A common ailment, neck pain can be a result of poor posture, a fall, or an automobile collision. It’s also a common symptom of osteoarthritis. 

Symptoms

• Decreased ability to move your head.
• Headaches.
• Muscle spasms or tightness.
• Pain that worsens when the head is in place for prolonged times (e.g. working on the computer or driving).

As the shoulder is the most “movable” joint in a person’s body, it is quite susceptible to pain and discomfort. Bone fractures, swelling around the shoulder and its joint, and damage to this area are all causes of shoulder pain. 

Shoulder pain can occur from an accident, repetitive movement, or even lifting a heavy object.

Knee pain is quite common. It can interfere with daily routines and turn a patient’s life upside down. The knee is made up of fluid, ligaments, cartilage, and bones, while muscles and tendons help the knee joint to move. When any of these are damaged, knee pain ensues.

Some common sources of knee pain, include:

• Broken Kneecap
• Cartilage injuries or disorders (e.g. overuse, injury, misalignment, or muscle weakness)
• Ligament or tendon injuries
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

Hormone imbalances occur when a patient has too little or too much of one or more hormones in their system. It’s an umbrella term for a variety of hormone-related conditions. Some include:

Acne Issues: Fluctuations in hormones are a significant factor in acne, which can explain why many adolescents deal with this during puberty. With that said, adults can experience acne problems due to hormonal imbalances, especially during pregnancy and menopause.

Diabetes: This condition is the most common hormone-related condition in America.

Infertility: Hormone imbalances are the number one cause of infertility in women. 

Irregular Menstrual Cycles: A number of hormones are at play during menstruation, and an imbalance of one or more of them can contribute to irregular periods. 

Obesity: In some cases, being obese is not about lifestyle, but rather the imbalance of hormones in the body. A fine example of this is the cortisol hormone. In excess, it can be a contributing factor to obesity. 

Thyroid Disease: The two main types of this illness are hyperthyroidism (high levels of the thyroid hormone) and hypothyroidism (low levels of the thyroid hormone). Each one has a number of potential causes.

One of the most common reasons people miss work or seek medical attention can be back pain. Patients can suffer from upper or lower back pain, and the discomfort itself be from muscle aches to burning, shooting, or stabbing sensations within the back. In addition, the pain can radiate down the side of a leg. It can cause difficulty in twisting, bending, standing, lifting, or even simply walking.

This condition is a result of destroyed nerves located outside of the spinal cord and brain (peripheral nerves). Neuropathy causes numbness, pain, and weakness, commonly in the feet and hands; however, it can affect other areas of the body, including circulation, digestion, and urination. 

Symptoms

• Numbness or tingling in the feet and hands.
• Burning, jabbing, sharp, or throbbing pain.
• Sensitivity to touch.
• Muscle weakness.
• Falling/lack of coordination.

Migraines are like headaches, but far more severe and generally felt on one side of a patient’s head. They can be accompanied by vomiting and nausea, plus, create sensitivity to sound and light. At times, migraines can go on for hours or days. The discomfort can interfere with a person’s day-to-day routines.

Inflammation occurs when chemicals from your white blood cells enter your tissue or blood to protect your body from “outside invaders” like viruses and bacteria. However, when it comes to some illnesses, your immune system can signal inflammation when there are no “outside invaders” to battle. With such autoimmune diseases, your body believes regular tissues are infected, creating inflammation, which can cause damage. Increased white blood cells and the things they produce can cause irritation on the inside of your joints, joint lining swelling, as well as cartilage loss.

Symptoms

• Joint pain
• Joint stiffness
• Joint swelling
• Muscle stiffness
• Redness

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the gastrointestinal tract (intestines and stomach). The condition is a chronic disorder, where patients need to monitor the illness over the long term. Signs and symptoms of IBS include constipation, diarrhea, cramping, stomach pain, gas, and bloating.

Many patients can control IBS through diet and lifestyle; however, some do experience severe symptoms that need to be managed with a healthcare provider.

As the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis develops when the “protective” cartilage that cushions a bone end, wears off. It typically affects joints in the spine, hips, hands, and knees, although it can destroy any joint within the body. 

Symptoms

• A grating sensation can be felt.
• Bone spurs form around the joint.
• Joint stiffness.
• Loss of flexibility.
• Pain in the affected joint, after or during movement.
• Tenderness in the joint.
• Swelling around the joint.

As bone is a living tissue that is consistently being broken down and replaced, with this condition, new bone creation can’t keep up with the loss of old bone. As such, bones become brittle and weak; so much so, that mild stresses like coughing, bending over, or a minor fall, can cause breakage. Most common fractures occur in the spine, wrist, or hip. 

