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The lambdoid suture is made up of dense, fibrous connective tissue. It is located at the back of the skull, and its function is to connect the occipital bone with the two parietal bones. It is continuous with the occipitomastoid suture, which connects the occipital bone with the temporal bones. This article looks at the anatomy of the lambdoid suture, its function, and associated conditions. Anatomy Four main cranial sutures connect the six cranial bones....

Hearing your healthcare provider say that you have a lung nodule may sound scary. Small lesions are common and usually aren’t worrisome. About 95% of lung nodules found on first-time CT scans of current and former smokers who are between age 50 and 75 are not cancerous. However, it’s essential to follow through on getting a diagnosis, even if you’ve never smoked. This article will explain what causes lung nodules, how they are diagnosed, the risk of your lung nodule being cancerous, and how they are treated....

Melatonin side effects, sometimes referred to as a melatonin “hangover,” are usually mild. Most often, they include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness. Though short-term usage appears safe, research on long-term use and side effects remains limited. This article explains the side effects and risks of melatonin and its alternatives. What Are the Side Effects of Melatonin? Melatonin can produce side effects, and some are more common than others. Common side effects include:...

The nerves in your hands play many important roles. In addition to regulating muscle motion, they’re part of the network that relays pain, pressure, temperature, and tactile sensations back to the brain. When these become injured—which can happen due to overuse, pressure, injury, or as the result of autoimmune disorders, diabetes, or other health conditions­—radiating pain, tingling, and numbness can occur. This significantly limits the motion and function of the hand, which can seriously disrupt daily life....

Photosensitive epilepsy is a type of epilepsy in which seizures can be triggered by visual images such as rapidly flickering lights or fast-paced graphics. A seizure that is brought on by a visual trigger is described as a visual reflex seizure, a photo convulsive seizure, or a photosensitive seizure. Photo convulsive seizures are uncommon, affecting an estimated 3% of people who have epilepsy, and only rarely affecting people who do not have epilepsy....

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the joints. Psoriatic arthritis occurs alongside a skin condition called psoriasis which causes itchy red patches of skin. Roughly one-third of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis occurs due to a faulty immune response, in which the immune system wrongly attacks the joints and skin. The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, but scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are at play....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that primarily affects the joints and the entheses, the places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. A primary characteristic of PsA is inflammation that results from an overactive, malfunctioning immune system. Research has found people with PsA have a higher risk for a range of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a term used to describe two diseases: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, which cause chronic and damaging inflammation of the GI tract....

Glucerna is a brand of nutritional shakes and bars formulated for people with diabetes or prediabetes. The vitamin-fortified meal replacement drinks and snacks are made with low-glycemic carbohydrates, which have less of an impact on blood sugar levels. Glucerna diabetes products are designed to help improve blood sugar control. The products are also used as a weight-loss program for people with or without diabetes. This article discusses Glucerna for diabetes, which is sold by Abbott Laboratories....

What Is Rukobia? Rukobia (fostemsavir) is an oral antiretroviral drug used with other medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. It belongs to a drug class known as HIV-1 entry inhibitor/fusion inhibitors. Rukobia is a gp120 attachment inhibitor that works by blocking specific proteins on the virus’s cell wall’s outer layer from sticking or attaching to your immune cells. It is available by prescription only as a 12-hour extended-release tablet....

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease that develops when groups of cells in the immune system form clumps called granulomas in various parts of the body. The condition can affect all organs in the body, but cases are typically found in the lymph nodes and lungs. Some cases of sarcoidosis are mild and do not require treatment, but some can be life-threatening and result in permanent organ damage. It is typically diagnosed in adults between 20 and 40 years old....

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) pocket guide to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis and prevention is updated yearly, based on the Global Strategy for the Diagnosis, Management, and Prevention of COPD report. The guide provides a review of the causes and management of COPD and it is meant to be a resource for doctors who treat the condition. The document is freely accessible online without membership or password....

It is possible to use a health savings account (HSA) for out-of-pocket Medicare expenses. However, you must be eligible for an HSA and must plan ahead of applying for Medicare in order to do this. Out-of-Pocket Spending With Medicare Medicare is not free. There are monthly premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Some items, drugs, or services may not be covered at all. Medicare costs add up quickly. An analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation noted that the average Medicare beneficiary spent $5,460 out of pocket for health care in 2016....

Fluid in the ear can be due to inflammation or congestion that blocks the eustachian tube, a small drainage passageway in your ear. This can happen when you have an ear infection, allergies, or the common cold. The blockage causes trapped fluid in the middle ear to fill the space behind the eardrum, leading to symptoms like muffled hearing and pressure or pain in the ear. Having fluid in your ear is called serous otitis media (SOM) or otitis media with effusion (OME)....

Health insurance is expensive, so why not just wait and buy coverage when you need it? Why pay months of premiums when you might not need to use it? Since Affordable Care Act (ACA) rules require health insurers to cover pre-existing conditions, it may seem cheaper and safe to delay buying coverage until you need it. But, there are compelling reasons not to wait. This article will explain why you’ll generally find yourself out of luck if you go without health coverage and then try to enroll if and when you’re in need of medical care....

Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary and positions itself for fertilization. Anovulation is a condition in which a person does not ovulate. The condition is a common cause of infertility. Anovulation can occur secondary to various underlying causes, including hormone imbalances, being overweight or underweight, and other medical conditions affecting the reproductive system. Treatment for anovulation varies depending on the cause but may include lifestyle changes, medication, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) for people who want to get pregnant....

In the United States, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) law makes rules about who is allowed to see patients’ medical records. Most people believe that their health information can only be accessed by their providers and the people they give permission to (like family members). You might be surprised to learn that other people and organizations can see your medical records without your permission. This article will go over how medical record privacy works....

A burning sensation in your chest can have a number of causes, with heartburn being the most common. Heartburn causes a burning sensation in the chest that may move up to your throat. It can be a symptom of a condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or simply a side effect of something you ate. Other causes of a burning sensation in your chest include anxiety and inflammation in the body and certain medical conditions involving the heart, lungs, and intestines....

A chemotherapy port (also known as a chemo port) is a small device implanted under the skin that is attached to a vein in the chest to deliver chemotherapy drugs to the body. Without a port, a new intravenous (IV) needle would need to be placed each and every time you have chemo. A chemo port differs from a peripherally inserted central catheter (also known as a PICC line), which is implanted into a vein in your arm and used for a shorter period of time....

Cold noses are not uncommon. As an extremity that remains uncovered most of the time, the nose is prone to getting chilly. Cold noses are usually normal and not cause for concern. However, some health conditions may result in a persistently cold nose. This article explains why your nose may be cold, as well as treatment and prevention. Causes of a Cold Nose Medical conditions that can result in a cold nose include impaired circulation, hormonal fluctuations, high blood sugar, stress, and injury....

If you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), it’s entirely up to you to decide when to tell others about your condition—or whether to tell at all. People can offer valuable support to help you through what can be a difficult, life-altering diagnosis. But it’s also normal to worry that people will treat you differently or even discriminate against you. Read on to learn how to talk to family and friends about your MS....