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Kidney pain, also known as renal pain, can be caused by injury, disease, or infection of the kidneys. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs situated on either side of the spine that are responsible for filtering blood and maintaining the correct balance of fluids and electrolytes in the body. Since the kidneys are close to the spine/back and gallbladder, it’s important to differentiate kidney pain from other causes of pain....

Metastatic cancer to the lungs means that cancer from another region of the body has spread to the lungs. Another term for metastatic cancer to the lungs is secondary cancer in the lungs, as the primary cancer is the place in the body where cancer began or originated. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it would be called breast cancer with metastasis to the lungs, or breast cancer with lung metastases....

While the cause of Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not fully understood, experts think there may be a genetic factor and an environmental trigger. For people with NMOSD, the body’s immune system begins to attack the healthy cells and tissues (specifically, the covering of the nerves called the myelin sheath) instead of only attacking foreign invaders such as viruses. This results in inflammation and injury to the nerves in the eyes (causing visual problems or blindness) and the spinal cord (causing muscle weakness, paralysis, and more)....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by frequent unwanted thoughts known as obsessions. The recurring obsessions then lead to behaviors known as compulsions. For a person with OCD, the obsessions and compulsions are upsetting and interfere with daily life. The onset of OCD symptoms can occur at any age, and many people start showing signs in childhood. Knowing the common symptoms can help parents and caregivers identify the mental health disorder early and avoid delays in treatment....

A patella fracture is also called a broken kneecap. It’s usually caused by a fall or other force that directly impacts the knee. The kneecap is one of three bones that make up the knee joint. The patella is coated with cartilage on its undersurface and is important in providing strength when extending (straightening) the knee joint. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of patella fractures. It also covers how they are treated and what to expect during recovery....

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that includes the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of individuals with limitations in functional mobility. Choosing physical therapy has been shown to help you recover quickly and safely, and it can save you money due to decreased overall healthcare costs. Physical Therapists Physical therapy services are provided by physical therapists, who are professionals licensed by the state in which they work. Physical therapists (or PTs, as they are commonly called) are required to have a master’s degree or a clinical doctorate degree from an accredited institution and must sit for a licensing exam to practice....

A persistent cough is a common symptom with many possible causes, including allergies and the common cold. If you don’t smoke, likely causes of a persistent cough also include asthma, bronchitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The annoying effects of coughing, such as loss of sleep, sore chest muscles, and leaking urine can affect your quality of life and interfere with your daily activities. If your cough is lingering, you might wonder if it could be something worse than a cold or allergies....

Primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) affects around 10% of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Of the three types of the disease, PPMS is considered the rarest and, as with other forms of MS, the course of PPMS is highly variable, affecting each person differently. Some may become disabled within a few years, whereas others remain stable for decades. Onset and Course The most common form of MS, known as relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), is characterized by acute attacks of symptoms followed by periods of remission where the MS doesn’t progress....

What Is Protonix? Protonix (pantoprazole) is a pill taken by mouth to treat disorders of the digestive system involving stomach acid. Also known as a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), Protonix works by attaching to the gastric parietal cells on the outer lining of your stomach and decreasing the amount of gastric acid, or stomach acid, that these cells produce. Decreased acid results in decreased symptoms of disorders like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly called heartburn....

In 2005, I had a heart attack at 39 years old. There were no heart health issues in my family medical history, so my heart attack was a surprise to me and everyone in my family. This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Rolanda Perkins is a heart attack survivor and heart health advocate with WomenHeart and the American Heart Association....

Shingles can be itchy and/or painful for weeks—sometimes months—at a time, making coping with the symptoms an important part of any treatment plan. When given early, anti-viral therapy can lessen complications from shingles, but there are things you can do to relieve the physical pain and emotional stress of shingles, too, including meditation and other relaxation techniques. Emotional Being in a lot of pain or feeling constantly itchy can be a challenging experience, and that stress can actually make the pain more intense, which can lead to more stress, and so on....

