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Health Line
41 minutes ago
- Health
- Health Line
Anxiety Diagnosis
Key takeaways Diagnosing anxiety requires a comprehensive approach, including a physical examination and a thorough review of your personal history to rule out other medical conditions that may mimic anxiety symptoms. Various self-assessment questionnaires and clinical assessments, such as the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, are used to evaluate the level and severity of anxiety. Effective management of anxiety involves a combination of medication, therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and open communication with family and friends. Read on to learn more about the process of diagnosing anxiety. During the physical examination You should be completely honest with your doctor. Many things can contribute to or be affected by anxiety, including: certain illnesses medications alcohol consumption coffee consumption hormones Other medical conditions can cause symptoms that resemble anxiety. Many anxiety symptoms are physical, including: racing heart shortness of breath shaking sweating chills hot flashes chest pain twitching dry mouth nausea vomiting diarrhea frequent urination Your doctor may perform a physical exam and order a variety of tests to rule out medical conditions that mimic anxiety symptoms. Medical conditions with similar symptoms include: heart attack angina mitral valve prolapse tachycardia asthma hyperthyroidism adrenal gland tumors menopause side effects of certain drugs, such as drugs for high blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders withdrawal from certain drugs, such as those used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders substance abuse or withdrawal Diagnostic tests It's suggested that you complete a self-assessment questionnaire before other testing. This can help you decide whether you may have an anxiety disorder or if you may be reacting to a certain situation or event. If your self-assessments lead you to believe that you may have an anxiety disorder, your doctor may then ask you to take a clinical assessment or conduct a structured interview with you. Your doctor may use one or more of the following tests to assess your level of anxiety. Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale The Zung test is a 20-item questionnaire. It asks you to rate your anxiety from 'a little of the time' to 'most of the time' on subjects such as: nervousness anxiety shaking rapid heartbeat fainting frequent urination nightmares Once you complete this test, a trained professional assesses your responses. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) Developed in 1959, the Hamilton test was one of the first rating scales for anxiety. It's still widely used in clinical and research settings. It involves 14 questions that rate moods, fears, and tension, as well as physical, mental, and behavioral traits. A professional must administer the Hamilton test. Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) The BAI helps measure the severity of your anxiety. You can take the test by yourself. It may also be given orally by a professional or paraprofessional. There are 21 multiple-choice questions that ask you to rate your experience of symptoms during the past week. These symptoms include tingling, numbness, and fear. Answer options include 'not at all,' 'mildly,' 'moderately,' or 'severely.' Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) This 17-question self-assessment measures your level of social phobia. You rate your anxiety in relation to various social situations on a scale from zero to four. Zero indicates no anxiety. Four indicates extreme anxiety. Penn State Worry Questionnaire This test is the most widely used measure of worry. It distinguishes between social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. The test uses 16 questions to measure your worry's generality, excessiveness, and uncontrollability. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale This seven-question test is a screening tool for generalized anxiety disorder. You're asked how often in the past two weeks you've been bothered by feelings of irritability, nervousness, or fear. Options include 'not at all,' 'several days,' 'more than half the days,' or 'nearly every day.' Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) The YBOCS is used to measure levels of OCD. It's conducted as a one-on-one interview between you and a mental health professional. You choose three items from a symptom checklist that are the most disturbing and then rate how severe they are. Then, you're asked whether you've had certain other obsessions or compulsions in the past. Based on your answers, the mental health professional grades your OCD as subclinical, mild, moderate, severe, or extreme. Mental health disorders that feature anxiety Anxiety is a symptom in several disorders. Some of these include: Disorder Symptoms Panic disorder High amounts of anxiety as well as physical stress for a short amount of time; physical stress can come in the form of dizziness, a high heart rate, sweating, numbness, and other similar symptoms Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety expressed as obsessive thoughts or as compulsive behavior that's acted upon repeatedly to relieve stress Phobias Anxiety triggered because of a specific thing or situation that isn't necessarily harmful or dangerous, including animals, heights, or riding in vehicles Social phobias Anxiety that's experienced in interpersonal