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Infection is a result of a microorganism (also called a pathogen) entering the body and causing harm. The organisms that cause infections are many and include things like viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and prions. There are many ways a person can contract on infection, including from another person, through contained foods or water, or a bug bite. Keep reading to learn about infections, including types, signs and symptoms, causes, and more....

Lip cancer is an oral cancer that starts when the DNA inside a cell on the lip becomes abnormal. The abnormal DNA then causes the cells to grow and divide abnormally, resulting in a tumor, or group of abnormal cells. The lips are lined with cells called squamous cells, which are the outermost layers of the lip. Cancer of the lip is most likely to develop in these types of cells and is called squamous cell carcinoma....

Symptoms of male breast cancer are similar to those of female breast cancer. This includes lumps on or around the breast, nipple discharge, and changes to the skin. A lump or swelling under the arm or near the collarbone can also signify breast cancer. This article discusses frequent and rare symptoms of male breast cancer, as well as complications and when to see a healthcare provider. Frequent Symptoms Symptoms of breast cancer are similar in men and women, but men are usually diagnosed with more advanced disease....

The shoulder joint is a complex joint that allows more motion than any other joint in the body. This joint mobility is usually stable and well controlled. But some people have shoulder joints that are too mobile. This may make the shoulder more likely to move out of joint. When the shoulder does not sit as tightly as it should within the joint, it’s called shoulder instability. This article will discuss the multi-directional instability of the shoulder, also known as “swimmer’s shoulder,” a condition where the shoulder joint is too loose....

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that severely disrupts the body’s sleeping and waking cycles. It is characterized by extreme daytime drowsiness. The most prominent symptoms of this condition are sleep attacks (in which the desire to fall asleep is overwhelming), cataplexy (sudden bouts of muscle weakness), and sleep paralysis (a temporary inability to move while falling asleep or waking up). Narcolepsy can occur at any age, though onset is most often seen in children, adolescents, or young adults....

No evidence of disease (NED) is the term that medical professionals use when there is no evidence of cancer after treatment. It means the same thing as complete remission or complete response. Unfortunately, NED does not mean that cancer is cured. With most cancers, there is a chance that some remaining cancer cells could cause a recurrence (return of cancer) in the future. Achieving NED means that the cancer treatments were effective, and many patients celebrate “being NED....

The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) measures how well the body can break down and use sugar (glucose) as well as clear it from the bloodstream. It’s also called a glucose tolerance test and is safe for adults and children. For the test, you drink a syrupy solution after not eating for a while (fasting). A few blood samples are taken to see how your body is handling the sugar in the drink....

Passing blood clots or a sudden gush of blood when you’re not on your period is common among people with a menstrual cycle. They can be caused by hormonal changes from menopause or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine growths, or thyroid issues. Clots are most common when period blood is at its heaviest. Passing blood clots outside of a period isn’t always a major concern, but it can be—especially if they are large....

Pelvic floor therapy involves physical methods of strengthening and/or relaxing the muscles of the pelvic floor to help improve core stability and control over urination, bowel movements, and sexual function. Pelvic floor physical therapy uses a variety of different methods to: Increase pelvic floor muscle control Improve awareness of contraction and relaxation patterns Decrease pain and symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction Pelvic floor muscle tone can change due to childbirth, the aging process, or stress....

Pompe disease is a rare genetic condition that causes an abnormal buildup of glycogen, a sugar molecule, inside your cells. That buildup can impair how some of your organs and tissues function. The most commonly affected body areas are the heart, respiratory system, and skeletal muscles. Pompe disease can lead to weakness and breathing problems. Every case of Pompe disease is different, but healthcare providers can treat it successfully. Pompe disease goes by other names, including acid maltase deficiency (AMD), acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) deficiency, and type II glycogen disease storage disease (GSD)....

Finding blood in your urine can be frightening, but you should know that there are many different causes of hematuria (blood in urine), some of which are relatively benign and easily treated. Others may be indicative of a serious medical condition warranting further investigation. As such, you should never discount blood in urine as being “minor,” particularly if it is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms. Having hematuria does not always mean you have an underlying abnormality....

Dental braces are used to straighten crooked teeth and for bite correction. Power chain elastomerics are linked with a chain of elastic O-rings, rather than one individual O-ring on each bracket. This article discusses types of power chain braces and their benefits, as well as proper maintenance for your braces. What Are Power Chain Braces? Traditional dental braces are made of individual brackets that are attached to each tooth and held together by a wire running across your teeth....

Psoriasis on the face is relatively common, occurring in approximately 50% of psoriasis cases. However, psoriasis that occurs solely on or inside the nose is rare. Psoriasis of the nose (and other areas of the face) can be hard to treat because of the sensitivity of the skin in these areas. This article discusses psoriasis of the nose, including diagnosis and treatment. Psoriasis in or Around Your Nose When psoriatic lesions appear in the sensitive areas of the mouth and nose, they are typically gray or white....

Many premature babies are diagnosed, either during their NICU stay or after, with gastroesophageal reflux (GER)—otherwise known simply as reflux—which results in the contents of the stomach moving back up through the esophagus. Physical immaturity plays a role in this, as does feeding. And while it can be difficult to watch your preemie become so unsettled by reflux symptoms, it can be comforting to know that most babies outgrow the condition as they mature....

A retracted eardrum, also called middle ear atelectasis, is a tympanic membrane (eardrum) that is pulled deeper into the middle ear than is normal. This change in the shape of the eardrum is visible with a simple ear exam. A retracted eardrum can be temporary, causing symptoms such as muffled hearing. However, potentially serious complications can arise if the underlying cause isn’t treated. This article explains how the eardrum works in relation to the rest of the middle ear and describes the symptoms, complications, causes, and treatment of a retracted eardrum....

A surgical scrub technician, also known as a scrub tech or operating room technician, is a member of the operating room team. The scrub tech is a college-educated operating room assistant who performs multiple job duties, including providing the surgeon with the instruments needed to perform surgery. This article explains what a surgical scrub tech does and what education level they require. It also covers who is best suited for this type of job....

Seborrheic dermatitis is a red, scaly form of dermatitis that usually affects the scalp or face. For context, dermatitis refers to the inflammation of the skin. Because it forms on parts of the skin containing sebaceous (oil-producing) glands, symptoms associated with seborrheic dermatitis most often appear on the ears, eyelids, eyebrows, and eyelids. Additionally, a common symptom associated with seborrheic dermatitis on the scalp is called dandruff. However, in the case of infants, it’s referred to as a cradle cap....

Arava (leflunomide) is among the many medications taken to manage the pain, inflammation, stiffness, and other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that’s been available since 1998, it comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once daily, though larger doses—called loading doses—may be prescribed for the first two to three days. A loading dose is sometimes given for medications that take a long time to build up in the body....

Antibacterial soaps, also known as antiseptic soaps or antimicrobial soaps, contain ingredients that are purported to neutralize a broad spectrum of bacteria when used to wash your hands or body. They have long been marketed as being “better” than regular soaps, killing a wide array of germs that make you sick. In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), concerned about the claims and the lack of evidence supporting them, issued a directive requiring antibacterial soap manufacturers to provide clinical evidence that their products were superior to non-antibacterial soaps....

The tuberculosis vaccine, also known as the bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, is used to protect against tuberculosis (TB) and related complications. The BCG vaccine is no longer routinely given in the United States and isn’t recommended for the general population by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, it’s still given to babies and young children in many countries worldwide. The tuberculosis vaccine may also be considered in the United States for certain people with significant risk factors for prolonged exposure to TB....