Comprehensive Symptom Navigator

Spinal Cord Compression from Malignancy

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Hematologic and Oncologic Emergencies

Symptoms:
back pain; numbness; weakness in the limbs; loss of bowel or bladder control; difficulty walking

Root Cause:
Direct tumor invasion or vertebral metastases compressing the spinal cord or cauda equina.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
MRI of the spine is the gold standard; clinical examination and sometimes CT scans.

Treatment:
High-dose corticosteroids (e.g., dexamethasone) to reduce inflammation, urgent radiation therapy, surgical decompression if indicated.

Medications:
Dexamethasone (corticosteroid to reduce swelling), analgesics (for pain control), bisphosphonates (e.g., zoledronic acid for bone metastases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in 5-10% of cancer patients, particularly those with lung, breast, prostate cancers, or lymphoma.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced cancer with metastases, history of vertebral fractures, rapidly progressing malignancies.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early treatment can preserve neurologic function; delayed intervention increases risk of permanent paralysis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent paralysis, intractable pain, loss of bowel/bladder function, decreased quality of life.

Frostbite

Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care

Category: Environmental and Exposure-Related Conditions

Sub-category: Heat and Cold Injuries

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; pale or waxy skin; blisters; hardened or blackened skin in severe cases; loss of sensation in the affected area

Root Cause:
Freezing of skin and underlying tissues due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, resulting in ice crystal formation in cells.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is clinical, based on visual examination of the affected area, patient history of cold exposure, and imaging (e.g., X-ray or MRI) to assess tissue damage in severe cases.

Treatment:
Rapid rewarming in warm water (98.6°F to 102.2°F or 37°C to 39°C), pain management, wound care, and sometimes surgical intervention (e.g., debridement or amputation).

Medications:
Analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen ) for pain and inflammation; thrombolytics (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator) or vasodilators (e.g., iloprost ) in severe cases to improve blood flow.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs in individuals exposed to freezing temperatures, particularly those engaging in outdoor activities in cold environments.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged cold exposure, inadequate clothing, smoking, diabetes, poor circulation, and dehydration.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Mild frostbite often heals completely with proper care; severe frostbite can lead to permanent tissue damage, amputation, or disability.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, gangrene, nerve damage, and loss of digits or limbs.

Diabetic Neuropathy (Peripheral)

Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology

Category: Diabetes Mellitus and Related Disorders

Sub-category: Diabetes-Related Complications

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; burning pain; loss of sensation; weakness in the feet and hands

Root Cause:
Chronic high blood sugar damages peripheral and autonomic nerves by disrupting blood supply and oxidative stress mechanisms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and tests for autonomic function (e.g., heart rate variability).

Treatment:
Blood sugar control, pain management, and supportive therapies for specific symptoms.

Medications:
For pain relief - pregabalin (anticonvulsant), duloxetine (SNRI), or gabapentin (anticonvulsant). For gastroparesis - metoclopramide (prokinetic agent). For autonomic symptoms - midodrine for orthostatic hypotension; bethanechol for urinary retention.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 50% of individuals with diabetes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Long duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, obesity, smoking, and hypertension.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms may improve with tight glycemic control, but nerve damage is often irreversible.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Foot ulcers, infections, amputations, cardiovascular complications, and reduced quality of life.

Amyloidosis-Related Neuropathy

Specialty: Neurology

Category: Neuropathies

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling in extremities; orthostatic hypotension; gastrointestinal symptoms; carpal tunnel syndrome

Root Cause:
Deposition of misfolded amyloid proteins in nerves, impairing their function; often associated with familial or systemic amyloidosis.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Biopsy of affected tissue (nerve or organ), genetic testing for familial amyloidosis, and serum/urine tests for amyloid precursors.

Treatment:
Treating the underlying amyloidosis with chemotherapy or targeted therapies, managing symptoms, and supportive care.

Medications:
Tafamidis (a stabilizer for transthyretin amyloidosis), patisiran (RNA interference for hereditary amyloidosis), and bortezomib (a proteasome inhibitor used in systemic amyloidosis).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; varies depending on type, with transthyretin amyloidosis affecting approximately 50,000 people worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, mutations in transthyretin (TTR) gene, and age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive but manageable with early intervention; untreated cases have a poor prognosis.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Organ failure, severe neuropathy, and mobility loss.

