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Atherosclerosis (also called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. The two terms are often used interchangeably. There are many risk factors that may come into play when a person has atherosclerosis. One such major contributing influence is hypertension (high blood pressure), which can cause damage to the arteries and result in the restriction of blood flow to the heart and other organs and tissues of the body....

An ingrown nail develops when one or both sides of your nail grow into the skin. Over time, this can cause pain, swelling, and even infection. Although ingrown nails are more common in toenails, your fingernails can also become ingrown. An ingrown fingernail can make everyday activities such as typing on a keyboard or holding a pen much more difficult. This article will discuss what ingrown nails are and why they happen....

If you have an injury or illness, you may benefit from physical therapy to help you move better and feel better. Your physical therapist (PT) will assess your condition and use various treatments and techniques as part of your rehab program. One such treatment is massage and myofascial release of tissues, or a hands-on soft tissue technique. PTs often use multiple types of massage, and one such type is known as instrument-assisted, soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)....

Popping pimples can be very tempting, but resist the urge. When you pop a pimple, it damages the underlying tissue and can leave your complexion looking worse. Popping pimples on your face, back, chest, or buttocks can lead to more breakouts, discoloration, and acne scars. This article explains why popping pimples is bad for your skin. It also provides tips for safely treating acne so that it won’t cause skin damage or scarring....

Loss of taste and smell can be a symptom of many different medical conditions, including allergies, COVID-19, and upper respiratory infections. It can also be a symptom of some neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the symptoms that occur in addition to your loss of taste and smell can be a clue in determining the underlying cause. Learn more about the loss of taste and smell from allergies, and how to manage these symptoms, in this article....

The meniscus is a complex structure that provides both cushioning and stability to the knee. If the meniscus is damaged (i.e., torn), orthopedic surgeons attempt to repair it through surgery. Unfortunately, despite advances in arthroscopy, that is not always possible. Reasons for a Meniscus Transplant When the meniscus is removed, you’re left without much cushioning in the joint. Initially, this tends not to be a problem. Over time, osteoarthritis may develop in the knee joint, which may or may not be painful....

If you have a narcissistic mother or father, you may be wondering how being raised by narcissists can hurt a child. Maybe the effects have already shown up in obvious ways, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, complex PTSD, and feelings of unworthiness or not being capable as an independent adult. It’s not your fault if you developed certain beliefs early on that may be continuing to cause problems at work, school, or home....

Life expectancy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be predicted by assessing body mass index (BMI), airway obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity. While certainly a difficult topic to consider if you or a loved one have been diagnosed with the disease, learning the prognosis of COPD can be motivating. For some, it is what prompts them to make much-needed changes that may improve their quality of life and help them live longer....

Propionic acidemia is a rare and serious genetic disorder that affects multiple systems of the body, including the brain and heart. It is most often identified shortly after birth. In the United States, there are between 3,000 and 30,000 people living with the disorder. Due to a genetic defect, the body is unable to properly process certain parts of proteins and fats. This ultimately leads to the symptoms of the condition....

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition in which the kidneys are damaged and not able to function properly. More than 37 million adults in the United States live with CKD. While the most common causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure, other causes include infections, genetic disorders, and heavy metal poisoning. There are five stages of kidney disease, ranging from mild CKD (stage 1) to end stage CKD (stage 5)....

People can be on antidepressants to manage depression, anxiety, or both mental health conditions for just a few months to several years. But what should you do if you want to safely come off of the medication? Key Takeaways A systematic review published in April highlights the absence of a clear safest way to discontinue antidepressants for people who live with depression, anxiety, or both.After discontinuing antidepressants, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms or a relapse of their mental health condition....

While thyroid disease most often develops during adulthood, it can occur in infants, children, and teenagers as well. The symptoms of thyroid disease in children may be hard to recognize because many—changes in appetite, sleep patterns, emotions, and energy levels—are all also experienced as part of normal development during these years. Thyroid Disease in Children Thyroid disease during infancy, which is usually identified through newborn screening tests, is not common. Congenital hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid problem identified at birth....

COVID-19 has drastically altered the way cancer care is practiced. In the early days of the pandemic, cancer treatment was delayed, and people (patients and doctors alike) were unsure of what was safe. Healthcare providers had to make quick changes from in-person visits to an entirely new way of practicing medicine. Remote access to healthcare, also known as telehealth, has become widely available, especially for people with different types of cancer....

Tremor—shaking that you can’t control—is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that usually develops after at least five years of having the disease, though this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Tremors can occur when you’re trying to do something with your hands, whether you’re standing or sitting, and their severity can range from being barely noticeable to significantly interfering with your daily tasks. Signs and Symptoms Tremors are involuntary muscular contractions that result in a rhythmic, back-and-forth movement of a specific body part....

The ulnar artery is the last branch, or the terminal branch, of the brachial artery. It transports oxygenated blood to each of the muscles in the forearm and the hand. The ulnar artery starts at the proximal forearm, crosses in front of the elbow, and travels down to the medial forearm on the side of the pinky finger where it ends. The wide diameter and location of the ulnar artery both make it a suitable choice for the placement of hemodialysis fistulas....

Pulsus paradoxus is a drop in blood pressure of more than 10 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) when taking a breath. It’s a very specific sign that can only be adequately recognized when monitoring pressure with an arterial catheter. Pulsus paradoxus is a sign of some other condition and by itself is not a medical condition. When you breathe in (called inspiration or inhalation), your blood pressure drops a little. However, when the amount of change in blood pressure is big enough, this is called pulsus paradoxus and could be a sign of one of several significant medical conditions....

A vesicle, also known as a blister or a vesicular lesion, forms when fluid becomes trapped under the top layer of skin (epidermis), creating a bubble-like sac. Skin vesicles can be caused by chickenpox, eczema, rash due to skin irritation or allergy, shingles, friction, bacterial infections, and herpes simplex. This article explains vesicle symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Vesicle Symptoms Vesicles appear as small blisters on the skin. They typically look like little bubbles of fluid and are less than one centimeter in diameter....

Volvulus occurs when part of the intestine loops around and folds over itself. It often happens in the cecal and sigmoid colon sections of the intestines. The twisting can cut off the tissue’s blood supply, leading to symptoms such as extreme pain, bloody stool, and bowel obstruction. Volvulus can lead to bowel perforation and necrosis, or tissue death, which can be life-threatening. Older people between the ages of 50 and 80 are more at risk for volvulus, as are people with chronic health conditions....

“Hematemesis” is the medical term for vomiting blood. Blood that is vomited comes from the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It can be caused by something minor or a severe condition. Common causes are peptic ulcer disease and esophageal varices. Vomiting blood is a medical emergency. You should head to a hospital emergency department. This article will cover the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hematemesis. It will focus on identifying blood in vomit and why it is a medical emergency....

On December 11, 2021 the Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization for the messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for COVID‑19 co-developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The emergency use vaccine is approved for people ages 5 and older. Key Takeaways DNA and RNA vaccines have the same goal as traditional vaccines, but they work slightly differently.Instead of injecting a weakened form of a virus or bacteria into the body as with a traditional vaccine, DNA and RNA vaccines use part of the virus’ own genetic code to stimulate an immune response....