Wegener's granulomatosis
Wegener's granulomatosis, more recently re-named granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is a disorder in which a dysregulated immune system causes widespread inflammation of small blood vessels throughout the body. This results in slower or impaired blood flow to your nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, and kidneys.
Symptoms can be widespread and affect various parts of the body such as the eyes and ears or respiratory system, yet usually begin more generally with fever, fatigue, a loss of appetite, and weight loss. With treatment, a full recovery is possible; however, this condition can be fatal.
Treatments include immunosuppressive medications in order to control the disease in the short- and long-term.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: fatigue, loss of appetite, joint pain, shortness of breath, fever
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Stroke or tia (transient ischemic attack)
Transient ischemic attack, or TIA, is sometimes called a "mini stroke" or a "warning stroke." Any stroke means that blood flow somewhere in the brain has been blocked by a clot.
Risk factors include smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, though anyone can experience a TIA.
Symptoms are "transient," meaning they come and go within minutes because the clot dissolves or moves on its own. Stroke symptoms include weakness, numbness, and paralysis on one side of the face and/or body; slurred speech; abnormal vision; and sudden, severe headache.
A TIA does not cause permanent damage because it is over quickly. However, the patient must get treatment because a TIA is a warning that a more damaging stroke is likely to occur. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.
Diagnosis is made through patient history; physical examination; CT scan or MRI; and electrocardiogram.
Treatment includes anticoagulant medication to prevent further clots. Surgery to clear some of the arteries may also be recommended.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: dizziness, leg numbness, arm numbness, new headache, stiff neck
Symptoms that never occur with stroke or tia (transient ischemic attack): bilateral weakness
Urgency: Emergency medical service
Retinal detachment
The retina is a layer of tissue in the eye. When the retina detaches, its normal position is disrupted causing vision changes.
You should visit the emergency room immediately as this can cause permanent vision loss. If possible, visit an eye hospital's emergency room.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: floating spots in vision, flashing lights in vision
Symptoms that always occur with retinal detachment: floating spots in vision
Symptoms that never occur with retinal detachment: eye pain, eye redness, eye itch, wateriness in both eyes
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Optic nerve disease
This condition, officially known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), refers to loss of blood flow to the optic nerve (which is the information cable that connects the eye to the brain). This condition typically causes sudden vision loss in one eye, without any pain.
You should seek immediate medical care at an urgent care clinic or ER. This condition is treated with prescription medication, and it is best to be evaluated by a doctor right away to prevent irreversible damage to the optic nerve.
Rarity: Ultra rare
Top Symptoms: loss of vision, blurry vision, eye pain
Symptoms that always occur with optic nerve disease: loss of vision
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
New migraine
A migraine is a one-sided headache that causes intense pain and throbbing due to blood vessels dilating in the brain.
The exact reason for new-onset migraine headache is not known, but a number of causes are being studied:
- Pregnancy.
- Soy isoflavone supplements, especially in men.
- Use and overuse of certain medications.
- Traumatic head injury.
- Angioma, which is a cluster of dilated blood vessels in the brain.
- A complication of surgery for some heart conditions.
Anyone with a sudden severe headache should be seen by a medical provider, so that a more serious cause can be ruled out. A transient ischemic attack, also known as TIA or mini-stroke, can have symptoms similar to a migraine but is far more serious.
Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and imaging such as a CT scan.
Treatment for migraine varies with the individual. Lifestyle changes may be recommended and there are a number of medications that may be tried.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: new headache, fatigue, nausea, mild headache, headache that worsens when head moves
Symptoms that always occur with new migraine: new headache
Symptoms that never occur with new migraine: fever, diarrhea, productive cough, headache resulting from a head injury
Urgency: Self-treatment
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, or shortened GPA, was formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis. It is caused by inflammation of the blood vessels by the body's immune system. The inflammation can happen anywhere, but often affects the sinuses, lungs, and kidneys.
You should visit your primary care physician soon to provide an early diagnosis. Treatment of inflammatory diseases commonly involve prescription medications such as a steroid to decrease inflammation, and a cell-damaging medicine to kill abnormal cells.
Giant cell arteriis
Giant cell arteritis is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in the head and neck and can cause headaches, vision problems, jaw pain, and arm pain.
Giant cell arteritis is usually evaluated by a primary care doctor who might perform a physical exam and order a blood test to look for inflammation. They might prescribe steroids to help lower the inflammation.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: fatigue, joint pain, new headache, fever, muscle aches
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to your retina. It's one of many possible complications of diabetes and is the most common reason working-age people in the United States go blind.
Your retina is the inner lining at the back of the eye. It captures light and signals to your brain that you’re seeing something.
The retina is filled with small blood vessels. High blood sugar levels from diabetes can make these blood vessels bleed and leak fluid. This damages the retina, and can cause you to lose your vision.
If you have diabetes, see an eye doctor regularly and try to keep blood sugar levels under control to prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Carotid artery dissection
A carotid artery dissection is the tearing of the walls of the carotid arteries, which deliver blood to the brain from the aorta. This is a medical emergency.
Call 911 immediately. Diagnosis is done by CT or MRI, and treatment involves anti-clotting medication for at least 3-6 months. Surgery may be necessary for those who can't get this medication.
Acute close-angle glaucoma
Acute closed-angle glaucoma is also called angle-closure glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma. "Acute" means it begins suddenly and without warning.
"Glaucoma" means the fluid pressure inside one or both eyes is too high. "Closed-angle" means that the iris – the circular band of color in the eye – does not dilate open properly and blocks the natural drainage mechanism within the eye. The fluid builds up and causes the pressure to increase.
The exact cause of any glaucoma is not known. It may be an inherited trait.
Acute closed-angle glaucoma can be triggered by an extreme dilation of the eyes, as when walking from bright light into total darkness.
Symptoms include sudden eye pain, headache, nausea, blurred vision, and seeing a rainbow-like aura around lights. This is a medical emergency. Take the patient to the emergency room or call 9-1-1.
Diagnosis is made through patient history and thorough eye examination.
Treatment involves surgery to correct the dilation and drainage mechanisms of the eyes, as well as prescription eyedrops and oral medications.
Rarity: Rare
Top Symptoms: headache, nausea or vomiting, vision changes, being severely ill, eye pain
Urgency: Hospital emergency room
Questions your doctor may ask about loss of vision in one eye
- Do you have high blood pressure?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with diabetes?
- Are you experiencing a headache?
- Did you faint?
Self-diagnose with our free Buoy Assistant if you answer yes on any of these questions.
