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Allergic reactions during sex are not very common, but they do happen. In fact, they may be an underreported problem. Some people may not recognize their symptoms as an allergic reaction. Allergy symptoms can be similar to the physical changes that happen during sex, including a fast heartbeat, sweating, swelling, and flushed or tingly skin. Some people might not seek care for an allergic reaction to sex because they feel a bit uncomfortable bringing it up with a doctor....

Antifungal creams are topical medications used to treat fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch. Anyone can develop these fungal skin infections, and they are typically easy to treat with over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription-strength antifungal creams. This article will explore the different antifungal creams and how they work to treat fungal infections. How It Works Antifungal medications work by killing or stopping the spread of the fungus that causes fungal infections....

Adults with autism can be great parents or guardians. While a person with moderate or severe autism is unlikely to have the skills to raise a child, many people with high-functioning autism are ready, willing, and able, to take on the challenges of raising kids. Many aspects of parenting and guardianship can be tougher for those on the autism spectrum. The reverse, however, is also true; there are some ways in which raising kids might be easier if you have autism (especially if the children in your care are also on the spectrum)....

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a treatment for heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy is one type of cardiomyopathy, but not the only one for which CRT is a treatment. The treatment involves a special type of pacemaker that coordinates the timing of the ventricles. CRT can bring about dramatic improvements for some people with heart failure, decreasing the need for hospitalization and lowering the risk of death. Having a pacemaker does come with risks and requires regular upkeep, but in most cases the benefits far outweigh any potential complications and minor inconvenience....

CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil, or MMF) is a common treatment for people who have had organ transplants. It is an immunosuppressant drug that tamps down the immune system and helps to prevent organ rejection. Most people who have had organ transplants take CellCept both right after transplantation and for the long term. CellCept is sometimes used to treat certain autoimmune conditions, such as lupus, vasculitis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The drug can be taken orally as a tablet or liquid or through an intravenous (IV) line....

Whether you’re prone to headaches or not, spending a lot of time in front of your computer—or any screen, for that matter—can trigger a computer screen headache. This can be due to the eye fatigue that comes with focusing on something at such a short distance, excess illumination, and even poor posture. A computer screen headache can be dull or sharp. It is just one of the symptoms of computer vision syndrome, also known as digital eye strain....

Patients with ongoing symptoms of COVID-19 say things like fatigue, headaches, and difficulties breathing are common in the weeks after being infected. These “long-haulers,” or people with “long-COVID,” also experience skin symptoms—some of which can last for several months, according to new research presented at the 29th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress in October and November. Key Takeaways COVID-19 “long-haulers” can experience skin symptoms, like hives and “COVID toes,” which can last for months, new research has found....

Diarrhea is common among people living with diabetes, with about 75% of them reporting some type of gastrointestinal (digestive) symptoms. Chronic diarrhea, often seeming worse at night, may occur. Diabetic diarrhea is also associated with fecal incontinence. Causes of diarrhea with diabetes can include diet or medications like Glucophage (metformin), used to treat type 2 diabetes. Diarrhea is more likely among people taking insulin for type 1 diabetes, older people, and those also diagnosed with celiac disease....

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease; chronically elevated blood sugars can worsen diabetes over time and increase the risk of complications. However, lifestyle changes, medications, and diabetes self-management strategies can help to prevent, treat, manage, and slow the progression of the disease. This article discusses how and why type 2 diabetes worsens and shares tips to help manage diabetes complications. Insulin Resistance Insulin is a hormone in the body that regulates blood sugar (glucose)....

Dilated pupils (mydriasis) are when the dark center of your eye is widened. This happens naturally in dim settings. It also happens after taking certain medications or drugs. In both of these situations, dilation is temporary. Dilated pupils that don’t return back to their regular size, however, are not normal. Having one or two pupils that stay dilated could be a sign of a serious medical concern, such as glaucoma or a brain condition....

Lacking sexual desire or being unable to enjoy sex is very common for females. Many factors in a woman’s life can interfere with sexual function, and this often leads to a lower quality of life for her and her partner. Research suggests that nearly half of all women experience at least one symptom of sexual dysfunction at some points in their lives. Sexual dysfunction refers to a problem during any part of sexual activity, from arousal to orgasm....

Racial and ethnic minorities experience disproportionately poorer health outcomes for almost all chronic diseases, especially heart disease, with obesity being a prominent trigger for these negative health outcomes. This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Obesity increases morbidity and mortality in the Black community and its related complications are major drivers of rising healthcare costs, diminished health-related quality of life, and the recent decline in U....

An A1C test is used to diagnose and monitor diabetes by measuring the body’s average blood sugar level over the past three months. A high hemoglobin A1c, or A1C, shows your body has difficulty regulating glucose levels. An A1C of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. Dangerous levels of A1C are 9% and higher. An A1C above 9% increases the risk of long-term diabetes complications like blindness, nerve damage, and kidney failure....

Treatment for chordoma—a rare bone cancer causing tumors on the spine or base of the skull—will depend on the tumor’s size, location, and whether the cancer has spread. The main treatment options usually include a combination of surgery to remove the tumor and radiation therapy to kill any remaining cancer cells. The goal is to treat chordoma quickly before it spreads or causes damage to other parts of the body. Unlike other cancers, chordoma does not respond well to chemotherapy, but scientists are investigating other potential treatments, like targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy....

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a complication of a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in which cells from a donor attack the tissues of the recipient. GvHD can be classified as being either acute (occurring within 100 days of the transplant) or chronic (occurring 100 days or more after the transplant). The diagnosis of GvHD is often complex and may require multiple tests and procedures. Although GvHD can sometimes be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, other cases are not so straightforward....

Your healthcare provider will use a variety of blood tests to diagnose hemophilia A. These blood tests determine how quickly your blood clots and the amount of clotting factor VIII is in your blood. Blood tests also identify the specific type and its severity. If you have already been diagnosed with Hemophilia A, you may also need diagnostic tests to assess the complications of the condition. This can start with your own self-checks at home, but you may need more specific medical testing in some situations....

Cancer doctors use the term stable disease to describe a tumor that is neither growing nor shrinking. Specifically, it means that there was neither an increase in size of more than 20% nor a decrease in size of more than 30% since the initial baseline measurement. Stable disease also means that no new tumors have developed and that cancer has not metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body. Stable disease falls in the spectrum of treatment responses....

The next best thing to healing pimples is concealing them. There are numerous products available online, in drugstores, or at department store cosmetic counters designed for this purpose (rather than as concealers makeup for women only). Whatever your sex or however you identify, such products can tone down redness and camouflage zits without being obvious or looking unnatural. If applied correctly, no one will know you’re wearing it but you....

What Is Jadenu? Jadenu (deferasirox) is a prescription medication used to treat chronic iron overload (a condition in which the body stores too much iron) in people who receive ongoing blood transfusions. Healthcare providers also prescribe Jadenu to treat chronic iron overload in people with certain types of thalassemia (an inherited blood disorder causing the body to have less hemoglobin, a property that enables the red blood cells to carry oxygen) who do not require blood transfusions....

Leafy greens, milk products, whole grains, and some other foods tend to leave undigested parts (residue) in the colon. A low-residue diet limits these, options that are especially high in fiber, in order to reduce stool. This allows the digestive system (the large intestine, in particular) to rest, as bowel movements will become smaller and less frequent. Your healthcare provider may recommend a low-residue diet for a number of reasons, such as a gastrointestinal condition or as part of the preparation for a colonoscopy....