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Retinal detachment surgery is used to repair a detached retina, which occurs when the retina—a layer of tissue that covers most of the back of the eye—separates from its anchored position. If treatment of a detached retina is not performed immediately (within approximately 24 hours), permanent partial or complete vision loss can result. What Is Retinal Detachment Surgery? Retinal detachment surgery is considered an emergency procedure. The goal of surgery is to reattach the retina to the back of the eye as soon as possible so that the blood supply can be reestablished....

There is no single test to diagnose schizophrenia. Instead, a mental health professional evaluates your symptoms for at least six months. They must also rule out any other medical and psychiatric diagnoses that could be causing your symptoms. Read on to learn more about what it takes to diagnose schizophrenia. Professional Screenings Professional screenings are completed in the office of a credentialed mental health professional. This person may ask about previous medical and family history, particularly a history of any mental health conditions and substance abuse....

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people around the world. It results from the gradual wearing down of the protective cartilage cushioning the ends of bones. OA can be either primary or secondary. Primary OA is primarily related to aging, whereas secondary OA is osteoarthritis caused by another disease or condition. Examples of conditions leading to secondary OA include repeated trauma or surgery to a joint structure, congenital abnormalities (joint conditions at birth), inflammatory arthritis, and metabolic disorders....

The four types of memory are sensory, short-term, working, and long-term. The one that Alzheimer’s disease affects depends on how far the disease has progressed. Some types of memory are affected more often than others. This article reviews how the types of memory differ, as well as exactly how each type of memory is affected by Alzheimer’s. Sensory Memory Sensory memory is a very brief (about three seconds) recall of a sensory experience, such as what we just saw or heard....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) increases the chances of surgical complications, such as infections and respiratory crises. In fact, long-term survival rates for people with severe COPD who have surgery are lower than that of people who do not have COPD. Given this, a pre-operative evaluation that screens for lung disease is done in preparation for any surgical procedure. If you have signs of COPD, you will need further pulmonary tests, and your surgical plan may require modifications....

A sweat test—also called a sweat electrolyte, chloride sweat, or iontophoretic sweat test—measures the amount of chloride in your sweat. This noninvasive, quick, and painless test can diagnose cystic fibrosis, a disorder that damages the lungs and digestive tract. That’s because people with the condition have higher levels of chloride (a component of salt) in their sweat. This article outlines the purpose of sweat tests and provides tips on how to prepare, what to expect, and how to understand the results....

Logging on to your computer or phone is a common way to access your doctor ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit. These telehealth services are available for a wide range of conditions, including gallbladder disease. The term “gallbladder disease” is broad and refers to any medical conditions that impacts your gallbladder. Your gallbladder is a small organ located around the top, right part of your stomach area. Its role is to store bile, which helps break down fatty foods....

Paresthesias are defined as abnormal sensations of tingling, burning, prickling, or a feeling of pins and needles. Tingling can occur in various parts of the body due to damage, injury, or nerve compression. It is common for these sensations to occur in the scalp due to the high number of sensory nerve endings there. This article will look at various causes of scalp and head tingling, and possible treatments. Causes of Head Tingling Based on Sensation The tingling, itching, or burning sensations you may feel in your head and scalp have different causes such as dermatitis, migraines, and scabies....

Mental health disorders are one of the most common types of medical conditions seen in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50% of people will experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) published the DSM-5, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, to provide a resource to help healthcare providers diagnose these mental health disorders....

Overview It quite common for a person having an echocardiogram (a very common heart test often performed in people who are basically healthy), to be told they have tricuspid regurgitation—a “leaky” tricuspid heart valve. The Tricuspid Valve and Tricuspid Regurgitation The tricuspid valve separates the right atrium from the right ventricle. Like all heart valves, the purpose of the tricuspid valve is to make sure blood flows through the heart at the right time and in the right direction....

