A rectocele is a condition that can occur in females where the front wall of the rectum (the last part of the large intestine) pushes into the back wall of the vagina. A rectocele, which may also be called a posterior vaginal prolapse, is a common condition, especially after age 50. A rectocele does not always cause symptoms, especially if it is small. It may cause discomfort, but it is not usually painful....
Osteoporosis is a condition that results in bones that are weak, brittle, and prone to fractures. As we age, a decline in bone-protecting hormones can cause weak bones. As a result, postmenopausal women and older men are most likely to get this condition. Other factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis include body size, ethnicity, family history, diet, medical conditions, medications, inactivity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use. Often there are no symptoms....
Thyroid disease and cholesterol levels are closely related. Interactions between these conditions include: High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) is linked to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). A sudden drop in cholesterol can occur with hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Treating thyroid disease can correct cholesterol levels. Cholesterol drugs can affect thyroid disease and its treatments. This article explains why thyroid disease and high cholesterol are linked, the potential problems, and how to manage both conditions at once....
Surgery is serious business, and it is a rare individual who has no complications after surgery. Most patients experience a minor complication or two, problems that resolve quickly and easily in the days following surgery. For some patients, surgery leads to more serious types of problems, such as pneumonia or an infection. Avoiding these complications can lead to faster recovery after surgery. Pain After Surgery Pain is probably the most common complaint that surgery patients have in the days and sometimes weeks following surgery....
Connected technologies have been demystified and are becoming commonplace. By 2022, an average smart house is expected to have around 500 smart devices, ranging from smart bulbs and smart bins to integrated telehealth devices. Health monitoring smart home products, in particular, bring many opportunities. Some argue that nine-to-five health care might soon be a thing of the past. However, individual smart health gadgets such as smartwatches and activity trackers are not currently suitable to monitor our health holistically....
Loss of taste may be caused by many things, including illness, taste disorders, side effects of medications, aging, and other health-related conditions. For example, if you suddenly can’t taste anything and have a cold or allergies that are dulling your sense of smell, that may be to blame. However, if the cause is unclear and lasts more than a few days, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to identify what is going on....
Hospice is usually recommended when the risks and side effects of further treatments will outweigh the benefits. The word hospice is sometimes equated with giving up, though it is far from that., The balance between the risks and benefits of treatment is something that each person needs to weigh for themselves, and the answer may vary widely between different people. There is no right and wrong on this spectrum; only a decision that is best for you and your family....
Indigestion is a burning sensation in the stomach. It is a term used to describe a group of gastrointestinal symptoms rather than its own disease. Also known as dyspepsia, indigestion affects 20% of the population. The collective symptoms that people can experience are burning pain in the upper abdomen, feeling full quickly after eating, and feeling uncomfortably full after eating. This article will focus on the causes, treatments, and prevention of indigestion or stomach burning....
What Is Aimovig? Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medication to prevent migraine headaches. It is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once a month. Aimovig is a biologic medication that can affect cells at the molecular level. It is more specifically referred to as a monoclonal antibody that targets a specific protein in the brain called calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). CGRP is directly related to causing a migraine attack....
Atypical Parkinson’s disease, also referred to as atypical parkinsonism disorders, or Parkinson’s plus, includes a group of conditions that cause symptoms like those of Parkinson’s disease as well as additional effects. Your doctor would diagnose atypical Parkinson’s disease based on your symptoms and on a physical examination. Often, these disorders have more severe symptoms, are more disabling, and progress more rapidly than Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, the treatments that are effective for managing Parkinson’s disease are not as helpful for managing atypical Parkinson’s disease, and there are no other treatments specifically known to help....
Diarrhea is a common problem that can come on suddenly or be a chronic complaint. Some possible causes of diarrhea include food poisoning, infections, food allergies or intolerances, and medication. There are also some conditions that cause chronic diarrhea that run in families or, rarely, have a genetic basis. You can reduce your risk of acute diarrhea by learning good food safety and cleanliness habits, whether at home or while traveling....
Sleep apnea, also called obstructive sleep apnea, is a medical condition that many people live with. If left untreated, can cause many symptoms and potentially lead to complications such as weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. This article will review the causes of sleep apnea, how it can cause weight gain, and how sleep apnea is treated. What Is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a disorder in which the airway becomes obstructed, or narrowed, while you are sleeping....
One distinctive feature of the eye that varies from person to person is the number of creases on the eyelid. Double eyelids are those with a visible outfold crease. This is in contrast to single eyelids, or monolids, which have no crease. Genetics determine whether you have double eyelids or not. Most people do. Surgery to form double eyelids is available. It may be done for cosmetic reasons or because an eyelid that doesn’t have a crease is interfering with your vision....
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy (talk therapy) treatment that helps a person heal from traumatic experiences. EMDR is extensively researched and is recognized as an effective treatment by numerous national and international organizations. For people struggling with anxiety or trauma, EMDR can be a life-changing treatment option. In this article, learn more about EMDR therapy, its benefits, how it works, and how to find a EMDR therapist....
What Is Fragmin? Fragmin (dalteparin) is a prescription medication used as a subcutaneous (under the skin) injection to prevent certain blood clots. It is also used along with aspirin to prevent complications from chest pain and heart attacks. Fragmin is commonly known as low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). It is also referred to as a blood thinner or anticoagulant and can directly stop the factors in the blood that form clots after traumatic injuries or during surgery....
About 40% of people with autism spectrum disorder also suffer from significant anxiety. This is the case even though anxiety is not a part of the criteria for diagnosing autism—nor is it one of the descriptive options available for clinicians to use when describing a person’s autism. Anxiety can play a huge role in the lives of people on the spectrum, controlling the way they interact with the world, and limiting the ways in which other people interact with them....
Pancreatic cancer surgery is a major procedure that can alleviate the effects of pancreatic cancer to improve survival. Sometimes pancreatic cancer can be cured, but often the treatment relieves some aspects of the disease even if a complete cure isn’t possible. Management of pancreatic cancer includes surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. What Is Pancreatic Cancer Surgery? Pancreatic cancer surgery includes surgical operations that remove the tumor from the pancreas and surrounding areas....
Back pain can affect your quality of life and your ability to manage your day-to-day activities. Often, no specific cause is identified, or it can be caused by sitting in an uncomfortable position for too long—but sometimes back pain can be a sign of a serious medical issue. Diagnosis and treatment of back pain involve a variety of approaches, and telemedicine can play a role in your back pain care. Talk to your healthcare providers if you want to incorporate telemedicine or any type of online care for your back pain....
In some people, the pain from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be very severe—so severe you may wonder if it is IBS or appendicitis. Telling the difference between IBS gas pain and appendicitis is not easy. Even healthcare providers can have difficulty differentiating them based on symptoms alone. Appendicitis is caused by an inflamed appendix and requires immediate medical attention. This article discusses the differences between IBS and appendicitis, testing for each condition, and symptoms you should not ignore....
What Is Livalo? Livalo (pitavastatin) is an oral HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, also known as a statin drug. It is most commonly used to treat high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) and a condition called heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Livalo lowers levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “bad cholesterol.” Livalo slows cholesterol production to reduce buildup in the arteries. Elevated LDL levels are known to increase the risk of heart disease and its complications, such as heart attack and stroke....
