A pimple in your ear can seem strange. But just like skin elsewhere on your body, the skin in your ears has pores that can get blocked due to the build-up of body oils, sweat, and dead skin cells. This is what gives rise to a pimple. The formation of a pustule (pus-filled pocket) can cause swelling and redness. When a pimple occurs in the ear, however, it can cause outright pain due to the inflexibility and lack of fat within the ear and ear canal....
If you’re constipated and an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative isn’t doing the trick, you may need to talk to your healthcare provider about a prescription laxative. OTC products—especially stimulant laxatives—are meant for very short-term use only, and over-using them could make your constipation worse and lead to very serious medical problems. They can even be addictive. Also, constipation that won’t clear up may be a symptom of a serious illness, so you have plenty of reason to see your healthcare provider....
Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) is a rare disease that affects lower motor neurons, which are brain cells that begin in the spinal cord and provide muscles and glands with the nerves needed to function correctly. People with this disease experience wasting and loss of muscle mass. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment associated with PMA. Progressive Muscular Atrophy Symptoms Symptoms that can occur in someone with PMA include:...
Both psoriatic arthritis (PSA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are types of spondyloarthritis, inflammatory diseases that affect the hands, feet, back, pelvis, neck, and larger joints. Spondyloarthritic conditions can also affect the skin, eyes, and other organs. The most common form of spondyloarthritis is AS. Both PsA and AS cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. PsA primarily affects the hands and feet, and large joints, including the knees and ankles. In AS, symptoms mainly affect the back and sacroiliac joints, the area where the spine connects to the pelvis, although other joints can be affected....
The term psychopath refers to someone who does not follow the moral norms of their society and lacks empathy and remorse. People displaying psychopathy are callous, manipulative, and deceitful. They often commit acts of violence, theft, or fraud to get others to do what they want. Psychopathy is not an official mental health diagnosis. However, some psychopathic traits overlap with the symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), which is characterized by an ongoing disregard for the rights, feelings, and safety of others....
The red blood cell (RBC) count is a test that measures the number of oxygen-carrying blood cells in your blood. An abnormal RBC test result is often the first sign of an illness. A high red blood cell count may indicate that you have a condition that’s preventing you from getting enough oxygen. A high count for men is anything over 6.1 million cells per microliter (mcL); for women, it’s anything above 5....
What Is Rozerem? Rozerem (ramelteon) is an oral prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Rozerem belongs to a group of drugs called melatonin receptor agonists. It binds to and activates the same receptors in your brain as melatonin—a naturally occurring substance that promotes sleep. What Is Rozerem Used For? Rozerem is used to treat sleep-onset insomnia—a type of insomnia that makes it hard for you to fall asleep. Your healthcare provider may prescribe Rozerem to help you fall asleep faster....
Spherocytosis is a condition that causes a person’s red blood cells to be shaped like spheres (round balls) instead of their normal disk shape. It can cause symptoms of anemia (lack of healthy red blood cells) and an enlarged spleen (an organ that filters and stores blood). This condition is usually inherited. It is caused by various genetic changes that affect proteins in the outer membrane of the red blood cells....
Some sports can be challenging for kids with autism. That doesn’t mean kids with autism should stay away from physical activity, but it is important to help your child to choose sports in which they can excel and that they are likely to enjoy. Autism creates specific challenges when it comes to sports, such as a loud play environment or the need for deft coordination that’s not shared by all children living on the autism spectrum....
Scientists have many different theories about pain and the best ways to get control of your pain. One popular idea is called the pain gate control theory. The pain gate control theory states that “gates” allow certain stimuli to pass through neural pathways to your brain. Non-noxious stimuli, the ones that don’t make you feel pain, pass through the “pain gate” and then help close the gate so painful stimuli cannot reach your brain....
