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Lycopene, a plant chemical called a carotenoid, is what naturally gives foods like tomatoes, watermelons, and sweet red peppers their pink/red color. It is thought to be good for bone health and, as a potent antioxidant, may help protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer. In addition to food sources, lycopene is available as a dietary supplement in tablet, capsule, and gelcap form. This article explores the benefits of lycopene supplements, as well as possible side effects and interactions....

Non-BRCA ovarian cancer, or ovarian cancer that occurs in women who do not carry a BRCA mutation, can still be hereditary or familial. It’s thought that of the roughly 20% of ovarian cancers that are hereditary, only some are related to BRCA gene mutations. Testing (DNA sequencing) to look for other mutations is important, since treatments used for people with BRCA mutations may also work for women with these other mutations....

Phosphorus is an essential mineral found in every cell of the human body. Like calcium, sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and sulfur, it is a macromineral. This means you need more of it than trace minerals like iron and zinc. The main purpose of phosphorus is to build and maintain bones and teeth. It also plays a major role in the formation of DNA and RNA (the genetic building blocks of the body)....

The words “procedure” and “surgery” describe two different medical interventions. Though often used interchangeably, these terms represent different treatments. The key difference between a procedure and surgery is that surgery is more invasive and requires an incision, cutting into the skin, to access body tissue, organs, or other internal parts. Procedures are general medical interventions that generally do not require an incision and are less invasive. This article shows the difference between procedures and surgery to help people understand the terms of their therapy....

It is not uncommon for mothers to be concerned about breastfeeding when they are ill, fearing that doing so may pass an infection or pose harm to the nursing baby. In most cases, breastfeeding when you are sick will not harm your baby in any way and usually offers more advantages than disadvantages. There are, however, certain illnesses and medications that, if present or used, may prompt your healthcare provider to recommend against breastfeeding either temporarily or entirely....

Most people who take biologic type therapies do well with them. Though they might experience a side effect or two, they are able to manage these problems without too much difficulty. For most people who choose to try these therapies, the benefits outweigh these potential problems. However, some people taking biologic treatments experience more significant issues from their use. All biological agents come with certain risks. It’s worth learning about the possible side effects and adverse events that these products sometimes cause....

What Is Soma? Soma (carisoprodol) is an oral prescription medication used to relieve muscle pain. It is part of a class of medications known as muscle relaxers. Carisoprodol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant thought to prevent your nervous system from sending pain signals back to your brain. CNS depressants can slow down the CNS. Because of its sedative effects, you should not take Soma with other CNS depressants, such as alcohol....

Sporadic ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a type of neurodegenerative disease that develops in a person without risk factors or a family history of ALS. Most ALS cases are sporadic. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options for those who develop this disease. Sporadic ALS Symptoms Since sporadic ALS is characterized by its cause, the symptoms are the same as other types of ALS. The signs of disease differ depending on how long a person has had it....

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition marked by pain all over the body, combined with symptoms such as fatigue, menstrual abnormalities, cognitive problems, and much more. In essence, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and limiting and can affect almost every aspect of your life. Many people are relieved to have a diagnosis after months or years of suffering, but the next question is usually: “How long will it last?” Given its impact, most people want to know what they can possibly do to feel relief faster....

Travel training is the process of learning how to get from one place to another on your own. For people with autism, travel training is critically important: it’s the key to independent living. But depending on your location and available programs and resources, a child with autism may become an adult without having a clear idea of how to navigate or access transportation outside of their home and school. In many cases, parents or guardians provide the lion’s share of travel training once a child is old enough to need transportation to work, day programs, or community activities....

What Is Trexall? Trexall (methotrexate) is a pill taken by mouth and used to treat several different types of cancers and some autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system, meant to protect you from foreign bodies like viruses and bacteria, attacks your cells instead, causing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriasis. Methotrexate is a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, which interferes with DNA processes and stops or slows cancer cell replication....

Tumor suppressor genes make proteins that regulate the growth of cells, and they play an important role in preventing the development of cancer cells. When tumor suppressor genes are altered or inactivated due to a mutation (either one that is present at birth or one that occurs later in life), they make proteins that are less effective at controlling cell growth and/or repair. The result is unchecked growth of damaged or abnormal cells, which leads to uncontrolled growth and the development of cancerous tumors....

What Is Vanos? Vanos (fluocinonide) is a corticosteroid cream used in people 12 years and older to treat skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions that cause redness and itching. Corticosteroids are one of many types of steroids. Corticosteroids, like fluocinonide, are an important part of our biology and affect the immune response in our bodies. Vanos is a prescription drug, which means a licensed healthcare provider must prescribe it for you....

Children with autism often can’t or won’t play typical childhood games. Few children with autism play “like the other kids,” and many engage in activities that look nothing like ordinary play. This can make things difficult for parents as they try to find playdates and activities for their children. It can even be hard to figure out just how to play with your own child. This article discusses what play looks like for kids with autism and how you can help them develop play skills with others....

Flu activity is continuing to ramp up across the United States, resulting in the highest number of positive flu tests and hospitalizations in more than a decade, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Takeaways Seasonal flu activity is higher than usual for this time of year in America and still increasing in nearly every state.Experts say that this year’s flu season could be the worst in nearly a decade due to rising flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths....

Are you looking to trim a few extra pounds, lose some body fat, and lower your cholesterol? There is no shortcut to reaching these goals. Certain lifestyle changes can help you reach your ideal weight. It takes some dedication and discipline, but you will be pleased with the results. It all starts with a very basic tenet: To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories each day than you burn through exercise and physical activity....

Medication errors, or mistakes involving medications, are so common that in the medical profession we have the “5 Rights” to help us avoid them. The Five Rights are: The right doseThe right medicationThe right patientThe right routeThe right time Basically, before a nurse or other healthcare professional gives a medication we ask ourselves, “Is this the right dose of the right medication given to the right patient in the right way at the right time?...

Acrophobia is a persistent and intense fear of heights. People with acrophobia will experience panic and sudden anxiety in a variety of situations involving heights. These situations could include standing on a bridge, looking over a cliff, being on the top floor of a skyscraper, riding in an airplane, and more. It’s important to understand, diagnose, and treat acrophobia. When left untreated, acrophobia can cause extreme distress, and significantly impair a person’s life through avoidance behaviors....

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or you’re considering scheduling an appointment for a professional screening, you may be pleased to know that effective treatment is available. ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental condition characterized by core symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which make it hard to pay attention and maintain self-control. While ADHD is often first diagnosed in children, it’s not uncommon for adults to learn they’ve been living with ADHD when symptoms make it difficult to thrive or “keep up” with peers later in life....

Alcohol is produced by the fermentation of sugar, yeast, and starches. The alcohol in beverages such as wine, beer, and liquor is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). It is a central nervous suppressant and is known to affect every organ in the body. When consumed, alcohol is absorbed by the stomach and small intestine and enters the bloodstream. It is metabolized (broken down) in the liver by enzymes. Since the liver can only metabolize a small amount of alcohol at a time, the excess circulates throughout the body....