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Bundle branch block is a heart conduction disorder caused by a disruption of one or both bundles of nerves that electrically stimulate the heart muscle—the left bundle branch and the right bundle branch—leading to an abnormal heart rhythm. Typically, neither a left bundle branch block nor a right bundle branch block causes noticeable symptoms, with the exception of fainting in rare cases. Such blocks sometimes are due to underlying cardiac disease....

Yes, you can have sex on your period. There is no scientific evidence that having sex during menstruation is harmful to your health. Some people find that having sexual intercourse while they are on their period has benefits, like helping with period symptoms. Some people find period sex more pleasurable than sex at other times of the month. That said, it’s always important to practice safe sex—whether you’re menstruating or not....

A clear liquid diet is a type of mechanically altered diet that includes only liquids without any pulp, bits of food, or other residues. It’s usually prescribed for a short time before a medical test, procedure, or surgery, or if you need to give your gastrointestinal (GI) system a rest. A clear liquid diet keeps you hydrated, but it doesn’t provide any solids that have to be digested or pass through your intestinal tract....

A treatment that links a monoclonal antibody to a chemotherapy drug is showing promise as a treatment for certain types of breast cancer. The drug is chemically known as fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki (T-DXd for short), but its brand name is Enhertu. It is made by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo. Key Takeaways A new clinical study has shown that a drug combining a monoclonal antibody and a chemotherapy drug works well at treating advanced metastatic breast cancer....

Each family is connected, bonded, and supportive in different ways. Some family dynamics are considered healthy and others are more concerning. Enmeshment occurs when family members are emotionally reactive to one another and completely intertwined in an unhealthy way. This article will define enmeshment, provide examples, present the ways enmeshment can occur and its mental health impacts, and offer ways to overcome relationship issues caused by enmeshment. Definition of Enmeshment Each family is made up of different relationships and different emotional connections within those relationships....

With prolonged exposure to cold weather, your feet are often the first part of the body to feel the uncomfortable effects. In an effort to keep our core body temperature stable, blood vessels within our arms and legs will constrict (narrow), which is why they’re the first parts of our bodies to get cold when temperatures drop. Cold weather injuries such as frostbite are a high risk for people who work outdoors during the winter or engage in outdoor winter activities....

Pimples occur when oil and bacteria become trapped in hair follicles under the skin. They can appear anywhere, including in the genital area. Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) (also called a sexually transmitted disease, or STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus. Herpes causes outbreaks of genital sores that disappear in days or weeks. At times, these genital sores can be mistaken for pimples. Both pimples and herpes sores can be red, have a discharge, and disappear on their own in a few days....

At one time, myasthenia gravis (MG) was disabling and even fatal, but that is no longer the case. MG can be treated with lifestyle measures and medications to relieve and prevent symptoms. Some people with MG need a thymectomy—surgery to remove the thymus. This article describes the various treatments for myasthenia gravis and when each is most likely to be prescribed. Home Remedies and Lifestyle There are ways to help prevent and to cope with muscle weakness and other symptoms of myasthenia gravis, such as:...

If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may need to know how to find a breast cancer surgeon. The medical name for a breast cancer surgeon is a surgical oncologist. They are trained to treat cancer by removing tumors and other cancerous tissues. They can also perform breast biopsies to confirm the diagnosis or stage of the disease. A surgical oncologist is one of several healthcare providers you will turn to when faced with breast cancer....

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of vision loss in later life, should be diagnosed, treated, and monitored early to prevent severe vision loss. Your risk of AMD can be reduced with a few simple lifestyle modifications, including changes in diet, routine exercise, and quitting cigarettes. This is especially important for people with a family history of AMD, in whom the disease occurs four times more frequently than the general population....

It’s not unusual to feel drowsy and tired sometimes, especially when you haven’t gotten enough sleep. Hypersomnia or hypersomnolence is the clinical term for this. The drowsiness can be persistent and severe in some cases, and naps don’t help relieve the issue. This can be a sign of another sleep disorder, an independent condition called idiopathic hypersomnia, or the result of medication side effects, among other causes. Hypersomnia isn’t life-threatening, but it can certainly impact your quality of life and be associated with serious health conditions....

Impetigo and cold sores are common skin conditions that can lead to uncomfortable or painful sores or blisters, usually around the mouth. Bacterial infection causes impetigo, while viral infection causes cold sores. Though both of these conditions may show up as blisters around the mouth, there is usually a telltale sign that helps differentiate one from another. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose a cold sore versus impetigo by looking at the affected area of the skin....

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) helps children with disabilities receive personalized and specific assistance. This written plan allows them to receive special education or other resources needed to be more successful in school. After a referral, an evaluation is the next step in an IEP and includes multiple factors. Once a child qualifies for an IEP, a written plan is developed and shared among the team. This includes the parent or guardian....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects many joints, mainly the small joints of the hands and feet. It is a lifelong condition without a cure. RA occurs when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. Untreated or severe RA can cause inflammation that also affects the organs. When RA attacks the joints, its target is the synovium (the lining of the joints). Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity....

The only way to prevent measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. While it’s always important to make sure you and your family members are up-to-date on their vaccinations, it’s especially important—particularly when it comes to measles—to do so before traveling outside the United States. One MMR vaccine provides around 93% protection against measles. A second booster dose, which started to be recommended in 1990, helps to improve the effectiveness of the measles vaccine to more than 97%....

What Is Onexton? Onexton is an acne skin product composed of clindamycin 1.2% and benzoyl peroxide 3.75% used to treat acne vulgaris in people 12 years and older. Clindamycin is an antibiotic. It works by stopping bacteria from growing or multiplying. Benzoyl peroxide peels the skin to get rid of dead skin, bacteria, and oil underneath. However, the exact way benzoyl peroxide works to treat acne is unknown. Onexton gel is applied topically (directly to your skin)....

Open heart surgery is an umbrella term for various procedures that involve opening up a person’s ribcage through a large chest incision in order to expose their heart. This is a major operation that may be performed for a number of reasons including bypassing a blocked heart artery, repairing a diseased heart valve, or transplanting a healthy heart. While the surgery offers many benefits and is often life-changing, recovery is usually gradual and challenging....

Electrical injuries are uncommon, but when they do occur, they can leave long-lasting effects on the body. Post electric shock syndrome is a set of neuropsychological symptoms (those affecting the brain, cognition, and behavior) that persist long after an electrical injury. People develop these problems after an electrical injury, but diagnosis is challenging. This article discusses the symptoms, complications, and long-term effects of post electric shock syndrome. What Are Electrical Injuries?...

A constant feeling of pressure in the anus or rectum not only is frustrating, but it also can be a sign of several different conditions. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine. It is where stool is stored before it leaves the body through the anus during a bowel movement. It is surrounded by other organs, which might also have an effect on it. This article will discuss some of the reasons for a feeling of fullness or pressure in the anus....

Located in the inner ear, the semicircular canals are three very small tubes whose primary job is to regulate balance and sense head position. They’re considered part of the vestibular apparatus of the body. Along with the cochlea and vestibule (organs associated with hearing), they’re positioned in the bony labyrinth, a series of cavities in the temporal bone of the skull. The three semicircular canals—the anterior, lateral, and posterior—are filled with fluid that remains in position as you move your head....