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Menopause is the natural biological process that causes your menstrual periods to end. For most females, it happens between the ages of 40 and 58. It is also possible to have premature menopause or induced menopause due to surgery or an injury to the ovaries. Menopause is definitively diagnosed when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Symptoms of menopause can vary widely from person to person, but it’s common to experience things like lighter, less frequent periods, hot flashes, and weight gain during menopause....

A neck rash is an inflammatory reaction that can occur on the back, front, and sides of the neck. How the rash looks and feels depends on what’s causing it. Depending on your skin tone, the color of the rash may appear red, brown, or purple and be accompanied by itching, warmth, pain, and spots or blisters. Many things can cause a neck rash to develop, such as allergies or skin conditions....

According to the American Cancer Society, around 50,000 people will develop cancer of the mouth or throat this year. These cancers develop when abnormal cells that line the inside of the mouth or throat begin to grow out of control. The “why” behind this rapid and aberrant growth is linked to risk factors, like tobacco and alcohol use, which introduce carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) into the cells. But despite myths, they are not the only culprits....

Erectile dysfunction drugs, known as PDE5 inhibitors, are prescribed for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Roughly half of all males between the ages of 40 and 70 have some degree of ED. Around 70% of people who take PDE5 inhibitors can maintain an erection long enough to engage in sexual intercourse. Despite the widespread popularity of PDE5 inhibitors, there are limitations and risks associated with their use. Though the drugs all work similarly, there are differences that may make some more suitable for you than others....

It’s normal for new parents to fret about the health and well-being of their baby. However, if these thoughts become intrusive (unwelcome and involuntary) and begin to affect your functioning, you may be suffering from postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (pOCD). In about 2.5% of women and some men, OCD symptoms can become worse during pregnancy or childbirth. When this happens, it’s called postpartum OCD or perinatal OCD. Luckily, treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy can help....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints and the areas where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. Inflammation with PsA can lead to swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints. Left untreated, PsA can cause permanent joint damage and disability. The decision to start a family is one of the most important decisions you and your partner will ever make. But when you have PsA, there is a lot to consider when making this decision....

Most of the time, ringworm treatment involves an over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription cream, ointment, or other topical medication that’s applied directly to the rash. In some cases a systemic drug (one that is taken by mouth) is necessary. There also are natural treatments that have shown promise in treating certain types of ringworm. This article will explain the various types of medications used to treat ringworm (tinea). It will also provide a list of home remedies that can help ease symptoms and prevent it from spreading to other people....

All over the country, students and teachers have been walking out of schools in protest of unsafe learning and working conditions amid the Omicron surge. Key Takeaways New research reveals that teachers are facing a similar mental health crisis to students without the requisite access to support.The Ohio School Wellness Initiative is working to end the mental health crisis in schools by helping institutions address the needs of both students and teachers....

Tooth contouring, also known as tooth reshaping, enameloplasty, or odontoplasty, is a cosmetic dental procedure that fixes minor issues with your smile. It involves removing small portions of tooth enamel to correct chipped, cracked, or crooked teeth or improve their appearance. This work, performed using specialized instruments or removable strips, is generally painless and well-tolerated. This article provides a quick overview of tooth contouring, including the benefits of the procedure, risks, and what care is like afterward....

While the flu is something that may simply lead to an unpleasant stretch for some people, certain groups are at higher risk for complications from the flu than others. Influenza infection can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, hospitalization, and even death in high-risk individuals, such as children, older adults, those with chronic conditions, and others. Understanding more about who is more likely to develop flu complications will not only help you better understand your and your family’s personal risk but why it’s so important to take measures to protect others who are most vulnerable as well....

Obesity is a worldwide epidemic, and a leading culprit behind many chronic health conditions (e.g., heart disease and diabetes, among others). Even more, research has found that obesity in childhood and adolescence may contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS)—and this finding is critical, as it implies some control over this notoriously unpredictable neurological disease. Let’s take a look at the research supporting the link between obesity and MS pathogenesis, and perhaps more importantly, what this means for us, our children, and the future of MS....

Diabetes is a disease that happens when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 37 million Americans have diabetes, with most having type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults. However, diagnoses in adolescents and children are increasing. This article is part of Health Divide: Type 2 Diabetes in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series....

Recent research suggests that a booster shot is needed to maximize and prolong vaccine-induced protection against the COVID-19 virus. In light of this data, the FDA and CDC have given the green light to boosters from all three COVID vaccine manufacturers: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Those 12 years and older who completed their initial COVID-19 vaccine series are now eligible for a booster dose. Key Takeaways Because millions of people have yet to receive their primary COVID-19 vaccination series, some experts say that the Biden Administration’s plan for booster shots is unethical....

The thymus has been a mysterious gland throughout much of history. It was known to exist as early as the first century A.D., but its role would not begin to be understood until much later. The ancient Greeks thought it was “the seat of courage.” During the Renaissance, they decided it had no function. It was not until the 1970s that its role in the immune system started to unfold....

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease pain locations are different, even though both of these conditions are classified as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Also, the nature and location of pain vary from one person to the next. This article explores Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis pain locations and types, what pain in different parts of the abdomen may mean, and how Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis pain locations can help with a diagnosis....

Survival rate is defined as the percent of people who survive a disease such as cancer for a specified amount of time, but may be presented in a number of different ways. Survival rates does not indicate if a cancer is cured or if treatment is completed. Survival rates are also statistics looking at a broad range of people. They do not necessarily predict how an individual with a particular subtype of cancer will do....

HIV treatment failure occurs when your antiretroviral drugs are no longer able to suppress the virus or prevent the deterioration of your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Treatment failure can be classified as being either virologic (pertaining to the virus), immunologic (pertaining to the immune system), or both. In the United States, treatment failure is based almost entirely on virologic values—namely the viral load. There are guidelines in place directing the appropriate treatment of virologic failure....

Angiogenesis is defined as the formation of new blood vessels to support the growth of tissues. It is necessary in the development of a baby, and “good” in the setting of tissue repair, but bad in the setting of cancer. Angiogenesis is, in fact, a hallmark of cancer, being necessary for both the growth (progression) and spread (metastasis) of cancer. Before a tumor can grow to larger than a few millimeters in size, new blood vessels are needed to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells....

With summer in full swing, dermatologists are reminding people about the importance of protecting their skin. Key Takeaways Skin cancers are more common in lighter-skinned individuals, but people with darker skin are still at risk.Ultraviolet rays from the sun and the use of tanning beds are the most common causes of skin cancer.You should see a dermatologist to get screened for skin cancer if you notice new or expanding spots, bumps, or moles on your skin....

Bacterial pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have a dangerous cause-and-effect relationship. The progressive lung deterioration of COPD can increase your vulnerability to a bacterial lung infection, while a bout of bacterial pneumonia can induce rapid and often irreversible progression of your COPD. As one condition gets worse, the other tends to follow. However, careful precautions, including timely diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the risks. In general, however, prevention is key....