Google’s Year in Review published the top searches of 2024. Our experts answer your most-searched health care questions and topics for the year.
What does it mean if I have chest pain?
Heart attack
The first concern for chest pain is that you’re having a heart attack. Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, sweating, nausea or dizziness all may be signs of a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you believe you are having a heart attack.
Anxiety
You may be experiencing a panic attack or have high anxiety if you’re feeling chest pain. Stress raises blood pressure, heart rate, and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Take time out each day to relax and breathe. Learn coping methods for your anxiety.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The underlying cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can cause excess sugar in your blood. Too much sugar in your blood can lead to serious health problems.
Some of the signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are:
- Slow-healing wounds
- Extreme fatigue
- High blood sugar
- Frequent urination
- Increased thirst
- High blood pressure
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision
If you’re overweight with one or more additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes, such as sedentary lifestyle or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about blood glucose screening. Learn how to prevent diabetes with your diet.
What causes a yeast infection?
Did you know your vagina is a self-cleaning organ? It maintains its own balance of good bacteria (lactobacilli) and natural pH. Disrupting this balance can cause infections and other health issues.
Staying in tune with your body and understanding what’s normal and what’s not helps maintain a healthy vagina.
If you have a change in the color, odor or amount of vaginal discharge, you could have a yeast infection.
- Normal discharge: Vaginal discharge can vary in color and consistency throughout the menstrual cycle, but it’s typically clear or white.
- Signs of a problem: Thick and clumpy discharge (resembling cottage cheese) could indicate a yeast infection. Grayish-white discharge with a fishy odor might be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Yellow or green discharge with a foul odor could indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
If your vagina is red or is experiencing severe itching, this could also be a sign of a yeast infection.
- Normal sensation: Mild itching can occasionally occur due to sweat or mild irritation from clothing.
- Signs of a problem: Persistent or severe itching can be a sign of a yeast infection, STI or allergic reaction to soaps or other products. And if you are experiencing redness, swelling, or a rash you might have an allergic reaction, skin condition or infection.
Is my knee pain normal?
Knee pain can manifest in different ways. Symptoms can vary depending on the underlying causes. Common symptoms include:
- Limited mobility.
- Sharp or dull pain, like a toothache.
- Stiffness.
- Swelling.
- Tenderness around knee.
Knowing what’s causing your knee pain helps you know where best to get care.
Joint pain usually has tenderness around the joint. While nerve pain is associated with burning pain, numbness and a tingling feeling.
What causes high blood pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels. A normal blood pressure level is important to keep blood moving throughout your body, but a high blood pressure means your heart is working too hard causing long-term damage.
To help manage your blood pressure, it’s important to control your stress levels. Some useful coping strategies include:
- Taking a walk.
- Practicing breathing exercises.
- Getting plenty of sleep.
- Limiting alcohol consumption and smoking.
Learn if your blood pressure is normal
Do I have cancer?
There are many kinds of cancers and not all of them have noticeable symptoms like a lump, persistent cough, unexplained weight loss or a skin sore. This is why it’s important to schedule yearly physicals with your primary care provider, as well as have routine screenings.