While a beach is a joy for most people, some people may literally be allergic to the beach. The allergy may not only be due to substances you touch or breathe but also things you may never have thought of, like sunlight. An allergy is ultimately the body’s response to anything it mistakenly regards as abnormal, which can lead to a rash and other symptoms. This article explores some of the common and uncommon allergies you might experience at the beach and ways to prevent or treat them....

Self-care plays an important role in managing any chronic condition, but it’s especially important if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oftentimes, the initial response to a COPD diagnosis is to assume that you’re going to get worse no matter what. It’s an understandable reaction given that COPD is an irreversible condition and that any damage done to the lungs is permanent. But that doesn’t mean that COPD has an inevitable course....

If you think you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is in your best interest to contact your healthcare provider for an STI test. In this way, you can seek treatment to either cure or manage the infection while reducing the odds of passing the STI to others. STI testing is not a routine part of an annual checkup and often needs to be requested. This includes routine tests for certain groups—such as sexually active younger females or sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM)—who are at high risk of STIs like HIV or chlamydia....

If you or your loved one are one of the estimated 5.2 million people in the United States living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, take heart. Although adjusting to a life-changing diagnosis such as Alzheimer’s can be very difficult, it’s important to know that there are things you can do to make a difference in how you experience and cope with this health challenge. Start by considering these different aspects of adjusting to and living as well as possible with Alzheimer’s disease....

There are several reasons why you may experience pain in the arches of your foot. Your foot arches, which are essential for support of your body weight, are formed by bones, ligaments, and tendons. Weakness or injury of any of these structures can cause arch pain. The shape and height of your foot arches are unique; no two people are the same. And major variations in the shape and height of your arch can make you more susceptible to pain....

What Is Arimidex? Arimidex (anastrozole) is a prescription medication used to treat hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer. It is an antineoplastic drug, part of the aromatase inhibitor medication class. Antineoplastic drugs are used to treat cancer, with aromatase inhibitors specifically targeting certain types of breast cancer. The term “HR+” is used when the breast cancer cells have either estrogen or progesterone receptors or both. Arimidex works to reduce estrogen in the body by preventing other hormones from turning into estrogen, slowing the growth of these breast cancer tumors....

Avipattikar (Avipattikar churna) is an herbal remedy used in Ayurveda, an ancient medical practice that originated in India and remains one of the traditional healthcare systems there. Available in dietary supplement form, Avipattikar contains 14 different Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients and is often used to treat digestive problems. Avipattikar contains: Shunthi (Zingiber officinale) Maricha (Piper nigrum) Pippali (Piper longum) Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Vibhitaka (Terminalia bellerica) Aamalaki (Emblica officinalis) Musta (Cyperus rotundus) Salt (Vida Lavana) Vidanga (Embelia ribes) Ela (Amomum subulatum) Patra (Cinnamomum tamala) Lavanga (Syzgium aromaticum) Trivrit (Operculina terpethum) Sharkara (sugar candy) This article will explain the potential uses of Avipattikar with specific attention to scientific evidence supporting these uses....

A blood thinner is a medication that is used to prevent or treat blood clots. There are two primary types of blood thinners, anticoagulants, and antiplatelets. While they both prevent the clotting of blood, or more accurately, slow the formation of clots, they do so in different ways. Anticoagulants Anticoagulant medications work by interfering with the normal clotting factors that circulate in the body. This makes it harder for the blood to clot and increases the length of time that the body needs to successfully form a clot....

Chickweed (Stellaria media) is an annual plant native to Europe that has become naturalized in North America, where it is mostly considered a weed. However, to herbalists and practitioners of alternative medicine, chickweed is a potent and long-standing folk remedy believed to offer significant health benefits. The flowers, leaves, and stems of chickweed have long been used to make oral decoctions, extracts, and teas. Today, chickweed is more commonly used in topical ointment form to treat a variety of skin conditions....

“Diabetes mellitus” is an umbrella term that refers to a group of insulin-related metabolic disorders (e.g., type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes) that affects the body’s ability to turn food into a usable energy source. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls the amount of energy-providing glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes may be misdiagnosed or missed due to several conditions with one or more of the same symptoms....