in later years. If you would like a second opinion on your treatment and diagnosis contact us at secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.

Laryngitis is when your larynx is swollen and inflamed from overuse, irritation or infection. This swelling and inflammation causes distortion of the sounds produced by air passing over them. As a result, the voice sounds hoarse or even undetectable. Many conditions can cause the inflammation that results in laryngitis such as viral infections, environmental factors, and bacterial infections. Symptoms of laryngitis include: a breathy, raspy, and hoarse voice; a cough; feeling of tightness or of something stuck in the throat; a headache; nasal congestion or runny nose; sore throat or clearing of the throat often; and/or trouble swallowing. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.

October marks National Physical Therapy month, which draws awareness to the ever important field of physical therapy. Physical therapy is the treatment of disease, injury, or deformity by physical methods such as massage, heat treatment, and exercise rather than by drugs or surgery. In the United States every year, about 500,000 people undergo surgery for lower back pain alone. On average when a diagnosis is reviewed, 88% of initial diagnoses are changed or revised. As a common alternative, physical therapy can save a person from having to undergo unnecessary and expensive surgery.

If you or a loved one has recently received a diagnosis for surgery, it may be advisable to have the diagnosis, MRI, X-Ray, CT scan or other reports reviewed by a third-party expert online at SecondOpinions.com. American Board Certified physicians review your file and can give you peace of mind in minutes.

Kidney stones are mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and vary in size, with some being as small as a grain of sand, and others being as large as a pebble. They usually originate in the kidneys; however, they can develop anywhere along the urinary tract, which consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Small kidney stones pass through the urinary tract without causing any symptoms, but larger stones may become stuck in the urinary tract at which point a person will experience the first signs and symptoms of a kidney stone. Some signs and symptoms include: severe, sharp pain in the side and back, below the ribs; pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin; pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity; pain or burning sensation while urinating; pink, red or brown urine; cloudy or foul-smelling urine; a persistent need to urinate, urinating more often than usual or urinating in small amounts; nausea and vomiting; and/or fever and chills if an infection is present. Diet, excess body weight, some medical conditions, and certain supplements and medications are among the many causes of kidney stones. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com.