The biceps muscle is the large muscle over the front of the arm that extends from the elbow to the shoulder joint. The biceps muscle is especially important both with bending the elbow, and also turning the forearm to have the palm facing upwards. This movement, called supination, may not seem particularly important, but when going to open a door knob or when turning a screwdriver, the importance becomes quite apparent!...
Panic attacks are abrupt episodes of severe fear or discomfort accompanied by other symptoms. While panic attacks have significant symptoms—such as chest pain, sweating, difficulty breathing, and a fast heartbeat—they are usually not physically harmful. Panic attacks can occur in the context of several mental health and other conditions, including panic disorder. Breathing exercises can slow your heart rate and breathing and help you calm down. This article discusses breathing exercises you can use during a panic attack and how to perform them....
Lipomas are growths of fatty tissue that develop underneath the skin. The growths themselves are non-cancerous and rarely harmful to one’s health. Because of this, treatment isn’t always necessary. That said, people can choose to have their lipomas treated using surgical removal or steroid injections. This article discusses the treatment options for people who wish to remove their lipomas. Surgeries and Specialists-Driven Procedures Surgery is the first-choice treatment for removing lipomas....
Osteoporosis treatment involves the use of effective osteoporosis medications to slow bone loss, increase bone density, and lower the risk of fractures. Fortunately, there are several categories of medications to choose from, some of which may be more effective for certain people than others. Good nutrition and regular weight-bearing exercise are also critical to supporting good bone health and managing the disease—so much so that healthcare providers prescribe them as part of an osteoporosis treatment plan....
When a child has an autism diagnosis, the focus is usually on helping them manage daily life as typically as possible. Behavioral and developmental therapies focus on speech, social skills, and self-regulation, while occupational and physical therapies help build skills like handwriting, throwing, and kicking. From some parents’ or guardians’ point of view, just getting through a normal day can be challenging. The idea of introducing artistic creativity into the mix can seem unnecessary or even overwhelming....
Chemotherapy treats cancer, but it can also bring about side effects like a low white blood cell count. Having a low white blood cell count, also known as leukopenia, can leave you more susceptible to infections during treatment. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to increase your white blood cells while you’re undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Taking these steps can strengthen your immune system and better fight off germs that make you sick....
Crohn’s disease is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It primarily affects the digestive system, causing inflammation. Ulcers and inflammation from Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere in the digestive system and affect other parts of the body, including the skin, joints, and eyes. As more research is completed, understanding what causes IBD will improve, leading to better treatments and individualized medicine. Scientists do not know what causes Crohn’s disease, but it does appear to be hereditary with an environmental trigger....
High blood pressure is a condition that makes your heart work harder to pump blood throughout your body. Over time, it can damage your arteries if it goes untreated. These effects, in turn, raise your risk of heart disease. This overview will explain the connection between high blood pressure and heart disease. It will also go over the warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure, how the condition is treated, and what can be done to prevent it....
Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are a group of medications that inhibit the activity of one or more of the Janus kinase enzymes (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2). These enzymes normally promote inflammation, and they are involved in some diseases. By interfering with the enzyme signaling pathways, JAK inhibitors can be used to help treat cancer and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). JAK inhibitors come in pill and topical forms....
What Is Nitrostat? Nitrostat (nitroglycerin) is an orally administered prescription medication used to treat angina (chest pain) in adults 18 and older who have coronary artery disease (CAD; the constriction of the blood vessels that deliver blood to the heart). Nitrostat belongs to a class of drugs called nitrates, or vasodilators. Vasodilators are drugs used to open blood vessels, thereby keeping a person’s veins and arteries from contracting and lessening the potential for obstructed blood flow....
The NuvaRing is a type of hormonal prescription birth control. It’s a flexible ring that’s about 2 inches in diameter. When used correctly, it’s very effective at preventing pregnancy. NuvaRing is a brand name. In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first generic version of the NuvaRing, which is called EluRyng and is produced by Amneal Pharmaceuticals. This article will discuss the NuvaRing, including its effectiveness and how to use it....
Ollier disease affects the skeletal system. People with this condition develop multiple benign or non-cancerous cartilage tumors called enchondromas. These benign growths can occur throughout the skeleton. They are most commonly found in the limbs, specifically the hands and feet. They can also occur in the skull, ribs, and vertebra. This article looks at Ollier disease, its symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also discusses available treatments and offers tips on how to cope if you have this condition....
A pelvic exam is an examination of the internal and external organs in your pelvis, including the vagina, vulva, uterus, cervix, rectum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. During the exam, your doctor checks your pelvic area visually and physically to make sure everything is normal. You may also have a Pap smear and a test for certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at the same time. Purpose of Test A pelvic exam often takes place as part of your preventive care during a routine checkup to look for any changes and screen for early signs of cancer, cysts, fibroids, and STIs....
People who have a specific phobia, also called a simple phobia, experience excessive and persistent fear and/or avoidance of specific objects or situations. Common types of specific phobias are those concerning heights or certain animals, such as spiders. A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. While it is common to feel anxious in some circumstances, those with phobias feel anxiety out of proportion to the actual danger caused by the situation or object....
Phosphorus is an essential mineral which plays a role in many functions of the body, including the structure of bone and teeth, muscle, and nerve conductions, filtering waste out of the body, DNA and RNA synthesis, and balancing the use of certain vitamins. Approximately 85% of the body’s phosphorus is found in bones and teeth. The remaining 15% is distributed through the soft tissues. In the body, phosphorus exists as phosphate, which is a salt of phosphorus....
Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) is classified as a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) and antimalarial drug. It comes in pill form and is taken by mouth for rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions. Its method of action isn’t fully understood, but it’s believed to involve modulating (but not suppressing) the immune system. Another brand name containing the same active ingredient is Quineprox, and generic forms of hydroxychloroquine are also available. Uses Plaquenil is approved by the U....
Polyphagia, also known as hyperphagia, is an intense hunger that is not satiated by eating. The craving can be for food in general, or a specific food, and leads to overeating. It is a symptom associated with several conditions, primarily diabetes. Diabetes Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that affect the way the body processes and uses sugar. Left untreated, diabetes causes blood glucose (sugar) to rise to harmful levels and can cause damage to organs or lead to organ failure and death....
Prolapsed hemorrhoids are swollen veins situated inside the rectum that suddenly bulge (prolapse) out of the anus. These are different from external hemorrhoids, which occur on or around the skin of the anus, and internal hemorrhoids, which remain inside the rectum. Prolapsed hemorrhoids aren’t usually painful but can cause bleeding, itching, and discomfort, particularly while sitting or during bowel movements. Most are uncomplicated, but some severely prolapsed hemorrhoids have been known to burst, form clots, or become trapped in anal muscles and deprived of blood flow (strangulated)....
Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body. If it affects the spine, the inflammation can cause pain and stiffness in the neck and lower back (lumbar spine). This article discusses the connection between psoriatic arthritis and back pain and how to find relief. Symptoms Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint pain, inflammation, and stiffness that develops in addition to skin symptoms. Some people with this condition may not have symptoms on their skin at all....
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 children live with mental health conditions. With millions of people daily impacted by mental health conditions, understanding available treatment options are essential to helping you choose the best provider and approach. Psychotherapy and counseling are therapies used to improve mental health and well-being. While people may use the terms interchangeably because they have similarities, there are also differences....