situations, such as during conversations, in large social groups, or when speaking in front of a crowd The broadest anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), is different from these other disorders because it doesn't necessarily relate to a specific cause or behavior. With GAD, you may worry about many different things at once or over time, and the worries are often constant. Diagnostic criteria An anxiety diagnosis depends a lot on your description of the symptoms you're experiencing. Mental health professionals use the 'Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' (often called the DSM) to diagnose anxiety and other mental disorders based on symptoms. The criteria differ for each anxiety disorder. The DSM lists the following criteria for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): excessive anxiety and worry most days about many things for at least six months difficulty controlling your worry appearance of three of the following six symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance, and difficulty concentrating symptoms significantly interfering with your life symptoms not being caused by direct psychological effects of medications or medical conditions symptoms aren't due to another mental disorder (e.g. anxiety about oncoming panic attacks with panic disorder, anxiety due to a social disorder, etc.) Anxiety diagnosis in children Childhood and the teenage years are full of new, frightening experiences and events. Some children learn to confront and accept these fears. However, an anxiety disorder can make it difficult or impossible for a child to cope. The same diagnostic criteria and assessments that are used for adults apply to children, too. In the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5 (ADIS-5), your doctor interviews both you and your child about their symptoms. Symptoms in children are similar to those in adults. If you notice anxiety symptoms or any anxious or worrying behaviors that last for more than two weeks, take your child to the doctor. There, they can be checked for an anxiety disorder. Some research suggests that anxiety can have a genetic component. If anyone in your family has ever been diagnosed with anxiety or a depressive disorder, get your child evaluated as soon as you notice symptoms. A proper diagnosis can lead to interventions to help them manage anxiety at a young age. What to do if you're diagnosed with anxiety Focus on managing your anxiety rather than on ending or curing it. Learning how best to control your anxiety can help you live a more fulfilled life. You can work on stopping your anxiety symptoms from getting in the way of reaching your goals or aspirations. To help manage your anxiety, you have several options. Medication If you or your child is diagnosed with anxiety, your doctor will likely refer you to a psychiatrist who can decide what anxiety medications will work best. Sticking to the recommended treatment plan is crucial for the medications to work effectively. Try not to delay your treatment. The earlier you begin, the more effective it will be. Therapy You might also consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group for people with anxiety so that you can talk openly about your anxiety. This can help you control your worries and get to the bottom of what triggers your anxiety. Lifestyle choices Find active ways to relieve your stress. This can lessen the impact that anxiety may have on you. Some things you can do include: Get regular exercise. Find hobbies that engage or occupy your mind. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Keep a daily journal of thoughts and activities. Create short-term or long-term schedules. Socialize with friends. Also, avoid alcohol, nicotine, and other similar drugs. The effects of these substances can make your anxiety worse. Communication Be open with your family and close friends about your diagnosis, if possible. It's not easy to talk about any mental disorder. However, the more the people around you understand your anxiety, the easier it becomes to communicate your thoughts and needs to them. Anxiety relief tips Stick to the treatment plan recommended by your psychiatrist. Consider seeing a therapist or joining a support group for people with anxiety. Find active ways to relieve your stress, such as getting regular exercise or keeping a daily journal. Be open with your family and close friends about your diagnosis, if possible. Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and other similar drugs. Focus on managing your anxiety rather than on ending or curing it.
ABC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Fears Palau will buckle under strain of third party nationals from US
On the program today There's fear the small country of Palau will be put under strain, following a draft agreement with the US to accept third country nationals. Forum Trade Ministers gather in Fiji to confront the challenges shaping the trade and economic development in the region. Domestic air travel in Tonga is halted after serious safety concerns grounded the country's only domestic airline. The British and Irish Lions survived a near upset loss against the First Nations Pasifika team in Melbourne. PNG's all-time top goal scorer demands answers as to why payments from the MSG Prime Ministers' Cup last year have still not been made. Experts weigh in over what age parents need to stop financially supporting their children. And a doctor urges Papua New Guineans to follow family planning methods to limit their number of children.
