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Breast cancer is the most common non-skin cancer, but sometimes, it’s misdiagnosed, missed, or overdiagnosed. A missed or delayed breast cancer diagnosis may result in more advanced cancer, more aggressive treatment, and a worse outlook. On the other hand, diagnosing cancer or a noncancerous condition as more dangerous than it is can lead to unnecessary invasive testing or treatments. There aren’t too many studies on the rate of misdiagnosis of breast cancer in real-world scenarios....

If you are scheduled for chemotherapy infusions, consider packing a chemo bag for yourself. Most of the time, the treatments last for several hours or longer. Having a tote filled with items that can provide you comfort and entertainment can go a long way in making these sessions easier. Chemotherapy appointments can be fatiguing, so be sure you can comfortably carry your bag. Occasionally, you may be told that you will need to stay overnight at the hospital or go to the emergency department, so you may want to plan for that when packing too....

What Is Ciloxan? Ciloxan (ciprofloxacin) 0.3% is a prescription antibiotic eye medication used to treat bacterial eye infections resulting in bacterial keratitis and conjunctivitis, or pink eye. Ciprofloxacin is part of the fluoroquinolone drug class. Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics, meaning they target a wide range of bacteria. Ciloxan prevents bacteria replication, which decreases the chances of bacterial growth and infection spread. Ciloxan is an ophthalmic drug, meaning it is administered to the eyes....

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a disorder affecting the immune system that reduces your ability to fight infections. The hallmark of CVID is recurrent or severe infections. Common symptoms can include chronic cough, runny nose, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, and swollen glands or lymph nodes. Exact symptoms will differ based on which type of infection a person has (respiratory vs. gastrointestinal) and which complications of CVID are present and their severity....

One of the most distressing side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss (alopecia). For many of us, our hair is part of our image, the way the public sees us when we step outside. Understanding the reasons for hair loss, and ways to cope emotionally and physically with hair loss ahead of time may ease some of this distress on your journey through chemotherapy. This article will go over why hair loss from chemo happens....

Crohn’s disease is equally common in both sexes, but there are some unique symptoms and risks that men living with Crohn’s may experience. Some of the complications that affect male health include issues with sexual dysfunction, bone density, cancer risk, and mental health conditions. The terms “male” and “men” are used in this article to refer to people who identify as male and have typical reproductive organs of a cisgender male....

Dry eye syndrome, also called keratitis sicca, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or xerophthalmia is a recurrent or persistent sensation of dryness of the eyes. The condition is uncomfortable and it can interfere with your quality of life. You may have trouble keeping your eyes open or you may not be able to work or drive due to severe dryness of your eyes. Dry eye disease can vary from mild to extremely severe. Getting treatment for your dry eyes can make a big difference in easing your discomfort....

Ornithophobia is a fear, or phobia, of birds. Specific phobias are a type of anxiety disorder, because fear and anxiety are triggered by a specific object or experience. People with ornithophobia are afraid of seeing or coming into contact with birds. Learn more about this common phobia, including characteristics, treatment options, and ways to cope. What Is Ornithophobia? Ornithophobia occurs when someone has such a strong fear of birds that being in the presence of a bird, or even seeing a photo or video of a bird, triggers an extreme anxiety response....

Fibromyalgia has been linked to an abnormal gut microbiome for the first time, according to research out of Canada that was published in the prestigious journal Pain. Researchers believe this could lead to a diagnostic test and, depending on the findings of future research, could eventually lead to better treatments. The study found significant differences in 19 species of gut bacteria in women with fibromyalgia and abnormal blood levels of two substances released by some of those bacteria....

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune thyroid disorder. That means your immune system mistakes your thyroid gland for a pathogen—something that can make you sick. It launches an attack and tries to destroy thyroid cells. Damage from that attack makes it hard for the gland to produce enough thyroid hormones. Those hormones control your metabolism. They impact your weight, energy, sex hormones, and more. Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to irregular menstrual cycles, problems getting pregnant, complications during pregnancy, an increased miscarriage risk, and an increased risk of low birth weight....

