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Fibromyalgia can cause pain anywhere, including leg pain. Some common overlapping conditions can cause or contribute to leg pain, as well. This can make it hard to recognize pain from other sources rather than writing them off as just part of fibromyalgia. This article explores causes of leg pain that may be related to fibromyalgia or that may come from a different condition, the symptoms to watch for, and how different types of leg pain are treated....

Lupus is a chronic, multisystem, inflammatory autoimmune disease. The exact cause of lupus remains unknown. However, certain risk factors can increase a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. The most common form of lupus is systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which can lead to inflammation within various organs and systems of the body, such as the heart, skin, brain, and more. This can lead to the development of fatigue, rashes, fever, chest pain, and kidney disease, among other symptoms....

Dinner clean-up just became a bit more complicated in California. As of January 1, 2022, residents in California are required to compost food waste as part of the state’s strategy in reducing greenhouse emissions. Key Takeaways Starting in 2022, organic recycling is required in California.California is the second state, after Vermont, to issue a statewide composting mandate.Composting helps reduce methane emissions created by organic materials breaking down in landfills. California is the second state, after Vermont, to prohibit residents from tossing food scraps into the trash....

For people living with a physical or developmental disability during the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be difficult or impossible to receive the care and services necessary to stay safe and healthy. Everyday challenges typically made easier by outside caregivers—like maintaining sanitary living conditions or getting from one place to another—are magnified by the necessity of physical distancing during a pandemic. There are several things that can help mitigate the increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and maintain social inclusion in the disabled community....

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles. Although it is naturally produced by the body, it can also be taken in supplement form. When taken as a supplement, it is possible to overdose on melatonin. This article discusses the uses, dosages, and side effects of melatonin, as well as the signs of an overdose. What Is Melatonin Used For? When a person’s sleep schedule becomes disrupted because of sleep disorders or jet lag, supplemental melatonin may be used to restore your sleep cycle and reregulate your body’s circadian rhythm....

Nodular melanoma, like other melanomas, is believed to be caused by a mutation in skin cells. These mutations may be triggered by a number of factors, and it is believed exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light plays a major role. Other risk factors for nodular melanoma include genetics, lifestyle factors like tanning, having a weakened immune system, having a lot of moles, or having a family history of melanoma. Learn more about the causes and risk factors of nodular melanoma....

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are popular and highly effective pain relievers, but despite their widespread use, they do pose risks. NSAIDs are known for multiple adverse effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding, cardiovascular side effects, and NSAID-induced nephrotoxicity (rapid deterioration of the kidneys). Most notably, these common pain relievers can raise your risk of heart failure, particularly if you have had a heart attack in the past. This article will highlight the role of NSAIDs in heart failure and shed light on the specific NSAIDs that may put you at higher risk of a heart-related medical complication....

Oxidized cholesterol is made in the body when low-density lipoprotein (LDL), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol, goes through a chemical reaction. Oxidized cholesterol is what builds up on the artery walls, the muscular tubes that carry blood away from the heart. Too much oxidized cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. The resulting decrease in blood flow in your arteries raises your risk for heart attack and stroke. This article explains what oxidized cholesterol is, what causes it, and how it can impact your overall health....

Your two phrenic nerves are the only nerves that control the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle that sits between your chest and abdomen. They play a critical role in breathing and are responsible for the hiccup reflex. The phrenic nerves also have sensory and sympathetic functions. In addition, they are often responsible for the referred pain to the shoulder that can accompany abdominal disorders. Originating in the cervical spine (C3 to C5), the phrenic nerves are vulnerable to injury as they travel down the neck and through the chest into the diaphragm....

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is caused by a blood clot that becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery, the main blood vessel leading to the lungs, or one of its branches. Usually, PE occurs when a blood clot that forms in the legs, a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), dislodges and travels to the blood vessels of the lungs. Symptoms of PE include trouble breathing, chest pain, and coughing up blood....

