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We don’t know exactly what causes skin cancer, but risk factors may include skin tone and ethnicity, sun exposure and sunburns, exposure to environmental chemicals and other substances, some medical conditions or treatments for medical problems, and smoking. A family history of skin cancer, as well as some genetic syndromes, can raise the risk, and genetic factors are thought to play an important role in the development of many non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers....

Skin picking disorder (dermatillomania or excoriation disorder) and autoimmune disorders often go together. With skin picking, you have a compulsive urge to pick, scratch, rub, pull, or scrape your skin. It can continue beyond the point of causing pain and creating sores to being a significant problem. In some people with autoimmune diseases, skin picking symptoms may become a habit and a sign of a mental health disorder. This article looks at autoimmune disorders that cause skin picking, treatments, and prevention....

This year’s report in Lancet Countdown has signaled a “code red” for the world’s future. The report has found that climate change is exacerbating the health of communities across the globe. Key Takeaways This year’s Lancet Countdown report warns that climate change is worsening and will exacerbate health conditions by increasing the spread of diseases, contributing to heat-related illness, and shortening the global food supply. In 2020, up to 19% of the land globally was affected by extreme drought, which led to a reduction in corn, winter wheat, rice, and soybean yields....

Tonsillectomy is a surgery to remove the tonsils, lymphatic organs in the throat that protect your body from infection. Healthcare providers may consider removing the tonsils in the following circumstances: They are large and cause trouble with breathing at night They lead to frequent infections (such as strep throat) You have recurrent, painful sore throats Your adenoids sit behind the nose in the throat. Like tonsils, they are part of the lymphatic and immune systems....

Hyperkalemia occurs when you have too much potassium in your blood. Because hyperkalemia is a sign that something else is going on in your body, treatment depends on what’s causing it and whether the level of potassium in your blood is judged to be an emergency or not. Methods of treatment may include intravenous therapies, dialysis, diuretics, potassium-removing agents, albuterol, and diet modification. Therapies and Procedures There are a number of therapies your healthcare provider may use to treat your hyperkalemia, depending on the cause and whether or not you need immediate treatment....

Smokeless tobacco, sometimes called chewing tobacco or dip tobacco, poses significant health risks including addiction. It is not a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. While smoking tobacco is dangerous, using tobacco in other ways, like chewing it, also raises your risk of some types of cancer and other health conditions. This is a notable concern for younger people because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that every day, 840 people under age 18 try smokeless tobacco for the first time....

The urethra is a thin tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Urethral prolapse (urethrocele) is when part of this tube’s inner lining turns inside out and sticks out through the external opening of the urethra. The inner lining creates a circular or doughnut-shaped bulge in the urethral opening. Urethral prolapse is a type of pelvic organ prolapse. It is relatively uncommon, with most cases seen in girls before they reach puberty....

Orthodontic braces are commonly used to correct the alignment of the teeth. Though quite effective on their own, in some cases additional measures are needed. Among these are lip bumpers, which are appliances used to correct the crowding of front teeth in the lower jaw (or mandible). As such, they support the work that braces are doing. Shaped like the letter U, lip bumpers encircle the lower teeth, pushing the lower lip forward slightly and creating a space....

Atypical autism, also known as pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), was a diagnosis previously used to classify children who had some, but not all, of the symptoms of autism. The terms have since been phased out as the definition of autism has changed in recent years. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) updated the definition of autism in 2013 to include a broader range of symptoms that fall under the larger umbrella of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)....

Wild lettuce is more than just lettuce grown in the wild; it is a species of plant used frequently in herbal medicine. Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) is closely related to dandelion and is believed to have sedative and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. It is often used as a natural remedy for stress and chronic pain. This article explores how wild lettuce is used in complementary and alternative medicine, including whether there is any evidence that it can prevent or treat symptoms....

