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Evidence-based health information written and reviewed by medical professionals. Browse 1,626+ articles to find answers to your health questions.

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Is Feeling “Air Hunger” in the Third Trimester Normal, or a Warning Sign?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most healthy pregnant women feel short of breath in the last 10–12 weeks because the growing uterus pushes the diaphragm upward and pregnancy hormones make you breathe faster. This ‘air-hunger’ is usually harmless if it builds slowly and you can still speak in full sentences. Sudden, severe breathlessness, chest pain, or a racing heartbeat, however, are red flags that need urgent medical review.

How does alopecia areata affect mental health and where can I find real support?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Alopecia areata often triggers anxiety, low mood, and social withdrawal within weeks of the first bald patch. Up to 49 % of adults with the condition meet screening criteria for depression, and one in three report avoiding social events. Early psychological support—ranging from peer groups to cognitive-behavioural therapy—cuts distress scores by 40 % in clinical studies. Spotting red-flag symptoms and using digital tools like Eureka’s AI doctor can help you regain control quickly.

Are antibiotics safe in pregnancy when treating a UTI, or is that a myth?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most pregnant women can—and should—take carefully chosen antibiotics to cure a urinary tract infection. Doctors rely on a short list of pregnancy-compatible drugs, confirm the choice with a urine culture, and avoid medicines known to harm the baby. Untreated UTIs can progress to kidney infection and premature labor, so evidence-based antibiotic treatment is the safer path.

Which antidepressant is safest in pregnancy? A head-to-head comparison women can trust

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Large studies show that sertraline, fluoxetine and citalopram carry the lowest, well-studied risks in pregnancy, while paroxetine and fluvoxamine have higher links to heart defects, and venlafaxine may raise blood-pressure complications. Stopping treatment suddenly is more dangerous than continuing a lower-risk drug at the minimum effective dose. Always discuss any switch before conception or as early in the first trimester as possible.

Is My Chest Tightness from Anxiety or a Heart Problem?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Sudden chest pain can come from an anxious brain or a struggling heart. Anxiety-related pain is sharp, brief, linked to stress, and improves with slow breathing, while cardiac pain is heavy, lasts more than 10 minutes, often radiates to arm or jaw, and worsens with exertion. Any new, severe, or persistent chest pain deserves urgent medical evaluation to rule out a heart attack before assuming anxiety.

Which antihistamines are considered safe in pregnancy? A clear, evidence-based list

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Decades of data suggest that chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, loratadine, cetirizine, and, with fewer studies, fexofenadine are not linked to birth defects when used at standard doses. First-generation drugs have a longer track record but cause more drowsiness; newer options have better daytime performance. Always confirm the choice, dose, and timing (ideally after the first 12 weeks) with your obstetric clinician.

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What ApoB level is truly optimal for cutting heart disease risk?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

The safest ApoB level for most adults is below 70 mg/dL. Staying under that threshold is associated with a 30–50 percent lower risk of heart attack compared with the U.S. average of 94 mg/dL. Levels above 130 mg/dL signal very high risk and usually warrant prescription therapy. The lower your ApoB, the fewer cholesterol-filled particles can penetrate artery walls and start plaque.

Can Anxiety Really Upset My Stomach and Trigger IBS Flare-Ups?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Yes. Acute worry activates the brain–gut axis, raises adrenaline and cortisol within minutes, and can speed colon transit by up to 40 %. In people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), that surge often means cramping, bloating, diarrhea, or sudden constipation. Calming the nervous system, ruling out red-flag conditions, and working with tools like symptom tracking, gut-directed therapy, and—in some cases—medication can sharply reduce episodes.

Is treating bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy safe, and what options do doctors use?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Yes—when bacterial vaginosis (BV) is confirmed in pregnancy, obstetric-guideline antibiotics such as oral or vaginal metronidazole or clindamycin have decades of safety data and are recommended in specific doses and time frames. Treatment lowers the risk of preterm birth by up to 40 % and does not raise miscarriage, malformation, or neurodevelopmental risks when used as prescribed.

What dose of bioidentical progesterone calms anxiety in women seeking hormone balance?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

For most peri- and post-menopausal women, the best-studied anxiety-relief dose of bioidentical progesterone is 100–200 mg of oral micronized progesterone taken at bedtime. Smaller sublingual (50–100 mg) or topical (20–40 mg) doses can help sensitive users, but absorption is less predictable. Always start low, monitor symptoms for two full cycles, and adjust only under clinician supervision to avoid sedation, mood swings, or progesterone excess.

Fitness & Exercise

Week-by-Week Exercise Progression After a C-Section: What Is Safe and When?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most women can start gentle breathing and pelvic-floor work 24 hours after a C-section, advance to 5–10-minute walks by week 2, add core-activation drills at week 4, begin light resistance bands by week 6 once cleared by their OB, and return to moderate gym workouts between weeks 8-12. Listen to incision pain, bleeding, and fatigue—these override the calendar. Always get a medical check before lifting more than the newborn.

Why are my neutrophils high on a CBC and should I worry?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

A high neutrophil count—called neutrophilia—usually means your immune system is reacting to infection, inflammation, stress, or certain medicines. Counts above 7.5 × 10⁹/L in adults merit attention; over 20 × 10⁹/L can signal a serious problem such as sepsis or leukemia. The context of your symptoms, repeat labs, and sometimes a blood smear or bone-marrow test are needed to tell harmless spikes from emergencies.