Symptoms

It’s important to note that there are no early signs of osteoporosis until bone loss/weakness occurs. After this, patients can see:

• A stooped posture.
• Back pain.
• Bones that break quite easily.
• Loss of height, as time wears on.

A chronic and inflammatory condition, rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder that affects more than a patient’s joints. The illness can destroy various body systems, including the eyes, skin, blood vessels, lungs, and heart. 

As an autoimmune disorder, RA develops when the immune system incorrectly goes after its own body tissues. It affects the lining of the joints, which causes terrible swelling and can also (eventually) result in joint deformity and bone erosion.

Symptoms

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of appetite
• Warm, swollen, and tender joints

Being overweight or obese isn’t solely a cosmetic worry; it increases the risk of other health conditions like diabetes, certain cancers, heart disease, and high blood pressure. While there are many reasons why patients suffer from overweight and obesity issues – which include genetics, hormone imbalances, and other factors – even the smallest weight loss can help improve your overall wellness and health.

Whiplash commonly occurs during car collisions, but can also happen with sports activities, and other traumatic accidents. It’s an injury of the neck, due to a fast “back-and-forth”, forceful movement. 

Symptoms

• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Headaches.
• Loss of range of motion with the neck.
• Neck stiffness and pain.
• Numbness/tingling in the arms.
• Pain worsens with neck movement.
• Tenderness/pain in the upper back, arms, and shoulders.

Sometimes referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD),acid reflux occurs when some acidic contents from the stomach rise into a patient’s esophagus. This essentially irritates the esophagus, causing painful heartburn and severe discomfort. When not addressed, acid reflux can damage your esophagus over time and create complicated health issues.

Acid Reflux Symptoms

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Burning sensation in the chest
• Feels like food is stuck in the esophagus
• Difficulty swallowing

When your skin’s hair follicles are plugged up with dead skin cells and oils, blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples can form. Acne vulgaris is the medical term for this condition. While acne issues tend to be associated with teens, the truth is, this can happen to individuals of all ages.

Despite all the treatments on the market these days, acne can be persistent. Depending on the severity, this condition can not only scar the skin but also cause emotional distress.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a brain-based condition that interferes with a child’s daily activities, whether they are at school or at home. Children may have issues controlling their behavior, paying attention, and at times, they can be hyperactive.

If you believe your child may suffer from ADHD, it’s important to bring this to the attention of their pediatrician, to seek a confirmed diagnosis. With that said, the CDC does have an ADHD “checklist” for parents to keep track of. Signs to look out for in your kids include:

Inattention:They may have issues with paying attention when someone is speaking to them directly, staying on task (at school or home), disorganization, and constant daydreaming.

Impulsivity:This sign entails spontaneous decisions without thinking about harm risks or long-term effects. Children with ADHD may often interrupt parents, family, friends, and teachers.

Hyperactivity:A child with ADHD may frequently fidget, tap feet or hands, squirm, and have constant movement. Especially during times when this may not be appropriate.

This is a serious, yet very uncommon, condition where your adrenal glands (that lay on top of your kidneys) are unable to produce enough of the two key hormones, which are aldosterone and cortisol.

Cortisol helps your body respond to stresses, which can include stress around injury, surgery, or illness. It also maintains blood glucose levels, heartand immune system function, as well as blood pressure.

Meanwhile, aldosterone helps balance potassium and sodium in your blood, which controls the amount of fluid your kidneys remove as urine. This ultimately affects blood pressure and blood volume.

Addison’s Disease – Symptoms

As the damage to your adrenal glands occurs slowly, symptoms progress gradually over time. The common ones include:

• Abnormal menstrual cycles.
• Abdominal pain.
• Dehydration.
• Diarrhea.
• Depression.
• A craving for “salty” foods.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness when you stand up.
• Low blood glucose andblood pressure.
• Nausea.
• Muscle weakness.
• Sensitivity to cold.
• Irritability.
• Loss of appetite.
• Dark skin patches, especially around joints, scars, and skin folds.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Vomiting.
• Extreme fatigue.

During a time of illness, injury, and major stress, symptoms of Addison’s disease may come on quickly. This is referred to as an Addisonian crisis, and it’s considered a medical emergency. If not treated right away, it can be fatal. Symptoms of an Addisonian crisis are:

• Dehydration.
• Extreme weakness.
• Feeling afraid, confused, restless, and other mental issues.
• High fever.
• Feeling faint.
• Having issues staying awake, or even a total loss of consciousness.
• Severe diarrhea or vomiting.
• Sudden deep pain in the belly, legs, or lower back.

An autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto’s causes the immune system to produce antibodies that go after thyroid cells like they are viruses, bacteria, or something foreign within the body. This ultimately damages cells and can completely destroy them.

Symptoms

• Brittle, thinning hair, or hair loss.
• Constipation.
• Depression.
• Difficulty in getting pregnant.
• Fatigue.
• Hard to get warm.
• Heavy or irregular periods.
• Puffiness or paleness in the face.
• Slowed heart rate.
• Weight gain.

Allergies occur when the immune system abnormally reacts to things that are generally harmless to most people. People are commonly allergic to things like dust, plant pollen, pets (cats & dogs), plus some medicines and foods.

When a patient is exposed to something they are allergic to, their immune system makes a mistake by thinking it is harming them. It “overreacts” by believing the allergen is an invader, and it tries to “fight” it off. As such, it createsantibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) andreleases the chemical into a person’s bloodstream. This release causes allergic reactions that can affect your nose, lungs, throat, gastrointestinal tract, and eyes. Therefore, anytime a person is exposed to an allergen in the future, this “triggers” the same allergic response moving forward.

A very common ailment for many, a headache is defined as any pain or discomfort within any area of the head. It can be isolated to one location, radiate across the head, or be felt on one or both sides. Headaches can show up as a throbbing pain sensation, a dull ache, or sharp pain.

With that said, there’s a huge difference between getting the occasional headache, and suffering from this on a frequent basis.

A progressive illness that falls under the dementia umbrella, Alzheimer’s can negatively affect behavior, memory, and the way a person thinks. It can interfere with day-to-day living, and there’s no cure for the disease.

As a chronic condition, Alzheimer’s is a long-term illness, and symptoms can come on gradually, causing a slow decline. Each patient with Alzheimer’s is different; each journey is unique.

Alzheimer’s Disease – Symptoms

While forgetfulness is normal for everyone, those with Alzheimer’s display specific symptoms and behaviors that get worse over time. Some include:

• Memory loss for daily activities (i.e. keeping appointments).
• Issues with familiar tasks (i.e. may forget how to use household appliances).
• Difficulties with speech, writing, and problem-solving.
• Reduced judgment.
• Becoming disoriented about places or times.
• Decreased personal hygiene.
• Personality and mood changes.
• Withdrawal from family, friends, and neighbors.

Sometimes referred to as hypertension, high blood pressure is a dangerous condition and one that some patients aren’t aware they have. Interestingly enough, one-third of those who have the illness don’t know, because the symptoms of this condition don’t always appear until it becomes quite severe. The best way to find out about high blood pressure is through regular checkups with a healthcare professional.

With that said, signs of severely high blood pressure are:

• Blood in the urine.
• Chest pains.
• Confusion.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Fatigue.
• Irregular heartbeat.
• Issues with vision.
• Nosebleeds.
• Pounding in ears, neck, or chest.
• Relentless headaches.

This is a mental health condition that involves a persistent feeling of “dread” and can interfere with a patient’s day-to-day activities. It’s not simply a case of worrying, but a constant feeling of concern for a prolonged period of time. 

Anxiety Symptoms

• Feeling on edge, “wound up”, or restless.
• Finding it hard to concentrate.
• Being easily fatigued.
• Headaches, stomachaches, unexplained pain or discomfort, and muscle aches.
• Finding it challenging to control feelings around worry.
• Finding it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep.
• Irritability.

A chronic illness, asthma continually affects an individual’s airways because they are inflamed. This creates a swelling that essentially narrows the passageway into the lungs, which causes the air breathed in, to have less room, leaving a patient feeling short of breath. It can also cause wheezing, gasping, and coughing along the way.

Asthma – Causes

Below are some possible causes of the condition. They include:

• Genetics.
• Allergies (or a family history of allergies).
• Early life events, like having eczema, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or bronchiolitis at a young age.
• Smoking or second-hand smoke.
• Environmental triggers like air pollution, chemical fumes, and odors from perfume or paint.

When a patient deals with balance issues, they can feel as if the room is spinning, and experience dizziness, or lightheadedness. It may also feel as if they are going to fall down or that the room is spinning; whether they are standing, sitting, or lying down.

May systems in the body must work properly to ensure “normal” balance. This includes muscles, eyes, bones, joints, inner ear, heart, blood vessels, and nerves. When these areas aren’t functioning well, balance issues can occur.

Balance Problems – Symptoms

• Sense of spinning (vertigo).
• Feeling lightheaded or faint.
• Feeling as if you may fall.
• Dizziness.
• Vision issues (blurriness).
• Feeling confused.