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Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB), also known as neurological Lyme disease or simply neuroborreliosis, is a secondary symptom of Lyme disease involving the central nervous system. LNB is usually preceded by the classic symptoms of Lyme disease, after which the spread of the Borrelia bacterium throughout the body triggers neurological effects in some. Among the most common symptoms of LNB are nerve pain, numbness, double vision, and facial palsy. It is not unusual for LNB symptoms to persist for weeks or even months....

There are two main categories of drugs for managing migraine headaches: those taken to prevent them from happening and those used for the acute treatment of a migraine that’s already underway. Healthcare providers often refer to the latter as “abortive” medications. Under the umbrella of abortive migraine treatments are drugs ranging from over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics (painkillers) to prescription medications that treat not only the headache but also other migraine symptoms....

An out-of-pocket maximum is the most that an insured person will have to spend in a given year on covered, in-network essential health benefits. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and subsequent annual regulations set caps on how high a health plan’s maximum out-of-pocket can be, but these limits tend to increase each year. This article will explain the rules that apply to out-of-pocket caps and why they tend to increase over time....

Bright red isn’t the only possible period blood color. You may notice dark red or pink blood at different points during menstruation. Period blood color can even be black, orange, green, gray, or brown for various reasons ranging from early pregnancy to infection and more. What’s typical for you may not be the same as for someone else. And even your own period blood color may change from day to day or period to period....

A cough can be wet or dry. A dry cough is nonproductive and does not bring up fluid like mucus or phlegm. A wet, productive cough does bring up fluid. This article will go over the common causes of a wet or dry cough, what it means for a cough to be productive or nonproductive, and the best treatments for each type of cough. What Is a Productive Cough? A productive cough brings up mucus or another fluid from the respiratory tract....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both autoimmune diseases. They occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy cells and tissue. With PsA, the immune system attacks the skin and joints. With MS, attacks focus on the protective coverings of nerve cells of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes. Both PsA and MS are progressive diseases, which means they will get worse with time. It is, therefore, important to get an early diagnosis and treatment to reduce the complications and damage these conditions can cause....

A rectal thermometer is the most accurate tool for checking body temperature in infants and small children. If you have never taken a rectal temperature before, it may seem intimidating. But rest assured, using a rectal thermometer is quite simple and will not hurt or harm the child (but it may stimulate a bowel movement). Taking a rectal temperature involves gently inserting a thermometer into the anus for about one minute....

Seizures are sudden, uncontrollable electrical disturbances in the brain. When pathways of communication between neurons (nerve cells) in the brain are disrupted, the opportunity for seizures arises. Seizures can cause changes in: BehaviorMoodMovementsLevel of consciousness What Are Seizures? There are different classifications of seizures which vary in severity, symptoms, duration, and place of origin in the brain. A typical seizure will last from 30 seconds to two minutes. A prolonged, uncontrollable seizure may indicate a greater health risk....

Salivary glands make saliva and help with digestion. Anyone can develop swollen salivary glands, which could be a sign of a blockage, infection, or something more serious. About one in 100,000 Americans develop swelling as a result of salivary gland cancers. This article will explore the causes, risk factors, and treatments of salivary gland swelling. Salivary Gland Function Salivary glands make a fluid called saliva that moistens your mouth and helps break down food....

Yeast on the scalp that causes infection is a condition that can occur at any age, although it is more common in children. There are many factors that can contribute to a scalp yeast infection, but an overgrowth of yeast is the primary underlying cause. Several types of over-the-counter shampoo products, as well as prescription medications, can be used to treat a yeast infection on the scalp. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of yeast on the scalp....

Liver failure is when the liver loses its ability to perform its essential roles. Liver failure can be broken down into two categories, acute liver failure and chronic liver failure. Acute liver failure happens suddenly. It is typically due to a virus, medication, or an autoimmune disease. Chronic liver failure happens slowly over time and can be caused by several different conditions. When the liver is damaged, people usually will experience warning signs to let them know that something is not quite right....

Individual health insurance (also known as individual/family health insurance) is the kind that you buy yourself instead of obtaining from an employer. There’s an annual window each year—in most states, from November 1 to January 15—when enrollment is open to purchase these plans. Outside of that window, special enrollment periods allow people to buy individual health insurance or switch to a different plan when they experience certain circumstances or life events....

Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, if you play sports, you’ve probably faced an injury at some point. Common sports injuries include sprains, strains, swollen muscles, shin splints, rotator cuff injuries, knee injuries, fractures, and dislocations. Some sports problems are acute injuries, the result of a sudden event that causes very noticeable symptoms. Others are chronic, overuse conditions that may have more subtle signs, either at first or consistently over time....

Sulfur is an abundant mineral in the human body. It occurs naturally and has many functions. Proteins, vitamins, and other elements in the body contain sulfur, which plays a vital role in several processes that are essential to life. Sulfur is found in various foods and is also available as a supplement. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) are types of sulfur supplements. While these products are widely available, research on the health benefits of sulfur supplements is limited....

Fatigue is a common symptom of thyroid disease. And, if you’ve experienced it, you’re very aware that this isn’t the typical fatigue that many people experience after a night of poor sleep or during a stressful time. It’s often extreme exhaustion that interferes with daily life. Whether you find yourself needing a nap every afternoon to make it to dinnertime or waking up unrefreshed and brain-fogged despite a full night’s sleep, it may make you feel better to know that you’re not alone....

Undifferentiated spondyloarthritis (USpA) is a term used to describe the symptoms of spondylitis in individuals who do not meet the definitive criteria for a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) or another spondyloarthropathy (e.g., psoriatic arthritis). It is most commonly diagnosed in individuals who have a variety of symptoms that cannot be classified as a specific disorder. For example, a person may have heel pain and knee pain without the common intestinal symptoms or back pain found in those diagnosed with AS....

Vulvar cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the vulva of women. Not to be confused with the vagina, the vulva is the external female anatomy. It encompasses the labia majora and labia minora (folds of skin that protect the vaginal opening), clitoris, and urethra. Squamous cell vulvar carcinoma is the most common type of vulvar cancer. It accounts for more than 95% of diagnosed cases. Melanoma of the vulva is the second most common and represents about 5% of women with vulvar cancer....

At some point, you may need to rent a wheelchair for a day or for several days. ​Many different models, including power chairs and scooters, are available. Renting a wheelchair takes some advance planning, and it may be more of a challenge when you are traveling out of town. Knowing more about your options and the rental process can help. Types of Wheelchairs There are a number of types of wheelchairs that you can rent....

A vaginal ring to prevent HIV has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO), putting it one step closer to being an HIV-preventative for people with vaginas around the world. Key Takeaways The dapivirine ring has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO). The vaginal ring can help reduce the risk of HIV infection in women.Experts are hopeful that at-risk women will use the ring once it becomes available....

Twisting your knee can frequently lead to the development of pain in your joint. While this type of injury commonly affects the meniscus or knee ligaments, there are actually multiple different structures that can be affected. Paying attention to your individual symptoms and their location can provide important clues that help diagnose the cause of your pain. Overview of Knee Anatomy The knee is made up of multiple important structures, many of which can be damaged when you twist your knee....