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Canada to spend more than $78M to improve access to health services in French
A doctor wears a lab coat and stethoscope in an exam room on Friday, July 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Woman who almost DIED shares stark warning after being left permanently disabled following UTI
A woman has revealed that she was left fighting for her life and is now permanently disabled after developing a UTI. Talia Smith, 45, from Norwood, Massachusetts, described herself as 'a very healthy person' up until April 2021, when a urinary tract infection completely derailed her life. Talia was prescribed what she believed was a common and perfectly safe antibiotic often used to treat the infection. But she later learned that the FDA had released a severe warning about the medicine in 2016 due to a rare adverse reaction that could cause debilitation symptoms - something she claimed her doctor failed to tell her about. She said the medicine left her in excruciating pain for months, describing it as feeling like 'electrical shocks' were running through her body and 'bugs were crawling' all over her. It also affected her vision and hearing, resulted in her having severe stomach issues, and ultimately left her unable to walk. Within five months, her condition had become so bad she could hardly eat, and she lost over 50 percent of her body weight, weighing a mere 60 pounds before she was put on hospice care. It got so bad that she believed she was going to die after doctors warned that her organs would start failing soon. Talia was prescribed what she believed was a perfectly safe antibiotic often used to treat the infection, but she later learned that the FDA had released a severe warning about the medicine While she has thankfully improved since then, she still requires 24/7 care and is bed-bound - and she doesn't think she'll ever get her old life back. She shared her harrowing story exclusively with the Daily Mail. Talia, who worked in IT for a large healthcare corporation, explained, 'I was a very healthy person [before my UTI]. 'I ate well, worked out often. I was a stepmom of two and the primary caretaker of my husband, who is a disabled Veteran of the Marine Corps. He became paralyzed after an injury in 2011.' In April 2021, she went to the doctor after she developed common UTI symptoms. Tests confirmed she had a UTI and her doctor prescribed her an antibiotic called Ciprofloxacin. 'Before I took the antibiotic, I asked if there was anything I needed to know or be aware of since I didn't take medications and antibiotics often,' Talia explained. 'The response was that there was nothing I needed to be aware of, it was "safe and effective" and that the medication was frequently prescribed at the practice to treat UTIs. 'I trusted my doctor of 10 years so I started my course of treatment.' Talia explained that after her third dose she began to develop 'pain in her entire body, especially her legs.' 'It felt like I had the flu, when you're whole body hurts, except I wasn't actually sick,' she added. 'As the day went on, it continued to worsen and I started having tingling and numbness in my extremities. I had zapping pains in my head and face. It was like electrical shocks.' It got so bad that she couldn't walk - 'It was like a bomb went off in my body' - so she decided to go to the emergency room. After describing her symptoms, the first thing the ER doctor asked her was, 'Are you taking Ciprofloxacin?' The ER doctor then explained that the drug she was on had something known as a black box warning from the FDA - the strongest warning the FDA could give, usually for a 'serious or potentially fatal' side effect. Back in 2016, according to the FDA website, the organization 'advised that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs [like Ciprofloxacin] generally outweigh the benefits for patients.' 'An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together,' its website reads. 'These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.' The reaction to the medicine has become known as fluoroquinolone toxicity - according to GoodRx, symptoms include 'muscle or joint pain and tendonitis/tendon rupture, nerve damage and twitching, anxiety, depression, hallucinations and memory problems, eye pain, vision loss, ringing in your ears, hearing loss, and loss of smell, and chest pain or skipping heartbeats, known as palpitations.' In response to the fluoroquinolone toxicity, Talia then developed something called mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), which is 'an inappropriate activation of the immune system where the body rejects everything, as a form of protection.' And in the months that followed, she said her condition only 'worsened.' 'I was having electrical shocks 24/7, it felt like I had bugs crawling all over my body, horrendous bone and joint pain, debilitating neuropathy, vision and hearing changes, stomach problems, my body was stiffening up, and I was unable to bend in order to sit down,' she shared. 'It felt like my body was in shut down mode.' The biggest problem she faced was difficulty swallowing, which made it extremely hard for her to eat. At one point, she was told by doctors that she would go into organ failure soon because of lack of food. 