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A nephrectomy is a surgery to remove all or part of a kidney. This procedure is usually done to treat kidney damage or diseases like kidney cancer. It can also be performed to remove a healthy kidney from a donor for transplant. Surgical approaches for nephrectomy include a traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery, or robotic surgery. Full recovery can take up to six weeks. This article provides an overview of nephrectomy and discusses what to expect before, during, and after surgery....

While labels on herbal remedies and supplements sold as over-the-counter erection pills may hint they are just like Viagra (sildenafil) or another erectile dysfunction (ED) drug, their benefits remain largely unproven. Furthermore, most are untested and none have been approved for the treatment of ED by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Still, these pills have become increasingly popular with consumers. Unlike Viagra and Cialis (tadalafil), they don’t require a prescription....

The penis is a complex external organ used to urinate and for sex and reproduction in people who are born biologically male. The anatomy of the penis includes the head, shaft, and foreskin. The shaft contains erectile tissue as well as the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. In this article, the terms “male” and “male anatomy” are used to describe the physical characteristics of both cisgender males (whose sense of personal identity and gender corresponds to their birth sex) and people with penises whose sense of personal identity and gender may not correspond to their birth sex....

There are several reasons you might consider having a pregnancy massage (also called a prenatal massage). Pregnancy changes your body and mind, bringing about a wide range of emotions and aches and pains in places that never hurt before. A prenatal massage may help alleviate some of the discomforts of pregnancy while providing a sense of relaxation—but is it safe? In general, the answer is yes. However, there are some important things you should know before you schedule a session....

Premature ejaculation (PE), sometimes known as rapid ejaculation, is when a man involuntarily orgasms and ejaculates before they are ready during sexual activity. Premature ejaculation may occur during foreplay, intercourse, or other forms of sexual activity. Approximately 4% to 39% of men will experience premature ejaculation during their lifetime. It is a very common sexual dysfunction. However, if it happens frequently, it may become a larger psychological problem. The stigma surrounding the condition can lead to stress and anxiety for many people with PE as they find it may interfere with their pleasure or the pleasure of their partner....

There are a few prostate surgery types and techniques, and what you can expect from your procedure depends on which one your surgeon uses. An incision may or may not be required; all, some, or none of prostate gland may be removed; and some surrounding tissue may or may not be excised as well—just to name a few differences. The choice in prostate surgery largely comes down to whether you are having it to treat prostate cancer or the urinary symptoms or complications of an enlarged prostate, a....

What Is Qtern? Qtern (saxagliptin and dapagliflozin) is an oral prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Qtern is available as a tablet that is taken by mouth. Qtern contains two ingredients in each tablet. The first ingredient, dapagliflozin, is categorized in a drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. It works by helping the kidneys eliminate sugar through the urine....

Reactive arthritis is the term used when arthritis (joint inflammation) results from a reaction to an infection in another body area. It is also sometimes called Fiessinger-Leroy disease or Reiter’s syndrome. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic and autoimmune arthritis type defined by joint inflammation occurring with the skin condition psoriasis. The Arthritis Foundation says a third of people living with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms In reactive arthritis, your large joints in your lower limbs, pelvis, and lower spine are most commonly targeted by your immune system....

RNA interference (RNAi) therapy is a type of biotechnology that targets and alters genes. It is being explored to treat a number of different conditions, including cancer. In August 2018, the FDA approved the first RNAi therapy drug, called Onpattro, for use in patients with a rare disease called hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis). hATTR is characterized by an abnormal protein buildup in organs and tissues, which may eventually result in the loss of sensation in the extremities....

The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone partition that separates the left and right nostrils within the nose. In some people, the nasal septum is deviated or crooked, and this can lead to airflow problems. A septoplasty is surgery to correct the deviation in order to improve nasal breathing. While most surgical outcomes are positive, it’s a good idea to be knowledgeable about what to expect from the surgery, especially in terms of the recovery process and the risks involved....

