Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that makes up about 15% of pediatric cancers. It is most often diagnosed in children between the ages of 1 and 2 years old, and most cases are diagnosed before age 5. Neuroblastoma is one of the most common types of cancer affecting the sympathetic nervous system. The tumors develop in immature nerve cells in the adrenal glands (around the kidneys), neck, chest, or spinal cord....
Pau d’arco is derived from tree bark of the Tabebuia impetiginosa or Tabebuia avellanedae species. It contains plant-based naphthoquinone compounds called lapachol and beta-lapachone. Vitamin K is also a naphthoquinone and increases blood clotting. This may explain why pau d’arco may sometimes cause the side effect of impaired blood clotting. These plant-based compounds, drawn from the rainforests of Central and South America, are studied for their potential antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects....
In a recent letter published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers reported that prediabetes in American teens has more than doubled over the last 20 years. Key Takeaways Prediabetes in adolescents in the United States has doubled over the last 20 years, in part because more children are overweight and obese.The childhood obesity epidemic is a complex phenomenon that is rooted in many social, environmental, and economic factors.Experts are calling for more prevention and screening of teens for prediabetes....
It is not unusual for people—sometimes even medical professionals—to mistake psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), simply referred to as lupus. These two conditions share many symptoms, including joint pain and skin symptoms. But they also have many differences and ways to tell them apart. Both of these diseases cause inflammation throughout the body, as well as arthritis (joint pain and swelling). In PsA, the arthritis is erosive, leading to loss of bone and cartilage....
Ask a doctor, nurse, paramedic, or athletic trainer what to do for a soft-tissue injury like a sprain or strain and you’re likely to hear the same advice: a treatment regimen known as RICE. The RICE acronym stands for: RestIceCompressionElevation For decades, RICE has been the gold standard for minor sprains and strains. But does this method work? This article will look at the RICE process, the pros and cons of this method, and what else you can do for mild soft-tissue injuries....
While not often serious, seasonal allergies in kids can be very unpleasant. Your child may experience symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, red eyes, or a runny nose. Knowing the symptoms, you can treat allergies before they become more bothersome. Read more about the steps to take to treat seasonal allergies in kids and information about their causes and prevention methods. What Are Seasonal Allergies? Seasonal allergies are reactions to things that are only around during certain times of the year....
Squamous cell carcinoma, also known as squamous cell cancer, is the second most common type of skin cancer following basal cell carcinoma. About 1 million cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. It begins in the squamous skin cells located in the top layer of skin called the epidermis. Squamous cell carcinoma is considered a slow-growing cancer, and staging is not always necessary since the disease is often diagnosed before it has spread....
There are three stages of labor: contractions, childbirth, and delivery of the placenta. Pregnancy can be full of surprises, and labor is no different. Just how long or challenging giving birth may be varies greatly from person to person and from pregnancy to pregnancy. However, getting to know the three stages of labor can give you the information you and your support system need to feel adequately prepared for what comes next....
Systolic heart failure, also known as heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), is a type of heart failure in which the main chamber of the heart does not pump as effectively as it should. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, leg swelling, and shortness of breath. This article discusses systolic heart failure and its symptoms, causes, and treatment. Understanding Systolic Heart Failure The heart acts as a pump to supply oxygen and nutrients throughout the body....
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. It causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as limits range of motion in the affected areas. While its diagnosis typically includes an in-person physical exam, lab tests, and imaging, telehealth visits offer a wide array of options for OA patients, including initial consultation of your symptoms. You can also have routine follow-ups, prescription refills, medication adjustments, and much more through telehealth....
The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine can now be administered again in the United States. On Friday, April 23, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that they were lifting the 10-day pause on the vaccine after a thorough safety investigation into the rare side effect of blood clots. Key Takeaways The FDA and CDC have lifted the pause on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in the United States....
Hydrocortisone cream is a topical steroid used to treat mild inflammatory skin conditions, commonly referred to as dermatitis. Hydrocortisone cream is available over the counter in different strengths, such as 0.5% and 1.0%. It is also available by prescription, at a strength of 2.5%. Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, similar to a hormone produced naturally in your adrenal glands. It works by easing the swelling, itching, and redness caused by dermatitis....
Uterine fibroids—also known as leiomyomas—are fairly common. These growths are benign (they are not cancerous) and they may be asymptomatic (without symptoms), or they can cause symptoms ranging from pelvic/abdominal discomfort to irregular bleeding to pregnancy issues. This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. No group is hit harder by uterine fibroids than Black women. Not only are Black women three times more likely than women of other races to develop fibroids, but they are more likely to get them earlier in life and develop symptoms....
Dehydration, poor sleep, and stress are some of the many reasons why you could be waking up in the morning with a migraine. Read about the causes and symptoms of migraines, and, importantly, how to prevent and treat them. Causes of Migraines The exact causes of migraines are still being researched, though it’s thought attacks are caused by waves of hyperactivity in certain brain cells. This overstimulation releases serotonin and estrogen, two important hormones, causing blood vessels to constrict and leading to headache....
What factors influence survival rates for rectal cancer, and what is the current life expectancy based on these statistics? Rectal Cancer Survival and Life Expectancy When faced with the uncertainty of cancer, it’s human nature to want to learn as much as possible about the disease and to try to figure out how it’s all going to play out. The rectal cancer survival rates presented here will help give you a sense of the problem at hand, but it’s important to remember that survival rates are generalizations, and individual chances of survival may be quite different....
If you have suffered a broken bone, also known as a fracture, then you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist. Your physical therapist can help you regain normal range of motion, strength, and functional mobility after a fracture. So what do physical therapy and rehab entail after a fracture? If you have had the unfortunate injury of a fracture or broken bone, then you may understand how painful this can be....
As the United States enters its second flu season during the COVID-19 pandemic, experts warn of the risk of a “twindemic” of the two respiratory illnesses. Key Takeaways The symptoms of flu, COVID-19, and the common cold can overlap, making it difficult to diagnose a respiratory illness without a test.For people who are unvaccinated against the flu or live with chronic conditions, influenza infection can lead to adverse outcomes including hospitalization or death....
It’s well-documented that COVID-19 can cause a temporary, and possibly long-term, loss of sense of smell. This symptom can often be an early indicator of infection. While experts still aren’t sure why this occurs, researchers from Harvard University are getting closer to determining how it happens. Losing your sense of smell and/or taste can be a stronger indicator of COVID-19 than symptoms like fever or cough.Scientists are unsure exactly what causes loss of smell, or if it has long-term implications....
Even though it’s something you have to do every day, why we sleep remains a mystery. Many sleep theories abound, yet scientists are far from universal agreement about how to answer the question, “Why do we sleep at night?” Only in the last few decades have they even begun to unravel sleep’s true secrets. At least four common theories are in play, but it remains to be seen which—if any—are correct....
New variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been detected around the world. One question is whether the COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out will be effective against the new strains. Another concern is whether the new variants will mean more cases of reinfection. Key Takeaways New variants of the coronavirus are appearing across the world, making reinfection possible—though rare.The U.K. variant appears to be more infectious, while the South African and Brazilian variants have mutations on the virus’s spike protein....
