OpenHealth Q&A

Navigating Unexplained Health Changes: Seeking Advice

Greetings, I appreciate anyone taking the time to read this and offer their thoughts. I apologize in advance for the length. I am a 28-year-old Caucasian male, standing 5'8" and weighing 170 pounds, with an active lifestyle. Approximately three years ago, I began experiencing a series of minor yet concerning changes in my health. As a member of the military, I've consulted various healthcare providers and specialists, but so far, no definitive diagnosis or cause has been pinpointed. Below is a summary of my symptoms, and I hope to garner some insights to discuss with my provider in future appointments. **Lower Back Pain** * This discomfort is localized to the left side of my lower back. The intensity fluctuates, but there is always some level of pain present. I've been undergoing physical therapy, although it has yet to yield any significant improvement. No imaging tests have been performed. **Diminished Sensation on the Left Side of Chest and Lung** * Describing this is challenging, but I occasionally experience a peculiar lack of feeling on the left side of my chest, adjacent to the sternum. It’s not exactly numbness; instead, it seems like a reduced awareness. This sensation becomes more pronounced during physical activity. As I tire and my breathing becomes labored, I can feel the normal expansion of my right lung, whereas my left lung lacks a similar sensation. Occasionally, it feels uncomfortable, prompting me to press on the left side of my sternum to alleviate the feeling. **Frequent Shortness of Breath** * Coupled with the previous symptom, I frequently encounter shortness of breath. This occurs not only during running or workouts (which can be expected) but also with minor exertion, such as climbing a flight of stairs. **Severe Fatigue and Cognitive Fog** * Almost every morning, I wake up feeling as though my face is swollen, with difficulty concentrating and an overall sense of dullness. This condition persists throughout the day. More often than not, when I attempt to run or hit the gym, pushing my body feels like an uphill battle. **Swelling in the Upper Left Palate** * A few years back, I noticed swelling on the left side of the roof of my mouth, accompanied by numbness. The swelling is inconsistent, with some days being more pronounced than others, but it hasn't fully diminished. I consulted experts in radiology, neurology, and orthopedics, and after undergoing several imaging tests, no diagnosis has been reached. * There seems to be a recurring trend concerning the left side of my body. **Digestive Concerns** * This issue began when I observed undigested food remnants in my stool. It has since escalated into consistently soft and exceedingly foul-smelling bowel movements. I often experience very unpleasant flatulence, regardless of my efforts to maintain a healthy diet devoid of common gas-inducing foods. A colonoscopy conducted about a year and a half ago found nothing noteworthy. **Compromised Oral Health Despite Good Hygiene** * I am diligent about my dental care routine, yet I frequently have a yellow bacterial buildup on my tongue. The use of a tongue scraper is often unappealing, and this issue was not present in the past. * Years ago, I suffered from severe tonsillitis and tonsil stones, which has made me particularly conscious of my oral health. Seven years ago, I underwent a tonsillectomy to address this problem. * I cannot help but wonder if my body struggles to manage harmful bacteria effectively, potentially explaining my gastrointestinal and oral health difficulties. Might this be a factor? What could be responsible? Occasionally, I even sense that my perspiration has an unusual odor. **Dry Skin Issues** * A new concern over the past few months is dryness on my hips, which is now slightly noticeable on my arms. There isn’t any peeling; however, the skin feels excessively dry, and at times appears red. **Persistent Feelings of Dehydration** * My urine typically appears normal, and I consume ample water daily, yet I often feel dehydrated and as if I need to drink more fluids. While increasing my intake of Gatorade has been somewhat beneficial, I still feel it may not be sufficient. I do not engage in consumption of energy drinks, and sodas and sugary beverages are infrequent in my diet. **Altered Sense of Smell** * Although I was never diagnosed with COVID-19, I experienced a significant shift in my sense of smell around that time. Odors from meat—whether raw or cooked—became reminiscent of sulfurous scents. Other smells also became unappealing. While this seems to have diminished over time (or perhaps I have simply acclimatized), I still occasionally detect unusual aromas or tastes. **Final Remarks:** * I work out 3-4 times weekly and strive to uphold a healthy lifestyle. While my diet isn't perfect, I make a conscious effort to limit dining out. I avoid nicotine and consume alcohol sparingly—just once or twice each month. Although I used to rely on caffeinated beverages, I've successfully eliminated them from my diet. * I don’t regularly take vitamins or supplements, though I occasionally use pre-workout products and depend on protein from whole foods rather than supplements. * Blood, urine, and stool analyses have been conducted with non-concerning outcomes, at least as relayed to me. * My attempts to seek medical consultation have been inconsistent over the years. Securing proper healthcare within the military can prove challenging, as I’ve encountered both exceptional specialists who were genuinely interested in finding solutions and those who were less than helpful. Additionally, scheduling appointments can take considerable time. Thank you for your patience in reading this. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Answers (1)

