Hypothyroidism : Symptoms

Early symptoms: Being more sensitive to cold; Constipation; Depression; Fatigue or feeling slowed down; Heavier menstrual periods; Joint or muscle pain; Paleness or dry skin; Thin, brittle hair or fingernails; Weakness; Weight gain (unintentional....

Hypothyroidism is most often the result of Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland). In this disease, the immune system fails to recognize that the thyroid gland is part of the body's own tissue an...

Congenital hypothyroidism is a disorder that affects infants from birth, resulting from the loss of thyroid function due to the failure of the thyroid gland to develop correctly. Sometimes the thyroid gland is absent or is ectopic, i.e., in an abn...

Constipation refers to infrequent or hard stools, or difficulty passing stools. Constipation may involve pain during the passage of a bowel movement, inability to pass a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes, or no bowel movements after more than 3 days. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go 7 days without a stool.

Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.

Contrary to popular myth, it is not necessary for you to be "regular" (have daily bowel movements) for your bowel pattern to be normal. If your bowel movements are so infrequent that they cause you discomfort, or if bowel movements are an effort for you, then you are experiencing constipation.

Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Oncology: Controlling ConstipationConstipation(difficulty passing stool) is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Constipation can be caused by the medications you are taking.

Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on constipation, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Although constipation is a relative term, with normal patterns of bowel movements varying widely from person to person, generally an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated. Infants who are still exclusively breastfed may go seven days without a stool.

Difficulty with producing a bowel movement, or infrequent bowel movements. Constipation, a condition that can affect the human digestive system at any stage of life, is rarely serious or chronic. Because bowel functions vary from individual to individual, the individual's own normal pattern should be taken into consideration when constipation is suspected. For this reason, it is important for parents and caregivers to be familiar with the bowel patterns of their infants and young children. Although constipation may cause considerable discomfort, a return to normal bowel function is usually accomplished within a day or two. Constipation is caused when the muscles at the end of the large intestine restrict the fecal material from passing through and out of the body. A tendency toward constipation seems to be hereditary. The longer the fecal material is "stalled" in the large intestine, the drier it becomes, making it more difficult and even painful to pass. For children, the discomfort associated with passing a dry stool may cause them to avoid the process, thereby exacerbating the problem.

ConstipationSymptom and DescriptionConstipation means being unable to move your bowels, having to push harder to move your bowels, or moving them less often than usual. Bowel movements will be small, dry, and hard.

Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.

Lots of children suffer from constipation -- bowel movements that are hard or painful. Your child may become constipated because of toilet-training troubles or anxiety related to using the toilet. Or, he may not be getting enough fiber or liquids in his diet or may not be getting enough exercise.

Many parents worry that their baby is constipated, which can happen for many reasons. Sometimes, however, babies are not really constipated, but just have their own way of pooping.

Colds usually are mild illnesses that get better within one or two weeks. However, even mild symptoms can make children feel miserable.

The most common beliefs about alleviating constipation may be myths, say some experts.

What's the best way to relieve constipation in babies? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

Why does taking iron cause you to be constipated? Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

I am suffering from constipation. Dulcolax works, but it cannot be taken too often. Could you suggest a better, non-habit-forming medicine?

The term overweight is used to describe an excess amount of total body weight including all tissues (fat, bone, muscle, etc.) and water. Obesity , in contrast, is an excess amount of body fat. An adult woman or man who has a body-fat percentage exceeding 35 percent (for women) or 25 percent (for men) is considered obese . A person can be overweight without being obese, as many professional football players and bodybuilders are, for such individuals have large amounts of muscle but not much fat. Likewise, a person can be obese without being overweight, such as some elderly individuals or lazy "couch potatoes," who may not weigh a lot but have too much body fat. However, almost all obese people are also overweight. Because body fat is very difficult to measure accurately, height and weight are used to estimate overweight and obesity. Body mass index (BMI) is a formula that combines both height and weight. It is computed as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared, or as weight in pounds times 703 divided by height in inches squared. Normal weight for adults is represented by a BMI of 18.5 to 24.9; overweight by a BMI of 25 to 29.9; and obesity by a BMI of 30 or greater. SEE ALSO O BESITY ; W EIGHT L OSS D IETS ; W EIGHT M ANAGEMENT . John P. Foreyt

Whether you’ve already gained a few extra pounds or have yet to reach perimenopause, here are strategies to help you maintain a healthy weight in midlife and beyond.

Between the late 30s and late 40s, it's not uncommon for both men and women to gain 10 pounds.

In experiments on mice, suppressing a chemical linked to stress and appetite prevented the formation of abdominal fat cells, which could lead to new possibilities for weight loss drugs.

The most common prescription medications to cause weight gain include drugs that treat depression, heartburn, bipolar disorder, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

Does insulin cause weight gain? I started taking insulin in July and gained 15 to 20 pounds in three months.

Swelling is the enlargement of organs, skin, or other body parts. It is caused by build up of fluid in the tissues. The extra fluid can lead to a rapid increase in weight over a short period of time (days to weeks. Swelling can occur throughout the body (generalized) or only in a specific part of the body (localized. See also: Angioedema; Ankle, feet, and leg swelling; Breast enlargement; Facial swelling; Joint swelling; Scrotal swelling; Swelling in the abdomen; Swollen glands; Swollen gums.

Dry skin is most common in your lower legs, arms, flanks (sides of the abdomen), and thighs. The symptoms most often associated with dry skin include: Scaling; Itching; Cracks in the skin.

Detailed information on dry skin, including treatment

What can you do to avoid scratching and flaking your way through the winter months? Here are some tips to try.

Dry skin is an extremely common problem for people of all ages. However, as we age, the skin loses moisture and may become dry, dull, flaky, and scaly. Excessive dryness can lead to severe itching and eczema. Dry skin can also exacerbate underlying skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Skin problems such as pimples, blackheads, rashes, and oily skin are common in both teens and adults. But you don't necessarily need a dermatologist to treat them.

I have a 17-month-old grandson who has very dry skin -- so dry it cracks and oozes either clear or sometimes a bloody discharge. He itches all the time and appears to be allergic to almost everything he eats. No cream seems to work on it. Can you suggest anything to help him?

Drowsiness refers to feeling abnormally sleepy during the day - often with a strong tendency to actually fall asleep in inappropriate situations or at inappropriate times.

Each year, at least 100,000 vehicular crashes and 1,550 deaths are caused by drivers who are impaired by sleepiness.

When drowsiness occurs most of the time or causes a person to fall asleep at inappropriate times, quality of life and performance can be affected.

Hypersomnia refers to a set of related disorders that involve excessive daytime sleepiness.

True muscle weakness means that full effort does not produce a normal muscle contraction or movement. A voluntary muscle contraction is generated when the brain sends a signal through the spinal cord and nerves to a muscle.

Absent menstruation means no menstrual flow, or period. Absent menstruation may be: Primary - no menstruation before age 16; Secondary - menstruation begins at the appropriate age, but later stops for more than 3 cycles or 6 months. Absent menstruation is called amenorrhea.

Many women experience absent, short, skipped or irregular menstrual periods at some point in their lives. The most common reason for missed, skipped or irregular periods is pregnancy, often an unexpected or unplanned pregnancy.

Cold intolerance is an abnormal sensitivity to a cold environment or cold temperatures.

The heart rate, usually measured by checking the arterial pulse or sounds counting the times of the heart beat, is considered one of the vital signs. Vital signs - body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure provide information about the state of health of a person and, if abnormal, offer clues to problems.