'Within five months, I lost over 50 percent of my body weight and went on Hospice, weighing 60 pounds in September 2021,' she recalled. Flash forward to now, four years after the ordeal first started, and Talia is still living with the effects of the condition Before and after: 'I still require 24/7 care for my survival, as I am bed-bound and mainly get up only to go to doctor's appointments in a wheelchair,' she said She started to believe she was going to die, and even had a priest come to her house and read her her last rites. 'I truly believed that was the end for me and made peace with it after five months of horrendous suffering,' she said, as she broke down in tears. 'This was so traumatic for me, listening to my family and friends crying and thinking that would be the last time I ever saw them.' But Talia's husband wasn't ready to give up, and he 'made it his mission' to get her medication for her MCAS. The hospitals had previously denied her request but he kept pushing, and eventually, they gave her mast cell stabilizers, which changed everything for her. It gave her the ability to eat again, and by May 2022, she was able to leave Hospice and switch to palliative care. Flash forward to now, four years after the ordeal first started, and Talia is still living with the effects of the condition. 'I am still on palliative care to this day and require 24/7 care for my survival, as I am bed-bound and mainly get up only to go to doctor's appointments in a wheelchair,' she said. 'I can't do anything by myself. I don't have the strength.' She said she's still in 'constant pain' and she doesn't think she will ever get back to the way she was before. 'This has destroyed [me]. I lost my career, my independence, my quality of life,' she confessed. 'I can only eat five foods because of MCAS, I can't go out and live a "normal" life like everyone else. 'I miss working, I miss being able to eat whatever I want, I miss being able to workout, I miss driving, I miss my social life and the life I had with my husband. And there is nothing I can do to get my old life back.' Talia said she later confronted her doctor about prescribing her the dangerous medication, but claimed was brushed off - and looking back, she feels like the medical system failed her. 'When I confronted [my doctor] about the black box warning, the permanent and disabling side effects and how fluoroquinolones should be used as last resort, she told me she was going to continue to prescribe Cipro because she always had and no one else had had a reaction like me,' she shared. She has launched a petition for the FDA 'to issue informed consent for all fluoroquinolone antibiotic prescriptions,' which has over 3,000 signatures 'Not only did she have a duty to warn me about this dangerous class of antibiotics, but when I asked if there was anything I needed to know, I was told no. 'Additionally, the way she reacted afterwards, by telling me she was going to prescribe Cipro for a UTIs, despite the FDA warnings that I printed and brought to her office, was extremely unprofessional and shows her lack of caring about what happened. I felt very betrayed and abandoned by the medical system.' Talia is currently raising money on her GoFundMe page to help cover her medical costs. She is now on a mission to share her story in the hopes that it can stop others from making the same mistake. She has also launched a petition for the FDA 'to issue informed consent for all fluoroquinolone antibiotic prescriptions,' which has over 3,000 signatures. She concluded, 'If you are prescribed a fluoroquinolone antibiotic as first line, ask for an alternative, if there is one. Don't end up like me! 'Most people see the word "rare" and then disregard the warning, as they don't think that it would ever apply to them. I would never think something like this could ever happen to me, but here I am. 'Living life with fluoroquinolone toxicity is a dark and lonely place. None of us asked for this or deserve this or caused it in anyway.
Health Line
14 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
What You Need to Know About Conjunctivitis
Key takeaways Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, involves inflammation of the membrane that covers the eye, leading to redness, discomfort, and discharge in the affected eye. Pink eye can result from infections (bacterial or viral), allergies, or irritants. Contagious types can spread easily through contact. Treatment varies depending on the cause, ranging from rinsing for chemical irritations to antibiotics for bacterial infections, antihistamines for allergies, or supportive care for viral cases. When you have pink eye, blood vessels in your conjunctiva become inflamed. This gives your eye the red or pink color that's commonly associated with conjunctivitis. There are a few different types of pink eye that come with varying symptoms and treatments. Pink eye symptoms Different types of pink eye can come with slightly different symptoms, but in general, it's important to talk with a doctor if you start to experience: pink or red-toned eyes a gritty feeling in your eyes watery or thick discharge that builds up on your eyes at night itchiness in your eyes abnormal amount of tears Types and causes In general, there are three main categories of pink eye: infectious allergic chemical Infectious conjunctivitis Infectious pink eye comes in a few different types, including: bacterial viral Bacterial pink eye is caused by staphylococcal or streptococcal bacteria. It typically occurs due to things like touching your eyes with unclean hands, sharing