Condition Lookup

Migraines and Headaches

Category: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions

Symptoms:
throbbing or pulsating headache; sensitivity to light and sound; nausea; vomiting; aura (visual or sensory disturbances) in some cases

Root Cause:
Thought to involve abnormal brain activity affecting nerve signals, chemicals, and blood vessels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, symptom patterns, ruling out other causes with imaging if necessary.

Treatment:
Preventive measures, acute treatment during attacks, lifestyle modifications.

Medications:
Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan ), NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ), antiemetics (e.g., metoclopramide ), preventive drugs like beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol ), anticonvulsants (e.g., topiramate ), CGRP inhibitors (e.g., erenumab ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 12% of the population globally; more common in women.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, hormonal changes, certain foods or drinks, sleep disturbances, family history.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable; frequency and severity often decrease with treatment and lifestyle changes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Medication overuse headaches, chronic migraines, reduced quality of life.

Tension Headaches

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions

Symptoms:
mild to moderate headache; band-like pressure around the head; tightness in neck and scalp; no nausea or vomiting

Root Cause:
Muscle tension or stress-induced activation of pain pathways in the head.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Based on clinical symptoms; imaging or tests only to rule out other causes.

Treatment:
Stress management, relaxation techniques, medications for acute relief.

Medications:
OTC pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen , ibuprofen ), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ) for chronic cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Most common type of headache; affects about 30–80% of adults occasionally.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Stress, poor posture, lack of sleep, eye strain.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with treatment and lifestyle modifications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Rare; chronic tension headaches can reduce quality of life.

Stress-Related Disorders

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions

Symptoms:
emotional distress; sleep disturbances; physical symptoms (e.g., headaches, muscle tension); irritability; difficulty concentrating

Root Cause:
Prolonged activation of the stress response system leading to physical and emotional symptoms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, ruling out other medical conditions.

Treatment:
Stress management techniques, therapy, medications for symptom relief.

Medications:
Anxiolytics (e.g., buspirone ), antidepressants (e.g., sertraline ), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol for physical symptoms).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; varies by individual susceptibility and environmental factors.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic stressors, poor coping mechanisms, history of trauma.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with treatment; symptoms resolve when stress is managed.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions

Symptoms:
difficulty focusing; impulsivity; hyperactivity; poor organizational skills; forgetfulness

Root Cause:
Neurodevelopmental disorder involving dysregulation of dopamine and norepinephrine pathways in the brain.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on DSM-5 criteria, symptoms present in multiple settings (e.g., school, home).

Treatment:
Behavioral therapy, educational interventions, medications.

Medications:
Stimulants (e.g., methylphenidate , amphetamines), non-stimulants (e.g., atomoxetine , guanfacine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 5–10% of children; persists into adulthood in some cases.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, low birth weight, prenatal exposure to tobacco or alcohol.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Manageable; early treatment improves outcomes.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Poor academic or work performance, social difficulties, substance abuse.

Dementia (Initial Diagnosis and Management)

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Category: Neurological and Mental Health Conditions

Symptoms:
memory loss; difficulty with language; impaired judgment; mood changes; difficulty completing daily tasks

Root Cause:
Progressive loss of cognitive function due to neurodegeneration (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, cognitive tests (e.g., MMSE, MoCA), imaging (MRI, CT), blood tests to rule out reversible causes.

Treatment:
Symptom management, support for caregivers, medications for slowing progression in some types.

Medications:
Cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil ), NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g., memantine ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 5–8% of adults over 60; increases with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, family history, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive; treatment focuses on symptom management and support.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Disability, dependence on caregivers, reduced quality of life.