A chronic cough is a cough that doesn’t go away. Common causes of chronic cough include asthma, postnasal drip and acid reflux (GERD). Treatments depend on the underlying cause. But they usually involve taking medicines and making changes to your routine. If you or your child has a long-lasting cough, see a healthcare provider.
What is chronic cough?
Chronic cough is a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks in adults and four weeks in children. It’s one of the most common reasons people visit their healthcare providers.
Coughing is usually a good thing. It helps you get rid of substances that can irritate your airway. Everyone coughs sometimes. But chronic cough is often a symptom of a health condition. Depending on what’s causing it, you may also have symptoms like:
No matter the cause, frequent coughing can leave you exhausted and self-conscious about when the next coughing fit will happen. This is why it’s important to see a healthcare provider to find ways to manage it.
The most common chronic cough causes include:
Asthma. Asthma is the most common cause of chronic cough. Coughing may worsen in certain seasons or in response to dry or cold air. It may get worse when you’re around mold, pollen or smoke.
Postnasal drip. Another name for this condition is upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). Allergies and nasal disease can cause your nose to make too much mucus. It can drip down your throat and irritate your windpipe and lungs, making you cough.
When providers can’t find the cause, chronic cough becomes a condition instead of a symptom. In this case, they call it “chronic refractory cough.” In children, providers sometimes call this condition “habitual cough.”
How is chronic cough treated?
Treatment depends on the condition causing your cough. Usually, it involves a mix of medications and lifestyle changes to either cure or manage the condition causing issues. Your healthcare provider will recommend a customized treatment plan based on your needs.
Medicines
Lots of medications treat chronic cough. Your healthcare provider may prescribe or suggest:
Steroids or inhaled bronchodilators to reduce swelling or inflammation in your airway from asthma or other lung conditions
Sometimes, the remedy is to stop taking medicines, like ACE inhibitors. But only do this if your healthcare provider says so. And never give over-the-counter medicines to children under 6 years old unless their pediatrician tells you it’s safe.
Lifestyle changes
To relieve symptoms of chronic cough, try soothing home remedies. Get enough sleep, eat balanced meals and make sure you’re drinking enough water. If you think reflux is part of your cough, you can raise the head of your bed. Work with your provider to identify food or substances that can trigger the cough. Then, make a plan to avoid them.
This advice may sound obvious. But it’s easy to let these kinds of things slide when you’re distracted by something annoying like a persistent cough. Tending to the basics can make a big difference when it comes to feeling better.
What happens if chronic cough goes untreated?
Chronic coughing can keep you up at night and rob you of precious sleep (insomnia). The effects can snowball into fatigue and stress that impact every part of your life. The frequent coughing can make you self-conscious — so much so that you avoid being around others.
In severe cases of chronic cough, you may have related medical issues like:
Bleeding in your eye
Broken ribs
Dizziness
Headaches
Hernia
Loss of bladder control
Muscle pain in your coughing muscles
Can chronic cough be prevented?
You can’t always prevent chronic cough. But you can do things to reduce your risk. You can:
Protect yourself from germs that can make you sick. This may mean staying up-to-date on flu shots, masking or washing your hands often. There are lots of ways to protect yourself.
See your primary care provider and discuss the issue with them. They’ll help you decide if you need testing or treatment based on your symptoms.
When should chronic cough be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?
If your cough lasts 10 days or more, and you don’t know why, it’s time to see your provider. If you have more serious symptoms, let your provider know right away or seek urgent medical care. Reasons to seek urgent medical care include:
Coughing up blood
Drenching night sweats
Hoarseness that doesn’t go away
Shortness of breath
Trouble swallowing
Unexplained weight loss
Wheezing
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Chronic cough can make you anxious when you’re around others and things get quiet. As you feel the urge to cough coming on, it may seem as if all eyes are on you. But you don’t have to just accept the discomfort. There are treatments that can help. Most causes of chronic cough are conditions that you can manage with medicine. There are changes you can make to your routine that can help, too. Getting diagnosed is the first step to managing the condition and the cough.
A cough is a forceful push of air that your body uses to clear irritants, mucus and germs out of your airways. Common causes include allergies, asthma, infections (like colds), chronic lung conditions and acid reflux. Over-the-counter treatments, honey and water might help until you can find the root cause.
What Is a Cough?
A cough is a reflex that forces bursts of air through your airways and out of your throat and mouth. You usually feel a tickly or scratchy feeling in your throat that makes you cough.
A cough is your body’s way of protecting you from foreign substances that find their way into your airways. It also clears mucus out of your lungs and airways, which also gets rid of germs and irritants.
You might have a dry, non-productive cough (without mucus) or a wet, productive cough (with mucus). A cough might be barky (a sign of croup) or end with a whoop (a sign of whooping cough). It might come on suddenly and go away within a few weeks. Or it might seem like it’s been going on forever and will never go away (chronic cough).
What are the most common causes of cough?
Some common causes of cough include:
Acid reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Less common causes include cancers that affect your lungs, heart disease and vocal cord disorders. A healthcare provider might use a chest X-ray or lung function tests to help diagnose the cause of a cough.
Complications
Too much coughing or forceful coughing can lead to:
Taking a sip of water, sucking on a cough drop (carefully to avoid choking) or sitting in a steamy shower might help stop a coughing fit. But uncontrollable coughing can be scary and hard to manage. It can make it hard to breathe and cause you to throw up or choke.
If you have frequent coughing fits, see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room. They may be able to treat you with a steroid or other medications to calm your cough.
What does it mean if I cough after eating?
Coughing soon after eating could be a sign of acid reflux. Or if you cough while eating, food may have gone “down the wrong way” (aspiration). This means it went towards your lungs instead of your stomach. You cough to try to force the food out, so it doesn’t get into your lungs.
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Coughing is your body’s way of protecting you from germs and irritants. But that doesn’t mean it can’t also be really annoying — and sometimes scary. Most causes of cough aren’t serious. But if you’ve had a cough for a long time, or if you’re coughing so much you can’t catch your breath, see a healthcare provider.
A bee sting is a painful injury that happens after a bee pierces your skin and injects venom. You can treat minor bee stings at home. Sometimes, your body can react negatively to a bee sting, and it causes a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Pay attention to your surroundings to prevent bee stings.
What is a bee sting?
A bee sting is a wound caused by a bee. A bee is a winged insect that has a thorn-shaped organ (stinger) at the end of its three-segmented body. These segments include the head, thorax and abdomen. Bees use their stinger to defend themselves and their hive, which is a bee’s home. The stinger contains venom. When a bee stings you, its stinger detaches from its body and sticks in your skin. The puncture of the stinger in your skin combined with bee venom causes symptoms that include pain and swelling.
You may have an allergy to bee venom, which can cause a severe allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention and can be life-threatening if left untreated. If you were stung by a bee and experience symptoms like difficulty breathing or dizziness, call 911 or go to the emergency room (ER).
What types of bees sting?
Bees aren’t aggressive insects, but they can sting when they feel threatened. Only female bees can sting. Many different types of bees can sting you. The most common are:
Bumble bee: A bumble bee is an oval-shaped and furry-winged insect that’s mostly black with stripes of yellow. It ranges from half an inch to 1 inch (1.5 to 2.5 centimeters) long. It has six legs on its thorax (middle section) and two antennae on its head. It flies slowly. These pollinators live in nests that are usually in the ground. A bumble bee doesn’t die when it stings you.
Honey bee: A honey bee is a slender, furry insect that has a black body with pale yellow or tan stripes. While smaller than bumble bees (about half an inch long), honey bees also have six legs and two antennae. These honey-makers live in hives in hollow trees, on branches or in designated bee boxes that make honey harvesting easier for farmers.
Carpenter bee: A carpenter bee is a larger (0.75 inch to 1 inch) flying insect that’s black and shiny with yellow hairs on its middle section (thorax). These bees create nests in wood. They’re fast flyers and can mimic hummingbirds.
Wasps, hornets and yellow jackets
Other flying insects can also sting you. People easily mistake wasps for bees. Wasps make large paper nests that hang from trees or corners of buildings. These insects can also make nests in the ground. A major identifying factor to separate bees from wasps are that bees are furry and wasps have little to no fur so they appear shiny. Wasps also have a distinct, narrow abdomen, two sets of wings and range from a quarter inch to 1 inch long.
Wasps are usually black but can appear dark blue (metallic) or red.
Yellow jackets are a type of wasp. They’re mostly black with bright yellow bands leading toward their stinger.
Hornets are a type of wasp. They’re brown with yellow and orange stripes and have a yellow or orange head.
Wasps, yellow jackets and hornets are generally aggressive to protect their nests and can sting if you get close to them. They don’t have barbed stingers and can sting you multiple times.
Do bees die after they sting you?
The honey bee dies after it stings you. This happens because a honey bee’s stinger gets stuck in your skin, and they’re unable to disconnect its stinger from the rest of its body. As a result, the bee’s abdomen and stinger pull away from the rest of its body, which causes the bee to die.
Not all bees die after they sting you. In some instances, a bee can sting you more than once if it feels threatened.
How common is a bee sting?
