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Chemotherapy refers to the use of cytotoxic (cell-killing) medications to kill cancer cells. It’s often used to treat lung cancer either alone or in conjunction with other modes of treatment. Chemotherapy for lung cancer may be given before or after surgery, along with immunotherapy medications or radiation, or as a means of managing metastatic lung cancer and extending life. How Chemotherapy Works Chemotherapy medications work by killing rapidly dividing cells. Since cancer cells divide quicker than most cells, they are particularly susceptible to these drugs....

Colostomy surgery is when part of the colon is removed and an opening is created in the abdomen to allow stool to pass out of the body. The stool is collected in a colostomy bag, which is worn on the abdomen. Colostomy surgery may be used to treat many digestive conditions, including colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, intestinal obstruction, birth defects, and diverticulitis. Many people may fear the idea of having colostomy surgery, but the truth is that it can often bring about a greater quality of life, extend a person’s life, or even save life....

“Diabetes stigma” is a term used to describe negative assumptions and judgments about people with the condition. Often, people with diabetes are subject to blame and are shamed because people without a proper understanding of the condition assume that it is a self-inflicted disease. People with obesity and diabetes are also fat-shamed and assumed to have caused their condition because of their weight. These judgments are detrimental to the health of those who cope with diabetes and can lead to low self-worth, lower quality of life, and psychological disorders such as depression....

Hiatal hernia surgery treats a common form of hernia, in which the stomach pushes into the chest cavity through a hole or area of weakness in the diaphragm, near the esophagus. This surgery is usually performed while you’re under general anesthesia, and, all-told, the procedure takes between three and four hours. If you’re considering hiatal hernia surgery, it’s essential to get a sense of what happens the day of this procedure and how it works....

Thanks to advances in treatment, people diagnosed and treated for HIV in the early stages of infection can live normal to near-normal life expectancies. Even those first treated during the advanced stages are able to bring the virus under control and avoid many severe opportunistic infections. This article is part of Health Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Despite these advances, living with HIV still has its challenges, both physical and emotional....

Otitis media, or a middle ear infection, is one of the most common infections your child may experience, and adults can experience it as well. You may turn to homeopathic remedies to relieve pain and symptoms during the “watchful waiting” period that pediatricians and primary care providers often recommend before prescribing antibiotics. As many cases of otitis media are viral rather than bacterial and will clear on their own, this waiting period will show whether antibiotics are necessary....

Since 2000, insulin injection prices have risen over 1000%—from about $20 to more than $300 a vial. Studies show more than a million people spend about 40% of their income after rent and daily expenses on insulin.About 20% of Americans who take insulin injections might ration their medication, such as skipping doses or taking less than prescribed. This can lead to dire complications like amputations, heart disease, kidney failure, and vision issues....

Heart disease accounts for 1 in 4 deaths in the United States. Unfortunately, the risk of coronary artery disease increases as we age. The condition can lead to angina (chest pain), arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat), heart failure (ineffective pumping of the heart), or a myocardial infarction (a heart attack). Medicare covers tests that screen for common risk factors for the disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. However, when you already have heart disease, what will Medicare do to help you treat it?...

What Is Mometasone - Nasal? Mometasone, previously sold under the brand name Nasonex, is a nasal spray used to treat or prevent seasonal allergy symptoms and nasal polyps. Mometasone belongs to the corticosteroid drug class. It is available in an over-the-counter (OTC) version under the brand name Nasonex 24HR Allergy or by prescription from a healthcare provider. Allergy symptoms occur when your body reacts to exposure to allergens. Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose (congestion), itchy eyes or throat, and cough....

Scientists continue to find no link between COVID-19 vaccination and several neurological conditions, according to a new study published in The BMJ. However, they did find a stronger association between COVID-19 infection and an increased risk of Bell’s palsy, encephalomyelitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Key Takeaways Real-world data shows there is no substantial evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause severe neurological disorders such as Bell’s palsy.While developing a neurological condition is rare, unvaccinated individuals have a higher chance of having Bell’s palsy, encephalomyelitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome after a COVID-19 infection....

