When a blood vessel is damaged, your body’s blood clotting ability prevents too much blood from being lost. Forming a clot is also the first step in healing the injury. Sometimes, a blood clot forms when it doesn’t need to and blocks a blood vessel. This stops blood from getting to the organs attached to the vessel. When their blood supply is cut off, the organs get damaged and stop working....
Craniosynostosis is usually diagnosed during a physical examination in the first year of life. A healthcare provider may also recommend a CT scan to confirm the diagnosis. Early diagnosis is essential to beginning treatment early, correcting the abnormality, and avoiding complications. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing While there is no proven method for testing for craniosynostosis at home, you may notice that the shape of your baby’s head appears uneven or is changing. Any change or worsening of your baby’s head shape should always be checked out by your pediatrician....
Health insurance gets more expensive as we age. That’s fairly well understood, and it’s due to the fact that healthcare needs—and their associated expenses—also tend to increase with age. But insurance companies do have to follow some fairly specific regulations in terms of how they can adjust premiums based on a person’s age. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and subsequent regulations issued for its implementation, premiums for older enrollees with individual/family (non-group) and small group health coverage must be capped at no more than three times the premiums that apply to a 21-year-old....
To someone newly diagnosed with lymphoma, the treatment options may be difficult to understand. There are nearly 30 different types of lymphoma, numerous subtypes, and a variety of disease stages, each of which requires different treatment approaches. The two main types, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of therapies. People with NHL may also benefit from newer biologic drugs and CAR T-cell therapy....
Hydrolyzed collagen (HC) is an anti-aging supplement. It is said to reduce wrinkles, alleviate joint pain, improve bone health, promote weight loss, and more. Collagen contains amino acids, the building blocks of protein. The hydrolyzed form of collagen, also known as collagen peptides or collagen hydrolysate, is easily absorbed into the bloodstream. This article discusses hydrolyzed collagen, its benefits, and potential side effects. It also explains what to look for when buying hydrolyzed collagen and how to take it....
Inhaled corticosteroids, also called inhaled steroids, are medications used for long-term management of asthma. They typically are the preferred treatment for people with asthma who need more than a rescue inhaler can offer. Inhaled steroids help prevent symptoms of asthma, including wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and tightness in the chest. These inhalers are not effective for treating an acute asthma attack. Instead, they are to be used daily—symptoms or not—to control asthma over time....
The immune system plays a central role in the onset and severity of asthma. At its heart, asthma is a disease characterized by an overactive immune response in which the body reacts aggressively to environmental triggers by releasing cells that incite inflammation in the airways. The abrupt rise in inflammation causes the airways to narrow and spasm, leading to the shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, and chest tightness that people recognize as asthma....
Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a climbing vine, akin to the cucumber, that is found in China and other Asian nations. It is thought to have healing properties and is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Also known as Southern ginseng, jiaogulan contains a saponin compound called gypenoside, as well as other plant compounds. The herb is sold as a tea, powder, or capsule, for health conditions that include diabetes, high cholesterol, and anxiety....
Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are hardened deposits of minerals that form in the kidneys and can cause pain as they pass through the urinary tract. Kidney stones do not usually cause permanent damage if recognized early and treated appropriately. Depending on the size of the stone, treatment may involve drinking a lot of water and letting the stone pass naturally or taking active measures to break up and remove the stone....
Kinesiology taping is a treatment option if you’ve had an injury or illness that leads to mobility and motor function problems. It involves placing strips of special tape on your body in specific directions to help support your joints, like a knee, ankle, or wrist, as well as muscles and tendons. It can be used to help facilitate muscle function, stabilize joints, or inhibit muscles from contracting improperly. It can also be used to help decrease pain, swelling, and muscle spasm....
Many tests are used to diagnose lung cancer, including imaging scans and laboratory tests. Biomarker testing is a lab test used to look for abnormal genes, proteins, and other substances in the blood or other body tissues associated with cancer. Biomarker testing can: Detect lung cancer in an early stageEstimate how fast the cancer will grow and spread Choose the best treatment to improve patient outcomes Monitor cancer during and after treatment This article explores the importance of lab testing for diagnosing lung cancer, the different lab tests used, how to understand biomarker testing results, and what to expect after testing is complete....
Not everyone experiences the same symptoms of macular degeneration. Some people experience less severe symptoms and slower vision loss compared to others. Although it is possible to retain close to normal vision for years despite having macular degeneration, the eye disease is considered progressive and usually gets worse with time. Most symptoms do not cause any pain. Because the risk for eye problems, including AMD, increases after the age of 40, it’s important to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year....
Could the mind-altering effects of LSD help ease chronic pain and other symptoms associated with long-term illness? Could it help prevent and treat destructive neurological illness? A recent surge of research indicates that it could—even without making you hallucinate. People with chronic pain diseases such as fibromyalgia, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis may, according to researchers, benefit from extremely low doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD or “acid”). It may also help treat other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and several mental illnesses including depression and anxiety....
Depression is among the most common multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Up to 50% of people with MS will experience clinical depression or major depressive disorder (MDD) in their lifetime. The psychological toll of living with MS can cause depression. Additionally, chronic inflammation and demyelination (the breakdown of the myelin sheath that protects nerves) may also perpetuate MS-related depressive symptoms. This article explores the link between multiple sclerosis and depression. How Does MS Cause Depression?...
Newborn skin peeling is normal in the first days to weeks after a baby is born. One to two layers of skin will shed in this time, mainly because the protective coating they had in the womb is no longer there. That said, a skin condition like eczema is also a possible cause. Normal skin peeling in newborns usually does not require any special treatment and should go away on its own....
In addition to the often talked about BRCA gene mutations, there are a significant number of other inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. In fact, it’s thought that mutations in over 100 genes contribute to risk, and the number of non-BRCA gene mutations that raise breast cancer risk is expected to grow as our knowledge of the genetics of cancer increases. In addition to BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations, some of these include mutations in ATM, PALB2, PTEN, CDH1, CHEK2, TP53, STK11, PMS2, and more....
Oral contraceptives (OCP) are birth control pills. They are sometimes referred to as hormonal contraceptives or simply the pill. Their primary purpose is to prevent pregnancy, but they can also help with acne, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), heavy menstrual bleeding (period), and cramping. OCPs do not prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This article reviews the types of OCPs, their effectiveness, benefits, side effects, costs, and where to get them. Types Oral contraceptives use synthetic female hormones to prevent pregnancy....
Pine pollen is a powdery substance that comes from pine cones of tree species such as Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Chinese red pine (Pinus massoniana). Purported pine pollen benefits include: Increasing testosteroneReducing inflammationAnti-agingPreventing a range of diseases and conditions Often referred to as a “superfood” or “nutritional powerhouse,” pine pollen is touted as a top source of many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. It is typically taken in supplement form....
Secondary (central) hypothyroidism occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce or release enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is required for normal stimulation and functioning of the thyroid. The thyroid—a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the front of your neck—produces the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are released into the bloodstream and carried to the body’s organs and tissues. Thyroid hormones regulate your metabolism and affect nearly every process in the body, including body temperature, heart rate, appetite, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and the central nervous system....
The sacroiliac (SI) joints are located on either side of the base of the spine. SI stretches and other exercises that help preserve the health and function of these joints are important when working to improve lower back pain because of the role they play in your day-to-day movements. SI joints support and stabilize your spine when you walk, climb stairs, bend, and lift heavy objects. Simply put, if these joints are stressed or compromised, the back can be too....