A bee sting is a very common injury. Bees are active in warm climates or temperate climates during long periods of warm temperatures. A bee sting can happen to anyone who comes too close to the insect or bothers its home. Bees are pollinators, which means you’ll find them near flowers or flowering trees. An allergy to insect stings, including bees, accounts for about 5% of the United States population.
In less common cases, you could have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to a bee sting. Symptoms of an allergic reaction after a bee sting include:
If you experience any symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, contact 911, your local emergency services number or visit the emergency room immediately. Your symptoms could be life-threatening if left untreated.
Why do bees sting?
Bees are harmless insects unless they feel threatened. Bees use their stinger to defend themselves and protect their hive. A bee can sting you if you bother it by:
Swatting at a bee or trying to catch one.
Stepping on a bee.
Disturbing its hive or nest.
What are the risk factors for a bee sting?
You may be more at risk of getting a bee sting if you:
Are playing or working outdoors near a garden, flowering trees, a hive or a nest.
Wear perfume.
Wear bright colors outdoors.
Harvest honey from bee hives.
Try to remove or destroy a bee hive or nest.
What are the complications of a bee sting?
An allergic reaction is the most serious complication of a bee sting. Bee venom causes this reaction. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention.
How is a bee sting allergy diagnosed?
Most mild bee stings don’t need a diagnosis from a healthcare provider unless they cause an allergic reaction. If you had a negative reaction to a bee sting, your provider may use a blood allergy test or a skin allergy test to see how your body, specifically your immune system, reacts to bee venom.
Blood allergy test: Your healthcare provider will take a small sample of blood from your vein to test it in a lab. This test measures how antibodies in your blood react to an allergen.
Skin allergy test: Your healthcare provider will inject a tiny amount of bee venom under your skin. If you have an allergy, you’ll develop a bump at the injection site during a skin test. Your healthcare provider will monitor you during this test, and it won’t cause a severe allergic reaction.
How do I treat a bee sting?
You can treat a bee sting at home by following these steps for bee sting self-care:
Remove the stinger. You can use your fingernail, a credit card or gauze to remove the stinger by gently dragging it over your skin to pull it out. Avoid using tweezers since they can inject more venom into your skin when you pinch the stinger. Try to remove the stinger as quickly as possible. This reduces how much venom enters your body.
Clean your wound. Use soap and water to clean the area of skin where a bee stung you.
Place an ice pack on your skin. You can wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it on your skin to reduce swelling. Elevate the affected area of your body to lessen swelling.
Monitor your injury. Visit the emergency room immediately if swelling spreads beyond the site of the sting and you develop symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Take an antihistamine or pain medication. Bee stings are painful and can cause itchiness. Antihistamines can reduce skin symptoms, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can relieve your pain. Use these medications as directed on the label. You can also use calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream to ease itching.
Treating a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting
Call 911 or visit the emergency room if you have symptoms of anaphylactic shock. If you have a known allergy to bee stings, immediately use an emergency epinephrine auto-injector that your healthcare provider prescribed to you. Emergency medical services will also use epinephrine to treat your symptoms upon arrival. A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening and immediate treatment is necessary.
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
After removing the stinger, your symptoms will start to reduce. You may notice symptoms lessen as soon as a couple of hours after the bee sting. Swelling and skin discoloration usually go away in two to three days. In some cases, it can take seven to 10 days for your skin to clear up.
What can I expect if I have a bee sting?
Bee stings are painful injuries. The pain usually only lasts for a few hours if you have a mild reaction. Symptoms on your skin like swelling, skin discoloration and itching may last for a few days following the sting. Your skin will return to normal once your injury heals.
While rare, severe allergic reactions to bee stings can happen. They’re life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Quick treatment with epinephrine leads to a positive outcome. If you have an allergy to bee stings, make sure you carry an emergency epinephrine auto-injector with you at all times. Tell your friends and family that you have an allergy and give them instructions on what to do in case of an emergency.
Can bee stings be prevented?
You can’t prevent all bee stings because insects are unpredictable. You can take steps to reduce your risk of getting a bee sting by:
Being aware of your surroundings. If you’re outdoors and near flowers or areas where bees are active, be careful not to disturb them.
Removing food. Bees are attracted to foods that you might have at a picnic or outdoor event. Try to cover foods and clean up any dirty dishes to keep bees away.
Not using floral-scented products. Bees like floral or fruity scents. If you use hair or skincare products that smell like fresh flowers, bees may mistake you for one.
Wearing protective clothing. Choose clothing items that cover your skin, like long sleeves and pants, especially if you’re working or playing outdoors. It’s very easy to step on a bee, so wear close-toed shoes instead of bare feet when walking in the grass.
Staying calm. Bees aren’t aggressive insects and only sting to protect themselves. If you swat at bees or try to shoo them away, you put yourself more at risk of getting stung. If you stay calm and let the bee pass by, it’ll go away without harming you.
When should I go to the ER?
Visit the emergency room or call 911 immediately after a bee sting if you have any of the following symptoms:
Difficulty breathing.
A tight feeling in your chest.
Difficulty swallowing.
Hives or a skin rash.
Swelling all over your body.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Stomach cramps, vomiting or diarrhea.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
How do I know if I’m allergic to bee stings?
Is it safe for me to take over-the-counter pain medication after a bee sting?
How do I use an emergency epinephrine auto-injector?
Do I need to get an allergy test if I plan on becoming a beekeeper?
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Bees are vital for our environment. They pollinate flowering plants, and they help with the fruit and vegetable production that makes up most of what you can find in the produce section at your local grocery store. Unfortunately, the sting of bees isn’t as sweet as the honey they make. Your injury after a bee sting is only temporary and should go away within a few days. In rare but serious cases, a severe allergic reaction can happen. Contact emergency services if you have symptoms of anaphylactic shock.
Muscle strains (pulled muscles) are common but painful injuries. You can often treat a pulled muscle at home. But not all strains are alike: A severe tear might need medical care or even surgery. Follow your healthcare provider’s advice to ensure a smooth recovery.
What Is a Muscle Strain?
A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, is a tear in your muscle fibers. It’s one of the most common soft tissue injuries. You can strain a muscle by pulling it too hard or using it too much, which weakens the fibers.
Muscle strains can be minor to major. A mild strain might only break tiny fibers within the fabric of your muscle, while a severe one can tear through it. Strains are painful, but most can heal with time and rest.
Your muscles are made of thousands of small fibers woven together. When you strain a muscle, the strands of fiber are stretched beyond their limit and tear apart. If you’ve ever tried to use an old bungee cord to hold something in place, you’ve seen this happen. New bungee cords have plenty of give and stretch. But if you use one for too long or suddenly jerk on it too hard, the fibers will start to pull apart.
Healthcare providers also classify muscle strains as either acute or chronic.
Acute muscle strains. These happen suddenly and cause immediate symptoms. You might pull a muscle with a sudden, forceful movement, or by twisting it.
Chronic muscle strains. These develop gradually, and so do the symptoms. You can gradually tear a muscle by overusing it without giving it enough time to repair.
A torn muscle feels sore when you try to use it. You can usually locate the pain in one spot. You may be able to connect it to a recent event or activity. If it’s a chronic muscle strain, you may develop pain gradually over a few days. If it’s an acute muscle strain, you’ll feel pain immediately, and it may even feel like tearing. You may also feel your muscle weaken, and you may feel that you can’t use it at all.
Causes of muscle strains
Muscle strains happen when you tear the fibers of your muscle. This can happen suddenly or gradually.
Common causes of muscle strains include:
Acute injuries. Muscle strains are often sports injuries, caused by sudden sprinting, twisting or jumping. But accidental muscle strains are also common in everyday life.
Repetitive strain injuries. Repeating the same movement over and over, whether at work or a recreational activity, can strain your muscles over time.
Overtraining. Training or laboring too hard or too long without letting your muscles rest weakens them. If they don’t have a chance to rebuild, they might break instead.
Undertraining. Low flexibility and strength can cause muscles to strain with ordinary use. Not stretching or warming up before exercise can overstress your muscles before they’re ready.
Risk factors of muscle strains
Some muscles are more likely to tear than others. These are muscles that:
Cross more than one joint. Muscles that cross joints often act to restrain other muscles when you move that joint. If the joint moves with too much force, these muscles feel the impact first.
Contract eccentrically. Eccentric muscles stretch and lengthen when bearing a load. They absorb the impact of the load with controlled movements, like lowering a weight or walking downhill.
Have type II muscle fibers. Muscles with higher concentrations of type II muscle fibers (fast-twitch fibers) are designed for short bursts of power and speed, so they use more force.
Other risk factors that can contribute to muscle strains include:
Muscle stiffness. When muscles are tight and inflexible, the fibers break more easily.
Muscle imbalances. Favoring some muscles over others can make the others too weak.
Previous injuries. Muscles that have been torn before are more likely to tear again.
How is a muscle strain diagnosed?
If you’ve pulled a muscle, you’ll probably have a pretty good idea of how it happened. A healthcare provider will start by asking you about when the pain started and what you were doing at the time. Then, they’ll examine the spot, which may have visible bruising and swelling if it’s been at least 24 hours since the injury. They’ll gently feel it for tenderness and test the muscle for strength and range of motion.
A physical exam is often enough to diagnose a pulled muscle. But in some cases, your provider might want to take an MRI to rule out other conditions, or to determine the extent of the tear and grade it.
