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Vaginal dilators are medical devices often recommended for postmenopausal women (women who’ve gone through menopause, marking 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period) who experience vaginal pain or discomfort during pelvic exams and sexual intercourse. Cancer survivors and those with pelvic floor disorders or other conditions such as vaginismus may also benefit from this type of therapy. Vaginal dilators are meant to stretch the vagina and reduce pain during vaginal penetration....

Lochia is vaginal discharge that occurs in the days to weeks after giving birth. Also known as postpartum bleeding, it contains blood, mucus, pregnancy tissue, and amniotic fluid. Lochia may smell similar to a menstrual period and have a stale, musty, or metallic odor. Lochia occurs in three stages and is a normal part of healing after giving birth. Keep in mind that there are complications to look out for, such as infection or hemorrhage....

Although there are now three COVID-19 vaccines available, in general, people don’t get to choose which one they receive. Supplies are still limited—vaccination locations usually getting only one type at a time. Key Takeaways People have little choice in which of the three vaccines approved for use in the United States they can get.Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are similarly effective at preventing severe COVID-19.Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine seems to be slightly less linked to side effects like arm pain or fever....

In patients with cancer, corticosteroids, or steroids, can be a part of the cancer treatment or they might be used to help with the side effects of treatment, or even as part of a pain management program. They are very helpful, versatile medications that can be effective in a variety of settings and for many different conditions. However, as with all medications, there are side effects to know about. For example, steroids can have short-term and long-term side effects, and they might also affect your mood....

While many of us experience seasonal allergies, some are triggered by certain foods. Peanuts and shellfish are among the most common triggers for food allergies, but not consuming them may not be enough to avoid a potentially serious allergic reaction. Should we avoid foods we’re allergic to? Are there substitutes that we can eat? Which foods are allergy busters? Food Allergy Symptoms Food allergies are not to be taken lightly because an allergic reaction can lead to an emergency room visit....

What Is Zyprexa? Zyprexa (olanzapine) is a prescription medication typically used to treat mental health conditions. The oral (by mouth) dosage forms of Zyprexa are generally prescribed for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The oral dosage forms are available in a regular Zyprexa tablet or Zyprexa Zydis. Zyprexa Zydis is an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT). This means it easily dissolves (breaks apart) with just your saliva, and no additional liquid is needed to take it....

There is no cure for eczema. But several natural remedies can help manage the symptoms associated with the condition. Here’s a look at some of the best natural remedies for eczema. Probiotics Probiotics, or “good” bacteria, are live microbial organisms naturally found in the digestive tract. They are thought to control the growth of potentially harmful bacteria, influence immune function, and strengthen the digestive tract’s protective barrier. Studies suggest that babies at high risk for allergic disorders, such as eczema, have different types and numbers of bacteria in their digestive tracts than other babies....

Your Achilles tendon helps you walk, jump, and run, so injury to it can be quite debilitating. Treatment for an Achilles tear or Achilles rupture may include a surgical intervention to fix damage to this fibrous connective tissue, helping restore its function and integrity. If you experience an Achilles rupture, you and your healthcare provider will discuss the risks and benefits of surgical versus non-surgical treatment. Depending on specific characteristics of your tear and relevant factors in your history, your surgeon may recommend surgical treatment of your torn Achilles tendon....

What Is Adempas? Adempas (riociguat) is a prescription medication used to treat a unique type of high blood pressure in the lungs known as pulmonary hypertension. It belongs to a class of medications known as soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators. Riociguat works by relaxing the blood vessels in the lungs, allowing the blood to flow more easily. This helps slow symptoms from worsening and increases exercise capacity. Adempas is available in tablet form to be taken by mouth....

If you’re struggling to get psoriatic arthritis (PsA) under control, you might consider a biologic drug. Biologics target inflammation at its source by stopping the disease processes. They provide relief from PsA symptoms, prevent joint damage, and improve quality of life. This article delves into whether biologics make sense for you, how they work, and how to get started. Basics of Psoriatic Arthritis PsA is a type of inflammatory arthritis that often affects people who already have the inflammatory skin condition psoriasis....

