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What Is Opzelura? Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is a prescription-only topical cream approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat mild to moderate atopic dermatitis and nonsegmental vitiligo. Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema and affects approximately 30% of the U.S. population. Opzelura is in a class of medications known as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. JAK enzymes cause and promote types of inflammation in the body. Opzelura works by interfering with these enzymes, preventing inflammation that would otherwise lead to redness and itching of the skin....

Hyperthyroidism is caused by the overproduction of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the neck. The shortness of breath, racing heart, and related symptoms may be confused with a panic attack or heart palpitations. However, these symptoms—and others caused by hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function—can occur because your thyroid and heart function are closely linked. This article explains the connection between your heart and your thyroid....

Everyone with a vagina experiences vaginal discharge—pregnant or not. This is because vaginal discharge comes from the fluctuation of hormones throughout the month. This fluid-like substance is typically thick, odorless, and varies from clear to opaque white. Your body creates extra mucus when there is a boost in estrogen to help reduce the opportunity for a vaginal infection—much like the mucus in our nose helps prevent us from getting sick. During pregnancy, vaginal discharge can differ slightly from what you normally experience, but it’s typically not a cause for concern....

In recent years, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remission has become an important topic for medical research. Researchers have found that earlier diagnoses, better management of symptoms, and advances in treatments are making it easier for people with PsA to live normal and pain-free lives. Read about how PsA remission is defined and what it looks like so that you manage your expectations and work towards keeping disease symptoms from coming back....

What Is Spravato? Spravato (esketamine) is a prescription nasal spray used for treatment-resistant depression (depression that does not initially respond to treatment) in adults or symptoms of depression in adults with major depressive disorder who have acute suicidal thoughts or behavior. Spravato should be used in combination with an oral antidepressant. It is available as a nasal spray. Spravato is in a drug class called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Its exact mechanism of action (the way it works) for depression is not fully understood, but it is thought to act on several molecular targets in the brain to produce its antidepressant effects....

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is classified as recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern specifier. It is a type of recurring depression that gets worse during a certain time of the year. While SAD typically occurs in the dark winter months, about 10% of people with SAD experience seasonal depression in the spring. Read on to learn how SAD manifests differently in the spring than in the winter. What Is Spring Depression?...

An ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a heart attack that occurs when a major artery feeding into the heart is completely blocked, changing blood flow to the organ and the electrical current in the lower chambers. A STEMI is the most serious and deadly type of heart attack. Following an attack, between 30% and 38% of people die within five years. STEMI symptoms may include upper body pain and discomfort, as well as exhaustion and nausea....

Stillbirth, or the loss of a pregnancy at 20 weeks of gestation or after, is a rare complication of gestational diabetes (GD). Gestational diabetes is when blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy in a person who did not have diabetes before pregnancy. When stillbirth occurs in a person with gestational diabetes, it is typically in cases where GD was not diagnosed during pregnancy and thus was not able to be monitored or managed....

West syndrome is a seizure disorder (a form of epilepsy) that begins in infancy. It is often caused by brain damage due to trauma or illness. A specific type of seizure called infantile spasm is part of this syndrome, as are abnormal brain wave patterns called hypsarrhythmia and developmental delays. What the future holds for children with West syndrome largely depends on the underlying cause(s) behind it. Symptoms West syndrome most commonly begins in babies 4 to 8 months of age....

Genital warts, also known as condylomata acuminata, are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In the United States, 340,000 to 360,000 people seek care for genital warts each year, though many infections do not cause symptoms. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment prevention of genital warts. Suggestions for prevention are also included. Symptoms Genital warts are abnormal growths typically found in the genital regions. They often appear on the moist tissue of the genital area....

Tracheal stenosis is a narrowing of your trachea, or windpipe, due to the formation of scar tissue or malformation of the cartilage in the trachea. While mild narrowing in your trachea may never be identified, a significant narrowing of more than 50% of your airway can lead to serious complications. The three most prevalent causes of tracheal stenosis are: Prolonged placement of an endotracheal tube (breathing tube) or tracheostomy Inflammatory bowel disease Collagen vascular disease (granulomatosis with polyangiitis) Other known causes include:...

If you’ve found a lump or bump under your skin, you might worry that it’s something serious. The good news is most lumps are harmless. Still, you should see a healthcare provider any time you notice an unexplained growth or unusual swelling. Bumps can crop up in all different places on your body. They can be benign (noncancerous), malignant (cancerous), or infectious (caused by an infection). Normal, benign lumps typically feel soft and roll easily under your fingers....

Shoulder stability exercises are used in physical therapy to treat shoulder pain. Also known as scapular stabilization exercises, they help to manage shoulder pain, restore functional mobility, and help you regain normal use of your arm and shoulder. The scapula, or shoulder blade, is the triangular-shaped bone on each side of your upper back. The socket of the shoulder joint is a part of the scapula. A shoulder injury, arthritis, or other ailment can make it difficult to move your arm correctly....

April 2 is World Autism Acceptance Day. But for autistic people and their communities, every day needs to be autism acceptance day. More and more children and adults have become aware that they are autistic in the past 25 years, and autism is now diagnosed in 1 in 54 children in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Key Takeaways There are many kinds of autism treatment, from medical to behavioral and nutritional....

The term adrenal fatigue was coined to describe symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, salt and sugar cravings, and more that occur when a person is exposed to chronic stress. The theory is that such stress impacts the adrenals (glands that make stress hormones) so that they “burn out” and fail to produce a sufficient amount of hormones such as cortisol. While most experts do not accept that adrenal fatigue is a “real” disease, these symptoms are very real to those who experience them....

With amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), your voluntary muscles may begin to cause you problems. The early signs may be so minor you may overlook them. The age of onset for ALS is most often between 55 and 75. Initial signs of ALS can vary from muscle twitches or stiffness to difficulty swallowing. But this is a progressive neurological disease that ultimately makes movement impossible. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease....

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria (germs) develop ways to survive the medications designed to kill them. Misuse and overuse of these antibiotic medications have contributed to antibiotic resistance, which global health agencies have deemed an urgent threat to public health. When a person becomes infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, antibiotics are no longer as effective in stopping the infection. This makes treatment difficult and increases the risk of spreading the antibiotic-resistant infection to others....

As we age, many of us will find ourselves not as “sharp” mentally as we were in our younger years. Finding ways to keep our brains active is a key part of healthy aging. Key Takeaways According to a new study, older people experiencing cognitive decline who ate freeze-dried powder made from wild Maine blueberries every day for six months saw improvements in their brain’s processing speed.Wild blueberries contain plant-based nutrients called phytochemicals that support brain health....

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes the bones to become weak and brittle. In people with osteoporosis, bone fractures can occur from something as mild as coughing or bending over. Over time, the fractures caused by osteoporosis can lead to chronic pain, immobility or disability, and even death. The bone damage that is done by osteoporosis cannot be reversed. However, you can slow the progression of the disease by building up your bone health and bone density....

Cannabis is the plant genus that produces marijuana, which refers to the dried leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers from the plants. It is the most used addictive drug after tobacco and alcohol. Marijuana has both short-term and long-term effects on the brain and can lead to a substance use disorder. Some people who use marijuana for a long time and try to stop experience symptoms of withdrawal. Read more about marijuana and cannabis withdrawal in this overview....