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The coronavirus pandemic has led to greater availability of telehealth services for conditions including colon cancer. Aspects of colon cancer treatment that can be done via telehealth include receiving information about chemotherapy, nutrition, resuming regular activities after surgery, and mental health support for patients and caregivers. Doctors’ offices are taking precautions to see patients safely in person, but if you’re more comfortable staying home, telehealth is now a viable option. Some aspects of care for colon cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and lab work, will need to take place in person....

When a person is unaware of their surroundings and unable to respond, this is described as being unconscious. Unconsciousness is a medical emergency, and it is often a sign of a serious health issue that could result in death or permanent disability. If you encounter a person who is unconscious, call for urgent medical attention and try to provide as much information to emergency medical responders as possible. There are many causes of unconsciousness, and the medical team will work on identifying the cause while treatment is started....

The uterus, also known as the womb, is a hollow, muscular organ located in the pelvis between the bladder and rectum of individuals who are assigned female at birth. This pear-shaped organ plays a role in menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. The lining of the uterus (endometrium) is the source of the blood and tissue shed each month during menstruation. After an egg released from an ovary has been fertilized, the resulting embryo implants in the uterus and fetal development begins....

Zantac (ranitidine), an over-the-counter heartburn medication, was pulled from drugstore shelves in April 2020 when some samples of the drugs were found to contain unacceptable levels of a potential carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a mandatory withdrawal order that applied to both Zantac and generic ranitidine formulations and is in place as of reporting, pending further investigation. Alarms were first raised by a small online pharmacy called Valisure, which in June 2019 alerted the FDA to high levels of NDMA in a generic ranitidine formulation....

The results of a national public survey conducted by The Alliance for Endometriosis have shed light on the experiences of people living with endometriosis and the stigma that they encounter from the people in their lives—including their doctors. Key Takeaways A new survey shows that people with endometriosis face stigma, even from their doctors.90% of people with endometriosis reported being disbelieved, dismissed, or ignored by others at least monthly.To people with endometriosis, these results may not be surprising....

Antibiotics are medications used to treat infections that are caused by bacteria. There are several classes of antibiotics—some that only target specific bacteria and others that can be used against a wide range of organisms. This article will explore how antibiotics work, what they are used to treat, and how quickly they can help end an infection. What Is An Antibiotic? Antibiotics are substances that get their start in nature, usually as fungi or other forms of bacteria that exist in soils....

Under normal conditions, breathing is effortless. However, some people with respiratory illnesses need to undergo breathing treatments on a regular basis. Most breathing treatments deliver medication to the lungs in the form of a fine mist. Some breathing treatments are more effective than others, depending on the person and their illness. This article will discuss breathing treatments for asthma and other respiratory illnesses, including types, side effects, and alternatives. Breathing Treatments for Asthma Asthma is a chronic medical condition that causes narrowing and inflammation of the airways in the lungs....

If you have hepatitis, you may be wondering who can treat your hepatitis. Well, a hepatitis specialist can help. But do you know the difference between the different kinds of clinicians who can treat your hepatitis? To help you understand who does what, here’s a short description of the different professionals who might work in your healthcare setting. Types of Practitioners The next time you visit a hospital, clinic, or office, take a moment to view the lobby directory....

A spinal disc herniation is a relatively common diagnosis that occurs when the gel-like inner portion of a disc (called the nucleus pulposus) protrudes out through a torn portion of the outer disc layer (called the annulus). This issue can occur in any of the three spinal sections (cervical, thoracic, or lumbar), though it is most common in the lower lumbar spine. While discs normally help absorb the stresses placed on the spine, a herniation may make daily life difficult and painful....

Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most curable forms of cancer. The overall survival rates for people with all stages of Hodgkin’s lymphoma combined are: Survival rate at one year: 92%Survival rate at five years: 87%Survival rate at 10 years: 80% Of course, an individual’s prognosis and life expectancy will depend on the stage of their disease and other factors. This article reviews the current survival statistics with Hodgkin lymphoma, factors that affect life expectancy (like the stage and age at diagnosis), and what can improve your prognosis....

