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Choline is an essential nutrient found naturally in foods and produced in small amounts by the liver. Both plants and animals need choline to maintain cell structure. Choline has many functions in the human body, including: Forming acetylcholine, one of seven major neurotransmitters responsible for many nervous system functionsSupporting the integrity of cell membranesRemoving fat and cholesterol from the liverMaking compounds needed for cell signaling Your body does not make all the choline necessary, so you must consume the rest from your diet....

The internet contains conflicting advice on whether coffee can help or worsen eczema. The bottom line is that most people with eczema can drink coffee without adverse side effects. Some evidence suggests that applying caffeine treatments, such as scrubs made with coffee beans, to the skin can help with eczema symptoms. This article looks at the research on coffee, caffeine, and eczema. Verdict on Coffee and Eczema Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes inflamed, itchy, irritated skin....

Multiple studies published over the past few months highlight a pattern of decline in the IgG antibodies of recovered COVID-19 patients. This new research suggests patients infected with SARS-CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19—retain their IgG antibodies for only a few months after recovery, raising concerns about long-term immunity. Key Takeaways Several studies offer evidence that protective antibodies in former SARS-CoV-2 patients shed in about three months.This data discredits the idea of herd immunity through infection, as antibodies do not seem to last long enough in the population to provide immunity....

The cricoarytenoids are a pair of small joints in the back wall of the larynx (voice box) that help open, close, and tighten the vocal cords during speech and breathing. These joints take their name from structures they lie between: the cricoid and arytenoid cartilages. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other rheumatic diseases can impact these joints and, because they sit near the windpipe, cause hoarseness and difficulty breathing. This condition is known as cricoarytenoid arthritis....

Cytoreductive surgery is a procedure to remove cancer that has spread to the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity. It is performed on patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (cancer that has spread within the abdominal cavity) to remove all visible signs of cancer. Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic (heated) intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are two separate procedures that are usually performed together. Cytoreductive surgery removes all visible cancer cells, and HIPEC targets any remaining microscopic cells. HIPEC is administered in the operating room typically after cytoreductive surgery....

De novo metastatic breast cancer (also known as Stage 4 breast cancer) is a relatively rare breast cancer. It is generally considered incurable as it has already spread to other parts of the body at the time of diagnosis. However, advances in treatment options can improve and prolong the lives of patients. According to the American Cancer Society, de novo metastatic breast cancer (MBC) accounts for approximately 6% of cases of U....

Emotional detachment involves the disconnection from emotions, particularly ones involved in interpersonal relationships. It can present as numbness and may lead to relationship and communication problems, difficulty feeling or expressing empathy, or other emotional regulation difficulties. Read on to learn more about emotional detachment and how to treat it. What Is Emotional Detachment? Emotions are more than just how we feel. They help determine how we react to situations, influence social functioning, and facilitate bonding with other people....

Etodolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for short and long-term pain relief. Etodolac works by blocking the production of certain naturally-occurring substances that cause inflammation in the body to relieve pain, reduce swelling, tenderness and stiffness in joints, and reduce inflammation. For this reason, it is most often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The FDA approved etodolac for use in 1991. It is available in oral tablets and capsules....

COVID-19 vaccination status can make or break someone’s decision to go out to dinner, back to work, or attend an in-person workout class. But when it comes to love and relationships, vaccination status may not matter at all. Key Takeaways A recent survey by The Balance found that most young people don’t consider COVID-19 vaccination status a dealbreaker in dating.Even so, experts recommend having open conversations with your date about their vaccination status to stay informed....

While two COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for use in the United States, not everyone is eager to get in line once their priority group is called. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey published on December 15, about a quarter (27%) of the public are vaccine hesitant, saying they “probably or definitely would not get a COVID-19 vaccine even if it were available for free and deemed safe by scientists....

Focal epilepsy is a type of epilepsy in which the seizures begin in one or more specific areas of the brain. Focal onset seizures can remain as focal seizures with limited symptoms, or they may spread to larger areas of both sides of the brain, causing a secondarily generalized seizure (affecting both sides of the brain) with more significant symptoms. The distinction between a focal onset seizure and a generalized onset seizure is often made based on diagnostic testing, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain imaging studies....

A gastrectomy is a major surgery that requires a general anesthetic and will be done in a hospital or surgical center. On the day of surgery, many things will take place, including some that start in the morning before you even leave the house. This article will tell you what to expect before, during, and after a gastrectomy surgery. Before the Surgery Some hospitals may ask patients to shower with a special type of soap prior to surgery....

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that infects the reproductive tract and the urethra. The STI often presents without symptoms, which makes it highly transmissible. In 2018, roughly 1.6 million people were diagnosed with gonorrhea in the United States. Over half of the people who contract gonorrhea are between the ages of 15 and 24. This article discusses the facts and statistics surrounding gonorrhea and what you need to know about STI....

As many as 50% of people who have bacterial meningitis will have some degree of hearing loss. This complication can occur within four weeks of a bout of meningitis in some people and within up to eight months in others. Unfortunately, once hearing loss occurs, it does not tend to improve over time. Diagnosing and treating meningitis quickly, ideally within a day or two of the appearance of symptoms, can greatly lower the risk of hearing loss....

Dizziness can be a symptom of many different conditions. Though it is not considered a symptom of high blood pressure (hypertension), it can indicate low blood pressure on its own or from medications that lower blood pressure. Read on to learn more about how blood pressure fluctuations can lead to dizziness and when to see a healthcare provider. What Is Dizziness? Dizziness is a term used to describe the feeling of light-headedness or faintness....

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a condition in which the immune system has low levels of protective antibodies, leading to difficulty fighting off infections. The diagnostic process involves a history of frequent infections, blood tests to assess immunoglobulin (antibody) levels, and certain lab tests to rule out other immune conditions. Receiving a timely diagnosis of CVID is important because it can prevent complications and lead to better outcomes. Unfortunately, CVID can be difficult to diagnose....

Coughing can be a reflex, or an involuntary response. It is your body’s way to clear your airways and lungs of fluid, food, particles, or irritants. Coughing also moves mucus up to your throat so you can spit it out, helping to clear your chest. Most of the time, coughing is not something to worry about. It can, however, be a sign that you need to see a doctor. This article discusses how and why your body coughs, and what it means if your cough won’t go away....

The seriousness, or severity, of a burn usually depends on two key factors: how deep it goes (how far into the layers of skin the burn damage extends) and how wide it is (how much total body surface area it covers). This article will discuss how to determine a burn’s severity, how to treat a non-serious burn yourself, and when to get emergency care. Burn Degrees The severity of a burn depends on how deep it is, which is measured in degrees....

What Is Lamisil? Lamisil (terbinafine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) topical drug used to treat fungal skin infections such as jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm. Lamisil also relieves associated symptoms, such as itching, burning, cracking, and scaling skin. Lamisil can also treat a fungal infection called pityriasis. Pityriasis causes the skin on the neck, chest, arms, or legs to become lighter or darker. Lamisil works by preventing the growth of fungus....

Lung cancer often spreads to the lymph nodes before spreading to other parts of the body. Which groups of lymph nodes are involved, and where these are in relation to the primary (original) tumor, are important factors in determining the stage of cancer and how it should be treated. If you read the report of a scan or biopsy, you may see the phrase “metastatic to lymph nodes.” But having lung cancer in the lymph nodes, meaning it has metastasized (spread) to them, does not mean that you have metastatic cancer....