The menstrual cycle is not the same for every woman. On average, menstrual flow occurs every 28 days (with most women having cycles between 24 and 34 days), and lasts about 4 days. However, there is wide variation in timing and duration that is still considered normal, especially if your periods began within the last few years. If you completely soak through a sanitary pad or tampon every hour for 2-3 consecutive hours, this is considered a very heavy period. A prolonged period is one that lasts longer than 7 days. A small percentage of women have periods more often than every 21 days or less often than every 35 days. These variations may be normal. Bleeding may be something to worry about if it occurs between periods, after intercourse, or if you are over age 50, especially if you have already gone through menopause. The risk of cancer increases with age. Often, if you are bleeding from the rectum or there is blood in your urine, you may think the blood is coming from the vagina. To know for certain, insert a tampon into the vagina to confirm that it's the source of your bleeding.

Anything that interferes with the normal menstrual cycle, causing pain , unusually heavy or light bleeding, or missed periods.

Detailed information on the most common menstrual conditions, including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia

Amenorrhea is the medical term for the absence of menstruation . There are two types of amenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea refers to delayed menarche (the first menstrual period) and is defined as any one of three conditions: the absence of menarche by age 16 in a girl with otherwise normal pubertal development (development of breasts and/or pubic hair) the absence of menarche by age 14 combined with delayed pubertal development the absence of menarche two years after puberty is otherwise completed Secondary amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation after menarche has taken place. Although it is not uncommon for a girl's menstrual periods to be irregular during early adolescence , most girls' periods usually become regular within 18 months after the first one. After that time, it is considered abnormal for an adolescent to miss three consecutive periods.

Detailed information on amenorrhea, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation. There are two types of amenorrhea, primary and secondary. Primary amenorrhea is delayed menarche (the first menstrual period) and is defined as any one of three conditions: 1.) absence of menarche by age 16 with otherwise normal pubertal development (development of breasts and/or pubic hair) 2.) absence of menarche by age 14 with delayed pubertal development 3.) absence of menarche two years after puberty is otherwise completed Family history should be taken into consideration in any adolescent with primary amenorrhea. Mothers who started to menstruate late will often have daughters who also menstruate late. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation after menarche has taken place. Although it is not uncommon for menstrual periods to be irregular during early adolescence, periods usually become regular with in 18 months after the first one. After that time, it is considered abnormal for an adolescent to miss three consecutive periods.

When you first get your period, it’s normal to be confused and wonder what’s happening to you. If all your questions aren’t answered here, talk to your mom or someone else you trust.

Detailed information on amenorrhea, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on amenorrhea, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on amenorrhea, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment

The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. If a woman has never had any menstrual blood flow by the age of 16, doctors call this primary amenorrhea.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Primary amenorrhea refers to the absence of the onset of menstruation by age 16 whether or not normal growth and secondary sexual characteristics are present, or the absence of menses after age 14 when normal growth and signs of secondary sexual characteristics are present. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menses for three cycles or six months in women who have previously menstruated. In terms of the relationship of amenorrhea to cancer, amenorrhea may be a symptom of a gynecologic tumor, or the pause or cessation in menstruation may develop as a side effect of cancer treatment.

The absence of menstrual periods is called amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is the failure to start having a period by the age of 16. Secondary amenorrhea is more common and refers to either the temporary or permanent ending of periods in a woman who has menstruated normally in the past. Many women miss a period occasionally. Amenorrhea occurs if a woman misses three or more periods in a row.

I have been off of the birth control patch for seven months and I am still not getting a period. I am not pregnant, and my annual physical was fine. Why would I still not be getting a period?

This decision guide is designed to help women with secondary amenorrhea understand what may be causing it and the questions your doctor will want to ask.

Unintentional weight gain is an increase in body weight that occurs when a person takes in more calories than the body needs or uses.

Most people who gain weight are taking in more calories per day than they are using. If you are gaining weight despite eating fewer calories and maintaining your usual amount of physical activity, this guide is for you.

When weight gain occurs suddenly or can't be explained by your eating and exercise habits, it's worth taking a closer look.

The average American gains several pounds in the six weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. This seemingly inevitable weight gain is avoidable; you can fend off added pounds during the holidays without becoming a dietary Scrooge.

A Harvard Medical School physician discusses how to avoid holiday weight gain.

Separated sutures are abnormally wide spaces in the bony joints of the skull in an infant. See also: Sutures - ridged

Being tired is the familiar aftermath of physical exertion, prolonged labor or lack of sleep. When does being tired become a symptom of a condition? Fatigue, malaise, lassitude, exhaustion are all subtle variations of the same subjective feelings of not having enough energy to meet the demands of one's life.

Pain is a universal human experience. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage." Pain may be a symptom of an underlying disease or disorder, or a disorder in its own right. At the same time that pain is a universal experience, however, it is also a complex one. While the physical sensations involved in pain may be constant throughout history, the ways in which humans express and treat pain are shaped by their respective cultures and societies. Since the 1980s, research in the neurobiology of pain has been accompanied by studies of the psychological and sociocultural factors that influence people's experience of pain, their use of health care systems, and their compliance with various treatments for pain. As of 2003, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to pain treatment that takes this complexity into account.

Expert-reviewed information summary about pain as a complication of cancer or its treatment. Approaches to the management and treatment of cancer-associated pain are discussed.

Pain, medically termed "nociception," is a response to noxious stimuli that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons . The discomfort signals actual or impending injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awareness of pain; it also includes perception, the subjective interpretation of the discomfort. Perception gives information on the pain's location, intensity, and something about its nature. The various conscious and unconscious responses to both sensation and perception, including the emotional response, add further definition to the overall concept of pain.

Communicating About PainResourcesAmerican Pain Foundation888-615-7246www.painfoundation.orgAmerican Chronic Pain Associationwww.theacpa.orgThe National Pain Foundation www.painconnection.orgYou have a right to have pain treated. Untreated pain can...

Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awareness of pain; it also includes perception, the subjective interpretation of the discomfort. Perception gives information on the pain's location, intensity, and something about its nature. The various conscious and unconscious responses to both sensation and perception, including the emotional response, add further definition to the overall concept of pain.

Measuring Your PainA pain scale helps you rate pain intensity. In the scale, 0 means no pain, and 10 is the worst pain possible.

Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by nerves in the body.

Pain is an unpleasant feeling that is conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons. The discomfort signals actual or potential injury to the body. However, pain is more than a sensation, or the physical awareness of pain; it also includes perception, the subjective interpretation of the discomfort. Perception gives information on the pain's location, intensity, and something about its nature. The various conscious and unconscious responses to both sensations and perception, including the emotional response, add further definition to the overall concept of pain.

This comprehensive report describes the many causes of pain, the latest treatments, and the best preventive strategies.

Children who experience verbal abuse are at as much risk for developing anxiety or depression as those who are abused physically or sexually. This may be due to the fact that verbal abuse is likely to persist over a lengthy period of time.

Examines the role of forgiveness in personal health and happiness, ranging from reduced stress to improved relationships.

I have recurring sores in my mouth, most generally on the sides of my tongue, and the tip of my tongue gets very tender and sore. Do I have a vitamin deficiency? What else could be the cause of this?

Depression, also known as depressive disorders or unipolar depression, is a mental illness characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness or despair and/or a loss of interest in things that once were pleasurable. Disturbance in sleep, appetite, and mental processes are a common accompaniment.

This report offers in-depth information on the causes of depression and the treatments and medications that can lift your mood.

It's important not to underestimate the dangers associated with depression, especially if you've had multiple episodes or lingering symptoms. For example, people who don't get treated for their depression have a higher risk for suicide.

People who are depressed have a cluster of symptoms characterized by sadness and a profound lack of energy and well-being.

