treatable

Delirium is a mental state in which you are confused, disoriented, and not able to think or remember clearly. It usually starts suddenly. It is often temporary and treatable.

There are three types of delirium:

• Hypoactive, when you are not active and seem sleepy, tired, or depressed
• Hyperactive, when you are restless or agitated
• Mixed, when you change back and forth between being hypoactive and hyperactive

There are many different problems that can cause delirium. Some of the more common causes include:

• Advanced cancer.
• Alcohol or drugs, either from intoxication or withdrawal. This includes a serious type of alcohol withdrawal syndrome called delirium tremens. It usually happens to people who stop drinking after years of alcohol use disorder (AUD).
• Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
• Dementia.
• Hospitalization, especially in intensive care.
• Infections, such as urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and the flu.
• Medicines. This could be a side effect of a medicine, such as sedatives or opioids. Or it could be from withdrawal after stopping a medicine.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Organ failure, such as kidney or liver failure.
• Poisoning.
• Serious illnesses.
• Severe pain.
• Sleep deprivation.
• Surgeries, including reactions to anesthesia.

Certain factors put you at risk for delirium, including:

• Being in a hospital or nursing home
• Having dementia
• Having a serious illness or more than one illness
• Having an infection
• Older age
• Having surgery
• Taking medicines that affect the mind or behavior
• Taking high doses of pain medicines, such as opioids

The symptoms of delirium usually start suddenly, over a few hours or a few days. They often come and go. The most common symptoms include:

• Changes in alertness (usually more alert in the morning, less at night)
• Changing levels of consciousness
• Confusion
• Disorganized thinking, talking in a way that doesn't make sense
• Disrupted sleep patterns, sleepiness
• Emotional changes: anger, agitation, depression, irritability, overexcitement
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Memory problems, especially with short-term memory
• Trouble concentrating

Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:

• A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms
• Physical and neurological exams
• Mental status testing, which checks for problems with your thinking and alertness
• Lab and diagnostic imaging tests

Delirium and dementia have similar symptoms, so it can be hard to tell them apart. You can also have both at the same time. The differences between them are that:

• Delirium starts suddenly and can cause hallucinations. It is mainly a problem with attention and staying alert. The symptoms may get better or worse and can last for hours or weeks.
• Dementia develops slowly and does not cause hallucinations. It usually starts with memory loss. The symptoms don't change often, like they can with delirium. Dementia almost never gets better.

Treatment of delirium focuses on the causes and symptoms of delirium. The first step is to identify the cause. Often, treating the cause will lead to a full recovery. The recovery may take some time - weeks or sometimes even months. In the meantime, there may be treatments to manage the symptoms, such as:

• Controlling the environment, which includes making sure that the room is quiet and well-lit, having clocks or calendars in view, and having family members around
• Medicines, including those that control aggression or agitation and pain relievers if there is pain
• If needed, making sure that the person has a hearing aid, glasses, or other devices for communication

Treating the conditions that can cause delirium may reduce the risk of getting it. Hospitals can help lower the risk of delirium by avoiding sedatives and making sure that hospital rooms are kept quiet, calm, and well-lit. It can also help to have family members around and to have the same staff members treat the person each day (if possible).

People with dwarfism have short stature. This means that their height is under 4' 10" as an adult. They are usually of normal intelligence. Dwarfism most often does happen in families where both parents are of average height.

More than 300 different conditions can cause dwarfism. Achondroplasia is the most common type of dwarfism. Achondroplasia is a genetic condition that affects about 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 40,000 people. It makes your arms and legs short in comparison to your head and trunk. You may also have a larger head and weak muscle tone. Other genetic conditions, kidney disease, and problems with metabolism or hormones can also cause dwarfism.

The conditions that cause dwarfism can also cause other health problems. Most of them are treatable. It is important to have regular checkups throughout your life. With proper medical care, most people with dwarfism have active lives and live as long as other people.

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that looks for changes in your DNA. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. It contains the genetic instructions in all living things. Genetic tests analyze your cells or tissue to look for any changes in:

• Genes, which are parts of DNA that carry the information needed to make a protein
• Chromosomes, which are thread-like structures in your cells. They contain DNA and proteins.
• Proteins, which do most of the work in your cells. Testing can look for changes in the amount and activity level of proteins. If it finds changes, it might be due to changes in your DNA.

