Side effects of radiation therapy, such as skin irritation, fatigue, cough, and more are common during treatment. Having an awareness of simple tips, such as how to care for your skin, how to pace yourself when tired, and staying out of the cold to help your cough can make you more comfortable. It’s also important to know when home remedies aren’t enough and you need to call your healthcare provider....
Strokes, which affect around 795,000 Americans per year, occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen, either due to a blood clot that blocks blood flow (an ischemic stroke) or a ruptured blood vessel in the brain (a hemorrhagic stroke). Strokes vary in their location and severity. A “massive” stroke is one that results in significant disability or even death. Here’s what to know about the different types of massive strokes and their potential long-term effects....
Although multiple sclerosis (MS) is not a fatal disease, it is highly unpredictable. The course of MS is different for every individual with the disease. Most people with MS will experience periods of remission, in which their symptoms lessen or disappear, and periods of exacerbation, in which symptoms become worse. Each exacerbation can lead to more scarring and new symptoms. As symptoms progress, they can affect mobility, cognition, and mental state....
The occipital artery is part of the occipital area of the skull. It is located within the solid connective tissue of the occipital bone. It is one of the posterior branches of the external carotid artery opposite the facial artery. The external carotid artery is a major artery of the head and neck supplying blood to the face and neck, while the occipital artery supplies blood to the back of the scalp, the sternomastoid muscles, and the deep muscles of the neck and back....
Total knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty, is a highly successful surgical procedure. It is not the only surgical treatment option for knee osteoarthritis, though. Some patients are candidates for partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Difference Between Total and Partial Knee Replacement The knee has three compartments—the medial compartment (inside aspect of the knee), the lateral compartment (outside of the knee) and the patellofemoral compartment (in front of the knee)....
Phlebitis is the inflammation of a superficial vein in the leg. It is recognized by the gradual onset of redness, swelling, pain, and a cord-like hardening along the length of the affected vein. Phlebitis is most often triggered by direct trauma to a vein, resulting in the formation of a blood clot. One of the most common causes is the placement of an intravenous (IV) catheter into a vein of a leg....
A positive at-home COVID-19 test result may appear to answer one concerning question (“Do I have the virus?”) but lead to others (“Now what?”). So it can help to know more about what a positive test means and what to do next if you have a fever, cough, loss of smell, or other COVID-19 symptoms. It’s just as important to understand the limits of a test. The availability of a fast, at-home COVID-19 test is helpful to anyone with symptoms or who’s been exposed to the virus....
Pregnancy can be one of the most exciting and rewarding events. Creating a new life is an intricate process that causes many changes in a person’s body. Learn more about what to expect during the nine months that precede birth—from conception to delivery. Conception Conception is the joining of a sperm and egg, also known as fertilization. In most cases, conception occurs in a person’s fallopian tube in the hours or days following sexual intercourse....
Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by Candida, a yeast. There are over 20 species of Candida yeasts, but the one that most commonly causes infections is called Candida albicans. It’s found in the digestive tract, genital area, and on the surface of your skin. Thanks to the fungi-fighting bacteria in your body and your immune system, this type of Candida normally doesn’t cause problems. But when it overgrows, it can cause infections and yeast rashes....
The most well-known symptom of shingles (herpes zoster) is a severe skin rash. However, before any signs of blisters, you may feel as if you’re only coming down with the flu. You may experience chills and fever, as well as intense pain. It’s not until a few days later that a rash finally joins these shingles symptoms, with clusters of tiny, pimple-like blisters progressing quickly once they appear. If you’re familiar with the signs and symptoms of shingles, you’ll be able to recognize what’s going on, get a diagnosis quickly, and deal with it without delay....
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a serious genetic disease that causes the muscles to become weaker and waste away over time. This inherited neuromuscular disease is caused by a missing or mutated gene that leads a baby to lose motor neurons, nerve cells in the spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. Without an adequate supply of motor neurons, the muscles become weak and atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy most often affects babies and young children but may present in adulthood (though this is rare)....
Whether you’re concerned about your daughter’s decision not to vaccinate her children or you think it’s time to talk to your parents about moving to an assisted living facility, bringing up sensitive subjects with loved ones is never easy. And if you’re not careful, your well-intended words could offend—or even alienate—your loved one. Before you jump into a difficult conversation, invest some time into thinking about how you’re going to craft your message....
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that presents with symptoms of restlessness, an inability to sit still, trouble focusing, and impulsivity. There has long been speculation that sugar either causes ADHD or makes the hyperactivity associated with some people’s symptoms of ADHD worse. However, there is little scientific evidence to support this belief. This article will explore how sugar affects those with ADHD, how to reduce sugar intake, and when to see a healthcare provider....
What Is Tecfidera? Tecfidera (dimethyl fumarate) is an orally administered prescription medicine used to treat several types of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) in adults. The goal of treatment with Tecfidera is to decrease the number of relapses or periods with worsening neurologic symptoms. Tecfidera is classified as a nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator....
The oculomotor nerve enables most of your eye movements, some aspects of vision, and raising the eyelid. It’s the third cranial nerve and works with cranial nerves four (trochlear) and five (trigeminal) to coordinate eye movement. The oculomotor nerve contains both motor and parasympathetic fibers, which classifies it as a mixed nerve. Anatomy You have 12 cranial nerves that originate in the brain and brainstem and mainly perform functions in your face and throat....
If you have been diagnosed with thyroid cancer or you are a friend, family member, or caretaker for someone with the disease, it’s important for you to know how to cope physically, socially, emotionally, and practically. Still, being diagnosed with cancer can be overwhelming in many ways. It will take some time for you to come to terms with the diagnosis and figure out what coping methods help the most....
Rosacea is not curable, but it can be managed and treated with lifestyle modification, skin care, oral and topical prescription medications, and procedures such as laser therapy. Your condition may improve with some of the available interventions and not with others. In time, you and your healthcare providers will be able to track your response to treatment and create a treatment plan that works best for you. Home Remedies and Lifestyle Managing your rosacea means taking care of your skin every single day....
What Is Tribenzor? Tribenzor (olmesartan, amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide) is a combination medication used to lower blood pressure. Tribenzor contains three different drugs: Olmesartan, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide. All of these ingredients work in different ways: Olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), blocks the action of a chemical called angiotensin II, which is responsible for increasing blood pressure. Amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, widens the blood vessels, which allows blood flow to pass more easily....
A drug formulary is the list of prescription drugs, both generic and brand name, that are covered by your health plan. Each health plan develops its own formulary, which is why different drugs are covered by different plans. This article will explain how formularies are developed and what you need to understand about your plan’s formulary in order to get an idea of how much you’re likely to spend when you fill prescriptions....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that 8.5 million people (23% of adults in the United States with diabetes), are walking around undiagnosed. Receiving a diabetes diagnosis can be scary, but early detection and treatment can help prevent complications, and when treated properly, people with diabetes can live long and healthy lives. Learning how to identify diabetes symptoms and understanding your risk for the disease can help you to distinguish between different types of diabetes, diagnosis, and treatment....
