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Dissociation is a disconnection or detachment from one’s sense of self (depersonalization) or one’s surroundings (derealization). Symptoms can interfere with every aspect of mental functioning, including memory, identity, emotion, perception, and behavior. There are different types and varying degrees of dissociation, meaning the symptoms may or may not be obvious to yourself or others. Types Distinct types of dissociative disorders are outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5)....

Bladder cancer is the most common type of urinary tract cancer. An estimated 550,000 new cases are diagnosed annually around the world. Like many cancers, the earlier this cancer is caught and treated, the better the prognosis will be, so it’s important to recognize symptoms as early as possible. The most common early symptom is blood in the urine (either blood that can be detected by eye or under a microscope)....

It is important to get health insurance for yourself and members of your family. Insurance helps to protect you from high health care costs, and helps to ensure that you’ll be able to receive medical treatment if the need arises. But the process of selecting a health insurance plan can be confusing. This article will explain what you need to keep in mind so that you can choose a plan that best fits your needs....

Gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are both types of arthritis, or joint inflammation. While there are some similarities in symptoms between the two conditions, they also have some unique symptoms, as well as different causes, diagnostic tests, and treatments. Read on to learn more about the differences between gout and rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms Naturally, gout and RA share some similar symptoms because they are both types of arthritis. These shared symptoms include:...

Although HIV doesn’t grab the world headlines as it did during the height of the AIDS pandemic, it remains a major global health concern. In 2019, an estimated 1.7 million people were newly infected, including over 38,000 in the United States. As with all pandemics, some groups are hit harder than others, and, not only is the number of new cases rising but so, too, are the odds of getting HIV if you’re in that group....

There’s no “gold standard” test that will diagnose Parkinson’s disease (PD). Instead, a healthcare provider relies on their own clinical observations and judgment, along with a patient’s description of possible signs and symptoms, to make the diagnosis. That, of course, makes a physical examination very important in this process. Much of your healthcare provider’s exam will be aimed at assessing whether you have the so-called cardinal signs of Parkinson’s: resting tremor, rigidity (stiffness), bradykinesia (slowness of movement) and postural instability (impaired balance)....

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is an uncommon and aggressive type of breast cancer. It can cause the breast to appear red and swollen, giving the appearance of inflammation. In the United States, diagnoses of IBC accounts for 1%–5% of all breast cancer cases. Both women and men can develop IBC. Compared to other forms of breast cancer, IBC tends to strike younger women and is more common in Black women than White women....

One of the many consumer protections built into the Affordable Care Act is the right to internal and external appeals. You may want to appeal if your health plan rejects a prior authorization request, denies a claim, or rescinds your coverage altogether. Most health insurers already had their own appeals protocols in place prior to the ACA. State insurance departments would also step in when a consumer filed a complaint regarding a state-regulated health plan....

People with chronic kidney disease are often advised to avoid certain foods and beverages to help keep their kidneys working properly. Certain nutrients are harder for your kidneys to filter out than others once the kidneys are damaged. This article discusses foods that are good for people with kidney disease, as well as foods that should be limited or avoided. The kidneys are responsible for filtering toxins, waste, and extra water out of your blood, producing urine....

Gastric banding, also known as the Lap-Band procedure, is a life-changing operation that requires a complete lifestyle overhaul, especially when it comes to food. Although no surgery is without risk, there are several benefits to gain from the Lap-Band. Don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to adjust to life with a Lap-Band. Regular physical activity, proactive stress management, and a positive mindset can help you manage any challenges that accompany the procedure....

While it can be a challenge, students who have autism can thrive with remote learning. To make that happen, parents, guardians, and educators can take advantage of existing resources and opportunities—and creatively structure the school day to help ensure success. Some aspects of remote learning are unusually difficult for children on the spectrum, but many children (and their parents or guardians) might not have problems with it, and some might even do better than they would with traditional, in-person learning....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a lifelong condition in which a person’s immune system attacks the myelin sheath that insulates and protects nerves within the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include extreme fatigue, chronic pain, and more. An MS diagnosis may come with feelings of fear, sadness, and concern about living with a chronic condition. However, there is hope because of the many treatment options available. Although MS is a serious health concern, people with MS can live long, happy lives....

There are over 200 viruses known to cause the common cold, and chances are your baby will encounter one sooner rather than later. Babies have immature immune systems, making it less likely they’ll be able to fend off germs like the ones that cause a cold. Most babies have eight to 10 colds before they turn 2. The good news is that most newborn colds don’t need treatment and will not progress to anything serious....

Numbness and tingling are two of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, they were likely some of your first symptoms and may have been what led to your diagnosis. While numbness and tingling can be frightening, they’re usually not as disabling as motor symptoms. It may also help to know that these symptoms don’t necessarily mean that your MS is progressing—they can happen whether or not you’re having a relapse....

Oncogenesis is the complex, multi-step process by which normal cells turn into cancerous cells, leading to cancer growth in the body. It involves genetic changes in a group of cells that causes them to grow and behave abnormally. The word is formed by “onco” (the Latin word for “tumor”) and “genesis” meaning “beginning.” “Tumorigenesis” is another term used for this process. Another word, “carcinogenesis,” means roughly the same thing, although it is sometimes used to refer to the earliest part of the process when tumor formation first begins....

Period bloating is a common condition that occurs when your belly feels full or tight before or during your period. This uncomfortable symptom is believed to be caused by falling hormone levels leading up to your period. Common premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms like bloating, headaches, and moodiness usually start to improve a few days into your period when hormone levels start to rise again. This article will describe the causes of period bloating, as well as remedies to relieve it....

Finding an effective treatment for psoriatic disease (PD) often requires trial and error. Because people experience PD differently, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. What’s more, as your disease progresses, you may need new medications or dosages to keep your symptoms under control. There’s a wide variety of medications for treating PD, which is necessary, given that people who live with it experience a wide variety of symptoms. This article explains why PD sometimes can be challenging to manage, describes the medications approved to treat it, and previews those that are being researched....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million people in the United States. It is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks healthy cells by mistake. In rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system targets the joints, usually many joints at the same time. This inflammatory condition affects the knee joint in up to 30% of RA patients. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee causes swelling of the synovial membrane that lines the knee joint, which results in pain and stiffness....

Gyms and fitness centers have reopened with limited capacity and “new normal” requirements such as showing proof of vaccination and restricting the number of workout stations. Key Takeaways Some fitness centers or gyms require members to show proof of vaccination or wear a mask while working out. In facilities without mask mandates, people may still wear a mask if they choose.For vaccinated and unvaccinated members alike, wearing a mask can reduce the spread of aerosolized droplets while working out....

Sinus cancer is a malignancy that develops in the open spaces behind your nose, called cavities and sinuses. It makes up about 3 to 5% of all head and neck cancers and can have long-lasting and devastating effects if not treated early. Each year, about 2,000 people are diagnosed with nasal cavity or paranasal sinus cancer in the United States. Oftentimes sinus cancer goes unnoticed until symptoms develop, and when symptoms do occur, they often mimic common benign conditions like a cold or the flu....