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As one of the most common types of cancer in infancy, neuroblastoma is a cancer which is found in young children. The tumor begins in neuroblasts (immature nerve cells) of the central nervous system. In particular, neuroblastoma involves nerve cells that are part of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are both parts of the autonomic nervous system, a system which controls processes in the body that we don’t ordinarily need to think about such as breathing and digestion....

The term “penis exercise” suggests you can “build” the length and girth of your penis in the same way you build muscles in the arms, legs, and chest. The term is mostly used as a marketing tool by manufacturers who claim that their devices or techniques can make a penis larger. Some even market their products as “fitness accessories.” Penis exercise devices or techniques can be broadly categorized as follows:...

Recovery from phalloplasty takes at least six months—in most cases, a year or more is expected—and there’s a significant chance of complications. This is a period of close monitoring, follow-up appointments, and physical therapy; there may be emotional and psychological effects to take on as well. Phalloplasty is most often used for gender confirmation. If you’re considering or having phalloplasty, it’s important to understand as much as you can about recovery....

Psoriasis is more common than you may realize, with estimated prevalences reaching up to 11% in adults and up to 1.3% in children. Psoriasis elbow is when you have psoriasis symptoms on your elbow skin. You may notice the characteristic red, itchy, raised plaque patches with silvery scales on one elbow or both. If you have psoriasis on your elbow, it’s likely plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis, accounting for as many as 90% of all cases....

A dry scalp can be uncomfortable, and when it leads to itching and peeling, it can be embarrassing. There are several causes of dry scalp, including dermatitis, dandruff, and psoriasis. Finding out the cause of your dry scalp will help you and your doctor determine which treatment option is best. This article will discuss each condition that can cause a dry scalp, treatment options, and when to see a doctor....

Scanning speech is an abnormal speech pattern involving long, abnormal pauses between words or syllables. It occurs as a result of muscle weakness. The problem often happens with multiple sclerosis (MS). Scanning speech changes the normal flow and pattern of speech. This change in speech rhythm makes it hard to understand a person with this problem. There is no cure for scanning speech. Some drugs used to treat MS may improve the problem....

There is an available vaccine, Shingrix, that can help prevent shingles. Read on to learn more about its benefits and risks. Reasons to Get the Shingles Vaccine Once a person develops chickenpox after contracting the varicella-zoster virus, the virus never leaves the body. It remains dormant in the nerve roots and can reappear as shingles later in life. The primary symptom of shingles is a painful rash on one side of the body, most often on the torso or face....

Spinraza (nusinersen) is an injectable drug used to treat a rare and often fatal hereditary disorder known as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Spinraza is able to slow the progressive loss of muscle control, increases survival times, and improve motor function by as much as 51% in people affected by the disease. Spinraza is delivered by routine injections into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord. Common side effects include upper and lower respiratory infections....

When a person has stage 4 pancreatic cancer, it means that the cells that grew into a tumor in the pancreas have spread in the bloodstream. The cells start to make tumors in other parts of the body, such as the bones or lungs. This stage is also called metastatic pancreatic cancer. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer cannot be cured. However, there are treatments that can help a person at this stage of cancer feel better (palliative care)....

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure make up the two numbers in a blood pressure reading (e.g., 120/80). Systolic blood pressure, or the top number, is the amount of pressure experienced by the arteries while the heart is beating. Diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the amount of pressure in the arteries while the heart is resting in between heart beats. This article delves into the differences between systolic and diastolic blood pressure, why both numbers are important, and what your blood pressure readings mean....

Grass, trees, weeds, and flowering plants release allergens that can cause a variety of allergy symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes. To relieve the discomfort of these symptoms, you can take over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antihistamines. Certain herbs and teas like green tea and stinging nettle tea contain antihistamines and may also help you reduce symptoms. Allergy Symptoms and Triggers Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, develops when the body’s immune system recognizes and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problems in most people....

Healthcare reform has been in the news almost non-stop for the last few years, so if you’re confused, you’re certainly not alone. This article will explain what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what you can expect in terms of your health insurance in 2023. Note: This discussion mostly applies to individual/family health insurance. Although only a small fraction of the US population has individual market coverage, this is where the bulk of the headlines tend to focus, as it’s the market that was most affected by the Affordable Care Act (ACA)....

When vaccine availability was first announced in December of last year, Renee Michelet Casbergue, PhD, a 66-year old Louisiana resident and retired professor of Louisiana State University, was excited at the prospect of getting vaccinated along with her 98-year-old mother-in-law, Sylvia Casbergue. Like many others in the U.S., they were eager to secure their best shot at protection against COVID-19. Key Takeaways “Vaccine hunters” are searching for COVID-19 vaccine appointments either within their state or different states....

If you’re spending any time outdoors this summer, there’s a high chance you’re being exposed to the sun. Without proper protection like wearing sunscreen, you can put yourself at risk for sunburn, sun damage, premature aging, skin cancer, or even a melasma mustache. Key Takeaways Spending time outdoors in the sun can put you at risk of developing a “melasma mustache.“A melasma mustache is a form of melasma—a skin condition that causes brownish patches on sun-exposed areas, including on the face and upper lip....

A gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) diet is an important part of the treatment for GERD, which is a chronic condition. It’s also helpful for occasional heartburn (also known as acid reflux). The diet focuses on cutting certain foods out of your diet in order to lessen the chances that stomach acid will flow back up into your esophagus. This article explains how changing your diet can help you avoid the symptoms of heartburn and GERD....

If you or a loved one have some form of viral hepatitis, you might be wondering how many people have the disease. Here’s a look at the prevalence and incidence of the five different types of hepatitis in the United States and worldwide. Hepatitis Infections in the U.S. and Worldwide If you’ve been diagnosed with one of the forms of hepatitis, you aren’t alone. It’s thought that roughly two percent of people in the United States are living with a chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection, not to mention the other three forms....

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a medical condition characterized by lightheadedness and palpitations in response to standing. With POTS, the heart rate increases dramatically with body position. Most people with POTS are women between the ages of 13 and 50. Some people have a family history of POTS, but most don’t; some people report POTS began after an illness or stressor, others report that it began gradually. The diagnosis is based on an assessment of your blood pressure and pulse (heart rate)....

Many people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) receive a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis before discovering they are living with the condition. Chronic back pain and certain types of arthritis have similar symptoms to ankylosing spondylitis, making it difficult to diagnose. Learn more about ankylosing spondylitis and similar conditions. Why Is Ankylosing Spondylitis Difficult to Diagnose? Ankylosing spondylitis can be challenging to diagnose for two primary reasons: There is no specific test for ankylosing spondylitis....

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart’s rhythm that can lead to complications like palpitations, fainting, stroke, and death. The most common sustained arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation, which affects up to 2% to 9% of people in the United States. This number is expected to increase in the coming years. Read on to learn more about the different types of arrhythmias and important facts and statistics about atrial fibrillation. Arrhythmias: Overview Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heartbeat....

Body aches are one of the most common symptoms of the flu (influenza). Your muscles may feel so sore and achy that it hurts to move. Body aches from the flu can leave you feeling weak, fatigued, and even exhausted. While body aches are a literal pain, there are some things you can do to manage them. This article will go over why the flu causes body aches as well as provide some tips for treating body aches at home when you have the flu....