Muscle strain grades
Healthcare providers also grade muscle strains by how severe they are.
Grade I. If you have a mild muscle strain, you’ve stretched and pulled your muscle enough to cause minor damage, but it isn’t torn through. This is the most common type.
Grade II. A moderate muscle strain has torn through some or even most of the muscle. This will affect your muscle strength and range of motion. It can take time to heal.
Grade III. If you have a severe muscle strain, your muscle has torn all the way through. A complete muscle tear (muscle rupture) might need surgery to repair it.
What’s the best treatment for a pulled muscle?
Most people can recover from a pulled muscle at home. Only a severe, grade III tear might need surgery. Surgery for a complete muscle tear means stitching the two ends of the muscle back together.
Home treatment for a muscle strain includes:
The RICE method. Rest, ice, compression and elevation can help relieve pain and inflammation during the first few days of your recovery. After the first few days, you can start moving it again.
Crutches. If your injury is in your lower body, you might need to use crutches to keep weight off the muscle when you walk. Your healthcare provider can guide you on how long to use them.
Pain relievers. Anti-inflammatory medications, like NSAIDs, can help during the first few days of your recovery. After this, your healthcare provider might recommend switching medications.
Physical therapy. It’s important to reintroduce gentle movement after the first few days of recovery. A physical therapist can guide you in specific exercises to rehabilitate your muscle.
Platelet-rich plasma injections. This newer treatment uses platelets from your own blood to stimulate tissue repair. It’s still unproven, but some studies suggest it can speed up healing.
When should I see a healthcare provider for a muscle strain?
Check in with a healthcare provider if your muscle strain:
Seems severe. If you heard or felt a “pop” when your muscle tore, if you can’t move your muscle at all, or if pain, bruising and swelling are severe, see a provider right away.
Isn’t improving. If symptoms persist or get worse after a few days, your injury might not be as minor as you thought. It’s time to have a provider examine it.
Triggers new symptoms. If you develop nerve-related symptoms like numbness, tingling, sudden weakness or difficulty controlling certain muscles, you may have nerve damage.
You might want to ask:
Which muscle did I strain?
What grade is my muscle strain (how bad is it?)
What activities should I avoid during recovery?
How long should I rest, and when should I start moving again?
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
If you only have a minor (grade I) muscle strain, it should heal within a few weeks. Moderate (grade II) muscle strains may take several weeks to months to heal completely. A severe (grade III) muscle strain can take four to six months to heal after surgery. You may need to immobilize your muscle with a cast for up to six weeks before starting your rehabilitation program. Athletes will need to sit out the season.
Most people recover completely from a muscle strain, even a severe one. But how you treat your muscle during recovery can affect how well it heals. In some cases, the muscle might retain some scar tissue, which is stiffer and more brittle than healthy muscle tissue. This makes it easier to tear the muscle again. You might have to be more mindful of how you use your muscle in the future.
What can I do to prevent muscle strains?
Some simple guidelines to help prevent muscle strains are:
Condition your muscles with a daily fitness program.
Stretch and warm up your muscles before using them.
Check your technique when lifting weights or performing physical tasks.
Pulling a muscle is painful. For some, the frustration of having to sit out of your favorite sports and activities while you recover can be just as difficult. But your muscle needs time to heal, and it needs your patient attention during the rehabilitation process. Giving yourself that time is the best way to ensure you’ll be able to return safely to doing what you love to do, at the intensity level you’re used to.
A soft tissue injury can be painful and debilitating, whether it’s from a traumatic event or chronic overuse. Sprains, strains and contusions are a few examples. Repetitive strain can cause inflammation in your soft tissues, which can damage them if it lasts too long. These injuries take time to heal.
What is a soft tissue injury?
A soft tissue injury happens in the soft parts of your musculoskeletal system, like your muscles, tendons and ligaments. These are the tissues that support your skeleton and help it move. You can injure these tissues during physical activity or in an accident. Sudden, excessive force can also cause a traumatic injury, or chronic overuse may cause a repetitive strain injury. Most soft tissue injuries heal with time and rest.
What are the different types of soft tissue injuries?
Acute (immediate) soft tissue injuries include:
Strains. A strain is when you overstretch or tear a muscle. You can strain a muscle by pulling it too hard or for too long. Sudden movements with a lot of force or repetitive movements with normal force cause muscle strains. Groin strains and hip flexor strains are common sports injuries. You can also strain or tear a tendon, the tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.
Sprains. A sprain is a tear in a ligament that holds a joint together. Ligaments connect and stabilize the muscles and bones in a joint. When something forces a joint too far out of its normal range of motion, it can stretch and tear the ligament, weakening your joint. For example, you might sprain your ankle by twisting it or sprain your wrist by falling onto your hand.
Contusions. A contusion is a bruise, which is what you see when broken blood vessels cause discoloration under your skin. A forceful blow may break blood vessels deep within your soft tissues, including your muscles. A muscle contusion may not be visible, but it’s painful and takes time to heal. If it doesn’t heal completely, it can sometimes lead to long-term complications.
Repetitive strain injuries that may affect your soft tissues include:
Tendonitis. Tendonitis is inflammation and swelling in a tendon. It has several causes, but the most common cause is repetitive strain. This is when overuse causes tiny, microscopic tears in the tendon fibers. When your tendon becomes inflamed, it needs time and rest to repair itself. Chronic (long-lasting) tendonitis can lead to destructive changes in your tendon (tendinopathy).
Bursitis. Bursitis is inflammation and swelling in your bursae. These are soft tissues that cushion the space between your bones and other tissues and provide shock absorption when they move. Too much stress on your bursae from too much force or friction can cause painful swelling. It’s common in your elbows and knees. It’s also common to have bursitis along with tendonitis.
How serious can soft tissue damage (injury) be?
Acute soft tissue injuries can be mild to severe. A healthcare provider may grade your injury as first-degree, second-degree or third-degree. If you have a first-degree strain or sprain, the tissue is “pulled” but not torn. A second-degree injury is a partial tear. A third-degree injury is a complete tear through the tissue. Most soft tissue injuries heal with time, but a third-degree injury might need surgical repair.
Similarly, muscle contusions heal on their own with time, but a very severe one can cause extra complications due to severe swelling. These complications may require special treatment and a longer recovery. Repetitive strain injuries heal when you stop the activity that’s irritating the tissue. But if you go back to those activities too soon, they can become chronic injuries that cause lasting damage.
What are the symptoms of a soft tissue injury?
The most common symptom of soft tissue injuries is pain, usually accompanied by swelling. Swelling is a sign of inflammation, which is your body’s way of responding to an injury. Your body is sending extra blood and resources to the area to begin the healing process. But swelling can add to your discomfort.
Other possible symptoms include:
Stiffness and lost range of motion
Difficulty moving or putting weight on the body part
The two major causes of soft tissue injury or damage are repetitive strain (from overuse) and trauma (from a sudden force). A forceful impact from a direct blow, fall or collision may cause a contusion. A sudden, jerking movement or many strong pulls may strain a muscle or tendon or sprain a ligament.
Soft tissue injuries are different from bone injuries, but sometimes, they can occur together. For example, a broken bone, or one that’s been dislocated, may penetrate or pull the surrounding tissues. The bone injury might be more obvious, but you might also have damaged soft tissues with it.
What are the possible complications of soft tissue injuries?
Immediate (acute) complications that can occur with soft tissue injuries include:
Blood vessel damage. Most bruises or contusions are from mildly damaged, leaking blood vessels. But a severe injury may cause more serious blood vessel damage. This could lead to serious internal bleeding (hemorrhage) or loss of blood supply to your tissues (ischemia).
Nerve damage. Trauma that causes soft tissue damage can also cause mild nerve damage, called neuropraxia. This can temporarily interfere with sensory and motor signals between your brain and body part. Swelling from tendonitis or bursitis can affect your nerves by compressing them.
Compartment syndrome. Compartment syndrome is severe swelling within a muscle compartment — a collection of muscles wrapped in fascia. It’s intensely painful and can cut off the blood supply to the muscles. You might need emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.
Long-term complications that can occur with improper healing include:
Contracture. You may need to immobilize your injured body part while it’s healing. But too much immobilization can make soft tissues tighten and contract, sometimes, permanently. Your healthcare provider will prescribe specific physical therapy exercises to prevent this.
Joint instability. A sprain that doesn’t heal completely can leave your joint unstable and more likely to sprain again. Some severe sprains may need surgery to fix this. Other soft tissue injuries that don’t heal can affect your joints by shifting weight and stress to tissues that support a joint.
Chronic inflammation. Repetitive strain injuries that don’t heal completely can lead to chronic tendonitis or bursitis. This can cause chronic pain and eventually, long-term soft tissue damage. Your tissues may weaken and stiffen, becoming less functional. Weakening can lead to rupture.
Heterotopic ossification. Severe soft tissue injuries can cause a sort of scarring in which bone tissue develops within your soft tissue. Myositis ossificans, bone tissue in your muscle, can occur after a muscle contusion. Enthesophytes, bone spurs in your entheses, can follow tendonitis.
How are soft tissue injuries diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will physically examine your injury and ask you questions about how it happened or what type of stress might have caused it. Sometimes, they’ll want to take images to see the injury in more detail or to check for additional injuries or complications. An MRI can show soft tissue damage.
