Acute Headache (lasting 1 - 2 weeks, maybe 3 - 4 weeks at the most) Summary Approach Full Discussion Recurrent Headache (lasts hours to days, disappears, returns whenever) Summary Approach Full Discussion Chronic Headache (maybe a few weeks, usually months or more) Summary Approach Full Discussion

FIRST:  We determine if the "dizziness" is Vertigo or Lightheadedness Vertigo -- room or person spinning or being thrust, in just one directionLightheadedness  --  a vague sense of being woozy, wobbly, unsteady, fuzzy, tipsy, etc., in any or all directionsSelect the specific type of "dizziness," because the causes of each are completely different. Vertigo Lightheadedness

 “Acute Cough” means one going on 2-3 weeks.  This arbitrary definition is because the vast majority of cases are due to simple viral infections, which get better on their own in that time frame.  Therefore, we don't order lots of tests, until viruses are no longer a consideration. So we won't consider a lot ofContinue reading "Acute Cough — Full Text"

Clinicians shouldn't aim to nail an immediate diagnosis. Instead, we create a mental list of common possibilities, called the “Differential Diagnosis.”  Then we systematically rule them out, especially deadly ones, while searching for a most-likely cause. We have lots of short-cuts. Often by clarifying a time-frame, we can rule out conditions that don't fit. ForContinue reading "The Diagnosis Process"

NOTE:  This topic addresses bleeding from the Uterus.  It may be called “Vaginal,” since it comes out the vagina, but that’s not where it originates (see Diagram -- Female Genital System). A pelvic exam can easily tell if bleeding is truly vaginal. FIRST STEP  --  Pregnancy Test (for virtually everyone; see link) Since all womenContinue reading "Vaginal Bleeding"

Painful Urination -- Women Painful Urination -- Men Frequent Urination (No Pain) -- xxxBoth Men / Women Note: "Men" and "Women" refer to anatomical sex, not to gender identification.

Red Eye (irritated, itchy, or painful) • Summary Approach • Full Text See The Eye - Anatomy for explanation of diagrams Visual Problems (hard to see) [not yet ready] Summary ApproachFull Discussion

Anyone with nausea or vomiting may not be allowed inside a building without a Covid Test. But some patients need to be seen no matter what; every office or clinic has its own mechanism, maybe in a designated exam room, maybe sending them to an Urgent Care or E.R.  If there are no other symptoms besides nauseaContinue reading "Nausea / Vomiting"

"Headache" is an extremely common symptom.  The vast majority of cases get better on their own; others have special treatments that can be helpful, and on rare occasions people die. We define Headaches by their time frame.  Don't forget that a person with either "chronic" or "recurrent" headaches can get a different kind of "acute"Continue reading "Headache"