Weight loss

Weight loss can be intentional, such as with dieting and exercise, or unintentional and be a
manifestation of illness. Weight loss can result from a decrease in body fluid, muscle mass, or fat. An
decrease in body fluid can come from medications, fluid loss, lack of fluid intake, or illnesses such as
diabetes. A decrease in body fat can be intentially caused by exercise and dieting, such as for obesity.
Weight loss is normal after pregnancy. The loss of weight and lack of nutrition associated with a chronic
illness is referred to as cachexia. Unexplained, unintentional weight loss is often a result of illness and
should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Leg pain
Pain in the legs can occur as a result of conditions that affect bones, joints, muscles,
tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, and skin. Typically, the pain is a result of
tissue inflammation that is caused by injury or disease. Either injury or chronic
disease can cause inflammation to any of the tissues of the leg and lead to leg pain.
Since the leg contains a number of different structures and tissue types, a wide variety
of conditions and injuries can cause leg pain. For diagnostic and therapeutic purposes,
it is important to differentiate the exact type and location of any pain in the legs.
Insomnia
Insomnia is the perception of inadequate or poor-quality sleep. It can be due to problems falling asleep,
early wakening, waking frequently during the night, unrefreshing sleep, or a combination of these.
Contrary to some popular beliefs, insomnia is not defined by the total amount of sleep one gets or how
long it takes a person to fall asleep. Individuals can vary in their need for sleep, and in the time required
to fall asleep. What is a refreshing night's sleep for one person might be insomnia for another person.

Insomnia may be classified by how long the symptoms are present. Temporary insomnia (transient
insomnia) usually is due to situational changes, such as travel and stressful events. It lasts for less than
a week or until the stressful event is resolved. Short-term insomnia lasts for 1-3 weeks, and long-term
insomnia (chronic insomnia) continues for more than 3 weeks. Insomnia may also be classified as
primary or secondary. Primary insomnia occurs in the absence of other medical problems, while
secondary insomnia occurs as a result of a medical condition such as heart disease, arthritis, cancer, or
heartburn causing wakefulness.

Insomnia is more likely to occur in females, persons over 60 years of age, and persons who have a
history of depression, however, anyone can be affected by insomnia. Short-term insomnia may also
occur as a side effect of certain medications. Chronic insomnia is more serious and may be caused or
worsened by a variety of mental and physical problems.

Although sedative medications may be prescribed by a doctor for severe cases of insomnia, their use is
controversial in management of long-term insomnia. Many treatments for insomnia are behavioral in
nature; for example, identifying and reducing behaviors that worsen the insomnia or learning and
practicing relaxation techniques. Insomnia can be particularly devastating because it often leads to a
"vicious cycle" of daytime behaviors that worsen the condition. Persons without adequate sleep can
experience tiredness, lack of energy, and concentration problems; which they may attempt to overcome
by excessive caffeine intake or nicotine use. Insomniacs may be "too tired" to exercise and take
afternoon naps, both of which reduce the ability to fall asleep the following night.

Mouth sores
Sores or localized abnormalities inside the mouth can arise from a number of causes. Most commonly,
mouth sores represent aphthous ulcers, also known as canker sores or aphthous stomatitis. These
shallow, painful ulcerations often occur in susceptible individuals during times of stress, infection, or
changes in immune status. Certain medications, for example methotrexate, can cause canker sores as
well as deficiencies in some B vitamins (1, 2, 6, and 12), iron, folic acid, and zinc. However, irritation,
injury, or infection of any of the tissues in the oral cavity can also lead to mouth sores. Sores in the
mouth can occur with certain systemic (affecting multiple locations within the body) diseases such as
Crohn's disease, Behcet's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Rarely, mouth sores are
among the initial signs of oral cancers.
 Enlarged Heart
An enlarged heart is medically known as cardiomegaly. Cardiomegaly can be caused by a number of
different conditions, including diseases of the heart muscle or heart valves, high blood pressure,
arrhythmias, and pulmonary hypertension. Cardiomegaly can also sometimes accompany longstanding
anemia and thyroid diseases, among other conditions. Infiltrative diseases of the heart, for example, in
which abnormal proteins (amyloidosis) or excess iron (hemochromatosis) accumulate within the tissues
of the heart, can also cause an enlargement of the heart. Infections, nutritional deficiencies, toxins (such
as alcohol or drugs), and some medications have been associated with cardiomegaly. In some
situations (for example, pregnancy) there can be a temporary increased demand on the heart, resulting
in some temporary enlargement.

