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The MBD5 gene is thought to be involved in the production of certain proteins that are necessary for proper neurological development and function. When part of this gene is missing or duplicated (there are extra copies), the expression of these necessary proteins is altered and can greatly hinder the proper development of the neurological system. Inherited neurodevelopmental disorders involving the MBD5 gene include MBD5 haploinsufficiency, 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome, and 2q23.1 duplication syndrome....

A peptide is a short chain made up of two or more amino acids. The amino acids are linked by a chemical bond called a peptide bond. When organized in complex structures (typically consisting of 50 or more amino acids), peptides then become proteins. Peptides have several functions in the body. They are also the basis of various medications. Types Peptides are mainly categorized in three different ways: According to how many amino acids make up the chain: Oligopeptides have few amino acids, while polypeptides are longer chains—typically between 20 to 50 amino acids....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can significantly affect a person’s life. Prognosis can vary from person to person, but early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can reduce the impact this chronic autoimmune disease has on a person’s quality of life. Progression How psoriatic arthritis progresses is dependent on the type of PsA a person has, if the skin is involved, the stage it was in at the time of diagnosis, treatment received, and treatment response....

Psychosis is an experience in which a person loses touch with reality. People experiencing psychosis may have sensations that are not really there, such as hearing voices others cannot hear. They may also have firmly held beliefs in something that is demonstrably false, even after being confronted with evidence of its falsehood. About 3% of Americans will experience psychosis at some point in their lifetime. Definition of Psychosis While it has multiple characteristics and stages, psychosis is not a condition in and of itself, but rather a symptom or an experience....

Psychosocial development describes how a person’s personality develops, and how social skills are learned from infancy through adulthood. In the 1950s, psychologist Erik Erikson published his theory about the eight stages of psychosocial development. Erikson believed that during each stage, a person experiences a “psychosocial crisis” that either has a positive or negative effect on that person’s personality. This article discusses Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development, as well as criticism of his theory....

Second-line treatment is treatment for a disease or condition after the initial treatment (first-line treatment) has failed, stopped working, or has side effects that aren’t tolerated. It’s important to understand “lines of treatment” and how they differ from first line treatment and can play a role in clinical trials. Learn more about second line therapies and questions you should ask if your oncologist recommends this. Lines of Treatment When oncologist talk about “lines of treatment” they are referring to different approaches to treating cancer at different times....

You’ve probably heard “I’m feeling menopausal” when a woman friend was having, say, hot flashes. But most of the time, having symptoms is actually part of perimenopause, which is the phase leading up to menopause—the moment in time when your menstrual cycles have stopped for 12 months. Then, once a woman has not menstruated for a year (she has reached menopause), she is said to be postmenopausal. While some symptoms of perimenopause may persist into postmenopause, most of them become less frequent and/or less severe....

Both men and women experience depression, but the symptoms may differ, as well as recognition and the desire to seek help. However, it is important to ask for help if there is a concern for depression, as it is a serious condition. Read more in this article about depression in men, including symptoms, triggers, and coping. Differences in Male Depression Many studies have been done on the differences in depression symptoms and diagnosis in men and women....

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum). Syphilis cases have steadily climbed since the lowest reported number of new cases in 2000, which accounted for nearly 134,000 new cases that year. Syphilis is typically transmitted via direct contact with a sore called a chancre. Chancres are usually located in the vagina, anus, genitals, rectum, lips, or mouth. Without treatment, syphilis can progress through different stages, causing significant health problems....

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a traumatic event causes harm to the brain. Falling, car accidents, sports injuries, and being physically attacked can all cause TBIs. Some TBIs are mild, producing headaches or dizziness that improve on their own within a few days. TBI can also cause serious long term effects (like physical paralysis or personality changes), especially if there are multiple areas of damage in the brain....

Vitamin C has benefits that range from boosting your immune system to improving cardiovascular health and increasing iron absorption. Vitamin C is necessary for tissue growth, development, and repair. Importantly, as an antioxidant, it helps protect your cells from free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause cell damage). Your body cannot produce vitamin C and must get it through diet. Vitamin C–rich foods include citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, cabbage, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes....

The largest vaccination campaign in history has begun, with more than 11.1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the United States. The initial goal, put forth by the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed, involved vaccinating 20 million people before the first of the year. But states have been unable to coordinate efforts to make that number a reality, and vaccine doses have even been discarded along the way. Key Takeaways...

If you’ve been hearing more about obesity, there’s a reason: It continues to increase such that the American Obesity Foundation has issued a rallying cry to fight the “obesity pandemic.” In fact, from 1999 to 2020, the prevalence rose from 30.5% to 41.9%. During the same years, morbid obesity (also known as extreme obesity and class 3 obesity) increased from 4.7% to 9.2%. The American Medical Association responded to these trends in 2013 by designating obesity a complex, chronic disease....

Pfeiffer syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes the bones of the skull to join together (fuse) while a fetus is still in the womb. It also goes by the name acrocephalosyndactyly type V. The early fusion of the bones seen with Pfeiffer syndrome means a baby is born with deformities of the head and face. This prevents normal growth of the skull. In addition, some also experience hand and foot deformities....

Sweating in your sleep can have different causes. Some causes of night sweats, like going through menopause, are common. Other causes of sweating in your sleep like infections and cancer are less common but still important to be aware of. This article will go over some of the possible reasons why you’re sweating in your sleep. You’ll also learn when to see a provider about night sweats and how to cope with them....

COVID-19 is a shape-shifter. Minor changes in its genetics can allow new COVID-19 variants to sweep through populations and even reinfect people who have recovered. Genomic sequencing has thus far given scientists clues as to how the next phase of the pandemic would unfold. Key Takeaways Genomic sequencing allows scientists to understand where and how new COVID-19 variants are emerging.The U.S. sequenced very few samples at the start of the pandemic, but building partnerships has allowed disparate groups in the health system to share samples and sequenced data....

Xerosis cutis is the medical term used to describe excessively dry skin. Symptoms include itching, flaking, a feeling of tightness, and possibly cracking. Xerosis can typically be managed with over-the-counter moisturizing creams and good home care, though more severe or chronic cases may need to be treated with prescription medications. Xerosis refers to dry skin or membranes, so you may also hear it used in relation to conditions affecting other parts of the body, such as the eyes or mouth....

The ABC (antecedents, behavior, consequences) model is a main component of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It is based on the idea that emotions and behaviors are not determined by external events but by our beliefs about them. CBT is a popular mental health treatment that involves recognizing and examining problematic thought patterns and behaviors and adjusting them to be healthier and more productive....

Migraines, headaches, and pain have been associated with iron deficiency anemia (low iron levels in the blood).Since iron is a nutrient that your body doesn’t produce on its own, low levels can be due to a lack of iron in your diet but there are other causes, like pregnancy or blood loss. While the tendency to experience migraines may be partially genetic, low-iron anemia, especially near the end of a menstrual period, is a common reason for headaches....

Avocado oil has been found to help with certain skin conditions including psoriasis, wrinkles, and stretch marks. That may be no surprise given that avocado—known for its healthy fat content—is a nutritionally rich fruit that is high in fiber and potassium and helps absorb the fat-soluble vitamins D, K, A, and E. Avocados contain high levels of antioxidants as well, including lutein and zeaxanthin, same as vitamin E. Oil extracted from this fruit has captured the attention of the cosmetics and food industries because of its lipid content consisting of monounsaturated fatty acids, which are also linked to reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular health....