Kawasaki disease (also called Kawasaki syndrome) is a rare systemic inflammatory condition that affects children, usually in association with an infection. The most common symptoms are a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash—but heart problems and other complications can occur as well. The condition can develop suddenly, and it is diagnosed based on the combination of clinical features, as there are no specific tests that rule it in or rule it out....
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce mucus, leading to recurrent infections and inflammation in the lungs. Over time, these infections damage the lungs. As cystic fibrosis progresses, it becomes more difficult to breathe and to engage in activities you enjoy. When your lung damage becomes severe, you may consider a lung transplant to improve your quality of life and help manage symptoms of the disease....
Macrocytosis is when a person’s red blood cells (RBCs) are larger than normal and not functioning as they should. Macrocytosis is also called megalocytosis or macrocythemia. A person with macrocytosis often does not have any symptoms and only finds out about the condition when they have a blood test. Some people with macrocytosis have fatigue and other symptoms related to the underlying cause of the condition. Macrocytosis is usually caused by low vitamin B12 or folate levels....
Maze procedure (also known as the “Cox Maze procedure”) is a surgery that takes on atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is the clinical term for rapid and irregular heartbeat. While AFib itself isn’t life-threatening, it greatly increases the chance of stroke and can cause congestive heart failure (CHF), while also leading to other symptoms. Traditionally an open-heart procedure, nowadays minimally-invasive options are also available. In either case, this is a major surgery, and undergoing it requires a good deal of preparation, planning, and recovery....
A variety of practices, treatments, and dietary supplements are used for asthma support, yet none are a replacement for standard treatment. Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes difficulty breathing. The airways of the lungs, called bronchial tubes, become inflamed. The surrounding muscles tighten and mucus is produced, which further narrow the airways. It is a serious condition that should not be self-treated. If you have asthma or are experiencing asthma symptoms, you should consult a physician before trying any natural therapies and should work with a physician to form an individualized asthma action plan....
The neonatal period is the first four weeks of an infant’s life, whether the baby was carried to term or born prematurely. It’s a time of rapid change and development where patterns for infancy, like feeding and bonding, are developed. It’s also the period when there are the most risk for post-birth complications or when birth defects or congenital conditions may first be detected. The neonatal period includes the perinatal period, which is the initial period after the birth....
The pectoralis minor muscle is a small, flat, triangular-shaped muscle located in your chest. The muscle, also know known as pec minor, is located beneath its counterpart pectoralis major and serves to move both your ribs and shoulder blade. Injury to your pec minor may cause difficulty with shoulder motions and proper rib elevation, and the muscle may be implicated in postural impairments. Anatomy The pectoralis minor originates as small flat strips from the surface of ribs three, four, and five....
Primary osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by the progressive loss of bone mass and bone density due to the normal aging process. Because the condition causes bones to become fragile and weak, people with primary osteoporosis are at an increased risk of fractures—even after minor bumps and falls. Primary osteoporosis does not usually cause symptoms; many people are unaware they have it until they’ve broken a bone. This article discusses types of primary osteoporosis, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....
Prolotherapy, also called proliferation therapy, is an alternative medicine treatment used for musculoskeletal disorders. Since the 1950s, individuals with chronic pain have sought prolotherapy for the management of osteoarthritis symptoms, low back pain, and joint laxity. By injecting a solution of dextrose (a natural sugar chemically identical to the body’s own glucose) prolotherapy providers aim to provide non-surgical healing for inflamed and damaged joints. Here’s what you should know about the efficacy and risks of prolotherapy....
Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the most common type of multiple sclerosis, affects 85% to 90% of people with MS. RRMS is associated with exacerbations (relapses) of new or worsening neurological symptoms followed by periods of symptom recovery (remission). This article will review key facts and statistics about relapsing-remitting MS, including disease prevalence and how it affects life expectancy. It will also provide insight into the possible causes of RRMS and how it’s diagnosed....
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of chronic lung disease that causes progressively worsening dyspnea (shortness of breath). People with IPF may also experience a dry and persistent cough, progressive fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. The severe breathing difficulties of IPF can lead to disability, and the condition can cause early death. IPF is not a common disease, but it is not considered rare. About 15,000 people are estimated to die from IPF each year in the United States....
Arthroscopic surgery of the knee joint is one of the most common surgical procedures performed. When a surgeon performs an arthroscopic surgery, this means that they are looking inside the joint, and assessing and treating the abnormalities that are found within that joint space. A knee arthroscopy is performed to evaluate the knee joint and to manage various conditions that can cause knee pain. While not every knee problem can be managed with an arthroscopic surgery, there are many conditions that are amenable to treatment....
Amy Isler, MSN, RN, is a school nurse in California working with students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Here, she shares her experience responding to surging COVID-19 cases, and explains why the administrative toll of keeping schools open is worth it for students. The highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant is spreading like wildfire across the country. COVID case surges have left school districts, administrators, parents, and students in crisis mode after returning from winter break, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down....
Many blood cancer patients have suppressed immune systems, which might affect how well a COVID-19 vaccine protects them. To address this concern, researchers with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) wanted to see if blood cancer patients would respond to the COVID-19 vaccine by forming antibodies against the virus, or if they would remain unprotected despite receiving the vaccine. Key Takeaways About 1 in 4 blood cancer patients will not develop antibodies to COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine....
Single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans use radioactive materials and a specially designed camera to produce three-dimensional images of your organs and tissues. This type of imaging provides a non-invasive way for healthcare providers to evaluate the health of certain parts of your body, most commonly the heart, brain, and bones. What makes SPECT scans different from other methods of imaging is that it can show how well certain organs are functioning....
For patients with dementia struggling with depression, drugs alone may not always be the most effective treatment, according to a new study. Key Takeaways A study found that a range of treatments is as or more effective than drugs at treating depression symptoms in people with dementia.Depression symptoms in people with dementia can be debilitating for patients as well as family members and caregivers.Healthcare providers are increasingly considering non-drug approaches for treating depression and loneliness in patients with dementia....
The talus is the bone at the top of the foot that serves as a perch for the tibia and holds the weight of the entire body. The talus is considered a short bone and is one of the main bones of the ankle. It is a little longer than 5 centimeters in women and a bit over 6 centimeters in men. The word “talus” comes from the Latin word for dice, as Roman soldiers used this bone from horses to make dice for games of chance....
Coughing probably doesn’t seem like a big deal in your day-to-day life. You feel the urge to cough, and then you cough. You may not even think about it because it’s second nature. That may change after having surgery. Coughing is not as easy when you are recovering after a procedure. It isn’t painless, either. Purpose After surgery, coughing can help prevent pneumonia and keep the lungs clear. Pneumonia can be life-threatening after surgery....
Earlier this month, Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), announced U.S. government plans to fund research for three candidates for a COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways The U.S. is funding clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & JohnsonModerna and AstraZeneca have already begun human trialsThe most optimistic projections say the first doses of a vaccine could be available this fall Fauci’s statement was originally reported by The Wall Street Journal on June 10, with additional coverage from CNN and other major news outlets as the details of the plan emerged....
Open enrollment is a period of time each year when you can sign up for health insurance or change your plan (if your plan is provided by an employer, open enrollment is also an opportunity to disenroll if you no longer want the coverage). If you don’t sign up for health insurance during open enrollment, you probably can’t sign up for health insurance until the next open enrollment period, unless you experience a qualifying event....
