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No one likes to fail, but for some, the fear of failure is so intense it can impact their daily lives and ability to complete tasks. When thought of as a specific phobia, the fear of failure is known as atychiphobia. Read on to learn about how atychiphobia is characterized and what can be done to alleviate it. Definition of Fear of Failure Everyone worries about failing at some point in their lives, but for those with atychiphobia, the fear of failure is pervasive and extreme....

A normal neck has a gentle curve to it. However, it’s possible to lose that curve because of an injury or because your neck has been aligned badly for a long time. If your neck loses its curve, it can affect the posture of your whole body. Losing your neck’s natural curve can have several different names depending on what’s causing it. You might hear it described as: Flat neck syndromeCervical kyphosisMilitary neckReversed neck curve (when your neck curves in the opposite direction) This article explains why your neck and spine curve....

Side effects and complications of general anesthesia—medications that render you immobile and unconscious for a medical procedure—vary widely. You may experience minor issues like nausea or dry mouth, or something more serious like confusion or difficulty urinating. General anesthesia also poses a risk of life-threatening issues such as a condition that can lead to organ failure. Thankfully, most people have no issues or only minor ones in the hours and days following their surgery....

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes painful fluid-filled bumps to form in the genital area. It is incredibly common, and roughly 12.1% of the United States population aged 14-49 has HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes. Once a person contracts the herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2), it stays in the body for life. After a person becomes infected, they will experience periods with no symptoms and periods with symptoms (outbreaks) throughout their lifetime....

“Te vez mas gorda—it seems you’ve put on some weight,” was the first comment my father made to me after we met up for the first time seven months into the pandemic. In early 2020, I’d been working a few contract jobs. Having recently graduated from college, I was navigating this new phase of life while figuring out how to make my own living. But once COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March, I lost all of my work in a matter of days....

Diagnosing hyperhidrosis may be a very complex, or it may be a simple process, depending on the underlying cause. For example, if a person is diagnosed with primary focal hyperhidrosis, the diagnostic criteria are relatively straight forward and simple. On the other hand, for those with secondary general hyperhidrosis, the underlying cause could be one of many different origins; in this instance, a variety of lab tests and diagnostic procedures may be needed....

Not everyone thinks of health insurance as financial planning, but they should. People on Medicare are more likely to have fixed incomes, but spent as much as $5,460 in healthcare out-of-pocket costs in 2016. Picking a plan that will save the most money could have a major impact on your ability to afford life’s essentials. A Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), in particular, has a lot to offer. These accounts give you quality care through a Medicare Advantage plan while also giving you a bank account to pay for health expenses tax-free....

Before Part D began in 2006, Medicare beneficiaries spent an average of $2,318 out of pocket on their medications. After Part D, prescription drug coverage, while not free, did become more manageable for seniors. Out of pocket expenses are now associated with premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It is important to understand the costs associated with Part D plans so you can budget your health care. To do that, you need to learn some lingo and how costs are spread across various categories....

Radiation sickness, or acute radiation syndrome, is an acute illness of the entire body after receiving a high dose of penetrating radioactive materials in a short time. Radiation sickness occurs after receiving large amounts of radiation from significant events like an atomic bomb blast or a nuclear power plant meltdown. This article discusses the treatment options for radiation sickness, including medication and decontamination. Symptoms and Diagnosis Radiation sickness primarily affects the skin, the stomach and intestines, and the bone marrow....

Health insurance doesn’t pay all of your healthcare expenses. Instead, you’re expected to foot the bill for part of the cost of your care through your health plan’s cost-sharing requirements like your deductible, copayments, and coinsurance. This article will explain how coinsurance works, how it differs from deductibles and copays, and how you can know what to expect in terms of the bills you may receive from your medical providers....

Pressure ulcers are a common problem in palliative care patients. Decreased mobility, increased time spent in bed, and altered nutrition make these patients prime targets for skin breakdown. Pressure ulcers are painful. As a caregiver, one of the most important things you can do to keep your loved one comfortable is to prevent one from developing. Relieve the Pressure Turning a patient who is bed-bound is the most important thing you can do to prevent pressure ulcers from occurring....

Hyperacusis is a rare problem that causes sounds to feel abnormally loud. Everyday sounds, like washing your hands or listening to the radio, may be painfully loud. If you have hyperacusis, you may have sensitivity to sounds that others find normal. Other times, you may find regular sounds to be frightening or unpleasant. The development of hyperacusis is not well understood, despite an estimated 3% of children and adolescents experiencing some form of hyperacusis....

Lupus is a group of autoimmune diseases that can affect multiple systems in the body, including the skin. Several rashes are linked to lupus, including some that itch and may appear on the legs. This article discusses the types and causes of itchy lupus rashes on the legs, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider. Types of Lupus Rash Lupus can cause several types of rashes, including some specific to certain disease forms....

Leaky gut syndrome (or intestinal permeability) is a condition that affects the lining of the intestines. This can result in symptoms like persistent muscle or joint pain, poor concentration, indigestion, gas, mood swings, nervousness, skin rashes, recurrent bladder or yeast infections, constipation, or anxiety. However, there is no scientific data in humans that a leaky gut resulting in increased intestinal permeability causes symptoms outside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Leaky gut syndrome is considered a theory, rather than a condition traditionally recognized by the general medical community....

Two types of vaccines can help protect you from meningococcal disease, including meningitis. Meningococcal disease is extremely rare in the United States, affecting roughly one in a million Americans annually. However, certain groups, including young people and teens, are at higher risk. Since meningococcal disease can cause serious illness and even death, most Americans benefit from getting the vaccine. The meningitis vaccines protect against bacterial meningitis, which can cause the most serious cases....

Menopause and insomnia seem to go hand-in-hand. Many women struggle with sleep during the menopause transition. Fortunately, there are many medication options for women dealing with menopause and insomnia. Menopause and Insomnia It’s two o’clock in the morning, and you’re deciding whether to toss for awhile more, get up and do a sudoku puzzle, put on the shopping channel — or just scream and get it over with. You have insomnia, and it started when you entered the menopausal years....

While states have prioritized COVID-19 vaccines for many of their most vulnerable residents, so far, most homebound patients—and, often, their family, volunteer and paid caregivers—have been left out of vaccine allocation and administration. Key Takeaways Most of the country’s 12 million homebound patients have not yet received COVID-19 vaccines. People in hospice care or who are at risk of a worsening condition if they leave home don’t currently benefit from new vaccination sites across the country....

Fragility fractures, also known as osteoporotic fractures, are caused by minimal, low-energy trauma such as falling from a standing height or lower. This type of fracture is typically an underlying symptom of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle. Fragility fractures often occur in the hip, spine, or wrist. Many people with osteoporosis don’t realize they have this disease until their first fragility fracture. This article explains the basics of fragility fractures....

Research shows that inflammation of the pancreas, also known as pancreatitis, can increase the risk of developing diabetes, a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels. Additionally, people with diabetes are at higher risk for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis or diabetes may cause your body not to regulate blood glucose levels properly, which is why they are often linked to each other. Learn about the connection between these conditions and how you can reduce your risk for them....

If you have been diagnosed with a peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer disease, your healthcare provider will provide medications to reduce stomach acid. Lifestyle is also an important part of your treatment plan. Reducing stress levels, eating healthy, and avoiding alcohol and certain medications, for example, can help to relieve symptoms and help ulcers to heal. Stress Management While peptic ulcers are caused by the H. pylori bacterium, stress may also play a role....