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Mucus can tell quite the health story. Too much mucus is a sign of a chronic respiratory condition, acute illness, and some types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). While mucus can be beneficial to the body, producing too much mucus can cause breathing difficulties and infection. This article explains the causes of excess mucus and how genetics and lifestyle choices can add to the problem. Common Causes Mucus is often mistaken for saliva, but the two substances are not the same....

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a serious condition caused by the buildup of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels (atherosclerosis), which lead to stroke, heart attack, and peripheral artery disease. Some well-known risk factors of CVD include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. But it’s recently become understood that inflammation plays a big role in atherosclerosis as well. This article discusses inflammation’s role in heart disease and ways to combat it....

The cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is unknown, and scientists typically don’t have a definitive answer for why the condition affects some people and not others. However, current research suggests that genetics and environment play a role in the progressive decline of motor neurons and the development of ALS. This article will review genetics’ role in the development of ALS, types of ALS, genetic testing, and potential environmental causes....

Jaw cancer is cancer that has spread from the mouth or oral cavity to the jaw. It can sometimes originate in the jaw, but this is less common. Experts generally consider jaw cancer a rare form of head and neck cancer, which accounts for about 5% of cancers in the United States. Tumors in the jawbone are called odontogenic (relating to teeth formation). They can be either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)....

Your liver is one of the largest organs in your body. It plays the important role of removing toxins from your body. It also helps you digest food and stores sugar that the body will later use for energy. There are many different types of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and cancer. The causes include genetic risk factors; exposure to toxins, including drugs and alcohol; and other health factors. This article discusses the causes of liver disease and the risk factors that might increase your chances of developing liver disease....

In women, lower back and groin pain that radiates to the front pelvic area can have a wide range of causes. The pain can feel dull, sharp, or burning. Lower back pain can also radiate to the front pelvic area in females. Although it may sound like two different types of pain—pain in the lower back and pain in the groin—healthcare providers group them as one. If you feel pain in one area, then you’re extremely likely to feel the other....

As with taking any drug, the side effects of Medrol (methylprednisolone)—a corticosteroid used to treat inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis—must be carefully considered. The most commonly reported side effects of methylprednisolone include upset stomach, headache, and insomnia. What you may experience can vary depending on the dose you take, duration of treatment, underlying conditions, and other medications you’re taking. Learn more about the side effects of methylprednisolone, including when it may not be suitable for you and the side effects that require immediate medical attention....

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchiness and hard bumps or nodules, which form a symmetrical rash. Prurigo can be anywhere on the body but is often concentrated on the arms, legs, back, or abdomen. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Mild prurigo may look like just a few itchy bumps, whereas severe prurigo can bring several hundred. The bumps can be the color of your skin, pink, red, or brownish-black....

The use of anesthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been controversial because some medical professionals believe that it may cause a relapse of MS symptoms. However, research has not proven that to be the case. In fact, many studies contradict that belief altogether. Still, recovering from any surgery can present challenges for people with MS because of certain symptoms of the condition, especially muscle weakness, tremors, trouble walking, fatigue, and dizziness....

A normal respiratory rate for adults is between 12 to 18 breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates for children depend on how old they are. For example, babies and toddlers take more breaths per minute than older kids and teens. Your respiratory rate is the number of breaths you take in a one-minute period while at rest. Normal respiratory rates vary slightly by age and generally increase during exercise. Since a change in your respiratory rate may signal a health problem, it’s important to know what the normal respiratory rate is for your age group along with how to measure yours correctly....

Hepatitis C is definitely linked to opioid drug use. As the opioid epidemic continues to rage out of control in the United States, so, too, has the rate of new hepatitis C infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there has been no less than a 350% increase in new hepatitis C diagnoses between 2010 and 2016, which is fueled by the prescription opioid epidemic, and the resulting increase in heroin use....

