Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is the inability to get and maintain an erection. It is a very common condition, particularly in older men, with an estimate that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree. Problems getting or keeping an erection can also be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs treatment and a risk factor for heart disease. Erectile dysfunction symptoms might include persistent trouble getting an erection, trouble keeping an erection, and/or reduced sexual desire. There are many possible causes of ED and can include both emotional and physical conditions. Common causes include cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, or high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, low testosterone levels or other hormone imbalances, kidney disease, increased age, stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and certain prescription medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure or depression, sleep disorders, drug use, consuming too much alcohol, using tobacco products, certain health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis (MS), damage to the pelvic area through injury or surgery, or Peyronie’s disease, which causes scar tissue to develop in the penis. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment, please contact us at secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Emphysema is a lung disease that causes shortness of breath and belongs to a group of lung diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD.

Emphysema involves damage to the inner walls of the alveoli, the air sacs in the lungs. The alveoli are located in clusters at the end of the bronchial tubes, deep in the lungs. As you inhale, the alveoli expand, bringing in oxygen to transport in your blood. When you exhale, the alveoli contract, forcing carbon dioxide out.

As emphysema develops, the alveoli & lung tissue are damaged causing the bronchial tubes to collapse causing a blockage or obstruction, trapping air in the lungs. So when people with emphysema breathe, there is no room for oxygen to enter, causing shortness of breath, coughing fits, tightness in the chest, or wheezing.

It is most common in men, ages 50 to 70 and is caused by long term exposure to smoking, air pollution, or chemical fumes, it is rarely genetically inherited.

There are many doctors online that can diagnose emphysema with radiological imaging, bloodwork, & lung function tests.  Although there is no cure, there are medications, breathing therapies, & surgeries that online doctors can recommend.

If you have emphysema or would like more information and receive a second opinion on your diagnosis & treatment plan, please visit us at www.secondopinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Deep Vein Thrombosis, also known as DVT, is a serious condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein located deep inside your body. A blood clot is a clump of blood that’s turned into a solid state, most deep vein clots occur in the lower leg or thigh. If the vein swells, the condition is called thrombophlebitis.

The blood clots of deep vein thrombosis can be caused by anything that prevents your blood from circulating or clotting normally, such as injury to a vein, surgery, certain medications, and limited movement.

Some risk factors include:

• Inheriting a blood-clotting disorder
• Prolonged bed rest, such as during a long hospital stay, or paralysis
• Injury or surgery
• Pregnancy, Birth control pills, or hormone replacement therapy
• Being overweight or obese
• Sitting for long periods of time, such as when driving or flying

Symptoms can include pain, swelling, redness, and enlarged veins in the affected area, but some DVTs have no symptoms. The most life-threatening concern with DVT is the potential for a clot (or multiple clots) to detach, travel through the right side of the heart, and become stuck in arteries that supply blood to the lungs which can cause serious problems in the lung, called a pulmonary embolism (PE).

If you have been diagnosed with any of the above Deep Vein Thrombosis symptoms and would like a second opinion, please visit SecondOpinions.com for your peace of mind.

Whooping cough (also known as pertussis or the 100-day cough) is a bacterial infection that gets into the nose and throat and is highly contagious. Initial symptoms are usually similar to those of the common cold with a runny nose, fever, and mild cough, but these are followed by weeks of severe coughing fits. Following a fit of coughing is a high-pitched whoop sound or gasp that may occur as the person breathes in. The coughing may last for 10 or more weeks which is why it is called the 100-day cough. Because the cough is dry and doesn’t produce mucus, the spells can last up to 1 minute and sometimes cause the face to briefly turn red or purple. If you would like to find out more and receive a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment with a doctor online, please contact us at SecondOpinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Scleroderma, also known as System Sclerosis, is a group of diseases that cause hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissue. This occurs due to the overproduction of collagen in the skin tissues.

Diagnosis of Scleroderma may be difficult as it can affect many areas of the body (including organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys) and your doctor may need to order certain tests such as blood tests, pulmonary function tests, skin biopsy, CT scan or an echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis.

Though there is no cure for Scleroderma, there are treatments that aim at managing the symptoms associated with the condition such as medication, procedures, therapy, self-care, and nutrition. In some cases, skin problems may resolve on their own in a few years.

Scleroderma symptoms of the skin include:

• Hardening & tightening of the skin
• Responses to cold in fingers/toes
• White lumps under the skin
• Numbness & pain
• Hair loss
• Shiny skin

Scleroderma symptoms of the digestive system include:

• Restricted movement when food passes through the digestive tract
• Malnutrition
• Acid reflux

There are other causes, complications, and ways to prevent Scleroderma.

If you would like more about this condition please contact a doctor or specialist. You can always find an online doctor to discuss Scleroderma from the comfort of your home. You can contact doctors online now at SecondOpinions.com, for your peace of mind.

Tourette Syndrome, TS, is a neurological disorder that usually shows up in children around the age of 6, but can show signs anytime between the ages of 2 and 15 years of age, with males being 3-4 times more likely to be affected than females.

This nervous system condition causes people to have 2 types of  “tics,” motor or vocal, which are further divided into simple or complex tics.

Motor tics are sudden movements or twitches of the body, like blinking, jerking of a body part, mouth movements, or shrugging. Vocal tics are repetitive noises a person makes like grunting, clearing their throat, coughing, or yelling out words or phrases. Simple tics usually involve one or two muscle movements, like blinking & sniffing, while complex tics include multiple muscle movements in a pattern; such as jerking an arm while hopping & nodding your head.

While these tics are considered chronic, they can change over time from the type of tic to how often they occur, even disappearing & reappearing. Tics often decrease or become controlled after the teen years.

While the cause of Tourette Syndrome is unknown, it’s believed to be a combination of environmental & genetic factors. Tics are usually worse when a person is excited or stressed & seem to improve when they are relaxed or focused.

Unfortunately, there is not a specific test to diagnose Tourette Syndrome, however, if the person exhibits both, motor & vocal tics consistently for a year & other mimicking conditions have been ruled out, then a doctor can diagnose TS.

Although there is no cure for TS, many people do not need treatment unless it interferes with their daily life. If that is the case, medication & behavioral or talk therapy are available.

If you think your child may have Tourette Syndrome there are doctors online now to help.  If you would like to receive a second opinion regarding your child’s TS diagnosis and/or treatment plan to manage symptoms, please contact one of the many online doctors at secondopinions.com,  to help you make the best possible choices for your child and for your family. SecondOpinions.com, for your peace of mind.