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Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting the liver, transmitted by the hepatitis C virus (HCV); globally, 37 million people are infected with HIV and 115 million people with antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV). The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) reports that more than 350 million people globally are infected with viral hepatitis B and C, with one person dying every 30 seconds, while cancer rates from the diagnosis climb....

While all conditions classified as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) impact the way bone marrow functions, they encompass a variety of disorders. As a result, treatment depends on the type of MDS a person is experiencing. Not all MDS therapies are appropriate for every patient with MDS. Options for MDS treatment include supportive care, low-intensity therapy, high-intensity therapy, and/or clinical trials. Treatment Considerations When discussing your MDS treatment plan with your healthcare provider, the so-called patient-related factors can be very important....

Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to properly regulate blood glucose (sugar) levels. In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (type 1) or insulin is not being used properly (type 2). An endocrinologist, along with many other healthcare professionals can ensure your blood sugar levels are regulated and maintained for a healthy and sustainable life. Read on to learn about the various types of healthcare professionals that treat diabetes....

Many people consider an upper respiratory infection (URI) and a common cold to be the same condition. This is not entirely true, however, since a cold virus is only one of many infectious agents that can cause an upper respiratory infection. It is more accurate to describe an upper respiratory infection as any type of infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, namely the nose, sinuses, and throat. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of URIs....

Medicaid was created alongside Medicare in 1965. While Medicare was intended to offer affordable health care for seniors, the goal of Medicaid was to provide care for people who could not otherwise afford it—those with low incomes, with disabilities, or both. Some people may even be eligible for both programs. Medicaid has undergone changes over the years, most notably with the Affordable Care Act in 2010, more commonly known as Obamacare....

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), also known as vaginal dysbiosis, is one of the most common vaginal infections among women ages 15 to 44. It’s estimated that about 29% of American women will experience it in their lifetime.While BV is not a serious condition, it can increase the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), experiencing preterm labor, and causing emotional distress, which is why treatment is important. Read on to learn about BV symptoms, diagnosis, possible complications, and treatments....

What Is Amzeeq? Amzeeq (minocycline) is a topical (applied to the skin) antibiotic used to treat inflammatory lesions (small or large red bumps) of moderate to severe acne vulgaris (the common form of acne) in adults and adolescents nine and older. Amzeeq is classified as a tetracycline antibiotic, a medication used to treat bacterial infections. Specifically, tetracycline antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections of the skin, lymph nodes, urinary tract, genitals, respiratory tract, and other body parts....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be a complex condition. It can cause significant low back and hip pain and stiffness, severe fatigue, brain fog, sleep troubles, and more. Many people who live with AS also have fibromyalgia (FM), a musculoskeletal condition that causes widespread muscle pain. Having AS might increase your risk for fibromyalgia. And having both these conditions can be debilitating and life-altering. This article discusses the relationship between ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia, including how to treat and manage the conditions together....

The teen years can be challenging for everyone; they can be far more challenging, however, for autistic children. As with most autistic people, the experiences and struggles of every autistic teenager depend on their specific mix of autistic characteristics, age of diagnosis, the level of acceptance and inclusion of neurodiversity in their family, their support system, and their school environment. Fortunately, there are many ways parents and guardians can prepare for and ease the transition to teenagehood....

Blurred vision can be one of the early warning signs of diabetes. If left uncontrolled, diabetes can cause progressive damage to different structures of the eyes, including the retina and lens. Diabetes is a condition that causes hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Over time, this can cause blood vessels to narrow, starving tissues of the oxygen and nutrients needed to function normally. When the eyes are involved, blurring can occur and may even progress to permanent vision loss....

Brewer’s yeast is often used in alternative medicine to prevent diarrhea and aid in digestion. It may also help treat diabetes and respiratory problems such as the common cold and the flu. As it name suggests, brewer’s yeast is formed as a byproduct of beer-making. This article looks at some of the health claims about brewer’s yeast and whether they’re supported by research, possible side effects, and how brewer’s yeast could affect other medications....

Dissociative disorders and conversion disorder are both mental health conditions. While they are separate diagnoses, these conditions often occur together. Dissociative disorders cause a person to be disconnected from their thoughts, memories, consciousness, and identity. Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological disorder or functional neurological symptom disorder, causes neurological symptoms without an underlying neurological condition. This article discusses the similarities and differences between dissociative disorders and conversion disorder. Types of Dissociative and Conversion Disorders There are three types of dissociative disorders....

Weight gain is common with hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). Even with the best weight loss efforts, people often find they’ll shed a few pounds, but suddenly hit a plateau where exercise and diet no longer seem to have any effect. While this is common with anyone trying to lose weight, it can be complicated by hypothyroidism, a condition that inherently interferes with metabolism (the body’s ability to convert calories and oxygen into energy)....

Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to break down glucose (sugar) effectively. When glucose accumulates in the blood for an extended amount of time, it can damage nerves and blood vessels. As a result, various body parts and organs are impacted. People with diabetes are at increased risk of having problems with their feet. Learn more about how diabetes affects the feet, common problems, signs, symptoms, prevention, and treatment....

Dry macular degeneration, also called age related macular degeneration, is a progressive eye condition that affects adults, typically over the age of 60. It usually doesn’t cause symptoms in the early stages, but it may cause gradual vision loss as it progresses. There are a number of risk factors associated with dry macular degeneration, including smoking and a family history of the condition. Because of the lack of symptoms, routine vision screening is important to identify early signs of dry macular degeneration—as well as other eye diseases....

Whether due to aging, a skin condition like eczema, or the weather, having dry skin under the eyes can not only be irritating, but painful as well. Read more about having dry skin under your eyes, and its causes, in addition to prevention and treatment methods. Dry Skin Under the Eyes Anyone can get dry skin, anywhere on the body. Skin needs water and oils that the body produces naturally to stay healthy and elastic....

There are many different types of eczema, one type is called seborrheic dermatitis, more commonly known as eczema of the scalp. Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is non-contagious, chronic (long-term), and recurrent (meaning symptoms come and go) inflammatory disorder. It most commonly affects adults, but a more short-term type of seborrheic dermatitis—known as cradle cap—can occur in infants. The exact cause of seborrheic dermatitis is not known for sure. Still, there is some speculation that the condition may be linked to the rapid spread of a type of yeast-like fungi on the skin called Malassezia....

Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by defects in an enzyme that normally digests certain fat-soluble compounds within the body’s cells. These compounds pile up in lysosomes—which are present in cells and all organs—over time and cause harm. Fabry disease can affect many different organs, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys, resulting in a wide range of symptoms. Fabry disease is considered a lysosomal storage disease and also a sphingolipidosis (a disorder classified by the body’s harmful accumulation of lipids)....

The frequency of bowel movements varies between people, so what may be normal for one person may not necessarily be normal for another. If you have more than three bowel movements in a day, though, this can be considered frequent. Frequent bowel movements can be caused by lifestyle factors, viruses, infections, side effects of medications, food allergies, and certain conditions. Learn more about what causes frequent bowel movements, as well as the available treatment options and prevention strategies that you can use....

Desmoid tumors are a rare type of benign (noncancerous) tumor. Some grow for months or years before a person notices them. Others cause symptoms such as pain or swelling. While there are no at-home testing or screening options, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms you should report to your healthcare provider. Doctors will most likely order blood and imaging tests to guide their next step. However, a biopsy (removing a sample tissue for further examination in a lab) is needed to definitively diagnose a desmoid tumor....