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We commonly hear how important it is to take probiotic supplements for gut health. But where does this recommendation come from, and is it valid or just another fleeting health fad? As dietitians who love myth-busting, we decided to figure out what the latest science actually says about gut health—and probiotic supplements. Having many different types of healthy gut bacteria—also called a diverse microbiome—can, among other things, support digestion and help strengthen our immune systems....

Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome (ZES) is a rare disorder that causes one or more tumors to form in the pancreas or the upper part of the small intestine called the duodenum. It can also cause ulcers to develop in the stomach and the duodenum. The tumors are called gastrinomas, and they secrete a large amount of the hormone gastrin. This then causes excessive production of stomach acid, which can lead to peptic ulcers....

Jodi Cruz was 16 years old when she first received her type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Because of her condition, she’s had to monitor her blood sugar and take insulin several times a day for years. But over time, managing her condition became increasingly difficult, leading to low blood sugar episodes and long-term effects. Key Takeaways Advancements in islet cell transplantation now allow patients with type 1 diabetes to live insulin-free lives....

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental disorder in which there is a pervasive pattern of disregard for the rights of others. ASPD is characterized by reckless behavior, exploitation of others, and lying for personal gain with a lack of remorse. This article will explain more about antisocial personality disorder, along with its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Characteristics, Traits, and Symptoms A person with ASPD begins to show symptoms of the condition as a child or a teenager....

Arnica is a homeopathic herb used to treat aches, pains, and bruises. Arnica plants have long, downy leaves and the flowers are daisy-like. It comes from the sub-alpine regions of western North America. It can also be found in the arctic. An herb in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), arnica has been thought to contain anti-inflammatory compounds. This is thought to relieve muscle and joint pain. Arnica can be applied topically to the skin as a gel....

What Is Baraclude? Baraclude (entecavir) is an antiviral medication that works against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in adults and children (must be at least 2 years old and weigh 22 pounds and above). Baraclude is not a cure for HBV but only limits the ability of HBV to multiply and infect new liver cells. It may also improve the condition of your liver. Baraclude available as 0.5 milligram (mg) white and 1 mg pink tablets and a 0....

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. While survivorship is high, coping with breast cancer can be very difficult. Along with pain, fear, and cognitive impairment from treatment, mental health issues can also occur. Following a breast cancer diagnosis, it is common for people to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health disorder that involves difficulty recovering after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic situation....

A clear liquid diet consists of liquids such as water, clear broth, and apple juice. These liquids are considered “clear” because they do not have any pulp, bits of food, or cream in them. A liquid diet is often prescribed before certain medical tests or procedures. It can also be used before or after surgery on the gastrointestinal tract. Clear liquid diets are meant to be followed only for a short time....

The diverticulitis diet includes foods to eat during a flare-up and during recovery. With a flare-up, experts recommend a clear liquid diet for a few days. During recovery, you will slowly reintroduce low-fiber solid food, like white bread and low fiber cereal, back into your diet over the next few days. Once you are feeling better, the standard recommendation is to eat foods high in fiber with little or no red meat....

Breast cancer means a malignant tumor has developed from uncontrolled, abnormal breast cell growth. Abnormal cells will rapidly divide and accumulate, forming a breast lump or mass. Cancerous growths can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Different types of breast cells can develop into cancer. Most breast cancers will start in the ducts that carry milk (invasive ductal carcinoma) to the nipple or the glands that produce milk (invasive lobular carcinoma)....

The human eye consists of mostly water, collagen, and protein, and it always contains fluid in the form of tears to keep the eye lubricated. However, sometimes the eye develops a buildup of excess fluid. This issue can be caused by a variety of conditions and factors. As the excess fluid in the eye starts to build up, it can initially mimic symptoms of allergies or puffy eyes from lack of sleep, so it can be easy to overlook or ignore these signs....

Fish allergy tends to be a lifelong allergy, with about 40% of people with fish allergy experiencing their first reaction as an adult. The most common kinds of finned fish causing an allergic reaction are salmon, tuna, and halibut, although other ​fish such as Pollock, cod, snapper and eel are also common. More than half of individuals who are allergic to one finned fish will be allergic to another, so those with fish allergy are usually advised to avoid all fish....

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a type of dementia that has often been called Pick’s disease. It encompasses a group of disorders that affect behavior, emotions, communication, and cognition. Other names used for FTD include: Frontotemporal degenerationFrontal temporal dementiaPick’s complexFrontotemporal lobar degenerationFrontal dementia In FTD, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are affected and atrophy (shrink) in size. FTD typically strikes relatively young persons (50s to 60s), but it has also been identified in people as young as 21 and as old as the late 80s....

The causes and risk factors for non-celiac gluten sensitivity are unclear and are being researched. Unlike celiac disease, it doesn’t have the typical markers or intestine damage used to diagnose that autoimmune disorder. And unlike wheat allergy, it doesn’t have the markers of an allergic disorder. While, by definition, the condition responds to a gluten-free diet, it may be triggered by the gluten protein or by other compounds found in the gluten-containing grains wheat, barley, and rye....

For managing high blood pressure, the ideal target number has changed over the years. In 2017, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released updated guidelines. They recommended that the level considered to be hypertension (high blood pressure) be lowered to 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) for all adults. The previous guidelines defined hypertension as 140/90 mm Hg and higher for people younger than 65 and 150/80 mm Hg and up for people older than 65....

If your child has been diagnosed with epilepsy, you and they will face some challenges. Each child (and their family) has a unique situation, and parents play an important role in helping them thrive. It’s likely that you and your child have already had to deal with anxiety and uncertainty leading up to the diagnosis of epilepsy. And some issues might still be uncertain—including the prognosis of other symptoms and whether your child’s seizures will be well controlled....

Eczema affects people of all ages, causing areas of skin that are typically very itchy, dry, crusty, scaly, and/or thickened. But where atopic eczema rashes occur differs depending on how old you are, and the locations are predictable for babies, toddlers, children, and adults. They can also change as a person gets older. The most common form of eczema across all ages is atopic dermatitis. This type of eczema mostly affects people who tend to have asthma, hay fever, or food allergies....

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) develops because the macula, the central portion of the retina, becomes thinner and tiny clumps of protein, called drusen, grow as a result of retinal waste product buildup. As drusen accumulates and the macula thins out, seeing in low light and identifying details clearly become more difficult. Straight lines may also appear wavy. Treatment for AMD depends on the stage and type. There are three stages of dry AMD: early, intermediate, and late....

It can be difficult to calm your body and mind when you’re angry, anxious, or stressed. Yet, there are many techniques you can try to help you calm yourself. From deep breathing to muscle relaxation, there are many tools you can utilize to help yourself calm down, both mentally and physically. This article will provide actionable tips on how to relax and explain the tell-tale signs that you need to calm yourself down....

John Cunningham virus or JC virus is another name for human polyomavirus 2. JC virus is very common—between 70% to 90% of the world’s population would test positive for it. For most healthy people, JC virus will not cause problems. The virus becomes inactive (dormant), and most people will never get sick from it—or even know that they carry it. However, people with weak immune systems are at risk of developing a serious, potentially fatal, illness if they get JC virus....