makeup, or having physical contact with someone who may also have conjunctivitis. Viral pink eye is usually caused by common cold viruses. It can occur if someone with an upper respiratory infection coughs or sneezes close to you. It can also occur when you have a cold virus yourself and blow your nose too hard. This can push the infection from your respiratory system to your eyes. Allergic conjunctivitis Most people with allergic pink eye have seasonal allergies. They can get pink eye if they come in contact with a substance they're allergic to, like pollen. It's also possible to develop an allergic type of pink eye called giant papillary conjunctivitis if you wear hard contact lenses, or soft contact lenses that aren't replaced frequently enough. Chemical conjunctivitis You can get pink eye from irritants such as: How contagious is pink eye? Bacterial and viral pink eye are very contagious. Pink eye is very easily spread from person to person. For instance, if someone with viral pink eye touches their eye and then touches your hand, and you touch your eyes, there's a chance you could get pink eye as well. Pink eye is typically contagious for as long as the person is having symptoms. Images of pink eye How is pink eye diagnosed? It's typically not difficult for a healthcare professional to diagnose pink eye. They will usually be able to tell if you have pink eye simply by asking you a few questions and looking at your eyes. For example, a healthcare professional might ask you if your eyes are itchy and whether you have watery or thick discharge. They might also ask if you're experiencing symptoms of a common cold, hay fever, or asthma. They may also perform a few tests, including: a vision test to see whether your vision has been affected external eye tissue examination, including the conjunctiva, using bright light and magnification examination of the inner eye to make sure no other tissues have been affected conjunctival tissue smear, which is typically done when a person is dealing with chronic pink eye, or the condition is not improving with treatment Treatment for pink eye Treatment of conjunctivitis depends on what's causing it. Chemical conjunctivitis Rinsing your eye with saline is one way to help ease symptoms if you're dealing with chemical pink eye. Topical steroids may also be prescribed if the case is severe enough. Bacterial conjunctivitis For a bacterial infection, antibiotics are the most common method of treatment. Adults usually prefer eye drops. For children, ointment might be a better choice because it's easier to apply. With the use of antibiotic medication, your symptoms will probably start to disappear in just a few days — but it's important to finish your entire prescription to lessen the risk of pink eye coming back. Viral conjunctivitis Most of the time, viral conjunctivitis is caused by the same viruses that cause the common cold. These cold viruses don't currently have any treatments, but symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in 7 to 10 days. In rare cases, other viruses like the herpes simplex or varicella-zoster virus can be involved, which can cause more serious infections. These viruses do have antiviral treatments, but these treatments can only be used for these specific types of viral infections. In the meantime, using a warm compress, or a cloth moistened with warm water, can help soothe your symptoms. Allergic conjunctivitis To treat pink eye caused by an allergen, your healthcare professional will probably prescribe an antihistamine to stop the inflammation. Loratadine (Claritin) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are antihistamines that are available as over-the-counter medications. They may help clear your allergic symptoms, including allergic pink eye. Other treatments include antihistamine eye drops or anti-inflammatory eye drops. Home remedies In addition to using a warm compress, you can also purchase eye drops at your local drugstore that mimic your own tears. These may help relieve your pink eye symptoms. It's also a good idea to stop wearing contact lenses until your pink eye completely clears up. How can you prevent conjunctivitis? Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to avoid and stop the transmission of conjunctivitis: Avoid touching your eyes with unwashed hands whenever possible. Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water. Only use clean tissues and towels to wipe your face and eyes. Try not to share cosmetics, especially eyeliner or mascara, with others. Wash pillowcases frequently. If your healthcare professional thinks your contact lenses are contributing to your pink eye, they may recommend switching to another type of contact lens or disinfectant solution. They may also suggest cleaning or replacing your contact lenses more frequently, or that you stop wearing contact lenses indefinitely (or at least until your eye heals). Avoiding poorly fitted contact lenses and decorative contact lenses may also decrease your risk for pink eye. Preventing the transmission of pink eye If you already have pink eye, you can help keep your friends and family safe by doing the following: Wash your hands regularly. Avoid sharing towels or washcloths. Change your towel and washcloth daily. Replace eye cosmetics after your infection clears. Follow your healthcare professional's advice on contact lens care. Take any medication your doctor has given you as prescribed.
