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A personality disorder is a mental health condition that involves long-lasting unhealthy patterns of inner experience and behavior. These fixed patterns often have a negative effect on someone’s ability to function in work, school, relationships, and other aspects of daily life. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), over 9% of U.S. adults meet the diagnostic criteria for a personality disorder. People with cluster B personality disorders—the most common type—tend to exhibit dramatic, emotional, and/or erratic behavior....

The Supreme Court, on January 13, 2022, blocked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of large companies. The ruling, however, creates some confusion since some companies, such as United Airlines, already had mandates in place, and others are planning to implement them. Key Takeaways The Supreme Court recently blocked the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from enforcing a federal vaccination mandate.The mandate ordered employers of large companies to require employees to be either vaccinated or get tested weekly and wear masks....

The most popular form of weight loss surgery performed in the U.S. and abroad, gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure in which a majority of the stomach is removed. The operation, itself, doesn’t remove excess pounds, but rather, the reduction in digestive capacity sets up the conditions for rapid loss of weight. Given the scope of the procedure, as well as the changes that need to be made afterward, the recovery period is particularly critical....

Surgical treatments for Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) include processes known as deroofing, excision surgery, and laser surgery. Without proper treatment, hidradenitis suppurativa can get worse. In severe cases, especially when the disease has made tunnels under the skin, surgery may be necessary. Learn about the different surgical options for hidradenitis suppurativa. What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa Surgery? While some patients with hidradenitis suppurativa see improvements with a treatment plan of skin care and medications, other patients who experience more severe forms of the disease may be candidates for surgery....

Rapid home COVID-19 tests are accurate about 80% of the time in people who are infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. This is compared to PCR tests, which are accurate about 95% of the time. The FDA has approved a wide variety of at-home COVID-19 tests. Most of these are rapid antigen tests, which provide results at home within a few minutes. PCR tests can also be taken at home, but the sample must be sent to a laboratory for results....

The greatest challenge to getting a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) is that the majority of cases will have no symptoms, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you or your healthcare provider think that you may have an infection, tests that check for bacterial overgrowth in the vagina can confirm your diagnosis. The evaluation would also include a pelvic exam, an analysis of vaginal secretions, and a pH test to check for vaginal acidity....

Early, accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis is necessary so that appropriate treatment options can be considered. Your medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies help diagnose osteoarthritis. During the physical exam, your healthcare provider will check for joint swelling and range of motion. Imaging studies (X-rays) look for joint abnormalities and loss of cartilage. Your practitioner will also make assessments using blood tests to assess your general health and rule out other possible causes for joint problems....

Whether you are in your first, second, or third trimester, or at the beginnings of labor, pregnancy can have profound effects on your ability to sleep. Hormone changes may alter the nature of a pregnant woman’s sleep. Preexisting sleep difficulties may worsen, and new ones may show up with each phase of pregnancy, introducing new challenges. Review how to sleep best in pregnancy, including the role of hormones, possible solutions to sleep problems, and the best positions to relieve back pain and insomnia....

On November 23, a federal appeals court ruled that Texas and Louisiana can cut off Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood clinics—a decision that would hamper reproductive health access for thousands of Medicaid beneficiaries. Key Takeaways The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas and Louisiana were sanctioned to cut Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.The ruling would disproportionately impact low-income women, men, and people of color, making up a large percentage of beneficiaries of Medicaid funding....

Moles are very common growths on the skin. They are usually black or brown, but can also be skin-colored or pink, and almost every adult has them. Most of us have anywhere between 10 to 40 moles on our bodies, and they tend to be more common in fair-skinned people. Most moles do not need to be removed. However, if you have a mole that has changed in shape, size, or color, it needs to be evaluated for skin cancer....

Your heart rate is one important measure of heart health. Heart rate indicates how well your heart delivers oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. In general, a lower resting heart rate (measured when you are not active) means that your heart is healthier and more efficient. This article discusses resting heart rate and lifestyle changes to help you achieve a lower resting heart rate and overall better health....

The exact cause of eczema and its itchy, scaly skin rashes is unknown, but there is some research suggesting that gluten may be a factor in certain people. Gluten, a protein found in certain grains like wheat, barley, and rye, can trigger an inflammatory reaction in people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. This can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms (such as stomach pain and diarrhea) but may also affect the skin as well....

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an umbrella term for autoimmune or autoinflammatory types of arthritis in children under 16 years old. This disease used to be called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), but the name fell out of favor because it was considered misleading. JIA is not a juvenile form of adult rheumatoid arthritis. Rather, it’s a form of arthritis of unknown cause in young people. The International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) has divided juvenile idiopathic arthritis into seven subtypes:...

A kidney transplant is a surgical procedure during which a patient receives a donated kidney to replace their diseased kidney. This is done as a treatment for end-stage kidney disease—when one’s condition is so severe that it becomes life-threatening. Reasons for a Kidney Transplant A healthy human body has two kidneys that work together to filter blood and remove toxins from the body. The kidneys work to maintain the appropriate amount of fluid in the blood and also filter out excess salts, electrolytes, and minerals....

Lactose is a natural sugar that’s found in milk. It is a carbohydrate and it is made up of two sugars: glucose and galactose. Lactose is an important source of energy for babies, and it is also commonly used in food processing and pharmaceutical drug manufacturing. What It Is Lactose is one of the major components of milk. Structurally, it is a disaccharide— a sugar molecule that’s composed of two simple sugars....

Concussions typically are mild traumatic brain injuries that occur after a fall or a blow to the head. In most cases, they are not life-threatening and a single concussion won’t cause permanent brain damage. Although most symptoms of a concussion will resolve within a few weeks, some effects are chronic and can result in a condition called post-concussion syndrome. This condition is characterized by symptoms that include memory and sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and psychological effects, occurring more often in cases of repeated brain injury, making it especially concerning for competitive athletes....

The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is a bundle of involuntary muscles. It sits right where the lower end of your esophagus, the tube that links your mouth and stomach, connects to the stomach. The LES’s primary job is to keep the acid and food in your stomach from coming back up into your throat. Dysfunction of the LES is usually involved in acid reflux, in which the esophagus is irritated by stomach acid or bile....

Opioid-induced constipation refers to constipation that is caused by taking opioid medications. Constipation occurs when bowel movements are infrequent or difficult to pass. Opioid-induced constipation is different from other forms of chronic constipation and requires specialized treatment. Other symptoms of opioid-induced constipation may include nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain. Opioid-induced constipation is often treated both with medications and lifestyle changes. This article will provide an overview of opioid-induced constipation, including common symptoms, causes, and treatment options....

Pediatric asthma is a chronic respiratory disease in which a child’s bronchi (airways) become inflamed and narrowed, making breathing difficult. While common, childhood asthma can be surprisingly difficult to diagnose. This is partly because kids may not be able to clearly articulate how they are feeling, but also because children can present with both classic and less-obvious asthma symptoms. Types of Pediatric Asthma There are several types of asthma with different symptoms and triggers....

Penicillin VK (penicillin V potassium), also sold under the brand name, Beepen VK, is an antibiotic drug used to treat bacterial infection. It’s often indicated for a range of diseases, including scarlet fever, respiratory infections, as well as those of the ear, nose, throat, gums, or mouth. This pill can also be used preventatively to prevent rheumatic fever following strep throat or scarlet fever, a very dangerous condition that can lead to inflammation of the heart valves among other symptoms....