Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. Many people with lupus experience a mild version of it, but it can become severe without proper treatment. Currently, there’s no known cure for lupus, so treatment focuses on easing symptoms and reducing inflammation. The most common signs and symptoms include: fatigue, fever, joint pain, stiffness and swelling, butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body, skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure (photosensitivity), fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods (Raynaud’s phenomenon), shortness of breath, chest pain, dry eyes, headaches, confusion and memory loss. 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.
Category Archives: Healthcare
Lyme disease
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by the bite of a deer tick carrying the bacterium Borrelia Burgdorferi (BB). A tick has to be present on the skin for at least 36 hours to transmit the infection. People who live or spend time in wooded areas known for transmission of the disease are more likely to get this illness. People with domesticated animals that visit wooded areas also have a higher risk of getting Lyme disease. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. These are some of the more common symptoms of Lyme disease: a flat, circular rash that looks like a red oval or bull’s-eye anywhere on your body; fatigue; joint pain and swelling; muscle aches; headache; fever; swollen lymph nodes; sleep disturbances; and/or difficulty concentrating. 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.
Migraine
Migraine is a medical condition that involves severe, recurring headaches and other symptoms. A migraine can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. Migraine attacks can last for hours to days, and the pain can be so severe that it interferes with daily activities. There are 2 types: episodic and chronic migraine. Episodic is when you have 14 or fewer migraine days per month while chronic migraine is when you have 15 or more severe headache days per month. Anyone can develop migraine, but it is more common in people with any of the following: depression, bipolar disorder, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, an overactive bladder, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and/or anxiety. 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.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an unpredictable and potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. The immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective layer around nerve fibers. This causes inflammation and scar tissue or even lesions. This can make it hard for the brain to send signals to the rest of the body. MS symptoms are irregular and unpredictable. No two people have exactly the same symptoms, and each person’s symptoms can change or fluctuate over time. Two of the most common symptoms are fatigue and difficulty walking. Although MS has no cure, some conventional treatments can improve symptoms, reduce the number and severity of relapses, and delay the disease’s progression. 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.
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver, Hepatitis is most commonly caused by the viruses hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each caused by a different hepatitis virus. Other causes include heavy alcohol use, certain medications, toxins, other infections, autoimmune diseases, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Hepatitis A is always an acute, short-term disease, while hepatitis B, C, and D are most likely to become ongoing and chronic. Hepatitis E is usually acute but can be particularly dangerous in pregnant women.
These 5 types are of greatest concern because of the burden of illness and death they cause and the potential for outbreaks and epidemic spread.
Causes of hepatitis can be divided into the following major categories: infectious, metabolic, ischemic, autoimmune, genetic, and other. Infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, and parasites.
If you have been diagnosed with any of the above Hepatitis infections and would like a second opinion please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic and progressive movement disorder. It is a fairly common disorder with more than 200,000 cases reported each year in the US. It is also more common in those 60 and older and affects men more often than women.
Parkinson’s disease can last several years or be lifelong, it can be dangerous and even life threatening. Family history may increase likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease.
Signs and symptoms may include:
- Tremors, trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face
- Stiffness of the arms, legs and trunk
- Slowness of movement
- Poor balance and coordination
- Speech difficulty
Though there currently isn’t a cure for Parkinson’s disease medications may help control symptoms and in some cases surgery may be recommended. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and you would like a second opinion please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, commonly known as (PTSD) is a mental health condition. PTSD affects individuals who have witnessed or been a victim of a terrifying, traumatic incident. PTSD and its symptoms can be brought on by re-encountering people, places, or objects involving the traumatic incident.
It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of PTSD, some include:
- Intrusive memories
- Avoidance
- Negative changes in thinking and mood
- Changes in physical and emotional reactions
Post-traumatic stress disorder can disrupt your whole life, your job, your relationships, your health and your enjoyment of everyday activities. Having PTSD may also increase your risk of other mental health problems, such as, depression, anxiety, drug or alcohol use, eating disorders and even suicidal thoughts or actions.
If you would like a second opinion on your PTSD diagnosis, please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that affects more than 3 million pregnant women per year in the US. Though it sometimes develops without any symptoms, it’s common causes are high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. High blood pressure may develop slowly, or it may have a sudden onset. Monitoring your blood pressure is an important part of prenatal care because the first sign of preeclampsia is commonly a rise in blood pressure. Some symptoms include abdominal pain, severe headache, changes in reflexes, little or no urine output, dizziness, vomiting and nausea, change in vision, and swelling in the hands and/or feet. The exact cause is unknown however things such as improper functioning of the placenta, high fat and poor nutrition along with genetic factors and family history may cause increased risks.
If you have been diagnosed with any of the above Preeclampsia symptoms and would like a second opinion, please visit secondopinions.com for your peace of mind.
Aortic Aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to the body. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. Although the aorta is a tough, durable workhorse, sometimes its walls can weaken and bulge in what is called an aortic aneurysm. This could cause a leak that spills blood into the body. Diseases and unhealthy behaviors that damage the heart and blood vessels also increase the risk for aortic aneurysm. Smoking is the most important behavior related to aortic aneurysm. 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.
May is National Neurofibromatosis Month
Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. These tumors may form anywhere in the body including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Although they are usually benign, sometimes these tumors can become malignant, or cancerous. While most people with Neurofibromatosis will only experience mild symptoms, in some cases patients may experience hearing loss, learning impairment, heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems, loss of vision, and severe pain.
While there is no permanent cure, early detection is critical for allowing proper management of the symptoms that occur. If a large tumor or tumors press on a nerve, surgery can reduce symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, it is important to make sure that your doctors are prescribing the right course of 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. For your peace of mind.
Citation:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neurofibromatosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350490 https://medlineplus.gov/neurofibromatosis.html