Viral gastroenteritis, commonly called the stomach flu, can be caused by several different types of viruses. It is also sometimes caused by bacteria or parasites. In many cases, viral diseases are highly contagious and are spread through the fecal-oral route. This is when the virus is shed in the stool of an infected person and then gets on hands or other surfaces. When an uninfected person touches those surfaces and then touches their nose, eyes, or mouth, they can then become infected also....

The subtalar joint, also known as the talocalcaneal joint, forms a bridge between the foot and ankle. Located in the hindfoot, it’s the point at which the calcaneus (heel bone) and the talus (a bone at the lower part of the ankle joint) meet. The subtalar joint allows you to move your foot side-to-side (laterally), pivot to change directions, and stay balanced as you move across uneven terrain. Without it, you would constantly roll your ankles when you run, jump, or walk....

Testing for germline BRCA1/2 mutations, also known as gBRCA testing, is important in making treatment decisions for people with some types of cancer. While many people are familiar with genetic testing as a method to find people at risk for developing cancer in the first place, people who have recurrent or metastatic cancers of the breast, ovary, pancreas, or prostate may benefit from testing as a way to guide treatment choices as well....

The definition of “healthy” food is getting upgraded to reflect current nutrition science. Key Takeaways The FDA plans to change its standards for which foods can be labeled as “healthy.”The proposal comes amid a shift in nutrition science toward encouraging a diet of balanced food groups, rather than focusing on the intake of a few specific certain nutrients. The FDA is also weighing whether to move nutrition labels to the front of food packaging....

The specifics of your Lyme disease treatment will depend on your case. You’re far more likely to contract Lyme disease in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, or North-Central states, as well as on the West Coast, particularly northern California. Symptoms can begin anywhere from days after you’ve been bitten to years afterwards. A short course of antibiotics will likely easily cure you if you are in the early stage. Successful treatment for more complicated cases, however, requires three to four weeks of antibiotic therapy and possibly additional treatments....

When the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in northern Ukraine exploded, radioactive materials spilled across the country and throughout much of Europe. The 1986 accident directly killed 30 people and exposed millions to contamination from ionizing radiation, a known carcinogen. Key Takeaways New scientific technology allowed scientists to analyze materials from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in new ways.Researchers found no evidence that radiation exposure resulted in genetic changes passed down from parent to child....

To understand how and why organ rejection after transplantation happens it is important to understand not only the organ transplant process, but also some essential information about the immune system, different types of organ donors, and how these two things can complicate organ transplantation. What Is a Transplant? A transplant is a medical procedure where tissue or an organ is removed from one body and implanted into another body to replace an organ or tissue that is not functioning well, is absent, or diseased....

Impulsivity is the tendency to act without thinking about the consequences. For some people, impulsivity is simply a character trait—a preference for spontaneity. For others, it can be a symptom of a significant disorder. Some medications and illegal drugs can also lead to impulsive behaviors. Learn when impulsivity is a problem and what steps to take if you’re concerned. What Is Impulsivity? Impulsivity is the tendency to take action without concern for the consequences....

A sore scalp or scalp tenderness can be caused by dermatitis, scalp and hair follicle infections, as well as psoriasis. Other causes of scalp pain or soreness include sunburns, headaches, hair extensions, as well as certain pain or inflammatory conditions. In addition to a sore scalp, some of these conditions can also lead to other symptoms, like an itchy scalp, hair loss, irritation, dry skin, and red bumps. Depending on the condition, treatment may include home remedies and/or medical interventions....

What Is Actonel? Actonel (risedronate) is a medicine that treats bone disorders, including different types of osteoporosis and Paget’s disease. These conditions result in weaker bones and can lead to falls and fractures. There are cells in your body called osteoclasts that break down bone. These cells are typically balanced out by osteoblasts, cells that build new bone. Actonel works by inhibiting osteoclasts. This way, the activity of osteoblasts wins out, which creates new bone and results in an overall increase in bone density....