Hemophilia A is a disorder that makes a person predisposed to bleeding. This can cause issues ranging from prolonged bleeding from a minor wound to bleeding emergencies. The condition is caused by a deficiency in factor VIII (or factor 8), which is a protein that helps the body form blood clots. Hemophilia A can be hereditary or acquired. It is not curable, and several treatments are used to help prevent bleeding....

Females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk of hypertension. Referred to as “the silent killer” for its mostly absent warning signs, hypertension (high blood pressure) is not to be taken lightly. Data obtained from the Dallas Heart Study showed that people with PCOS had a higher prevalence of high blood pressure, regardless of race or ethnicity. If not controlled, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and organs....

Approximately two out of three breast cancers are hormone receptor positive, according to the American Cancer Society. This means that the breast cancer cells have receptors for either estrogen or progesterone, which are hormones that enable the growth of cancer. Hormone therapy, also called endocrine therapy, prevents the hormones from binding to these receptors. Hormone therapy only works on cancers that are hormone receptor positive. This isn’t the same hormone therapy that’s given for menopause....

Medial branch blocks have an important place in back pain medicine. According to E-Medicine, several experts believe that problems in the facet joint underlie most cases of mechanical low back pain (possibly 80%). Understanding your anatomy can be helpful in understanding this back pain and its treatment. There are two facet joints in each segment, and together they provide an estimated 36% of the spine’s stability for that segment, while at the same time facilitating certain types of movement....

Q-switched lasers are commonly used to treat spider veins, acne scars, and wrinkles, as well as some fungal infections like onychomycosis (toe fungus) and athlete’s foot. They were once considered the gold standard of tattoo-removal. Q-switch lasers use a “Q-switched” technique to emit tight pulses of concentrated photons (light energy). The laser beam is powerful enough to penetrate deep into the skin yet gentle enough to treat the face. The FDA considers the Q-switch laser safe and effective for its intended uses....

Treatments for skin cancer depend on the type of cancer, the stage, the size and location of the tumor, and its features. For basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, surgery (excision) or electrodesiccation and cautery of the cancer is often all that is needed. Mohs surgery is an additional option to reduce scarring. The treatment of melanoma also includes surgery, but typically with a wider excision. Depending on the cancer stage, additional treatments such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may be needed....

It can be a real pain when your lower legs are itchy, especially when you’re experiencing persistent itching that doesn’t go away, no matter how much you scratch. Random itchiness can be annoying and uncomfortable, and getting stuck in the itch-scratch cycle can be disruptive to everyday life. Itchy lower legs can be caused by a variety of health or lifestyle factors, even if there is no visible rash. Read on to learn about common causes of itchy legs, as well as at-home treatments that may provide much-needed relief....

The physical, mental, and cognitive effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) can greatly influence a person’s quality of life. Medical treatments are the mainstay of treatment, but the right lifestyle measures can make living with MS easier and help you feel your best. Read on to learn coping strategies for living with MS. Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle With MS Healthy lifestyle choices are important for everyone, but they can be especially important for people living with long-term conditions such as MS....

The idea of getting neck surgery can be scary. However, neck surgeons today are highly-specialized and have access to the most innovative medical technology of all time. Depending on your reason for having neck surgery, the procedure could vastly improve your quality of life. Here’s some background on the various forms of neck surgery available and why you may want to consider meeting with a surgeon. Diagnosis Related to Neck Surgery There are two general types of neck surgery—cosmetic surgeries and those intended to address an underlying medical condition of the neck or upper spine....

Nipples color can temporarily change due to things like normal hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The same goes for nipple size and texture. Permanent changes of the nipple can also occur and are often seen with breast surgeries, weight loss, and aging. While these are usually no cause for concern, there are some nipple color and other changes that can indicate an underlying condition that needs evaluating. This article discusses the normal and abnormal variations of nipple color, size, and more....