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You may have difficulty losing weight if you have an underactive thyroid. Leptin and reverse T3 (rT3), two hormones believed to play a role in regulating weight and metabolism, are altered in level and function in hypothyroidism. While it is not completely clear how these hormones could be affected by or could affect thyroid disease, they may contribute to the weight problems that are commonly associated with this condition. Because of the many hormonal changes that occur with thyroid disease, dieting and caloric restriction may not be enough to achieve optimal weight loss if you are hypothyroid....

Lung transplant surgery is a complex procedure in which a patient’s diseased lung or lungs are replaced with lungs from a deceased donor in an effort to cure or improve a variety of end-stage pulmonary diseases, including cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. An increase in the number of lung donors in recent years has meant shorter wait times for people who need a lung transplant. Reasons for a Lung Transplant A lung transplant is appropriate when your lung disease is so severe that the lungs are no longer able to support your body’s requirements and all other treatment options have failed to improve pulmonary function....

Lupus symptoms in men and other people assigned male at birth are sometimes different from those commonly experienced by those assigned female at birth. While nearly 90% of people with lupus are assigned female at birth, men can get lupus and should know the symptoms to look for. People transitioning from one sex to another may see a change in their risk of lupus, as well. This article looks at the symptoms of lupus in males, why they have lupus less often, lupus risk during sex transition, emotional challenges faced by males with lupus, and sex-based differences in diagnosis and disease outcome....

There are many different types of diabetes. How they are treated differs, but the end goal is the same: achieving adequate blood sugar control to prevent or delay complications of diabetes. These range from vision loss to kidney damage. Blood glucose control requires diligence, but you can help manage and prevent common diabetes complications by setting personal goals with your healthcare team—and sticking to them. Routine checkups with specialists can gauge your progress and ensure you’re on track....

Nasal polyps are soft growths that can occur on the inside of the nasal canal or sinuses. Small nasal polyps can be harmless, but if a nasal polyp blocks the sinuses or airway, it can lead to infections, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. Treatment is recommended in these cases. While surgery to treat nasal polyps is an option, there are several treatments to consider before surgery. Corticosteroids are generally considered the gold standard pharmacological treatment for nasal polyps, and can be delivered by spray, oral medication, or injection....

Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is a condition that may affect a person for years without causing obvious symptoms. The condition is associated with chronic digestive problems such as gas and bloating. It can also cause diarrhea or constipation. People may be told they have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) instead of bacterial overgrowth. The most common way of getting rid of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is to:...

While treatment for migraines typically involves medications and avoiding triggers, complementary treatments like migraine massage may be able to help lessen the intensity and frequency of migraine symptoms. You can give yourself a migraine massage by targeting pressure points to help relieve pain. This article will explain what a migraine massage is and how to perform one on yourself. Reflexology for Headaches Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying pressure to specific pressure points in the hands and feet believed to be linked to other parts of the body....

Pulmonary hypertension develops when the vessels that bring blood from your heart to your lungs become narrowed. Blood is moved from the heart to the lungs to be replenished with oxygen, so this narrowing can push oxygen-starved blood back into your heart. The result is shortness of breath and breathing problems from a lack of oxygen and eventually heart problems from the strain this backup causes. In this article, we discuss the symptoms and possible complications of pulmonary hypertension....

A shoulder hemiarthroplasty is a partial shoulder replacement, which is the surgical removal of the rounded top portion of the humerus (the upper arm bone) and replacement with a prosthesis. This is the “ball” of the shoulder’s ball-and-socket joint, and it can become severely damaged due to chronic disease or an acute injury. Restoring the shoulder joint’s integrity through shoulder hemiarthroplasty can alleviate pain and help improve mobility. What Is Shoulder Hemiarthroplasty?...

If you have gout, you may have concerns about scheduling visits with your healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. While healthcare providers’ offices are taking precautions to see patients safely in person, telehealth is a viable alternative to managing your health from home. Telehealth is not a new concept, but it only recently has changed the patient-doctor dynamic. With the current global pandemic, telehealth is being used to prevent coronavirus spread, especially to vulnerable populations....

Transient lingual papillitis, also called “lie bumps,” is a common inflammatory condition that affects your tongue, specifically the taste buds, also called fungiform papillae. Fungiform papillae are flat, pink bumps on the top, sides, and tips of the tongue. They sense taste and temperature. When papillae become irritated and inflamed, it can be painful and make it hard to eat. This article looks at the symptoms, types, and causes of bumps on your tongue, how they’re diagnosed and treated, and how you may be able to keep them from coming back....

If you are planning to have surgery your biggest concern should be the final outcome–how will you feel after your surgery is completed? Preparing for your surgery, which means understanding the risks you face and how to decrease those risks, is key to a great recovery and final result. Your level of risk is as unique as your fingerprints. Your surgeon can tell you more about your level of risk, once considering questions such as these:...

The midterm elections on Tuesday were seen as the first referendum on voters’ positions on abortion since June, when the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling which enshrined the right to an abortion. Key Takeaways Abortion rights were on the ballot in many state races nationwide during Tuesday’s midterm elections. Ballot measures passed in Michigan, California, and Vermont will amend constitutions in those states to include the right to abortion....

Young people tend to think they’re invincible. And in the case of COVID-19, they’re not always wrong—most young people show few symptoms if they contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But our data shows that this may be leading them to dismiss the urgency of getting the COVID-19 vaccine, potentially putting others, and their future selves, at risk. Key Themes From Our Survey Vaccine acceptance rose slightly in our latest survey, but at this point, we can’t say it’s a trend....

As you begin your research to determine who you will choose as your plastic surgeon, you will probably already have many questions. Or perhaps you have no idea of where to start, or what exactly you should ask. Many people are intimidated by the prospect of questioning authority, and who is more of an authority figure than a plastic surgeon? After all, your surgeon is the person who could potentially hold your life (not to mention your looks) in his or her hands....

A stomach bug is known for its symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and you may have called it something like the “stomach flu.” It’s actually gastroenteritis, an inflammation commonly caused by an infection like norovirus. Most cases are easily treatable, but stomach bugs are highly contagious. It’s also unlikely that what you think of as a “24-hour bug” will always resolve that quickly, and when symptoms last longer than that you should call your healthcare provider....

Start to finish, a mononucleosis (mono) infection can last months. However, how long symptoms of mono last can differ. They may only be present for two to six weeks, though some people can have lingering effects—especially fatigue—until the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that causes the illness becomes inactive. Even after symptoms have cleared, the virus can be passed in saliva for three months and remain potentially contagious for up to 18 months....

With Thanksgiving around the corner, some families nationwide are preparing to meet in person for the holidays. But this year’s preparations will need to include conversations about COVID-19 safety. With states enforcing different safety precautions, it can be difficult to navigate conversations with family about the level of precautions you expect to take. Key Takeaways It may be challenging to navigate conversations about COVID-19 safety, like mask-wearing and vaccinations, with family members....

One of the most challenging experiences for parents is to see their child in pain. If your child has been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional abdominal pain (FAP), you may be experiencing feelings of powerlessness, frustration, and confusion. Being on the front lines, you know that IBS in children is no minor matter. Research has shown that kids with IBS experience low quality of life, miss a lot of school, and have to attend numerous medical appointments....

Living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is challenging. The physical limitations of the condition and the psychological and emotional effects of having a significant disability can feel overwhelming for people who have ALS and for their families. Working with healthcare providers who are familiar with ALS and can help you maximize your capabilities is essential as you learn to cope with the day-to-day impact of your disease. Using well-established approaches can be helpful for you and your caregivers....