Depression is a complicated and common mental health condition that affects about 10 to 15 percent of Americans. The following questions and answers can help you recognize and get effective treatment for depression.

The analysis of more than 15,000 young people in the United States found about a third of the cases of depression and obesity among those teens could be attributed to being from families with low incomes.

Men suffer from depression in smaller numbers than women do, but their treatment needs differ due to responses to medication, especially in older men. Additional medication may be necessary to treat the sexual side effects.

In general, only about three percent of the elderly living independently in the community will experience depression. That figure increases to around 20 to 30 percent of persons in nursing homes or with chronic illnesses like emphysema, heart disease or diabetes.

Too often, parents miss the signs of depression. Or, they believe their teen will “snap out of it” eventually.

A woman’s unique biological, social, and cultural factors may increase her risk for depression.

In elderly patients, symptoms of depression can be mistaken for symptoms of another medical problem, so it is important for clinicians to consider all physical problems and medications of elderly patients before making a diagnosis.

Many people with depression do not receive adequate medical treatment, and even if they are treated, doctors may not be paying enough attention to their patients' needs.

Learning more about this illness will allow you to understand what your symptoms may mean and make it easier for you to seek help.

Depression is not "all in your head." It is a real illness that saps your energy. It can leave you feeling sad, hopeless, lonely and guilty. It is related to a chemical imbalance in the brain and to certain traits such as low self-esteem and pessimism. Some kinds of depression may be inherited.

Everyone feels down at times, but diabetics are especially prone to depression. An unhappy period that’s intense or lasts for more than a couple of weeks can be a sign of depression. Depression is a serious illness.

Depression can often develop as a result of a heart attack or cardiac surgery, and has more serious effects on heart health and overall health than depression that was present before a heart attack.

Seasonal affective disorder is thought to be caused by decreased exposure to sunlight during the winter months. Light therapy helps some people, and the FDA has approved the antidepressant bupropion for treatment as well.

Studies suggest mental health care following a heart attack can improve patient health and mortality.

Studies of a link between depression and osteoporosis suggest the bone deterioration could be a result of the depression, or may be caused by taking antidepressant medications for a long period of time.

The mind and the body are intimately connected, and our overall health depends on both working well. This is most evident in depression: Research shows that people who suffer from clinical depression face a higher risk of contracting one of the stress-linked illnesses than the rest of the population.

Depressed patients are more likely to respond to medical treatment if their doctors practice empathy and effective communication skills.

Discussing the definition and treatment of a contested psychological diagnosis???atypical depression.

Two studies examine the correlation between depression in adults and its prevalence in their children, and the effect of adults' treatment on the children's mental health.

A roundup of studies exploring the beneficial effects of exercise on depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Is it a case of the chicken and the egg?

Exposure to the right kind of light may go a long way toward reducing seasonal affective disorder symptoms.

Teen depression is a serious illness. The benefits of getting help, including taking medications if needed, far outweigh the potential risks.

During the dark days of winter, many people develop signs of depression that are tied to the changing amount of daylight.

A study claims that obese people are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, but the findings do not prove that the conditions are causally related to each other.

Behavioral activation therapy is a variation of cognitive therapy that encourages patients to fight depression by examining their feelings and experiences and focusing on their positive accomplishments.

Folate, a B vitamin, breaks down homocysteine, which may be associated with depression. Because of this it has been tested as a possible treatment, but the results have been mixed and more research is needed.

Researchers in China found that Chinese citizens were more likely to express symptoms of depression as having a physical component as well as an emotional one, due to the way their culture interprets such feelings.

Concern about antidepressants increasing the risk of suicide in children could have the unintended effect that children suffering from depression may not receive needed treatment.

Hypotheses explaining how depression manifests itself. The American Psychiatric Association requires any five of nine symptoms for a diagnosis of major depression. As the definition implies, these symptoms do not all appear in everyone who is depressed. Two studies explore the consequences for the understanding of depression and come to contrasting conclusions. One study suggests that an individual patient's symptoms are not consistent, but change more or less unpredictably from one episode of depression to the next. The other study suggests that there are several sets of depressive symptoms that are distinguishable genetically and therefore likely to persist in a given individual.

An explanation of the two-way relationship between depression and stroke. Depressed people are at higher risk for a stroke, but depression often precedes as well as follows a stroke.

A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about whether Accutane, a powerful acne medication, has been linked to depression or suicide.

People who suffer from depression are more likely to have a sleep-related breathing problem such as apnea. Treating the sleep problem may help alleviate the depression in some people.

Discusses options for treatment of seasonal affective disorder.The treatment of seasonal affective disorder throws light on dark moods.

Are children with ADD more likely to be depressed? Claire McCarthy, M.D., is a senior medical editor for Harvard Health Publications. She is an instructor in pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician at Children's Hospital of Boston, and co-director of the pediatrics department at Martha Eliot Health Center, a neighborhood health service of Children's Hospital. The author of two books, "Learning How the Heart Beats" and "Everyone's Children", Dr. McCarthy was a regular columnist for "Sesame Street Parents Magazine" from 1995 to 1998 and is currently a contributing editor for "Parenting Magazine".

My mother has advanced lung cancer and is receiving chemo. I live with her and am also her caregiver. We have been very close all of our lives, and I am having a hard time adjusting well. Sometimes I even get angry with her and then I feel guilty. The next step is I get depressed and have thought about a way out, but have not attempted anything. Can you suggest anything to help me cope?

A combination of factors causes depression. Some cases are triggered by a stressful experience, such as the death of a spouse or loss of a job. Some illnesses, such as cancer, also can cause depression, as can alcohol and drug abuse.

Chances are you know the difference between occasional sadness and depression. But here's a fact you may not know: Hypothyroidism, a common thyroid disorder, can cause depression.

When recommending treatment for clinical depression, physicians typically prescribe a tried-and-true regimen: anti-depressant medication and "talk" therapy. In the future, however, health professionals may be advocating a healthy dose of exercise.

Take action if you suspect a friend and/or family member suffers from depression. It's a condition that can cloud thinking and make people believe they aren't worth helping, so they often can't help themselves.

The unrealistic expectations of the season, time and financial pressures, missing loved ones and reflecting on past events as the year comes to an end all contribute to the blues.

The medical community once thought depression affected only adults. The risk for the condition begins in the early teens, however, and increases steadily through the mid-20s.

Although anyone can suffer from depression, it is particularly common among older adults. Depression affects 15 out of every 100 adults older than 65.

Because depression isn't a normal part of growing older, it's important to learn the signs of this condition and seek help if you or a loved one could be suffering from it.

Everyone gets down in the dumps from time to time. But you may have clinical depression if a feeling of sadness or loss of interest in life and friends lingers for two weeks or more.

Instead of asking for help, men who are depressed are likely to drink alcohol to excess, take drugs, or become frustrated, discouraged, and irritable.

Although sadness touches all our lives, true depression is different in its intensity and persistence.

What's the difference between a bad case of the blues and the painful mental disorder known as depression? According to the experts, impaired functioning is usually a clear-cut indication of clinical depression.

Primary care physicians should be asking their patients questions about five "warning flag" symptoms to determine whether they should be screened for depression or other mood disorders, researchers say.

Having a chronic condition such as COPD can lead to depression. You can get help. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms.

Living with diabetes may increase the likelihood of depression. The connection may be go both ways: information from a diabetes trial suggests the possibility of a link between antidepressant use and diabetes.

A recent study offers evidence that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may help those who develop depression after a heart attack.

Most people, most of the time, overestimate themselves. It is pervasive and powerful, but is not the same in all people or in all circumstances.

