A new study is shedding light on how some patients rate doctors of the same race or ethnicity. Key Takeaways A recent study suggests patients are more likely to rate their physicians higher when they see physicians of their own race or ethnicity. One possible reason for these racial biases may stem from the fact that patients and doctors of the same race communicate with each other better, as previous research suggests....
Can psychological treatments help us manage fibromyalgia symptoms, even though the symptoms have a physiological cause? According to research, and especially a 2017 study published in the journal Pain, it can. This is thanks to some realities about our brains, their abilities to change, and our own ability to make positive changes in how our own brains work. Facts vs. Controversy Any discussion of this topic is going to be controversial....
Supination is a term used to describe the upward rotation of your forearm or foot. When your palm or sole is face-up, it is supinated. This is the opposite of pronation, which is the downward rotation of the forearm or foot. Forearm and Hand Supination When you supinate your hand, the forearm and palm are being turned to face out, a thumbs-out position. This results in your thumb being on the far side away from your body and the pinkie finger closer to your body....
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat due to its aggressive nature. It often responds initially to chemotherapy but is the most common breast cancer to recur; when it recurs, it is more resistant to chemotherapy, making it less responsive and more challenging to treat. This article discusses current research for new TNBC medications, options for unresponsive TNBC, alternative and complementary therapies to help with treatments’ side effects, and where to find support....
Rheumatic diseases are those characterized by inflammation and impaired function of one or more connecting or supporting structures of the body. There are more than 100 different types of rheumatic diseases, including arthritis and its various types, which are conditions that specifically produce joint inflammation. Pain, stiffness, and swelling are common symptoms associated with rheumatic diseases, but there can also be systemic effects with certain conditions. In the United States, the most common rheumatic diseases are (in order of prevalence) osteoarthritis, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis....
Asthma is a very common medical condition. In fact, about 4 to 8% of people who are pregnant can experience asthma symptoms during pregnancy. People who have asthma usually need to take asthma medications to maintain good control of the condition during pregnancy. You might need some medication adjustments as your body changes throughout your pregnancy—your medication needs may change and some asthma treatments are not considered safe during pregnancy....
What Is Vectical? Vectical is a topical ointment used to treat mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in adults and children 2 years and older. Vectical belongs to a group of drugs called vitamin D analogs. It works by slowing the production of extra skin cells that can build up and form scaly patches on the skin. Vectical ointment is applied directly to the affected skin. What Is Vectical Used For? Vectical is a topical ointment used to treat mild to moderate plaque psoriasis in adults and children 2 years and older....
Few can argue with the fact that HIV drugs are expensive. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a person living with HIV who starts treatment early will be faced with lifetime costs of roughly $250,000, and that’s just for the pills alone. The costs can hardly be surprising given that a standard three-in-one option, like Triumeq (abacavir + dolutegravir + lamivudine), has an average wholesale price of over $3,400 per month....
Atypical depression is considered a type of depression with a “specifier.” Specifiers are additional symptoms or traits that are included in an umbrella diagnosis under disorders such as clinical depression—also called major depressive disorder. Specifiers help to further clarify the specifics of a diagnosis and may suggest certain therapeutic approaches. Therefore, atypical depression is a specific type of presentation of major depressive disorder. It can also be associated with other mood disorders such as bipolar disorder (a condition involving extreme mood disturbances) or dysthymia, now known as persistent depressive disorder (a chronic, mild to severe depressed mood)....
When you’ve first been diagnosed with breast cancer, a big question on your mind will likely be: How bad is it? Doctors determine how advanced cancer is through the diagnosis and staging process, labeling your cancer with a stage between 0 and 4. The higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer is. Treatment options will typically be more aggressive for more advanced cancers, and prognosis, or outlook, is worse....
Bulimia (also called bulimia nervosa) is an eating disorder involving recurring cycles of binge eating and compensatory (offsetting) behaviors such as: Self-induced vomitingExcessive exerciseMisuse of laxatives It is a serious disorder and can be life-threatening. Bulimia is typically diagnosed using a combination of physical and psychological exams and lab tests. Learn more. Professional Screenings If bulimia does not require emergency treatment, the process of diagnosing bulimia usually begins with a primary healthcare provider....
If you’ve ever used a CBD oil, you’ve gotten more from the product than just cannabidiol (CBD). For multiple reasons, manufacturers include a carrier oil, too. As its name suggests, a carrier oil delivers (or carries) the contents of the active compound. In this case, it’s CBD. In the realm of beauty products, carrier oils dilute essential oils because the essential oil may be too strong on its own. (For example, a lavender reaction from lavender oil can cause the skin to itch, burn, or break out in blisters....
Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) is a mental health condition that develops in response to trauma. It is similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but involves different factors, such as the type of trauma that causes it. The symptoms of PTSD and C-PTSD overlap in many ways, but some symptoms exist with C-PTSD that are not commonly seen with PTSD, such as detachment and difficulty maintaining relationships. What Is Complex PTSD?...
Cri du Chat Syndrome (French for “cat cry”) is a rare chromosomal disorder caused by missing or deleted portions of chromosome 5. Infants who are born with the syndrome often have a high-pitched cry that sounds like a cat, hence the condition’s name. Since the condition occurs due to missing portions of the short arm (p) of chromosome 5, Cri du Chat is also known as 5p- (5p minus) syndrome....
There’s no single diet that works for everyone who has Crohn’s disease. You may be able to manage a “flare” of symptoms by making some temporary changes to your diet. Some people with Crohn’s and other chronic gastrointestinal diseases find sticking to a certain diet even when they are not having symptoms helps manage their condition. Benefits When you have Crohn’s symptoms, avoiding certain foods and beverages may help you feel better....
Crohn’s disease is a recurring inflammatory disease that affects the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This inflammation causes stomach pain, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss, and difficulty absorbing nutrients from food. Though Crohn’s disease is more common in adults, the condition is increasing within the pediatric population. It affects about 10 out of every 100,000 children in the United States. This article explores Crohn’s disease in children and reviews its symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options....
To one extent or another, all the body’s organs are interdependent—the function of one organ relies to at least some degree on the ability of all the other organs do their jobs. This interdependency is particularly striking between the heart and the kidneys. This means that people who have a problem with one of these organ systems must be aware of the possibility of developing a problem with the other, and they should take reasonable steps to help prevent this from happening....
There are four types of influenza viruses, designated A, B, C, and D, but the most common in humans are A and B. Though the two have similar symptoms and are treated in the same way, there are differences between them, including how serious they can become in different populations. This article will discuss the similarities and differences in influenza type A and type B, including who it affects, severity, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention....
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) a chemical made in the brain. As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA reduces a nerve cell’s ability to send and receive chemical messages throughout the central nervous system. Fluctuating levels of GABA are linked to medical conditions including anxiety, autism, and Parkinson’s disease. Several medications target GABA receptors. And though GABA supplements are used to lower stress and anxiety and combat insomnia, evidence of these benefits remains limited....
When diet and exercise alone are ineffective at keeping weight loss off long term, your healthcare provider may recommend weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. People who are considering weight loss surgery have several options. Two of the most common options are gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery. Despite having the same goal, there are key differences between the two. This article will discuss the differences between gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass surgery to help you decide which one may benefit you....