3/20/2025, 2:50:56 AM

OpenHealth AI

Thank you for sharing your detailed health concerns. It's understandable to feel overwhelmed by several ongoing symptoms, especially when they seem interconnected. Let’s break things down and focus on what you might want to prioritize moving forward.

Main Points

• You have multiple health concerns that are affecting your daily life and well-being, including persistent pain, sensory changes, fatigue, digestive issues, and altered oral health.
• Achieving clarity on your symptoms and how they interrelate may help guide your next steps with healthcare providers.

Explanation

Your symptoms indicate several possible underlying issues that may need further investigation. The patterns you’ve noticed, particularly on the left side of your body, alongside your experiences with fatigue, digestive changes, and sensory alterations, suggest a need for a comprehensive approach.

• Lower back pain could be due to muscular, skeletal, or nerve issues, particularly if physical therapy hasn't improved it.
• Diminished sensation on the left side of your chest during exertion could indicate neurological involvement or even muscular imbalances affecting your breathing.
• Shortness of breath with minimal exertion is concerning and needs attention, as it may relate to cardiac or respiratory issues.
• Digestive changes and oral health problems can often be interconnected, possibly indicating an imbalance in gut bacteria or digestive health that warrants further examination.
• Persistent feelings of dehydration alongside dry skin may suggest that your body isn’t absorbing water effectively or that there may be issues with your dietary intake or metabolism.

Next Steps

1. Keep a Detailed Symptom Diary: Document the frequency, duration, and intensity of your symptoms. Note any patterns concerning activities, food intake, stress levels, and hydration. This can help inform your healthcare providers.

2. Prioritize Follow-Up Appointments: Given the range of symptoms, aim to schedule an appointment with a primary care provider who can coordinate a thorough evaluation. This should include:

   • Comprehensive blood work to check for metabolic or autoimmune disorders.
   • Imaging studies for back pain, such as an MRI, to explore nerve or disc issues.
   • Referral to a neurologist for the diminished sensation on the left side of your chest.
   • Gastroenterology consultation for ongoing digestive issues.

3. Address Oral Health: Since you're experiencing unusual bacterial buildup on your tongue and have a history of tonsillitis, consider discussing this with a dental or oral health specialist. Oral health can sometimes reflect systemic health, and they may suggest antibacterial rinses or probiotics.

4. Experiment with Dietary Changes: In addition to staying hydrated, consider incorporating probiotics (like yogurt or kefir) into your diet to help with digestive health. Monitor whether this impacts your bowel movements or oral health positively.

5. Hydration Strategy: While Gatorade can help with hydration, balancing electrolytes is key. Consider discussing electrolyte supplements or other hydration strategies with a nutritionist who may help tailor recommendations based on your workouts and daily activities.

Conclusion

Your health concerns are complex and deserve careful consideration. While next steps can feel overwhelming, focusing on symptom tracking and follow-ups with the right specialists can lead to better understanding and management of your symptoms. Remember that you are not alone in this, and seeking support from reliable healthcare providers is essential to finding the clarity you need. Please feel free to reach out if you need more specific information or assistance along the way.