Most people have heard about the importance of calories but still don’t fully understand what they are or what to do about calories. Calories are the energy found in the food we eat that we use to move, breathe, and survive. If you take in more calories than you need in a day, your body stores them as fat to use later. When you consistently consume too many calories for your activity level, you will gain weight....
A caregiver is someone who helps with the day-to-day care of a person with a health condition (like cancer) and is usually a partner, family member, or close friend. Caregivers are often the gatekeepers, serving as the liaison between a person and their healthcare team. While the caregiver role is a special, often treasured position, it can also be overwhelming and exhausting, both physically and mentally. The good news, though, is that with self-care, communication, flexibility, and support, a caregiver can feel empowered and self-assured to embrace and make the best of this compassionate journey with their loved one....
Congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) is the name for a category of genetic muscle diseases that first appear near birth or within two years of life. It’s an umbrella term for more than 30 conditions, which can cause a range of symptoms. Generally, they are all associated with the progressive weakening or degeneration of muscles. This article discusses the types of congenital muscular dystrophy, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. Signs and Symptoms Scientists have identified over 30 different types of congenital muscular dystrophy, so symptoms vary greatly....
Inhaler therapies are an important part of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Inhaled medications used for treating COPD include bronchodilators and steroids. There are three categories of inhalers used in COPD: Short-acting bronchodilatorsLong-acting bronchodilators (beta agonists and anticholinergics/muscarinic antagonists)Inhaled steroids Each of these medications affects COPD differently. Some inhalers contain only one medication (monotherapy) and others contain multiple drugs (each with a different mechanism of action). Because they are inhaled directly into the airway, these medications generally work quickly and tend to cause fewer systemic side effects than pills or injections....
Affecting about one in every two people worldwide, having crooked teeth, or malocclusion, can significantly impact the self-esteem of both children and adults. Misaligned bites, overbites, underbites, crowded teeth, and related issues can be caused by a range of factors, with genetics and certain behaviors the most common. While having crooked teeth primarily impacts feelings of self-worth, it can also cause difficulty chewing and swallowing, and, in rare cases, speaking. Luckily, there are a number of options for teeth straightening, including metal braces, clear aligners, retainers, and veneers, among others....
When looking at a vibrant field of flowers, if all is well with your eyes the colors may pop. But what if you begin to notice that in some parts of the visual field the colors are somewhat muted or things are starting to look gray? You know you haven’t experienced any kind of eye injury but feel as if something must be amiss. Dimness of vision can be a symptom connected to a variety of eye conditions....
If you are experiencing neurological symptoms, do not necessarily assume you have multiple sclerosis (MS), especially considering there are a number of other conditions that can mimic it. Seeing a healthcare provider for an evaluation is critical before jumping to any conclusions. Depending on your symptoms, a proper diagnosis may be a fairly rapid process involving simple blood tests, or it may be more invasive, like requiring a biopsy. Here are several medical conditions your healthcare provider may consider as alternative diagnoses to MS....
Are you looking for a way to support children and adults with cancer? One option is to donate your hair. Several organizations collect donated hair and arrange for it to be made into wigs for children or adults who lose their hair during cancer treatment or due to other illnesses. Different organizations have different guidelines for accepting hair, so it’s good to know what criteria your hair needs to meet before you decide to cut it off for a donation....
Dysphoria refers to a profound sense of unhappiness, distress, and indifference. It is not a diagnosis, but rather a symptom associated with various mental health conditions, including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Read on to learn if you’re experiencing a dysphoric mood and what you can do about it. What Is Dysphoria? Dysphoria describes an intense emotional state that can be a symptom of many mental health diagnoses. It is a profound state of dissatisfaction and unease....
Heartburn, acid reflux, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are related, and the terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux that occurs when gastric juices back up from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe), irritating the cells that line it. This can cause a burning sensation in the chest, which is where the term “heartburn” comes from. In addition to heartburn, acid reflux can cause you to develop symptoms such as a cough, bad breath, and trouble swallowing....