A discussion of the social impact of depression in the elderly and the benefits of treatment.

According to two studies, women going through menopause are much more likely to develop symptoms of depression, due in part to changes in hormone production. Hormone replacement may provide temporary relief from severe depression.

Reports of risky side effects may have dampened enthusiasm for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are among the world's most widely prescribed medications. A review of concerns and benefits associated with SSRIs.

Mental health among Americans may have declined during the 1990s. Revealing information on the mental health of Americans appears in data from three random telephone surveys of the adult population by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

While there is a very small risk of suicide in adolescents who take antidepressants, they are also beneficial to many teenagers with depression. All factors should be weighed in treatment decisions, and patients should be monitored carefully.

Discussion of whether the new antidepressant Cymbalta (duloxetine) has any advantage over other antidepressants on the market.

DHEA may not be an anti-aging panacea, as some suggest, but a new study suggests that it may be able to temporarily lift mood.

Older people with macular degeneration are more likely to experience depression, but those who received problem-solving therapy to help them adapt to and cope with their condition were less likely to develop depression.

A study shows that interaction with animals can be a path to recovery from depression.

Age-related macular degeneration is the most common cause of severe vision loss in people over 55. A recent trial shows that education may help relieve disability and depression in those with the condition.

Is there a link between depression and migraines? Michael Craig Miller, M.D., is editor-in-chief of the Harvard Mental Health Letter and an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Miller has an active clinical practice and has been on staff at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for more than 25 years.

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.

Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress , medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.

Boosting Your Energy provides information on the causes and treatments of persistent fatigue. Includes information on aging and energy, eating for energy, and boosting your energy.

Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the context of health and illness. This lack of definition results from the fact that a person's experience of fatigue depends on a variety of factors. These factors include culture, personality, the physical environment (light, noise, vibration), availability of social support through networks of family members and friends, the nature of a particular fatiguing disease or disorder, and the type and duration of work or exercise . The experience of fatigue associated with disease will be different for someone who is clinically depressed, is socially isolated, and is out of shape, as compared to another person who is not depressed, has many friends, and is aerobically fit.

Fatigue: TreatmentIf the fatigue is related to a decrease in hemoglobin, or oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, then replacing the red blood cells by transfusion or taking erythropoietin can help reduce fatigue. If the fatigue is not related to...

If you regularly feel weary after waking from a good night’s sleep or for no apparent reason, it’s time to find out why.

Fatigue may be defined as a subjective state in which one feels tired or exhausted, and in which the capacity for normal work or activity is reduced. There is, however, no commonly accepted definition of fatigue when it is considered in the context of health and illness. This lack of definition results from the fact that a person's experience of fatigue depends on a variety of factors. These factors include culture; personality; the physical environment (light, noise, vibration); availability of social support through networks of family members and friends; the nature of a particular fatiguing disease or disorder; and the type and duration of work or exercise. For example, the experience of fatigue associated with disease will be different for someone who is clinically depressed, is socially isolated, and is out of shape, as compared to another person who is not depressed, has many friends, and is aerobically fit. Fatigue is sometimes characterized as normal or abnormal. For example, the feeling of tiredness or even exhaustion after exercising is a normal response and is relieved by resting; many people report that the experience of ordinary tiredness after exercise is pleasant. Moreover, this type of fatigue is called acute since the onset is sudden and the desired activity level returns after resting. On the other hand, there is a kind of fatigue that is not perceived as ordinary; that may develop insidiously over time; is unpleasant or seriously distressing; and is not resolved by rest. This kind of fatigue is abnormal and is called chronic . Some researchers regard fatigue as a defense mechanism that promotes the effective regulation of energy expenditures. According to this theory, when people feel tired they take steps to avoid further stress (physical or emotional) by resting or by avoiding the stressor. They are then conserving energy. Since chronic fatigue is not normal, however, it is an important symptom of some mental disorders; of a variety of physical diseases with known etiologies (causes); and of medical conditions that have no biological markers although they have recognizable syndromes (patterns of symptoms and signs). Fatigue is sometimes described as being primary or secondary. Primary fatigue is a symptom of a disease or mental disorder, and may be part of a cluster of such symptoms as pain, fever, or nausea. As the disease or disorder progresses, however, the fatigue may be intensified by the patient's worsening condition, by the other disease symptoms, or by the surgical or medical treatment given to the patient. This subsequent fatigue is called secondary.

Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress , medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.

Fatigue is a feeling of exhaustion or loss of strength. The duration of fatigue for a patient with cancer has been found to last from one to two times the length of time between diagnosis and completion of treatment, so it is common for fatigue to persist beyond a patient's treatment regimen.

Fatigue: ManagementIf the person on chemotherapy has decreased hemoglobin, or oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, and it seems like the low hemoglobin level will last for a while, then a medicine called PROCRIT® (Epoetin alfa) may be prescribed...

Fatigue: CausesWe currently understand some of the causes of fatigue but not all of them. Fatigue may be related to physical changes caused by cancer or its treatment (chemotherapy, biotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery).

Fatigue: DefinitionFatigue is a vague feeling of being tired, weak, or exhausted. It is often a symptom of cancer, when cancer is first diagnosed, or when cancer progresses (Ferrell et al, 1996).

Many people experience late-in-the-day energy lags, but you can take steps to prevent them.

Oncology: Managing FatigueFatigue is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It can be caused by worry, lack of sleep, and poor appetite.

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells. It gives red blood cells their red color. People with anemia do not have enough hemoglobin. See also: Anemia due to B12 deficiency; Anemia due to folate deficiency; Anemia due to iron deficiency; Hemolytic anemia; Hemolytic anemia due to G-6-PD deficiency; Idiopathic aplastic anemia; Idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Immune hemolytic anemia; Megaloblastic anemia; Pernicious anemia; Secondary aplastic anemia; Sickle cell anemia.

Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin.

Detailed information on anemia, including symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment

Anemia is a blood disorder characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells (RBCs) or reduced hemoglobin (Hgb), the iron-bearing protein in red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body. Reduced blood cell volume (hematocrit) is also considered anemia. The reduction of any or all of the three blood parameters reduces the oxygen-carrying capability of the blood, causing reduced oxygenation of body tissues, a condition called hypoxia.

Anemia is characterized by an abnormally low number of red blood cells in the circulating blood. It frequently affects patients with cancer. In fact, in many cancer diagnoses such as multiple myeloma and acute leukemia , the presence of anemia may be what initially prompts a doctor to suspect an underlying tumor (neoplasm). Whether or not anemia develops depends on the type of cancer found, the treatment employed, as well as the presence or absence of other underlying medical disorders. Symptoms of malignancy-associated anemia may range from weakness, pallor, and fatigue to shortness of breath and increased heart rate. Symptoms of anemia can compromise a patient's ability to tolerate treatment, and may severely interfere with activities of daily living. Anemia may be particularly problematic in older individuals with cancer. The incidence and severity of anemia tends to increase as the cancer progresses. Blood is comprised of three major cell types: white blood cells, which help the body fight infection; platelets, which help the blood to clot when necessary; and red blood cells, which transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues in the body, and then transport carbon dioxide from those tissues back to the lungs. This exchange is enabled by the most important component of red blood cells—the protein called hemoglobin that binds easily to oxygen and carbon dioxide. Red blood cells are produced in the bone marrow through a process called erythropoiesis. When the bone marrow functions normally, it continuously replaces red blood cells to maintain a normal level that allows for adequate oxygenation of the tissues. The hormone erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell production and sends a message to the bone marrow to increase production when oxygen levels in the body are low. This mechanism is often impaired in patients with cancer.

What Do You Know About Anemia?1.

