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Nausea is a symptom of menopause. If you are a woman in your 40s or 50s and feeling queasy, menopause or perimenopause (the transitional stage into menopause) is a possible, but uncommon, cause. The words “female” and “woman” are used throughout this article to refer to people who identify as female and have the typical reproductive organs of a cisgender female. We recognize that some people who identify as female do not have the same anatomy as that depicted in this article....

Multiple lung nodules mean that you have two or more lesions in your lungs. Multiple lung nodules are also called pulmonary nodules. These lesions can be seen on an imaging scan like an X-ray. You may not have any symptoms of multiple lung nodules. If you’ve had a chest X-ray and learned that you have multiple, lung nodules, you might worry it means you have cancer. If you only have one lung nodule (solitary pulmonary nodule), it probably is not cancer....

Polysubstance use refers to the deliberate or unintentional combining of substances. This may also be referred to as combined drug intoxication or multiple drug intake. With polysubstance use, a person takes two or more drugs simultaneously or within a short period of each other. Combined drug intoxication can occur with alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications. This article discusses the signs, symptoms, and dangers of polysubstance use, as well as how to find treatment options....

If there is a history of food or environmental allergies in your family, your baby may be at risk for developing food allergies. In the past, doctors recommended lengthy delays in introducing certain foods to at-risk babies. However, recent research has shown that delaying the introduction of allergenic foods may actually increase the risk of developing severe food allergies. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) changed its guidelines for introducing solids to babies and toddlers who are at-risk for food allergies....

Prostate cancer affected close to 200,000 people in 2020. Fortunately, the prognosis of prostate cancer is usually positive because it typically grows and spreads slowly. Only a small portion of cases turn out to be fatal. In fact, the 5-year-relative survival rate of prostate cancer is 97.8%. Prostate cancer is staged like most other solid tumor cancers. But, additional risk assessment tools are also used to help direct treatment, including whether surgery is needed....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis that often affects people with psoriasis, an autoimmune skin condition that is characterized by red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people who have PsA will develop psoriasis first, but it is possible to have joint problems before skin symptoms appear. Psoriasis affects up to 3% of people worldwide with up to 40% of this group also having PsA. Both psoriasis and PsA are autoimmune diseases, conditions where the body’s immune system attacks its healthy tissues....

Sodium borate is a naturally-occurring compound composed of boron, oxygen, hydrogen, and sodium. Trace amounts are found in soil, water, plants, and animals, but it is most commonly found in sediments and sedimentary rock formations. Most sodium borate found in the United States comes from the seasonal lakes in the Mojave Desert in California. Sometimes in the form of borax or sodium tetraborate, sodium borate is widely used in cleaning products, cosmetics, and personal care products....

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy (shrinking of the muscles). The muscle weakness can lead to breathing problems or physical injuries. It’s important to be aware of potential medical complications and to seek help immediately if you have a medical emergency. There are several types of SMA, ranging from type 0 to type 4. The effects can begin as early as in utero (when a baby is still growing during the mom’s pregnancy), during childhood, or adulthood....

Telehealth is increasingly being used to treat strokes at all stages of the recovery and rehabilitation process. A stroke, also called a cerebrovascular accident (or CVA), occurs when the blood supply in the brain is disrupted. There are different types of strokes, including ischemic (blood flow is blocked) and hemorrhagic (brain bleed). The use of telehealth for people who have had a stroke has been shown to reduce complications and lower mortality in acute settings....

The postictal phase refers to the period of time immediately following a seizure. The postictal phase can last for seconds, minutes, hours, and sometimes even days. It is commonly thought of as the time during which the brain recovers from a seizure. This article describes the range of symptoms that can occur in the postictal phase and how to cope. It also covers tests that may be done to help form a diagnosis....

In the United States, about one in every 200 people have a tree nut allergy, making it one of the most common food allergies amongst both adults and kids. While most tree nut allergies start in childhood, it is possible develop a tree nut allergy when you are older. Only about 10% of people end up outgrowing their allergy over time. Tree nuts—almonds, cashews, walnuts, and others—often cause strong allergic reactions....

Vulvitis is irritation or inflammation of the vulva, the skin right outside the vagina. It can be caused by dryness, skin abrasion, an allergy, infection, or injury. Usually, vulvitis is not serious, though it may cause persistent discomfort or pain. Sometimes, vulvitis is a symptom of a condition that requires treatment, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or fungal infection. If you have persistent irritation for several days, you should see your healthcare provider....

When most people talk about a cure for HIV, they generally imagine a drug or vaccine that would remove all traces of the virus from the body (referred to as a sterilizing cure). However, as scientists better understand how HIV infiltrates tissues and cells, a sterilizing cure is not only considered more difficult to achieve but, to some, is highly unlikely—at least for the foreseeable future. In response, much of the current research has been focused on a functional cure for HIV....

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in the United States have taken a nosedive since August and some regions may be close to stamping out the disease. New York City and San Francisco, once hotspots of the outbreak, have seen only a handful of new cases over the past few weeks. Key Takeaways Mpox is on its way to elimination in some regions of the United States.Throughout the outbreak, clinicians have only been able to diagnose an mpox case after a patient has developed lesions, which can take days to weeks....

A new survey published in BMC Women’s Health found that 1 in 10 college-age women in the United States who menstruate do not have access to menstrual hygiene products. Further, the lack of access—termed period poverty—is also linked to depression. Key Takeaways Period poverty occurs when a person who menstruates does not have access to products used during periods, like pads and tampons.A recent survey of college-aged women in the United States who menstruate found that 1 in 10 experience period poverty....

Actuarial value is a measure of the percentage of healthcare costs that are paid by a health insurance plan. It’s become particularly important since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented because ACA compliance requires individual and small group health plans to fall within specific ranges in terms of their actuarial value. This article will explain how actuarial value is determined, how it’s used to separate health plans into recognizable categories, and what consumers need to know about using this to select a coverage option....

Addiction is a brain disease characterized by compulsive behaviors that continue despite harmful or negative consequences. Usually, people envision drug or alcohol use when they think about addiction. However, addiction can include a variety of behaviors, including other forms of substance use, gambling, and sexual fantasies, urges, and actions. People living with addiction may deny their behavior. This article explores the signs of addiction denial and when to seek help....

Most cardiologists and lipid experts have long subscribed to the “cholesterol hypothesis” (also called “lipid hypothesis”). The cholesterol hypothesis, simply stated, is that an elevated blood level of LDL cholesterol is a direct cause of atherosclerosis, a progressive disease where arteries become clogged with plaque. As a result, the medical community’s consensus has been to help people reduce LDL cholesterol levels to lower the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, more recently, experts have been questioning the cholesterol hypothesis....

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), also known as Sampter’s triad or aspirin-induced asthma, is a chronic disorder characterized by three co-occuring conditions: asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, and hypersensitivity to aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Symptoms include those typical of respiratory problems (shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, nasal congestion, fever, and so forth) and in some cases hives or gastrointestinal issues. The condition is diagnosed based on the presence of the three respiratory issues and treated by avoiding aspirin and NSAIDS....

Joint inflammation is the chief culprit behind arthritis joint damage, stiffness, swelling, and pain. Reducing inflammation from arthritis can help to relieve symptoms. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it commonly impacts fingers, wrists, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Arthritis is commonly treated with prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, topical treatments, dietary adjustments, and other lifestyle changes. This article discusses how to reduce joint inflammation and pain associated with arthritis, including types of medications that can help, diet to reduce inflammation, and natural remedies for arthritis pain....