What is the best treatment for a soft tissue injury?
Most soft tissue injuries heal at home with conservative care. Rarely, you might need surgery for a severe injury. Head to the ER if you think you have a severe injury, or if you have alarm symptoms like increasing pain, numbness or faintness. You should still see a healthcare provider for minor injuries.
Conservative care for soft tissue injuries consists of pain relief and standard protocols like RICE or its recent update, PRICE (protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation). Recently, healthcare providers have introduced a new protocol to guide your recovery after the first few days: PEACE and LOVE.
PRICE
RICE is a well-known acronym for treating acute musculoskeletal injuries. PRICE is a recent update.
It stands for:
Protection. To protect the injury during healing, you might need to wear a cast, brace or splint.
Rest. Rest is the most important part of healing for any musculoskeletal injury.
Ice. Ice helps reduce pain and inflammation. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time.
Compression. An elastic bandage around your soft tissues can reduce swelling and bleeding.
Elevation. While resting your injury, keep it elevated to reduce blood flow and swelling.
PEACE and LOVE
The longer acronym, PEACE and LOVE, offers additional advice for the later stages of your recovery.
It stands for:
Protection. To protect the injury during healing, you might need to wear a cast, brace or splint.
Elevation. While resting your injury, keep it elevated to reduce blood flow and swelling.
Avoid anti-inflammatories. Providers now recommend pain relievers that don’t suppress inflammation, like acetaminophen or arnica, after the first few days of recovery.
Compression. An elastic bandage around your soft tissues can reduce swelling and bleeding.
Education. This is to remind healthcare providers to educate you about your role in your own recovery. Specifically, they should encourage you to play an active rather than passive role.
and
Load. Loading means gradually returning some mechanical load (weight or stress) to your injured part. Your provider might refer you to a physical therapist to guide this process.
Optimism. Research has found that a positive approach to recovery can affect your prognosis. Believe in your own capacity to heal, and don’t neglect your mental health during recovery.
Vascularization. This means increasing blood flow to your injured tissues. While you might use ice and compression to reduce blood flow earlier on, later on, blood flow can help with healing.
Exercise. Physical therapy can help restore strength and flexibility to your weakened tissues. This can help prevent reinjury as you return to your activities, especially for unstable joints.
How long does it take for a soft tissue injury to heal?
Recovery from a soft tissue injury can take weeks to months, depending on how severe it is. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what to expect. Following your provider’s advice during your recovery will help ensure it goes smoothly. If you return to activities too soon, you could reinjure your tissues. But if you wait too long to start moving again, your recovery might take longer.
What can I do to prevent soft tissue injuries?
Most injuries are accidents, which are hard to prevent entirely. But some people are more at risk of soft tissue injuries than others. If you’re among them, you can reduce your risk with a little preparation.
Risk factors for soft tissue injuries include:
Practicing sports and physical training
Tasks that require repetitive movements
Poorly designed equipment or workstations
Becoming suddenly active after not being active
To reduce your risk of soft tissue injury, remember to:
Stretch your muscles before using them and after sitting still for many hours.
Check your technique before beginning training or repetitive tasks.
Make sure your tools and work area are clean, safe and ergonomic.
Soft tissue injuries can be just as serious as bone injuries, and they can take just as long — or longer — to heal. This can be hard to understand and explain to others, especially when you and they want you to return to your activities as soon as possible. But don’t shortchange your recovery. It takes time and slow, deliberate rehabilitation to repair these tissues, but it’s worth doing it right. Your body will thank you.
Sports injuries are common muscle, bone or soft tissue injuries that occur during physical activities. They include sprains, strains and fractures — injuries that usually heal within weeks or months — as well as longer-lasting conditions like tendinitis. Overtraining, falls and running into things are common causes. Many sports injuries can heal at home, but it’s important to have a plan for rehabilitation.
What are sports injuries?
Sports injuries are the types of injuries that commonly happen when you’re playing a sport or doing something athletic. Exercise is important to your overall health, and it can help build strong bones and muscles (musculoskeletal system). But physical activity also raises the risk of injury to your bones, muscles and other soft tissues. Accidents, overtraining and contact sports can lead to sports injuries.
Injuries in sports can happen suddenly, or they can develop slowly over time. Acute injuries happen with sudden, excessive force. Repetitive strain injuries happen when you repeatedly overuse a body part. Any injury can become chronic (long-lasting) if it doesn’t heal well. Many sports injuries can heal at home with appropriate care. But it’s a good idea to have a sports medicine physician examine your injury.
Bursitis.Bursitis is a type of repetitive strain injury that affects your bursae. Bursae are soft tissues that provide padding and shock absorption between your bones and other tissues.
Concussions. A concussion is a brain injury that happens when you hit your head and your brain bounces off the inside of your skull. Contact sports can lead to concussion injuries.
Contusions. Contusions are bruises. They come from bleeding under your skin. Ordinary bruises are superficial injuries. But a muscle contusion or bone contusion can be more serious.
Joint dislocation.This occurs when the end of a bone gets forced out of its normal position within a joint. For example, if your shoulder pops out of its socket, it’s been dislocated.
Muscle strains.A muscle strain occurs when you overextend a muscle and it stretches too far and tears. Most muscle strains are mild, but a severe one can tear all the way through.
Sprains. A sprain happens when a ligament stretches too far and tears. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect bones and stabilize joints. These injuries can be mild or severe.
Tendinitis.Tendinitis is a type of repetitive strain injury that affects a tendon. It’s caused by repetitive motions over time. Tendons are connective tissues that connect muscles to bones.
Which body parts get injured the most in sports?
Certain body parts tend to take more stress from sports than others. Since physical activities rely on moving joints, it’s often these joints and the tissues that support them that get injured the most.
Some of these include your:
Achilles tendon. Your Achilles tendon is the thick cord that connects your calf muscles to your heel bone. Strain on this tendon can cause Achilles tendinitis or Achilles tendon rupture.
Ankle joint. Your ankle contains three joints, as well as other bones, cartilage, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Common ankle injuries include ankle sprains and ankle fractures.
Elbow joint. Your elbow joint is prone to overuse injuries from repetitive movements during sports. Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are two examples. You can also get elbow bursitis.
Head. Less than 2 in 10 sports injuries are head injuries, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Most of these are minor, including nosebleeds and tooth loss, but they also include concussions.
Knee joint. Your knee joint includes several ligaments that you can sprain. Examples include ACL tears and PCL tears. Other common knee injuries include jumper’s knee and runner’s knee.
Leg muscles. Leg muscle strains are common, including groin pulls and hamstring injuries. A shin splint, which involves the soft tissues around your shin bone, is a common runner’s injury.
Shoulder joint. Injuries to your shoulder’s rotator cuff, including tears and tendinitis, are sometimes called swimmer’s shoulder. Other shoulder injuries include fracture and dislocation.
What are common sports injury symptoms?
It’s not hard to tell when you’ve got a sports injury. You’ll usually get it while playing or working out. You’ll notice when what you’re doing becomes painful. You may also notice other signs of injury.
Bruises, color changes or swelling that you can see
A bone or joint looking out of place (deformity)
A hard time moving or putting weight on the body part
What causes sports injuries?
The most common causes of sports injuries include:
Falls, which account for more than 1 in 4 sports injuries, according to the CDC
Training too hard or too long (overexertion) or overestimating your abilities, which can cause injury
Direct impact, which includes being hit by sports equipment or running into another player
Risk factors
Sports injuries are usually accidents, and accidents are often random. But some things can contribute to the risk of an injury. These risk factors may include:
Not wearing the right gear or using the right safety equipment
Not warming up or stretching properly before activity
Starting at an intensity level your body isn’t used to
Playing aggressive contact sports, like tackle football
How are sports injuries diagnosed?
To diagnose a sports injury, your healthcare provider will start with a physical exam and medical history. They’ll ask you about what happened at the time of the injury and review your symptoms. They might check how your injured body part moves or how it feels when they touch it. Depending on the injury, they might want to look at pictures of the bones or tissues involved.
They’ll get these pictures through imaging tests like:
When you first get a sports injury, you can treat it with the RICE method for immediate relief. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Sometimes, a parent, school nurse or sports medic will apply the RICE method on the field or playground until you can see a healthcare provider. It can help reduce pain and swelling in the acute phase of your injury. But you’ll need different treatment later on.
Many sports injuries can heal at home, though it’s important to have a healthcare provider advise you on your treatment plan. More serious sports injuries may require specialized medical care, like:
Pain relief. You may need over-the-counter or prescription pain medications.
Closed reduction. A healthcare provider might need to move a joint back into place.
Surgery. You might need surgery to repair a tear or fracture, for example.
A cast or splint. You may need to wear a cast or splint to hold your tissues in place.
After a period of rest, you’ll need to restore strength and flexibility to your injured part. This is the rehabilitation phase of your treatment plan. Your healthcare provider will advise you on when and how to start moving your injured part again. They might refer you to a physical therapist to design a custom exercise plan. Almost any sports injury can benefit from a course of physical therapy.
How do I know if I should seek medical care for a sports injury?