Pheochromocytoma produces excess amounts of fight-or-flight hormones called catecholamines. These hormones can trigger symptoms such as high blood pressure, sweating, anxiety, palpitations, and headaches. Pheochromocytoma symptoms often occur dramatically in episodes (paroxysms) that can happen a few times a week, or only once every few months. In adults, the symptoms may be similar to experiencing a panic attack (including a feeling of impending doom). For children, symptoms can be feelings of anxiety or hyperactivity....

Pica is an eating disorder that causes someone to crave and compulsively eat things that are not food, such as paint chips, dirt, paper, or hair. Depending on what is ingested, consumption of these non-food items can lead to intestinal blockages, toxic side effects, or other health issues. Pica is usually temporary and can affect pregnant people and others with iron-deficiency anemia or other nutrient deficiencies who may crave certain minerals found in dirt, or eat earthy material like clay....

A point of service (POS) plan is essentially a combination of a health maintenance organization (HMO) and a preferred provider organization (PPO). This article will explain how POS plans generally work and what you need to know before enrolling in or using a POS plan. These plans are known as point-of-service plans because each time you need health care (the time or “point” of service), you can decide to stay in-network and allow your primary care physician to manage your care, or you can decide to go outside of the network and seek care from a doctor of your choosing....

Blood clots related to chemotherapy are talked about less than, say, nausea and vomiting, but that doesn’t mean they are less of a problem. In fact, compared to the well-known symptoms of nausea, fatigue, and hair loss, they can be much more dangerous. That said, understanding the risk factors, knowing ways to lower your risk, and recognizing the symptoms can all help you reduce your risk during cancer treatment. Overview Blood clots—otherwise known in medical lingo as “venous thrombosis,” are indeed a significant concern in people with cancer....

What Is Promethegan? Promethegan (promethazine) is a rectal prescription drug used to treat various conditions such as allergic conditions, nausea and vomiting, and motion sickness. Promethegan, typically prescribed for people ages 2 to 65, contains the ingredient promethazine, which is in a drug class called phenothiazines/antihistamines. Promethegan works on histamine H1 receptors in the body, which has an antiemetic (works against nausea and vomiting) and sedating effect. Promethegan is available as a suppository that is inserted into the rectum....

Vascular surgery includes any type of surgical procedure involving the arteries, veins, or capillaries, which are all vessels that transport blood. Vascular surgery can be necessary to treat many different types of vascular disease, some of which are life-threatening. Often, to qualify for surgery, a person must have a vascular condition that does not respond well to lifestyle changes—such as diet, quitting smoking, and exercise—and other types of non-invasive treatment—like medication....

Rett syndrome is a rare genetic condition that almost exclusively affects those assigned female at birth. It is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which means it affects the functioning of the brain, spinal cord, and system of nerves and cells that communicate messages between them and the rest of the body. Rett syndrome causes physical, mental, and behavioral problems, as well as seizures. There is no cure for Rett syndrome, but various therapies can help manage its effects....

Autism in girls may look different than in boys. Sometimes, caregivers and even healthcare providers may doubt that a female child is autistic because they do not show the “typical” autism signs. This is because these symptoms were largely based on research focused on boys. Signs and symptoms of autism in females, particularly those on the high-functioning end of the spectrum, include: Relying on other people to guide or speak for themHaving unusual sensitivity to sensory challengesHaving passionate but limited interestsDifficulty making and keeping friendsHaving conversations that are restricted to limited topics of interestDifficulty with social communication (which increases with age)Appearing to be shy, quiet, or unusually passiveHaving depression, anxiety, or other mental health symptomsDifficulty controlling emotionHaving epileptic seizures It’s true that the signs of autism in girls and women are not always the same as the signs of autism in boys and men....

Diabetes can affect sleep and is commonly linked with certain sleep disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and disrupted sleep caused by nerve pain or a nighttime urge to urinate are all sleep issues associated with type 2 diabetes. In this article, you’ll learn more about the connection between sleep and diabetes, diabetes complications from a lack of sleep, when to see a healthcare provider, and tips for better sleep....