Precocious puberty is when a child starts to show signs of puberty earlier than is considered to be normal. For those assigned male at birth, signs of puberty before age 9 are usually considered to be precocious puberty. For children assigned female at birth, signs of puberty before age 8 are considered potentially problematic. However, some young girls experience only the puberty symptoms of early breast growth or pubic hair development....
Trigger finger is a common tendon problem that occurs when the tendons of a finger become caught as the finger bends and straightens, causing the digit to snap open or get stuck in a bent position in the palm of the hand. It usually affects the ring finger and thumb. While many people find relief with non-surgical treatments for trigger finger, some need surgery to remedy the condition. This article explains the mechanics of trigger finger, the signs, and the treatment options, including two types of surgery: open surgical release and percutaneous release....
The symptoms of Chagas disease, an infection caused by a protozoan parasite called Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), resemble those of the flu—at least at first. When the acute phase of the disease resolves, however, the T. cruzi parasite can persist in the body for many years, even in people who appear entirely healthy. Many years later, often after decades, a chronic form of Chagas disease can develop, producing cardiac problems, gastrointestinal problems, or both....
The tongue is a mobile, muscular organ that lies within the mouth and partly extends into the upper throat. The tongue’s anatomy is complex; it involves interlacing muscles, nerves, and a blood supply. This article will explain the details of tongue anatomy and how each part contributes to its movements and to functions such as eating, taste, swallowing, speech, and even breathing. It will describe what a “normal” tongue should look like and what signs might indicate a problem with your tongue....
What Is Wakix? Wakix (pitolisant) is an oral prescription medication used to treat narcolepsy—a condition that involves excessive daytime sleepiness. Wakix belongs to a group of drugs called histamine-3 inverse agonists. It works by affecting the levels of certain brain chemicals that control sleep and wakefulness. Wakix is available in tablet form. What Is Wakix Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wakix to treat certain symptoms of narcolepsy, including excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy....
Vaginal contraceptive film (VCF) is a superthin film that is inserted into the vagina. It then dissolves and releases nonoxynol-9, a chemical that kills sperm (spermicide). You can buy VCF film without a prescription. The film must be used every time you have intercourse. This article will explain how to use vaginal contraceptive film. It will also explain how effective it is compared to other forms of birth control, which may help you decide if it’s right for you....
At first glance, Morgellons disease (abbreviated “MD” and pronounced with a hard “g”) seems like something out of a science fiction movie. One school of thought about this condition is that it’s a perplexing skin disease that affects 3.65 per 100,000 people each year. Patients report a crawling sensation under the skin or on the skin’s surface, rashes, and sores that have colored, threadlike filaments originating from them. Other strange particles may arise from the skin as well, and they might look like seeds, sands, crystallized specks, or other inexplicable marks....
Exposure to wood dust is associated with lung cancer, but not all exposures are the same. While exposure on the job could be a problem, a hobby working with wood gives you a relatively low risk of cancer. Hard woods from deciduous trees confer more risk than soft woods from evergreens, and geographic location may factor in as well. While wood dust is more strongly associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, people who are exposed to on-the-job wood dust or who work in occupations associated with the dust have elevated rates of lung cancer....
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes severe chronic pain in the spine. In advanced cases, AS can cause the spinal joints to fuse together, limiting mobility. The main symptoms of AS are pain and stiffness in the lower back and/or hips. However, people with AS may also experience pain and inflammation in the shoulders, arms, legs, fingers, and toes, along with other symptoms such as reduced breathing capacity....
In a study of non-autistic adults, researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas found that autism acceptance training may help mitigate explicit bias that non-autistic people have about autistic people. Key Takeaways A study found that autism acceptance training that targets non-autistic people may play a role in improving social inclusion for autistic people.Masking or camouflaging autistic traits can be harmful to autistic people, and has been associated with higher rates of suicidality....
Asparagus extract is a natural remedy sourced from the spears, root, and rhizomes (the “underground stem”) of the asparagus plant. Asparagus extract is used in alternative and Ayurvedic medicine to treat health problems affecting the urinary tract and other organ systems, including conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Sold mainly in capsule form, asparagus extract is also available in tea bags, liquid tinctures, and crystallized powders. What Is Asparagus Extract Used For?...
Bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) is a type of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) that helps you breathe with the assistance of pressurized air delivered through a face mask. The most unique characteristic of a BiPAP device is that it delivers a different intensity of air pressure during inspiration than during expiration. It can be used in a hospital setting or at home. While most often recommended for use at night, when breathing is more severely impaired by some pulmonary diseases than during the day, BiPAP may also be used during waking hours if needed....
Comedones are small flesh-colored, white, or dark bumps on your skin. They are a type of acne blemish, caused by plugs of oil and dead skin that become stuck in the openings (follicles) that enclose the roots of your hair. A single bump is called a comedo. Comedonal acne is a common type of acne that consists of comedones rather than inflamed pimples. Symptoms Comedonal acne doesn’t look like typical “acne”....
When a woman undergoes breast augmentation surgery, it’s likely that the last thing on her mind is having a second surgery, called breast revision surgery, on her breasts. However, it’s important to understand that breast implants are not lifetime devices. Due to the nature of implants, some secondary surgery is virtually given at some point in the patient’s lifetime. Implant deflation or rupture is not the only reason one might seek secondary surgery after augmentation....
The chorda tympani is a branch of the facial nerve and, along with other nerves, is important for carrying information about taste and other sensations from your taste buds to your brain. It’s also involved in salivary function and a process called inhibition, which means that it lessens signals from other nerves that have to do with both taste and pain. While the cranial nerves themselves are part of the central nervous system, the chorda tympani functions as part of the peripheral nervous system....
The last three to five (usually four) vertebrae of the spinal column are fused together to make the coccyx, colloquially known as the tailbone. Fusion begins during a person’s 20s and is usually complete by the age of 30. Before fusion occurs, the coccygeal vertebra articulate just like any other section of the spinal column. There is a debate among spinal specialists and others about whether the coccyx is a relevant and useful part of human anatomy....
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen, or male hormone, that promotes the growth of facial hair, body hair, and pubic hair during puberty in those assigned male at birth. It also plays a role in the growth of the penis, scrotum, and prostate. These effects are similar to those of testosterone. DRT is actually formed from testosterone and is a precursor of other steroid hormones. This article reviews the known effects of dihydrotestosterone, as well as some that are still under investigation....
People with diabetes can donate blood if they meet certain eligibility requirements. In general, people with well-managed or controlled diabetes can donate blood. This includes people with diabetes who take insulin or oral medications for diabetes management. This is true whether you have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. In this article, you’ll learn the factors contributing to whether or not someone with diabetes can donate blood. You’ll also learn more about how to prepare to donate blood when you have diabetes and what to expect after donating blood....
Making small changes in your diet can substantially reduce your stroke risk. Regularly eating seafood has been linked with reduced stroke rates. So, if you plan to start eating fish, or if you already love it, here are some important facts about seafood and your health. Beneficial Types of Seafood People who regularly consume seafood have a substantially lower rate of stroke than people who eat very little seafood or no seafood at all....
Encephalitis is an infection or inflammation of the brain. It interferes with brain function, resulting in symptoms like behavioral changes, convulsions, and loss of consciousness, as well as causing other focal neurological deficits. After recovering from encephalitis, a person can have prolonged residual effects, such as epilepsy, muscle weakness, and altered mood. Prompt diagnosis and immediate treatment can improve the outcome and prevent lasting brain damage and disability. Encephalitis Symptoms Encephalitis may start gradually, but it can worsen rapidly....
