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Scleromalacia perforans is a rare yet serious form of scleritis, an inflammatory disease that affects the white outer coating of the eye, called the sclera. Also known as necrotizing scleritis without inflammation, scleromalacia perforans is generally asymptomatic (without symptoms), but may cause painless eye irritation and redness. Over time, however, scleromalacia perforans can cause the inner eye pressure to increase abnormally, leading to visual disturbances and, on very rare occasions, the spontaneous rupture of the eye....

Sickle cell anemia is a genetically inherited disorder of the hemoglobin in red blood cells (RBC). Hemoglobin is the protein in RBCs that transports oxygen throughout the body. In people whose hemoglobin and RBCs function properly, the red blood cells are flexible and round and can move through small blood vessels without breaking. In those with sickle cell disease, the RBCs become stiff and form the shape of a C or a sickle....

Squinting is the action of narrowing your eyes, usually in an attempt to see better. The term “squint” is also used to describe an eye condition called strabismus (also known as cross-eyes). This article discusses symptoms that may occur when you squint your eyes, common causes, and treatment options. Symptoms of Squinting Eyes On its own, squinting your eyes can be a symptom of your need for vision correction. Other symptoms may occur when you regularly squint your eyes, including:...

A biceps tendon injury is a tear or rupture of connective tissue that connects the biceps muscle of the upper arm to bones at either the shoulder (proximal tendon) or elbow (distal tendon). Proximal tears are more common than distal tears and usually are the the result of chronic overuse or an acute injury, such as a direct blow to the shoulder or falling onto an outstretched arm. Injury to a biceps tendon typically cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, and weakness....

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)—which uses a machine that pushes pressure into your airways to prevent their inward collapse—is the primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While designed to address the nighttime interrupted breathing characteristic of OSA, CPAP has the added potential of helping improve your asthma symptoms if you have both conditions. If you have asthma, you might also have sleep apnea—having both conditions is rather common. In one study, 58% of people with moderate asthma had sleep apnea, as did 88% of people with severe asthma....

A trisomy is a genetic disorder in which a person has three chromosomes instead of the usual two. The most well-known trisomy is Down syndrome, but there are others like Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome that have distinct symptoms and characteristics. Some trisomies cause few, if any, symptoms. Others can lead to severe birth defects that make life and pregnancy unsustainable. Prenatal screening can detect some of these genetic disorders before a child is even born....

Vaginal cancer is a disease in which cells in the vagina begin to grow out of control. It’s considered a rare form of cancer, with only about one of every 1,100 women developing vaginal cancer in her lifetime. It is more common in women age 60 or older. If you’ve been infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) or if your mother was prescribed diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent a miscarriage in the 1950s, you are at increased risk of developing vaginal cancer....

The vas deferens are an important part of male reproductive anatomy. These paired muscular tubes are also called the ductus deferens. They function to carry sperm from the epididymis to the urethra where it leaves the body during ejaculation. It is the vas deferens which are ligated (severed or cut) during a vasectomy, a procedure for male surgical sterilization. It prevents sperm from leaving the body during intercourse and fertilizing an egg, leading to pregnancy....

People with vitiligo usually lose skin pigment in patches. The depigmented, white patches may spread all over the body, or they may appear only in one area. This loss of pigmentation can happen in and around the vagina. Vitiligo is a chronic condition that causes the skin to lose melanin, the substance that determines your skin color. Researchers believe that vitiligo is an autoimmune disease—a condition that causes the body’s immune system to turn against itself and destroy healthy cells....

The choice to work during breast cancer treatment is a very personal decision that is different for everyone. You may feel tied to your job for income or health insurance coverage, or you may have greater flexibility in making this choice. You may also find that working is a welcome distraction during a tough time, or instead feel that you need to dedicate yourself completely to getting better. Your wishes may not always line up with what you’re able to do....

If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you might be at an increased risk for heart disease. However, it’s possible to lower your risk for heart disease by following a nutritious diet and making lifestyle changes. This article discusses the connection between ankylosing spondylitis and heart disease, the risks of these conditions, as well as how they are treated and prevented. Connection Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Heart Disease Although ankylosing spondylitis (AS) primarily affects the spine, it can also cause complications in other parts of the body—including the heart and surrounding blood vessels....

Mental health struggles in new parents are common; many have heard of the difficulties of postpartum depression in mothers, for example. However, a new study suggests that while attention should continue to focus on maternal health, the well-being of fathers should not be overlooked. Key Takeaways Researchers find that anxiety in new fathers is much more prevalent than what is commonly reported.Anxiety affects both new mothers and fathers, and clinical attention should be on the parents as a whole, clinicians say....

Being vaccinated against infections is a vital part of an overall healthcare plan for people who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Staying up-to-date on immunizations is important for many reasons, but especially when biologic medications might be used in the future. In general, the most beneficial time to give vaccinations is before a biologic is started, but some might also be given when they are needed after that. People with IBD should check with their physicians about their vaccination status....

Calf muscle pain is a common symptom, especially in athletes. This sudden pain may feel sharp or like a dull ache in the back of your lower leg. It’s most commonly due to muscle cramps, or a muscle strain injury during activity. However, there are other reasons for calf pain, including serious conditions like peripheral artery disease, nerve damage, trauma, or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that may occur in the calf....

Cachexia is the medical term for unintentional weight loss, progressive muscle wasting, and a loss of appetite. Cachexia is a syndrome that happens in people who are very sick with a chronic illness or serious disease. People who have cancer often develop cachexia. The syndrome is thought to be directly responsible for 20% of cancer deaths in the United States. Cachexia occurs in at least 50% of people with advanced cancer....

Cold sores, also called fever blisters, are small, sometimes painful blisters that can form on and around the mouth. The medical term for cold sores is oral herpes because they are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is very common. In fact, It is estimated that nearly 90% of adults in the United States have been infected with it by age 50 (although not everyone gets cold sores)....

Coronal craniosynostosis is a type of craniosynostosis, a birth defect affecting the flexible joints in a baby’s skull. These joints, known as sutures, usually stay flexible until your child’s second birthday. In craniosynostosis, sutures fuse prematurely, turning into hard bone. This can lead to a misshapen head and possibly increased pressure on the brain. Coronal craniosynostosis occurs when one or both (right and left) of the coronal sutures fuse early and is the second most common type of craniosynostosis....

If you’re having any issues in your bladder or urethra, a cystoscopy might be necessary. A cystoscopy is an interventional procedure that provides a view of the interior of the bladder and/or urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. The test is used for diagnosing and treating medical conditions that affect these organs. This article will explain more about what you can expect with a cystoscopy, what the procedure and recovery can entail, and what happens when you get the results....

An open-faced egg and salmon sandwich washed down with vanilla Pepsi; air-fried chicken paired with mini potatoes and a dollop of ketchup; a protein-packed yogurt mixed with fruit; colorful salad doused in tahini dressing; a sweet treat for dessert. That’s what TikTok user ‘intuitivecounting’ ate one day in early September, according to a video posted last month. Key Takeaways Some TikTok creators are filming “What I Eat In a Day” videos that show their daily food intake on a given day....

Double bypass surgery is a type of open-heart surgery that redirects blood around two partially or fully blocked arteries in the heart (called coronary arteries). The procedure, known specifically as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, involves the harvesting of an artery from another part of the body. The artery is then grafted into the heart to bypass the blockage and restore blood flow. It is called a “double bypass” because two coronary arteries need to be bypassed....