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Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsession with “healthy” eating through a restrictive, self-imposed diet. Currently, there are no clinical treatments that have been specifically designed for orthorexia. This is because the condition is a newer eating disorder that does not currently have its own classification within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The DSM-5 is the handbook that mental health professionals use to diagnose and guide the treatment of mental health conditions....

For people with chronic pain and fatigue, completing tasks can be difficult when experiencing a flare-up. Some may push themselves too hard or avoid tasks altogether. Pacing yourself—or taking a break before you need to—can be one way to limit these painful flares. Key Takeaways A new study shows that pacing yourself can help people manage their chronic pain and chronic fatigue symptoms.Taking a break before it’s needed can help people with chronic illness avoid or limit flare-ups from pushing themselves too hard....

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are lifelong, chronic conditions for which there is currently no cure. IBD is an umbrella term and the diseases that fall under it include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis. These diseases are complex and the symptoms can range from being mild to severe. IBD is thought to be caused by an overactive immune system. For that reason, these diseases are often treated with drugs that dampen the immune system....

Preparing ahead for radiation therapy for breast cancer, whether after a lumpectomy or after mastectomy, can pay off in spades later on when you begin to experience fatigue and the visits become tiresome. Talking to your radiation oncologist about what to expect, considering breath hold techniques if you have left sided breast cancer, asking and allowing for family and friends to help you, and streamlining your daily activities are all important....

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) recently added a new diagnosis—prolonged grief disorder—to its official psychiatric diagnostic handbook. The condition can be diagnosed when grief remains intense for more than a year after losing someone close and interrupts your ability to live other aspects of life. Key Takeaways The official psychiatric diagnostic handbook was updated to include prolonged grief disorder, which describes grieving that does not get less intense after a year....

Quercetin, a plant pigment, is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This chemical compound (flavonoid) is naturally found in foods including apples, onions, teas, berries, red wine, and herbs like ginkgo biloba and St. John’s wort. It is also available in supplement form. Quercetin is sometimes used in various health conditions such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and COVID-19. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support taking it for these conditions....

What immunizations should you get, and which should you avoid, while living with cancer? If you think about it for a while, it’s easy to get confused. Are you more at risk from the vaccine or from the infection the vaccine might prevent? What do you do if you’re exposed to an infection? Are you at risk if your child or grandchild gets her shots? Thankfully we do have good information to make those decisions less painful....

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends regular colorectal screening for everyone starting at age 45. People at an increased risk for colorectal cancer should talk to their healthcare providers about early screening. Colorectal cancer affects people of any sex and is the third leading cause of cancer death. Screening can help identify colon cancer, even if you don’t have symptoms. This article will discuss the age at which you should schedule your first colonoscopy and overview the risk factors that may prompt early screening....

A sore throat is common in people with allergies, and postnasal drip is typically to blame. The body can produce so much mucus in an effort to rid itself of an allergen that the discharge runs from the nose down the back of the throat, causing pain, scratching, and tickling. It’s not uncommon for people to mistake a sore throat due to allergies for a symptom of a cold. This article explains how sore throat and allergies are related....

Spinal nerves are the major nerves of the body. There are a total of 31 symmetrical pairs of spinal nerves that emerge from different segments of the spine. Each spinal nerve contains both sensory and motor nerve fibers. These relay motor (movement), sensory (sensation), and autonomic (involuntary functions) signals between the spinal cord and other parts of the body. Spinal nerves can be impacted by a variety of medical conditions, resulting in pain, weakness, or decreased sensation....

If you have asthma, you know about the immediate symptoms and how to manage them day to day. You may not know that those same issues—shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing—can also lead to long-term health effects, including: Exercise intoleranceRecurrent infectionsPermanent narrowing of the bronchial tubes These long-term effects of asthma can affect your breathing, overall health, and quality of life. While asthma can never be completely cured, managing it well is important not only so feel your best today, but also in the years to come....

A Wood’s lamp is a device that emits purple or violet UV rays. When placed over your skin, it can help your healthcare provider diagnose conditions that affect the skin and hair, including fungal and bacterial infections, lice, and pigment irregularities. Normal, healthy skin will not glow under the lamp. Some kinds of bacteria, fungi, and other skin conditions will. This article explains how a Wood’s lamp works to detect skin and hair conditions....

Men are three times less likely to experience migraines than women. Research suggests that even when they do have migraine attacks, the pain is less severe than it typically is in women. There are many reasons why men are less likely to suffer from migraines, including differences in genetics, migraine triggers, and levels of estrogen in the body. This article will discuss why, and how, migraines are different in men than in women....

Last week marked the launch of the largest autism study in the United Kingdom called Spectrum 10K. The goal of the research is to learn more about the biological and environmental factors that may lead to diversity on the autism spectrum. UPDATE On September 10, 2021, the researchers behind Spectrum 10K announced a pause on both further study recruitment and analysis of any data collected so far. The pause will be used to listen to and address concerns from the autism community....

Usually, the itchy eyes and runny noses that are the hallmark of seasonal allergies are a nuisance to be avoided, rather than the spark for a lively environmental health debate. But when Ellie Botoman posted a TikTok in early July about pollen and climate change, the video garnered so many likes and views that she couldn’t even open her app without it crashing. Key Takeaways People on TikTok are pointing to botanical sexism as part of the reason why allergies seem to be rising....

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. The condition can come on gradually and may last for a long time. Although gastritis is not the same thing as heartburn, it can cause similar symptoms. Gastritis can also be treated with some medications used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—for example, drugs that reduce stomach acid. This article will go over what causes gastritis, what the symptoms are, how it’s diagnosed, and the options for treatment....

Living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) means living with joint pain and stiffness of the back, hips, buttocks, ribcage, and other joints throughout the body. And because you live with an unpredictable and progressive condition, it is important to stay in touch with your treating healthcare provider. But right now, the need to stay home and avoid exposure to COVID-19 makes it harder to attend rheumatology appointments in person. A telehealth visit—also called telemedicine—where you consult with your healthcare provider using a smartphone, tablet, computer, or other technology, is a good alternative to in an in-office visit....

Belly button pain is also called periumbilical pain. It can occur in or around the belly button, but can also go beyond the belly. The pain might feel sharp or dull. It may also be constant, or it may come and go. Some of the potential causes of pain in and around the belly button include: Indigestion Constipation Hernia Pregnancy Crohn’s disease Appendicitis Urinary tract infection (UTI) Gastroenteritis Helicobacter pylori (H....

If you’re unsure how to establish a skin-care routine, a great place to start is by identifying your skin type. While your skin-care needs may change as you age and as the seasons change, knowing your skin-care type will always help you maintain healthy skin. Determining Your Skin Type Your skin type will be your guide to choosing the right products and routine. They include: Normal skin: No issues with dryness, oiliness, or sensitivityDry skin: Rough, dry skin that flakes or scalesOily skin: Large pores with skin that feels greasy....

Bulimia (also called bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder that can be life threatening. It is characterized by repeated episodes of binge eating (eating a large amount of food in a relatively short amount of time) followed by purging (compensatory) behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, fasting, misuse of medications (laxatives, diuretics, diet pills, etc.), or excessive exercise. Bulimia is primarily treated with nutrition therapy, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and in some cases medications....