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An accurate, early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease allows appropriate treatment to begin sooner, which is why it’s important to schedule an evaluation if you or someone you know is showing some of the signs and symptoms. The healthcare provider will do screening assessments as well as review symptoms and medical history, but may also consider imaging to rule out other possible explanations for what one is experiencing. While you can’t diagnose yourself or someone else with Alzheimer’s disease, you can perform a clinically supported at-home check that may point to the possibility and give the practitioner useful information to use in their assessment....

Stroke diagnosis requires a careful and fast medical examination, often with the aid of medical technology. If you ever have a stroke evaluation, your examination will include a neurological examination, computed tomography (CT) scans, and other imaging tests. At-Home Stroke Assessment If you suspect someone is having a stroke, a simple three-step test known as the Cincinnati Pre-Hospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) can help in the determination. If the person can do all of the following, it is unlikely they are having a stroke:...

Menstrual cups are rubber (silicone), bell-shaped devices put in the vagina to collect blood during menstruation. Menstrual cups are used as a replacement for tampons or pads. Menstrual cups come in several shapes and sizes and are cost-effective and eco-friendly. This article will discuss everything you need to know about menstrual cups, including their benefits and risks, how to pick the right size, and tips for cleaning them. How to Use a Menstrual Cup Learning how to use a menstrual cup takes time and practice....

Identity disturbance is used to describe an inconsistent or incoherent sense of self. It is associated with borderline personality disorder, as identity disturbance is one of the criteria for the condition. Identity disturbance often shows up as consistent and remarkable changes in a person’s beliefs, values, and behaviors that significantly impact their life, such as difficulty in maintaining jobs or relationships. Research on identity disturbance is ongoing. More research is needed to help untangle the complexity of how identity disturbance is interpreted and connected to personality disorders....

Indapamide is a medication for hypertension (high blood pressure) and fluid retention (edema) due to congestive heart failure. It is categorized in a class of drugs called thiazide diuretics. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as water pills because they act directly on the kidneys to promote diuresis (urine flow). Indapamide is available as an oral (by mouth) tablet. The brand name for indapamide is Lozol, but Lozol has been discontinued, so only the generic version (indapamide) is available....

The “late recurrence” or relapse of breast cancer refers to cancers that come back after five years, but may not return for 10 years, 20 years, or even more. For people who have estrogen receptor-positive tumors, the cancer is actually more likely to recur after five years than in the first five years. In contrast to the common belief that surviving for five years after cancer treatment is equivalent to a cure, with hormone-sensitive (estrogen and/or progesterone receptor-positive) breast tumors there is a steady rate of recurrence risk for at least 20 years after the original diagnosis, even with very small node-negative tumors....

Medical trauma involves a set of negative physical and psychological reactions to medical illness, procedures, and treatments. This type of trauma differs from the trauma sustained in an accident or in something like wartime trauma. Medical trauma stems from a negative internal experience of medical care. In this article, learn who is at risk for medical trauma and how it can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What Is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?...

Mononucleosis (mono) is a viral infection (typically caused by the Epstein-Barr virus) that most often affects teens and young adults. Typical symptoms in those age groups are a sore throat, fever, swollen neck glands, enlarged tonsils, and fatigue. In younger children, there may be only mild symptoms or none at all. Older adults are more likely to have jaundice and may not have a sore throat or swollen glands. It’s common for people to have different combinations of symptoms that range from mild to severe....

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is classified as a probable human carcinogen, based on results of laboratory tests, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NDMA, a known environmental contaminant, is found in the air, water, foods (including meats, dairy products, and vegetables), and alcoholic beverages such as beer and whiskey. It was formerly used in the production of liquid rocket fuel, antioxidants, additives for lubricants, and softeners for copolymers, but is not currently produced or commercially used in the United States, except for research purposes....

What Is Norvir? Norvir (ritonavir) is a medicine used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Norvir falls into the broad category of antiretroviral drugs. It is a protease inhibitor (PI), which works by stopping part of the HIV virus’ life cycle, preventing it from making copies of itself. Without the ability to replicate itself, HIV can be suppressed to undetectable levels, which keeps the immune system functioning and also reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others....