It is important to remember that an enlarged heart is not a disease itself but a physical sign that can
accompany many diseases and conditions. Not all of the associated conditions listed below, however,
will always result in cardiomegaly. Treatment and prognosis are dependent upon the underlying cause.

Cardiomyopathy is a related term that refers to damage to the heart muscle. Cardiomyopathies are
often accompanied by cardiomegaly.

Snoring
Snoring is a sound resulting from turbulent airflow that causes the tissues of the nose and throat to
vibrate during sleep. The turbulent air flow is related to a narrowing at some point in the nose, mouth, or
throat. Different people who snore may have various reasons for the narrowing of the air spaces leading
to snoring.

Any person can snore, and studies estimate that 45 % of men and 30% of women snore on a regular
basis. People who snore can have any body type, although as a rule, snoring increases when people
gain weight. Sleeping position may also affect snoring. Since the tissues of the pharynx are normally
soft and floppy, when we lie on our backs, gravity pulls the palate, tonsils, and tongue backwards. This
often narrows the airway enough to cause turbulence in airflow, tissue vibration, and snoring.

Anatomical variation, the use of medications and alcohol, and underlying medical conditions are all
among the various causes of snoring. The normal aging process also leads to relaxation of the throat
muscles and can facilitate snoring.

Headache
A headache is a pain in the head with the pain being above the eyes or the ears, behind the head
(occipital), or in the back of the upper neck. Headache, like chest pain or back ache, has many causes.

All headaches are considered primary headaches or secondary headaches. Primary headaches are not
associated with other diseases. Examples of primary headaches are migraine headaches, tension
headaches, and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by other diseases. The
associated disease may be minor or major.

Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache. As many as 90% of adults have
tension headaches. Tension headaches are more common among women than men.

Migraine headaches are the second most common type of primary headache. An estimated 28 million
people in the US have migraine headaches. Migraine headaches affect children as well as adults.
Before puberty, boys and girls are affected equally by migraine headaches, but after puberty more
women than men have them. Migraine often goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed as tension or sinus
headaches.

Cluster headaches are a rare but important type of primary headache, affecting mainly men. The
average age of cluster headache sufferers is 28-30 years, although headaches may begin in childhood.

Secondary headaches may result from innumerable conditions, ranging from life threatening ones such
as brain tumors, strokes, meningitis, and subarachnoid hemorrhages to less serious but common
conditions such as withdrawal from caffeine and discontinuation of analgesics (pain killing medication).
Many people suffer from "mixed" headache disorders in which tension headaches or secondary
headaches may trigger migraine.

The treatment of the headache depends on the type and severity of the headache and on other factors
such as the age of the patient.

Headache is also referred to as cephalgia.

Neck Pain
Pain in the neck can be more than just a hassle. Neck pain can come from disorders
and diseases of any structure in the neck. There are seven vertebrae that are the bony
building blocks of the spine in the neck (the cervical vertebrae) that surround the
spinal cord and canal. Between these vertebrae are discs and nearby pass the nerves of
the neck. Within the neck, structures include the neck muscles, arteries, veins, lymph
glands, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, esophagus, larynx, and trachea.
Altered Mental Status
An alteration in mental status refers to general changes in brain function, such as confusion, amnesia
(memory loss), loss of alertness, loss of orientation (not cognizant of self, time, or place), defects in
judgment or thought, poor regulation of emotions, and disruptions in perception, psychomotor skills, and
behavior. While an altered mental status is obviously characteristic of a number of psychiatric and
emotional conditions, medical conditions and injuries that cause damage to the brain can also cause
mental status changes. Confusion, lethargy, delirium, dementia, encephalopathy, and organic brain
syndrome are all terms that have been used to refer to conditions hallmarked by mental status changes.

