Posts

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria get in the organs that make pee and help it pass out of your body. These infections are treated with antibiotics. Sometimes a UTI can come back right after antibiotics are taken, or antibiotics don’t clear up the symptoms. In this case, your healthcare provider may suggest a different antibiotic or make sure you are taking the medication correctly. They may also check for other conditions, in case your symptoms aren’t related to a UTI....

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome is a rare genetic and immunodeficiency disorder. It prevents the body’s immune system from properly protecting against infections and reduces the ability to form blood clots. Usually diagnosed within the first year of life, babies and children with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome experience abnormal bleeding episodes, more frequent infections, and an inflammatory skin condition known as eczema. Caused by a genetic abnormality, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome affects people born with male chromosomal makeup (XY) due to the sex chromosome X where the abnormal gene is located....

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are often instructed to eat certain foods to keep their weight down and their hormone levels in check. The truth is, there are no food groups that are entirely off-limits for most women with PCOS. It’s just a matter of making the healthiest choices and moderating your intake. This article helps clear up some of the misconceptions about PCOS and food, and offers guidance about healthy eating for PCOS....

What Is Adderall? Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) is an orally administered prescription drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people 3 and older and narcolepsy in people 6 and older. Adderall contains a mixture of two active ingredients: dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. These ingredients belong to a class of drugs called stimulants. Stimulants increase the activity of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) called norepinephrine and dopamine. This increased neurotransmitter activity is thought to result in improved attention and focus....

An anterior placenta is one that is attached to the front of the uterus (womb). This is a common occurrence and usually does not pose any risk to you or your fetus. It may make it harder to detect early kicks and fetal heart sounds, however. An anterior placenta is not a medical condition, but simply one of several possible locations the placenta—also called the afterbirth—can develop. How Do You Know If You Have an Anterior Placenta?...

Anxiety is a common problem for people with fibromyalgia and is associated with more severe symptoms and lower quality of life. In someone with fibromyalgia, anxiety is often listed as a symptom, but just as frequently considered a common overlapping condition. No matter how it’s classified, though, anxiety can be destructive and even disabling, especially on top of the myriad other symptoms you face with this condition. Learning what triggers your anxiety, how to recognize it, its potential causes, and how to deal with it are important parts of living well with fibromyalgia....

Axumin is an FDA-approved, Medicare-covered scan that can achieve early detection of recurrent prostate cancer after surgery or radiation. For years we have been able to detect prostate cancer recurrences with PSA, but standard body and bone scans have been unable to determine the location of the cancer until the PSA level is excessively elevated (10 to 30 or higher). Axumin can detect recurrent disease with PSA levels less than 10 and sometimes much lower, which is the reason this scan is such an important development....

Your baby’s vaccination schedule may look complicated at first glance. There are several vaccines recommended for infants and young children. These vaccines are an important way for parents to keep their babies safe and healthy. This article will describe the vaccines recommended for children from birth to 4 years old. It will also cover the diseases that these vaccines protect against. Overview of Vaccines The recommended immunization schedule for babies and children includes the following vaccines:...

Vitamin D is an important nutrient for women as they approach or reach menopause, with research supporting the vitamin’s role in preventing many common age-related diseases and conditions. Osteoporosis (low bone mass), diabetes, cancer, and weight gain are among them. You may be aware of vitamin D as a helper for absorbing calcium and building bones, but it is involved in many processes that protect your health. Ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D in your diet, or by taking supplements, can help to deliver its benefits....

Bisphosphonates, a class of drugs well-known to prevent and treat osteoporosis, are also used in cancer treatment. Generally, they are used for cancer-related bone pain and hypercalcemia. In breast cancer specifically, bisphosphonates are primarily used to reduce the risk of fracture and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. But research suggests that these drugs may offer the additional benefit of preventing recurrence of metastatic breast cancer in bone. There is even evidence that bisphosphonates may improve survival times in premenopausal and postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer....

Diabetes is a medical condition in which your body cannot fully control blood sugar levels. Healthy blood sugar levels help your body’s processes work effectively. You may detect blood glucose spikes when you check your blood sugar level. These spikes are temporary rapid increases in blood sugar. Understanding how and why they occur can help you avoid or manage your sugar spikes better. High blood sugar levels over time can cause serious complications and health issues....

A registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) is a credentialed nutrition healthcare practitioner. An RD or RDN has a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has completed a supervised practice program, and has passed a national registration exam. In contrast, there are no standard requirements to call yourself a nutritionist. This article reviews the differences between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist, what credentials to look for, and who to look to for improving your health....

What Is Entyvio? Entyvio (vedolizumab) is a monoclonal antibody used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It helps relieve symptoms by reducing inflamed gastrointestinal parenchymal tissue. Entyvio is given intravenously (IV, in the vein) by a healthcare provider. You will visit a healthcare facility to receive this infusion. What Is Entyvio Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Entyvio to treat moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults....

The hip flexor muscles are a group of muscles situated near the top of your thighs that allow you to lift your knee toward your chest, squat, and bend forward at the hip. The five key hip flexor muscles include the iliacus, pectineus, psoas major, rectus femoris, and sartorius, which work together to enable hip flexion. When these muscles are involved in explosive leg movements or placed under extreme stress while jumping or running, they can be injured....

What Is Hiprex? Hiprex (methenamine) is an orally administered prescription medication used to prevent and control recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in adults and children 6 and older. Hiprex is an antibiotic that eliminates bacteria caused by UTIs. This medication is often used on a long-term basis. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections. Specifically, they work by killing bacteria or by making it hard for bacteria to multiply. In acidic urine, Hiprex works by breaking it down into formaldehyde and ammonia....

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a serious condition that can have life-altering complications if it is not treated. Lifestyle changes such as exercise and smoking cessation, which can reverse the disease or slow its progression, are usually recommended. Prescriptions, such as statins and beta blockers; specialized procedures, such as angioplasty; or surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass, may also be necessary, depending on the severity of your disease. Lifestyle Coronary artery disease develops over time, and you can adapt some of your habits to slow the progression of atherosclerosis and cholesterol buildup....

Treatments for lung cancer have improved dramatically in recent years. With these advances, physicians can personalize lung cancer treatment to the patient. As a result, survival rates have improved as well. The goals of lung cancer treatment can differ depending on the type of cancer, the stage, and other factors. In some cases, the intent may be to cure cancer. Or, it may be to control it to keep it from growing or spreading....

Triple-negative breast cancer is diagnosed through hormone receptor and HER2/neu testing of a biopsy sample. Diagnosing triple-negative breast cancer doesn’t take additional time compared to other forms of breast cancer. What can cause a delay in diagnosis is a lapse in awareness, whether it be neglecting self-checks, physical examinations, or frequent mammograms, depending on your age. Self-Checks One of the most effective ways to detect triple-negative breast cancer early is to get in the habit of doing regular breast self-exams at home....

There’s no specific “Lyme disease diet” at this time. Fortunately, most people fully recover from Lyme disease after taking antibiotics. Preliminary research suggests that certain plant oils have antibacterial effects that may support Lyme disease treatment and reduce lingering symptoms. Additionally, anti-inflammatory compounds in certain foods may boost your immune system to help you recover from Lyme and other infections. This article explains how an anti-inflammatory diet may be beneficial, how it works, what foods to eat, and whether it might be a good choice for you....

How can you make sure the treatment you need is covered by your health insurance? Know your insurance policy, understand your options, and talk with your healthcare provider. “People make the assumption that if the doctor orders it, it’s going to be covered,” says J.P. Wieske of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, an insurance industry lobbying group. Healthcare providers view your condition from a medical perspective, though, not from an insurance standpoint....