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Dysentery is severe diarrhea that may contain visible blood or mucusl. It’s caused by bacteria and must be treated with an antibiotic. Although dysentery was more common historically, people still get dysentery today. In the United States, about half a million people get dysentery each year. There about 8,000 diarrhea-related deaths annually, although not all of those are caused by dysentery. Here’s what you should know about the signs of dysentery, and when to get medical attention....

Acetone, also called propanone, is a chemical used to make many nail polish removers. It is also an ingredient in other household products, such as lacquer, varnishes, and paint removers. While it’s found in many products, acetone can have harmful effects. It can cause issues when it’s on the skin for too long or when you’re exposed to high amounts. This article discusses what acetone is, how it is used, and its effects on the skin....

In 2020, research from the University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine strongly suggested that alcohol use disorder (AUD, a.k.a. alcoholism) is an independent risk factor of lung cancer, especially squamous cell lung carcinoma. The study contends that the same genetic variations that can predispose a person to alcohol abuse may also increase a person’s risk of lung cancer. According to the investigators, six gene variants strongly linked to alcoholism are independently linked to lung cancer as well....

Providing care for a loved one facing a chronic or life-limiting illness or disease can be stressful and exhausting, especially as the dying process begins, but it is also the ultimate act of love. If you wonder whether you’re doing, saying, or even thinking the right thing, this article’s practical suggestions can help you better care for a dying loved one at home. Patient Safety and Skin Care As your loved one begins the journey toward death, they will grow weaker and become increasingly sleepy....

Saline nasal irrigation is often recommended as an additional, or adjunctive, therapy intended for upper respiratory infections, including allergic rhinitis. The origin of saline nasal irrigation is attributed to Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Indian medicine system based on a natural and holistic approach to illness. Saline nasal irrigation can be administered either by a saline spray or liquid. A common device for saline nasal irrigation is a neti pot. Learn more about how to use a neti pot correctly, how to safely make your own solution, how to care for your neti pot, and more....

Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a type of sexual dysfunction that can prevent someone from experiencing sexual satisfaction. In the case of HSDD specifically, it results in the absence or lack of sexual desire. Some people experience lifelong HSDD and for others it may happen later in life, even if they previously had a healthy and fulfilling sex life. Though it can happen to anyone, HSDD is especially common in females, occurring up to one-third of adult women in the United States....

Hypokalemia refers to a lower than normal level of potassium found through a blood test. “Hypo” means “less than normal,” and the “kal” part of the word comes from “kalium,” (the Latin word for potassium). It can result from many different medical problems, including those affecting the kidney or gastrointestinal tract. Hypokalemia is a relatively common medical issue. It may occur in 20% or so of hospitalized people and in a much smaller percentage of normal adults....

In a push to increase confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine in minority communities, public health advocates are taking to barbershops and hair salons. Key Takeaways Barbershops and beauty salons will help address vaccine hesitancy in Black communities where vaccination rates are disproportionately low.A White House-backed program offers community health training for barbers and stylists, and encourages health providers to set up COVID-19 vaccine clinics at the shops.President Biden announced the “Shots at the Shop” partnership as part of his plan to get 70% of Americans vaccinated by July 4....

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—commonly called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease—is not typically painful. However, pain can occur as a result of the condition’s side effects. Over time, ALS restricts mobility and causes difficulty with breathing and digestion, which can lead to pain. This article discusses pain that can develop with ALS—its potential causes, and how to manage the symptoms. Is ALS Painful? Pain can occur with ALS. While the condition doesn’t directly cause it, it can happen from complications that develop as ALS progresses....

A middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke occurs when blood flow from the largest artery of the brain is suddenly interrupted (ischemia) or altogether stopped (infarction). The loss of blood flow causes tissue death, leading to serious and potentially permanent brain injury. MCA strokes are most often the result of a blood clot that travels from outside the brain, such as from the heart or carotid artery, and causes a partial or complete blockage of the artery....

