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If you have a hamstring strain or tear (the terms can be used interchangeably), you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist (PT) to help you fully recover. Your PT can treat your pain and prescribe exercises that can help you recover your normal range of motion (ROM), strength, and overall functional mobility. So what does PT involve for evaluation and treatment of a hamstring strain? Symptoms Understanding the symptoms of a hamstring strain can help you get the right treatment at the right time....

Refractory anemia with excess blasts, or RAEB, refers to a disorder of the blood-forming cells. RAEB is one of seven types of such disorders, or myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, which distinguishes between two categories of RAEB: RAEB-1 and RAEB-2. Both forms generally carry a difficult prognosis: published average survival times (now dated) range from 9-16 months. RAEB is also associated with a heightened risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia—a cancer of the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow....

Medicare Part D did not exist until 2006. Before that, people enrolled in Medicare paid for their medications out of pocket. While Part D significantly decreased those costs, there are still monthly premiums, annual deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance to consider, not to mention the Part D coverage gap known as the donut hole. With 89% of people 65 years and older taking at least one prescription drug and 54% taking four or more, how can Medicare beneficiaries afford it?...

Many adolescents (teenagers) experiment with substances a few times and stop. But sometimes stopping is difficult and addiction occurs when use continues despite negative consequences. Parents can help prevent teen drug abuse by talking to them about consequences and being aware of the signs. This article reviews statistics, risk factors, health effects, symptoms, and treatment for teenage drug addiction. Teenage Substance Misuse Statistics Basic Statistics Substance use at school: 86% of teenagers know someone who uses a substance during the school day....

If you are living with fibromyalgia, you’re likely familiar with some of the frustrations. Not only do you ache all over for no apparent reason, but it seems like nobody knows why this happens. And until we really know the cause of symptoms, it’s hard to find effective treatments. That said, a 2013 study may point to a major cause of the widespread pain and other symptoms that characterize fibromyalgia....

What Is Vytorin? Vytorin is an oral prescription medication containing two different cholesterol-lowering drugs: ezetimibe and simvastatin. Ezetimibe helps lower cholesterol in the blood by reducing how much cholesterol is absorbed from your intestines. Simvastatin is a statin medicine that works by decreasing the amount of cholesterol your body makes. What Is Vytorin Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vytorin to treat high cholesterol. When combined with diet and exercise, Vytorin can help:...

The Allen Cognitive Level Screen (ACLS), which requires a person to do a few short stitching tasks with a string and a needle, is used to screen for dementia. It involves following instructions, fine motor skills, and learning. The assessment was created by an educator and occupational therapist named Claudia K. Allen and colleagues. It was first published in 1985 and has been changed several times since then. In this article, you will learn about the ACLS, including why it is used, what the results can tell you, and how it’s different from other cognitive tests....

Cardiologists are learning more about a condition called coronary microvascular dysfunction (coronary MVD). Previously known as cardiac syndrome X, the condition might be the cause of many unexplained cases of chest pain. Key Takeaways Coronary microvascular dysfunction (coronary MVD) decreases blood flow through the smaller arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.Coronary MVD causes recurrent chest pain and, if left untreated, heart failure. It’s more common in women than men....

What can you have for breakfast that won’t trigger your acid reflux? Breakfast doesn’t have to be boring or bland when you have acid reflux. While you may need to avoid some traditional favorites—especially fried food, high-fat meat, and whole-milk dairy products—you can still enjoy a wide variety of foods. Whole grains, sweet fruit, and savory foods that are acid reflux-friendly can all be part of a healthy breakfast. These sample menus offer some ideas....

In aortic regurgitation, the aortic valve becomes leaky. A leaky aortic valve often leads to significant heart problems. The aortic valve guards the opening between the left ventricle and the aorta. The aortic valve opens as the left ventricle begins to pump, allowing blood to eject out of the heart and into the aorta. When the ventricle has finished beating, the aortic valve closes to keep blood from washing back into the left ventricle....

While LASIK surgery is generally a safe and effective treatment for several common vision problems, it’s not for everyone. If you’re considering LASIK surgery, you should undergo a thorough examination by an ophthalmologist to determine if you’re a good candidate for the procedure. The exam should include a discussion of your medical history as well as your lifestyle. This article explains the three problems LASIK is designed to fix, the potential side effects of the surgery, who is likely to benefit from LASIK surgery, and the seven eye tests that will help you and your eyecare provider decide if LASIK is right for you....

Calf pain has several causes, from muscle injuries to chronic health conditions that affect blood flow and nerve function. They affect three muscles located in the back of your leg just below the knee: the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris muscles. In many cases, calf muscle pain while walking or a sudden calf pain at night may be as simple as a common “Charley horse” cramp. Other causes of calf pain are serious, and may be life-threatening if they aren’t diagnosed and treated appropriately....

Sleep problems are very common in the days and weeks immediately following surgery. Unfortunately, it often happens at a time when you need even more sleep to help recover from the stress of surgery. You may be affected if you’re sleeping in the hospital or another medical facility rather than in your own home. The problem may be as simple as an uncomfortable pillow or mattress. Or it may be related to your surgery or medication....

No single symptom is a sign of autism, and no two children with autism have the same symptoms. There are no medical tests that can tell you whether a child has autism, and there are no hard and fast rules to diagnose it. In some cases, it can be tough for even a professional to diagnose an autism spectrum disorder. But if your child has several of the following symptoms—and they can’t be linked to any other disorder—it might be a good idea to consider an autism screening or evaluation....

A chemical imbalance is too much or too little of any substance in the body that helps it function normally. While it can apply to an imbalance of any of these substances in any area of the body, the term is usually used to refer to imbalances in the brain. What Is a Chemical Imbalance? A chemical imbalance occurs when the substances that help the body function the way it should become out of balance....

Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are similar conditions with some key differences. They’re both considered central sensitivity syndromes, with both involving fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) is more often tied to immune-system abnormalities than fibromyalgia. And fibromyalgia is generally more painful than ME/CFS. But both conditions affect multiple systems in the body. They’re sometimes referred to as neuroimmune or neuroendocrineimmune disorders to reflect that....

A rash on your foot can have several causes, such as a fungal or bacterial infection, an allergic reaction, a skin condition, and more. Though the foot rashes that result may have similar characteristics, they require different treatments. If you notice a foot rash, it’s important to get to the bottom of what type it is so you can get the right treatment. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis....

An episiotomy is a minor surgery that widens the opening of the vagina during childbirth. It involves cutting the skin and muscles between the vagina and the anus, the area known as the perineum. This procedure may be needed in fetal distress or if the baby cannot fit through the vaginal opening during childbirth. This article provides an overview of episiotomies, including the risks, how to prepare, and the recovery process....

The COVID-19 pandemic has strained the mental health and relationships of many, as people experience the toll of lockdowns and social distancing. But a national study conducted among veterans points to a promising new find: some people also experienced positive mental benefits throughout this time. Key Takeaways A research study conducted by Yale University found that 43.3% of veterans experienced positive psychological benefits during the pandemic.Those benefits include a greater appreciation of life, closer relationships, and an increased sense of personal strength....

Fat in the upper pubic area (FUPA) is normal. It’s also called the mons pubis or panniculus. Men and women can have a mons pubis. A FUPA looks like an extra layer of skin and fat just above the pubis. Some people have a larger mons pubis because of genetics. FUPA can also develop after weight loss or weight gain. This article will go over what causes FUPA. You will also learn how to reduce mons pubis fat with exercise or with FUPA surgery....