An experimental vaccine appears promising at preventing the recurrence of an aggressive form of breast cancer. Key Takeaways A vaccine appears to be effective at preventing the recurrence of HER2-positive breast cancer, a new study shows.The data come from a Phase I clinical trial. Researchers will need to collect more human data in a larger clinical study before it can be considered for use in the general population.Researchers are studying how vaccines could treat patients with breast cancer, prevent it in high-risk groups, and stop cancer from recurring....

Bronchitis is irritation and inflammation of the airways that bring air in and out of your lungs. Acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis have similar symptoms, including a dry or productive cough and shortness of breath. However, they are different illnesses that last for different lengths of time. Acute bronchitis is a relatively short-term illness that usually results from a viral infection and does not require treatment with antibiotics. If you are diagnosed with acute bronchitis, you can expect to recover in a period of days to weeks....

A cesarean section (C-section) is a surgery to deliver a baby and results in a scar across the mother’s abdomen. About 1 in 3 women in the United States deliver their babies via C-section. Massaging your C-section scar can help its healing process and improve its appearance. It is important to wait to begin massage until your healthcare provider gives you the go-ahead. This article will describe the benefits of C-section scar massage and how to do it properly....

Seizures can be caused by several different triggers. Seizure-like episodes (pseudo-seizures), on the other hand, are commonly associated with a variety of psychological conditions including stress. What Are Seizures? Seizures are episodes of altered electrical activity in the brain that can cause changes in behavior, mood, movements, and level of consciousness. If someone has two or more unprovoked seizures, they may be diagnosed as having epilepsy. When pathways of communication between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain are disrupted, seizures can arise....

Caring for a loved one can be stressful, and that stress can have a considerable impact on a caregiver’s personal health and well-being. Even so, some caregivers hesitate to bring up the strain they’re under for fear they’ll make their loved one feel guilty or look like they aren’t strong enough or together enough to handle their responsibilities. But talking about burnout is an important part of protecting yourself against it....

A fistula develops when there is a connection between two organs in the body, or an organ and the skin, that doesn’t belong there. Fistulas can result from different diseases and conditions, but they tend to be commonly associated with Crohn’s disease. With Crohn’s disease (an inflammatory bowel disease causing inflammation of the digestive system), a fistula often affects the colon and the area around the anus (the perianal area). Having a fistula can be painful, embarrassing, and scary, and it can lead to a lower quality of life....

While there’s still plenty of room for improvement, health care for the transgender community has come a long way in recent years, thanks in part to dedicated facilities for transgender and non-binary people. Transgender people now have better access to medical centers that can help those with gender dysphoria transition to their true gender. Key Takeaways There has been a dramatic increase in awareness of the need for medical care for the transgender individuals....

Living with a diagnosis of hemophilia B can be difficult. You may feel a flood of emotions, like anger, denial, and guilt that you or your child have been impacted, or you might feel nothing at all. You may feel unprepared to make the lifestyle changes needed to keep you safe and may struggle adjusting to your new routine. Whatever you may be feeling, just know that the rollercoaster of emotions is natural and expected....

Hepatitis and cirrhosis are both diseases that affect the liver. Since hepatitis and cirrhosis are in many ways on a continuum of disease, the symptoms may be very similar. However, there are a number of important differences between the two. In general, hepatitis may or may not be reversible (curable), whereas cirrhosis refers to permanent scarring of the liver, often as the result of chronic hepatitis. While some forms of hepatitis may come on very rapidly, cirrhosis also tends to develop more gradually....

Pneumonia is a tough illness to endure. Some people are lucky enough to recover from pneumonia within a week, while others will battle pneumonia for a month or longer. Fighting pneumonia can take a lot out of you, especially if your recovery is taking longer. While no home treatment will provide a magical overnight cure for pneumonia, there are plenty of ways to help ease the discomfort and potentially speed up the recovery process....