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There are many different types of vascular surgery. While recovery time can vary greatly for different types of vascular surgery, there are some general aspects of long-term care that apply to most types. It’s important, however, to closely follow the guidelines given to you by your healthcare team. Benefits of Surgery Because there are many different types of vascular surgery and many different methods of performing vascular surgery, there are many different benefits....

Integrative therapy is a theoretical school of thought in the field of psychology that helps to shape the approaches some psychologists, therapists, and other mental health professionals use in practice. It is also referred to as integrative psychotherapy or psychotherapy integration. Integrative therapy takes the approach of accepting multiple other psychological approaches, or talk therapy techniques and practices, and uses them in different ways. This approach is considered to be more flexible and inclusive than other approaches that tend to be limited to the rigid boundaries of their theoretical models....

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a type of spine surgery used for the treatment of neck or arm pain caused by cervical radiculopathy. This surgery involves the removal of a protruding disc from the spine for relief of pressure on the spinal nerves, followed by reconstruction. It can take several weeks or months to recover after surgery, and most people experience significant relief of symptoms after healing. However, you might have persistent neck pain or a permanent decrease in your neck mobility, and there is a risk of complications, including nerve damage....

Makeda Robinson, MD, PhD, is an infectious disease specialist currently studying virus-host interactions in emerging viruses at Stanford University. Each week, Dr. Robinson breaks down complicated COVID-19 topics and addresses pressing public health concerns. As scientific efforts to wipe out SARS-CoV-2 intensify, so do the structure and activities of the virus. We are doing everything we can to keep SARS-CoV-2 off the map, so it is doing everything in its power to stay on it....

A B-type natriuretic peptide or brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), is a commonly performed blood test that is used to diagnose or rule out heart failure. Specifically, the test measures levels of the protein BNP that is made in the heart and blood vessels. Usually, low levels of the BNP protein are found in the blood, but during heart failure levels are significantly higher. Blood is obtained via a venous or arterial puncture and send to the lab for analysis....

Oral medications are a simple and effective way to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). The most common erectile dysfunction pill is Viagra, and the next most common is Cialis. Both medications are phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors that work by increasing blood flow to the penis. The major difference is that Cialis lasts longer and can be taken daily, giving you erections on demand. Viagra is always taken a few hours before it’s needed and offers less spontaneity....

UTIs are infections that occur anywhere in the urinary tract system. They are most often caused by bacteria, but fungi and viruses can also cause them. A UTI can significantly impact the functioning of someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia. Symptoms Burning feeling while urinating An increased need to urinate Pain in lower abdomen, side or back Blood in the urine Urine that appears cloudy, dirty or has mucous strands Urine with a foul odor Fever Delirium Nausea and vomiting Symptoms of a UTI in Dementia When someone with dementia develops a UTI, it can be more difficult to identify the signs....

Managing the plethora of physical symptoms in multiple sclerosis (MS) is no small feat. So, it’s no wonder that emotional and psychological symptoms, like depression, grief, and anger, often take a back seat. The problem with this is that emotional changes in MS are often intertwined with how a person is feeling physically. Therefore, by ignoring or not acknowledging the emotional symptoms you or a loved one is experiencing, your physical symptoms may actually worsen — a double whammy....

Each year, about 5 million people worldwide are diagnosed with epilepsy, a brain condition that causes repeated seizures. It is estimated that about 1 in 100 people in the United States have active epilepsy. More than 75% of those are adults. This article discusses epilepsy basics, how common this condition is, and corrects some misconceptions about epilepsy. Epilepsy Basics Medical professionals diagnose a person with epilepsy if they have two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure (sudden, uncontrolled electrical activity between brain cells) with a high risk of more....

Health screenings to detect diseases and chronic conditions before symptoms occur are critical to your medical care as you age. They may involve physical exams, blood tests, questionnaires, and other tests. Screenings are proven effective at reducing cancer deaths and preventing the development or progression of other health conditions, like osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension. This article discusses how women can benefit from regular health screenings. Why Screenings Are Important As You Age Regular health screenings improve the chances of finding cancer or other diseases early, when they are easier to treat....

