Questions and fears about the potential role of cell phones as a cause of cancer have circulated widely over the past few decades. Many are confused, as they hear one report suggesting they cause brain cancer, followed by another saying there is no risk, followed by yet another demonstrating cancer in animals. So where does the real answer lie on this spectrum? As with many exposures in our environment today, the jury is still out in many ways....
When you have the telltale symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can often be diagnosed with just a physical examination and a review of a detailed history of your symptoms. However, if you don’t, and the symptoms you do have aren’t getting any better with treatment, or your healthcare provider wants to check for potential complications, you may have testing such as an upper endoscopy, an ambulatory acid (pH) monitoring examination, esophageal manometry, or a barium swallow radiograph done....
Eczema is a common condition that causes the skin to become red, inflamed, and itchy. About 10% of people have eczema. Despite how common it is, many people don’t realize that males and females can experience eczema on their genitals; this can present as eczema on the penis or vulva. Many people are likely hesitant to talk about genital eczema, but one study found that 45% of people with eczema have experienced an outbreak on their genitals....
Sleep apnea makes you stop breathing in your sleep. This can happen repeatedly throughout the night. When you stop breathing, your brain tries to wake you up so you’ll start again. Constant sleep interruptions can have a negative effect on your health. This article looks at what sleep apnea does to your body and how to treat it so you can rest better. Health Effects Both breathing pauses and sleep deprivation can have a big impact on your health....
Extensive stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is in the stage where it has spread to other parts of the body, such as the other lung or the brain. Without treatment, the average life expectancy for a person with an extensive-stage small cell lung cancer diagnosis is two to four months. With treatment, the expectancy rises to between six and 12 months, with a five-year survival rate of up to 4%....
Arthritis in the back—known as spinal arthritis—is inflammation of the joints in the spinal column, ranging from the pelvis up to the neck. Spinal arthritis can be caused by autoimmune disorders, infection, and everyday wear and tear on the back. Back arthritis causes back pain and stiffness, and in some cases, limited range of motion. Spinal arthritis is not one disease. Different types of arthritis may cause back pain and stiffness....
If the top number of your blood pressure reading is 130 or higher, you have high systolic blood pressure. This can be due to lifestyle choices like smoking, age, genes, and medical conditions like thyroid disease. Consistently high systolic pressure is enough to diagnose you with high blood pressure—even if the bottom number, your diastolic pressure, is normal. While finding out you have high systolic blood pressure can be a cause for concern, it’s also a chance to take action and lower your risk of serious events like heart attack, stroke, and even death....
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS) describes a floppiness of the iris (the colored part of the eye) and a smaller shape in the pupil (the black center of the eye) during cataract surgery. This weakening happens in some people using certain medications, including common medicines prescribed for benign prostate hyperplasia (an enlarged prostate). IFIS is not common but can cause complications, some of which can affect your vision after surgery....
A karyotype is, quite literally, a photograph of the chromosomes that exist within a cell. A healthcare provider may order a karyotype during pregnancy to screen for common congenital defects. It is also sometimes used to help confirm a leukemia diagnosis. Less commonly, a karyotype is used to screen parents before they conceive if they are at risk of passing a genetic disorder to their baby. Depending on the aim of the testing, the procedure may involve a blood test, bone marrow aspiration, or such common prenatal procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling....
People with Parkinson’s disease are becoming more interested in learning how medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) can relieve symptoms associated with the disease. Medical marijuana is a type of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that has not traditionally been used in the medical community. But in recent years, more states have authorized the use of marijuana for both recreational and medicinal use. As a result, Parkinson’s patients are asking their physicians if medical cannabis is an effective treatment for their disease....
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, called mRNA-1273, was the second vaccine to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moderna, an American biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, began developing its vaccine in January 2020. The company worked with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to finalize gene sequencing for the virus and began working on developing the vaccine soon after. The first batch of the vaccine was developed in early February—just 25 days after the gene was sequenced....
Respiratory problems can occur in advanced multiple sclerosis (MS). Generally, mild dyspnea (shortness of breath) during strenuous activity is more common in MS than severe respiratory impairment or difficulty breathing while at rest. But even mild breathing impairment can make you less energetic and may interfere with your ability to exercise or engage in taxing tasks. It is important that you are aware of this potential effect of MS and that you discuss any concerns about your breathing with your healthcare provider....
More than 70% of American adults have overweight or obesity. Overweight and obesity have been linked to an increased risk for some cancers. People who have been through menopause and have overweight or obesity have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Having more fat tissue increases estrogen levels. Higher insulin levels are more common in people who have overweight or obesity as well. These factors are believed to contribute to breast cancer risk....
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and stiffness, limited range of motion, and joint enlargement or swelling. Cartilage loss is common in osteoarthritis, and symptom onset usually accompanies the gradual loss of cartilage in an affected joint. Frequent Symptoms Primary osteoarthritis is the type of osteoarthritis most commonly diagnosed. It develops as the result of cartilage loss and joint degeneration, and typically with advancing age, but is not associated with any other cause....
While there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), research indicates that certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help manage the condition. If you have PCOS, a healthcare provider may recommend a personalized PCOS diet plan to help prevent symptoms and potential complications that occur due to the condition’s associated hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and inflammation. This article discusses nutritional guidance for managing PCOS. Benefits Certain eating habits have been shown to help relieve PCOS symptoms and may reduce your risk of associated health problems....
You may be considering undergoing refractive laser surgery to correct your nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or unevenness in the shape of your cornea or lens (astigmatism). With the aid of an excimer laser, a surgeon can reshape the cornea, the clear dome of the eye, so that light properly hits the retina (the nerve-rich layer that relays images to the brain). The idea is to be able to free you either entirely or somewhat from glasses or contacts....
As more and more people received their COVID-19 vaccines, reports came to light about short-term changes to periods. Following their shots, some people experienced lighter or heavier bleeding, irregular or missing periods, breakthrough bleeding or spotting, and other menstrual changes. Key Takeaways The National Institutes of Health awarded supplemental grants to five institutions to study the link between COVID-19 vaccination and menstrual changes.Although reported period changes were short-lived, it’s important to look into them to address people’s concerns....
A scalp infection is caused by bacteria and fungi that entered the hair follicles or skin of the scalp. Having a scalp infection can lead to various types of skin rashes on the scalp as well as hair loss. Treatment for scalp infections will vary depending on the cause. Folliculitis Folliculitis is an infection in which one or more hair follicles become inflamed and swollen. It is most commonly caused by bacteria, but it can also develop because of a virus, parasite, or fungus....
The side effects of chemotherapy differ from person to person. Chemo drugs kill not only cancer cells but normal, healthy cells as well. Damage to healthy cells is why chemotherapy causes side effects. Not everyone will experience the same side effects or to the same degree. They depend on the type of cancer, location, drugs, and dose, and a person’s general health. Why Side Effects Happen Chemotherapy works on active cells....
Stage 2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is localized cancer that has not spread beyond one lung or the local lymph nodes on the same side of the chest. Any lung cancer diagnosis is serious, but being in this early stage means your disease is very treatable and your chances for a long-term remission are good. Staging Determining the stage of lung cancer is very important in choosing the most appropriate treatment....
