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Placenta accreta—also known as placenta accreta spectrum and formerly known as morbidly adherent placenta—is a pregnancy complication where the placenta becomes firmly embedded within the uterine wall. This becomes especially problematic when the placenta does not detach spontaneously after delivery and instead must be removed from the uterus surgically—a procedure that can cause potentially life-threatening bleeding. Types of Placenta Accreta There are three types—also referred to as “grades”—of the placenta accreta spectrum, categorized based on how deeply the placenta is attached to the uterus:...

Living with prostate cancer involves much more than choosing the best treatments. Of course, it means coping with physical side effects, ranging from erectile dysfunction to fatigue. But it also means coping with the diverse emotions and life changes that can come with a diagnosis of cancer. You may struggle with who to tell and where to obtain support, as well as balancing practical issues like finances. Being aware of what you may encounter and how to manage it all can help....

Pure hypercholesterolemia, or familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), is a common genetic disorder associated with high cholesterol. People with this condition may have elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and premature coronary heart disease. According to the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation, an estimated one in 250 people worldwide have pure hypercholesterolemia. Still, the condition remains largely underdiagnosed in the general population. As a result, many patients with FH are diagnosed only at the time of their first coronary event....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis in which the immune system malfunctions and attacks the synovium—the connective tissue lining your joints. RA can also affect other body parts, including the skin, eyes, and heart. The exact cause of RA is unknown, but researchers think genetics and environmental factors might be to blame. Treatment options for RA include medication, lifestyle therapies, physical and occupational therapy, assistive devices, and surgery....

Royal jelly is a milk-like substance secreted by bees that provides nutrition to developing larvae as well as the queen bee. People sometimes use royal jelly as a form of apitherapy, or alternative medicine that uses bee products. It’s also called honey bee milk, bee spit, and bee saliva. Royal jelly advocates claim it offers anti-aging benefits and boosts the immune system. Some practitioners claim it can prevent or treat diabetes, high cholesterol, and other diseases....

Scoliosis is an abnormal C-shaped or S-shaped spine curve that is usually found during childhood or early adolescence. It also can occur in older adults, typically in their 60s and 70s, but for different reasons. Scoliosis is usually permanent without medical intervention. There is more than one type of scoliosis. Most cases are classified as idiopathic scoliosis, meaning the cause is unknown. Affecting between 1% and 3% of adolescents in the United States, this type is often identified through school screening programs or by a family healthcare provider....

In most cases, when you have a runny nose, headache, and persistent cough, you have a common cold. As the name suggests, this illness is so contagious and widespread that it’s the single most common cause of doctor visits in the United States. On average, adults have two to four colds a year, with infants and young children experiencing six to eight. While sinus infections (also known as “sinusitis”) share many symptoms with the common cold and can be a complication of it, there are some key differences....

Social cues are the ways in which we communicate without using words. These cues involve aspects such as facial expressions, how we move our bodies, tone of voice, our physical proximity to others, and any other way we express ourselves outside of verbal communication. While social cues tend to be similar among most people, they can be affected by many things, including a person’s personality, culture, and comfort levels. Some conditions, such as social anxiety disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can change the way a person both communicates and interprets social cues....

What Is Soriatane? Soriatane (acitretin) is an oral prescription medication used to treat severe forms of psoriasis in adults. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called retinoids, which are chemically similar to vitamin A. Acitretin works by suppressing abnormal skin cell growth and reducing inflammation. What Is Soriatane Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Soriatane to treat severe forms of psoriasis. Drug Facts Generic Name: Acitretin...

Depression can affect how people respond to and interpret curveballs sent their way. Now scientists at Emory University found that, due to a mechanism in the brain, people with major depressive disorder may not have the tools to be resilient in the face of chronic stress. Key Takeways A new study found that people with major depressive disorder may experience difficulty responding to stress.Participants with depression lacked a biomarker that indicates resilience to chronic stress....

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Treponema pallidum. It is typically transmitted through contact with a sore during a sexual encounter with an infected person. A mother can also pass it to her child during pregnancy. There are certain risk factors that increase your chances of contracting syphilis. Read on to learn more about them and how the bacterium is passed from one person to the next so you can take precautions to protect yourself....

Because dementia can trigger some challenging behaviors such as aggression and catastrophic reactions, restraints have been used at times in the past to help prevent injuries to that person or others around them. Fortunately, as a society and medical community, we’ve become more aware of the anxieties and agitation that restraints produce, as well as the increased risk of injuries with their use. In facilities, restraint use now is extremely limited....

Inflammation has many causes, including infections, injuries, and diseases. Signs of inflammation help healthcare providers in making a diagnosis. Five cardinal signs characterize this response: pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. In some cases, though, there may be no symptoms of inflammation at all. This article describes two types of inflammation—acute and chronic—and details the five signs. It also discusses additional signs and complications of inflammation, as well as treatment options....

It’s possible that some cancers can be cured in the future, but that’s not how cancers that respond to treatment are described in the present. Cancers can recur, so “cures” are referred to as complete remission or evaluated as “no evidence of disease” (NED). As treatments evolve and become more sophisticated, some experts believe cancers will one day be eliminated. Others think the ability to control cancer as a chronic disease is more achievable....

A hereditary medical condition that causes weak bones due to low phosphate levels, X-linked hypophosphatemia is a rare disease that affects approximately 1 out of every 20,000 people worldwide. The symptoms begin during early childhood and include slow growth, bone deformities, and dental infections. Because X-linked hypophosphatemia is not common, it might not be the first diagnosis that comes to mind when a child has atypical bone development. Blood tests and imaging tests can help confirm the diagnosis....

Adderall is the brand name for mixed amphetamine salts. Also known as a stimulant medication, it’s available by prescription only and helps to increase alertness and attention. Adderall is typically used to help treat ADHD symptoms. It can also be used to help treat narcolepsy. Adderall works by increasing levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. In addition to helping you concentrate and stay alert, this can also cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure....

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder typically diagnosed at or before age 3. Its symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually include social and communication delays, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory challenges such as over-reactivity to light, sound, or touch. The criteria for autism have changed over time. In 2013, several categories of autism, including Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, were removed from the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition” (DSM-5), which is the diagnostic “Bible....

Axillary lymphadenopathy is when you have swollen lymph nodes in the armpit. The swelling may occur as a result of an infection, a systemic (whole-body) disease, an autoimmune disorder, or certain cancers. Even a vaccination can sometimes cause swollen lymph nodes under the arm. Axillary lymphadenopathy is not a disease but a symptom of a disease. It can occur on its own or with lymphadenopathy in other parts of the body, such as the groin or neck....

More than 50 million Americans live with allergies, many of which are seasonal. Pollen is the major cause of seasonal allergies. Because climate change has intensified pollen production, allergy seasons have become longer and more severe. If you suffer from bad allergies, you may be curious if living somewhere else could improve your symptoms. While allergens are everywhere, the best states for allergies are found on the West Coast, where seasonal allergies are least challenging....

A breast ultrasound or sonogram is not the same as a mammogram. Both are imaging tests that can be used to look for breast cancer. A mammogram is the gold standard for breast cancer detection, but a breast ultrasound can also identify specific changes in the breast. Since each test complements the other, healthcare providers may use both breast ultrasounds and mammograms for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. This article reviews the differences between breast ultrasounds and mammograms....