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Euthymic mood can be defined as a state of well-being and tranquility. It is a term that is generally used when talking about bipolar disorder, previously known as manic-depressive illness. This is because bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where people shift between episodes of major depression and mania or hypomania. Euthymia describes the phases between, without either of these extremes. Euthymic Mood in Bipolar Disorder Bipolar disorder involves both extremes of emotional highs and lows that reach levels of depression and mania....

Gallbladder pain is often felt in the right upper belly, under the ribs. It can also spread (radiate) to the lower chest or your right shoulder blade and may be confused for a heart attack. The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ located in your right upper abdomen, just under your ribcage. It stores and releases bile used in digestion. Gallbladder pain can come and go. It can be triggered by eating a fatty meal, rapid weight loss, fasting, or going too long between meals....

Triple refractory multiple myeloma usually requires the use of two or more different kinds of drugs to improve survival outcomes and quality of life. Studies have shown that multiple myeloma at all stages responds better to combination therapy. This article discusses treatment options for triple refractory multiple myeloma. Conventional Treatment The standard treatment protocol for multiple myeloma is induction therapy, which is a combination of an injectable proteasome inhibitor such as Velcade, an oral immunomodulatory agent such as REVLIMID (lenalidomide), and dexamethasone....

Who is to blame if a treatment error is made in a hospital or in an ambulance? Healthcare agencies, the legal system, and patients have traditionally held the caregiver accountable when something goes wrong. The assumption is that the person who is trained and licensed to provide care is ultimately responsible for the quality of care provided. Healthcare professionals as a group tend to agree with this assumption. There is a lot of blame placed on those who do the actual hands-on care when things go wrong, especially by their own peers and on themselves....

Linear gingival erythema (LGE) is a type of gum infection (gingivitis) that causes lesions and bleeding in the mouth. It presents as a distinctive red line on the gums. Though most cases are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS)—this condition used to be called HIV-associated gingivitis—it can also arise in others who have compromised immune systems. If untreated, LGE can lead to a more serious gum infection and the loss of tooth and bone, among other issues....

Lung cancer forms in the lung tissues when cells grow out of control. It causes about 25% of all cancer deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer death for people of any sex. In many cases, people with lung cancer don’t have any symptoms. Some people with lung cancer experience symptoms like chest pain, wheezing, unexplained weight loss, difficulty breathing or swallowing, coughing up blood, hoarseness, or a persistent cough....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed to remove the recommended dosage caps on opioids for acute and chronic pain. The proposal also called for an individualized approach to care. Key Takeaways The CDC proposed new guidelines for prescribing opioids for pain treatment, which will eliminate dosage caps and use 50 MME doses as a benchmark for added scrutiny and monitoring.If approved, the change will allow some patients to receive higher doses for treatment....

Osteopenia and osteoporosis can seem similar since both words start with “osteo,” from the Greek word for bone, osteon. The conditions are very similar, yet they are also different. Osteopenia is the precursor to the more severe disease of osteoporosis. This article will discuss the differences between osteopenia and osteoporosis, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. This article will also describe how you can determine if you have osteopenia or osteoporosis....

When it comes to encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19, good communication between doctors and patients may play a key role. Key Takeaways A study found that people who discussed vaccinations with their doctors were more likely to get vaccinated against H1N1.Primary care physicians can play an important role in helping people come to the decision to get vaccinated against COVID-19 due to trust.In order to build trust with patients, it is important for physicians to practice good communication skills, including active listening....

Spending time outside is great for physical and mental health. However, it comes with some risks, including exposure to poison ivy and poison oak. Many people wonder whether they may have a poison ivy vs. a poison oak rash. But once you have symptoms, which plant caused them isn’t particularly important. That’s because both rashes are caused by the urushiol oil that the plants produce. The symptoms and treatments are the same....

Schizophrenia can occur at any age, but the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early 20s for males and the late 20s to early 30s for females. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. Research suggests that a combination of genetics, environmental factors, and brain chemistry contribute to the development of this mental disorder....

Endometriosis is commonly classified into one of four stages to help describe the extent of disease. The stage is determined based on the number of endometrial implants, how deep the implants are, and whether cysts or scarring are present. It’s important to note the stage does not necessarily reflect the level of pain or specific symptoms a person with endometriosis experiences. Endometriosis is a painful condition where tissue that is similar (but not identical) to the kind inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of it....

Quick treatment is critical for stroke outcomes. It can reduce the amount of brain damage and even prevent potential death. In some cases, if specific criteria are met, strokes can be treated—or potentially prevented—with surgery or other procedures. Read on to learn more about what types of procedures are recommended for stroke, as well as types of strokes and their symptoms. Type of Strokes There are several different types of strokes....

Talc is a mineral often used in cosmetic and personal care products, such as baby powder. There have been concerns that talcum powder causes cancer. Patients have brought thousands of lawsuits against companies that use talc in their products, but scientific studies have not conclusively found a cause-and-effect relationship between talc and cancer. It’s been suggested that asbestos, a mineral that’s naturally found in talc, could be behind the connection. Asbestos is a known cause of cancer, especially if it’s inhaled....

Many patients with musculoskeletal injuries get confused about the difference between a strain and sprain. Your physical therapist can show you the difference between what a sprain and a strain is and how to properly treat each of these distinct injuries. Muscle Strains Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, the thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle....

Your liver plays a critical role in your body, helping to cleanse your blood of alcohol and other toxins, producing the bile you use in digestion, and working to manufacture important proteins. However, like the rest of your body, your liver isn’t immune to the effects of celiac disease—in fact, celiac frequently affects your liver. It’s not unusual for people with just-diagnosed celiac disease to hear they also have mildly elevated liver enzymes, which sometimes—but not always—indicate a problem with your liver....

Surgical pain is pain that results from a surgical procedure. The pain has a number of possible causes, including: Tissue damage at the incisionThe procedure itselfThe closing of the woundForce that may be applied during the procedure Pain after surgery may have other causes. You may have back pain because of how you were lying on the surgical table. Throat pain is common after general anesthesia. This is because the breathing tube can cause irritation....

You may believe that setting a New Year’s resolution to lose weight may help you work toward your goals for a healthy lifestyle. But focusing on the number on the scale might distract you from making changes that will actually improve your health. Key Takeaways Losing weight is a common New Year’s resolution, but focusing on the number on the scale often leads to more harm than good.Personal goals for weight loss may be influenced by social pressures....

Feeling a tingling sensation on your scalp? Known as paresthesia, this common experience may feel like a tingling, prickling, burning, or itching sensation on the skin. Chances are you’ve experienced this pins and needles sensation when your arm or leg “falls asleep” after sitting or lying in one position for too long. Temporary (acute) paresthesia typically occurs when too much pressure has been placed on a nerve or blood circulation has been disrupted....

What Is Xigduo XR? Xigduo XR is a combination drug containing dapagliflozin (as found in the brand Farxiga) and metformin (as found in the brand Glucophage). It is commonly taken in addition to diet and exercise to help control blood sugar and treat adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a common chronic condition characterized by the way your body regulates and uses glucose as fuel. This drug belongs to two drug classes: sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor and biguanides....