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Cloacal exstrophy is a rare but serious birth defect. It affects approximately 1 in every 250,000 births. Children with cloacal exstrophy experience problems during the prenatal development of their abdominal organs. They may be born with parts of their organs exposed on the outside of the body. They also often experience other problems with the development of the abdominal organs. For example, the bladder is often split into two halves, as are the rectum and colon....

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to adequately perform its job of pumping blood throughout the body. As a result, the body’s tissues and organs may not get enough nutrients and oxygen. Typically, the body’s response to heart failure causes the retention of sodium and the accumulation of excess fluid, leading to swelling of the lower extremities (edema) and lung congestion. In these cases, heart failure is commonly referred to as congestive heart failure (CHF)....

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic condition that affects the way the body produces mucus. While it mainly affects the respiratory tract, causing difficulty breathing, it also affects other body organs. Asthma is a condition in which the airways become narrowed and inflamed. Asthma causes breathing difficulty but does not affect other organs of the body. The underlying causes of asthma are varied and not completely understood. While cystic fibrosis and asthma are both respiratory illnesses that have some overlapping symptoms, the two conditions are very different....

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects more than 37 million people in the United States. Often, there is no distinction among the main types of diabetes. However, when the wrong type of diabetes is diagnosed, it can lead to serious health issues. Blood and stool tests can test for the different types of diabetes, providing a firm diagnosis. This article will discuss type 1, type 2, and type 3c diabetes misdiagnosis....

Dysgeusia is a taste disorder that causes foods to taste weird. In most cases, this altered sense of taste goes away on its own. Dysgeusia can be triggered by a virus like COVID-19 or the common cold. It can also be a side effect of chemotherapy or other medication. It is also common during pregnancy and with certain vitamin deficiencies. It typically goes away once the underlying cause is resolved....

Type 2 diabetes is a health condition in which the body has difficulty processing glucose (sugar) and regulating blood sugar levels. This leads to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia), which can cause other health complications. Regular exercise helps moderate blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. In addition to helping with blood sugar levels and managing type 2 diabetes, 20 to 25 minutes of exercise per day can improve blood pressure and cholesterol levels, aid in weight loss if needed, and increase happiness....

If you’ve ever taken your pulse, it might feel like your heart is beating at a steady pace. However, the time between your heartbeats is not consistent. A fluctuation between the timing of heartbeats is called heart rate variability, or HRV. Measuring HRV can provide information about your overall health. This article discusses how to measure and interpret heart rate variability and what the measurement means. How Is HRV Measured? Heart rate variability is most accurately measured with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)—a test that provides a graph of your heartbeat from electrodes placed on your chest, arms, and legs....

The understanding of COVID-19 is ever-evolving, and the relationship between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and COVID-19 is no exception. Based on the limited data that is currently available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified some risk factors, prevention strategies, and treatment options for people living with HIV. Research on the relationship between HIV and COVID-19 is ongoing. HIV and COVID-19 Risk The CDC has indicated that people with HIV who are on effective HIV treatment have the same risk of being infected by COVID-19 as people without HIV....

People who have celiac disease know the condition affects more than just their digestive tracts: research shows potential impacts to the skin, brain, nervous system, and reproductive system. But there is a bit of evidence that the condition also may change—or even damage—how you perceive the world through some of your five senses. In the celiac community, it’s not uncommon to hear from those who say they blame celiac disease for losses in hearing, along with problems involving the senses of taste and smell....

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the progressive and irreversible damage to the kidneys that, over the course of months or years, can lead to kidney (renal) failure. While there is no cure for CKD, there are treatments that can significantly slow the progression of the disease if started early. The treatment can vary based on your stage of disease and the underlying cause, such as diabetes or high blood pressure....

In most cases, stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis, doesn’t need to be treated by a healthcare provider. Home remedies, like drinking plenty of fluids and eating a bland diet, can help ease symptoms until the illness passes. While gastroenteritis can be caused by bacteria, fungus, and parasites, viruses like norovirus and rotavirus are the most common causes. In most cases, the term “stomach flu” is used to describe viral gastroenteritis....

If you know someone living with schizophrenia, you’ve likely already tried being as helpful and supportive as possible. But staying supportive is easier when you’re aware of what’s going on (even if the person you love isn’t). This article will offer tips to have a healthier relationship with your loved one with schizophrenia. It also discusses self-care as a caregiver, coworker, or partner. Living With Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness....

The signs and symptoms of hypothermia are divided roughly by the severity of the hypothermia. There isn’t a universal definition of the categories of severity, but most healthcare providers use mild, moderate, and severe, defined by body temperature and associated signs. Cold exposure can come on slowly, affecting someone before he or she realizes there’s a problem. If you’re not looking for the signs and symptoms of hypothermia, it can be easy to miss until the problem has become significant....

Magnesium is a mineral that is essential for bodily functions like regulating our heartbeat and keeping our bones strong. The body stores magnesium in the bones, but our bones can weaken as we age, causing magnesium levels to drop, especially in postmenopausal women. This reduction puts them at risk of injuries and developing disorders like osteoporosis. Evidence suggests magnesium is especially beneficial for women after menopause. This article will explore how our bodies use magnesium, why magnesium is vital during and after menopause, and the daily recommended amount....

You may have heard plenty of references to “Medicare for all.” But what exactly does that mean? There are a few important points to understand. There are many proposals under consideration as of 2019. Some of them are actually called “Medicare for All,” but most of them have different names. Although “Medicare for All” is often used to describe the push to expand single-payer coverage in the U.S. (the current Medicare system is an example of a single-payer program), there are a lot of other proposals under consideration, most of which could be described as “Medicare for More of Us....

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare and aggressive subtype of thyroid cancer that begins when the parafollicular C cells of the thyroid begin to grow abnormally. Medullary thyroid cancer makes up approximately 3% of all thyroid cancers and may be hereditary or sporadic. The sporadic form accounts for approximately 70% of all cases of the disease. The hereditary form of MTC is a result of a mutation in the RET gene and is part of a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 disorder....

While overactive bladder (OAB) can be a nuisance to some, there are others for whom the condition is debilitating, undermining their quality of life and ability to function without stress or embarrassment. Contrary to what some people might tell you, OAB is not a normal part of getting older or something you have to “learn to live with.” As you work with a healthcare provider to seek the appropriate treatment, there are things you can do to better cope with this frustrating and all-too-common condition....

What Is Phoslyra? Phoslyra (calcium acetate) is a prescription medicine used to lower phosphate levels in adults with kidney failure who are on dialysis (treatments that help rid the blood of waste and excess fluids when the kidneys are unable to). Phoslyra belongs to a group of drugs called phosphate binders. It works by binding to phosphate and helping your body excrete it through your feces. Phoslyra is available as an oral solution....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that targets joints and can have system-wide effects. Symptoms are caused by a misfiring immune system that attacks healthy tissues, leaving behind inflammation that can cause permanent damage. Up to 40% of people with RA will eventually develop rheumatoid nodules, which are firm, usually non-painful, subcutaneous (under the skin) bumps that tend to appear on fingers and knuckles, elbows, knees, and forearms. They can also form in the eyes, vocal cords, and internal organs, though that is rare....

If you have ever experienced an irregular sleep schedule by staying up late and sleeping in, then you have experienced social jet lag. Sleeping at inconsistent hours over the weekend, known as “social jet lag,” can put your health at risk. Even sleeping late to catch up does not lower your risk of experiencing health problems because of social jet lag. This article will describe what factors lead to social jet lag, how it affects your health, and steps to take to improve your sleeping habits....