Posts

Erythema is seen in almost every skin rash. These are often the result of a triggering event, such as using a particular drug, or having an underlying disease or infection. It can also be seen in blushing and with exercise, excess pressure, friction, ill-fitting clothing, massage, and sunburn. Erythema refers to redness of the skin. It occurs when the blood capillaries (the smallest blood vessels in the body) closest to the surface of the skin are congested and dilated (widened)....

An escharotomy is a surgical procedure that is done on a semi-emergency basis to relieve pressure in the torso or a limb that is caused by an eshar, a thickening of the skin that develops due to a burn and can cause significant swelling. The procedure is done to prevent circulation issues, tissue damage, and even tissue death that can result. Generally, an escharotomy is done within a few days after a severe burn, but it isn’t usually done immediately....

A fecal occult blood test (FOBT), also known as a stool occult test or hemoccult test, is a non-invasive way to screen your feces, or stools, for blood that’s not visible to the naked eye, known as occult blood. If there’s blood in your stool, this indicates that there’s likely bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract, which can be a symptom of several conditions, as well as a sign of colorectal cancer....

No one knows what causes fibromyalgia, and that can be an unnerving fact to the four million people in the United States who are believed to have the disorder. Some scientists have suggested that fibromyalgia is a central sensitization disorder, in which nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are either hyper-reactive or the inhibitory systems meant to temper the processing of pain signals are underactive. Others believe that fibromyalgia is the result (entirely or in part) of psychological stresses....

Millions of routine childhood vaccinations are given every year in the United States. They are safe and effective, and the occurrence of severe allergic reactions from these vaccines is extremely rare. Yet some people with food allergies may be at higher risk for allergic reactions from vaccines containing certain food proteins, including egg proteins found in influenza and other vaccines. There is a possibility of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction, but most vaccines may be given under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider....

Hallucinations refer to the experience of sensing things that exist only in your mind. During a hallucination, you may see, hear, feel, smell, or taste things that are not there—that is, they have no external source. There are many possible causes for hallucinations, including mental health disorders, physical conditions, sensory problems, and drug use or withdrawal. Learn more about hallucinations, including symptoms, types, causes, treatment, and when to seek help....

Hearing voices or sounds that aren’t there, also referred to as auditory hallucinations, can be scary and confusing, especially at night. You might not realize right away that they are happening inside your head, and not everyone will hear the same kinds of voices. While it is a symptom of certain mental health conditions, other more common reasons that might be causing someone to hear voices are medical conditions such as narcolepsy, infections, lack of sleep, recent bereavement, and fever....

When Linda Odenigbo’s, MD, patients ask her about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine, she does not offer up a long list of why they should get it. Instead, she shows them a photo of her own vaccination, which she received just days after the Pfizer vaccine was authorized in the United States. Key Takeaways Government distrust, misinformation, and lack of access all contribute to vaccine hesitancy in communities of color....

What Is Jakafi? Jakafi (ruxolitinib) is an oral medication that is used to treat multiple conditions, including myeloproliferative disorders and graft-versus-host disease. It is in a class of medications called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors. In the disorders that Jakafi treats, it works by slowing down an abnormal signal produced by cells. This abnormal signal, called JAK, can be responsible for causing too many blood cells to be made in the bone marrow....

Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow. There are a number of symptoms of leukemia, one of which is skin changes that look like rashes. The rashes can differ in appearance, depending on the type. They may be a symptom of the cancer itself or a side effect of treatment. This article discusses the types of rashes that can appear with leukemia and the treatment options available....

Biologics or biological treatments refer to a group of treatments derived from living organisms, such as part of a protein. Compared to traditional pharmaceutical drugs, biologics are usually larger and more complex. You may be thinking about starting a biologic treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, or for another health condition. But before you do, you’ll need to work with your clinician and undergo certain medical assessments. That will help minimize your chance of side effects and potential problems from using biologics....

Narcissistic abuse is a type of emotional abuse carried out by a person who is a narcissist. People with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) have a need for admiration and a lack of empathy. People also use the term “narcissist” casually to mean someone who is obsessed with themselves, often at the expense of their relationships with others. Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse that can occur in personal relationships, but also at the hands of leaders in the workplace....

Narcissism is a personality trait that in some people can be part of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) and alcoholism is a substance use disorder, but the two are linked and share similar qualities. Narcissists can become alcoholics and alcoholics can be particularly narcissistic when drunk. Many alcoholics are not narcissists when they’re sober. This article discusses the similarities and differences between people with narcissistic personality disorder and people with alcohol use disorder and where and when they overlap....

A normal platelet count is between 150,000 to 450,000 per microliter (mcL) of blood. This range is generally applicable to all adults. However, research has suggested that normal platelet counts might be a little different in men and women. Age might also affect what is considered a normal platelet count because these cells tend to decrease over time. Having a normal platelet count is important: Your bone marrow produces platelet cells so your body can form clots to prevent bleeding and seal blood vessels if they are damaged....

Oncology is the field of medicine that deal with the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and early detection of cancer. Oncologists, in turn, are physicians who treat people with cancer. Cancer has been present through the ages, and is currently the second leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, treatments are improving, and an understanding of cancer on the molecular level has led to improvements in survival as well. We will look at some of the types of oncology professionals, common (and uncommon symptoms), and how it may be diagnosed and treated....

Opioids are medications that are used for pain relief, typically for moderate to severe pain. They work by binding to the opioid receptors in the brain, which decreases pain. Prescription opioids can include: Codeine Fentanyl Morphine Oxycodone (by self or in combinations such as oxycodone/acetaminophen with brand name Percocet) Hydrocodone (often in combination formulas such as hydrocodone/acetaminophen, with brand names of Vicodin, Lortab, Norco) Opioids may also consist of street drugs, such as heroin or synthetic fentanyl....

When you are dehydrated, your body not only lacks water but loses minerals known as electrolytes that cells and organs need to function normally. Electrolyte-based drinks like Pedialyte and Gatorade are designed to rehydrate you when you lose excess water and minerals like sodium. While these beverages are sometimes used interchangeably, Pedialyte and Gatorade differ slightly in their hydration approach. Pedialyte is traditionally marketed as an over-the-counter (OTC) rehydration solution for children who have lost fluids and electrolytes due to diarrhea or vomiting....

Phalloplasty, sometimes known as “bottom surgery,” is a procedure in which a penis is created or restored from tissues elsewhere in the body, such as the arm or thigh. The procedure may be paired with scrotoplasty, which is the construction or reconstruction of the scrotum. Primarily, this surgery is used along with hormone therapy in transgender men as part of gender reassignment or gender confirmation (though some transgender men may choose an alternative, metoidioplasty, or not opt for surgery at all)....

Progeria is a condition in which an affected individual experiences rapid or early aging. There are two main types of progeria; one form is diagnosed in infancy or early childhood, and the other is diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood. Progeria is extremely rare, affecting approximately 1 in 20 million children, and its occurrence does not vary worldwide. The other kind of progeria (Werner syndrome) occurs in about 1 in 200,000 live births in the United States but is more common in some other countries, such as Japan....

Allergies occur when your body misidentifies a harmless substance (called an allergen) as dangerous. Your immune system responds to the false alarm and begins to make antibodies against the allergen. The next time you come in contact with the substance, the antibodies cue the release of allergic chemicals into the bloodstream, resulting in allergy symptoms. Respiratory allergies affect the respiratory system. Allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are the two types of respiratory allergies....