Nystagmus is an eye condition characterized by rapid, jerking eye movements. It does not always cause any noticeable symptoms, but it can be associated with issues such as dizziness and vision problems. A number of different neurological illnesses can cause nystagmus. Typically, nystagmus is detected during a physical examination that involves an eye evaluation. It may be an early sign of a neurological condition, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), or it can develop as an already established neurological illness progresses....

Polydipsia is drinking a large amount of fluid, most often water, in response to extreme thirst, though there can be other reasons for this. Thirst is your body’s way of correcting fluid balance that can occur due to factors like dehydration. Several medical illnesses, most notably diabetes mellitus, can cause polydipsia. Often, polydipsia due to disease is associated with polyuria, which is frequent urination. If you have noticed that you feel the need to drink more than usual or more than is typically advised, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider....

Proton radiation is an enhanced type of radiation gaining in popularity for the treatment of prostate cancer. Men who are contemplating proton radiation need to compare and contrast it with all the other types of radiation to determine if proton therapy is advantageous for them in view of their specific circumstances. A full course of proton radiation requires five treatments per week continued for eight or nine consecutive weeks. During each visit, patients are positioned in front of an invisible beam of protons that target the prostate gland....

Psychosis is a mental state characterized by a disruption in the way the brain processes information. A person experiences psychosis when thoughts and perceptions interfere with the ability to decipher what is real and what is not. Although psychosis is often thought of as a type of disorder, it is actually a symptom of several different types of mental illness. It is also linked with certain medical conditions and injury to the brain, as well as substance use....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that older and immunocompromised adults get two doses of Shingrix (the recombinant zoster vaccine, or RZV) to prevent shingles and related complications. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may worry that vaccines like Shingrix will make their symptoms worse. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic medical condition that causes swelling, inflammation, loss of mobility, stiffness, and pain in the joints. RA is an autoimmune disorder, which means that it causes the body’s immune system to “overreact” and attack its own healthy cells....

Right-sided heart failure develops when the right side of the heart does not pump blood as well as it should be, causing blood to back up into the venous system and limiting how much blood the heart can pump per minute. Symptoms of right-sided heart failure, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), edema (swelling of the limbs), and fatigue can be severe. There are a multitude of reasons the right side of the heart might become weak and so treatment, which can include lifestyle changes and medication, is determined based on the cause....

Rutin is a plant pigment, or bioflavonoid, found naturally in common foods like apple peels, black tea, asparagus, buckwheat, onions, green tea, figs, and most citrus fruit. Besides getting it from food, you can also find rutin in supplement form, such as tablets or capsules. Rutin contains quercetin, an antioxidant shown to reduce inflammation. This article discusses rutin, sources of rutin, and potential side effects associated with its use. Uses of Rutin Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietician, pharmacist, or healthcare provider....

Salicylates are natural chemicals produced by plants to help protect them against disease and environmental stress. They are present in many foods, beauty products, and medications, such as aspirin. Although salicylates are generally well-tolerated, they can cause significant reactions in those who are allergic. This article will go over the symptoms and causes of a salicylate allergy. It will also discuss testing, treatment, and which foods to avoid. What Is a Salicylate Allergy?...

Seasonique is an extended-cycle, continuous birth control pill that gives users only four periods per year, or one a season, as the name implies. If you want to avoid painful or heavy periods, or if you just don’t want a period every single month, Seasonique may be a birth control method to consider. Seasonique is an FDA-approved, continuous-cycle birth control pill containing estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a progestin (levonorgestrel). It has been known for a long time that skipping periods with birth control pills is safe, and there are currently no known risks associated with only having four periods each year....

People with separation anxiety disorder feel intense fear and anxiety about being parted from the people that they are closely emotionally attached to, such as a parent or loved one, or from their home. They often worry that something bad will happen to their loved ones if they are apart from them. It’s typical for young children to feel some distress when they are separated from their parents or caregivers. Separation anxiety disorder was previously thought to only develop in childhood or adolescence, but it is now understood that it can occur in adults as well....