Peripheral Neuropathy (e.g., Diabetic Neuropathy)

Specialty: Neurology

Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling sensations; burning pain; muscle weakness; loss of reflexes; balance issues; ulcerations on feet or hands in severe cases

Root Cause:
Damage to the peripheral nerves caused by conditions such as diabetes, infections, trauma, or exposure to toxins.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, electromyography (EMG), nerve conduction studies, blood tests (e.g., for diabetes or vitamin deficiencies), and sometimes nerve biopsy.

Treatment:
Treating the underlying condition (e.g., controlling diabetes), physical therapy, pain management, lifestyle modifications, and managing complications like ulcers.

Medications:
Medications include anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin , pregabalin ), antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine , amitriptyline ), and topical treatments (e.g., capsaicin cream). Opioids may be used in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 2-8% of the general population; diabetic neuropathy occurs in about 50% of people with diabetes.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Diabetes, alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases, vitamin deficiencies, certain infections (e.g., Lyme disease, HIV), chemotherapy, and genetic predisposition.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progression depends on the underlying cause; early treatment can stabilize symptoms and prevent complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, ulcerations, infections, and in severe cases, amputation due to poor wound healing.

Entrapment Neuropathies (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)

Specialty: Neurology

Category: Peripheral Nervous System Disorders

Symptoms:
tingling; numbness; pain in the affected nerve distribution; weakness in the hand or fingers (for carpal tunnel)

Root Cause:
Compression or entrapment of a nerve within anatomical structures, often due to repetitive use, trauma, or inflammation.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical exams (e.g., Tinel's sign, Phalen's maneuver), electromyography (EMG), and imaging (e.g., ultrasound or MRI).

Treatment:
Splinting, rest, physical therapy, corticosteroid injections, and, in severe cases, surgical decompression.

Medications:
Medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids (oral or injectable), and in some cases, anticonvulsants like gabapentin .

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Carpal tunnel syndrome affects about 3-6% of adults; other entrapment neuropathies are less common.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Repetitive wrist movements, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and hypothyroidism.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often resolves with treatment; surgery is highly effective if conservative measures fail.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent nerve damage, muscle atrophy, and chronic pain if untreated.

Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathy

Specialty: Oncology

Category: Sarcomas

Sub-category: Treatment-Related Complications

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; pain in hands or feet; weakness; balance problems; sensitivity to touch; loss of reflexes

Root Cause:
Damage to peripheral nerves due to chemotherapy agents, especially those that interfere with microtubules, like taxanes or platinum compounds.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on symptoms, neurological exam, and sometimes electromyography (EMG) or nerve conduction studies to assess nerve function.

Treatment:
Discontinuation or dose adjustment of the offending chemotherapy agent, use of medications to manage symptoms (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin), physical therapy for strength and balance, and occupational therapy.

Medications:
Gabapentin (an anticonvulsant used to treat nerve pain), Pregabalin (similar to gabapentin , used to treat neuropathic pain), Duloxetine (a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for neuropathic pain), and Lidocaine patches (used topically for localized pain). These medications are classified as pain relievers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
This affects up to 40-70% of patients receiving certain chemotherapy drugs, particularly those used in the treatment of breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcomas.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High cumulative dose of chemotherapy agents like paclitaxel, cisplatin, or vincristine, pre-existing neuropathy, and age.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Neuropathy may improve or resolve after chemotherapy completion, but in some cases, it can be permanent or progressive.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent pain, loss of function, risk of falls, and reduced quality of life.

Scorpion stings

Specialty: Toxicology

Category: Biological and Natural Toxins

Sub-category: Animal Toxins

Symptoms:
pain at the sting site; swelling; numbness; muscle twitching; difficulty breathing; fever; vomiting; high blood pressure

Root Cause:
Injection of neurotoxins from a scorpion's sting, which affect nerve cells and can cause localized or systemic reactions.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is clinical, based on the patient's symptoms, history of exposure, and the species of scorpion involved.

Treatment:
Local pain management with analgesics, and antivenom in severe cases. Other treatments may include muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and intravenous fluids.