Somnology is the science and research of sleep. A somnologist is a “sleep doctor” specializing in disorders and irregularities related to sleep. This article will provide an overview of somnologists, when to see one, and what to expect during your appointment. What Kind of Doctors Treat Sleep Disorders? Sleep disorder specialists must be a physician (an M.D.) or have a Ph.D. along with significant medical training and research before treating patients....

Asthma and food allergies may be more closely linked than previously thought. Even beyond the fact that people with food allergies are at higher risk of developing asthma than people without them, there is evidence that having asthma increases the risk of a severe allergic event—including a potentially life-threatening, whole-body reaction known as anaphylaxis. A growing body of research suggests that asthma and food allergies are part of a larger cluster of disorders known as the “atopic march” in which one atopic (allergic) disorder gives rise to another....

The myelin sheath is the protective, fatty coating surrounding your nerve fibers, similar to the protective insulation around electrical wires. This coating enables the electrical impulses between nerve cells to travel back and forth rapidly. When myelin becomes damaged, these electrical signals are interrupted and may even stop altogether. Anatomy Myelin is made of fat and protein and it’s wrapped in numerous layers around many of the nerves in the central nervous system (CNS), which includes your brain, spinal cord, and the optic (eye) nerves, as well as in the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which contains all the nerves outside of the CNS....

Vulvar dermatitis occurs when the soft skin surrounding the opening of the vagina becomes irritated and causes itching or redness. It can be caused by irritants such as soaps and clothing, bacterial or yeast infections, or other conditions and medications. Fortunately, the condition can be easily treated by a doctor or with home remedies. Read more about vulvar dermatitis, its causes, symptoms, and treatment methods. What Is Vulvar Dermatitis? Vulvar dermatitis is when the folds of skin around the vagina become inflamed and irritated....

Ostomy surgery (ileostomy and colostomy) is done to treat several different digestive diseases and conditions, as well as acute injuries. During ostomy surgery, part of the large and/or small intestine is removed and a small piece of the intestine that is left is brought outside the body through the abdomen. That intestine piece is called a stoma, and through it is how stool then leaves the body after ostomy surgery. An appliance is worn over the stoma to collect the waste, which is emptied into the toilet periodically during the day....

Menopause occurs after a person stops having their period for 12 consecutive months. It naturally happens for many people when they are between the ages of 40 and 58. In the United States, the average age for menopause to start is 52 years. Before menopause, declining estrogen levels can cause people who menstruate to experience premenopausal symptoms. Menstrual changes, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, sleep problems, and other symptoms are the result of hormonal shifts that are taking place during this time, which is called perimenopause....

Gaucher disease is a genetic disorder in which a type of fatty substance, known as a lipid, begins to accumulate in the cells and organs of the body. The disease is characterized by anemia, easy bruising, bone lesions, neurological disorders, and the enlargement of the liver and spleen. Gaucher disease is classified as a recessive autosomal disorder, meaning that it is a condition inherited from one’s parents. It is caused by a mutation of the so-called GBA gene of which there are more than 380 different variations....

Your recovery, including how soon you can leave the hospital and return to work and the type of post-surgery care you need, may look different depending on which type of ablation surgery you had. In general, recovery from ablation surgeries is pretty quick and mainly involves pain and bleeding control. The road to recovering from an ablation surgery is usually fairly straightforward—avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting while you are recovering from your surgery....

Natural remedies for acid reflux and heartburn may be as close as your kitchen. They include: HoneyGingerBaking sodaBananasTurmericApple cider vinegar When paired with dietary changes and lifestyle changes, acid reflux home remedies may be enough to quell the burning sensation in your chest that occurs when the contents of your stomach move up into your esophagus. This article explores acid reflux home remedies. It also explains how foods and lifestyle habits contribute to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or severe or frequent acid reflux, and how changes you can make today can reduce future episodes....