Understanding AnemiaChemotherapy can reduce the number of red blood cells in your body. When you have too few of these cells, anemia can result.

I have been under the care of my doctor for the past five years for chronic anemia. Every so often, I receive iron infusions because my blood count is low. Can my condition make it hard for me to conceive?

Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the component of red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body).

Anemia is a condition characterized by abnormally low levels of healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin (the component of red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues throughout the body).

Deficiency of red cells, or hemoglobin, in the blood. Anemia is a medical condition in which the quantity of red blood cells falls below an acceptable level. Red blood cells, produced in the bone marrow, contain hemoglobin, the component of blood that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues. Red blood cells circulate in the blood for about 120 days and are then filtered out by the lymphatic system and destroyed, usually in the spleen. When more cells are destroyed than are produced, anemia can result. Anemia can range from mild to life-threatening in severity, and has a number of causes. The disease can be caused by a single significant blood loss or from a long-term chronic illness. Fetal anemia can develop when the mother's and fetus's blood have Rh factor incompatibility. During prenatal tests and newborn examinations, the mother and infant are routinely tested for anemia.

Cancer-related Anemia: CausesNormally, the body makes enough red blood cells with hemoglobin to replace the ones that the body has used up. A hormone called erythropoietin, which is made in the kidneys, tells the body when more red blood cells are...

Anemia: What My Red Blood Cell Count Tells MeAnemia is a condition where the number of red blood cells in the body falls below normal. This may happen if the body slows down its production of these cells.

Anemia affects more than 30 percent of the world's population, and it is one of the most important worldwide health problems. It has a significant prevalence in both developing and industrialized nations. Causes of anemia include nutritional deficiencies , particularly of iron , vitamin B 12 , and folate (folic acid); excess blood loss from menstruation or chronic illness and infection; ingestion of toxic substances, such as lead, ethanol, and other compounds; and genetic abnormalities such as thalassemia and sideroblastosis . Anemia is caused by a deficiency in the intake and absorption elements required to make red blood cells. The condition is defined as one in which the blood is deficient in red blood cells, in hemoglobin , or in total volume. This results in blood that is incapable of meeting the oxygen needs of the body's tissues. Anemia is characterized by changes in the size and color of red blood cells. Red blood cells, or erythrocytes, are primarily responsible for oxygen transport from the lungs to the body's many cells. Hemoglobin is an oxygen-carrying protein in the red blood cell that incorporates iron into its structure. Therefore, iron is an essential building block of blood erythrocytes. When red blood cells are larger than normal, the anemia is termed macrocytic, and when they are smaller than normal, it is called microcytic. Normal red cell color is termed normochromic, and if the red cells appear pale, the anemia is called hypochromic. When extensive lab testing is not available for diagnosis, the use of a portable colorimeter can be used to detect anemia.

Anemia: What to Do When You Have ItAnemia means that the number or quality of the red blood cells is lower than normal. It can be caused by lots of things that prevent the body from being able to make enough red blood cells, such asanti-cancer tre...

Cancer-related Anemia: PreventionIron supplements and erythropoietin are being studied in people receiving radiation and chemotherapy to prevent anemia and improve response. People at risk for nutritional problems can decrease the risk of anemia b...

Cancer-related Anemia: TreatmentThe treatment of anemia depends upon the cause. If the anemia is due to a lack of red blood cells, then red blood cells can be given through transfusions or treatment.Red blood cell transfusions are used a lot of th...

Detailed information on the different types of anemia, including aplastic anemia, anemia of folate deficiency, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, hemolytic anemia, iron deficiency anemia, megaloblastic anemia, and sickle cell disease

Detailed information on anemia, including symptoms, diagnosis, causes, types, and treatment

A headache is pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck. Serious causes of headaches are extremely rare. Most people with headaches can feel much better by making lifestyle changes, learning ways to relax, and occasionally by taking medications. See also: Cluster headache; Migraine; Tension headache.

A headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom HEADACHE THERAPIES Description Type Acupressure Press pointer fingers beneath cheekbones and parallel to pupils (Stomach 3) for one minute. Squeeze fleshy area between thumb and pointer finger (Large Intestine 4) for one minute. Sinus Aromatherapy Massage mixture of lavender oil and sunflower oil in temples, sides of eyes, behind ears, and on the neck. Do same using eucalyptus. Migraine, tension, and sinus Chiropractic Spinal or cervical manipulation to realign posture. Tension Diet and exercise Avoid chocolate, cheeses, citrus, red wine, and foods containing sodium nitrates or MSG. Exercise regularly. Migraine Herbal remedies Feverfew, hawthorn, skullcap, ginger, goldenseal, valerian, passionflower, and cayenne. Migraine and tension Homeopathy Belladonna, bryonia, kali bichromicum, and nux vomica. Sinus and tension Home remedies Simultaneous ice pack/warm foot soak; drink three cold glasses of water; inhale pure oxygen. Migraine and cluster Massage Scalp massage All Mind/body Meditation and relaxation and biofeedback. Migraine Osteopathy Neuromuscular manipulation and massage of head, neck, and shoulders. All of an underlying medical condition or disease. The medical term for headache is cephalalgia.

This report helps you identify the cause of your headache and learn what to do about it. Includes the latest treatments, such as new medications and mind/body techniques.

Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches

A headache involves pain in the head which can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.

About 90 percent of all headaches are harmless episodes that can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers, either alone or together with rest, ice packs or relaxation techniques.

A headache involves pain in the head that can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself.

Most headaches in kids are caused by tension, not disease. Your pediatrician can determine what kind of headache your child has.

Headache is a pain in the head and neck region that may be either a disorder in its own right or a symptom of an underlying medical condition or disease. The medical term for headache is cephalalgia. Headaches are one of the most common and universal human ailments, described in the Bible as well as in medical writings from ancient Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, Rome, India, and China. Severe chronic headaches were once treated by the oldest known surgical procedure, known as trepanning or trephining, in which the surgeon drilled a hole as large as 1–2 in diameter in the patient's skull without benefit of anesthesia. Evidence of trepanning has been found in skulls from Cro-Magnon people that are about 40,000 years old.

When seeking treatment for headaches, start with your primary care provider. Most people who suffer from headaches tell their doctors about their pain only as an afterthought. And 31 percent have never seen a health care provider for their condition, according to the National Headache Foundation (NHF). The result is a lot of needless suffering.

Youngsters' most common head pain is a tension headache—a dull ache that feels like pressure around the head.

Detailed information on headaches, including types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

An old theory about the connection between headache and high blood pressure makes a comeback.

Can dehydration cause headaches? Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

Detailed information on headaches, including the different types of headaches and statistics relating to headaches

Partial or complete loss of hair is called alopecia.

Alopecia, also called hair loss, baldness, and epilation, is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy . Most patients undergoing chemotherapy, especially those who are being treated with more than one drug, will suffer from hair loss. Radiation therapy causes hair loss only in the area of skin being treated. Although most often associated with head hair, alopecia can occur on any part of the body. Cancer treatments can also cause hair on the face (including the eyelashes and eyebrows), genitals, underarms, and body to fall out. Alopecia usually occurs between two and three weeks after the first treatment. Most often, hair loss is gradual and occurs over a three-to-four week period. However, the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel can cause all the hair of the body to fall out within a 24-hour period. Loss of head hair usually begins on the top (crown) and sides of the head, presumably due to friction caused by pillows, bed linens, and hats. Alopecia caused by chemotherapy is usually temporary. Hair loss caused by radiation therapy may be permanent. Hair regrows in about three to five months. Regrown hair may be a different color or type than before treatment. Although alopecia is a harmless, painless condition, it can significantly affect body image , self esteem, and sexuality . As a result, alopecia may cause the patient to limit social activities. Hair loss can also cause depression .