An IgG blood test is used to diagnose herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. This test does not detect the virus. Rather, it detects the IgG antibodies, or immune proteins, that your body produces in response to the viral infection. Parts of the IgG protein, like all antibodies, are made by the immune system to attack specific disease-causing organisms (pathogens), like viruses and bacteria. HSV IgG is the type of antibody that is produced when a herpes infection occurs....
Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. It affects about 1 in 14 people. It’s easily cured with prescription antibiotics and proper treatment is important, because chlamydia can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system. Using unapproved medications or home remedies may relieve some of your symptoms, but that doesn’t mean the infection is gone. This article will take a closer look at chlamydia symptoms and complications and explain why prescriptions antibiotics should be the only treatment you use....
Jaw surgery corrects facial imbalances and allows the jaw bones to fit together correctly. If the jaw is not lined up properly, it may lead to pain when chewing and difficulty speaking or even breathing. Others may just not like their jaw’s appearance, causing self-esteem issues. Jaw surgery, which can bring relief and a better quality of life, may involve the top or bottom jaw, or both. What Is Jaw Surgery?...
Although expecting a baby is an exciting time for most people, the thought of going into labor can be nerve-racking. Labor usually occurs about 40 weeks after conception; however, it can happen earlier or later. Signs of labor intensify as contractions from the uterus help push the baby through the cervix, into the birth canal, and out of the vaginal opening. Labor happens in four stages and varies in time between hours or days....
Left atrial enlargement (LAE) is when the upper left part of your heart—one of the heart’s four chambers—is larger than it should be. This is caused by too much pressure on the heart, which could be related to high blood pressure, stress, and underlying heart disease. Some people with LAE experience symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, and breathing problems, while others have no symptoms at all. Left atrial enlargement is not a cause for worry in itself, but it is a sign that you may have a serious cardiovascular condition....
Most people think of lung cancer as an older person’s disease, but it also affects young people. Lung cancer is less common among young people, and the risk factors and types of lung cancer are different than for older adults. Lung cancer in young adults requires comprehensive and early treatment, and the outcomes are usually good. Age and Sex The average age of lung cancer diagnosis is 70. Approximately 53% of cases occur in adults 55 to 74, while 37% occur in those over 75....
Lupus anticoagulant (LA) is an antiphospholipid antibody (APA) that increases your risk of developing blood clots. It’s found in many people with the autoimmune disease lupus and the related condition antiphospholipid syndrome. Antibodies are specialized cells in the immune system that attack and destroy pathogens like viruses and bacteria. LA is an autoantibody, meaning it mistakes a healthy substance in your body for a pathogen. As an antiphospholipid antibody, LA attacks phospholipids, which are an essential part of cell membranes....
What Is Norpramin? Norpramin (desipramine) is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used to treat depression in adults. TCAs are thought to restore levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain by preventing reabsorption, thereby increasing levels in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that allow nerve cells (neurons) to communicate. The changing levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain are suggested to play an important role in the symptoms of depression....
Researchers are not exactly sure how obesity affects bone density, but recent studies have suggested that obesity and osteoporosis might be connected. Nearly 30% of people with osteoporosis are overweight or have obesity. People with obesity who also have osteoporosis might be more prone to fractures from low-impact movements. While the findings from studies on obesity and osteoporosis have been inconsistent, researchers are looking at a possible link between the two that could lead to obesity becoming another factor that drives the onset of this type of bone disease....
Piqray (alpelisib) is a medication for metastatic breast cancer that received approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 24, 2019. Taken as a daily tablet that is swallowed whole, this drug is used in combination with Faslodex (fulvestrant) for both postmenopausal women and men who have advanced hormone receptor-positive and HER2 negative breast cancer that has progressed on hormonal therapy and tests positive for a PIK3CA mutation....
