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Though the hair loss that results from alopecia areata is due to a malfunctioning immune system—in this case, one that attacks hair follicles—there is no medical need to treat it. Alopecia areata is not contagious, painful, or dangerous. (However, there is an association between alopecia areata and autoimmune disease, so experts screening tests.) No treatment can permanently change the course of this skin disorder or cure it. Still, some people with alopecia areata seek medications, therapies, and other solutions to help manage it and regrow hair....

While there is no cure for cystic fibrosis (CF), advances in treatment have extended both the life expectancy and quality of life of people living with the disease. Treatment may involve a variety of procedures and medications, including airway clearance techniques, antibiotics, a high-calorie diet, mucus thinners, bronchodilators, pancreatic enzymes, and newer generation drugs known as CFTR modulators. Severe cases may require a lung transplant. With time, adjustments will undoubtedly be needed....

The Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued web accessibility guidelines on how state and local governments, as well as businesses open to the public, can make their websites more accessible to blind people, others with low vision, and people with other disabilities. Key Takeaways The Department of Justice issued web accessibility guidelines on how websites can be more accessible to blind people, others with low vision, and people with other disabilities....

As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics come to a close, conversations about athletes and mental health that emerged from the games are expected to linger. Key Takeaways High-profile athletes such as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka brought about a shift in the national conversation around mental health.Athletes are susceptible to mental health struggles on various fronts, from depression related to personal failure to anxiety from excessive media attention.Experts say we must use the momentum of this moment to take a more holistic perspective toward athlete health and wellbeing....

Informed consent is an important communication process that takes place between patients and their healthcare providers. It is a key part of the healthcare decision-making process. During the informed consent process, your healthcare provider makes sure you understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and the benefits and risks of those treatment options. Importantly, informed consent also involves assessing whether you are able to provide consent to move forward with (or decline) care....

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also described as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is considered an immune-mediated disorder. It has long been considered a “mystery illness,” but that viewpoint is becoming dated. The nature and mechanisms of the disease are beginning to take shape, thanks to the ongoing efforts of researchers. Over the years, especially recent ones, we’ve learned a huge amount. Some of that knowledge points to roles that inflammation and autoimmunity may play in this illness....

A healthy lifestyle is an important part of living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can complement your medical care. While no single lifestyle change can fix your MS, lifestyle changes and medical interventions together can improve your symptoms and quality of life. The following is a list of research-based lifestyle modifications to help manage the symptoms of MS. Lifestyle Tips for MS There are a number of measures you can take to make living with MS more manageable....

Mango allergy is uncommon and doesn’t always fit what you may assume of a food allergy. Some people who are allergic to mango develop a rash after touching a mango peel, but are actually able to eat the fruit safely. Others experience a serious reaction with any contact. This can include hives, swelling, or even a life-threatening, whole-body reaction called anaphylaxis. This article explains the causes and symptoms of mango allergies, in both adults and babies....

Membrane sweeping, also known as membrane stripping, is a procedure that can help induce labor. Membrane sweeping is sometimes recommended for pregnant people who are close to or past their due date. During the procedure, your healthcare provider inserts a gloved finger into the cervix to loosen the amniotic sac from the uterus. Membrane sweeping can be done in your provider’s office and may speed up labor. This article will describe the procedure of membrane sweeping, what to expect, and who should avoid it....

Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium or Mahonia aquifolium) is a medicinal herb from the Berberidaceae plant family. Long ago, American Indian tribes in the Pacific Northwest used Oregon grape for many ailments, including stomach problems, hemorrhages, tuberculosis, and arthritis. The Oregon grape is a bushy perennial plant with shiny leaves that resemble holly. It produces blackish-blue, unpleasant-tasting, edible berries that look like tiny grapes. The golden yellow roots of the plant are used for their medicinal properties....