When in doubt, it never hurts to see a qualified healthcare provider about an injury. Repetitive strain injuries, like tendinitis, can sometimes be hard to recognize until you see a provider. You might not realize you have an injury if you can’t connect your symptoms with a specific event. On the other hand, if you have an acute injury, you might not be able to tell how serious it is. Signs to watch for include:
Severe pain that isn’t getting better
Extreme bleeding, bruising or swelling
Obvious deformity, like bones that look out of place
You can’t move or use the injured part
What can I expect after a sports injury?
The outlook after a sports injury depends on the type and how bad it is. Most sports injuries are minor and can heal in a few days to weeks. Others might need medical interventions or surgery and can take several months to heal. How well you take care of your injury at home can also affect your recovery. Returning to activity too soon can interrupt the healing process. Not moving it enough can also stall it.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about my sports injury?
You can ask your provider:
How should I manage my pain?
How long should I rest my injury, and when should I start moving it again?
What types of exercises should I do during rehabilitation?
When can I return to sports or other intensive activities?
How should I take care of my injured part when I return to my sport?
What can I do to prevent sports injuries?
Not all injuries are preventable, but there are some practical steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Get trained. When you start a new activity, make sure you learn and practice safe techniques.
Gear up. Use the right protective gear and equipment to prevent injuries.
Start slow. Warm up and stretch before activity. Gradually increase your level of intensity.
Build fitness. A regular fitness routine will help condition your body for various sports.
Mix it up. Cross-train or vary your exercise routine. Don’t play the same sport year-round.
Know your limits. Listen to your body and don’t push it too far. Allow yourself time to recover.
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Sports injuries are common, but most are minor and heal easily. Good training and technique can help prevent injuries. Accidents can still happen, but the health benefits of an active lifestyle outweigh the risks. In general, it’s better for your body to challenge it than not to. The process of injury and recovery can help teach us greater respect for our bodies — their limits, as well as their amazing healing abilities.
Osteopenia is the medical definition for bone density loss. It can become osteoporosis if the bone density loss worsens. Some health conditions, habits and medications can increase your osteopenia risk, but it usually happens naturally as you age. Your provider will suggest treatments that slow down bone loss and improve osteopenia.
What is osteopenia?
Osteopenia is a loss of bone density. Having reduced bone density means your bones don’t have as much mineral content as they should. This can make them weaker and increase your risk of bone fractures (broken bones).
If you have osteopenia, your bone density is lower than average. It can progress to osteoporosis.
Most people need their bone density checked every few years after they turn 50 or enter postmenopause, but you might need yours monitored more often. Visit a healthcare provider for regular checkups. They’ll tell you when you’ll need your bone density tested.
What’s the difference between osteopenia vs. osteoporosis?
Osteopenia is an early sign of osteoporosis. Their names sound so similar because they’re closely related.
Osteopenia is the medical definition for having reduced bone density. Osteopenia is the warning sign that means you have an increased osteoporosis and fracture risk.
If it’s not treated, osteopenia can become osteoporosis. Osteoporosis silently weakens your bones. People with osteoporosis are much more likely to break a bone, especially from falls. If you have osteoporosis, even a minor slip that might not normally cause injuries can lead to fractures.
How common is osteopenia?
Experts estimate that more than 40 million Americans have osteopenia. They think around one-third of adults older than 50 have some degree of bone density loss.
What are osteopenia symptoms?
Osteopenia doesn’t usually cause any symptoms you can feel or notice. That’s why healthcare providers sometimes call osteopenia and osteoporosis silent diseases.
What causes osteopenia?
Osteopenia usually happens naturally as you age. Your bones are living tissue like any other part of your body. It might not seem like it, but they’re constantly growing, changing and reshaping themselves throughout your life.
Most people lose some bone density as they get older. Your bones are densest around age 25 and start breaking down faster than your body can rebuild them after that. This natural decline doesn’t cause issues in most people. However, if you lose too much bone density, you can develop osteopenia, which may mean you’re more likely to have osteoporosis later in your life.
What are the risk factors?
Anyone can develop osteopenia, but some groups of people are more likely to have it, including:
Adults older than 50
Sex: Females are four times more likely to have osteopenia
Medications that can increase your osteopenia risk include:
Diuretics
Corticosteroids
Medications used to treat seizures
Hormone therapy for cancer (including to treat breast cancer or prostate cancer)
Anticoagulants
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs, like those that treat acid reflux, which can affect your calcium absorption)
What are osteopenia complications?
Increasing your bone fracture and osteoporosis risk are osteopenia’s main complications. Osteopenia on its own won’t cause symptoms. But having reduced bone density makes you much more likely to break a bone, even after small injuries or falls.
How is osteopenia diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will diagnose osteopenia with a bone density test. A bone density test is an imaging test that measures the strength of your bones. It uses X-rays to measure how much calcium and other minerals are in your bones.
Checking for changes in your bone density is the best way to catch osteopenia before it becomes osteoporosis. Your provider might suggest you get regular bone density tests if you have a family history of osteoporosis. Females usually need bone density screenings regularly after they turn 50. Males typically need them after age 70.
If you have osteopenia, you’ll probably need a bone density test every few years to see how your bones have changed.
What is the best treatment for osteopenia?
Your provider will suggest osteopenia treatments that slow down your bone loss and strengthen your existing bone tissue. The most important part of treating osteopenia is preventing bone fractures and osteoporosis.
The most common osteopenia treatments include:
Physical activity and exercise: Staying active can strengthen your bones (and all the tissue connected to them, like your muscles, tendons and ligaments). Your provider might suggest weight-bearing exercises to strengthen your muscles and train your balance. Physical activities that make your body work against gravity like walking, yoga, Pilates and tai chi can improve your strength and balance without putting too much stress on your bones. You might need to work with a physical therapist to find exercises and movements that are right for you.
Vitamin and mineral supplements: You might need over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription calcium or vitamin D supplements. Your provider will tell you which type you need, how often you should take them and which dosage you’ll need. Most people don’t need prescription medication to treat osteopenia. Your provider may suggest prescription medication to treat osteoporosis if you develop it later.
Following an eating plan that’s healthy for you: Eating enough, and getting the right kinds of vitamins and minerals, can strengthen your bones (and improve your overall health). Your provider or a registered dietitian can help you create an eating plan that fits your unique needs.
What can I expect if I have osteopenia?
You should expect to monitor your bone density for the rest of your life if you have osteopenia. Most people with osteopenia need their bone density checked every few years. Your provider will tell you how often you’ll need bone density tests.
Can I reverse my osteopenia?
Osteopenia is a natural progression of bone loss. But you can slow it down to prevent osteoporosis. The sooner you know you have osteopenia, the better. Once you start treatment, you may slow down your bone loss so much that you never develop osteoporosis. Some people can reverse osteopenia and regain a typical amount of bone density.
Can you prevent osteopenia?
You usually can’t prevent osteopenia. Everyone naturally loses some bone density as they age, and you can’t stop that from happening. Some of the best ways to strengthen your bones and slow bone loss are the same as the treatments for osteopenia. Talk to your provider about ways to improve your bone health if you’re worried about osteopenia or osteoporosis.
How do I take care of myself?
Some of the best ways to take care of your bones are great ways to support your overall health:
Stay physically active as often as you can.
Get plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet.
Limit how much alcohol you drink.
Avoid smoking and other tobacco products.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Visit a healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your body that make you worried about your bone health. Tell your provider about any other symptoms you’re experiencing, especially if you have bone pain or trouble moving.
Ask your provider how often you should have your bone density checked, especially if someone in your biological family has osteopenia or osteoporosis.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
How often should I have my bone density checked?
Do I have any risk factors?
Which treatments will I need?
What are some good physical activities to improve my bone health?
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Having osteopenia means you have reduced bone density. Some health conditions and medications can cause it or increase your risk, but it usually happens naturally as you age. Most people’s bone density is at its highest around age 25 and slowly decreases over time after that.
Your healthcare provider will tell you how often you’ll need bone density tests, and which treatments can slow down your bone loss. The most important part of treating osteopenia is helping you prevent osteoporosis.
Hypercalcemia happens when you have higher-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood. It’s usually caused by primary hyperparathyroidism or certain cancers and is treatable with surgery and/or medication.
What is hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia happens when you have higher-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood. Hypercalcemia can be mild or severe and temporary or chronic (lifelong).
Calcium is one of the most important and common minerals in your body. Most of your body’s calcium is stored in your bones, but you need calcium in your blood as well. The calcium in your blood helps:
Your nerves work.
Make your muscles squeeze together so you can move.
Your blood clot if you’re bleeding.
Your heart work properly.
Two hormones called parathyroid hormone and calcitonin control the levels of calcium in your blood and bones. Vitamin D also plays an important role in maintaining calcium levels because your body needs it to absorb calcium from the food you eat.
Your body normally carefully controls the level of calcium in your blood, but certain medications and conditions can result in high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia).
What is the difference between hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia are medical conditions that both have to do with the amount of calcium in your blood — the difference is how much.
In the medical world, the prefix “hyper-” means “high” or “too much.” Hypercalcemia means you have higher-than-normal calcium in your blood.
The prefix “hypo-” means “low” or “not enough.” Hypocalcemia means you have lower-than-normal levels of calcium in your blood.
