The small intestine is part of the digestive system. Its main function is to break down and absorb ingested nutrients while mixing and moving the intestinal contents—consisting of gastric juices and partly digested food—along the digestive tract into the colon, or large intestine. The small intestine, or small bowel, is a tubular structure/organ that is about 20 to 25 feet in length and is the longest portion of the digestive system....
What Is Stivarga? Stivarga (regorafenib) is an orally administered prescription medication that is categorized as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). This drug is used to treat specific types of metastasized colon and rectal cancers, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC; the most common form of primary liver cancer) in adults 18 and older. TKI drugs (tyrosine refers to an amino acid) are a subgroup of kinase inhibitors, medications used to block the kinase enzyme....
Testicular surgery is used for the treatment of structural conditions affecting the testicles (also called testes). Issues such as misshapen testes, epididymis cancer, or testicular cancer are usually corrected surgically. A variety of surgical interventions can be used to repair and remove abnormalities involving the testicles. The aim of these procedures is to prevent complications, such as the spread of cancer, and to attain or maintain fertility. What Is Testicular Surgery?...
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complicated condition and many people who live with these diseases see several specialists. A gastroenterologist is usually the physician that oversees most of the care of people who live with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis. However, because IBD puts people at risk for other diseases and conditions, as well as certain complications, there may be several other healthcare professionals on the care team....
Your triceps is the muscle on the back of your upper arm that allows your elbow to straighten. A torn triceps can be a serious injury that requires medical attention and sometimes even surgery. Recovery after a triceps tear is a lengthy process, typically lasting around six months. This article discusses triceps tears and other triceps tendon injuries, along with their symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and potential complications. Anatomy of the Triceps Brachii Your triceps brachii muscle, or “triceps” for short, runs along the back of your upper arm....
A low body temperature can be normal for some people, but it can also be a sign of a health condition that could be serious. If your body temperature drops below 95 degrees F, it can indicate hypothermia. Often caused by exposure to the cold, hypothermia is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. For most adults, a normal body temperature is between 97.8 degrees F to 99.1 degrees F....
Unfortunately, there is no quick way to lower blood pressure without medical intervention. The best way to lower blood pressure is with long-term behavioral changes—like reducing stress, getting better sleep, exercising, and eating a low-sodium diet—but this takes time. Certain medications can also help. It’s possible to get an artificially high blood pressure reading at home. Making sure you correctly measure your blood pressure is key and can lower your results immediately....
As manufacturers produce and distribute COVID-19 vaccines over the next several months, Americans have a big choice: Will they take the vaccine when offered? Most think the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine is a simple yes or no in consultation with a doctor. But in a survey of 1,000 Americans in December, Verywell found that people’s feelings on the vaccines are varied and influenced by a variety of sources, from their family, friends, and news consumption to their financial situation and more....
HIV progresses in stages during which different illnesses and symptoms can develop. This article is part of Health Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. HIV is a virus that causes immunodeficiency (the loss of immune function). It progressively kills disease-fighting white blood cells, called CD4 T-cells, leaving the body vulnerable to an ever-widening range of opportunistic infections (OIs). The types of OIs a person can get corresponds to how much the immune system has been destroyed....
Assistive technology (AT) includes a huge range of tools that can be helpful or even life-changing for people with autism. Defined under the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-407), AT can be any item that “is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Types of Assistive Technology for Autism Assistive technology is usually divided into groups—low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech. In general:...
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical acne treatment. It works as an antiseptic to kill bacteria that cause acne breakouts. It also fights acne by removing excess oil and dead skin cells. You can find it in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription products marketed for clearer skin. Benzoyl peroxide formulas include skin cleansers, toners, gels, and creams. While benzoyl peroxide is very effective on acne, it can also irritate skin and cause dryness and flaking....
Acute and chronic bronchitis are treated with fundamentally different approaches, although there are a few treatments that can be used for both conditions. Overall, the cornerstone of therapy for both forms is based on improving comfort, promoting optimal breathing, and reducing the cough. The most common treatments for acute bronchitis include rest and symptomatic treatment when the inflammation is the result of a viral infection. When a bacterial infection is the cause, antibiotics may be used as well....
Sleep deprivation psychosis can cause hallucinations—when you see or hear things that aren’t there. It can also cause delusional thinking. It’s caused by severe sleep deprivation that continues for a long time. Learn about the role of losing sleep and the subsequent development of visual hallucinations. Find out when they occur, how long it takes for hallucinations to develop, and how to reverse the effects. What Are Hallucinations? A hallucination is the perception of something that is not actually present in the environment....
Stress has been linked to a long list of chronic health conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Though evidence is mixed, some research suggests stress could increase the risk of MS and trigger relapses (also called flare-ups ad exacerbations). While it’s known that living with MS can contribute to stress, the specific effects of stress on MS remain unclear. This article will explore the various connections between stress and MS, and why study results may not align....
Having excess weight or obesity is the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Almost 90% of the 37 million Americans with type 2 diabetes are classified as having excess weight or obesity. If you have excess weight, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is about 2.4 times higher than those at a healthy weight. For those who have obesity, the risk is about 6 times higher. The good news is that losing weight and making other lifestyle changes may help reverse diabetes and prevent long-term health complications....
While living with chronic hives can be difficult, uncomfortable, and painful, there are ways to cope. The majority of people with chronic hives develop hives with no external trigger. Talking with your doctor about a proper treatment plan can help you live well with the condition. This article will discuss how chronic hives can impact your quality of life. Focusing on the emotional, physical, social, and practical aspects of your day-to-day life can help you manage the condition....
It can be challenging to breastfeed your baby when you’re not feeling well. You may have concerns about breastfeeding while sick, but it’s safe to continue breastfeeding even when battling a cold or the flu. Many cold and flu medications are safe to use, too. Although small amounts of medication may get into your breast milk, this generally will not harm the baby. This article discusses which medications are safe to use while breastfeeding, their side effects, and which ones to avoid....
Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a condition involving significantly reduced blood flow to the lower extremities. It affects 12% of the U.S. population. The cause of CLI is a severe blockage of the arteries from a condition called peripheral artery disease (PAD). In fact, CLI is considered the most severe form of PAD. Critical Limb Ischemia Symptoms The cardinal signs of CLI include severe pain in the feet and toes (even when at rest) as well as necrosis (death) of tissue....
Cystic fibrosis is a progressive inherited disorder most often associated with lung damage that limits breathing. It can also affect the pancreas and digestive tract. Most people with this disorder develop lung complications and frequent infections. Over time, this can lead to severe health consequences, like pneumonia, and even death. This article discusses the link between cystic fibrosis and pneumonia as well as symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. What’s the Link Between Cystic Fibrosis and Pneumonia?...
Eczema impacts people of all skin colors and ethnicities. However, the skin condition is often misdiagnosed in people with darker skin because eczema looks different on different skin tones. This article discusses what eczema looks like on darker skin tones, as well as how to diagnose and treat it. Quick Facts About Eczema Eczema is caused by inflammation in the skin. A variety of factors can contribute to inflammation in eczema, including environmental factors, genetics, and immune system hyperactivity....
