A cystectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to remove the bladder, usually due to cancer. The bladder is a pouch which is located in the pelvis. It holds urine made by the kidneys until it is full and needs to be emptied. This article will review the ways a cystectomy is completed, as well as how to prepare and the potential risks associated with this surgery. What Is a Cystectomy?...
The D-dimer test is a blood test doctors can use to rule out a severe blood clot. It’s useful if your doctor suspects you have a blood clot in your lung or deep within a vein of your leg or pelvis. These clots can be fatal. Getting prompt treatment increases your chances of surviving and avoiding other medical problems. This article discusses the D-dimer test, how doctors use it, and its limitations....
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people who have eczema, an itchy rash that is the most common type of atopic dermatitis. The COVID-19 vaccine can prevent you from getting COVID-19 and lowers the risk of developing a severe case that could lead to hospitalization, long-term illness, or even death. The COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States have been rigorously tested and proven safe and effective. Here’s what to know about getting the COVID-19 vaccine if you have eczema....
An esophagectomy is a surgery performed to remove some or all of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach through which food travels. The majority of esophagectomies are performed due to cancer of the esophagus (called esophageal cancer). An esophagectomy is considered major surgery and carries risks, including injury to other organs in surgery, difficulty swallowing or speaking following surgery, and acid reflux, in which stomach acid backs up into the esophagus....
Groin pain in females is most often caused by muscle strain. There are many other possible causes, however, including urinary tract infection, ovarian cysts, kidney stones, and osteoarthritis (OA). Groin pain can also be related to pregnancy. This article discusses 14 common causes of female groin pain and how each one is treated. Groin Strain One of the most common causes of pain in the groin is muscle strain. A strain (also known as a pull) occurs when a muscle is overstretched and either partially or completely torn....
Fibromyalgia symptoms are many and include widespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, memory issues, digestive concerns, and a host of things you may not even realize are part of the condition. While fibromyalgia symptoms aren’t well understood, they’re very real. You may have fairly consistent levels of fibromyalgia symptoms or you may experience periods of low activity (remission) or suddenly intensified symptoms (flares). This article details the full range of possible fibromyalgia symptoms and what they feel like, so you and your healthcare provider can identify fibromyalgia and find the right treatments for you....
Diabetes is a chronic (long-term) medical condition that, if not properly managed, can lead to various complications. These include problems with the kidneys, nerves, feet, gums, and eyes. Diabetes doubles the risk of developing glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss and blindness if not properly treated. This article will discuss the link between diabetes and glaucoma, including how to treat and manage the conditions simultaneously....
What causes nighttime headaches? Many arise due to primary headache disorders, those that occur independently of other symptoms, including tension headache, migraine, cluster, and hypnic headache. This article covers the basics of nighttime headaches, including their causes and what you can do to treat them. Causes of Nighttime Headaches While mornings are the most common time of day people have headaches, many occur at night. While the exact mechanisms of nighttime headaches aren’t fully understood, they’re likely related to the activity of the hypothalamus, a brain region associated with both pain perception and your natural sleep-wake cycle, known as your circadian rhythm....
Hiccups are involuntary spasms of the diaphragm (the muscle under the lungs). Hiccups are usually short-lived, but they can be chronic (long-lasting) in rare cases. Men are more likely to get hiccups than women, but nearly everyone will experience hiccups in their lifetime. Although the exact cause of hiccups is unknown, there are several contributing factors. In addition to home remedies, hiccups can be treated medically. Complications from hiccups can occur if not treated properly....
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a perennial herb in the Equisetaceae family of plants. Perennial means a plant returns every year and usually lives at least two years. Considered a weed, the horsetail plant is invasive and can spread through an area of land quickly, thus making it hard to get rid of once it is in your garden. The horsetail plant is like a fern. It has hollow, pointed stems and scaly leaves....
Testosterone is an important hormone for men and women, but its effects aren’t limited to the reproductive system. Your mood, bone strength, and sleep cycles are just a few of the functions that are also impacted by testosterone levels. Too much or too little testosterone can cause problems, but a high testosterone level is not a problem that many men experience naturally. Low testosterone levels are more common, and this article will explore the impact this can have on sleep in particular....
It can be difficult to estimate the cost of contact lenses because so many variables can affect the price. Optometrists’ and ophthalmologists’ offices determine their own prices for contact lenses, as well as for the exams needed to prescribe them and follow-up visits. Some eye doctors combine these fees into one price but many do not. Your vision plan and insurance coverage also will affect the cost of your contact lenses, and you’ll also have to consider cleaning supplies....
Intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is a therapy that involves inflatable sleeves, which are fitted around the legs or arms. This sleeve is attached to a machine that intermittently fills the sleeves with air to create pressure around the affected limbs and then deflates them. This device is most commonly utilized in the hospital to stimulate blood flow and reduce the risk of blood clots when a person is less active while recovering from injury or surgery....
Prediabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels that are not yet high enough to fulfill a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Even though prediabetes is a common condition, most affected people are unaware they have it because there are often no apparent symptoms. Nevertheless, since prediabetes is a stepping stone to diabetes and serious complications, getting screened is essential if you are at risk. This article will review the three blood tests used to detect prediabetes....
You don’t have to go to an expensive salon to have pretty feet. With a little time and effort—and a few supplies you can find at your local drugstore—you can give yourself a fabulous foot makeover at home. In six steps, this article tells you everything you need to know about giving yourself a home pedicure. Following other foot care tips might even have people convinced that you spent a bundle at a prestigious spa....
After your mammogram, a radiologist will categorize your test results using a numbering system based on the likelihood of the presence of cancer. They will also classify breast density and calcifications. Your healthcare provider may review these results and discuss them with you. This article provides an overview of mammogram results, including Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS), breast density, calcifications, and recalls. Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) BI-RADS is a standardized system for reporting mammogram findings....
If you’re receiving chemotherapy, your oncologist has likely talked to you about the risk of infection and how you can lower your risk. A low white blood cell count referred to as chemotherapy-induced neutropenia can lead to difficult to treat and even fatal infections if they are not treated in time. Certainly, this risk will vary depending on the chemotherapy drugs you are receiving, your white blood cell count, and any treatments you are receiving to raise your white blood cell count (such as Neulasta or Neupogen)....
Some people believe that sex life after 60 is somehow less enjoyable or necessary than it was before. While adults over 60 may have sex less than they did in their 20s and 30s, there are few reasons why sex cannot be any less pleasurable or passionate than it ever was. There may be adjustments that people over 60 need to make, but that is also true with diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes that older adults need to make to maintain a high quality of life....
Inspire is a sleep apnea treatment. The device sends a signal to the nerve that controls your tongue and upper airway to tighten them while you sleep. Inspire improves airflow and reduces obstructive sleep apnea. The Inspire device is placed during a minor surgical procedure, but you can usually go home the same day. Once it’s in place, all you have to do is click the Inspire remote to turn on the device when you’re ready for bed....
Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a type of cancer that can form purplish masses (tumors) on the skin, in the mouth, in lymph nodes, and in other organs. There are different types of KS, some of which cause tumors to develop and spread rapidly, and others that are slow growing and even short-lived. KS is typically associated with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but there are other types that can affect groups of people without HIV....