Genetic testing may be done for many different reasons, including to:

• Find genetic diseases in unborn babies. This is one type of prenatal testing.
• Screen newborn babies for certain treatable conditions
• Lower the risk of genetic diseases in embryos that were created using assisted reproductive technology
• Find out if you carry a gene for a certain disease that could be passed on to your children. This is called carrier testing.
• See whether you are at increased risk of developing a specific disease. This may be done for a disease that runs in your family.
• Diagnose certain diseases
• Identify genetic changes that may be causing or contributing to a disease that you were already diagnosed with
• Figure out how severe a disease is
• Help guide your doctor in deciding the best medicine and dosage for you. This is called pharmacogenomic testing.

Genetic tests are often done on a blood or cheek swab sample. But they may also be done on samples of hair, saliva, skin, amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds a fetus during pregnancy), or other tissue. The sample is sent to a laboratory. There, a lab technician will use one of several different techniques to look for genetic changes.

The benefits of genetic testing include:

• Helping doctors make recommendations for treatment or monitoring
• Giving you more information for making decisions about your health and your family's health:
  • If you find out that you are at risk for a certain disease, you might take steps to lower that risk. For example, you may find out that you should be screened for a disease earlier and more often. Or you might decide to make healthy lifestyle changes.
  • If you find out that you are not at risk for a certain disease, then you can skip unnecessary checkups or screenings
  • A test could give you information that helps you make decisions about having children
• Identifying genetic disorders early in life so treatment can be started as soon as possible

The physical risks of the different types of genetic testing are small. But there can be emotional, social, or financial drawbacks:

• Depending on the results, you may feel angry, depressed, anxious, or guilty. This can be especially true if you are diagnosed with a disease that does not have effective treatments.
• You may be worried about genetic discrimination in employment or insurance
• Genetic testing may give you limited information about a genetic disease. For example, it cannot tell you whether you will have symptoms, how severe a disease might be, or whether a disease will get worse over time.
• Some genetic tests are expensive, and health insurance might only cover part of the cost. Or they may not cover it at all.

The decision about whether to have genetic testing is complex. In addition to discussing the test with your health care provider, you can meet with a genetic counselor. Genetic counselors have specialized degrees and experience in genetics and counseling. They can help you understand the tests and weigh the risks and benefits. If you do get a test, they can explain the results and make sure that you have the support that you need.

Leukodystrophies are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is made up of your brain and spinal cord. Leukodystrophies damage the white matter of your CNS. The white matter includes:

• Nerve fibers, also called axons, which connect your nerve cells
• Myelin, a layer of proteins and fatty materials that covers and protects the nerve fibers. It also helps speed up signals between the nerve cells.

When the white matter is damaged, it can slow down or block the signals between nerve cells. This can cause many different symptoms, including trouble with movement, vision, hearing, and thinking.

There are over 50 types of leukodystrophies. Some types are present at birth, while others may not cause symptoms until a child becomes a toddler. A few types mainly affect adults. Most types get worse over time.

Leukodystrophies are caused by genetic changes. These changes are usually inherited, meaning that they are passed from parent to child.

The symptoms of leukodystrophies depend on the type; they can include a gradual loss of:

• Muscle tone
• balance and mobility
• Walking
• Speech
• Ability to eat
• Vision
• Hearing
• Behavior

There can also be other symptoms, such as:

• Learning disabilities
• bladder issues
• Breathing problems
• Developmental disabilities
• Muscle control disorders
• Seizures

Leukodystrophies can be hard to diagnose because there are so many different types which can have different symptoms. Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:

• Physical and neurological exams
• A medical history, including asking about family history
• Imaging tests, such as an MRI or CT scan
• Genetic testing to look for genetic changes that could cause leukodystrophies
• Lab tests

There is no cure for leukodystrophies. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and providing support. It may include:

• Medicines to manage muscle tone, seizures, and spasticity (muscle stiffness)
• Physical, occupational, and speech therapies to improve mobility, function, and cognitive problems
• Nutritional therapy for eating and swallowing problems
• Educational and recreational programs

Stem cell or bone marrow transplantation can be helpful for a few types of leukodystrophy.