Detailed information on baldness (alopecia), including causes, different types of hair loss, treatment of baldness, and hair replacement surgery

Hair loss. Alopecia is partial or total loss of hair as a result of any number of causes, including the normal aging process. In children, alopecia may be a reaction to a drug or therapy (such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy), or may result from a skin disorder or hormone imbalance. When hair is lost in patches for unknown causes, the condition is termed alopecia areata. When bald spots are the result of compulsive hair-pulling, the condition is termed trichotillomania.

Detailed information on baldness (alopecia), including causes, different types of hair loss, treatment of baldness, and hair replacement surgery

Some hair on your head falls out every day, no matter what your age. And that's perfectly normal.

Detailed information on managing alopecia in children

Hair Loss--One Woman's StoryDebbie Dorsey sat with her family on Christmas morning in 1997 opening presents. She was watching her children and mindlessly touching her hair when seven dark strands clung to her fingers.

Losing your hair can be a frustrating process, especially because you often have little control over it.

Have there been any studies on the effectiveness of saw palmetto for stopping hair loss?

Half of Americans experience some degree of hair loss. Hair loss affects both men and women, but with different results.

Can severe anemia cause hair loss and hair thinning? Mary Pickett, M.D., is a lecturer for Harvard Medical School and an assistant professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR. At OHSU, she practices general internal medicine and teaches medical residents and students.

My 7-year-old son has two bald spots on his scalp. His pediatrician said he has alopecia. Will he have this for the rest of his life? Will it continue to get worse? Did stress and anxiety cause this?

Hair loss, or alopecia , is total or partial baldness caused by hormonal changes or physical or mental stress .

Hair loss syndromes are a varied group of disorders and conditions characterized by the gradual or sudden loss of large amounts of hair—most often from the scalp, but sometimes from other areas of the body. Hair loss (or baldness) is sometimes referred to as alopecia. Madarosis is the medical term for the loss of eyelashes (ciliary madarosis) or eyebrows (superciliary madarosis). Genetic factors are the most common cause of alopecia. Although hair loss, unlike some genetic disorders , is not a life-threatening or disabling condition, it often has painful psychological consequences. Good grooming and an attractive appearance are important factors in the contemporary job market as well as interpersonal relationships, and a full head of hair is considered a positive feature. Historically, men have tended to put less weight on their external appearance than women have, but this pattern has changed in the last two decades. Present evidence indicates that men are now as vulnerable to pressures to "look good" as women are, and that hair loss is a frequent focus of men's concerns about their looks. American men spend over two billion dollars each year on hair-replacement products.

Alopecia is the partial or complete loss of hair—especially on the scalp—either in patches (alopecia areata), on the entire head (alopecia totalis), or over the entire body (alopecia universalis).

Hair loss syndromes are a varied group of disorders and conditions characterized by the gradual or sudden loss of large amounts of hair—most often from the scalp, but sometimes from other areas of the body. Hair loss (or baldness) is sometimes referred to as alopecia. Madarosis is the medical term for the loss of eyelashes (ciliary madarosis) or eyebrows (superciliary madarosis). Genetic factors are the most common cause of alopecia. Although hair loss, unlike some genetic disorders , is not a life-threatening or disabling condition, it often has painful psychological consequences. Good grooming and an attractive appearance are important factors in the contemporary job market as well as interpersonal relationships, and a full head of hair is considered a positive feature. Historically, men have tended to put less weight on their external appearance than women have, but this pattern has changed in the last two decades. Present evidence indicates that men are now as vulnerable to pressures to "look good" as women are, and that hair loss is a frequent focus of men's concerns about their looks. American men spend over two billion dollars each year on hair-replacement products.

Alopecia simply means hair loss (baldness).

Oncology: Coping With Hair LossHair loss is a common side effect of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It occurs because these treatments affect normal cells as well as cancer cells.

Is hair loss common with HIV? Rebecca Campen, M.D., J.D. is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Harvard Medical School and former Deputy Director of the Harvard/Massachusetts General Hospital Cutaneous Biology Research Center (CBRC). She currently serves as Senior Advisor to the CBRC and divides her time between clinical practice of dermatology at the Massachusetts General Hospital and private practice in Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Campen is the author of two books for medical students and residents, Going Into Medical Practice and Blueprints in Dermatology.

Are there any vitamins that can be taken to help prevent hair loss?

Is hair loss a common symptom of diabetes, and is it reversible? I have noticed that my hair has gotten very thin and I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes?

A goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is not cancer.

Goiter is a swelling in the neck, caused by a malfunction of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in the base of the neck, absorbs iodine from the blood and uses this to produce hormones that regulate many body functions, including EXAMPLES OF IODINE-RICH FOODS Food Serving size Micrograms of iodine Source: FDA's Total Diet Study (1982-1984). Cod or haddock, cooked 3-½ oz (100 g) 175 Chocolate milkshake (fast food) 1 average 158 Homemade meatloaf 3-½ oz (100 g) 123 Lima beans, boiled ½ cup (90 g) 104 Chocolate ice cream 1 cup (133 g) 94 Corn grits, cooked ½ cup (120 g) 86 Chocolate milk, low-fat 1 cup (250 g) 83 Yogurt, low-fat 1 cup (227 g) 73 Milk, low-fat 1 cup (244 g) 66 Milk, skim 1 cup (246 g) 64 Milk, whole 1 cup (244 g) 61 growth, nerve function, and absorption of vitamins and calcium. If the thyroid gland does not receive enough iodine from the blood, the gland may enlarge, causing a goiter. A goiter can also develop if the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, a condition called hypothyroidism. Goiter is also present in hyperthyroidism, when the gland produces too much thyroid hormone. A common cause of goiter around the world is lack of iodine in the diet. The thyroid needs iodine to produce thyroid hormones, and if sufficient iodine is not available, the gland enlarges because it is working harder. The main dietary sources of iodine are grains and vegetables grown in iodine-rich soil, and saltwater fish and seafoods. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for iodine for adolescents and adults is 150 micrograms per day. To combat iodine deficiency in the U.S., iodine has been added to salt since 1924. The body needs only very small amounts of iodine for healthy thyroid function, so iodized salt usually provides an adequate dietary amount. There are two forms of thyroid disorder, however, that affect children regardless of diet. Congenital hypothyroidism is a disorder in which a child may be born with an underactive thyroid gland. Symptoms appear when the baby is six to twelve weeks old, and include cool, mottled or yellowish skin, coarse hair, and a dull appetite. The baby's neck will look unusually short and fat. The facial features are also affected: the bridge of the nose is underdeveloped, so the nose appears flat and the eyes seem widely spaced, and the tongue is thick and protrudes. Hypothyroidism slows the baby's growth and development, and the child may have weak muscles and slow reflexes. If untreated, this condition can lead to mental retardation. Hypothyroidism can also begin later in life, in a child born with normal thyroid function. It usually begins when a child is between 11 and 14 years old. Onset of this disease is not related to diet, but it may be a side effect of an auto-immune disease that attacks the thyroid. Children with this disease may develop dry, coarse hair and skin, poor circulation, and low blood pressure. Goiter may appear, along with the facial characteristics of the hypothyroid baby. The disease slows the child's growth, and puberty is usually delayed. All the symptoms of acquired hypothyroidism can be treated with medical intervention, and the condition does not lead to mental retardation. Diagnosis is made with a simple blood test, and treatment involves replacing the deficient thyroid hormones. The goiter may need to be removed surgically. Hyperthyroidism, or overproduction of thyroid hormones, usually affects older women, and only rarely affects children. In children with this condition, goiter may develop, and the eyes may bulge out. Just the opposite of hypothyroidism, the hyperthyroid child grows faster than normal and may have flushed, warm skin, and increased heart rate. The child may be restless and irritable, unable to concentrate, and tire easily. All these symptoms can be reversed by medical treatment. Treatment usually involves medication that blocks the excess hormone production. Surgery may be needed to remove the thyroi