Who does hypercalcemia affect?
Hypercalcemia can affect anyone at any age, but it’s most common in females over age 50 (after menopause). In most cases, this is due to an overactive parathyroid gland.
How common is hypercalcemia?
Hypercalcemia affects approximately 1% to 2% of the general population. Most of the cases — about 90% — are due to primary hyperparathyroidism and cancer-related hypercalcemia (hypercalcemia of malignancy).
Is hypercalcemia life-threatening?
Most cases of hypercalcemia aren’t life-threatening and many people don’t have any symptoms. Healthcare providers often catch it early from routine blood tests.
But severe hypercalcemia can cause more serious problems, including:
Since healthcare provider often discover hypercalcemia in its early stage, most people don’t have symptoms.
More severe and/or long-term cases of hypercalcemia may cause the following symptoms:
More frequent urination and thirst.
Fatigue.
Bone pain.
Headaches.
Nausea and vomiting.
Constipation.
Decrease in appetite.
Forgetfulness, depression or irritability.
Muscle aches, weakness, cramping and/or twitches.
What causes hypercalcemia?
More than 25 separate diseases, several medications and even dehydration can cause hypercalcemia. Primary hyperparathyroidism and various kinds of cancers account for the greatest percentage of all people with hypercalcemia.
Primary hyperparathyroidism and hypercalcemia
In primary hyperparathyroidism, one or more of your four parathyroid glands produce too much parathyroid hormone — the hormone responsible for controlling blood calcium levels.
Your parathyroid glands are located behind your thyroid gland in your neck. Normally, they work with your kidneys, bones and intestines to carefully regulate the level of blood calcium. But sometimes a parathyroid gland becomes overactive, resulting in excess parathyroid hormone release and elevated blood calcium levels.
Cancers that can cause hypercalcemia
About 2% of all cancers are associated with hypercalcemia, and cancer-related hypercalcemia cases (also called hypercalcemia of malignancy) often have a rapid onset and are severe. Certain types of cancer that can cause hypercalcemia include:
Hypercalcemia is a fairly common finding on routine blood tests such as a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) or basic metabolic panel (BMP), which include a calcium blood test. These tests allow healthcare providers to detect abnormally high calcium levels early.
The following blood calcium levels indicate different levels of diagnosis and severity of hypercalcemia:
Mild hypercalcemia: 10.5 to 11.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).
Moderate hypercalcemia: 12.0 to 13.9 mg/dL.
Hypercalcemic crisis (a medical emergency): 14.0 to 16.0 mg/dL.
If you have symptoms of hypercalcemia or are at risk for developing hypercalcemia due to having a certain kind of cancer, your provider will order different blood tests to determine if you have hypercalcemia. If your blood calcium level is elevated, your provider will review your medications and medical history and conduct a physical exam.
If there’s no obvious cause to your elevated levels, your provider may ask you to see an endocrinologist, a provider who specializes in hormone-related conditions, who will provide further evaluation and testing.
What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?
Your healthcare provider may order any of the following tests to help diagnose hypercalcemia and its cause:
If your provider suspects primary hyperparathyroidism is causing hypercalcemia, they’ll likely recommend an imaging test to see if there are any growths on your parathyroid gland(s) or if they’re enlarged. Different imaging tests for this purpose include:
Treatment of hypercalcemia depends on what’s causing it and how severe it is. In mild cases of hypercalcemia, your healthcare provider may tell you to:
Drink more water.
Switch to a non-thiazide diuretic or blood pressure medication.
Stop taking or lower your dose of calcium-rich antacid tablets.
Stop taking or lower your dose of calcium supplements and calcium-containing supplements, such as multivitamins.
If the hypercalcemia is due to an overactive parathyroid gland, your provider will most likely recommend surgery to have the overactive parathyroid gland(s) removed.
If the hypercalcemia is due to cancer, your provider may suggest any of the following medications:
Bisphosphonates, such as pamidronate and zoledronic acid.
Denosumab (XGEVA®), a bone-strengthening medication, for people with cancer-caused hypercalcemia who don’t respond to bisphosphonates.
If the hypercalcemia is severe, and/or causing significant symptoms, your provider may recommend immediate hospitalization for IV fluids and other treatments.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for hypercalcemia?
Prognosis, like treatment, depends on the cause and severity of hypercalcemia. When hypercalcemia happens due to a benign condition or temporary situation, it generally has a good prognosis.
People who have hypercalcemia due to cancer often experience symptoms and require frequent hospitalizations.
What are the complications of hypercalcemia?
Complications of long-term hypercalcemia are rare since calcium levels are checked in routine blood panels and healthcare providers usually catch hypercalcemia early, but complications can include:
Calcium deposits in your kidney (nephrocalcinosis) that cause poor kidney function.
Not all cases of hypercalcemia can be prevented, but avoiding excess intake of calcium pills and calcium-based antacid tablets can help.
Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you have a family history of high calcium, kidney stones or parathyroid conditions. Avoid taking dietary supplements, vitamins or minerals without first discussing them with your provider.
When should I see my healthcare provider about hypercalcemia?
If you have a family history of hypercalcemia and/or hyperparathyroidism, talk to your healthcare provider about your risk for developing hypercalcemia.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of hypercalcemia, contact your healthcare provider.
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Getting a new diagnosis can be stressful. Know that hypercalcemia is treatable and that symptoms usually go away once your calcium levels are back to normal. If you have cancer that can cause hypercalcemia, your provider will likely want to regularly monitor your blood calcium levels. Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare team questions about hypercalcemia and its management.
Hypocalcemia happens when the level of calcium in your blood (not your bones) is too low. Several different health conditions can cause hypocalcemia. The symptoms of hypocalcemia depend on how mild or severe it is. It is treatable and can last for a short time or be chronic depending on the cause.
What is hypocalcemia?
Hypocalcemia is a treatable condition that happens when the levels of calcium in your blood are too low.
Many different health conditions can cause hypocalcemia, and it’s often caused by abnormal levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or vitamin D in your body. Hypocalcemia can be mild or severe and temporary or chronic (lifelong).
What is calcium and what does it do?
Calcium is one of the most important and common minerals in your body. Most of your body’s calcium is stored in your bones, but calcium is needed in your blood as well.
The calcium in your blood helps your nerves work, helps make your muscles squeeze together so you can move, helps your blood clot if you are bleeding and helps your heart work properly. A low level of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia) can hinder your body’s ability to perform these important functions. You also need calcium in your bones to make them strong.
If you don’t consume enough calcium in your diet, your body takes calcium from your bones to use in your blood, which can weaken your bones. Hypocalcemia happens when there are low levels of calcium in your blood, not your bones.
The levels of calcium in your blood and bones are controlled by two hormones called parathyroid hormone and calcitonin. Vitamin D also plays an important role in maintaining calcium levels because it’s needed for your body to absorb calcium.
Who gets hypocalcemia?
Hypocalcemia can affect people of all ages, including infants. The age at which someone could develop hypocalcemia usually depends on the cause. For example, if an infant has hypocalcemia, it’s often because of a genetic disorder.
How common is hypocalcemia?
Healthcare professionals and researchers have not yet determined how common hypocalcemia is. This is likely because hypocalcemia is usually a side effect of other health issues.
Hypocalcemia is a common side effect of having your thyroid removed (thyroidectomy). Approximately 7% to 49% of people have temporary hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy.
What are the symptoms of hypocalcemia?
People who have mild hypocalcemia often have no symptoms (are asymptomatic). The symptoms of hypocalcemia depend on if it’s mild or severe.
There are many complex functions and factors involved with maintaining a steady level of calcium in your blood and body. Because of this, several different health conditions and disorders can cause hypocalcemia.
Most of the time, an issue with your parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and/or vitamin D level(s) is involved with the cause of hypocalcemia. This is because PTH helps control the level of calcium in your blood and vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
The three most common causes of hypocalcemia include:
Hypoparathyroidism: Hypoparathyroidism happens when your parathyroid glands (four small pea-sized glands behind your thyroid in your neck) don’t make enough parathyroid hormone (PTH). Low levels of PTH cause low levels of calcium in your body. You can have hypoparathyroidism from an inherited disorder or from having one or more of your parathyroid glands or your thyroid gland surgically removed.
Vitamin D deficiency: Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium properly, so a lack of vitamin D in the body can cause low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia). Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by an inherited disorder or by not getting enough sunlight or not consuming enough vitamin D.
Kidney failure (renal failure): Hypocalcemia in chronic renal failure is due to an increased level of phosphorus in your blood and decreased renal production of a certain kind of vitamin D.
Other causes of hypocalcemia include:
Certain medications: Bisphosphonates, corticosteroids, rifampin, calcitonin, chloroquine, cinacalcet, Denosumab, Foscarnet and plicamycin can all cause hypocalcemia.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism: This is an inherited disorder that causes your body to not respond properly to the normal amount of parathyroid hormone (PTH) it has. Your body acts like it doesn’t have enough PTH when it actually has normal levels of PTH.
Hypomagnesemia: Your parathyroid glands need magnesium to make and release parathyroid hormone (PTH), so when your magnesium is too low (hypomagnesemia), not enough PTH is produced and blood calcium levels are also lower (hypocalcemia).