Supportive care to ease symptoms is all that can be done for measles, though in some cases vitamin A supplements, a post-exposure vaccination, immune serum globulin, and/or ribavirin may help. Although there is no specific measles treatment or cure, you may not be used to your child having a high fever for so long, so it’s important to know what to do and make sure your child is comfortable while not exposing other children to measles....
Trypophobia is an intense and disproportionate fear or disgust for holes, bumps, or patterns that are clustered together or repetitive. For example, this can be triggered by holes in a honeycomb or sponge, the skin of a snake, or the seeds on a strawberry. Trypophobia is not officially classified as a mental disorder. While there is limited and contradictory research on whether it is indeed a true phobia, people with trypophobia may meet the diagnostic criteria for a phobia if they exhibit symptoms that interfere with everyday living....
An ulcer is a type of wound. These wounds have a crater-like appearance and can develop outside or inside the body. Ulcers develop when tissue erodes, which has a variety of causes. Thankfully, treatment exists for all types of ulcers. This article looks at the different types of ulcers, their symptoms, and how healthcare providers typically treat them. Types of Ulcers Arterial These are also known as ischemic ulcers. They are skin ulcers that develop due to circulation issues....
Diabetes self-management education is the cornerstone to diabetes care. Research demonstrates that working with a diabetes educator can improve outcomes for people with diabetes and prediabetes. Diabetes educators are healthcare providers that have received education, experience, credentials, and training on all things related to diabetes, including blood glucose monitoring, medication management, meal planning, diabetes technology, proper insulin storage and administration, and management of specialist appointments, and lifestyle change. They are diabetes experts and play an integral role in creating individualized care plans for people with diabetes that considers their lifestyle, goals, beliefs, culture, and needs....
If you have recently noticed a smell coming from your belly button, you are likely eager to treat it as soon as possible. Your belly button is the mark on your body where your umbilical cord was attached before you were born. Because of its shape and tiny skin folds, belly buttons can collect dirt, sweat, and bacteria. In fact, the average belly button contains about 67 types of bacteria. This buildup can lead to a smell and even infection....
An acne nodule is a severe type of inflammatory acne. Acne nodules are bigger than typical pimples and affect deeper layers of the skin. Nodular acne causes widespread, painful breakouts. Nodular acne is also called nodulocystic acne or cystic acne. Acne nodules can appear on the face, back, and other areas of the body. This article will cover what causes acne nodules, how this type of acne is diagnosed, and how to treat nodular acne....
Researchers are stressing the important links between your mental health and heart health. And they’re calling on clinicians to screen and address mental health when seeking to treat heart conditions. Key Takeaways Heart health shares direct links with common disorders, traits, and emotional states such as depression, anxiety, pessimism, and anger.Practicing mindfulness, gratitude, and optimism may help to prevent heart disease.Mental health should be screened and addressed when treating and preventing heart conditions....
Bird dog is a core strengthening exercise that works both abdominal and back muscles. It requires a little more coordination than other beginner level back exercises. And to do this exercise well, you’ll need to keep your body posture steady as you lift your arm and leg. You’ll also need to concentrate on the way in which you perform the bird dog exercise. Here Is How to Do the Bird Dog Exercise, for Beginners Assume the Start Position: Get onto your hands and knees....
Pregnancy rhinitis is inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose causing congestion or a stuffy nose in pregnancy. Pregnancy rhinitis isn’t linked to an infection or allergy, and lasts for at least six weeks. This common condition is also called non-allergic rhinitis. If you had underlying conditions such as asthma or allergies prior to becoming pregnant, you may find that their symptoms get worse during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester....
The cuboid is a cube-shaped bone that is located on the outside portion of the foot, in front of the heel. The cuboid serves as an attachment point for muscle and functions as a pulley that helps point your foot downward. It also assists with mobility in the lateral (outer) column of the foot. While fractures of the cuboid are uncommon, they can occur infrequently in specific circumstances. In addition, a rare, but painful condition called cuboid syndrome can occur when a subluxation (partial dislocation) occurs at the joint between the heel and cuboid....
