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New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
I'm a WebMD doctor — the 5 symptom combos you should get checked ASAP
We've all done it: You plug your aches and pains into WebMD's Symptom Checker, see that it could be either 'cancer' or 'seasonal allergies,' and promptly close out the window and decide to ignore whatever issues brought you there in the first place. Sometimes, what ails you really isn't a big deal and will clear up on its own — but how do you know when it's actually more serious and you should see a professional? One of the site's very own experts says it's all in the combination. 'As a doctor, I know that symptoms often don't exist in isolation, especially the most concerning ones,' Neha Pathak, a member of WebMD's Medical Team, told The Post. 'Sometimes it's not just one symptom, but a cluster that signals a serious health problem. Pathak broke down five symptom combinations that often equate to a severe ailment — which you should 'get checked ASAP.' 5 A doctor at WebMD revealed which symptoms combinations actually need to be checked out ASAP. WebMD 1. Chest pain + shortness of breath + dizziness/nausea 'If you're experiencing chest pain along with shortness of breath and dizziness it could indicate a heart attack or other dangerous cardiac issue,' said Pathak. An estimated 805,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pathak notes that for women in particual, nausea can accompany these cardiac symptoms and concerningly, this symptom is often dismissed as heartburn or regular stomach upset. 'This cluster of symptoms demands immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications. It could also point to lung problems or a blood clot.' Shortness of breath — when you struggle to get enough oxygen, making you breathe harder, faster or deeper than usual — typically stems from heart or lung conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic. The symptom may begin suddenly or last longer. Common causes include a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat or heart failure. The NJ Cardiovascular Institute urges seeking medical help if shortness of breath is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet, breathing troubles when laying flat, chills, cough, high fever or wheezing. 5 An estimated 805,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. exxxplosion – 2. Severe headache + vision changes + nausea/vomiting If you get migraines, this one may be a regular occurrence — but if not, it could be something more serious. Severe headache coupled with nausea and vision changes 'may signal a neurological emergency like a stroke or increased pressure inside the skull. This combination of symptoms requires urgent care to assess for a serious condition in the brain,' said Pathak A stroke strikes when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, spilling blood into the brain. A third of US adults have at least one of the top stroke risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity or diabetes. Age, sex, ethnicity and genetics can also influence your chances, according to the CDC. 5 A stroke strikes when blood flow to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, spilling blood into the brain. New Africa – 3. Unexplained weight loss + fatigue + loss of appetite Another red flag? A combined drop in weight, energy and appetite which could indicate hyperthyroidism or cancer. 'If you're losing weight unintentionally, feeling extremely tired, and notice a loss of appetite, it could be a sign of a serious illness like cancer, thyroid problems, or a blood disorder,' she said. 'These symptoms, when combined, should prompt a visit to your doctor to rule out potentially serious underlying conditions.' To reduce cancer risk, experts advice the adoption of a healthy, whole-foods based diet, an active lifestyle, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, following up on concerning symptoms and completing cancer-appropriate screenings for their age group. 5 WebMD doctor Neha Pathak told The Post that these five symptom combos could spell disaster. WebMD 4. Sudden numbness or weakness (on one side) + difficulty speaking + facial drop Pathak stressed that while this unholy trinity is the classic warning sign of a stoke, suddenly experiencing any one of these symptoms warrants urgent medical attention. 'Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body, combined with difficulty speaking or facial drooping, should never be ignored,' she warned. 'Time is crucial for treating strokes, so patients need medical help immediately.' Every year, more than 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke — that's one every 40 seconds. It claims roughly 140,000 lives annually, making up 1 in 20 deaths nationwide, and is a leading cause of disability. 5 If you experience this combination of abdominal pain, nausea and fever, Pathak recommends seeking medical treatment immediately. astrosystem – 5. Severe abdominal pain + nausea/vomiting +/- fever 'If you're dealing with severe abdominal pain and nausea, with or without fever could mean a serious infection, like appendicitis, a gallbladder problem, or a gastrointestinal issue that could require surgery,' said Pathak. Around 7% of Americans will get appendicitis in their lifetime. Appendicitis occurs which the appendix becomes inflamed, and sometimes requires surgery, according to the Mayo Clinic. The appendix is a pouch that sticks out from the colon and can become inflamed and filled with pus due to a virus, infection or parasite. When ruptured, if not treated, it can be life-threatening. To rule out appendicitis, some experts recommend the 'jump test,' wherein patients are asked to jump and if the action causes them to double over in pain, appendicitis is a likely culprit. If you experience this combination of abdominal pain, nausea and fever, Pathak recommends seeking medical treatment immediately. 'These symptoms often signal a need for urgent care, so people shouldn't wait to get checked.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Shakira Concert Might've Sparked a Measles Outbreak. Do You Need a Booster?
Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour has been drawing massive crowds and electrifying stadiums across the country—but her recent stop at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on May 15 made headlines for more than just the music. The New Jersey Department of Health issued a warning that an individual infected with measles attended the event, potentially exposing tens of thousands of concertgoers to the highly contagious virus. Measles, once considered eliminated in the United States, is making a concerning comeback (often due to gaps in vaccination) with over 1,000 cases reported nationwide in 2025—the highest in nearly 25 years. Outbreaks are especially risky in crowded public spaces, like concerts, airports or schools where exposure can be hard to track. Earlier this year, two unvaccinated school-age children in Texas died from the virus. More from Flow Space Is It Still Worth It to Get the HPV Vaccine If You're 35 or Older? So, how serious is the measles virus? Should you get a measles booster even if you were vaccinated as a child? And just how effective are they? Let's dive in. Measles is a highly contagious virus which can cause life-threatening illness to anyone who is not protected against exposure. It spreads through airborne droplets when someone coughs or sneezes; you can catch it by simply being in the same room as an infected person—even up to two hours after they've left. Plus, measles symptoms don't appear until 10 to 14 days after exposure. There's no treatment to get rid of an established measles infection, but over-the-counter fever reducers or vitamin A may help with symptoms. 'Measles is so concerning because it is highly contagious—much more than COVID or the flu—so you can be contagious before you have any symptoms,' Dr. Neha Pathak, chief physician editor of WebMD, tells Flow Space. 'The initial symptoms often start just like a bad cold—high fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. Then, you can also develop the tell-tale rash —a red, blotchy rash that usually spreads from the face down the body.' Other symptoms can include a fever or Koplik spots, which are tiny white spots in the mouth. In more serious cases, it can cause pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), blindness and even be fatal. 'The measles vaccine is extremely effective,' says Pathak. 'About 97% after two doses. It's one of the most protective vaccines we have. One dose is still highly effective at around 93%.' It is generally given in two doses, typically, the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at four to six years of age. In people who receive both doses, contracting measles is extremely rare—even during outbreaks. If you were born between 1957 and 1989, you may have received only one dose of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), which may not offer full protection. Keep in mind that you could expose vulnerable loved ones. Grandchildren, aging parents or immunocompromised friends could be at greater risk if you unknowingly carry the virus. And your immunity might have waned. While measles infection often provides lifelong immunity, vaccine-based protection may diminish over time, especially for those who only got one dose. 'If you were vaccinated after 1968, you're likely protected,' says Pathak. 'The measles vaccine is extremely effective at providing lifelong immunity.' However, if you're unsure, check your vaccination status with your healthcare provider to discuss what your options are. You can also ask your healthcare provider for a blood test to check immunity if you're unsure if you've been vaccinated. Staying measles-aware isn't just about personal protection, it's about safeguarding your family and your community. If you're your vaccination status is unclear, speak with your healthcare provider, practice good hygiene in public spaces and avoid exposure if you hear of local outbreaks—especially in crowded venues.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Ensure your mother's inheritance rights: A guide to succession laws
A woman's property is passed on to her heirs depending on whether she has made a will or not. Many mothers are unaware of their inheritance rights, potentially losing their rightful share of property. Succession laws vary based on religion, with Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Parsi laws each outlining specific inheritance rights for mothers. Women can bequeath their property through a will, but without one, intestate succession laws apply, differing based on religion and heir classification. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads New Delhi: Many mothers lose their rightful share in property and wealth because of sheer ignorance about succession laws for women. So, as you celebrate Mother's Day with flowers and gifts, make sure to inform her about her inheritance and legal with men, women's inheritance rights are governed by succession and personal laws if the deceased does not leave a per the Hindu Succession Act , 1956 (for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs), the mother is classified as a Class I heir. "This means that if a Hindu son dies intestate (without leaving a will), the mother is entitled to an equal share in his estate alongside the other surviving Class I heirs, if any," said Raj Lakhotia, managing partner at professional services firm LABH & Associates. If an unmarried Hindu woman dies intestate, her mother is entitled to a share in her estate."Among Muslims, as per Sharia Law (subject to Sunni and Shia variations), mother is a primary heir and is entitled to a fixed share. If the deceased son has children (or grandchildren), she gets one-sixth share of the property, and if he has no kids (or grandkids), the mother's share increases to one-third of the estate," said Neha Pathak, head of Trust & Estate Planning at Motilal Oswal Private Wealth.A Christian mother's right to inheritance is governed by the Indian Succession Act, 1925."If the deceased is survived by a spouse and children, the entire estate is divided among them. The mother does not automatically receive a share," said Sneha Makhija, head of Wealth Planning at Sanctum there are no surviving spouse or kids, the mother can inherit a large portion of the Parsis, the mother is entitled to a share of the estate under Section 51 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925. "If the deceased leaves a spouse and children, each parent receives a share equal to half of each child. In the absence of a spouse or kids, the parents, individually or jointly, inherit the entire estate," said Lakhotia.A woman's property is passed on to her heirs depending on whether she has made a will or not. If she has made a will, her property, whether self-acquired or inherited, will be distributed according to the terms of the will. She can bequeath it to anyone she chooses, including individuals outside the she hasn't made a will, intestate succession laws apply, and these vary based on her religion. For Hindus, it is governed by the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, wherein the estate is passed on to the legal heirs in order of preference, with the first being husband, children and children of predeceased children. Then comes the legal heirs of her husband; followed by her mother and father, then the legal heirs of her father and, finally, the legal heirs of her mother. "The Act also ensures that daughters have the same rights of inheritance as sons, regardless of their marital status," said Rajat Dutta, founder & initiator at Inheritance Needs Muslims, the devolution is governed by the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, wherein legal heirs are divided into sharers and residuaries. While sharers get the first share, residuaries get the remaining portion. If she inherits property from a relative, be it husband, son or parent, she is the absolute owner and can dispose of at will. If she makes a will, she can't give away more than one-third of the property, and if the husband is the only heir, she can give two-thirds of her share.