Some neurological diseases mimic many Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These disorders are called Parkinson’s plus syndromes or atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Parkinson’s plus syndromes are related to Parkinson’s disease because they all negatively affect the brain or spinal cord nerve cells, and they are progressive with no available cure. This article provides an overview of the most common Parkinson’s plus syndromes. Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is an uncommon brain disorder....

In placental insufficiency, the placenta—the organ that provides nutrients and oxygen to a developing fetus in the womb—isn’t working properly. This can mean that the developing baby doesn’t get enough of the oxygen and nutrients it needs for proper growth. Medical professionals often use the terms “placental insufficiency” and “placental dysfunction” interchangeably. Another term for it is “uteroplacental vascular insufficiency.” It affects roughly 8% of all pregnancies. Placental insufficiency is associated with other important problems of pregnancy, including preeclampsia and something called intrauterine growth restriction, in which the baby doesn’t grow as much as it should....

It can be difficult to tell if you have pneumonia or lung cancer because they share similar symptoms. However, there are fundamental differences between the two. To start, pneumonia is a chest infection that causes inflammation to the air sacs in the lungs. Lung cancer, on the other hand, occurs when cells grow out of control and form tumors. Signs of lung cancer are hard to detect until it has reached a late stage, while pneumonia symptoms come on within a few days of contracting the infection....

A retropharyngeal abscess is a swelling in the neck caused by an infection. It is most often caused by bacteria that can multiply and create a pocket of infection in the interior lymph nodes of the neck. The development of a retropharyngeal abscess is a medical emergency that can be life-threatening. Urgent treatment is necessary because this abscess can impact your ability to swallow and breathe. In this article, learn about the common causes that lead to a retropharyngeal abscess and how it is treated....

Stage 2 breast cancer is a fairly common stage of breast cancer diagnosis. Stage 2 tumors are at least 1 centimeter (cm) in size and have spread to lymph nodes. Treatment usually includes surgery (either a lumpectomy or mastectomy), and adjuvant chemotherapy is often recommended. Radiation therapy is needed after a lumpectomy, but may or may not be needed after a mastectomy. If the tumor is estrogen receptor-positive, hormone therapy is usually prescribed for five to 10 years, and for those who are postmenopausal, bisphosphonate therapy may be recommended as well to reduce the risk of recurrence....

Major transportation services dropped mask requirements last week, following a wave of similar pandemic rule reversals—from vaccination checks in restaurants to testing requirements for workers. Within hours of a federal judge striking down the federal masking requirement, certain airlines, public transit systems, and ride-sharing companies announced that passengers could remove their masks, drawing reactions of celebration and outrage. When transit services announce that travelers may go mask-free, the impact extends far beyond the immediate comfort of the passengers, said Steven Thrasher, PhD, an assistant professor at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism....

Though most strokes occur in adults ages 65 and older, they can happen at any age. Strokes in teenagers are uncommon, but they are possible. When strokes occur in children and teens, it’s usually due to certain underlying health conditions that increase their stroke risk. They face unique challenges after a stroke, as do their parents. This article discusses the common causes of stroke in teenagers, how they’re treated, and how to cope during the recovery process....

Telehealth services allow people with pancreatic cancer to receive some healthcare services within the comfort of their own homes at every stage of the disease. Since people with cancer are immunocompromised and often experience cancer fatigue, telehealth provides a great option for low-contact healthcare visits. Below outlines when telehealth may be used for care (and when an in-person visit is a better option), what happens during a telehealth visit and how you can prepare, and the benefits and challenges associated with these visits....

There are many types of traumatic brain injury (TBI), or a sudden injury that causes damage to the brain, and they fall into two categories: either closed or penetrating. Closed injuries occur when the head experiences a bump or blow and nothing enters the skull. Penetrating, or open, head injuries occur when something enters the skull, like a bullet or knife. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary and are classified as mild, moderate, or severe....

The low-FODMAP diet was developed as a way to offer people who have IBS a dietary approach for managing the disorder. Even though the underlying causes of IBS are complex and not completely understood, the American College of Gastroenterology advises that the diet can be quite helpful in significantly reducing symptoms. The good news is that approximately 75% of people who attempt the low-FODMAP diet are able to successfully incorporate it into their IBS toolkit....