Sign and symptoms

Everyone experiences feelings of sadness occasionally, but depression is different. It persists over time and can cause a range of other symptoms, including feelings of hopelessness, anger, irritability, tiredness, and difficulty concentrating. The symptoms of depression vary from person to person, but they commonly include: • sadness • hopelessness • loss of pleasure in activities • irritability • tiredness • appetite changes • thoughts of death or suicide Keep reading to learn more about the common symptoms of depression, as well as the treatment options and when to seek help. Share on Pinterest Halfpoint/Getty Images There are several types of depression, and the symptoms vary among individuals. Although anyone can experience some of these symptoms from time to time, a doctor will only diagnose depression when a certain cluster of symptoms appears and persist for 1. Feeling sad or empty Mood changes are one of the most common symptoms of depression. A person who has depression may feel sad or low for extended periods. They may also say that they feel “empty” or unable to feel happiness. Some people may describe this feeling as despair or melancholy. 2. Feeling hopeless or helpless Depression can make people feel hopeless because there is no foreseeable end to how they are feeling. A person may also feel helpless. They may say or think that no one can help them get better and that they will always feel depressed. 3. Feeling worthless A person with depression may feel as ...

Many people use the words ‘sign’ and ‘symptom’ interchangeably. However, there are important differences that affect their use in the field of medicine. Any objective evidence of a disease, such as a skin rash or a cough, is a sign. A doctor, family members, and the individual experiencing the signs can identify these. However, less obvious breaks in normal function, such as stomachache, lower This MNT Knowledge Center article will look at the implications of signs and symptoms as well as their history. The piece will also introduce the different types of sign and symptom and their uses in medicine. Share on Pinterest A sign is the effect of a health problem that can be observed by someone else. A symptom is an effect noticed and experienced only by the person who has the condition. The key difference between signs and symptoms is who observes the effect. For example, a rash could be a sign, a symptom, or both: • If the patient notices the rash, it is a symptom. • If the doctor, nurse, or anyone other than the patient notices the rash, it is a sign. • If both the patient and doctor notice the rash, it can be classed as both a sign and a symptom. Regardless of who notices that a system or body part is not functioning normally, signs and symptoms are the body’s ways of letting a person know that not everything is running smoothly. Some signs and symptoms need follow-up by a medical professional, while others may completely resolve without treatment. The diagnosis of symptoms...

Overview Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with your daily life. It isn't a specific disease, but several diseases can cause dementia. Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes. Having memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia, although it's often one of the early signs of the condition. Symptoms Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include: Cognitive changes • Memory loss, which is usually noticed by someone else • Difficulty communicating or finding words • Difficulty with visual and spatial abilities, such as getting lost while driving • Difficulty reasoning or problem-solving • Difficulty handling complex tasks • Difficulty with planning and organizing • Difficulty with coordination and motor functions • Confusion and disorientation Psychological changes • Personality changes • Depression • Anxiety • Inappropriate behavior • Paranoia • Agitation • Hallucinations When to see a doctor See a doctor if you or a loved one has memory problems or other dementia symptoms. Some treatable medical conditions can cause dementia symptoms, so it's important to determine the cause. Causes Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending on the area of the brain that's damaged, dementia can affect people differently and cause different symptoms. Dement...

Beyond the Northeast, high concentrations of ground-level ozone — also known as smog — are driving unhealthy Follow live coverage on U.S. air quality conditions and Canada's wildfires What causes poor air quality? Poor air quality can be caused by any airborne “irritant” — a particle or substance in the air that is harmful to a person to breathe in, according to Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at the Allergy & Asthma Network, an advocacy group for people with asthma, allergies and related conditions. Some examples are air Natural disasters, like wildfires, often cause short-term spikes in poor air quality as the smoke, which contains carbon monoxide and other dangerous chemicals, enters the atmosphere. Especially concerning is small particulate matter — tiny particles in the air that measure less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, or roughly 4% of the width of a strand of hair. These particles are small enough to be inhaled deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. Here are a few options for face masks if you need to be outside: Disposable , KN95 and N95 . The Environmental Protection Agency uses Smoke from wildfires in Canada drifts into New York state Tuesday. NOAA How can poor air quality hurt health? Many of the health issues people see from Air pollution from wildfire smoke can make breathing difficult for anyone, but especially for young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with asthma or other pre-existing respiratory conditions,...

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I'm Dr. Oliver Tobin, a neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll be covering the basics of multiple sclerosis. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers about your own health or that of someone you love, we're here to provide you with the best information available. Multiple sclerosis is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, called the myelin sheath. And this sheath is often compared to the insulation on an electrical wire. When that covering is damaged, it exposes the actual nerve fiber, which can slow or block the signals being transmitted within it. The nerve fibers themselves might also be damaged. The body can repair damage to the myelin sheath, but it's not perfect. The resulting damage leaves lesions or scars, and this is where the name comes from: multiple sclerosis, multiple scars. Now everyone loses brain cells and spinal cord cells as they get older. But if part of the brain or spinal cord has been damaged by MS, the nerve cells in that area will die off faster than the areas around it that are normal. This happens very slowly, usually over decades and typically shows up as gradual walking difficulty happening over several years. When you read about multiple sclerosis, you may hear about different types -- the most frequent being relapsing-remitting multiple scler...

See additional information This tool is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always read the label before taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The label identifies the active ingredient(s) and contains other important information including warnings about possible drug interactions and side effects. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on WebMD! If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD does not recommend or endorse any specific products or services. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD is solely at your own risk. 3) What if my symptom isn’t associated with a specific body location (for example, “chills”)? • If you are not sure what body area your symptom falls under, you can type your symptom in the main search box or select the “General Symptoms” category. • There is also a separate section for skin symptoms only. 4) What if I don’t see my symptom on the list? • When a body location is selected, the “most common symptoms” are displayed first, but you can also switch tabs to see “All” symptoms. • You can also use the category-specific search box to search for all symptoms in that category. • The search box on the main page includes ALL symptoms in all cat...