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Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is a rare disorder in which tumors, called gastrinomas, develop in the small intestine (duodenum) or the pancreas. These tumors secrete a hormone called gastrin, which then causes excess amounts of stomach acid to be produced. The excess stomach acid can cause the development of painful ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. This rare condition is found in approximately one in one million people and was first identified in 1955 by Drs....

Growth hormone (GH), is a hormone that is released from the pituitary gland, which is located at the base of the brain. GH plays an important role in the development and growth of many of the tissues and organs in the body. GH also causes the release of another hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), to be released from the liver. IGF-1 also can cause tissues and organs to grow. In a rare condition called acromegaly ( a-crow-meh-gull-ee), too much GH is released from the pituitary gland....

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), you may be wondering if this cancer is genetic, or heritable. In most cases, leukemia is not hereditary and does not run in families. Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the blood cells. In the spongy tissue of the long bones (bone marrow), stem cells are constantly dividing and maturing into new blood cells. When cancer develops in the stem cells, it starts forming immature blood cells instead....

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that affects glands and glandular tissues. These are the organs and tissues, respectively, that produce substances ranging from hormones to digestive juices. Most breast, colon, esophageal, pancreatic, and prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas. The same is true of a large proportion of lung cancers. This article discusses the types, symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of adenocarcinoma. Types of Adenocarcinomas For many people, the term adenocarcinoma brings lung cancer to mind....

There are many potential causes of ankle pain, ranging from acute injuries such as an ankle sprain or break to chronic conditions like arthritis. These can cause different types of pain. Ankle pain may be burning, aching, or throbbing, and it may come on suddenly or gradually. Details about your pain can help your healthcare provider figure out the cause of your ankle pain. This article covers the common and rare causes of ankle pain, how a diagnosis is made, and typical treatment methods....

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that teaches skills and expected behavior by using reinforcement. Some experts claim that it’s the “gold standard” for autism treatment. Advocates of ABA therapy cite its success in helping autistic people learn behaviors and skills. Those who are against it say that ABA is hard on autistic kids and forces them to conform to other people’s ideas of “normal” behavior. This article discusses how ABA works....

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of sustained cardiac arrhythmia—or abnormal heart rhythm—in the world. It develops when the electrical signals in your heart are triggered out of sync, resulting in heart rates that are irregular and often too fast. These abnormal rhythms can cause a host of problems that can decrease your life expectancy, but early diagnosis and treatment may help. When you have atrial fibrillation, the electrical system that powers your heart and keeps its rhythm regular doesn’t work correctly....

Bunion surgery fixes a bony outgrowth at the base of the big toe. The growth is called a “bunion” or hallux valgus, and it forces the toe inward. Surgery for a bunion can involve cutting and realigning bone, repositioning muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the foot; and fusing or replacing a joint. Bunions only need to be treated if they’re causing discomfort or if the skin has non-healing ulceration when someone has diabetes....

What Is Carafate? Carafate (sucralfate) is an orally administered prescription medication used to treat and prevent the reoccurrence of duodenal ulcers, a type of peptic ulcer. Carafate is categorized as a protectant and is approved for adults and children 3 months and older. A peptic ulcer is an open sore in the stomach or intestine lining. When the ulcer is in the first part of the small intestine, it is called a duodenal ulcer....

It wasn’t all that long ago that cystic fibrosis (CF) was considered terminal at an early age. Even as recently as the 1980s, surviving past the age of 20 was virtually unheard of. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Today, people with CF are living longer than ever thanks to new drugs, better management practices, and the routine screening of newborns in the United States. What this means is that people living with the disease can now plan for their futures....

A diabetes eye exam, also called a diabetic eye exam, helps to check the eyes for problems such as diabetic retinopathy that may develop before you notice a change in your vision. It is not the same as a regular vision exam. Learn more about what a diabetes eye exam is and what it reveals about your eyes. Purpose of Test The purpose of a diabetes eye exam is to identify problems in the retina (a light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye) or the optic nerve (a nerve that connects the brain to the eyes) before you notice any vision loss....

Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) and Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) are two injectable derivations of botulinum toxin A (a neurotoxin producing temporary muscle paralysis) that are primarily used as cosmetic treatments for wrinkles, laugh lines, crow’s feet, or other lines on the face. Both also have other medical uses and are known to be safe and cause relatively few side effects. However, Dysport injections may spread more widely and set more quickly than their Botox counterparts....

Eye tumors are also called ocular tumors. A tumor is a collection of cells that grows abnormally. It can be cancerous or noncancerous. In medical language, cancerous tumors are called malignant. Tumors that are not cancer are called benign. This article will go over the different types of eye tumors. It will also discuss eye tumor symptoms, how eye tumors are diagnosed, and how they are treated. Where Eye Tumors Appear The most common type of eye tumor is metastatic....

Thanatophobia is an intense fear of death or the dying process. While many people have uncertain feelings about death, thanatophobia (also known as death anxiety) is so extreme that it causes panic attacks and interferes with a person’s emotional well-being, as well as their ability to function in daily life. Thanatophobia is a type of anxiety disorder classified as a specific phobia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) issued by the American Psychiatric Association (APA)....

Hay fever rash is a less common symptom of hay fever, otherwise known as seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis. The same inhaled allergens that cause sneezing and watery eyes can cause itchy, red, inflamed bumps or welts across the skin. The rashes often co-occur with an attack of hay fever, even though they are not a product of hay fever itself. Allergic contact dermatitis and eczema are two types of rashes that can also co-occur with hay fever....

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, causes a pain or burning sensation in the chest. It occurs when stomach acid travels back into the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth and stomach). Treatment for heartburn often includes taking medications and making diet and lifestyle changes. Certain beverages, including water, nonfat dairy, and herbal teas, may also reduce symptoms. This article discusses what to drink and not drink for heartburn relief....

Having diabetes has many effects on physical well-being. It can also have mental and emotional impacts that affect other aspects of your life, such as your relationships with others and your professional life. This article discusses how having type 2 diabetes can take a toll on everyday living and how you can minimize its negative impacts. Overall Well-Being Living with a chronic disease, like type 2 diabetes, can understandably come with a range of emotions and can interfere with just about any aspect of daily life....

At some point, most women wonder if their menstrual cycle is normal. It’s a natural question that you may have, too, especially if your period varies in length from one monthly cycle to the next. Normal menstruation can last from one to seven days. Most women with regular menstrual cycles have periods that last an average of three to five days. It’s perfectly normal for your period to vary slightly from cycle to cycle....

Tea tree oil is often credited as being a natural treatment for acne because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Although a few small studies show that tea tree oil may have some acne-fighting abilities, the true effect tea tree oil has on acne is unclear. Still, tea tree oil has anecdotal support and is probably still your best choice for a natural, alternative acne treatment remedy. This article discusses what is known about tea tree oil’s benefits for acne, its possible risks, and how to safely try tea tree oil to treat and reduce breakouts....

Lo Loestrin Fe is a combination birth control pill. It contains norethindrone acetate and a low dose of ethinyl estradiol. Ethinyl estradiol is a synthetic form of the hormone estrogen. Norethindrone acetate is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, also known as progestin. Lo Loestrin Fe provides effective contraception with the lowest dose of estrogen possible. This may reduce side effects, especially in perimenopausal women. This article discusses Lo Loestrin Fe, its uses, dosage, and side effects....