Your blood pressure is the force of your blood as it moves through the arteries in your body. A blood pressure measurement is made up of two numbers: systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. When your blood pressure is not within a normal range, it puts you at risk of serious health problems including heart attack and stroke. High blood pressure is generally a greater risk. It’s also called hypertension....
Many people know someone diagnosed with breast cancer—millions have been diagnosed themself. It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer, other than skin cancer. Breast cancer is when cells in the breast tissue start to grow out of control and form a tumor. Breast cancer can develop in people of any sex but is much more common in those assigned female at birth. In 2022, there will be around 290,560 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in the U....
Breast pain is common, but it can be worrisome when you have it, especially if you are concerned that it could be a symptom of breast cancer. Although breast cancer may cause breast pain at times, this type of pain usually results from other causes—which can include breast-related issues as well as non-breast-related issues. Breast pain may feel sharp or dull, it can be intermittent or constant, and it can range from mild to severe....
A bunion—also known as hallux valgus—is a bony protrusion that typically juts out from the side of the big toe. Less commonly, a bunion may form next to the small toe, and this is referred to as a “bunionette” or “tailor’s bunion.” Several factors—some of which can be controlled, some of which can’t—make a person more vulnerable to developing bunions. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose a bunion simply by looking at your foot....
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with pneumonia, you may be wondering if this lung infection can be fatal. Can you die from pneumonia? The sad answer is yes, you can. Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that fills them with fluid. If the air sacs in the lungs (called alveoli) fill up with fluids, it’s harder for them to do their job of transferring oxygen into the blood and getting rid of carbon dioxide that’s built up in the body....
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopment conditions among children, affecting an estimated 11% of U.S. children. The condition is characterized by having trouble sitting still, an inability to focus, forgetfulness, and disorganization. Adults can also be diagnosed with ADHD, and about 75% of kids with ADHD will continue to have ADHD symptoms as adults. These days, more ADHD patients and parents of children with the condition are curious about whether cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive extract of the cannabis plant, can be beneficial in managing ADHD symptoms....
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, making it harder to see. If you have diabetes, you may be more likely to develop cataracts. You also may have more steps to follow before, during, and after cataract surgery. This article will cover why cataracts are more likely to develop when you have diabetes and how to prepare before, during, and after cataract surgery. Why Cataracts Are More Common in Diabetes Cataract development is most commonly associated with aging....
Genetics and environmental factors play a role in the development of eczema. Typical symptoms include redness, itchiness, and swelling. This article discusses the genetic and environmental causes of eczema and what you can do to treat and manage the condition. Eczema Has a Definite Genetic Link While eczema possesses a genetic component, not everyone has a family history or inherited genes that can cause it to develop. The inflammation that sets off eczema can be associated with specific gene mutations....
Both heat exhaustion and heatstroke are serious conditions. They are types of heat illness—medical conditions that result from the body’s inability to control its core body temperature after exposure to high temperatures and dehydration (fluid loss with insufficient replacement). Heat exhaustion causes general muscle weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, and fainting. Heatstroke occurs when the body’s internal temperature reaches over 103 degrees Fahrenheit and a person has changes in consciousness and behavior, sweats excessively, and experiences nausea and/or vomiting....
Herpes infections are caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2. These contagious viruses are spread through skin-to-skin contact with a person who is having a herpes outbreak. You get herpes by touching a herpes sore or the skin, lips, genital fluids, or saliva of a person with an oral or genital herpes infection. Herpes can be spread even when there are no visible blisters or sores. This article discusses how herpes is spread....
Health care costs can be difficult to sort out. There is a confusing game that seems to be played between insurance companies and health careproviders—and you may be the one stuck with a surprising bill. What does it cost to diagnose and treat sleep apnea? These costs may vary with treatment options, including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, oral appliances, and even surgery. To provide a greater deal of transparency, let’s review an overview of the costs associated with sleep apnea treatments....
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments can vary depending on the range and severity of your symptoms. When people with RA don’t respond well to other treatments, they may receive infusions for arthritis to help decrease their bodies’ autoimmune response and improve symptoms of joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Rheumatoid Arthritis Basics RA is an autoimmune condition in which the body produces an immune system response to attack the joints, causing pain, inflammation, and swelling....
Lymph fluid, a component of the body’s immune system, helps fight illness by carrying cells and fluid to address infections. Lymph nodes throughout the body act as drains. If they become clogged, damaged, or are removed as part of a surgery, like a mastectomy (breast removal surgery), fluid can build up and cause swelling, known as lymphedema. Learn more about identifying lymphedema after amastectomy, prevention, treatment, and getting support for the condition....
Nasal irrigation, or a sinus flush, is the practice of rinsing out your nasal passageways. It is often used by individuals with sinus problems, allergies, or upper respiratory infections. It can remove germs or debris that can cause allergies, such as dust or pollen, as well as loosen thick mucus, enhance mucocilliary clearance (how the nose clears germs), and moisten the nasal passageways. This article discusses how to perform a sinus flush safely and the potential risks involved....
There is much more to the ear than what you see from the outside. There are three parts to the ear—the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. These sections work together to collect sound from the world around you and send it to the brain where speech and auditory centers translate the information. The outer ear is the part of the ear that you can see and where sound waves enter the ear before traveling to the inner ear and brain....
Chronic pain is now considered a disease all on its own due to the impact it has, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has advanced recognition and treatment of chronic pain with two classifications: chronic primary pain and chronic secondary pain. Both classifications are divided into multiple subgroups, all of which can help your healthcare provider diagnose and treat your chronic pain. Why Pain Is a Disease It might seem odd to think of pain as a disease, and the concept has been controversial in the medical community....
If you have already reviewed the possible patient advocacy career paths available, and none of them meets your wishes or needs, you may want to consider starting your own patient advocacy business as a self-employed patient advocate. Here is some background information to help you start a patient advocate business. About You When someone starts a new business, they are choosing the life of an entrepreneur. Successful entrepreneurs have several attributes in common....
The Tenex procedure is a minimally invasive, trademarked procedure used to treat chronic pain associated with tendinitis (tendon inflammation). The minimally invasive technique can reduce tendon pain by breaking down and removing damaged tissues with high-frequency ultrasound energy. Also known as percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy and percutaneous ultrasonic fasciotomy, the Tenex procedure is commonly used to treat tendinitis of the elbow, hip, knee, shoulder, and ankle, as well as plantar fasciitis foot pain....
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that is implanted under the skin to help regulate the heart rhythm. Most pacemakers are implanted to treat symptoms resulting from bradycardia (slow heart rate) caused by sick sinus syndrome or heart block. Having a pacemaker is supposed to eliminate or prevent problems, not cause them. That’s generally the case, but there are things to avoid with a pacemaker once you begin living with one....
Auras are visual or sensory disturbances that can occur during or right before a migraine starts. People who experience them usually find them somewhat startling, alarming, and even temporarily disabling. About one-third of people who experience a migraine will have auras. Symptoms of migraine auras range from seeing dots to flashes to sparks. Learn more about auras and how to treat migraine with aura. What Is a Migraine With Aura? Migraines, or migraine headaches, are a neurological disorder that affects 10% of the general population and is a leading cause of disability worldwide....