Now that around 60% of adults in America have received at least one dose of the vaccine, more people are re-entering public spaces and doing activities that were previously limited. However, as you plan long-awaited gatherings and schedule important appointments, it’s crucial to talk about COVID-19 vaccination status with others. Key Takeaways It’s tricky but ultimately necessary to ask someone whether they’ve gotten vaccinated against COVID-19 before meeting up.Your approach in bringing up the topic should vary depending on who it is you’re talking to....

While programs providing for low-cost vaccines for children are common, low-cost vaccine programs for adults are harder to find. To get the vaccine you need at the lowest possible price, you’re going to have to put some legwork into the search. The CDC keeps a list of current average vaccine costs, which is a great place to start your research. Here’s what you need to know about getting low-cost vaccines for adults in the United States....

If you’ve learned that your child or a child of a loved one has Hurler syndrome, you’re probably confused and frightened. What does this mean? Definition Hurler syndrome is a type of storage disease in the body caused by the lack of one enzyme. The abnormal enzyme, alpha -L-iduronidase (IDUA) is caused by a gene mutation in the IDUA gene, a gene located on chromosome 4. The condition varies in severity but is a progressive condition involving many bodily systems....

Hypomagnesemia refers to a lower-than-normal level of magnesium in the blood. When levels are too low, it can lead to problems like increased blood pressure, other kinds of cardiovascular disease, and even sudden death. In the United States, hypomagnesemia affects roughly 2% of people. However, it is more common in people staying in the hospital, particularly those staying in the intensive care unit. Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia A person with hypomagnesemia might not have any symptoms if their magnesium is only slightly low, or they may have only mild symptoms....

An itchy stomach can be a symptom of several different conditions, ranging from allergies and insect bites to bacterial infections and eczema. For most people, an itchy stomach isn’t a cause for concern. But if an itchy stomach doesn’t go away in a couple of weeks, it might be necessary to test for a larger issue, such as kidney disease or an autoimmune disorder. This article covers the symptoms and possible causes of an itchy stomach, risk factors, when to seek a diagnosis, and possible treatments....

Lung cancer in men differs from lung cancer in women in a number of ways. The chance of a female smoker developing lung cancer is higher than a male smoker, but overall more men develop lung cancer simply due to the fact that men are more likely to smoke. Researchers are not entirely sure why this is, but it is believed that genetic factors and biological susceptibility between the sexes may explain the disparity....

Neutropenia is a condition that puts people at increased risk for dangerous bacterial infections. It’s seen in some cancers and diseases but is also a common side effect of cancer treatment. Neutropenic precautions are common-sense protocols that help avoid infections at home and in clinical settings, like hospitals. Neutropenia is earmarked by low levels of white blood cells called neutrophils. Neutrophils are abundant in people with healthy immune systems. Without enough neutrophils circulating in the blood, dangerous or fatal infections can result....

A nickel allergy could make you more susceptible to autoimmune disease, according to research. Nickel allergy is sometimes called nickel allergic contact dermatitis (NACD). Nickel is the most common cause of metal allergies. And it’s being increasingly tied to several types of autoimmune disease. Researchers are looking into common underlying mechanisms to understand how the two may be related. This article will look at what a nickel allergy is, how it may be related to autoimmune disease, how to manage your life with an allergy to something that’s hard to avoid, and what treatments are available....

Pediatric scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease Pediatric scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the skin, triggering an overproduction of collagen, the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues. The condition can also affect the joints and internal organs.The condition can also affect the joints and internal organs. There are two main types of pediatric scleroderma: localized and systemic. Both are uncommon in children with the localized type affecting 1–3 per 100,000 children and the systemic type affecting one per million children....

You may be confused by the terms “pulmonary fibrosis” and “cystic fibrosis” because they sound similar. However, these are two different health conditions with different causes, symptoms, treatments, and more. Pulmonary fibrosis is lung scarring that usually occurs in older age from unknown or environmental causes. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that a person is born with that causes thickened mucus in the lungs, intestines, pancreas, kidneys, and liver....