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Alcoholics Anonymous or AA is the original recovery program that brought the world the 12 steps of recovery. The 12 steps have since been applied to other substances and types of addictions in recovery programs like Marijuana Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alateen for loved ones of alcoholics, Codependents Anonymous for people stuck in toxic relationships, Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Workaholics Anonymous. This article will describe the foundation of the steps, what each of the 12 steps of recovery means, what to expect when doing the steps, and how to help a person recovering from an addiction....

Oral thrush, a fungal infection in the mouth, sometimes won’t go away without medication. But that’s not always so. Oral thrush home remedies such as rinsing with salt water or apple cider vinegar, consuming probiotics, and even just practicing good oral hygiene may be sufficient. Here are eight home remedies for thrush that can help you manage the pain of mouth and throat sores or even kill off Candida—the yeast responsible for them....

Although acne is a cosmetic issue, it can affect your life in real ways. Acne can impact your self-esteem, your confidence, your social life, and the way you interact with others. It’s more than just a skin condition; acne can affect the way you feel about yourself as a whole. Acknowledging those feelings is the first step, and taking time to manage your emotional wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with treating acne....

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include shaking, sweating, headache, nausea, and other physical symptoms. You may also experience mood and behavioral symptoms like agitation, irritability, or anxiety. The alcohol withdrawal timeline varies, but symptoms may begin a few hours to a few days after you stop drinking. People who drink heavily are at greater risk for serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Males who have 15 or more drinks per week and females who have 8 or more drinks per week are considered heavy drinkers....

If you’ve been diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, you’ll likely be prescribed antibiotics to treat it. Antibiotics kill bacteria or render them unable to replicate. Your doctor may prescribe one of many antibiotics for pneumonia. Review what pneumonia is, what treatment for pneumonia may entail, and why your doctor may pick one pneumonia medication over the other. Pneumonia is a lower respiratory infection. These are infections of the lungs or lung structures, like the bronchi....

Arthralgia is a term used to describe aching or pain in one or more of the joints in the body. There are many different causes of arthralgia, including various forms of arthritis and other ailments, injury, infection, and allergic reaction to medication or food. Arthralgia can be experienced anywhere you have a joint—the point of connection between two bones—such as the wrists, knees, ankles, or elbows. The pain can be described as sharp, dull, stabbing, shooting, burning, or throbbing, and it can range in intensity from mild to severe....

At-home genetic testing for breast cancer can be used to identify an inherited susceptibility to the disease. While genes are not the only factor when it comes to your chances of developing breast cancer, detecting a genetic risk may be beneficial for some people in terms of prevention, early detection, and timely treatment. That said, it’s important to remember that a number of different genes associated with breast cancer have been identified, and they aren’t all detectable with do-it-yourself kits....

Blood cancers, also called hematologic cancers, occur when blood cells grow abnormally, interfering with how normal blood cells function. Types of blood cancer vary based on the cells they affect as well as their incidence, method of diagnosis, and their prognosis. There are three main types of blood cancer: Leukemia: Cancer in the white blood cellsLymphoma: Cancer in the lymphatic systemMyeloma: Cancer in the plasma cells Less common types of blood cancer include myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and myeloproliferative disorder (MPD)....

Fainting (syncope) is a sudden loss of consciousness from a lack of blood flow to the brain. People who faint usually wake up quickly after collapsing. Management for fainting is simple: Let the patient recover while lying flat. Equally important is treating the cause of the fainting, which isn’t always easy to identify. This article explains the symptoms and many possible reasons why someone may faint. It also details treatment options and how fainting may be prevented....

Collagen is a protein found in connective tissues in your body. It is located in your skin, bones, tendons, and ligaments. Its main job is to give tissues structure and help them withstand stretching and impact. Collagen types I and III are found in the skin, while collage type II is found in the joints. Some people try to bolster or restore collagen by taking collagen supplements. Some research has shown that collagen supplements may benefit some parts of the body, including aging skin, bone density, and joints....

Cortisol is a hormone that is made in the adrenal glands, which are located next to the kidneys. Cortisol is used by the body for several reasons, including fighting infections, mounting a stress response, and regulating blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and metabolism. Sometimes called the “stress hormone,” the level of cortisol in the body can be affected by a number of diseases or conditions, or even by some types of medications....

Many patients are confused after having surgery, but delirium is a specific type of confusion that can take place in the hospital and during a recovery from surgery. While delirium causes confusion, not all confusion is caused by delirium. Delirium is a state of altered and fluctuating mental functioning that occurs abruptly. It is typically acute—once diagnosed and treated, the patient will over time return to their normal mental state....

A good night’s sleep is important for diabetes and overall health. Adequate sleep can help regulate appetite, mood, hormones, energy, and blood sugars. People with diabetes are also more likely to have conditions that impact sleep, such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy. A study found that 50% of people with type 2 diabetes has sleep problems due to fluctuating blood sugar levels. Studies also show that sleep problems can increase the risk of insulin resistance and prediabetes....

The fructosamine test for diabetes is a blood test that measures average blood glucose levels over the two or three weeks prior to when the test is performed. While similar to the hemoglobin A1C test (HbA1c), which measures average blood sugar over the previous two to four months, it is not as commonly used. The shorter window of time it evaluates is not sufficient for determining a long-term prognosis. In addition to glucose, the fructosamine test measures glycated protein in the blood, instead of glycated hemoglobin....

Gender exists on a spectrum. A person may be male, female, anywhere in between, more than one gender at once, or fluid within the spectrum. Transgender and gender non-conforming (non-binary, genderqueer, and other identities that don’t fall within a gender binary) (TGNC) are terms for when a person’s gender identity does not fully match the sex they were assigned at birth. Every major medical association in the United States recognizes the necessity of gender-affirming care for improving the physical and mental health of TGNC people....

Whether we’re ready for it or not, new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has swiftly cleared the path to normalcy in the United States. The May 13 update says it’s safe for fully vaccinated people to stop wearing masks both indoors and outdoors, regardless of crowd size. But the CDC makes no mention of how maskless individuals will prove their vaccination status—an omission some experts feel could put children at risk....

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) symptoms are diagnosed based on the Hurley system, which describes abscess location and severity. The condition can be mild, moderate, or severe and is classified by different stages, which help healthcare providers determine the best course of treatment. This article will review the Hurley system, used to stage hidradenitis suppurativa symptom progression, and how each stage is defined. What Is the Hurley System? Hidradenitis suppurativa symptoms can range from mild to severe....

Knee arthritis is extremely common, especially as you age, and can prevent you from participating in your daily activities. While there are many different types of arthritis, the most frequently seen variety in the knee is osteoarthritis (OA), which typically causes pain and stiffness as you bend or straighten the knee. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options available for osteoarthritis, which are detailed in the sections below....

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can involve screening tests such as a serum PSA or digital rectal exam, as well as procedures that can include MRI-TRUS fusion with targeted biopsy, or an ultrasound-guided random 12-core biopsy. Further tests, such as a CT scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bone scan, or PET scan may be done to stage the tumor. Since prostate cancers can differ in their tendency to grow or spread, staging is important in choosing the best treatments, determining the risk of recurrence, and estimating the prognosis of the disease....

While surface treatments for melasma exist, you can also fight it with a holistic approach. Treating melasma from the inside out targets physical and lifestyle factors linked to the problem. The causes of melasma aren’t fully known. Changes in hormones—like those that occur with pregnancy—may trigger the problem. Melasma is not harmful or a sign of disease, but it can affect your quality of life. Dark patches on your face may impact your self-image....