Medications:
Scorpion antivenom is the primary medication for severe stings, especially in children or vulnerable individuals. Analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen ) are used for pain relief, while anticonvulsants and sedatives may be used in cases of systemic symptoms. In cases of an allergic reaction, corticosteroids or antihistamines may be prescribed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Scorpion stings are common in tropical and subtropical regions, with an estimated 1.2 million stings occurring annually worldwide.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Living in areas where scorpions are prevalent, working outdoors at night, or having a weakened immune system.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases are mild and self-limited, but severe reactions can occur, especially in young children or the elderly. With prompt treatment, the prognosis is typically favorable.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Serious complications include respiratory distress, seizures, and, rarely, death. Persistent local pain and numbness can also occur.

Ciguatera Fish Poisoning

Specialty: Toxicology

Category: Biological and Natural Toxins

Sub-category: Foodborne and Natural Toxins

Symptoms:
nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; muscle weakness; numbness; tingling in limbs; temperature reversal (cold objects feel hot, and hot objects feel cold); fatigue

Root Cause:
Toxins (ciguatoxins) produced by marine dinoflagellates accumulate in certain fish species, causing symptoms after ingestion.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on history of fish consumption and characteristic symptoms. Confirmation is difficult, but urine or blood tests may detect ciguatoxins, though they are not routinely available.

Treatment:
Treatment is supportive, including hydration, pain management, and anti-nausea medications. There is no specific antidote for ciguatera poisoning.

Medications:
Symptomatic medications may include antihistamines, antiemetics (e.g., ondansetron ), and analgesics for pain relief (e.g., acetaminophen or ibuprofen ). In severe cases, intravenous fluids may be required. Some case reports suggest using mannitol (a diuretic) for neurological symptoms, though this is controversial.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Ciguatera poisoning is more common in tropical and subtropical regions, especially in the Pacific Islands, Caribbean, and coastal areas of Southeast Asia.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Consumption of large reef fish (e.g., barracuda, grouper, snapper), especially from tropical or subtropical waters.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most people recover fully within weeks to months, but some may experience persistent neurological symptoms (e.g., temperature reversal) for months or years.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Long-term neurological effects, such as persistent numbness, tingling, and temperature sensation reversal. Rare cases may have cardiovascular complications such as arrhythmias.

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

Specialty: Toxicology

Category: Biological and Natural Toxins

Sub-category: Foodborne and Natural Toxins

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; dizziness; weakness; paralysis; respiratory distress; difficulty swallowing; nausea; vomiting

Root Cause:
Toxins (saxitoxins) produced by certain marine algae accumulate in shellfish (e.g., clams, mussels, oysters), leading to poisoning after consumption.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and history of shellfish consumption from affected areas. Laboratory tests can detect saxitoxins in shellfish, blood, or urine.

Treatment:
There is no specific antidote. Treatment is supportive, including respiratory support (e.g., mechanical ventilation) in severe cases. Activated charcoal may be used if ingestion is recent.

Medications:
No specific medications are used, but supportive care involves fluids, respiratory support, and sometimes atropine for bradycardia. Antihistamines and antiemetics may be used for mild cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Occurs primarily in coastal regions where shellfish harvesting occurs. Prevalence can vary depending on local algal blooms.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Consumption of shellfish during bloom seasons when high levels of toxins are present.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis depends on the severity of symptoms. Most individuals recover within hours to days if treated promptly.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
In severe cases, respiratory failure, paralysis, or death can occur due to respiratory muscle paralysis.

Anesthetic toxicity (e.g., lidocaine, bupivacaine)

Specialty: Toxicology

Category: Adverse Effects of Therapeutics and Medical Agents

Sub-category: Iatrogenic Conditions

Symptoms:
numbness; tingling; seizures; dizziness; difficulty breathing; arrhythmias; cardiovascular collapse; confusion

Root Cause:
Overdose or unintended systemic absorption of local anesthetics leading to central nervous system and cardiovascular toxicity.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and history of recent local anesthetic administration; blood levels of the anesthetic can confirm toxicity.

Treatment:
Immediate discontinuation of the anesthetic, intravenous lipid emulsion therapy, supportive care (oxygen, airway management, and monitoring), and anticonvulsants for seizures (e.g., benzodiazepines).

