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Duodenal cancer is a type of malignancy that develops in the duodenum, which is a part of the small intestine. A malignancy involves cancerous cells that can metastasize (spread to other sites or invade and destroy nearby tissues). The most common type of duodenal cancer is adenocarcinoma. What Is the Function of the Duodenum? The duodenum is the first of three segments of the small intestine; the other segments are the jejunum and the ileum....

One walk down the dairy aisle in your grocery store, and you will find a sea of “milk” alternatives— from soy and hemp to almond or coconut, the dairy-free plant-based milk choices seem to be endless. Key Takeaways Plant-based beverages are often used as a cow’s milk substitute when people are avoiding dairy.Research shows that plant-based beverages and cow’s milk do not have comparable nutrients.Currently, there are no standards to ensure that plant-based beverages, like almond milk and rice milk, provide similar nutrition as cow’s milk....

Fatigue is common after having surgery. Even relatively minor procedures can leave you feeling weak, tired, and drained for several days or more. If you have major surgery, fatigue can sometimes last for weeks and even months. There is a fine line between normal fatigue and fatigue that indicates something serious. This article explores some of the factors that cause fatigue and what you can do if it persists or gets worse after surgery....

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects about twice as many men as women. Though largely asymptomatic in its earlier going, men are more likely to display symptoms like appetite loss, loss of weight, yellow discoloration of skin or eyes, and body aches, among others. In addition, males are more likely to experience the most severe effects of this disease, which include scarring or “fibrosis” of the liver; this can lead to cirrhosis, a hardening and shrinking of the organ, and even cancer....

Hip resurfacing is an alternative to standard hip replacement surgery used for the treatment of severe hip arthritis. Hip resurfacing is not a new surgery. Hip resurfacing surgery has been performed since the early 1970s. However, recent changes in hip resurfacing implant design have led to a new interest in this procedure. Candidates Hip resurfacing surgery is a possible consideration for patients with severe hip arthritis. Hip resurfacing has been recommended for patients who are younger and may face multiple surgeries over the course of their lifetime....

Hot tub folliculitis (Pseudomonas folliculitis), or “hot tub rash” is a bacterial skin condition that can be caused by using an improperly maintained hot tub or swimming pool. You may notice this red, itchy, and bumpy rash anywhere from a few hours to a few days later. Hot tub folliculitis is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which infects the hair follicles. This bacteria is commonly found in recreational water and natural sources of water, such as lakes and rivers....

When you have HIV, viral shedding is the presence of the virus in semen or vaginal secretions (genital shedding), or in the mouth (oral shedding). Viral shedding is reduced with HIV medication, but it can still occur even if you take your HIV treatment as prescribed—and viral shedding increases the risk of HIV transmission to an uninfected partner. How Genital Tract Shedding Occurs Shedding refers to viral release from the host cell it has infected....

Diagnosis of a headache takes several things into account, including when episodes occur, what symptoms you experience, how they respond to treatments you’ve tried, your overall health profile, and more. By performing a detailed history and physical exam, and perhaps some testing, your healthcare provider will work to identify what type of headache you are experiencing or, if a headache disorder is not at the root of your pain, what other condition may be causing your symptoms....

Tampons are pressed cotton cylinders used internally to collect menstrual flow. Many women prefer to use tampons because they are less messy and more discreet than pads. Tampons have been around in one form or another for centuries. Today, tampons generally contain two parts, an applicator and the tampon itself. Women have many options to choose from, including plastic or cardboard applicators, applicator-free tampons, sport tampons, and a variety of sizes designed for light to very heavy flow....

When lymphedema—a type of swelling— occurs in breast cancer patients, it typically affects the arm on the same side as the cancer. It can be painful and cause some uncomfortable symptoms. The swelling comes from an accumulation of lymph, a fluid the flows throughout your body that contains immune cells and proteins. Lymphedema occurs when lymph nodes or lymph vessels are damaged or blocked. This is a common complication of breast surgery and radiation, and can also be due to the tumor itself....

