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Understanding the role of insulin and glucose (blood sugar) in the body is important part of managing type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood sugar, preventing excess glucose from damaging cells. In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar is high due to having cells that do not take up enough sugar because they are resistant to insulin. This article explains the role of insulin and its impact on blood sugar, and what happens when this process is dysfunctional....

The internal jugular vein is the largest vein in the neck that serves as the main source of blood flow down from the head. Obstruction of blood flow through the internal jugular vein can cause backflow of blood into the brain, increasing intracranial pressure, which can cause serious brain damage if left untreated. Anatomy Veins carry deoxygenated blood from organs, muscles, and other structures back to the heart. They typically have a lower blood pressure than arteries....

The safety of alcohol during chemotherapy can vary based on the treatment regimen. Different factors can influence the risk, including drug interactions, the worsening of side effects, and the effects of alcohol itself. Some specific chemotherapy medications interact with alcohol causing or worsening side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, and more. This article reviews which chemotherapy and other medications used during cancer treatment interact with alcohol, additional risks and concerns, and the effects on cancer growth and survival....

Leg ulcers are open sores that develop when the veins in your leg fail to push the blood back up to your heart. When this happens, pressure builds inside the vein and creates an ulcer. If you experience a symptom that looks like a sore or wound that won’t heal on your leg, you should seek care from your healthcare provider. This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of leg ulcers and appropriate treatments....

Leukopenia is a low white blood cell (leukocyte) count that indicates a decrease in disease-fighting cells in your body. Leukopenia can indicate a variety of health complications, including serious infections, diseases, and cancer. Leukopenia can involve one or more types of white blood cells and may include neutropenia, monocytopenia, and more. This article discusses conditions that may present as leukopenia, as well as causes, tests, treatment, and when to see a healthcare provider....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37 million American adults have diabetes. Thankfully, insulin has been used to treat it for nearly a century. The problem is that the cost of insulin is skyrocketing. This can make it challenging for people to afford it. Certain insulins are covered by Medicare Part B and others by Part D. That does not mean they are free. Each plan has their own out-of-pocket costs, from deductibles to copays to coinsurance....

The middle ear is separated from the external ear by the tympanic membrane (the eardrum) and from the inner ear by a lateral wall that contains the round and oval windows. The anatomy of the middle ear is just part of the complex system that allows you to hear. The middle ear is also called the tympanic cavity or tympanum. This article will go over the anatomy of the middle ear....

A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in kidney health and kidney disease. In medical practice, the term renal is used to describe anything involving, affecting, or located near the kidneys, so nephrologists are often referred to as renal specialists. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine. A nephrologist needs to complete internal medicine training before pursuing an additional fellowship in nephrology. According to the American Society of Nephrologists (ASN), there are just over 10,000 nephrologists actively practicing in the United States....

Peripheral cyanosis is a condition in which the extremities develop a distinctive bluish discoloration because they are not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. This condition most often shows up in the hands, feet, fingers, and/or toes. Reduced blood circulation to the affected extremities is almost always to blame. It starves the tissues of oxygen-rich blood. Oxygen-poor blood is dark red and reflects a bluish-green color through the skin. Peripheral cyanosis is rarely serious....

Pink noise contains all the sound frequencies that humans can hear. Unlike white noise—which represents all the frequencies equally—the higher frequencies in pink noise are less intense. For many people, pink noise can block out annoying background sounds without sounding harsh or shrill. Some people use pink noise to help them sleep. This article will go over what pink noise is. You’ll learn how pink noise is different from white noise and brown noise, why you might want to try using pink noise, and whether listening to pink noise can be harmful....

Pleurodynia is a term describing sudden, severe pain in the chest or abdomen. It occurs when a viral infection affects the lining of the lungs or muscles near them in the chest. Epidemic pleurodynia, also called Bornholm disease, causes symptoms of pain and fever recurring in spasms, often with general discomfort and headache. The pain is often knife-like and worsens with breathing and movement. A diagnosis is usually made based on symptoms and physical exam alone and is often suspected when an epidemic is occurring....

Black and White women get breast cancer at equal rates—some studies have even found that the former develop breast cancer at slightly lower rates. However, studies also show that Black women are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than women of other races. Why does this disparity exist and how do we prevent it? Much of the research that has included Black women has focused on non-modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, such as age, genetics, family history of breast cancer, personal breast history, breast density, thorax radiation, and the number of menstrual cycles....

Pumpkin seed oil, also called pepita oil, is used in cooking and as a health supplement. It’s thought to lower cholesterol, ease symptoms of an enlarged prostate, reduce hot flashes, and reverse hair loss. While its medicinal benefits are widely touted, there’s little available evidence to support the health benefits of pumpkin seed oil. Extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima), pumpkin seed oil is a rich, rust color....

Rapivab (peramivir) is an antiviral medication used to treat a flu infection caused by the influenza A or influenza B virus. It is administered as a one-time dose intravenously (IV, in a vein). Because Rapivab is an IV antiviral, it is considered useful for people who have a hard time taking medication by mouth due to issues like severe nausea and vomiting. Peramivir may reduce the harmful effects of the virus on the body....

A number of states in the United States are associated with a higher rate of stroke than the rest of the country. This is such a recognized problem that a region of the United States has actually been dubbed ’the stroke belt’ by the medical community and by public health experts. Because stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability, it is vital to understand what puts people who live in this area at a higher risk of stroke, and to figure out how to prevent stroke among this at-risk population....

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services have become more prevalent in the management of ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis, is a lifelong condition that requires consistent medical management, which means that you shouldn’t skip your appointments with your healthcare provider—virtual visits can help your condition under control. Changes in Telemedicine During COVID-19 Telehealth involves communicating with healthcare providers via phone, email, or text. In the past, providers were not compensated for these touchpoints—they were only compensated for in-person office visits....

Trigeminal neuralgia (a.k.a. tic douloureux) is a relatively rare facial pain syndrome. It affects a nerve in the head called the trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to the face. The condition causes repeated episodes of sudden, extreme, electric-shock–like pain on the side of the face. Trigeminal neuralgia pain cycles can last months. It can also lead to anxiety over when the pain will return. This article discusses trigeminal neuralgia symptoms and causes....

Tylenol #3 is an oral prescription drug used to relieve mild to moderately severe pain that is not well-controlled with over-the-counter medication. Tylenol #3 is better known as Tylenol with codeine. This medication contains two active ingredients: The non-opioid painkiller acetaminophen The opioid painkiller codeine Tylenol #3 is used in adults and children 12 and over. There is a risk of addiction and abuse, which is why it should be used with caution....

Motor neuron diseases are uncommon, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also often called “Lou Gehrig’s disease” is the most well-known motor neuron disease. There are several other types of motor neuron diseases as well. Overview Conditions that affect the motor neurons are described as motor neuron diseases. Motor neurons are located throughout the length of the spinal cord in columns described as anterior horns. They have this name because the columns of motor neurons in the spinal cord appear like “horns” when viewed with imaging studies, and they run along the front of the spinal cord (towards the front of the body)....

Uterine fibroids, which are benign pelvic tumors, affect Black women harder than any other group. The reason for this trend is not understood. Given the magnitude of the problem—markedly altered quality of life, the effect on reproductive health, and the costs of health care for this disease—the high prevalence of uterine fibroids in Black women is considered a major public health issue. Statistics A study looking at over 1 million U....