Anyone who has ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI) knows how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. Even a mild case can cause pain when urinating, an increased urge to urinate, and blood or pus in the urine. If the infection moves from the bladder to the kidneys, the condition can get worse. It can trigger severe back pain, nausea, vomiting, and, in rare cases, kidney damage. And, it’s not just adults who can be affected....
One of the medication classes that is used for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is biologics. Biologics are medications that are derived from living organisms: either from an animal, or a human, or some combination of both. A biologic medication is a large molecule, as opposed to small-molecule medications that are given by mouth, such as aspirin. Biologic medications are often given by infusion or injection, usually several weeks apart (anywhere from four weeks to eight weeks)....
The Vectra DA is a blood test that measures disease activity in people already diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is NOT used to diagnose RA. In addition to tracking disease activity, Vectra DA may “predict flare and sustained remission in patients discontinuing treatment, as well as treatment response to biologic and non-biologic therapies,“ according to research presented at the 2016 annual meeting of EULAR (European League Against Rheumatism). Purpose of Test Your healthcare provider may order a Vectra DA test for you:...
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and maintain strong bones. With a few 10 to 15 minute sessions of sunshine UV per week, the body can produce all the vitamin D it needs. You also get vitamin D from some food sources and vitamin D is available as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D must be converted in the liver into a chemical called 25-hydroxyvitamin D or calcidiol. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D test is the best way to monitor vitamin D....
West Nile fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection of which 75 percent of cases will have little to no recognizable symptoms. The remaining 25 percent may develop a fever, headache, vomiting, or rash. While the West Nile virus rarely causes major illness in healthy adults or children, those with compromised immune systems (such as the elderly and people living with HIV) are at an increased risk of severe complications, including meningitis and encephalitis....
COVID-19 booster shots are now authorized for all individuals in the U.S. who are 5 years and older. Key Takeaways Studies about the side effects associated with COVID-19 booster shots are still in the works, but available data demonstrates that these vaccines are safe and can provide additional protection.Limited studies show that the side effects after a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine are similar to those experienced after dose 2....
What Is Brilinta? Brilinta (ticagrelor) is an oral prescription drug used to prevent serious or life-threatening heart attack, stroke, or death in people who have had a heart attack or have a condition called acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Brilinta can also help: Prevent blood clots in people who have a stent to treat ACS Lower the risk of a first heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease Lower the risk of a more serious stroke in people who are having a transient ischemic attack (ministroke) or a mild to moderate stroke Brilinta is in a drug class called antiplatelet medications....
The average age of onset for chronic lymphocytic leukemia is 70. CLL starts in one of the types of white blood cells found in the bone marrow. White blood cells are an integral part of your immune system. They help you stave off infection and disease. CLL is uncommon in people under the age of 40. Men are slightly more likely to get this condition than women. This article will discuss survival rates and what you can expect if you have this condition....
Cocaine addiction accounts for roughly 6% of all drug rehab admissions in the United States. This addiction can be difficult to treat, and the majority of those seeking treatment for cocaine addiction are polydrug users (use more than one drug recreationally). Cocaine addiction is not considered a behavioral problem—it is classified as a substance use disorder in which biological, psychological, environmental, and genetic factors are thought to predispose a user to addiction....
What Is Dovonex? Dovonex (calcipotriene) is a topical prescription medication that is applied to the skin to treat plaque and scalp psoriasis. Dovonex is approved for adults 18 and older. As a topical product, it should not be used in the eyes, nose, mouth, or groin area. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system, meant to protect you from foreign bodies like viruses and bacteria, attacks your own cells instead and causes conditions like psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis....
Learning how to cope with epilepsy is just as important as treating it. Having epilepsy will affect your daily life to some degree, and being aware of things like its emotional impact, work challenges, safety concerns, and more can help you better manage your condition and everyday living. Everyone copes differently and may have varying levels of needs. Use these strategies to figure out what’s best for you and enlist the help of others as you work to employ them....
Health officials in the United Kingdom have released a controversial plan to delay the recommended second doses of the Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines in an attempt to vaccinate as many high-risk people as possible in a short period of time. While health officials elsewhere in the world are considering similar tactics, on Monday, the Food and Drug Administration said there is not enough evidence to pursue a change in the dosing schedules in the U....
Uterine fibroids are benign (not cancerous) growths in the uterine wall. They can appear as a single fibroid or as a cluster, and can range in size from smaller than the head of a pin to bigger than a watermelon. Fibroids—also referred to as leiomyomas—are fairly common. They affect up to 80% of people with uteruses by 50 years of age. In 20% to 50% of cases, fibroids cause symptoms and may require treatment....
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes the lining of the colon to become inflamed. Ulcers can form in the large intestine and produce pus and mucus. Symptoms can vary among people but may include bloody stools, abdominal pain, loose or urgent bowel movements, and persistent diarrhea. Constipation (infrequent or difficult to pass bowel movements) may also occur in people living with ulcerative colitis....
Available adult living options for people on the autism spectrum vary from state to state and individual to individual. Possibilities range from complete independence to institutional living. Figuring out just what a particular individual needs, where to find it, and how to fund it, can be a complex process. Marianne Ehlert of Protected Tomorrows works with the families of people on the autism spectrum to plan for adult living. She notes that it’s important to begin thinking about adult living while your child with autism is still young....
Regular handwashing is important for many reasons. It prevents contamination of food and reduces the transmission of infections. Some people, however, can develop a rash on their hands from washing their hands. A rash can occur as a result of water, temperature, certain soaps, or overwashing. This article explains the most common causes of hand rashes caused by handwashing. It also lists signs and symptoms of these rashes and what you can do to prevent and treat them....
Tumor markers are special lab tests that help doctors diagnose, stage, and monitor cancer. Sometimes these are referred to as biomarkers. There are many different tumor markers, and some are specific to the type of cancer. For breast cancer, Ki-67 is one of the tumor markers that your doctor may check. Ki-67 is a protein found in the nucleus of cancer cells. The protein exists only in cells that are actively growing and dividing....
Hyperthermia as a cancer treatment (also called thermal therapy) refers to the use of high temperatures to treat the disease. It may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, or other treatments, and can be delivered locally, regionally, or to the whole body, depending on the type and stage of the cancer being treated. The FDA has approved hyperthermia in combination with radiation therapy for the palliative management of certain solid surface and subsurface malignant tumors (i....
Psychotherapy helps people with mental health conditions improve their well-being, usually through methods like talk therapy. Hypnotherapy, also known as hypnosis therapy or clinical hypnosis, is the therapeutic use of hypnosis in psychotherapy with a trained mental health provider. Hypnosis is a state of trance-like consciousness that makes the mind more open to suggestion. Read on to learn more about hypnotherapy, how effective it is, and what to expect if you have a hypnosis therapy session....
The “Sex and the City” reboot, “And Just Like That,” dropped on Thursday and, with it, there are a lot of questions about a pivotal scene that happens early in the new series. Key Takeways People have questions about exercise and heart attacks after Mr. Big died on “And Just Like That” after a Peloton workout.Experts say this scenario is possible in real life. However, exercise is generally considered good for the heart....
