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Ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction is a condition where the part of the kidney that normally drains urine becomes blocked. This blockage prevents the normal flow of urine out of the kidney and into the bladder, which can lead to kidney damage and swelling (called hydronephrosis). UPJ obstruction is usually congenital, meaning it stems from kidney development problems in a fetus. Less commonly, UPJ obstruction is acquired. In infants, symptoms of UPJ obstruction may include a mass in the abdomen, blood in the urine, and failure to thrive....

Vasodilators are a class of medication that dilate arteries and/or veins. This results in increased blood flow and lowered blood pressure. Vasodilators are commonly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart conditions. This article discusses vasodilators and their uses, administration, and side effects. How Do Vasodilators Work? Vasodilators relax the muscles within blood vessel walls so they remain more widely open. The various classes of vasodilators target different pathways to dilate the blood vessel walls but have the same overall effect: lowering blood pressure and improving blood flow....

Weight gain is when your weight increases due to changes in your body composition, like increased fat, muscle, or fluids. It is normal for people to experience weight changes throughout different stages of life, including puberty, pregnancy, and aging. Consult with your healthcare provider if you’re concerned about weight gain. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment for weight gain. Symptoms of Weight Gain Symptoms of weight gain will vary depending on the underlying cause....

Medical underwriting refers to the process by which a life or health insurer uses an applicant’s medical history to decide whether they can offer them a policy, and whether the policy will include pre-existing condition exclusions and/or a premium that’s higher than the standard rate. This article will explain what you need to know about medical underwriting, how it has historically been used, and how it’s still used today. When insurers are allowed to consider pre-existing conditions, medical underwriting is the process they use to find pre-existing conditions and factor them into eligibility, pricing, and coverage....

What Is Zyvox? Zyvox (linezolid) is a prescription drug used to treat various types of serious bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, skin infections, and infections that are resistant to other antibiotics. Zyvox works to stop bacteria growth. It belongs to a drug class known as oxazolidinone antibiotics. However, Zyvox is also a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). MAOIs are associated with certain drug and food interactions. It is available orally as a tablet and as a suspension (liquid)....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disorder that can develop in individuals with the autoimmune condition psoriasis. It is a multisystem condition. This means it can impact many different parts of the body and cause a variety of symptoms, including joint pain and stiffness, swelling of the fingers and toes, skin and nail lesions, and back pain. PsA treatment typically involves medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or biologics....

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, which is a small tube attached to the large intestine. Acute appendicitis is characterized by sudden pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. It is commonly treated with emergency surgery, known as an appendectomy. This article discusses the symptoms and diagnosis of appendicitis, as well as treatment and recovery. Is Acute Appendicitis a Severe Condition? The appendix is a small, fingerlike tube attached to the large intestine in the lower right part of the abdomen....

If you suspect that you, your child, or a loved one may have untreated attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a helpful first step is learning how to receive a diagnosis. While there is no single medical or genetic test for ADHD, a qualified healthcare provider can confirm an ADHD diagnosis with a comprehensive assessment and physical exam. ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children. It’s often first identified due to classroom disruptions from characteristic symptoms of the condition like inattention (struggling to focus), hyperactivity (moving around in a way that’s considered excessive or inappropriate for the circumstances), and impulsivity (taking action without thinking through potential consequences)....

Many people enjoy alcohol, but there is evidence that drinking too much can have adverse health effects. One of the ways alcohol can be problematic is by negatively influencing your bone health and increasing your risk for osteoporosis. This article examines the effects that heavily consuming alcohol can have on your bones over time and how to improve your bone health instead. How Does Alcohol Affect Your Bones? Osteoporosis is a bone disease of decreased bone strength and an increased risk for bone fractures....

Arthritis can cause symptoms like joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. The main goal of surgeries used to treat arthritis is to restore proper function and mobility. This article will focus on the important considerations you should take when contemplating surgery as a treatment option for arthritis. Arthritis Surgery Considerations There are several different types of joints in the body, like hinge joints (i.e., your fingers and knees) and ball and socket joints (i....

Biologic medication refers to any type of medication that is derived from living organisms. Biologic medication used to treat psoriasis comes in injection or infusion form. The medication targets certain antibodies, proteins produced by the immune system to counteract certain pathogens, to reduce autoimmune processes that cause inflammatory skin symptoms of psoriasis. Uses Biologic medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat psoriasis and other inflammatory, autoimmune conditions, where the immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake....

Breast cancer develops when abnormal cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably. Clinical depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent and intense feelings of sadness. The impact of breast cancer commonly leads to negative emotions and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. This article reviews the connection between breast cancer and depression and how one condition affects the other. Connection Between Breast Cancer and Depression It’s normal to feel stressed, sad, overwhelmed, or hopeless at times....

Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus are unrelated diseases with similar names. This connection dates back in history before researchers understood that although the conditions have similar symptoms, the causes are markedly different. Diabetes insipidus (DI) is a rare condition in which the kidneys are unable to retain water, whereas diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by the inability of the body to produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar (glucose) levels to be abnormally high....

What Is Emgality? Emgality is a biologic drug belonging to a new class of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists. It contains the drug galcanezumab, a monoclonal antibody (a type of biological drug developed from immune system cells in a lab). It blocks the activity of specific proteins in the body. CGRP antagonists drugs were explicitly designed to prevent migraine headaches. Emgality works by blocking the activity of the brain’s calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) protein involved in inflammation and vasodilation (widening of blood vessels)....

Common facial plastic surgery procedures include rhytidectomy (facelift), rhinoplasty (nose job), blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), browlift, genioplasty (chin augmentation), otoplasty (ear repositioning), liposuction, and fat transfer. You might decide to have facial plastic surgery to help reduce the signs of aging by tightening muscles, removing facial fat, and smoothing and firming your facial appearance. It is important to discuss your options and expectations with your plastic surgeon. Facial plastic surgery changes your outward appearance, so understanding all aspects of the surgery is essential....

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. All sexually active people face a risk for gonorrhea. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 600,000 new cases of gonorrhea were reported in 2019—making it the second most common notifiable condition. The highest reported rates of infection are found to be among sexually active teens, young adults, and African Americans. It is important to learn as much as you can about causes, risk factors, and ways to defend yourself against infection....

If you have heart disease, you can fly safely as a passenger on an airplane, but you need to be aware of your risks and take necessary precautions. Heart conditions that can lead to health emergencies when flying include coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rate), recent heart surgery, an implanted heart device, heart failure, and pulmonary arterial disease. When planning air travel, anxiety about the prevention and treatment of a heart attack on a plane or worrying about questions such as “can flying cause heart attacks” may give you the jitters....

Histamine is a chemical in the body that acts as a messenger in the immune system. If you have allergies, an allergen triggers histamine production. When this happens, histamine over activates, producing allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, and rashes. Histamine is also present in some foods. Histamine intolerance has never been proven to be a true medical disorder, but some people think that they feel better when they avoid some of these foods....

Determining if someone has acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often means undergoing a battery of tests. Usually, this will start with a simple blood test. If further testing is warranted, the doctor may perform a bone marrow biopsy, and possibly genetic testing and lumbar puncture. These tests can help the doctor to determine if this is indeed a case of acute myeloid leukemia or something else. This article will discuss the steps in diagnosing AML....

The results of a multi-country survey have revealed that some food companies are struggling to ensure food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which is set to be published in the journal Food Control in April, has sparked concerns about the risk of COVID-19 transmission through food. Key Takeaways A recent survey found that some food companies are unprepared to ensure food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Food safety issues can emerge due to multiple reasons but often stem from a company’s food safety culture....