Pancreatitis: Approximately 15% to 88% of people who have acute pancreatitis will have hypocalcemia.
Certain rare genetic disorders: Genetic mutations, such as DiGeorge syndrome, can cause hypocalcemia.
How is hypocalcemia diagnosed?
You have hypocalcemia if your total serum (blood) calcium concentration is less than 8.8 mg/dL. Your healthcare provider may find mild hypocalcemia incidentally (by chance) from routine blood tests or by testing for other conditions.
What tests will be done to diagnose the cause of hypocalcemia?
Healthcare providers use a calcium concentration blood test to diagnose hypocalcemia. Figuring out and diagnosing the cause of hypocalcemia is just as important as diagnosing the hypocalcemia itself.
Your healthcare provider may perform the following tests or procedures to try to determine the cause of your hypocalcemia or to be sure your hypocalcemia isn’t affecting other parts of your body:
Other blood tests: Your healthcare provider may do more blood tests to check your levels of magnesium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and/or vitamin D.
EKG (electrocardiogram): An EKG is a procedure that uses electrodes attached to your chest to measure your heart rhythm. Hypocalcemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm.
Bone imaging tests: Bone imaging tests could be used to see if you have calcium issues in your bones, such as osteomalacia or rickets.
How is hypocalcemia treated?
Oral calcium supplements are the most common treatment for hypocalcemia. Treating the cause of hypocalcemia is just as important as treating the hypocalcemia itself. If you’re taking a medication that is causing your hypocalcemia, your healthcare provider may change it or adjust it in order to return your calcium levels to normal.
What medications and treatments are used for hypocalcemia?
The following treatments and medications are often used for hypocalcemia:
Oral calcium pills: Calcium pills or supplements may be used to restore your calcium to normal levels.
Vitamin D supplement: People who have chronic hypocalcemia often take a vitamin D supplement along with calcium pills so that their bodies can properly absorb the calcium.
Synthetic form of parathyroid hormone (PTH): If you have hypoparathyroidism that is causing hypocalcemia, your healthcare provider may have you take a synthetic form of PTH.
IV calcium gluconate: If your hypocalcemia is severe and you are experiencing muscle cramps or spasms (tetany), you may receive an IV of calcium gluconate in the hospital.
Other medications: Depending on the cause of your hypocalcemia, you may have to take other medications to treat/and or manage the cause.
What is the prognosis (outlook) for hypocalcemia?
Hypocalcemia is a treatable condition. Symptoms of hypocalcemia usually go away once your calcium levels are back to normal. If left untreated, severe hypocalcemia can cause life-threatening complications such as seizures and congestive heart failure. Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms and go to the nearest hospital if you are experiencing severe symptoms.
How long will I have hypocalcemia?
Depending on the cause, you could have temporary or chronic (lifelong) hypocalcemia. Ask your healthcare provider how long you can expect to have hypocalcemia and how long you’ll have to take medication.
Can I die from hypocalcemia?
Hypocalcemia can be potentially life-threatening if it’s not diagnosed and treated in time. Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms.
What are the risk factors for hypocalcemia?
Risk factors for developing hypocalcemia can include having:
A family history of genetic conditions such as certain genetic mutations, genetic vitamin D disorder or DiGeorge syndrome.
Can I prevent hypocalcemia?
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent hypocalcemia. Although it may seem that eating and drinking more calcium could prevent hypocalcemia, a lack of calcium in your diet usually doesn’t affect the amount of calcium in your blood. Maintaining adequate calcium intake, however, is important for bone health.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing symptoms of hypocalcemia. If you have chronic hypocalcemia, it’s important to see your healthcare provider regularly so that you can be sure your calcium levels are healthy and that your treatment is working.
What questions should I ask my doctor if I have hypocalcemia?
If you’ve been diagnosed with hypocalcemia, it may be helpful to ask your healthcare provider the following questions:
What caused my hypocalcemia?
How long will I have hypocalcemia?
How long will I have to take medication for my hypocalcemia?
When will my symptoms go away once I start my medication for hypocalcemia?
Are my children or family members at risk of developing hypocalcemia?
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Getting a diagnosis can be scary. Know that hypocalcemia is treatable and that symptoms usually go away once your calcium levels are back to normal with treatment. Don’t be afraid to ask your healthcare team questions about your hypocalcemia and its management.
Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors on your pituitary gland. They’re noncancerous, but they can interfere with normal pituitary function and cause certain health conditions. Healthcare providers treat pituitary adenomas with surgery, medication, radiation or a combination of these therapies.
What is a pituitary adenoma?
A pituitary adenoma is a benign (noncancerous) growth on your pituitary gland. Unlike cancer, it doesn’t spread to other parts of your body. But as pituitary adenomas grow, they can put pressure on nearby structures and cause symptoms.
What is the pituitary gland?
Your pituitary is a small gland about the size of a pea that’s joined to your hypothalamus (the base of your brain) right behind your nose. It has two lobes: the anterior (front) lobe and the posterior (back) lobe. Each lobe releases different hormones.
Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, muscles and other tissues.
Your pituitary gland releases several important hormones, including:
Your pituitary gland also tells other endocrine system glands to release hormones. Of note, pituitary adenomas can affect the production and release of a single hormone or a combination of hormones.
Healthcare providers categorize pituitary adenomas based on whether or not they produce extra hormones.
Functioning (secreting) adenomas: These adenomas release extra pituitary hormones, which cause certain symptoms and/or conditions depending on the hormone it releases.
Nonfunctioning (non-secreting) adenomas: These adenomas don’t release hormones, but they can compress nearby structures if they grow (see below). The most common adenomas most healthcare providers diagnose are nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas.
Healthcare providers also categorize pituitary adenomas based on their size:
Microadenomas: These adenomas are smaller than 10 millimeters or 1 centimeter.
Macroadenomas: These adenomas are larger than 10 millimeters. Macroadenomas are twice as common compared to microadenomas. They’re also more likely to cause lower than normal levels of one or more pituitary hormones. This is known as hypopituitarism.
Is a pituitary adenoma a brain tumor?
Even though your pituitary gland is an endocrine structure that’s not technically a part of your brain (it’s actually attached to your brain), healthcare providers consider pituitary adenomas brain tumors. They represent about 10% of primary brain tumors.
Who do pituitary adenomas affect?
Pituitary adenomas can occur at any age but are more common in people in their 30s or 40s. Women are more likely to have pituitary adenomas.
How common are pituitary adenomas?
Pituitary adenomas make up 10% to 15% of all tumors that develop within your skull. About 77 out of 100,000 people have a pituitary adenoma, but researchers think adenomas actually occur in as many as 20% of people at some point in their lives. As many people with pituitary adenomas, especially microadenomas, are asymptomatic, they’re usually never found.
What are the symptoms of a pituitary adenoma?
The symptoms of pituitary adenomas can vary widely depending on several factors, including:
If it’s large enough to damage your pituitary gland or nearby structures (mass effect).
If it’s a functioning (hormone secreting) pituitary adenoma with symptoms based on the type of hormone it secretes.
Pituitary macroadenomas typically present with mass effects — meaning their large size can apply pressure to or damage nearby tissues, causing compressive symptoms, including:
Vision problems
Approximated 40% to 60% of people with a pituitary macroadenoma have impaired vision (blurry or double vision) from the adenoma. The adenoma compresses your optic chiasm, leading to visual field defects like the loss of peripheral vision (side vision).
Headaches
People with pituitary adenomas often report having headaches. This could be due to pressure on nearby tissues, but as headaches are a common symptom in general, people could have them for other reasons as well.
Hormonal deficiency
Pituitary macroadenomas can cause one or more pituitary hormone deficiencies due to damage to your pituitary gland tissue. This can result in an underactive pituitary gland, also known as hypopituitarism.
Each pituitary hormone deficiency causes different symptoms.
A deficiency of LH and FSH hormones leads to low testosterone (LH) and estrogen (FSH), a condition known as hypogonadism. Symptoms of hypogonadism include hot flashes and vaginal dryness, erectile dysfunction and decreased facial/body hair growth in men,, mood swings, decreased libido/sex drive and fatigue.
A deficiency of TSH results in low thyroid hormone production, a condition known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, constipation, slow heart rate, dry skin, swelling of extremities and diminished reflexes.
A deficiency of ACTH means you don’t produce as much cortisol, a condition known as adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency include low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and poor appetite.
A deficiency of GH results in low growth hormone production, also known as growth hormone deficiency. You’ll have different symptoms depending on how old you are. In adults, a lack of GH results in fatigue and decreased muscle mass.
What symptoms do functioning pituitary adenomas cause?
A functioning, or secreting, pituitary adenoma releases excess hormone(s). Functioning pituitary adenomas can cause several different symptoms depending on which pituitary hormone(s) they release.
As your body normally regulates the hormone levels in your body for optimum health, extra pituitary hormones from a functioning adenoma can lead to the following conditions:
Prolactinomas (lactotroph adenomas)
Prolactinomas (lactotroph adenomas) make excess prolactin, a condition known as hyperprolactinemia. Prolactinomas account for about 4 out of 10 pituitary tumors. They’re the most common type of pituitary adenoma.
High prolactin levels can disrupt normal reproductive functions by interfering with hormones produced by your testicles or ovaries. Symptoms include:
Male and female infertility.
