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There are several things to consider when you’re planning surgery. If you have asthma, an increased risk of certain surgical complications because of your condition is one of them. Having severe asthma or experiencing asthma-associated issues in the weeks or months before surgery further increases the likelihood of developing an adverse event, such as an infection, after your procedure. To reduce your chances of complications, your pre-operative evaluation will include an assessment of your asthma control and lung function....

If you walk into a mom-and-pop convenience store on a weekend, you may find that the service is slow. Weekends are downtimes for many businesses, and lots of retail stores are understaffed during lower-traffic periods like weekends, nights and holidays. However, you may be surprised to learn that understaffing and diminished service during downtimes are experienced in hospitals, too. This phenomenon, called the Weekend Effect, is linked to increased death among patients admitted to the hospital....

Having high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (ASD) means that you have mild autism symptoms and require the least amount of support for daily living compared to others with more severe cases. It’s because of this that high-functioning autism is sometimes only diagnosed later in life—long after someone has learned to cope with the challenges of autism. Since you’ve likely been managing the effects of your autism on your own, treatment may seem unnecessary....

Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world: It’s estimated that more than 700,000 people die from the disease each year. In the United States alone, over 20,000 men and over 9,000 women will lose their lives to liver cancer in 2021. The incidence of liver cancer has also tripled in the past three decades, with the number of deaths from the disease doubling in that time....

Valsartan is a prescription drug classified as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). It’s used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack. It is also used off-label to prevent kidney problems in people with diabetes. Valsartan works by blocking an enzyme called angiotensin II that narrows blood vessels. Sold under the brand name Diovan, among others, valsartan is also available as a generic in tablet or oral suspension (liquid) form....

Water retention—sometimes called fluid retention or edema—is a common health issue with various causes. It can be temporary and mild, like after an airplane flight, or a symptom of a serious issue like heart or kidney failure. Fluid can build up in body tissues outside of blood vessels and lead to swelling or bloating. Water retention can also happen in the stomach (ascites), lungs (pulmonary edema), or in the chest around the lungs (pleural effusion)....

If a child is covered under both parents’ health plans, a provision known as the “birthday rule” comes into play, guiding how the coordination of benefits will work. The birthday rule says that primary coverage comes from the plan of the parent whose birthday (month and day only) comes first in the year. The other parent’s health plan then provides secondary coverage. This article will explain how the birthday rule works, when it applies, and what parents need to take into consideration when deciding whether to maintain double coverage for a child....

Back and spine pain is common. It’s so common, in fact, that many types of healthcare providers diagnose and treat it. This makes it hard to choose a provider. So it can help to know a little about what each one does and what they have to offer. Your primary healthcare provider can also help. This article walks you through the specialties of 10 types of medical personnel who treat back pain and how they may be able to help you....

Trauma is defined as an emotional response to a terrible event. This emotional response may include denial, shock, anger, and fear. Acute and chronic trauma can be differentiated based on the type of event experienced. This article explores acute trauma, chronic trauma, and the similarities and differences between the two. The Trauma Spectrum People’s response to trauma exists on a spectrum. Not everyone who experiences the same traumatic event will have the same response....

Screening for breast cancer in childhood cancer survivors is important as the risk can be significant. In fact, some survivors of childhood cancers have a risk of developing breast cancer as high as women who carry BRCA mutations. Fortunately, it’s been determined that yearly screening beginning at age 25 with both breast MRI and mammography can cut breast cancer deaths by 50%. Not everyone who survives childhood cancer has the same risk....

Cluster headaches are characterized by sudden bouts of recurrent, severe head pain that occur every day (or nearly every day) for weeks, months, or even years. The pain associated with this condition is intense and located on one side of the head. The head pain is often accompanied by red or inflamed eyes and nasal discharge. Most people have periods of remission without attacks that last from months to years....

Eczema, or dermatitis, is a group of inflammatory skin disorders that cause dry, inflamed, and intensely itchy skin. There are several types of eczema. The symptoms associated with eczema can develop on various body areas, including the legs. This article discusses how to identify and treat eczema on the legs. Symptoms of Eczema on the Legs When eczema develops on the legs, the main symptoms can include: Intense itchRednessDry skin A specific type of eczema that occurs on the lower legs, varicose eczema, can present with the typical symptoms of the condition as well as others, including:...

Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome is a rare genetic condition that causes abnormally light pigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes (oculocutaneous albinism). People with the condition may also have bleeding disorders, conditions affecting the lungs and digestive system, and are at increased risk of damage from sun exposure. There are nine types of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome. Each type varies in severity and can be associated with other medical conditions. Prenatal genetic testing can often diagnose Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome....

It may surprise many that there has always been an anti-vaccine (“anti-vaxxing”) movement, stemming back from the development of the first vaccine in the 18th century right through to the COVID-19 vaccines of the 21st century. A rise of the movement stems in part from a general lack of understanding of how vaccines work. On top of this, the dissemination of misinformation fuels beliefs that vaccines cause unspoken harms or that vaccinations infringe personal, political, or religious rights....

Horner syndrome is a rare condition characterized by three primary symptoms: drooping upper eyelid, constricted pupil, and loss of sweating on the face. Horner syndrome and its symptoms result from damage to part of the sympathetic nervous system, which can arise from a number of causes. Horner syndrome was named for a Swiss ophthalmologist who first formally described the condition in 1869. The syndrome is also sometimes referred to as “Bernard-Horner syndrome,” or “oculo-sympathetic palsy....

A black eye is a common injury to the face or the head that usually isn’t cause for concern. Simple home remedies may be the best treatment to ease pain and reduce inflammation. But to get rid of a “shiner” fast, or in cases where it’s a sign of a serious injury, you’ll need to see a healthcare provider. Thankfully, most black eyes are relatively minor bruises that heal on their own in about three to five days....

The treatment of gallbladder disease depends on the type of disease. The most common manifestation of gallbladder disease is gallstones, which are hardened pieces of digestive fluid or bile in your gallbladder. When it comes to treating gallstones, there are generally three options—a “watch and wait” approach if there are no symptoms, procedures to remove the gallbladder and/or destroy the stones, or medication to break up the gallstones. Treating other gallbladder or bile duct problems, such as a stone that is lodged in the common bile duct, may require a more specialized procedure called an ERCP....

The overall goal of successful obesity treatment is for a person to get to a healthy weight and stay there long-term. It seems straightforward, but obesity treatment is complex and variable. No single obesity treatment works for everyone, but losing weight and keeping it off essentially boils down to two key components: a calorie-reduced diet and a physical fitness routine. This article discusses the treatments for obesity, including lifestyle changes with diet and exercise....

Magnesium chloride is a magnesium salt available in supplement form. It tends to be easily absorbed by the digestive tract and is used to help boost levels of the mineral in the blood. Magnesium is needed for muscle and nerve function, regulating blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and making protein, bones, and DNA. Magnesium is naturally present in many foods, including whole grains, leafy vegetables, nuts and legumes, fortified foods, and dairy....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) produces neurological symptoms due to its effect on the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves (the nerves that control vision). Areas affected by the disease are called lesions. MS brain lesions may appear on the brainstem—the lowest part of the brain right above the spinal cord. Among the symptoms that can appear with MS brainstem lesions are blurred or double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech, dizziness, coordination problems, weakness, and decreased sensation....