If you are having brain aneurysm surgery, the day of your operation can be exhausting for you. You might be going into an appointment for a prophylactic brain aneurysm repair or you may be having surgery to repair a ruptured brain aneurysm and to minimize its consequences. You and your family will be provided with information about your surgery before, during, and after the procedure. It can also help if you know what to expect....
There’s no science to back up claims that castor oil is good for hair. Nevertheless, some put this age-old traditional medicine remedy on their scalp to moisturize the skin, reduce dandruff, and improve hair smoothness, strength, and shine. Some say castor oil can help grow eyebrows and eyelashes as well. Castor oil comes from the castor bean, which is rich in ricinoleic acid—a type of fatty acid known to fight inflammation....
Cognitive development is the process by which we come to acquire, understand, organize, and learn to use information in various ways. The late Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget was a major figure in the study of cognitive development in children. He believed that it occurs in four stages—sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. This article discusses Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, including important concepts and principles. History of Cognitive Development In the 1920s, a psychologist named Jean Piaget was given the task of translating English intelligence tests into French....
Fatigue is one of the common effects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Your lung disease affects the oxygen levels in your body and makes it hard for you to breathe, while overall weakness further contributes to a general feeling of exhaustion and low energy. This challenges your ability to maximize your capabilities, and it may become such a persistent part of your life that you might not realize that it’s caused by your illness....
As parts of the country begin to reopen ahead of the summer months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines on May 20 specifically for pools and other water attractions. Key Takeaways COVID-19 is not known to spread in the water.While the CDC offers general advice for public pools, like spacing out furniture on pool decks and frequently sanitizing locker rooms, the actual opening and operating decisions are made on a local level....
Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of breast cancer, but the reason why is not fully understood. It’s thought that a few diabetic factors are at play, including: High blood sugarHigh insulin levelsHormonal imbalancesInflammation This article discusses the connection between diabetes and breast cancer, including the risks of developing breast cancer with diabetes and considerations for how the two conditions can be managed and treated together. Connection Between Diabetes + Breast Cancer Diabetes is often talked about with diabetes complications like kidney disease and heart disease, so how is it related to breast cancer?...
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus, which comes in two types — HSV-1 or HSV-2. Genital herpes causes outbreaks of genital sores that disappear in days or weeks. Many people who get genital herpes only have mild or no symptoms or only one outbreak. Others could have periodic or even regular outbreaks. Genital herpes is highly contagious, but transmission rates depend on many factors....
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that works on the premise that the mind and body are connected. It involves creating and focusing on positive images in the mind, using all the senses to make the image feel as real as possible. It is often performed along with an instructor or a recording that guides the visualization. Guided imagery can also help to visualize a specific goal. Read on to learn more about guided imagery and what it can do....
Hemorrhagic cystitis is a condition in which the bladder lining becomes inflamed, leading to hematuria (blood in the urine) and pain. Hemorrhagic means bleeding, and cystitis means bladder inflammation. It can develop as a complication of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation, or it can result from bladder infections or toxin exposures. Prompt treatment, such as medication and bladder irrigation, can help manage pain and prevent lasting bladder damage. Symptoms of Hemorrhagic Cystitis The bleeding, pain, and other symptoms of hemorrhagic cystitis are similar to those of a serious urinary tract infection (UTI)....
In contrast to the diagnostic puzzle posed by many medical conditions, there is little mystery to diagnosing atrial fibrillation. Making a firm diagnosis is simply a matter of seeing the arrhythmia on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Once atrial fibrillation has been diagnosed, the real work begins in determining any underlying cause that needs to be treated. Self Checks/At-Home Testing Make note of any symptoms that could be related to atrial fibrillation—palpitations, easy fatiguability, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, or episodes of lightheadedness or passing out....
If you have been bitten by bedbugs, the good news is that they aren’t associated with any disease. You need only to avoid scratching the bites and getting a skin infection. Anti-itch creams may help. Treating your home or possessions to eliminate an infestation is more of a challenge, and you may need both nonchemical and chemical treatments. Learn how to treat your bites and get rid of bedbugs. Over-the-Counter Therapies The treatment of bedbug bites depends on the symptoms and their severity....
If you’re prone to forgetting a medication dose or skirting rules about when and how to take your meds, listen up. Key Takeaways Everyone needs to know the “what, why, and how” of their prescriptions, but it’s especially important for older adults because they are more likely to be taking multiple medications and may struggle with adherence.Your providers will know a lot about the medications they prescribe, but a pharmacist is also a valuable resource for your questions or concerns....
We’re all after clearer skin, and there are some quick and easy strategies to achieve it. To keep it as clear as it can be, your skin needs regular washing, moisturizing, a healthy diet, and more. Adopting these healthy habits while using gentle acne-fighting products can help to reduce breakouts and bring out healthy, clear skin. Cleanse Twice a Day Our skin requires regular cleansing to wash away dirt, bacteria, and excess oil....
Halloween will look quite a bit different in 2020. The holiday is traditionally ushered in with ghoulish delight and spooky surprises. This year, it has been marred by the very real fear of the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways This year, get creative and enjoy Halloween activities at home with the people in your home.Avoid participating in indoor activities with people outside of your household to protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19....
When it comes to rat bites, the best course of action is to never let yourself be bitten. Stay safe when a rat comes near you, and don’t approach a wild rat. While they are generally more afraid of you than you are of them, you can never be sure how a wild animal will act. Around a pet rat, be sure the animal is secured and not roaming free. Rats will bite or scratch if frightened or handled, so leave them alone....
Childhood asthma causes mild to severe symptoms that can get in the way of everyday activities and could be life-threatening in certain circumstances. Thankfully, asthma can usually be successfully managed with an inhaler, a handheld device that delivers medications right into the lungs. Inhalers for kids may contain rescue medication to respond to an emergency asthma attack or maintenance medication that helps prevent attacks from happening. This article helps you understand the types of inhalers available for kids and how these inhalers work....
Every spring and summer, people throughout the United States start to theorize whether the year will bring a particularly bad tick season. Key Takeaways While you might be seeing more dog ticks, it’s shaping up to be an average year for most other types of ticks.Not every tick carries and transmits tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease. Your risk of getting a disease-spreading tick bite depends on the type of tick. Your risk also varies depending on where you live....
Menopause itself doesn’t cause a rash. However, it creates a decline in estrogen, which can lead to dry, itchy skin. Menopause is reached when you have had 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. You’ll probably notice changes well before that, during what’s known as perimenopause, which can start two to eight years earlier. This article explores menopausal rash, itching, and other skin conditions that can happen during this phase of life....
What Is Myrbetriq? Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is a prescription medication that treats overactive bladder (OAB) in adults. It belongs to a class of drugs known as beta-3 adrenergic receptor agonists. Myrbetriq works by relaxing the smooth muscle surrounding your bladder, which allows you to hold more urine. By doing this, Myrbetriq relieves the symptoms of urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence, which is the unintentional loss of control in releasing urine from the bladder....
A peptic ulcer is the term used for a sore that occurs in the mucosal lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. When the ulcer is in the stomach it might also be called a gastric ulcer. Ulcers in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum) may be called a duodenal ulcer. The most common cause of a peptic ulcer is a type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori (H....
