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Ovarian suppression therapy is a treatment that may be used for premenopausal breast cancers that are estrogen-receptor positive. It may be used with early-stage breast cancer along with tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor to reduce the risk of recurrence, or for metastatic breast cancer to slow the growth of the tumor. Less often, ovarian suppression therapy may be used in an attempt to preserve fertility for women undergoing chemotherapy. Ovarian suppression therapy can be either permanent (via surgical removal of the ovaries) or temporary (via the use of medications)....

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a screening test for prostate cancer, as well as a method for monitoring the treatment of the disease and testing for recurrence. Like other early detection cancer screening tests, it is designed to alert a person to the presence of disease before any symptoms occur. At the current time, most prostate cancers are detected in this way, via this blood test and a digital rectal exam....

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease that causes raised plaques, scales, or patches on the skin. Though it can appear anywhere on the body, it’s commonly found on the scalp, elbows, or knees, and can lead to symptoms such as itching, stinging, or burning skin. This article is part of Health Divide: Skin Conditions and Darker Skin, a destination in our Health Divide series. Psoriasis skin lesions may present differently on certain skin tones and can be mistaken for other skin conditions....

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition in which a person experiences an ongoing pattern of disordered and sometimes extreme moods, self-image, and behavior. People with BPD may be impulsive and have difficulty in relationships. They may also experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety lasting from a few hours to several days. Quiet BPD, sometimes referred to as high-functioning BPD, is not an official diagnosis. It’s used to describe people who meet the criteria for BPD but whose symptoms don’t manifest in the typical, overt way associated with BPD....

From late summer to early autumn, ragweed pollen is released from plants in areas throughout the United States, causing more than 23 million people across the country to suffer symptoms of ragweed allergy : sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, and runny nose. For those with asthma, ragweed allergies, also known as hay fever, can trigger asthma attacks. Being prepared for ragweed season can help you avoid allergy symptoms and asthma triggers....

At the start of the COVID pandemic, as the world locked down and people experienced overwhelming stress and uncertainty around the virus, alcohol use spiked. According to research published in JAMA Network Open, there was a 54% increase in national sales of alcohol for the week ending March 21, 2020, compared to the year prior. Key Takeaways Alcohol use increased during the pandemic—especially among women.Experts say the dangers of regular and binge drinking can have a negative impact on overall health, a trend that was exacerbated during COVID....

A ruptured ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac on an ovary that breaks open. Sometimes this doesn’t cause problems, but it can be dangerous and require hospitalization. If you feel severe pain around the ovaries, have excessive bleeding, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), or lightheadedness, contact your healthcare provider right away. An ovarian cyst in and of itself is not a concern. An intact cyst typically doesn’t cause symptoms. But a ruptured, or burst, ovarian cyst can put you at risk for infection, twisting of an ovary, or heavy bleeding....

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) treatment is important for minimizing the condition’s impact on your life. People with this anxiety disorder experience intense discomfort in social situations. They’re extremely afraid of being judged, rejected, or feeling humiliated by others. As a result, SAD can lead to avoidance behavior, which can negatively affect work, school, and other day-to-day activities. Prescription medications and psychotherapy, alone or together, are recommended for treating SAD. Lifestyle changes may help with management, as well....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a painful autoimmune condition that often causes crippling joint pain. While there are drugs available to help treat the disease, they often come with unpleasant side effects. This is why many people with rheumatoid arthritis seek out alternative forms of treatment, including supplements. However, not all supplements are proven to help with RA. Let’s take a look at some supplements people use for RA and what the research says....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive autoimmune condition that affects the central nervous system. If you’ve been diagnosed with MS, who you tell is a personal choice. Informing your loved ones, such as your partner or children, is typically necessary soon after diagnosis. Still, you may also wonder how and if you should discuss your diagnosis with casual acquaintances and strangers. Read on to learn the pros and cons of talking to strangers about your MS and how to approach it if you choose to....

Taste buds are a small organ located primarily on the tongue. The adult human tongue contains between 2,000 and 8,000 taste buds, each of which are made up of 50 to 150 taste receptor cells. Taste receptor cells are responsible for reporting the sense of taste to the brain. It used to be believed that the tongue was divided like a map into sections responsible for tasting things that are salty, sweet, bitter, and sour....

The brain consists of elaborate, interconnected fluid-filled cavities called ventricles. The ventricular system is composed of two lateral ventricles, the third ventricle, the cerebral aqueduct, and the fourth ventricle. They are filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) produced by the choroid plexus. The third ventricle is a narrow funnel-shaped cavity of the brain that is located in the midline between the two hemispheres of the diencephalon of the forebrain. The third ventricle makes up the central part of the brain and facilitates communication between other ventricles....

Tunnel vision is the loss of your side, or peripheral, vision. The vision that remains may appear tunnellike, hence the name “tunnel vision.” It’s caused by several types of eye conditions, such as glaucoma and retinal detachment. This article addresses the symptoms associated with tunnel vision, as well as possible causes and treatments. Symptoms of Tunnel Vision Tunnel vision is a loss of your peripheral vision. With tunnel vision, you have trouble seeing or won’t be able to see objects outside of your central field of vision....

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a form of targeted therapy used to treat certain types of cancer. TKIs block the action of tyrosine kinase enzymes in cells, which may stop cancer cells from growing and multiplying. This article will explain how tyrosine kinase inhibitors work and list some of the cancers they are able to treat. It will also describe how TKIs are administered and provide information about their effectiveness....

After lower extremity surgery, your orthopedic healthcare provider may limit the amount of weight you can place on your operated leg. This restriction is necessary to provide adequate time for proper bone or tissue healing to occur. It also allows for any hardware that was placed during the surgical procedure to remain in the proper position. This article describes the different weight-bearing restrictions your orthopedic surgeon may prescribe, including what is involved in the different stages of rehabilitation....

Green poop can mean that you’ve been eating green foods or green, blue, or purple food coloring. It can also be caused by an illness that causes diarrhea or loose stools. Stool tends to be brown. But a green poop color change is common and in the normal healthy stool color range. That said, you should see your doctor if the green poop (or another stool color change) is ongoing, or if you have other symptoms, like fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or pain....

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) “subsidy cliff” refers to the fact that premium subsidy (premium tax credit) eligibility—for people who buy their own health insurance in the exchange—normally ends abruptly at a household income of 400% of the poverty level. This was the case from 2014 through 2020, and it meant that a small increase in income could result in a drastic increase in a person’s net health insurance premiums....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory autoimmune disease that leads to bone fusion in the spine. The soft tissue and muscle surrounding the joints and the sacroiliac joint (which connects the spine to the hips) can also be affected. When a person develops AS, they experience symptoms such as spine stiffness, back pain, and inflammation in other joints, such as the hips, shoulders, fingers, and toes. These symptoms can be incredibly painful and require ongoing management....

Vaginal bleeding in between periods is common. It can range from spotting (a drop or two of blood) to heavy bleeding. Some causes, like medications and perimenopause, are not a concern. But bleeding after one period is over and before the next one starts can sometimes be a sign of a potentially more serious condition. For example, spotting after your period can be a sign of miscarriage, a hormonal condition, or cancerous or noncancerous growths....

Bronchitis is a highly preventable condition that can be acute or chronic. It is triggered by viruses, bacteria, and exposure to environmental toxins such as air pollution and the chemicals in tobacco smoke. Smoking is the major risk factor for chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis (often called a chest cold) is usually temporary, but chronic bronchitis is a progressive condition that greatly affects your quality of life, impacting your ability to breathe....