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The word “myelopathy” means a problem with the spinal cord, which can lead to numbness, weakness, dysautonomia (group of conditions causing problems with involuntary movements), and more. There are many different possible causes of myelopathy. Infection is not the most common cause, but doctors need to recognize it because infections require different types of treatment. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites can all lead to spinal cord damage. This article will take a close look at 10 types of spinal cord infections....

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial plant (meaning it regrows every year). It belongs to the Fabaceae family that has long been used in traditional medicine to treat various health conditions. Alfalfa is high in vitamins, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and iron. People eat alfalfa fresh in the form of sprouts. It has a sweet, bitter, grassy flavor. It is also available as a supplement. Some people claim it can help with diabetes, high cholesterol, arthritis, urinary tract infections, menstrual problems, and other disorders....

Antibodies are proteins made by the immune system in response to an infection or vaccination. They are present on the surface of important cells of your immune system called B cells. Other immune cells called T cells help clear the infection. Antibody tests can detect the body’s levels of antibodies against a certain virus. When a test detects antibodies, it means that a person was previously infected or vaccinated for a disease such as COVID-19....

A diagnosis of asthma can trigger a lot of feelings. You may be scared of having an asthma attack or worried that your quality of life will never be the same again. Learning all you need to know to control your asthma may seem daunting and frustrating—and actually making the necessary changes can be even more so. The good news is that, with the right strategies, you can control your asthma and lead an active, healthy life....

Bladder cancer staging is used to help your doctor understand the extent of your cancer, including if cancer cells have spread beyond the bladder and how far, and how best to treat it. Staging is usually the next step after you have been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Bladder cancer staging is one of the most important parts of developing a treatment plan. This article will review the bladder cancer stages and how they are determined....

Coping with breast cancer has many layers of complexity. While you will undoubtedly get strategies on dealing with the physical aspects, body image is one that doesn’t get talked about enough. Whether you are preserving your breasts, removing them, or reconstructing them, learning to accept and even love a post-treatment body can be a process. Everyone, of course, is different. Some women may feel treatment-related scars or their new breasts are visible reminders of beating their disease that, while perhaps not desired, are appreciated....

What Is Catapres-TTS-3 - Transdermal? Catapres-TTS-3 (clonidine) is a prescription medication often used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is available as an extended-release transdermal skin patch that contains clonidine. Clonidine belongs to a class of medications known as centrally acting alpha‑agonists. It is also called an antihypertensive agent. This medication works by stimulating certain receptors called alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain. This relaxes the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily....

Most people with type 2 diabetes eventually need multiple medications to help them manage their blood sugar (glucose) levels. Finding the right treatment for your needs can take some time. Understanding how combination therapy works and who it is best for can help you work with your healthcare provider to find the medication combination that’s right for you. This article discusses combination therapy for type 2 diabetes—what it is, its benefits, risks, and more....

Your body endures a lot during surgery. It may not be surprising, then, to hear that patients often have bouts of constipation after surgery. Constipation is when stools are dry or hard and you have trouble passing them. This article will discuss the causes of constipation after surgery. It will also discuss some of the complications of this problem and how to prevent and treat it. What Are Normal Bowel Movements?...

Chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD) is considered an independent risk factor for lung cancer in more ways than one. Not only is tobacco smoking the number one risk factor for both diseases, but even never-smokers who develop COPD are more likely to develop lung cancer than those who don’t. How COPD can trigger the onset of lung cancer is not entirely clear but, as a group of progressive obstructive diseases—which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema)—COPD is known to cause profound and irreversible changes to the airways....

Living with Dravet syndrome involves many considerations that can affect day-to-day life. There are emotional, physical, and social issues that can arise due to this condition. A multidisciplinary medical team can help with providing direction, treatment, and referrals to appropriate services. The condition also affects families, who will need support too. Coping strategies may change over the years as a person’s needs and situation change. Emotional Cognitive and behavioral issues are part of Dravet syndrome....

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. The symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis can vary and include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and food impaction. While eosinophilic esophagitis and its symptoms can be managed, there is no known cure for this condition. This article will discuss the challenges that come with being diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as strategies to help you cope....

Gorlin syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that often runs in families. This condition is caused by a mutation in a gene that suppresses the formation of tumors. Gorlin syndrome can affect any organ in the body, including the skin, bones, and reproductive system. Common symptoms include basal cell carcinomas, benign (noncancerous) cysts in the jaw, and pitted skin in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Gorlin syndrome can be challenging to manage but isn’t a fatal condition....

While almost everyone gets the human papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives, some populations are significantly more likely to develop HPV-associated cancers. These differences in cancer rates and deaths are examples of health disparities, and they can have profound effects on individuals, families, and whole communities. Minority populations, especially Black women, are disproportionately impacted by HPV-associated cancers. HPV-Associated Cancers HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States....

Because adrenocortical carcinoma is often diagnosed after it has spread (metastasized), first-line treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination. New treatments for cancer of the adrenal cortex are also emerging, including biologics (treatment made with substances from living organisms) and targeted therapy (treatment that targets specific genetic mutations). This article discusses standard treatment options for adrenocortical carcinoma, alternative therapies, and common side effects. Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures The standard treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy....

After a burn has healed, you’ll likely be left with a scar—especially if you had a second or third-degree burn. The severity of scarring depends on the depth of the burn and how it was initially treated and managed. You can’t usually completely eliminate burn scars, but you can treat them and reduce their appearance. Treatments for burn scars generally fall under four main categories: Over-the-counter topical treatments Non-surgical specialist procedures Laser therapy Surgery Treatment options depend on whether you want to improve the appearance or whether the scar has caused skin contractures (tight areas of skin) that affect your ability to move....

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular system, which regulates bodily motion, swallowing, and breathing. In this neuromuscular disorder, the body’s own immune system interrupts signaling between nerves and muscles, leading to muscular weakness, especially after exertion, as well as respiratory issues and a host of other symptoms. Since there are many different signs and they may be subtle, diagnosis can be challenging. It may involve everything from function and blood tests, as well as those assessing nerve and pulmonary function....

Travel can be grueling, particularly when you are tired. If you’re faced with a long trip, especially a red-eye overnight flight, you may wonder how to best sleep on an airplane flight. From selecting the perfect seat to bringing along comfortable accessories like pillows and eye masks, it’s possible to rejuvenate yourself while flying and arrive feeling a little more rested. Learn how to best sleep on a plane with 5 simple considerations....

If you’ve ever sent a health question to your primary healthcare provider through a patient portal, then you have experienced a type of telehealth. Sometimes called “telemedicine” or “virtual health care,” telehealth facilitates care from a distance through electronic information systems. Telemedicine originally delivered care through the telephone system, such as a Dial-a-Nurse line. Today, telehealth encompasses a broad range of electronic delivery systems that include live video chats, mobile health (also called mhealth) apps, online visits, and secure messaging via text or email....

Hypocalcemia refers to low levels of calcium found on a blood test. It can cause symptoms like tingling, muscle cramps, and heart rhythm problems that can range from mild to life-threatening. Hypocalcemia is particularly a problem for people who are hospitalized. One study found that over 20% of such people could be characterized as having hypocalcemia in addition to their other medical problems. Symptoms If your calcium is only a little low, you might not notice any symptoms from hypocalcemia....