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Human organs don’t execute their responsibilities in isolation. They communicate with each other. They depend on each other. Understanding an organ’s function requires one to understand the role of the other organs as well. The human body is like a really complicated orchestra. If you were to just listen to individual musicians, you might not appreciate the symphony. Once we understand this important concept, it becomes easier to appreciate that problems with one organ’s function could adversely affect another....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common progressive neurologic disease in young adults worldwide. In the United States, roughly 300,000–400,000 American adults have MS. MS is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to damage in the affected area of the body. In MS, the attack is on the brain and spinal cord, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, pain, cognitive and mood changes, and bladder or bowel dysfunction....

The recovery time after gallbladder surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure that is done. Recovery from open gallbladder surgery, for example, may take up to six weeks, while recovery from laparoscopic surgery may only take a week or two. You can expect to feel some pain while you recover, and you may also feel fatigued or have other symptoms like diarrhea. Although there are some general postoperative guidelines that apply to most surgical procedures, the number of days in the hospital, the time that it takes to return to normal activities, and other recovery factors will be different for different people....

The gastrocolic reflex is a physiological reflex that stimulates movement in your lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract after eating. It isn’t a disease or medical condition, but rather a normal reflex that helps your body make room for more food within your GI tract after eating. However, in adults, it can sometimes be unusually strong and result in symptoms such as abdominal cramps and pain, bowel urgency, or diarrhea. Many people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often experience these symptoms associated with a strong gastrocolic reflex....

Heart bypass surgery, or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, is done when coronary arteries, which supply your heart with oxygenated blood, become blocked or damaged. If these arteries are blocked or blood flow is restricted, the heart doesn’t work properly. This surgery may be recommended for those with obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), which means that plaque has built up in the arteries to the point that it is blocking the supply of blood to the heart....

Hepatomegaly is an enlarged liver, which may be caused by a variety of different conditions. The liver is a large, wedge-shaped organ in the right upper abdomen. In adults, the liver measures about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) from top to bottom, with some variability depending on sex or body size. This article discusses the signs and symptoms of hepatomegaly. It also covers causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. Hepatomegaly can be caused by different conditions and the term alone does not suggest a specific diagnosis or disease....

As of late September, a quarter of adults in the United States have not gotten a COVID vaccine, despite the fact that research has consistently shown that vaccination works at preventing serious illness and hospitalization. Key Takeaways Some people continue to be hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.Experts say that mental health professionals, such as therapists, are in a unique position to help encourage more people to get the shot.Certain techniques that many therapists typically employ can be used to nudge people to get vaccinated....

Bedbugs are diagnosed in two ways. The first is the appearance of bites on your body. However, these are very similar to other insect bites and can appear days after being bitten. Finding the signs of bedbugs in your sleeping environment is more conclusive evidence that there is an infestation. You will usually do your own self-diagnosis, but you might see a healthcare provider due to unexplained bite marks or a skin infection after scratching....

Cost-sharing reductions, often referred to as CSR or cost-sharing subsidies, are a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) designed to make health care more affordable. This article will explain what cost-sharing reductions are, how they’re funded, how eligibility is determined, and what consumers need to understand about enrolling in and utilizing plans with cost-sharing reduction benefits. Cost-sharing reductions improve the health plans that are available to eligible enrollees, making the coverage more robust and keeping out-of-pocket costs lower than they would otherwise be....

One of the most important reasons to diagnose and treat thyroid disease is to prevent the cardiac conditions that can result from it. Thyroid disease can worsen cardiac symptoms in people with heart disease and accelerate underlying cardiac problems. It can even produce new heart problems in people with otherwise healthy hearts. This article explains what the thyroid gland does and how it affects the heart. It also covers the difference in symptoms and treatment between an underactive and an overactive thyroid....

Interleukin (IL)-17A is a pro-inflammatory cytokine (proteins that serve as messengers between cells) that plays a role in skin disorders such as psoriasis (PsO) and autoimmune diseases like psoriatic arthritis (PsA). IL-17 inhibitors block this cytokine’s inflammatory pathways and are used to treat psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. IL-17 inhibitors belong to a family of biologic drugs called monoclonal antibodies that target the interleukin-17A receptor. This article explains how IL-17 inhibitors work, what they treat, and weighs the benefits and risks of taking these immunosuppressive biologic medications....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects more than 2 million people worldwide. MS is associated with demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS, the brain and spinal cord), resulting in flares and remissions that affect your vision, balance, and muscle coordination. MS occurs when your immune system attacks the myelin sheath, the coating around your nerve fibers responsible for the speedy and efficient transmission of nerve signals throughout the body....

A surgery for spine compression fracture, kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive outpatient surgery technique that repairs and reinforces damaged and collapsed vertebrae. Though pain relief is rapid after the procedure, complete recovery is expected within four to six weeks, though most are able to return to work significantly sooner. That said, the post-operative period does entail follow-up and physical therapy in many cases, with patients needing to actively participate in their recovery....

Blood tests are used to help diagnose arthritis, monitor treatment effectiveness, and track disease activity. While laboratory blood tests are valuable diagnostic tools, they are not definitive when considered alone. To formulate an accurate diagnosis, the patient’s medical history must be evaluated, along with laboratory test results and imaging studies. There are general blood tests and specialized blood tests used to evaluate arthritis. General Blood Tests Complete Blood Count (CBC) The complete blood count is a blood test that counts the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets....

When cancer cells begin in the lymph nodes, the cancer is known as lymphoma. Cancer cells can also start in other areas of the body and spread to the lymph nodes in a process known as metastasis. They can then spread through the lymphatic system to other areas of the body, making the cancer more serious and challenging to treat. One of the first symptoms of cancer in the lymph nodes is usually lymphadenopathy, which refers to swelling of the lymph nodes....

About 1 in 10 Americans have a medical condition called diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, in which the body has challenges turning eaten food into energy. This leads to high blood sugar and sometimes other complications. Mild age-related diabetes (MARD) is a type of diabetes diagnosed in people at a later stage of life and is typically accompanied by less severe symptoms. This condition can sometimes be confused with prediabetes, or borderline diabetes, which occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes....

Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, or PND, is a symptom of heart failure. It is characterized by being awakened during sleep with severe shortness of breath (dyspnea), gasping for air, coughing, and feeling the need to sit up, stand up, and/or open a window for air—all of which may help improve breathing after a few minutes. PND is caused by the buildup of fluid in the lungs that impairs pulmonary (lung) function....

Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the penis. The curvature can be associated with pain in the penis. It can also be the cause of erectile dysfunction (ED). Peyronie’s disease exercises are sometimes used as an at-home treatment. There’s little evidence that these exercises are completely effective, and they can cause problems if done incorrectly. However, if you work with your healthcare provider, you may be able to use these exercises successfully and reduce the curvature of your penis....

Polycythemia vera is a medical condition that causes the body to make too many red blood cells. It is classified as a type of cancer. The excess red blood cells can cause dangerous complications such as blood clots, but the red blood cells do not invade healthy tissue. Polycythemia vera can progress to myelofibrosis or acute myeloid leukemia, which are aggressive types of cancer. This condition can be treated with medical interventions and medication to reduce the effects of complications and improve life expectancy....

Your body goes through a lot of changes during pregnancy. Some of them can make it difficult to maintain good health, including oral health. Gingivitis can occur during pregnancy and can potentially damage your teeth and gums. Fortunately, there are ways to help prevent or minimize this common gum disease among pregnant people. This article discusses the treatment and prevention of gingivitis during pregnancy. What Is Pregnancy Gingivitis? Pregnancy gingivitis is when your gums become red and swollen while you’re pregnant....