Uncategorized – 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝟭𝟮𝟯

Hair Loss (Alopecia) — Full Text

“Alopecia” means “hair loss” in Latin & medical-speak; when it occurs, patients often come to see us. It’s usually not serious, sometimes it is, and it’s invariably distressing. Even if the loss is minimal, people are afraid they’ll go bald. The list of possibilities is full of obscure ones that only a dermatologist can diagnose,Continue reading “Hair Loss (Alopecia) — Full Text”

Hair Loss

See link for Some Pictures of Conditions Causing Hair Loss FIRST — We examine the head to answer two main questions: Is there skin disease of the scalp, or not? Is hair being lost Diffusely (all over), or Focally (just one or a few spots) Causes of Hair Loss xxxxxNo Scalp Disease Noted • Telogen Effluvium Continue reading “Hair Loss”

Passing Out / Amnesia — Full Text

What do we when a patient comes to us saying they “passed out,” usually sometime recently? Or the “lost time,” a period which they can’t recall anything? Today they look perfectly well, act completely normally. We perform a good physical exam, focusing on the heart and the neurologic system (for the brain), but if they’reContinue reading “Passing Out / Amnesia — Full Text”

Passing Out / Amnesia

This topic addresses a patient who says they “passed out,” or had amnesia for a period of time, usually somewhat recently, but now they feel and look completely fine. Exam is normal. We have possible causes to sort through (see table below). For patients with Memory Loss, see that topic. For the E.R. diagnostic work-upContinue reading “Passing Out / Amnesia”

Palpitations

Defined as sensation of heart pounding or fluttering, oftentimes rapidly but not necessarily ………………..Causes ** Anxiety (including Panic Attack) — most common cause ** Heart Arrhythmia (abnormal rhythm) Not Serious — Common Serious — Uncommon See link for explanations ** Medical Conditions (uncommon causes) Hyperthyroidism Anemia Pheochromocytoma Low Blood Glucose (only if on insulin orContinue reading “Palpitations”

Myelodysplasia

A rare form of “pre-cancer” of the bone marrow, interfering with its ability to produce blood cells. Sometimes it produces defective cells, sometimes it just doesn’t produce enough. This can leave a patient at risk of infection, cause Anemia, or bruising; the danger is if it turns into Leukemia. Myelodysplasia is almost always a diseaseContinue reading “Myelodysplasia”

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is pronounced “TIN-ih-tuss,” not “tin-EYE-tis” since there’s no “-itis” on the end, which would mean inflammation or infection. It means “ringing in the ears” (from Latin), but can be any type of noise or clicking; it’s a symptom, not a disease. It amuses me no end when a patient tells how they sought careContinue reading “Tinnitus”

Chronic Pelvic Pain

Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP) is defined (somewhat arbitrarily) as pain in a woman’s pelvic area for at least 3-6 months, that isn’t cyclical. The latter means that it isn’t clearly related to menstrual periods; it may come and go, but not in a regular pattern. CPP is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that no otherContinue reading “Chronic Pelvic Pain”

Musculoskeletal Pain — Full Text

This topic discusses pain in one arm or leg. It could be from an injury, or start on its own. Here we don’t describe specific body parts (knee, forearm, etc.), but rather illustrate how we can identify the body structure involved (e.g. bone, tendon, etc.), wherever it might be. For generalized pain all over, seeContinue reading “Musculoskeletal Pain — Full Text”

Musculoskeletal Pain

Pain in one arm or leg, from an injury, or start on its own. Here we don’t describe specific body parts (knee, forearm, etc.), but rather illustrate how we can identify the body structure involved (e.g. bone, tendon, etc.), wherever it might be. For generalized pain all over, see separate topic Body Aches. For BackContinue reading “Musculoskeletal Pain”