One type of leukodystrophy, CTX, is treatable if it is diagnosed early. It is treated with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) replacement therapy.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Testicles, or testes, make male hormones and sperm. They are two egg-shaped organs inside the scrotum, the loose sac of skin behind the penis. It's easy to injure your testicles because they are not protected by bones or muscles. Men and boys should wear athletic supporters when they play sports.

You should examine your testicles monthly and seek medical attention for lumps, redness, pain or other changes. Testicles can get inflamed or infected. They can also develop cancer. Testicular cancer is rare and highly treatable. It usually happens between the ages of 15 and 40.

Vaginitis, also called vulvovaginitis, is an inflammation or infection of the vagina. It can also affect the vulva, which is the external part of a woman's genitals. Vaginitis can cause itching, pain, discharge, and odor.

Vaginitis is common, especially in women in their reproductive years. It usually happens when there is a change in the balance of bacteria or yeast that are normally found in your vagina. There are different types of vaginitis, and they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44. It happens when there is an imbalance between the "good" and "harmful" bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina. Many things can change the balance of bacteria, including:

• Taking antibiotics
• Douching
• Using an intrauterine device (IUD)
• Having unprotected sex with a new partner
• Having many sexual partners

Yeast infections (candidiasis) happen when too much candida grows in the vagina. Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. You may have too much growing in the vagina because of:

• Antibiotics
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes, especially if it is not well-controlled
• Corticosteroid medicines

Trichomoniasis can also cause vaginitis. Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease. It is caused by a parasite.

You can also have vaginitis if you are allergic or sensitive to certain products that you use. Examples include vaginal sprays, douches, spermicides, soaps, detergents, or fabric softeners. They can cause burning, itching, and discharge.

Hormonal changes can also cause vaginal irritation. Examples are when you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or when you have gone through menopause.

Sometimes you can have more than one cause of vaginitis at the same time.

The symptoms of vaginitis depend on which type you have.

With BV, you may not have symptoms. You could have a thin white or gray vaginal discharge. There may be an odor, such as a strong fish-like odor, especially after sex.

Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.

You may not have symptoms when you have trichomoniasis. If you do have them, they include itching, burning, and soreness of the vagina and vulva. You may have burning during urination. You could also have gray-green discharge, which may smell bad.

To find out the cause of your symptoms, your health care provider may:

• Ask you about your medical history
• Do a pelvic exam
• Look for vaginal discharge, noting its color, qualities, and any odor
• Study a sample of your vaginal fluid under a microscope

In some cases, you may need more tests.

The treatment depends on which type of vaginitis you have.

BV is treatable with antibiotics. You may get pills to swallow, or cream or gel that you put in your vagina. During treatment, you should use a condom during sex or not have sex at all.

Yeast infections are usually treated with a cream or with medicine that you put inside your vagina. You can buy over-the-counter treatments for yeast infections, but you need to be sure that you do have a yeast infection and not another type of vaginitis. See your health care provider if this is the first time you have had symptoms. Even if you have had yeast infections before, it is a good idea to call your health care provider before using an over-the-counter treatment.

The treatment for trichomoniasis is usually a single-dose antibiotic. Both you and your partner(s) should be treated, to prevent spreading the infection to others and to keep from getting it again.

If your vaginitis is due to an allergy or sensitivity to a product, you need to figure out which product is causing the problem. It could be a product that you started using recently. Once you figure it out, you should stop using the product.

If the cause of your vaginitis is a hormonal change, your health care provider may give you estrogen cream to help with your symptoms.

It is important to treat BV and trichomoniasis, because having either of them can increase your risk for getting HIV or another sexually transmitted disease. If you are pregnant, BV or trichomoniasis can increase your risk for preterm labor and preterm birth.

To help prevent vaginitis:

• Do not douche or use vaginal sprays
• Use a latex condom when having sex. If your or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
• Avoid clothes that hold in heat and moisture
• Wear cotton underwear