Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is best known for the way it affects the spine and entheses, the areas where tendons and ligaments attach to bone, but AS can also affect other body parts, including the hips. When AS affects one or both hips, it might limit a person’s mobility. Fortunately, there are plenty of treatment options for managing AS inflammation and pain and reducing the potential for disability from hip involvement....
What Is Aromasin? Aromasin (exemestane) is a pill that belongs to a class of medications called aromatase inhibitors. It is prescribed for postmenopausal people for the treatment of breast cancer that is hormone receptor positive. Aromasin works to reduce estrogen in the body by preventing other hormones from turning into estrogen. This helps to limit the growth of the tumor, since many breast cancer tumors grow in response to estrogen....
Asthma is a lung disease that restricts the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It is one of the most common chronic illnesses in the United States, but some populations are more affected than others. Data shows that people from Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities develop asthma at much higher rates than White Americans, and are more likely to be hospitalized and suffer complications. This article is part of Health Divide: Asthma in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared in a new report that documented cases of the sexually transmitted diseases chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the U.S. hit an all-time high in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available. This marks the sixth year in a row that cases have reached record numbers. Key Takeaways Rates of STIs in the U.S. have reached record numbers for the sixth year in a row....
Coconut allergy is relatively uncommon. Most cases involve exposure to shampoos or skincare products containing coconut oil, triggering a skin reaction known as allergic contact dermatitis. While a food allergy to coconut is rare, eating coconut or drinking coconut milk or water can cause allergy symptoms in some people, including rash or hives, upset stomach, diarrhea, shortness of breath, wheezing, and swelling of the lips, tongue, or face. Some coconut allergies are not a “true” allergy but rather a cross-reactive response to other foods you are allergic to, such as pistachios, walnuts, and other tree nuts with a similar protein structure....
Cupping therapy, which uses cups to create suction on the skin, is a popular treatment for muscle tension, chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation. It has been a key part of traditional Middle Eastern and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used cupping over 5,500 years ago, and the therapy spread to cultures around the world. The 2016 Olympic Games helped raise awareness worldwide when U.S. athletes bore cupping suction marks on their backs....
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide annually. RA most often affects the joints, but it can also progress and cause damage to organs such as the skin, eyes, heart, lungs, and kidneys. While there is no cure for RA, there are many medications that work to slow or halt the progression of disease. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are an example of medications that have been proven effective in treating RA....
A drug holiday is defined as the conscious decision to stop using a regularly-prescribed medication for a period of time. Also known as a “medication vacation,” drug holidays have been prescribed for a wide variety of medications and medical conditions and may be considered in order to decrease side effects, to reduce tolerance, for special holidays and events, and more. While there can be a number of benefits of a drug holiday, there are also potential risks, such as a worsening of symptoms or even the chance that medication will no longer be effective when restarted....
For some highly predisposed people, taking certain drugs or substances may trigger schizophrenia, a serious mental health condition in which a person experiences delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive and emotional symptoms. This condition typically begins as substance-induced psychosis, which is a break from reality following the taking of or withdrawing from a substance. Research finds that over 25% of people who have a substance-induced psychotic episode will later be diagnosed with schizophrenia....
Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is an effective treatment for Pompe disease. It involves injecting alpha-glucosidase directly into the bloodstream. ERT helps the body to break down glycogen and prevents its toxic buildup. It will also alleviate symptoms and slow down the progression of Pompe disease. Once you are diagnosed with Pompe disease, you will need ERT for the rest of your life. This is the only way to keep glycogen from building up in the body....
Many people with fibromyalgia find certain foods can trigger a flare-up. Sugar, gluten, dairy, and fried or processed foods can lead to symptoms like widespread muscle pain (myalgia) and fatigue. The connection between the foods you eat and fibromyalgia pain is not well understood. Some evidence suggests food allergies or intolerances may be to blame. Other research links fibromyalgia symptoms to nutritional deficiencies, such as iron, vitamin D, and B-complex vitamins....
When flakes appear in your hair, you may suspect it is dandruff, but there are actually several different reasons why they might appear. This article will address what’s causing the flakes in your hair and when it’s important to see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Dry Skin Usually, when flakes appear in your hair, it is because your scalp is dry and the flakes fall off onto your hair....
Changes in your feet during pregnancy are common and often treatable at home. You may have foot cramps and swelling, more noticeable veins, and even toenail problems. Resting often, stretching, staying hydrated, wearing shoes that fit, and using compression stockings can help treat most changes in your feet and legs while you’re pregnant. Most of these conditions are not serious, but there are times when changes in your legs and feet can be a sign of a pregnancy complication, like preeclampsia, that needs medical attention....
Rashes and other skin symptoms are common with hepatitis C, a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). They can occur in the initial acute infection, as side effects of hepatitis C medications, or as complications from later-stage liver disease, such as cirrhosis (liver scarring) or liver cancer. Although hepatitis C is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms) until liver damage is advanced, one in six people will develop at least one skin symptom during the course of the infection....
Treating Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic skin condition often requires managing both the physical symptoms and the emotional ones. Without treatment, it can lead to serious complications such as squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer), a bacterial skin infection called cellulitis. There is an association between Crohn’s disease and HS, but HS does not lead to Crohn’s disease. What’s more, because the skin lesions caused by HS are so visible, many people with the disease isolate themselves from other people, leading to loneliness, anxiety, and depression....
Each and every one of us is different. So, how long it takes to lower your blood pressure will depend on how high your levels are, the medication you’re taking to lower it, and how carefully you’re following the treatment plan prescribed for you by your doctor. Read more about how to safely lower your blood pressure in this overview. What Is High Blood Pressure? High blood pressure (hypertension) develops when your heart has to pump blood through narrowed or blocked arteries with more force....
Splinters are things that get stuck under the skin. Like a wooden splinter that you can get from touching a rough piece of wood, a glass splinter is a thin, sharp piece of glass that breaks the skin’s surface. The glass piece will look like a sliver of glass, having broken off a larger chunk of glass. Glass pieces can be hard to see, so it’s not uncommon to get a glass splinter in areas where broken glass might be present....
Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are a type of blood cell responsible for blood clotting. When platelet counts fall below normal levels, the risk of uncontrolled or prolonged bleeding increases. Low-blood platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) can be treated with blood transfusions and medications. While it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis, there are natural ways to help increase your platelet count. Nutrients found in the following foods can help to bring your platelet counts up: Fruit: Grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, papaya, and strawberriesLegumes: Black-eyed peas, kidney beans, and white beansProtein: Beef liver, oysters, and tofuVegetables: Ssparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, red peppers, and spinachOther: Dark chocolate and nutritional yeast Be aware that some foods can lower your platelet counts....
People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often experience bloating and abdominal distension, which visible outward swelling. While these symptoms can affect anyone from time to time, IBS bloating and stomach distension can be persistent. This article discusses the root causes and underlying mechanisms behind IBS bloating and distention. It also details medications to treat uncomfortable IBS symptoms and home remedies that can bring relief. Bloating Bloating is defined as the perception of increased pressure in the abdomen....
What Is Interferon Alfa-2b? Recombinant interferon alfa-2b is an injectable prescription medication used to treat a variety of diseases, including certain types of cancer, hepatitis B and C, and genital warts. It is a man-made form of a protein naturally produced by the body that alerts the immune system that cells need to be destroyed, and it interferes with the reproduction of virus cells in the body. Interferon alfa-2b is administered by injection either intramuscularly, subcutaneously (under the skin), or intralesionally (into the lesion)....
