Your eye care specialist will start by asking you about your symptoms and medical history. They’ll perform an eye exam, looking for any signs of skin irritation, infection or scarring. They’ll pay close attention to the edges of your eyelid, as there are other medical conditions that can mimic entropion. They want to ensure they make the correct diagnosis to decide …

Diagnosis To diagnose a heart arrhythmia, a healthcare professional will examine you, ask about your symptoms, and review your medical history. Tests may be done to evaluate your heart and identify conditions that could cause an irregular heartbeat. TestsTests used to diagnose heart arrhythmias may include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test records the electrical activity of the heart. …

Acanthosis Nigricans Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition that leads to darkened, thick, and velvety patches, often appearing in body folds and creases. Common areas affected include the neck, armpits, and groin. This condition is most frequently seen in individuals with obesity. In rare cases, it may indicate an underlying health problem, such as a tumor in an internal organ …

Thrombocytopenia (pronounced “THROM-bo-sigh-toe-PEE-ne-ah”) occurs when your bone marrow doesn’t make enough platelets. Platelets are blood cells that form blood clots to help stop bleeding. If you have thrombocytopenia, you may bleed a lot, and the bleeding may be hard to stop. Thrombocytopenia often affects people with certain medical conditions, like autoimmune disease or who take certain medications. Healthcare providers typically treat thrombocytopenia by treating the underlying …

A yolk sac tumor — also called an endodermal sinus tumor — is a cancer that forms in cells that eventually become eggs or sperm. A type of germ cell tumor, yolk sac tumors usually start in either your ovaries or testicles. But in rare cases, these masses form in places other than your reproductive organs. Although they’re rare overall, yolk sac tumors are the most …

Diagnosis Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, causing inflammation and neurological symptoms. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial, as AE can be misdiagnosed as other neurological or psychiatric conditions. Evaluation: A healthcare professional reviews your symptoms, medical history, and conducts a physical and neurological exam. Diagnostic Criteria: Specialists use AE criteria, looking …

Autoimmune epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking brain cells. It can occur with conditions that affect the immune system, especially autoimmune encephalitis. Autoimmune epilepsy also is known as autoimmune associated epilepsy and acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis. The immune system protects the body from viruses, bacteria and other …

Trachoma is an eye disease caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection can cause irreversible blindness. It’s an issue in poor and rural areas throughout the world with poorer hygiene, limited access to clean water and sanitation, and problems with crowding. How common is trachoma? In 2020, there were an estimated 32.8 million people in the world treated with antibiotics for trachoma, …

SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV-1) was a respiratory illness that spread in many countries around the world in 2002 and 2003. For many people, SARS caused flu-like symptoms (like fever and headache), but it progressed to severe illness in about 10% to 20% of people during the outbreak. More than 8,000 people in 29 countries had SARS during the …

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug reaction that results from having too much serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical produced by nerve cells in your brain and other areas of your body. Most people can safely take serotonin-affecting (serotonergic) medication when it’s prescribed at the appropriate dosage and under the guidance of their healthcare provider. Serotonin syndrome …