Nowadays, it’s difficult to go a day without hearing the term “gaslighting” in a conversation, noticing it in a television show, or reading it in an article. Key Takeaways “Gaslighting” is Merriam-Webster’s word of the year, with searches for the word increasing by 1,740% during 2022.Gaslighting can arise in different contexts, but it’s common in romantic relationships, family dynamics, and in medical settings.It’s important to learn how to spot the signs of gaslighting so you can feel empowered to speak up and remove yourself from the relationship or situation if necessary....

Natural remedies for allergies can include herbal preparations, teas, nasal sprays, and even acupuncture. For most of these, there is only anecdotal support for their effectiveness. However, limited scientific research does indicate that some natural remedies may help reduce allergy attacks or provide relief from symptoms. Allergies can impact your quality of life, so it’s understandable to be interested in any treatment that might relieve symptoms. But if you’re considering a natural remedy, run the idea by your healthcare provider first, as some may pose notable risks....

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many aspects of our lives. But between navigating lockdowns, practicing social distancing, and witnessing the loss of millions of lives, the toll on our mental health is undeniable. Key Takeaways Certain dietary and lifestyle choices may help support a healthy mood.Along with getting adequate sleep and exercising, eating certain foods has been shown to reduce depression and anxiety in some cases. One systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies found that depression and anxiety rates have increased dramatically since the start of the pandemic....

For the longest time, I’ve had a small plaque in a green rustic wooden frame on my desk. I know my sister gave it to me, but I have no idea when. It was that long ago. Meet the Author Agnes Czuchlewski is a patient advocate for women with heart disease and diabetes. She currently facilitates the Lenox Hill Hospital Support Network Group. It’s a picture of a lighthouse on a rocky outcropping, surrounded by water....

Changes that have been brewing for decades are on the cusp of overturning Americans’ access to abortion. Just this month, Texas made headlines when the state passed a law banning abortions after six weeks. Key Takeaways A Verywell analysis finds that 39% of reproductive-aged women in the United States live in counties that do not have an abortion provider.The worst states for abortion access are West Virginia, Missouri, and Wyoming.The best states (and districts) in the U....

Currently, there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, but recent research is offering new treatment options to manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the condition. This article will cover new guidelines for treating and testing ankylosing spondylitis. It will also include alternative treatment options available to manage the symptoms. New Guidelines and Genetic Testing Lead to a Quicker Diagnosis In 2019, the American College of Rheumatology developed a new set of guidelines for ankylosing spondylitis diagnosis and treatment....

In November 2017, the results of a unique clinical trial were reported in The Lancet, immediately throwing the cardiology world into turmoil. The ORBITA trial challenged three decades of cardiology dogma regarding the effectiveness of treating stable angina with stents. Stents, the ORBITA trial concluded, offered no measurable clinical improvement in stable angina when compared to a sham procedure. Can it be that the benefits cardiologists have attributed to stents all this time are really due to nothing more than a placebo effect?...

Oats are harvested from the Avena sativa plant. Grown and consumed around the world, Avena sativa is linked to a wide range of health benefits, from lowering cholesterol to brightening your mood. Avena sativa tinctures and herbal supplements aim to deliver the healthy properties of Avena sativa in a more condensed form. But perhaps the best way to benefit from the antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in Avena sativa may simply be to eat more oats....

Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), also sometimes referred to as BPAP, is a mechanical breathing device with a mask that is used to treat sleep apnea and other health conditions that impair breathing. This includes certain cases of COVID-19 in which BiPAP may be used to delay mechanical ventilation. BiPAP is a less common alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) but, in some situations, may be more beneficial. For example, where CPAP provides consistent air pressure, BiPAP offers varying pressure during inhalations and exhalations....

A skin rash on your breast could be a sign of an aggressive form of breast cancer known as inflammatory breast cancer (IBC). Breasts will often appear swollen and red, with symptoms progressing rapidly over weeks or months. IBC can cause a rapid increase in size, and breasts may feel heavy, burning, or tender. There often isn’t a lump, making IBC challenging to diagnose. Infections, allergies, and shingles may also cause a breast rash....