When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormone. With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. A goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It may be diffuse, involving all thyroid tissue, or it may be caused by one or more lumps (nodules)—called nodular goiter. Diffuse goiter reflects an underlying thyroid problem, most commonly iodine deficiency in iodine-deficient areas of the world, where nearly 1 billion people may be subject to the disorder. In the United States, iodine deficiency is rare (because of widespread use of iodized salt) and goiter is most commonly caused by Graves' disease or Hashimoto's disease. Nodular goiter affects 3 to 5 percent of adults, mainly women. Nodules may reflect thyroid cancer (in 5% of cases), but the remainder are benign processes due to multiple causes. Cancers can be distinguished from benign disease by microscopic evaluation of thyroid tissue obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. M ARTIN I. S URKS ( SEE ALSO : Hyperthyroidism ; Hypothyroidism ; Iodine ; Thyroid Disorders ; Thyroid Function Tests )

An example of grade III (large and visible) goiter. Most cases of goiter in the developing world are due to an iodine deficiency. Unable to meet the body's hormonal needs, the thyroid becomes enlarged to compensate. [© Lester V. Bergman/Corbis. Reproduced by permission.] A goiter is a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck. Many conditions can cause goiter, but the most common is a lack of sufficient iodine in the diet , which is usually a result of the soil in which food is grown being iodine-poor—a condition that occurs in many mountainous regions away from the sea. Iodine is required for the production of thyroid hormones , which regulate the body's metabolism . About 740 million people have goiters, but the percentage varies greatly by region (eastern Mediterranean: 32%; Africa: 20%: Europe: 15%; Southeast Asia: 12%; western Pacific: 8%; the Americas: 5%). Surveying communities for goiters is one of the best ways of detecting iodine deficiency, which, if not treated, can cause stillbirths , miscarriages , cretinism , mental impairments, deafness, and dwarfism. Iodine deficiency is the most common preventable cause of brain damage and mental retardation, affecting about 50 million people worldwide. However, these disorders have been tremendously reduced simply by using table salt fortified with iodine. Adults require at least 20 micrograms of iodine daily, but 150 micrograms is recommended. Seafoods are excellent sources, while the iodine content of other foods varies depending on animal feed and soil. Iodism (iodine poisoning) is a rare condition that results in weakness, swollen salivary glands, a metallic taste in the mouth, and a runny nose. SEE ALSO M INERALS . Donna Staton Marcus Harding

Goiter refers to any visible enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Weakness is a reduction in the strength of one or more muscles.

Sprained ankles and wrists, arthritic knees and hips and torn rotator cuffs all have one thing in common: They result in joint pain.

The hip is prone to developing pain in part because its anatomy is complex and because it has a large range of motion. Some of these structures, including the bursae, muscles, tendons, or ligaments are common causes of hip pain, even when the joint itself is fine.

The diagnoses provided are among the most common that could explain your symptoms, but the list is not exhaustive and there are many other possibilities. In addition, more than one condition may be present at the same time. For example, a person with rheumatoid arthritis could also have ulnar neuropathy because swelling in the elbow compresses the nearby nerve.

Muscle aches and pains are common and can involve more than one muscle. Muscle pain also can involve ligaments, tendons, and fascia, the soft tissues that connect muscles, bones, and organs. See also: Muscle cramps; Joint pain.

Hoarseness is having difficulty producing sound when trying to speak, or a change in the pitch or quality of the voice. The voice may sound weak, very breathy, scratchy, or husky.

A voice disorder is an abnormality of one or more of the three characteristics of voice: pitch, intensity (loudness), and quality (resonance).

Anorexia is characterized by a loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat.

Detailed information on anorexia, including causes, characteristics, types, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prevention

Appetite StimulationSymptom and Description Loss of appetite is a loss of the desire to eat. Not eating can lead to weight loss.

Your loss of appetite may be because of anxiety or depression, aging, medications or a health concern.

A harvard Medical school physician answers your question about the prevalence of anorexia in men, and discusses the biological and environmental factors that influence the disorder in both sexes.

Women suffering from anorexia nervosa may benefit more from general support than in-depth therapy, according to a recent study.

Depression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for short periods. True clinical depression is a mood disorder in which feelings of sadness, loss, anger, or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time. See also: Adolescent depression; Depression in the elderly.

Detailed information on depression and depression in women, including types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Depression is sometimes referred to as the common cold of mental illness. It is a debilitating disease with significant societal costs. It is, however, one of the most clearly defined and treatable of mental illnesses. Technically, the term "depression" is used to cover a variety of symptomatic conditions, all characterized by negative mood and a loss of pleasure. Together these conditions comprise a spectrum ranging from major depression to dysthymia to adjustment reactions to normal grief and sadness. At one extreme of this continuum lies major depressive disorder, a syndrome characterized by severe episodes of depressed mood accompanied by loss of sleep, appetite, concentration, energy, and hope. The depressed mood must persist for greater than two weeks in order to warrant this diagnosis. At the other end of the continuum lies the diagnosis of dysthymia, which is characterized by a lower level of mood disturbance that persists chronically; that is, involving more days than not for a period of two years or greater. Many patients complain of depressed mood but do not fit neatly into either of these two categories. These patients' symptoms are frequently best accounted for as a reaction to an acute life stressor. These reactions are typically nonpathological and resolve with time, but they may constitute an adjustment reaction if normal functioning is sufficiently disturbed. Depression is both common and costly. It has a lifetime prevalence of 5 to 10 percent of women and 2 to 5 percent of men. It is an expensive disorder in both direct and indirect terms, as depression causes a higher degree of functional disability than many medical illnesses including diabetes, chronic lung disease, and arthritis. Additional costs to society result from the effect of untreated depression on the treatment of medical illnesses, where it contributes to longer hospital stays and morbidity. This has been particularly well demonstrated in the treatment of myocardial infarction (heart attack), where the presence of major depression has consistently been found to increase mortality. Depressive illness is thought to result from a combination of biological and psychological factors. The biological component is strongly suggested by the high genetic concordance of depressive disorders. In the twenty-first century, there are various competing theories about the nature of this genetic/biological contribution, but the available data do not yet indicate the specific nature of the illness. The psychological component is similarly suggested by the correlation of onset of major depression with negative life events and with the increased risk of depression in individuals who experienced abuse in childhood. A variety of psychological theories exist and are linked to models of psychotherapeutic treatment. Interpersonal psychotherapists, for example, emphasize the role of grieving due to the loss of an important relationship or a transition in social roles (e.g., transition from working to retirement, marriage to divorce). Cognitive therapists emphasize a mind-set of construing life events in a way that leads to depression. Alternately, psychodynamic therapists search for the ways that unconscious coping processes and repetitive relational patterns result in negative effects. A commonly postulated mechanism would include the turning of anger in on the self. For example, a depressed woman may feel critical of herself rather than direct her anger toward an abusive spouse. Treatment of depression parallels theories of etiology in that both biological and psychological treatments exist and have been efficacious. A number of different antidepressant medications have been developed, including monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). These medicines have demonstrated efficacy in both the treatment of acute depressive episodes and in the prevention of relapses. A variety of psychological therapie

Everybody feels sad sometimes, but to be clinically depressed is not just a matter of feeling sad. A patient with cancer is diagnosed as having major depression only if certain symptoms, such as loss of pleasure or thoughts of death, are present for at least two weeks. Only a healthcare professional can accurately determine whether a patient is depressed or is simply upset because of the disease.