What Is Olumiant? Olumiant (baricitinib) is a treatment option for moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It’s considered a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). This medication, however, isn’t a first-choice option. It’s typically used after trying at least one tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor which hasn’t produced good results. TNF inhibitors work by blocking TNF which then decreases inflammation (swelling) in the body. Olumiant, on the other hand, is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that works by suppressing the body’s immune system....

Orencia (abatacept) is an injectable biologic drug that slows joint damage and reduces pain in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. It’s in a class of medications called immunomodulators or selective costimulation modulators. Orencia works by blocking an immune cell in your body, called a T-cell, that causes swelling and joint damage in arthritis via a process called the autoimmune assault. This means Orencia is different from common, older biologics like Enbrel (etanercept ) and Humira (adalimumab), which suppress an inflammatory protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF)....

The terms “osteoarthritis” (OA) and “arthritis” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same things. Arthritis refers to over 100 joint conditions that cause inflammation (swelling) of one or more joints, while osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis. Arthritis will affect tissues around the joints and other connective tissues throughout the body. Osteoarthritis is sometimes called degenerative arthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, because it occurs with use over time, as people age....

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in women in their reproductive years or, rarely, after menopause. The first line of treatment for ovarian cysts is diagnosing the specific type of cyst using ultrasound and blood work. The most common treatment is watchful waiting, unless the cyst is found to be large or is causing symptoms. Ovarian cysts generally go away over a few weeks without intervention. Your doctor will determine how often to monitor the cysts....

A Lisfranc fracture is a broken bone or bones in a specific area of the foot. It occurs where the metatarsals, the long bones that connect your toes to your foot, attach to the bones in the middle of the foot. It is a painful injury that may lead to a significant limitation in walking and mobility. If you’ve had a displaced Lisfranc fracture, the fracture must be reduced. This means that the bones of your foot must be put in the correct position to allow proper healing to occur....

If you are coughing up white mucus, you probably want to know what it means for your health. While the color of your mucus might suggest what is causing it, that’s not always the case. Your doctor might ask you about the color of your mucus, but they usually can’t diagnose you based on mucus color alone. They will also want to know about the consistency (thickness) and other characteristics of the mucus that you are coughing up....

Some possible side effects of CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure, include skin marks, dry nose and mouth, and bloating due to air swallowing. These and others usually stem from the air pressure being pushed out or discomfort from the mask itself. Side effects of this treatment can generally be reduced by making adjustments to CPAP machine settings or the fit of your mask. But CPAP is a prescribed therapy with multiple variables to consider, so it’s important that any such changes are made with your healthcare provider’s OK....

Difficulty losing weight is a common source of frustration for those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). But, while some healthy foods can aggravate IBS, weight loss doesn’t have to be a hopeless endeavor. Research has offered helpful information regarding food, IBS, and weight loss. Understanding which foods to eat and which ones to avoid can help you make choices that might improve your digestive and overall physical health. This article explains healthy strategies for weight loss for people with IBS based on current science....

If you have diabetes and your blood sugar is uncontrolled, you may experience the classic symptoms of high blood sugar, including excessive thirst and blurred vision. But there may be other symptoms you may not recognize as being diabetes-related, such as foot sores that are slow to heal or a “mental fog” that interferes with your concentration. Controlling your blood sugar with diet, exercise, and medications can not only help you avoid sugar spikes but also reduce your risk of potentially life-threatening complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, heart attack, or stroke....

A wide range of issues can cause you to feel numbness, the sensation of pins and needles, or tingling in the head and face. Clinically referred to as paresthesia, this condition is a sign of neuropathy, which is damage or dysfunction of the nerves. Upper respiratory and sinus infections are common causes of paresthesia, as are headache disorders, head injuries, and diabetes, among other conditions. Tingling in the head may also arise due to neurological and autoimmune conditions, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and stroke....