Medications:
Medications include intravenous lipid emulsion therapy (as a treatment to counteract toxicity), anticonvulsants like lorazepam or diazepam (sedatives and anticonvulsants), and vasopressors (such as epinephrine) if required for managing cardiovascular symptoms.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but incidence is higher in patients with high doses or when multiple injections are administered, especially in high-risk procedures.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High doses of local anesthetics, accidental intravenous injection, renal or hepatic insufficiency, prolonged duration of anesthesia, and use of multiple anesthetics simultaneously.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically reversible with appropriate treatment; mortality is rare but possible with delayed or inadequate intervention.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Seizures, cardiovascular collapse, neurological deficits, arrhythmias, and in extreme cases, death.

Phencyclidine (PCP)-Related Psychiatric Disorders

Specialty: Mental Health and Psychology

Category: Addiction

Symptoms:
aggression; delusions; hallucinations; disorganized behavior; catatonia; numbness; ataxia; impaired judgment; anxiety; memory loss

Root Cause:
PCP alters neurotransmitter function, particularly glutamate and dopamine, leading to dissociative and psychotic symptoms.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation of symptoms, toxicology screening (urine/blood tests for PCP metabolites), and assessment of mental status.

Treatment:
Supportive care in acute cases, benzodiazepines for agitation, antipsychotics for severe psychotic symptoms, psychotherapy for long-term recovery, and substance use counseling.

Medications:
Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam , diazepam ) for sedation and agitation; antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol , olanzapine ) for psychosis. Benzodiazepines are sedatives; antipsychotics are dopamine receptor antagonists.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Usage of PCP has declined but remains an issue among some populations, particularly in urban areas. Exact prevalence varies by region.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of substance abuse, peer influence, availability of PCP, and underlying mental health disorders.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery depends on the duration and intensity of use. Acute symptoms may resolve with treatment, but chronic use can result in long-term cognitive and psychiatric issues.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic psychosis, memory impairment, cognitive deficits, and increased risk of injury or death due to impaired judgment.

Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Bacterial Infections

Sub-category: Lyme Disease Manifestation

Symptoms:
bluish-red discoloration of the skin; skin thinning; localized swelling; numbness; muscle weakness

Root Cause:
A late-stage skin manifestation of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, Lyme disease antibody tests (ELISA and Western blot), and skin biopsy in some cases.

Treatment:
Long-term antibiotic therapy, typically oral doxycycline or intravenous ceftriaxone.

Medications:
Doxycycline (a tetracycline antibiotic) or ceftriaxone (a cephalosporin antibiotic). Both are antimicrobial agents.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; occurs in late stages of untreated or inadequately treated Lyme disease, particularly in Europe.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Previous untreated Lyme disease, living in or visiting tick-endemic areas, delayed diagnosis of early Lyme disease.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good if treated early, but prolonged or irreversible skin changes may occur in advanced cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic skin changes, peripheral neuropathy, and persistent Lyme disease symptoms in untreated cases.

HIV-Associated Distal Painful Sensorimotor Polyneuropathy

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HIV and Nutrition

Symptoms:
pain and burning sensations in the feet and hands; numbness; tingling; loss of reflexes; muscle weakness

Root Cause:
Damage to peripheral nerves caused by direct HIV infection, immune-mediated mechanisms, or antiretroviral therapy (e.g., dideoxynucleoside analogs).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, history of HIV infection, nerve conduction studies, electromyography (EMG), and exclusion of other causes of neuropathy.

Treatment:
Pain management, discontinuation of offending antiretroviral drugs if applicable, physical therapy, and addressing nutritional deficiencies.

Medications:
Medications include anticonvulsants such as gabapentin or pregabalin , antidepressants like amitriptyline or duloxetine , and topical agents like capsaicin cream. Pain relief may also involve opioids in severe cases.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 30%-60% of people living with HIV, particularly in advanced stages of the disease.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV infection, use of neurotoxic antiretroviral drugs, poor nutritional status, diabetes, and alcohol use.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Symptoms may persist despite treatment, but early intervention can reduce severity and improve quality of life. Progression depends on HIV management and associated comorbidities.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, decreased mobility, falls, and diminished quality of life.