An emotional state or mood characterized by one or more of these symptoms: sad mood, low energy, poor concentration, sleep or appetite changes, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and thoughts of suicide. Until recently, it was thought that children and adolescents could not suffer from clinical depression. It was assumed that children were not physically or psychologically mature enough to develop symptoms of depression and that adolescents with mood difficulties were simply going through "growing pains." However, several investigations have shown that if appropriately evaluated, children and adolescents do suffer from depression. We will refer to clinical depression that presents with severe symptoms as major depressive disorder (MDD) and depression that has moderate, chronic symptoms as dysthymic disorder (see below for specific criteria). Depression is relatively common; the prevalence (number of cases in one year) of MDD and dysthymic disorder combined is approximately 2% for children and 6% for adolescents.

Depression is the general name for a family of illnesses known as depressive disorders. Depression is an illness that affects not only the mood and thoughts, but also the physical functions of affected individuals. Depressive disorders usually result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depression and depressive disorders (unipolar depression) are mental illnesses characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness or despair and/or a loss of interest in things that once were pleasurable. Disturbance in sleep , appetite, and mental processes are common symptoms of depression.

Depression is the general name for a family of illnesses known as depressive disorders. Depression is an illness that affects not only the mood and thoughts, but also the physical functions of affected individuals. Depressive disorders usually result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Depression or depressive disorders (unipolar depression) are mental illnesses characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness or despair and/or a loss of interest in things that were once pleasurable. Disturbance in sleep, appetite, and mental processes are a common accompaniment.

Depression or depressive disorders (unipolar depression) are mental illnesses characterized by a profound and persistent feeling of sadness or despair and/or a loss of interest in things that were once pleasurable. Disturbance in sleep, appetite, and mental processes are a common accompaniment.

A depressive disorder is defined by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) as an illness that involves the body, mood and thoughts. It encompasses feelings of overwhelming sadness and despair that persist or intensify over time.

Abnormal buildup of fluid in the ankles, feet, and legs is called peripheral edema.

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) is abnormal bleeding from the vagina that is not due to a physical (anatomical) cause.

Bleeding or spotting between periods is a common problem. Changes in the balance of female hormones or physical changes in a woman's reproductive organs are the most common causes.

I just started taking birth control pills to help regulate premenopausal periods. I've had breakthrough bleeding now for a month. How long and how heavy is normal for breakthrough bleeding?

Dry hair is hair that does not have enough moisture and oil to maintain its normal sheen and texture.

Facial swelling is the build-up of fluid in the tissues of the face. Swelling may also affect the neck and upper arms.

Joint pain can affect one or more joints. See also: Arthritis (inflammation of joints; Bursitis; Muscle pain.

An arrhythmia is a disorder of the heart rate (pulse) or heart rhythm, such as beating too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregularly.

An arrhythmia is an abnormality in the heart's rhythm, or heartbeat pattern. The heartbeat can be too slow, too fast, have extra beats, skip a beat, or otherwise beat irregularly.

Detailed information on arrhythmias, including symptoms, diagnostic, and treatment information

Detailed information on arrhythmias, including symptoms, types, diagnosis, and treatment

Detailed information on problems involving heart rhythm

The guidelines for how long to wait before driving after having an ICD implanted have been revised, to reflect the growing number of people who receive the device preventively.

Paleness is an abnormal loss of color from normal skin or mucous membranes.

Bowel movements normally occur at approximately the same time each day. The feces (stool) itself should be soft enough that it can be passed without straining.

Many people experience feel short of breath during strenuous activity if they are not accustomed to exercise. If you have a sudden onset of difficulty breathing doing a normal routine, it may be a medical emergency.

Struggling to Breathe: A Nurse’s Tips for Managing DyspneaDyspnea is the technical word for difficulty breathing. It's a common symptom in people who have lung cancer or have cancer that has spread to the lungs.

For the past two months I have experienced increased shortness of breath. I have chronic asthma, but there's concern the shortness of breath could be caused by a blockage in heart. I have experienced difficulties in the past when anesthetized. Is there an effective alternative to heart catheterization? I've read about a new CT scan ? is it recommended?

Shortness of breath may be a warning sign of heart disease. Chest pain is a near-universal signal of heart disease. Shortness of breath may be an equally valuable tip-off.

Severe shortness of breath and shortness of breath accompanied by certain symptoms requires immediate medical attention.

If your child cannot seem to get enough breath in his lungs (shortness of breath) or is having a hard time breathing, he probably has a medical condition that needs treatment. If your child is old enough to talk, he can tell you that he is having difficulty breathing. If your child is younger, you may notice that he is breathing harder or faster than usual, isn't feeding well, or is cranky.

The term anosmia means lack of the sense of smell. It may also refer to a decreased sense of smell. Ageusia, a companion word, refers to a lack of taste sensation. Patients who actually have anosmia may complain wrongly of ageusia, although they retain the ability to distinguish salt, sweet, sour, and bitter—humans' only taste sensations.

The term anosmia means lack of the sense of smell. It may also refer to a decreased sense of smell. Ageusia, a companion word, refers to a lack of taste sensation. Patients who actually have anosmia may complain wrongly of ageusia, although they retain the ability to distinguish salt, sweet, sour, and bitter—humans' only taste sensations.

Impaired sensation is often a signal that there something affecting a nerve or the nervous system. Changes in sensations are often subjective and difficult to describe, that is, experienced by the patient but difficult for the provider to diagnose and treat.

Itching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the affected area.

Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin's surface or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is pruritus.

Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin's surface, or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is "pruritus."

Itching is an intense, distracting irritation or tickling sensation that may be felt all over the skin's surface or confined to just one area. The medical term for itching is pruritus.

Itching, also called pruritus, is an unpleasant sensation of the skin that causes a person to scratch or rub the area to find relief. Itching can be confined to one spot (localized) or over the whole body (generalized). Severe scratching can injure the skin causing redness, bumps, and scratches. Injured skin is prone to infection. Itching can profoundly affect quality of life. It can torment the patient and cause discomfort, stress, loss of sleep, concentration difficulty, and constant concern.

Taste impairment means there is a problem with your sense of taste. Problems range from distorted taste to a complete loss of the sense of taste. However, a complete inability to taste is rare.

Dysgeusia is a disorder of the sense of taste.

Taste ChangesSymptom and DescriptionChange in taste can be a change in the sensation of sweet, salty, sour, or bitter. A change in the way foods taste may cause a dislike for foods, which may lead to lack of appetite or weight loss.

Body mass index (BMI) is a way of finding a healthyweight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for obesity and health problems. Use this chart.

Experts are increasingly urging people to know their BMI, a figure that takes into account not just weight but also height to indicate body fat.

BMI, or Body Mass Index, uses weight and height to calculate weight status for adults. BMI for children and teens also takes into account gender and age because healthy body fatness differs between boys and girls and changes as they grow. This BMI calculator will help you determine if your child is a healthy weight.

Experts in one study say the study shows the limitations of the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of obesity, especially because it doesn't account for weight that is muscle rather than fat. A study of 90,000 U.S. women, described in the second article, says the risk of death jumps sharply for extremely obese women -- those at least 90 pounds overweight.

The heart rate, usually measured by checking the arterial pulse or sounds counting the times of the heart beat, is considered one of the vital signs. Vital signs - body temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure provide information about the state of health of a person and, if abnormal,offer clues to problems.