Chest pain
There are many causes of chest pain. One is angina which results from inadequate
oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease
or spasm of the coronary arteries. Chest pain can also be due to a heart attack
(coronary occlusion) and other important diseases. Do not try to ignore chest pain and
"work (or play) through it." Chest pain is a warning to seek medical attention.
Chest pain breathing
Pleurisy is inflammation of the linings around the lungs (the pleura). There are two layers of pleura; one
covering the lung and the other covering the inner wall of the chest. These two layers are lubricated by
pleural fluid. Pleurisy is characterized by pain in the chest with breathing. Pleurisy can also cause pain,
cough, chest tenderness, and shortness of breath.

Pleurisy is frequently associated with the accumulation of extra fluid in the space between the two layers
of pleura. This fluid is referred to as a pleural effusion. Pleurisy is also referred to as pleuritis.

Chills
Chills are feelings of coldness accompanied by shivering. Chills typically arise in one
of two situations: as an accompaniment to fever and after exposure to a cold
environment. Essentially any condition that may produce fever (including infections
and cancers) can result in chills along with fever. Exposure to a cold environment can
result in chills. With prolonged exposure to cold, serious injuries related to
hypothermia (a lowered core body temperature) can result.
Brittle nails

Brittle nails
Many medical conditions can affect the shape or texture of the fingernails. Brittleness
of the nails, meaning that the nails easily become cracked or chipped, can be observed
as a sign of aging or in response to the long-term use of nail polish or exposure to
moist conditions (including frequent swimming or dishwashing). Some diseases are
also associated with changes in the nails, which can include brittleness. The term
onychoschizia refers to splitting of the fingernails as well as brittle or soft nails.
Taking biotin (a vitamin) supplements can help in some cases of brittle nails, and
application of moisturizers after soaking in water can also be of benefit.

Cough
Cough is a rapid expulsion of air from the lungs typically in order to clear the lung
airways of fluids, mucus, or material. Cough is also called tussis. Cough can be
categorized as acute (less than 3 weeks) or chronic (greater than 3 weeks).

Confusion
Confusion is a change in mental status in which a person is not able to think with his or her usual level
of clarity. Frequently, confusion leads to the loss of ability to recognize people and or places, or tell time
and the date. Feelings of disorientation are common in confusion, and decision-making ability is
impaired.

Confusion may arise suddenly or develop gradually over time. Confusion has multiple causes, including
injuries, medical conditions, medications, environmental factors, and substance abuse.

Cloudy Urine
Normal urine is clear and has a straw-yellow color. When the urine does not have its characteristic clear
appearance, it is often referred to as cloudy, turbid, or foamy urine. Cloudy or foamy urine may occur
occasionally due to mild dehydration; when it occurs in the absence of symptoms and goes away
rapidly, it is usually of little consequence. Certain conditions can cause excess protein or crystalline
substances in the urine, causing it to persistently appear cloudy or foamy. Infections anywhere in the
urinary tract can cause blood and pus to appear in the urine, giving it a cloudy appearance. Additionally,
many of the numerous causes of blood in the urine can yield a cloudy or murky appearance to the urine
due to the presence of blood. In women with vaginitis (such as yeast vaginitis), the vaginal discharge
may sometimes contaminate the urine sample, making the urine appear cloudy.

Coccidian
Inflammation of the bony area (tailbone or coccyx) located between the buttocks is referred to as
coccydynia. Coccydynia is associated with pain and tenderness at the tip of the tailbone between the
buttocks. The pain is often worsened by sitting.

Coccydynia is often caused by an injury, but may occur seemingly spontaneously. There are many
causes of tailbone pain which can mimic coccydynia, including sciatica, infection, pilonidal cysts, and
fractured bone.

Cold feet
Cold sensations to the feet can come from poor circulation and disorders of the
nervous system as well as cold exposure and low thyroid condition.

Cold fingers