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Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition that negatively affects sleep and health, caused by physical disruption of normal breathing. It may be associated with snoring and other symptoms. The upper airway can be obstructed during sleep due to a number of causes, many of them interrelated. The responsible locations in the nose, mouth, or throat where breathing becomes restricted can vary widely from one case of obstructive sleep apnea to another....

When you live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are often dealing with symptoms of pain, stiffness, and swelling. In addition, you face a higher risk of infection. Infections associated with RA can range from mild to life-threatening. The increased risk for infection is related to a number of disease factors, including the disease itself, the medications to take it, your overall health, and your lifestyle. Read on to learn about your infection risk with RA, why that risk exists, and how you can stay healthy and reduce your risk for a serious infection....

Whether your skin has changed as you’ve gotten older or due to a health condition, there are a number of skin treatments that can help rejuvenate your skin. Read on to learn more about your options. Definition Skin rejuvenation includes various treatments that aim to restore your skin from any damage. Skin damage could be a result of sun exposure, an underlying health condition, or a normal sign of aging....

Submucosal uterine fibroids are tumors that grow in the womb (uterus) just under the surface of its lining, or endometrium. The least common type of uterine fibroid tumor, they typically cause the most problems. Chief among them is menstrual bleeding that can result in anemia. The vast majority of uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are benign (not cancerous). About 80% of people with a uterus will have some kind of uterine fibroid by the time they’re 50....

Fluid bonding refers to couples exchanging body fluids by having barrier-free sex. A common term in ethical non-monogamy, it is a pre-planned, consensual decision to stop using condoms, dental dams, or other barrier protection. For some couples, fluid bonding has a spiritual meaning. It is said to enhance intimacy, make you chemically bonded to your partner, and strengthen your attachment. Research supporting these purported benefits of fluid bonding is lacking....

What Is Xiidra? Xiidra (lifitegrast) is an eye drop solution used to treat the symptoms of dry eye disease in adults. Xiidra belongs to a class of medications called lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) antagonists. It works by reducing the swelling in the eye tissues. It is available as a prescription eye drop solution. What Is Xiidra Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Xiidra to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease (DED)....

A 3D mammogram is a low-dose X-ray used to take images of the inside of the breast. Like a standard mammogram, it can be used to screen for breast cancer or identify the cause of other breast symptoms. From the perspective of the person being screened, the procedures feel relatively similar. One difference, however, is that more images are taken with the 3D mammogram than the standard procedure. It takes multiple, thin X-rays from different angles so that when the image slices are viewed together, a three-dimensional (3D) image is created....

It’s no surprise that eating a share of fruits and greens every day is good for your health. But a study published in March 2021, highlights just how much you should be eating—finding that five servings of fruits and vegetables a day can lower your risk of death. Key Takeaways A study found that eating five servings of fruit and vegetables a day helped lower participants’ risk of death.This lower risk was specifically associated with two daily fruit servings and three non-starchy vegetable servings....

AfterPill is an FDA-approved emergency contraceptive. AfterPill can help protect you against an unintended pregnancy if you have had unprotected sex or experienced birth control failure in the past 72 hours. The goal behind the manufacturing of AfterPill is for women to be prepared AHEAD of time by buying this emergency contraceptive and having it available for immediate use when needed. What Is It? AfterPill is a one-pill emergency contraceptive that contains the same hormone as Plan B One-Step....

Conventional treatment for breast cancer can include one or a combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other targeted therapies. Depending on the type of cancer and stage of diagnosis, some treatments may involve rather invasive surgeries to remove large tumors. Other systemic treatments (such as drugs that affect the entire body) can cause unpleasant and lasting side effects that decrease a person’s quality of life. That’s why many people may consider alternative, gentler, or natural treatment, known as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)....

Azithromycin is a versatile antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections, including those affecting the lungs, skin, and gastrointestinal system, as well as a number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It belongs to a class of medications called macrolide antibiotics and is derived from a similarly named antibiotic, erythromycin. It works by interfering with a bacterium’s ability to produce proteins, thus inhibiting growth. Azithromycin is available as a tablet or liquid to be taken orally, an injectable solution, and eye drops....

Skeleton bone size and sturdiness vary between the sexes. Bone structure differences start as early as childhood. In the majority of populations, men have larger and stronger bone and joint surfaces, and more bone at muscle attachment sites. However, women have stronger pelvises because of their distinct ability to carry a child and experience childbirth. Women are also more vulnerable to certain bone diseases, like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and inflammatory arthritis. Read on to find out about bone structure differences and bone disease risk for men and women....

What Is Chloroquine? Chloroquine phosphate is an antimalarial and immunosuppressive drug used to treat and prevent malaria. It is also used to treat an infectious bowel disease called amebiasis. Chloroquine enters the blood cells and interrupts the processes of parasitic activity. This medication is only available as a prescription. The brand name, Aralen, has been discontinued but chloroquine is still available in its generic form. It comes in tablet to be taken by mouth....

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be a confusing concept to grasp insofar as it is caused by other illnesses or medical conditions. As such, CKD is considered secondary to the primary cause. Moreover, unlike an acute kidney injury (AKI), in which the loss of kidney function may be reversible, CKD is “progressive,” which means it gets worse over time. The damage to your kidneys causes scars and is permanent. Among the diseases that can cause CKD are diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and polycystic kidney disease....

What Is Colazal? Colazal (balsalazide) is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis in people 5 years and older. Colazal is a derivative of 5-aminosalicyclic-acid (5-ASA), a class of drugs commonly used to treat ulcerative colitis. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent. When taken, balsalazide is converted into mesalamine in the colon only and works to reduce bowel inflammation and improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Its exact mechanism of action (the way it works) in ulcerative colitis is still unclear to researchers....

At one point or another, most adult men will have trouble getting or keeping an erection long enough to have sex. This usually resolves on its own with little or no treatment. But when it becomes an ongoing problem, it is called erectile dysfunction (ED). In addition to problems with getting a satisfactory erection, ED can lead to emotional and psychological problems too, including feelings of shame and guilt. In some cases, ED can lead to a loss of intimacy that affects the mental well-being of both partners....

FluMist Quadrivalent is a nasal spray flu vaccine that can be used as an alternative to the flu shot in some people. Studies suggest that the two options offer a similar level of protection from flu. FluMist may be a good option for adults or adolescents who are averse to injections or when there is a shortage of the traditional flu vaccine. As opposed to injectable flu vaccines, which are made with inactivated (killed) viruses, FluMist is a live attenuated vaccine made with weakened live viruses....

If you have a peptic ulcer, one of the first things will want to do is adjust your diet, opting for foods that are gentle on the stomach and avoiding food that can make peptic ulcer symptoms worse. Peptic ulcers are painful, open sores that develop in the lining of the digestive tract. They are most often the result of a Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Certain foods can stimulate the production of stomach acids that inflame the open sore....

Eczema describes a range of skin conditions that cause itchy inflammation. When it affects the genitals, it is referred to as genital eczema. It can occur in both males and females, and lead to red, sore skin and irritation in the genital area. The exact prevalence of eczema of the genital area is unknown, but it’s thought that many people with eczema will experience symptoms in their genital area. Types of Genital Eczema There are four types of eczema that could develop in the genital area:...

Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, Haglund’s syndrome, and a range of conditions affecting the actual heel bone and/or structures near it are all possible causes of pain in the back of the heel. Heel pain can be throbbing, stabbing, burning, or aching depending on the underlying cause and its severity. It can come from behind or beneath the heel. When walking, heel pain may be most pronounced first thing in the morning but may improve after walking for a while....