The popularity of hookah smoking, in which a fruit-flavored tobacco product is inhaled through a glass pipe, is raising concerns about harmful effects such as cancer and other medical conditions. Hookah smoke contains many of the same carcinogens present in tobacco smoke. There is some indication, in fact, that hookah smoke may be even more dangerous, depending on factors such as how much smoke is inhaled and how deeply. Hookah smoking is especially popular among teens and young adults, most of whom appear to be unaware that what they’re inhaling is as potentially dangerous as cigarette smoke....

The treatment options for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) include chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation. Home remedies, prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and/or complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can help alleviate symptoms of cancer and may reduce the side effects of treatment, but these approaches can’t shrink the tumor or cure your cancer. TNBC is a subtype of breast cancer in which the cancer cells test negative for estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors....

Hydrogen peroxide is used in cleaning products and as an antiseptic. At low concentrations of up to 10%, it is used as a disinfectant and bleach for the skin. It works by releasing oxygen. This causes foaming that helps remove dead skin cells. Hydrogen peroxide has been used to treat: WoundsAcneHyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin The use of hydrogen peroxide comes with risks, including skin irritation and compromised wound healing....

Hypoxia is a condition defined by low oxygen in the tissues of your body. This is a medical emergency that can impact how well your body is able to function. There are several types of hypoxia that are caused by various conditions and situations. This differs from hypoxemia, which is not having the proper amount of oxygen in the blood. The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are distinct conditions....

Mono symptoms in kids include flu-like symptoms, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. However, many kids show no symptoms of mono. Infectious mononucleosis (also called “mono”), is a viral illness that typically spreads through saliva. It is common in teenagers and college students. Kids can easily get mono if they share a water bottle with a sick friend or are kissed by a family member with the infection. Mono is spread by saliva and other bodily fluids such as blood and semen....

A no-scalpel vasectomy is a minimally invasive male sterilization procedure in which a surgeon makes a small hole in the scrotum and removes part of the vas deferens, the tubes that transport sperm so it can mix with semen. This procedure differs from a traditional vasectomy in that, as its name suggests, it does not require a surgeon to use a scalpel (surgical blade). Instead, they find and clamp the vas deferens from the outside and use a tool that only punctures the scrotal skin....

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a type of food allergy. People with OAS are sensitive to specific types of pollen as well as the foods related to those pollens. OAS is sometimes also called Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome. What is Oral Allergy Syndrome? Most people are familiar with common food allergies to things like peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, etc. However, it is also possible to have less common allergies to things like citrus or celery....

A palate expander is a device that creates more mouth space by widening the palate (the roof of the mouth). It is an orthodontic treatment sometimes used before placing dental braces. This article explains palate expander uses, types, side effects, and care. It also covers how to care for the device. Palate Expander Uses Orthodontists sometimes use palate expanders to widen the roof of the mouth to create more space for shifting teeth....

If your healthcare provider has told you that you have a lung mass, you might be worried. However, a lung mass has several possible causes, including health issues—such as treatable infections or lung cancer. You will likely need further testing to identify the exact nature of your lung mass, and treatment can help resolve the cause. Definition A lung mass is defined as an abnormal spot or area in the lungs larger than 3 centimeters (cm), about 1....

Proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are enzymes your pancreas makes to break down protein from your diet into amino acids, which are used for growth and tissue repair. These enzymes may also reduce inflammation and support immune function, though more research is needed. Your body makes it own supply of proteolytic enzymes. However, you can get proteolytic enzymes from supplements as well as foods like ginger, asparagus, and yogurt. Papaya and pineapple, the top food sources, are often used in commercially made tenderizers so that the protein-busting power of their proteolytic enzymes can soften meat....