What are the stages of grief I might feel over chemotherapy-related hair loss, and how can I cope?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most people treated with the common breast-, lymphoma- and ovarian-cancer regimens lose 50-90 % of their scalp hair within three weeks of the first infusion. The emotional response mirrors the classic five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—yet patients often cycle through them several times. Recognising each stage, watching for red-flag mental-health signs, and using targeted self-care and medical options makes coping easier and speeds emotional recovery.

Is My LDL-to-HDL Ratio Healthy? Reading Your Cholesterol Panel Like a Clinician

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most cardiologists want an LDL-to-HDL ratio under 3.0. For middle-aged adults, a ratio above 4.0 doubles 10-year heart-attack risk, while a ratio below 2.0 is linked to plaque regression. If your ratio sits between 3.0 and 4.0, lifestyle change within three months can often shift you into the safer zone without medication, but any ratio above 5.0 deserves prompt medical review.

What does chronic anxiety do to your body over time?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Untreated chronic anxiety keeps the stress-response switch stuck in the “on” position. This raises resting heart rate by 5-10 beats per minute, increases systolic blood pressure by about 6 mm Hg, triples irritable-bowel–type symptoms, and doubles the risk of a heart attack before age 60. It also weakens immunity, disturbs sleep, and accelerates muscle loss. Addressing anxiety early protects the heart, gut, hormones, and immune system.

What tests can uncover the root cause of my chronic sinus infections?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Long-lasting sinus infections are usually driven by an overlooked trigger such as structural blockage, hidden allergy, immune deficiency, or biofilm-forming bacteria. Pinpointing the root cause requires a focused work-up: nasal endoscopy, high-resolution CT, targeted allergy panels, immunoglobulin profiling, ciliary function studies, and culture with biofilm staining. The right combination of these tests—guided by symptom pattern—can turn a stubborn cycle of antibiotics into a targeted, lasting fix.

How long does it really take to recover from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most people with ME/CFS improve gradually, but full recovery is rare and slow. Mild cases may reach pre-illness function in 12–24 months with strict pacing, while moderate cases typically need 3–5 years to regain 70–80 % of previous activity. Severe cases can take a decade or longer and may remain partially disabled. Early diagnosis, energy management, and treatment of comorbidities shorten the timeline considerably.

Which cold medicines are actually safe in the first trimester of pregnancy?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Short-acting plain dextromethorphan for cough and single-ingredient acetaminophen for fever have the best safety data in the first trimester. Avoid multi-symptom formulas, decongestants containing pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine before 14 weeks, and any medicine labeled “SA” or “DM-Max.” Always confirm the active ingredients on the Drug Facts panel and discuss every medication—prescription or over-the-counter—with your obstetric clinician.

Why did my complete blood count come back abnormal during pregnancy?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

In pregnancy, the most common abnormal CBC findings are mild anemia, low platelets, or a raised white-cell count—often normal physiologic changes. Severe drops in hemoglobin (below 9 g/dL), platelets under 100 × 10⁹/L, or rising neutrophils with fever can signal iron-deficiency, gestational thrombocytopenia, pre-eclampsia, or infection. Repeat testing, iron stores, and clinical context guide next steps; most issues are treatable when caught early.

What can I safely do right now to relieve pregnancy constipation?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Most pregnant women can ease constipation in 24–48 hours with a combination of extra fluid (eight 12-oz glasses daily), 28 g of dietary fiber, brief post-meal walks, and an approved bulk-forming fiber supplement if food changes fail. Seek medical review if pain, bleeding, or no bowel movement for 7 days. Almost all simple measures are safe for mother and fetus when used as directed.

How are CRPS, depression, and anxiety connected—and what treatments actually help?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Up to 60 % of people with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) develop clinically significant depression or anxiety within the first year. Shared nerve-inflammation pathways, sleep loss, and disability amplify both pain and mood symptoms. Effective care combines rapid pain control, cognitive-behavioral therapy, graded movement, and—when necessary—carefully chosen medications such as SNRIs or low-dose naltrexone, monitored by a pain or psychiatry specialist.

Can CRPS Really Go Into Remission? Evidence-Based Stories and Step-By-Step Treatment Plans

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Yes—Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) can enter remission. Around 15-25 % of patients achieve sustained pain-free function when they combine early nerve-desensitisation therapy, structured physiotherapy, and targeted medications under a pain specialist. Success hinges on rapid diagnosis (<3 months), keeping the limb moving, treating neuropathic pain aggressively, and addressing mood, sleep, and inflammation in a single plan reviewed every 4-6 weeks.

Decreased fetal movement: when should I start to worry?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Call your maternity unit the same day if you feel fewer than 10 movements in two hours after 28 weeks, a sudden 50 % drop in your baby’s usual activity, or no movement at all for 12 hours. Lie on your left side, drink something cold, and focus on kick counts for one hour—but do not delay care if movements remain weak. Timely assessment, usually with a non-stress test and ultrasound, can prevent stillbirth.

Eczema vs. Psoriasis: How Do I Tell Them Apart at Home?

Sina Hartung, MMSC-BMI, Harvard Medical SchoolReviewed

Eczema itches first and shows up as poorly-defined, red, oozing patches in skin creases; psoriasis stings or burns, forms sharply bordered, silver-scaled plaques on extensor surfaces, and often loosens nails. Lighting, magnification, and the pinch test at home give strong clues, but a clinician can confirm with history, exam, and occasionally a biopsy.

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