Milky discharge from your nipples when not pregnant, which is known as (galactorrhea).
Somatotroph adenomas
Somatotroph adenomas make excess growth hormone (also known as somatotropin) and make up about 2 in 10 pituitary tumors.
Somatotroph adenomas cause different symptoms depending on your age.
In adults, these adenomas are a common cause of acromegaly, a rare but serious condition that results from too much growth hormone. It affects your body’s bones and tissues and causes them to grow in abnormal ways. Over time, it can lead to enlarged hands, feet or head size and a rounded face with poorly defined features. It also affects important metabolic functions like blood sugar (glucose) regulation and can increase the size of your heart muscle.
In children and adolescents, somatotroph adenomas are the cause of gigantism (also called pediatric acromegaly and pituitary gigantism). High levels of growth hormone in their body cause them to grow very tall.
Corticotroph adenomas
Corticotroph adenomas make extra adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). They account for about 1 in 10 pituitary tumors. ACTH triggers your adrenal glands to make steroid hormones, including cortisol.
Corticotroph adenomas cause Cushing’s syndrome (excess cortisol). This causes several symptoms, including:
Thyrotroph adenomas make excess thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and are very rare. TSH stimulates your thyroid gland to make and release thyroid hormone.
Excess TSH results in excess thyroid hormone, which causes a condition called hyperthyroidism and speeds up your metabolism. This results in symptoms like:
Hyperthyroidism has many other causes — pituitary adenomas are a rare cause of the condition.
Gonadotroph adenomas
Gonadotroph adenomas make excess gonadotropins, which are luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Gonadotroph adenomas are very rare.
Scientists aren’t sure of the exact cause of pituitary adenomas.
But some adenomas have been linked to accidental changes, or mutations in DNA, the material within a cell that makes up our genes. These changes cause the cells in your pituitary gland to grow out of control, making a mass (growth). The genetic changes can be passed down from parents to children (inherited), but they usually happen randomly.
Pituitary adenomas are also associated with certain genetic conditions, including:
Having one of these conditions makes it more likely that you’ll develop a pituitary adenoma, but you can still have an adenoma without having one of these conditions.
How are pituitary adenomas diagnosed?
The diagnostic process for pituitary adenomas depends on what kind of adenoma you have and if it’s causing symptoms or not.
If you have a hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma, your healthcare provider will likely diagnose you with the condition it causes based on your symptoms before diagnosing the adenoma. This is because many conditions that result from excess hormones can have many different causes — not just pituitary adenomas. This is also true of hypopituitarism (pituitary hormone deficiency) causes.
Sometimes, healthcare providers find pituitary adenomas by accident when you get an imaging test of your brain for another condition. In these cases, the adenoma is usually small and nonfunctioning.
What tests will be done to diagnose a pituitary adenoma?
If your healthcare provider thinks you might have a pituitary adenoma, they’ll do a full review of your symptoms and your medical background and will perform a physical exam.
They may order any of the following tests:
Blood tests: Depending on your symptoms, your healthcare provider may order blood tests to check certain hormone levels.
Eye exam: If you’re having problems with your vision, your healthcare provider might have you take a visual field test to check your eye function. Large pituitary adenomas can put pressure on the nerves that connect your eyes to your brain and cause vision issues.
How is a pituitary adenoma treated?
Healthcare providers usually treat pituitary adenomas with surgery, medicine, radiation or a combination of these therapies. As each pituitary adenoma is different, you and your healthcare team will come up with a treatment plan that works best for you.
Surgery to remove pituitary adenomas
If you have a pituitary adenoma that’s causing a hormonal imbalance, your healthcare provider will likely recommend surgery to remove all or part of the adenoma. Depending on the size of the adenoma and the severity of your symptoms, you may need multiple surgeries.
Your surgeon will likely use a type of surgery called transsphenoidal surgery to remove the pituitary adenoma, which involves going through your nose and sphenoid sinus, a hollow space in your skull behind your nasal passages and below your brain, to perform surgery. Surgeons use this technique for 95% of pituitary tumors.
If the adenoma is too large to remove through your sinus cavity, your surgeon may open your skull (transcranial surgery) to get to your pituitary and the adenoma. This is a rare surgery technique for pituitary adenomas.
Medication to treat pituitary adenomas
Healthcare providers can treat some types of pituitary adenomas with medication that shrinks the adenoma and relieves symptoms.
If you have a prolactinoma (the most common kind of pituitary adenoma), you’ll likely receive dopamine agonist therapy medications, such as cabergoline (Dostinex®) or bromocriptine (Cycloset®), as the first course of treatment for several months.
In 80% of cases, these medications shrink the prolactinoma, and prolactin levels return to normal. If the medication doesn’t work, your healthcare provider will likely recommend surgery.
Radiation therapy for pituitary adenomas
Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to shrink adenomas or tumors. Healthcare providers use a special form of radiation therapy called stereotactic radiosurgery for pituitary adenomas, which uses a high dose of radiation aimed precisely at the adenoma from more than one direction to keep the adenoma from growing.
What are the side effects of pituitary adenoma treatment?
As a result of surgeries and/or radiation therapy, approximately 60% of people with pituitary adenomas develop hypopituitarism after treatment, a condition in which there’s a lack of production of one, multiple, or all of your pituitary hormones. Hypopituitarism is treatable with hormone replacement medications.
Complications from surgery to remove a pituitary adenoma can include:
Diabetes insipidus, which is a condition that results in partial or complete antidiuretic hormone deficiency from the posterior pituitary gland. This condition causes you to urinate large quantities of diluted urine resulting in sodium (salt) excess in your body.
Common side effects of dopamine agonists that healthcare providers prescribe to treat prolactinomas include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sometimes increased compulsive behavior.
Possible side effects of radiation therapy include:
Pituitary hormonal deficiency.
Impaired fertility.
Vision loss and brain injury (rare).
Tumor development several years after treatment (rare).
What is the prognosis (outlook) for pituitary adenomas?
The prognosis (outlook) depends on the size and type of pituitary adenoma you have.
When treatment destroys the adenoma, most people with adenomas can return to full, healthy lives. In some cases, adenoma treatment results in low hormone levels, and you have to take lifelong hormone medicines to replace what you’ve lost.
Adenomas tend to recur (come back), which means you may need treatment again. About 18% of people with nonfunctioning adenomas and 25% of people with prolactinomas will need more treatment at some point.
Can you live with a pituitary adenoma?
As long as a pituitary adenoma is small and doesn’t cause any symptoms, you can live with it. In fact, most people find out they have a pituitary adenoma when they get an imaging test of their head for another reason. But if the adenoma continues to grow, you may need to eventually receive treatment for it.
If you have a large and/or functioning pituitary adenoma, you’ll likely need treatment as some pituitary adenomas can cause symptoms that greatly impact your health and quality of life.
What are the complications of an untreated pituitary adenoma?
If left untreated, some pituitary adenomas — mainly macroadenomas and functioning (secreting) adenomas — can cause serious health issues. The health issues largely depend on which hormone the adenoma secretes (see Causes and Symptoms section above).
A very rare complication of untreated pituitary adenomas is pituitary apoplexy. This is a medical emergency that’s caused by bleeding either into or out of your pituitary gland.
Pituitary apoplexy is commonly caused by bleeding inside a pituitary adenoma. Your pituitary is damaged when the tumor suddenly enlarges. It either causes bleeding into your pituitary gland or blocks the blood supply to your pituitary. The larger the adenoma, the higher the risk for pituitary apoplexy.
Pituitary apoplexy usually has a quick onset of symptoms, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms often include:
Severe headache.
Paralysis of the eye muscles, causing double vision or problems opening an eyelid.
Loss of peripheral vision or loss of all vision in one or both eyes.
Low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting due to acute adrenal insufficiency.
Personality changes due to the sudden narrowing of one of the arteries in your brain (anterior cerebral artery).
Although pituitary apoplexy is rare, it’s serious. If you have symptoms of pituitary apoplexy, call 911 or have a loved one take you to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
Can pituitary adenomas be prevented?
Unfortunately, there’s nothing you can do to prevent developing a pituitary adenoma. Most pituitary adenomas occur randomly, but they’re also associated with certain rare genetic conditions as noted above.
If you have a first-degree relative (sibling or parent) who has one of these conditions, you may want to get genetic testing to check to see if you have it as well. This may help screen for and catch a pituitary adenoma in its early phases. Your healthcare provider may recommend regular blood tests of your pituitary hormone levels to increase the odds of finding and treating a pituitary tumor before it creates problems.
When should I see my healthcare provider about a pituitary adenoma?
Call your healthcare provider if you have problems with your vision and/or have headaches that don’t go away or keep coming back, particularly if they’re toward your forehead.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a pituitary adenoma, you’ll likely need to see your healthcare provider regularly to monitor the adenoma and to make sure your treatment is working.
A note from QBan Health Care Services
Finding out you have a tumor can be scary. The good news is that pituitary adenomas are almost always benign (noncancerous), and treatment leads to good outcomes in most cases. Remember that your healthcare provider is your partner in achieving your best health outcomes, so be sure to keep them up-to-date with any changes in how you feel.
Qban Health Care - Dominica 