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Chronic migraine is diagnosed when someone experiences at least 15 migraine attacks per month for at least three months. This disorder is sometimes known as transformed migraine because the migraines are episodic at first. Over time, the attacks “transform” and become more frequent—in some cases almost daily. Most people with chronic migraine are women, and more than 90 percent have a history of migraine with aura. Symptoms The primary difference between chronic migraines and episodic migraines is their frequency....

Ribose is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in the body and is made from blood glucose. It is a key component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—a molecule involved in storing and releasing energy, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse propagation—and ribonucleic acid (RNA), a molecule involved in protein synthesis and other cell activities. Also known as D-ribose, it is sold as a nutritional supplement to reduce fatigue and improve athletic performance. The synthetic form of this supplement is called N-ribose....

You should take your birth control pill at about the same time every day to make sure you’re protected against pregnancy. Whether you take progestin-only or combination pills, taking your birth control on time gives your body the right balance of hormones to keep you from ovulating or other mechanisms to protect you from getting pregnant. If you forget a pill or take it earlier or later than usual, it could become less effective....

Eye cancer refers to any cancer that affects the eye. Cancers of the eye are categorized by where the cancer begins: Intraocular cancer is found in the eyeball itself, while orbital and adnexal cancers are found in the tissue and structures surrounding the eye. Symptoms vary depending on which part of the eye is affected and the type of cancer involved. It’s possible for eye cancer to spread to other areas through metastasis....

When you have symptoms that could be food poisoning or stomach flu, it can be hard to figure out which one you have. They both cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. But these two conditions have completely different causes. You get food poisoning from eating food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Stomach flu (medically known as viral gastroenteritis) is usually caused by contact with certain viruses. This article explains the symptoms, causes, diagnostic tests, and treatments for food poisoning vs....

Gallbladder cancer is a rare form of cancer although it is the most common type of cancer of the biliary system. The gallbladder is a small organ that is located under the liver. The function of the gallbladder is to store the digestive fluid called bile. In most cases, gallbladder cancer is challenging to find in the early stages. Once symptoms have started, it is usually advanced and is more difficult to treat....

What Is Glyset? Glyset (miglitol) is an oral prescription drug used with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Glyset is in a drug class called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. It works by slowing the breakdown and absorption of sugar in the small intestine, which helps reduce blood sugar after meals. Glyset is available as a tablet that is taken by mouth. What Is Glyset Used For?...

Gonorrhea, sometimes called “the clap,” is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States. There are around 1.5 million new cases each year. Despite its prevalence, many people don’t know they have gonorrhea. This is because gonorrhea doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially in females. Males tend to experience more noticeable symptoms, but they usually do not seek care early enough to prevent spreading the infection....

Many infectious diseases that once killed or disabled millions have been reined in due to vaccination programs and mass drug treatment initiatives that have reduced the rates of infections in vulnerable populations. Some of these diseases are rarely seen today; a few have been eliminated. There is even one viral disease—smallpox—that used to kill millions but today has been entirely eradicated. Disease elimination and eradication are among the primary goals of public vaccination programs, and it’s important to understand their differences....

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), first introduced in the 1960s, is now widely used to assess blood pressure in real time. ABPM allows a healthcare provider to assess your blood pressure during your routine activities in daily life, whether working, sleeping, or doing chores. Because “ambulatory” refers to being in motion, the technique is preferred because the ambulatory blood pressure monitor is accurate when compared with “whitecoat” readings altered by being in a healthcare provider office....

Arthritis cannot be cured, but an effective arthritis treatment plan can help you manage the disease. The goals of arthritis treatment are to control pain and other symptoms, minimize joint damage and deformities, slow the progression of the disease, and preserve physical functioning. There are several types of arthritis, and there are specific treatments for each type. Arthritis treatment options include medication, lifestyle changes, joint injections, surgeries, and more. You will likely need a combination of treatments, and your regimen may need to change over time....

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by bacteria and often has no symptoms. Despite this, chlamydia can cause complications that can ultimately lead to infertility and other health concerns. While chlamydia can be self-checked at home, it’s still a good idea to see your healthcare provider for an official diagnosis. This article explains how you can find out if you have chlamydia. It also covers what to expect during the diagnostic tests, as well as next steps after you get your results....

What Is Humulin R? Humulin R is a prescription drug used to lower blood sugar in people with high blood sugar (diabetes). It’s a short-acting insulin drug available as a solution for injection or infusion. Humulin R works by allowing blood sugar (glucose) to enter your cells and be used for energy by your body. This lowers your blood sugar. Humulin R is usually used in combination with intermediate- or long-acting insulin or given through a continuous insulin infusion pump under the skin....

Healthcare fraud is more common than you realize. In fiscal year 2019 alone, the federal government recovered $2.6 billion in healthcare fraud and false claims. Keep in mind that number only reflects the cases that were actually caught. Odds are there was more loss that went undetected. Senior citizens are subjected to Medicare scams all the time. Someone could defraud Medicare with your information or use your information to get treatment for themselves....

Kidney failure, also known as renal failure, is a medical condition in which the kidneys function at less than 15% of their normal levels. When the kidneys fail, they cause fluids and waste to build up in the body, leading to potentially severe symptoms. The symptoms, causes, and treatment of kidney failure can vary depending on whether the condition is acute (rapidly developing) or chronic (long-term and gradually progressing). Despite the types, kidney failure requires immediate and sometimes urgent medical care....

Some medical conditions, like bone marrow disease, can cause low white blood cells. These cells are a vital part of the immune system, and having low white blood cells can cause medical problems, especially infections. Low white blood cells can also lead to problems with healing from wounds and make you more susceptible to cancer and other diseases. This article will discuss the symptoms experienced with a low white blood cell count, what causes the symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and when to contact your healthcare provider....

Meningococcal septicaemia is a potentially fatal blood infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a type of bacteria that causes bacterial meningitis. When someone has meningococcal septicemia, the bacteria enter the bloodstream and multiply, damaging the walls of the blood vessels and causing bleeding into the skin and organs. Also called meningococcemia, meningococcal septicaemia is a rare disease, but one you want to recognize quickly. Meningococcal septicaemia can cause death in a matter of hours....

Scientists have been trying for more than 40 years to develop an HIV vaccine. To date, only six vaccine candidates have progressed to large-scale human testing. Of these, only one—a dual vaccine approach tested in the RV144 trial in Thailand in 2006—demonstrated even partial efficacy. The challenges of developing an HIV vaccine are well known and mainly involve the virus’ ability to mutate and evade the body’s immune defenses. HIV’s rapid mutation rate has led to a multitude of different variants that a single vaccine (or even a combination of vaccines) has yet to be able to neutralize....

Night guards, also called mouth guards, bite guards, or teeth protectors, are tooth coverings to ease night clenching and grinding known as bruxism. Bruxism is considered a sleep disorder that affects some 31% of adults. Night guards are not to be confused with sports mouth guards, which are worn by athletes to reduce the risk of trauma to their teeth during sport. Easing the associated clenching and grinding with teeth protectors helps protect against tooth damage and gum recession....

Norovirus is the number one cause of gastroenteritis (the stomach flu) in the United States. It is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines. This leads to symptoms like abdominal cramping, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Treatment of norovirus usually only involves drinking lots of fluids to prevent dehydration, though hospitalization for aggressive intravenous (through the vein) fluid replacement is required in severe cases. Norovirus Symptoms Symptoms of norovirus generally begin about 12 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus particles (which are not visible to the naked eye)....