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Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can be triggered by exposure to many different substances (allergens). The most common allergies that can produce anaphylaxis are to drugs, insects stings, foods, and latex. Immunological Causes Your immune system protects you from foreign substances. Histamine and other mediator chemicals that promote the inflammatory response are stored in mast cells and basophils that are in tissues throughout your body. After exposure to foreign substances, your body’s immune cells (lymphocytes) begin to produce antibodies that will recognize those substances the next time they are in the body....

Autoinflammatory diseases are newly categorized disorders caused by gene mutations that cause one part of the immune system to malfunction—the innate part. These conditions are marked by fevers, rashes, joint and muscle pain, abdominal pain, and systemic (all-over) inflammation that is often evident in bloodwork. Most autoinflammatory diseases are genetic, start in childhood, and will continue into adulthood. They will affect multiple family members. There are instances where one of these conditions is acquired and occurs as a result of a new gene mutation....

People living with long COVID often experience lingering symptoms, including brain fog and anxiety, even after surviving a mild case of the disease. Key Takeaways Inflammation in the brain and nerve cell damage are associated with symptoms of anxiety in long COVID-19 patients, a study finds.Both hospitalized and non-hospitalized COVID-19 survivors with symptoms of anxiety showed cognitive impairment and high levels of the biomarkers of brain inflammation.The evidence may help validate the experiences of people experiencing neurological symptoms of long COVID-19 and point towards better diagnostic strategies....

Generally speaking, a dangerous heart rate for an adult is one that is above 100 or less than 60 beats per minute. Either case can be life threatening, though these numbers and their associated risks can vary from person to person. The thresholds for a dangerous heart rate at rest or a maximum heart rate when active depend on age, sex, weight, and fitness level. For example, someone who is very fit may be able to safely achieve a faster heart rate during exercise and a lower resting heart rate than someone who does not regularly exercise....

Diabetes and the workplace don’t always mesh well. That’s why laws are in place to protect you from discrimination because of your condition. Even though you’re legally protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), you may face problems at work. Understanding the laws can also help you better blend work and diabetes management. This article discusses your rights regarding diabetes and the workplace, what reasonable accommodations might help, and what to do if you face discrimination....

Deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is one of the most common breast reconstruction procedures done after a mastectomy (breast removal surgery). If you are having this procedure, your surgeon will remove skin and fat from your abdomen and move them up to your chest wall to create a new breast mound. This procedure is a form of autologous reconstruction, which is a type of surgery that uses your own tissue for reconstruction....

What Is Dificid? Dificid (fidaxomicin) is a macrolide antimicrobial drug used to treat diarrhea associated with Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile (C. diff). C. diff is a type of bacteria that can exist in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract (series of organs from the mouth to the anus). C. diff infection can occur when there is an imbalance of bacteria in your gut, allowing C. diff to grow and produce toxins. It is usually caused by taking antibiotics and being exposed to C....

Erectile dysfunction (ED), formerly known as impotence, is a condition that affects 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70. It is strongly associated with aging and risk factors such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and hypogonadism (low testosterone). Among the factors people sometimes overlook are the many drugs and medications that can directly or indirectly affect a person’s ability to achieve or sustain an erection....

Estrogen, a hormone that females naturally produce, can be associated with breast cancer. Both women and men can be exposed to other types of estrogen from external sources, such as food, medications, or chemical toxins. This can include synthetic estrogens, plant-based estrogens, and xenoestrogens. Each estrogen type may impact breast cancer differently. Research continues to explore the associations between estrogen and breast cancer. This article will review different kinds of estrogens and their associations with breast cancer risk....

Several studies suggest that fish oil can be beneficial for people who have arthritis. For example, in one study, fish oil reduced arthritis-associated joint pain. Further research examining the effects of fish oil on the joints is ongoing. Fish oil is known to help your health in several ways, such as supporting cardiovascular health, brain health, and eye health. This has been attributed to the omega-3 in fish oil, which may block some sources of inflammation....

Float therapy is a type of therapy that is done in a sensory deprivation tank, which is a dark and soundproof tank or bath-like pool that is filled with saltwater. The tanks are designed to reduce external stimuli in an attempt to improve well-being. Sensory deprivation tanks were first invented in the 1950s by Dr. Jay Shurley and Dr. John Lilly. Their main goal was to examine human consciousness and the brain’s reaction to a complete lack of external stimuli....

There are many different kinds of heart disease, and while each can produce its own set of symptoms, there are some key ones that many types share. These frequent symptoms include chest pain or discomfort, palpitations, lightheadedness or dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath. However, sometimes heart disease has no symptoms at all, especially if it’s in the early stages. Frequent Symptoms Here are some of the symptoms most frequently found in many types of heart disease:...

When you’re living with HIV, dating can come with a lot of questions: How can you meet people? When and how should you discuss your diagnosis? How will HIV affect different areas of your new relationship? How does HIV make you feel about yourself? People will answer those questions in different ways. Just remember that HIV is only part of your story. Dating has its ups and downs for everyone. Some things may be easier after your diagnosis, even as others are harder....

If you’ve experienced symptoms of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is important to contact your healthcare provider or local emergency room. DVT is a serious condition that can lead to a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The goal of DVT treatment is to prevent the blood clot in your leg from growing bigger and prevent it from breaking loose and traveling to your lungs. Longer-term treatment focuses on preventing both complications and future clots....

Rabies is a life-threatening virus, but if you’re exposed to it, prompt, effective treatment with certain vaccines can save your life. The most common way for a human to be exposed to rabies is through an animal bite. If left untreated, the virus triggers deadly inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Cases of rabies in humans are rare, particularly in the United States. In fact, only 23 cases of rabies were reported in humans in the United States from 2008 to 2017....

What Is Kesimpta? Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is an injectable medication used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. MS develops when the B cells of the immune system begin to cause inflammation to attack and kill the covering of the nerves in the brain. Kesimpta is an antibody that works by targeting the B cells so that they cannot continue this attack. Kesimpta is available as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection in either a single-dose prefilled Sensoready pen or a single-dose prefilled syringe....

A medial gastrocnemius strain (MGS) is a specific type of injury to the calf muscle in the back of the leg. The strain occurs when the muscle stretches too far, tearing the tendon and muscle portion of the calf. The strain is commonly known as “tennis leg” because it’s so common among tennis players. Generally, it doesn’t require surgery, but it hurts. In fact, people who experience it often say it feels as though they’ve been kicked hard or shot in the leg....

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) and chickenpox are two contagious viral diseases. They both have “pox” in their names because they cause pockmark skin lesions. But mpox is caused by a virus similar to smallpox, while a type of herpesvirus causes chickenpox. While they share similar symptoms (like fever, fatigue, headaches, and a blistering rash), mpox and chickenpox differ by how the viruses are spread, the locations of the rashes, the populations they most commonly affect, and how each is treated....

Periodic fever syndrome is the term given to a number of conditions that feature an unexplained fever that returns over and over again. Sometimes these fevers come with other symptoms, but not always. Periodic fever syndromes usually arise in childhood and may resolve before the adult years, but they don’t always. These conditions are rarely fatal but may result in lifelong challenges and treatments. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of periodic fever syndromes and how to manage them....

Approximately 2.8% of people in the United States live with bipolar disorder, a mental health disorder characterized by fluctuating moods and energy levels, including highs (manic episodes) and lows (depressive episodes). Individuals managing bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania, hypomania, depression, or mixed states. Rapid cycling is a specifier of bipolar disorder and characterized by frequent and distinct mood episodes that occur over a 12-month period. Moods can fluctuate over hours, days, or months....