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Alagille syndrome is a rare liver condition that is passed down through families. It occurs due to the liver’s inability to properly remove bile, which is digestive fluid that contains acids, electrolytes, and other substances. This inability is caused by a lack of enough bile ducts to drain bile properly. Even though Alagille syndrome is primarily considered to be a liver condition, it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, and bones....

If you anticipate a change in your life, planning for health insurance after that change is an important part of maintaining your financial security and your health. A popular way to get health insurance after a major life event—that would otherwise cause a loss of coverage—is to continue your employer-sponsored health insurance using COBRA continuation coverage. This article will explain what you need to know about COBRA eligibility, electing COBRA, and other alternatives that are available to you as well....

Bright red or any type of blood in your stool is not normal. While it may be due to something as simple as straining to poop because of constipation, it can also be due to conditions such as hemorrhoids, a bowel infection, or even colon cancer. Blood in the stool—whether bright red or some other shade—should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Though it could be caused by a condition that isn’t dangerous, it is always best to have them rule out more serious causes....

Allodynia is a rare type of nerve pain that is triggered by something that wouldn’t normally cause pain. That could be the touch of your bedsheets, the seam of a sock, or the warmth coming off of freshly made toast, for example. This pain type is frequently associated with fibromyalgia. Some research suggests allodynia may be associated with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) as well. Other conditions associated with allodynia include diabetic/peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia (nerve damage from shingles), and migraines....

Daily surges in coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the United States have resulted in the continued push for preventative measures—like social distancing, wearing masks, and regular hand washing—from major health organizations, like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But through an increase in research and methods like contact tracing, experts continue to learn more information about how COVID-19 spreads. The latest? Airborne transmission. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is acknowledging COVID-19 can be spread through airborne transmission....

Spacing out is relatively common. You may have experienced it yourself and wondered what it means. You may have noticed a friend or family member spacing out. While in rare cases it might be a medical emergency or the warning sign of a serious health problem, most of the time it is not. Here are some important clues to help you figure out what it really means if you have been told that it seems your “head is in the clouds....

Craze lines are small, straight cracks in the teeth. Appearing as small, vertical lines, this hairline cracking, though potentially unsightly, isn’t a dental emergency. It arises most often in adults, especially those who bite their nails or have bruxism (teeth grinding) or malocclusion (uneven bite), among other poor dental habits. Even though craze lines are primarily an aesthetic concern, the impact on your appearance can affect your self-esteem. This article highlights the causes of this issue, how it differs from other types of tooth cracking, as well as how it’s treated and prevented....

Diamox (acetazolamide) is a medication used most commonly to treat glaucoma, epilepsy, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition of increased pressure around your brain without a known cause. It’s also used to treat edema and high-altitude sickness. Diamox is sometimes used off-label to treat other conditions, including migraines. It’s not used as often as it once was because newer drugs are now available, but Diamox can still be quite helpful in some cases....

“Split personality disorder” is a term that is not used in the psychiatric field. The correct term is “dissociative identity disorder (DID).” DID—as well as other types of dissociative disorders—involves symptoms that interfere with a person’s mental functioning. What Is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)? Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a condition marked by the presence of two or more distinct personality states within one individual. Each of these personality states may have a unique name and characteristics, including a different voice, gender, and set of mannerisms....

Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can be an uncomfortable side effect of diabetes that can lead to complications such as gingivitis over the long term if left untreated. Since saliva protects your teeth (helping to prevent decay) and also improves digestion and the ability to taste food, it’s essential to get it treated. Sometimes dry mouth is a symptom of undiagnosed or improperly treated diabetes. Knowing the symptoms, causes, and treatments of dry mouth can help you address the issue with your healthcare provider for the best outcome....

Our body’s electrolytes are certain elements that are vital to life. They affect us in profound ways. Everything from generation of a brain cell’s energy to a nerve cell’s electricity, from our body’s water content to our heart’s rhythm, and more, is dependent on electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and others being in a certain range (and you thought that an electrolyte is something you take to relieve a cramp!...

The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) requires good detective work on the part of your healthcare provider, as there is no test that will guarantee a 100% confirmed diagnosis. Rather, a healthcare provider must consider a person’s symptoms, physical examination, and imaging tests, and blood work to make the correct diagnosis. Since the diagnosis of AS is sometimes subtle, some people are not correctly diagnosed for many years. Medical History A person with AS often first sees their primary care healthcare provider or family medical professional with a complaint about pain, usually in the back or upper buttock....

Your child’s craniosynostosis treatment will depend on their age, when they were diagnosed, and how severe their skull malformation is. It usually involves surgery to both correct the shape of the skull and to allow room for the baby’s brain to grow. Surgery is also effective at relieving any increased pressure on the brain. The goal of craniosynostosis surgery is to achieve normal brain development by providing enough space for your little one’s brain to grow....

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) can occur anywhere on the body but can be exceptionally irritating when it appears on the face, around the eyes, or on the lips. Eczema is a skin condition that causes red, itchy, and dry skin. Food allergens, skin irritants, changes in outside temperature, stress, or hormonal changes can trigger eczema flare-ups. This article explains the most common treatments for eczema on the face, including lifestyle changes and home remedies, creams and oral medications, and procedures....

Ear pain (otalgia) can feel like a dull, sharp, or burning sensation. The pain may come on gradually or suddenly. It might be constant or come and go, depending on the cause. One or both ears can be affected. Though ear pain is more common in children, it can occur in adults as well. Read on to learn more about ear pain causes, home remedies, and treatments. Ear Pain Causes Ear pain is a common symptom that can have a number of causes, including infection and injury....

What Is Hydrea? Hydrea (hydroxyurea) is an antimetabolite medication used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia and locally advanced squamous cell head and neck carcinomas. It may be used alone or combined with other therapies. Hydroxyurea is also used in sickle cell disease to reduce the frequency of painful crises and the need for blood transfusions. This medication interferes with the production of cancer cells by disrupting the formation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules....

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease and skin condition that appears as smooth white patches of skin. When vitiligo first develops, the patches typically appear on the hands, forearms, feet, and face. However, as it progresses, it can spread to cover larger areas. The cause of vitiligo is not well understood, but experts believe that a genetic component may be at play. Read on to find out more about how genetics drive vitiligo development....

Full recovery from low back surgery depends on the procedure performed. For instance, recovery from a discectomy (when a herniated disc is removed from the spinal canal) may take anywhere from one to four weeks. On the other hand, recovery from a spinal fusion (when the soft tissue between two or more spine bones is replaced with bone or metal) may take up to a year. But regardless of the type of low back surgery you have, there are some bedrocks to ensuring its success, including following up with your healthcare provider as advised, avoiding/restricting certain activities, and caring for your wound site....

A lumpectomy is surgery to remove a breast cancer tumor or lump of breast tissue. It is also called breast-conserving surgery or partial mastectomy since it leaves most of the breast tissue untouched. It is often used when the lump is small and remains confined to the breast. This technique often does not require a hospital stay. While less severe than removing the entire breast, however, lumpectomy is still a major procedure....

Lupus is dominated by periods of illness and wellness—flares when your symptoms are active, and remission when your symptoms subside. Establishing healthy lifestyle habits while you’re feeling your best can help you cope with life with lupus and may even help you combat the effects of flares when they arise, making such strategies an important part of the overall management of your disease.  Remember, though, that lupus tends to affect those who have it in different ways, so the lifestyle changes that will help you most are highly personal....