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The colon is part of the large intestine, and it has several different sections: ascending, transverse, descending, and sigmoid. The ascending colon is the first section. It is located in the digestive tract between the end of the small intestine and the second part of the colon, the transverse colon. It is also sometimes called the right colon. In this article, learn more about the anatomy and function of the ascending colon, as well as conditions that can affect it and tests that may be done....

Assisted living care is designed to help individuals who are not able to perform normal daily activities, such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, and preparing meals, but who don’t require 24-hour nursing care. Assisted living communities are based on the principles of providing personalized care, service with dignity, encouraging independence, and promoting family involvement and connection with other residents. Residences are available for individuals who are intellectually or developmentally challenged, but the majority house older adults....

If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you may have heard that a back brace could help reduce back pain and maintain good posture. While temporary bracing can support the spine to control your pain, it is not a long-term solution for pain reduction or correcting postural problems. Finding the right tools to manage ankylosing spondylitis symptoms can sometimes feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. There are many options; braces and other assistive devices for AS are not one-size-fits-all devices....

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common bacterial vaginal infection affecting roughly 30% of women ages 14 to 49 in the United States. This infection occurs when bad bacteria outweigh good bacteria in the vagina. 84% of women with BV do not have symptoms. When symptoms are present, the most common is a strong “fishy” vaginal odor and an increase in vaginal discharge. Metronidazole (such as the brand Flagyl) is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial vaginosis....

Cancer develops when there are changes to the DNA (mutations) within a cell that allow it to grow out of control. The cancerous cells can then crowd out normal cells or invade body tissues. Radiation, cancer-causing substances, infections, and your genetic makeup can raise your risk of mutations that result in cancer. Most people don’t realize that cancer is preventable in many cases. Learning what causes cancer and what the risk factors are is the first step in cancer prevention....

A person can learn in both conscious and unconscious ways. Behaviors, attitudes, ideas, and the absorption of new information can be learned with or without a person’s knowledge. Classical conditioning is a form of unconscious learning that was popularized by Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. Today, classical conditioning is often used as a therapeutic technique to change or modify negative behaviors, such as substance use. Read on to find out more about classical conditioning and how it’s used today....

COVID-19 and the common cold share similar symptoms. How then can you tell if you have COVID-19 or the common cold? Understanding key differences in how these illnesses are caused, spread, prevented, and treated can help you seek the appropriate medical care. The common cold, also known as upper respiratory tract infection (URI), is a viral infection of the upper airway (nose, nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx) but can also affect the lower respiratory tract (trachea, bronchi, and lungs)....

Diarrhea is a common problem. Even healthy adults and children may have diarrhea a few times a year. In some cases, there might be an obvious reason for the loose stools, such as an allergy or illness. But in many situations, the reason may never be known. Diarrhea that occurs for a few days is usually not a reason to seek treatment from a healthcare provider. This is because while it may be uncomfortable and for some, even embarrassing, most of the time diarrhea will go away on its own....

A “Digihaler” is a high-tech asthma inhaler that uses Bluetooth technology to transmit information about how you use it to an app on your smartphone. The information can then be given to your healthcare provider and used to make decisions about your asthma treatment. While the technology is new, the medications used in Digihalers are not new to the pharmaceutical market. Here’s everything you should know about using a Digihaler to manage your asthma....

Dyspepsia is a stomach condition that’s also sometimes called indigestion. It causes stomach pain and burning, bloating, nausea, and gas. Dyspepsia is common and could be related to a problem with the muscles in the stomach. It might be treated with various medications and changes to diet. This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of dyspepsia. It also covers how it might be diagnosed and the potential treatments for symptoms, as well as when to see a healthcare provider....

Iron deficiency anemia from heavy menstrual periods is very common. In women of childbearing age, it is the most frequent cause of iron deficiency anemia. Heavy menstrual bleeding is estimated to affect up to a third of premenopausal women, and some of these women are at risk of iron deficiency anemia, which can cause symptoms like fatigue. In the U.S., around 4% of women of reproductive age have iron deficiency anemia....

Symptoms of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) include inflamed lumps, like pimples or blackheads, that progress to larger lumps (called nodules) and abscesses that can rupture and leak pus. This condition most often develops in the: Armpit Groin Buttocks Inner thigh Genital area Symptoms The most common symptoms of hidradenitis suppurativa are: Acne-like bumps in areas you wouldn’t typically expect to find acne pimples (e.g. your armpits or groin)Painful lumps, called nodules, under the skin....

Histrionic personality disorder (HPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are both mental health conditions characterized as personality disorders. These disorders involve ongoing or repeated thoughts, behaviors, perceptions, and feelings that are not consistent with societal norms and that interfere with long-term functioning. Personality disorders are further classified into one of three groups, including cluster A, cluster B, and cluster C. Histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder are both cluster B personality disorders, and while there are similarities between these two conditions, there are some key differences....

Cerebral palsy cannot be cured, but some of the symptoms can be managed and most of the health complications can be prevented with advanced planning. The quality of life of children and adults with cerebral palsy can be substantially improved with the right medical interventions and attentive home care. Lifestyle If you are living with cerebral palsy, routines, and strategies that are self-directed or facilitated by family and caregivers are central components of preventing complications and maximizing the use of your abilities....

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) diagnosis is complex. There is no blood or imaging test for it, so healthcare providers must rely on patients’ self-reported symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and other mood swings. The timing of these symptoms is a key indicator: They must occur seven to 14 days before the start of menstruation and resolve shortly after one’s period arrives. Though similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS), PMDD symptoms are extreme, can impact daily life and relationships, and even lead to thoughts of suicide....

While long-term care facilities are expensive, they’re often less costly than hiring 24-hour care at home. These facilities also can offer short-term rehabilitation with the goal of returning home. If you or your loved one may need care, it pays to know the payment options upfront. Medicare Medicare is a federal benefit that will pay for the cost of a limited number of days of inpatient rehabilitation at a skilled facility....

Following a heart-healthy diet is important if you have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition in which the heart muscle becomes thicker than normal. HCM usually is due to abnormal genes that cause the walls of the heart to pump harder and become thicker and stiffer than normal. Because of this, the amount of blood pumped in and out of the heart with each heartbeat is reduced. A balanced and varied diet that includes whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean protein is part of a heart-healthy diet....

Arthritis is a disease that causes inflammation in the joints, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and swelling. About 23% of adults in the United States have some form of arthritis. That leaves many people searching for the best pain relief for arthritis. Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely eliminate the pain from arthritis. However, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can reduce pain from arthritis by about 30%—the same amount of pain relief that people with arthritis get from opioids....

A diaphragm is a flexible, dome-shaped cup with a bendable rim. It is made of soft silicone or latex. You bend the diaphragm in half and insert it into the vagina. A diaphragm covers the cervix to help prevent pregnancy. History Diaphragms have been used as a birth control method since the 1830s. You need a prescription to get a diaphragm. They are actually considered to be the first major contraceptive innovation for people who wanted the ability to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy....

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, flexible, plastic device that is shaped like the letter T. It gets inserted into the uterus where it can stay for several years to prevent pregnancy. It may be removed earlier for any reason, including if a woman wants to try to conceive. IUDs are the most popular form of long-acting, reversible birth control in the world. Once an IUD is inserted, a woman does not have to worry about contraception until it needs replacing....