Platelets, also known as thrombocytes, are special blood cells with an important function. Platelets control blood clotting, which means they are critical for healing wounds and stopping bleeding. A normal platelet count is 150,000–450,000 platelets per microliter. A low platelet count can put you at risk for uncontrolled bleeding. It is also possible to have too many platelets in your blood. This leads to a potentially life-threatening condition related to abnormal clotting....

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation in the joints. It occurs in people who have a skin condition called psoriasis, which causes patches of red, scaly, itchy skin. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include joint pain, feelings of stiffness and redness, swelling, and heat in the tissues around the joints. In most cases, the skin symptoms of psoriasis occur before the joint symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. There is no cure for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, but the conditions can be managed....

Hepatitis C, a viral infection affecting the liver, doesn’t impact all communities equally. Certain racial and ethnic groups are more likely to become infected. They are also less likely to access treatments that can cure this potentially life-threatening disease. This is especially true of Black people in the United States, who are more likely to be deemed ineligible for hepatitis C treatment than any other racial or ethnic group. The article looks at the racial disparities that limit access to hepatitis C treatment....

When Texas Governor Greg Abbott penned a letter directing state officials to investigate healthcare providers or parents who help transgender youth receive gender-affirming care, some believed his order would be ignored. Key Takeaways Texas lawmakers are attempting to restrict trans minors’ access to gender-affirming care by labeling it as child abuse.Despite the fact that this directive is not legally binding, investigations are already underway.Gender-affirming care for trans youth is still technically legal in Texas, and parents can continue to seek this life-saving care for their children while proceeding with caution and consulting local organizations, trusted medical providers and potentially legal counsel....

Reality orientation has its roots in a technique used with disabled veterans to help them engage in, and connect with, their surroundings. It’s an approach where the environment, including dates, locations, and current surroundings, is frequently pointed out and woven into the conversations with the person. Reality orientation, when used appropriately and with compassion, can also benefit those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The tools for reality orientation aim to reinforce the naming of objects and people as well as a timeline of events, past or present....

For many people, staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic meant foregoing medical treatment and regular checkups. As vaccine rollout steadily increases and more people are becoming fully vaccinated, many are wondering when it will be safe enough to visit healthcare facilities again. Key Takeaways Experts say that it’s safe to visit your primary care provider, dentist, or specialty doctor, especially if you’ve been fully vaccinated.Healthcare facilities strictly follow public health guidelines to keep their patients safe, and many healthcare workers are already fully vaccinated as well....

Hard bumps on your face that won’t pop can be caused by many things. White bumps called milia are the most common cause, but hard bumps can also be from closed pores, cysts, keratoses, skin cancer, and more. These white bumps can appear on your face under your eyes, on your cheek, forehead, chin, or nose. White bumps on the face become more common with age and during pregnancy. This article looks at common and not-so-common causes of white bumps on the face and other areas of skin, how you can identify them, and how to get rid of them....

Immunization not only protects you and your child from vaccine-preventable diseases but everyone around you as well. This is because herd immunity dictates that if most people are immune to a disease, then the risk of community transmission is diminished, as well as the incidence of disease and illness. Even people who refuse vaccination or don’t believe in herd immunity are still part of the process. As the risk of infection decreases within their communities, they are recipients of the benefits of community-wide vaccination whether they realize it or not....

A craniopharyngioma is a rare type of brain tumor, affecting one out of every 500,000 to 2,000,000 people per year. These tumors are usually benign (not aggressive), and there have been only a few cases of malignant (invasive) craniopharyngiomas reported. Craniopharyngioma typically affects children between the ages of 5 and 14. Adults between the ages of 50 and 74 can develop these tumors as well. This tumor grows deep in the brain, close to the nasal passages....

Intermittent fasting (IF) is a type of eating plan that involves limiting the time period when you eat. There are lots of different ways to do that. Some IF diets restrict eating during a certain time of day. Others limit the number of calories during a fasting period. And some people rotate between normal days and fasting days. This article explores the science behind these eating plans, especially the effects they could have on people with diabetes....