Red blood cells (RBCs) are important cells for delivering oxygen throughout the body. When the membrane of these cells is defective, it produces a range of disorders. RBCs contain hemoglobin, the oxygen-transporting protein. Hemoglobin releases carbon dioxide and picks up oxygen in the lungs. The heart then pumps this oxygen-rich blood through arteries that branch into smaller arteries until they reach the capillaries (tiny vessels that connect the arterial and venous systems)....

Respiratory therapy (RT) helps people with respiratory disorders and breathing difficulties. A respiratory therapist is a medical professional who provides this type of therapy. This article looks at the various types of respiratory therapy, the typical duties of a respiratory therapist, and how to tell whether you need respiratory therapy. Types of Respiratory Therapy A respiratory therapist’s specific role and duties may differ depending on where they work. Emergency Respiratory Therapy Respiratory therapists who work in an emergency or urgent care department may assist in:...

What Is Ritalin? Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a controlled prescription medication commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Ritalin is a brain stimulant. It’s thought to work by influencing the amount of naturally occurring chemicals in your brain. Ritalin is available in an immediate-release (IR) tablet dosage form. Methylphenidate also goes by many other brand names available in different dosage forms. Some of the other dosage forms are: IR chewable tabletsIR solution (liquid)PatchTimed-release chewable tabletsTImed-release orally disintegrating (easily dissolvable) tabletsTimed-release suspension (liquid)Various versions of timed-release tabletsVarious versions of timed-release capsules What Is Ritalin Used For?...

Stomach ulcer surgery (a.k.a. ulcer surgery, gastric ulcer surgery, or peptic ulcer surgery) is a procedure for treating a stomach ulcer. The surgery is used when peptic ulcer disease causes pain or bleeding that doesn’t improve with non-surgical therapies. Perforated ulcer surgery is an urgent life-saving intervention for severe ulcer-induced degradation of the stomach lining. Symptoms caused by your ulcer should improve after you recover from the procedure. What Is Stomach Ulcer Surgery?...

From coffee and tea to energy drinks, caffeine is easy to find. Teens often reach for these drinks before a sports event or a long study session. And while it’s true that caffeine may give them an energy boost or help them focus, drinking too much of it could be bad for their health. This article discusses the short and long-term health effects that caffeine can have on teens. It includes the signs you should know that your teen drank too much caffeine and ways you can limit their intake....

Thyroid blood tests are an important part of diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders. Understanding results, however, takes some knowledge about what these tests check for, how they affect your thyroid, and how they do or don’t interact with one another. Without this, some of the test results can be confusing or seem contradictory, though. For instance, why does a high TSH level mean low thyroid activity? Why can you have high TSH and normal T4?...

In the United States, endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female reproductive system. The upside is that most women are diagnosed when the cancer is at an early stage. This means that for many women, endometrial cancer can be cured with surgery alone. While surgery is the first-line treatment for endometrial cancer, some women will need to undergo additional therapies like radiation therapy or chemotherapy based on their risk of cancer recurrence after treatment....

What Is Veregen? Veregen (sinecatechins) is a prescription topical ointment used to treat Condylomata acuminata (external warts on the outside of the genitals and anus) caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Veregen is prescribed for immunocompetent (a healthily functioning immune system) individuals 18 and older. Veregen contains the active ingredient, sinecatechins. Sinecatechins are natural substances found in specific green tea leaves. Moreover, Veregen is classified as a keratolytic. Keratolytics are compounds that can break down the outer layers of the skin and can decrease the thickness of psoriatic plaque (scaly, red patches on the skin)....

In ankylosing spondylitis (AS), ongoing spine inflammation leads to stiffness, and in severe cases, the vertebrae (small spine bones) will start to fuse (grow together). When spine fusion occurs, the spine becomes inflexible. Most people with AS will experience periods of back pain and stiffness that come and go, called flare-ups. They will also experience periods of remission in which symptoms are either completely gone or milder. AS is a progressive condition, which means it gets worse with time....

You may have heard that urinary problems, such as the inability to pee, can occur when you take cold medications. Or, perhaps, you took a cold medication and are wondering why you aren’t able to urinate. Prostate problems and medications for an enlarged prostate don’t always mix with medications for the cold or flu, as these common over-the-counter cold meds can cause urinary retention, making it harder for your body to release urine....