Muscle twitching occurs when nerves misfire, causing groups of muscle fibers to contract. This is common to multiple sclerosis (MS), due to nerve fiber damage that affects signaling between your nerves and muscles. But there are other possible causes of the various types of muscle twitching too, from fatigue and nutrient deficiency to thyroid disease and more. Some are benign, but others require medical attention. If you have MS, your muscle twitching may be due to your disease....

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) supplements are the synthetic form of the amino acid cysteine. Cysteine is a nonessential (or semi-essential) amino acid. This means your body produces some of what you need and you also get some from food. Claims abound about the benefits of NAC supplements for certain health conditions, like respiratory diseases, heart disease, and mental health disorders. Some are backed by preliminary research while others aren’t. However, NAC supplements have the unusual distinction of being approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for some uses....

About 10% to 15% of dermatology visits are made to address nail problems. The appearance of your nails can change because of infections, medical problems, and body changes, but fungus and psoriasis are two of the more common causes. It may be difficult for you to tell these two conditions apart, but there are several features that distinguish nail psoriasis from nail fungus. In this article, you will learn the differences between the two, the causes of each, and how each condition can be treated....

What Is Onfi? Onfi (clobazam) is an oral prescription antiepileptic drug (AED) that comes in tablet and liquid suspension formulations. It is used every day to prevent seizures in adults and in children ages 2 years and older. Onfi belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, which are known as central nervous system depressants. It works by binding to and affecting the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is an amino acid in the brain responsible for passing information between the brain’s nerve cells and the spinal cord....

Pet therapy, something also referred to as animal-assisted therapy, has been gaining popularity. From animal visits for children in hospitals to those with dementia, and now people with cancer, studies suggest there are some important benefits obtained from these furry visitors. Mayo Clinic oncologist Dr. Edward Creagan says, “A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits. I can’t always explain it myself, but for years now I’ve seen how instances of having a pet ​are like an effective drug—it really does help people....

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known to cause an array of health issues. Now, researchers have found that these toxic “forever chemicals” are linked to liver damage, and may be associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Key Takeaways A class of toxic chemicals called PFAS can accumulate in the body and environment, leading to multiple long-term health effects.A new study establishes a connection between PFAS exposure and biomarkers of liver damage....

It takes about four to six weeks to recover from mastectomy surgery. Even after that point, there will be issues to manage and therapies to help you continue to heal. There are guidelines for managing pain, taking medication, refining your diet, and starting physical activity as you’re ready, helping to make your recovery as quick and complete as possible. This article discusses what you need to know as you recover from a mastectomy....

Changing your diet can help delay the transition from prediabetes (a condition of higher-than-normal blood sugar levels) to type 2 diabetes. Prioritizing nutrient-rich, high-quality foods alongside healthy lifestyle habits can help support optimal blood sugar (glucose) control. This article discusses the relationship between food and blood sugar levels, what foods are best to incorporate into your diet if you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, and tips to help prevent a formal diabetes diagnosis....

A rectovaginal examination is a manual physical examination of the rectum and the vagina. While it is not generally a standard part of a medical or gynecological evaluation, it may be done if there are concerns about issues such as rectal involvement of endometriosis, a rectovaginal fistula (an abnormal connection between the rectum and vagina), or rectal or vaginal cancer. It is different than a pelvic exam. A pelvic exam is typically recommended to evaluate symptoms such as irregular bleeding or discharge, and for screening for malignancy (cancer)....

“Seeing stars” is how people commonly describe the phenomenon of seeing bands of light, prisms, sparks, or flashing lights in their vision. These disturbances—known as photopsia—are usually caused when temporary pressure is placed on the eye, such as when you sneeze hard. It can also occur as the result of a migraine headache, brain-related circulation problems, or medical conditions affecting the retina of the eye or the gel-like substance within the eye called the vitreous....