Frequent medical questions

Severe and sustained chest pain (15+ min), often radiating to the left arm, jaw or back. Cold sweat, nausea, breathlessness, anxiety. Call SAMU (141) IMMEDIATELY — every minute counts. Don't drive yourself.

At rest, seated for 5 min, arm at heart level. Avoid coffee/tobacco for 30 min. Take 2-3 readings 1 min apart on the same arm. Record the values. Normal BP: < 120/80. Hypertension: > 140/90 (or > 130/85 at home).

Yes. High LDL cholesterol (> 1.6 g/L without other factors, > 1.0 g/L for diabetics) gradually clogs arteries with no symptoms before a vascular event. Get a lipid panel every 5 years from age 40, sooner with family history.

Cardiovascular check-up after 40, persistent palpitations, chest pain, exertional breathlessness, before general anaesthesia, before certain treatments. Quick (5 min), non-invasive, 150-300 MAD.

Undress them, lower the room temperature to 19-20 °C. Offer drinks regularly. Paracetamol 15 mg/kg every 6 h (never aspirin in children). Consult if: < 3 months, > 48 h, seizures, rash, drowsiness, inconsolable crying, complete refusal to eat.

Between 4 and 6 months. Start with cooked, mashed vegetables (carrot, courgette), then fruits (apple, pear), infant cereals. Introduce protein (whole egg, fish, meat) around 6 months. No honey before 1 year. No whole nuts before 5 years.

At birth: 3-3.5 kg on average. Doubled at 5 months, tripled at 1 year. Then +2-3 kg/year up to age 10. Reference: growth charts in the health record. A break in the curve should prompt a paediatric consultation.

Between 18-24 months, most children say 50+ words and combine 2 words. An isolated delay can be normal (bilingualism, temperament). See the paediatrician + speech therapist if: no word at 18 months, doesn't follow instructions, no pointing, no eye contact. ENT/hearing check often indicated.

21 to 35 days, average 28 days. The period itself lasts 3-7 days. Occasional irregularity is normal (stress, travel). Consult if: cycles < 21 days or > 35 days repeatedly, periods > 7 days, bleeding between periods, severe pain, amenorrhoea (absence > 3 months).

From day 1 of a missed period for a urine test (99% sensitivity). Earlier with a β-HCG blood test (from 10 days after intercourse). If the test is negative but periods don't return, retest 3-5 days later.

After 25, every 3 years (2 normal smears 1 year apart, then every 3 years). If HPV vaccinated, same recommendations. After 65 with no history, no longer needed. Reimbursed CNOPS/CNSS with a prescription.

Hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, irregular then absent periods (confirmed after 12 months without periods), vaginal dryness, mood changes, weight gain. Average age 50-52. See a gynaecologist for assessment and options (HRT, phytoestrogens).

ABCDE rule: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Colour variability, Diameter > 6 mm, Evolution (size, colour, bleeding, itch). See a dermatologist without delay. A dermoscope allows quick diagnosis. Melanoma treated early has 95% cure.

Yes. Gentle cleansing 2x/day, retinoid or benzoyl peroxide cream, oral antibiotics for moderate cases, isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for severe resistant forms. Hormonal work-up useful in women (PCOS). Dermatologist essential if scarring or treatment resistance.

SPF 50+ sunscreen every 2 h, wide-brimmed hat, UV400 sunglasses, covering clothing. Avoid 12-16 h. Moroccan tan skin is less prone to sunburn but still at risk of melanoma. Melanoma often diagnosed later but more aggressive on darker skin.

DSM-5 criteria: sadness or loss of interest for ≥ 2 weeks + 4-5 symptoms among: fatigue, sleep disturbance, altered appetite, low self-worth, difficulty concentrating, thoughts of death. The online PHQ-9 grades severity. See your GP or psychiatrist — treatment is possible (therapy, antidepressants).

Visits to a psychiatrist (a doctor) are reimbursed by CNOPS (80%) / CNSS (70%) with a prescription. Sessions with a clinical psychologist (non-doctor) aren't reimbursed by social security, only by some private health insurers. Sahha Mind also offers anonymity.

School phobia affects 1-5% of adolescents. Causes: anxiety, bullying, depression, learning disorder. Don't force harshly. Open dialogue without judgement. Quick consultation with a psychologist or child psychiatrist. The school can set up a personalised support plan.

Occasional heartburn is common. Consult if: > 2 times/week for more than 3 months, weight loss, swallowing difficulty, blood vomiting, anaemia. Endoscopy sometimes needed to rule out Barrett's or cancer. PPI treatment + diet changes effective in 80% of cases.

Low-FODMAP diet (limit fermentable sugars), split meals, hydration, regular physical activity, stress management. Specific probiotics. Symptomatic medication (antispasmodics, mild laxatives). Gastroenterologist to rule out inflammatory disease (Crohn's, UC) if alarm signs.

Colorectal cancer screening: from 50 in the general population (with FIT stool test), from 40-45 with first-degree family history. Earlier if inflammatory disease, hereditary syndromes (Lynch, FAP). Repeated every 5-10 years depending on findings.

No. Viral congestive otitis: paracetamol + 48 h watch. Purulent otitis < 2 yrs: 8-day antibiotic. Child > 2 yrs without high fever: holding off antibiotics is possible. ENT consultation for repeated ear infections (> 3/year) — grommets sometimes indicated.

Chronic tinnitus (> 6 months) is rarely cured but can be reduced: hearing aids if hearing loss is associated, sound therapy (white noise), cognitive behavioural therapy, avoiding noise exposure. ENT work-up + audiogram + cerebral MRI sometimes required to rule out tumour cause.

Yes in 58% of cases with intensive intervention: 5-7% weight loss, 150 min/week of moderate activity, Mediterranean diet, 7-8 h sleep. Glucose + HbA1c control every 6 months. Metformin useful if BMI > 35 or HbA1c > 6%. See an endocrinologist.

Possible hypothyroidism (high TSH). Work-up: TSH + free T4 + anti-TPO (Hashimoto). Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, constipation, cold intolerance, dry skin, dry hair. Treatment with levothyroxine simple and effective. Check TSH every 6-12 months.