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Chemotherapy is used as a treatment for most people who have metastatic breast cancer. Whether it is used first-line or not depends on your receptor status, previous treatments, and other factors. This article will discuss how chemotherapy in metastatic breast cancer works, when it’s used, different types, and its side effects. How It Works Chemotherapy works by attacking rapidly growing cells such as cancer cells. Most of the chemotherapy drugs interfere with cancer cells at some point in the division process, but different phases of the cell cycle are interrupted with different drugs....

People deal with the distress and uncertainty of cancer in different ways. One strategy that often helps is to learn enough about cancer to be able to ask questions about its treatment and about what the future may hold. Another is taking one day at a time and being sure to talk with friends and family. Coping with bone cancer involves adjusting to the diagnosis, getting through treatment, making sense of life, and getting used to the ’new normal’ thereafter....

Type 2 diabetes requires constant management, such as choosing foods carefully, staying physically active, regularly checking blood sugar, and sometimes taking medication. If one or both partners in a romantic relationship has type 2 diabetes, it’s important to communicate needs and boundaries pertaining to the condition and how it is managed. Read on to learn how romantic couples can be affected by type 2 diabetes and for some tips on navigating dating with diabetes....

Cigarette smoking can cause certain types of acne. It is associated with a non-inflammatory form of acne called atypical post-adolescent acne (APAA), or simply “smoker’s acne.” It is also linked to an acne-like condition known as acne inversa, which can irreversible damage. Chemicals in tobacco smoke can damage the skin in the same way they do other organs of the body. They can also change the composition and density of skin oils, known as sebum, leading to clogged pores and the outbreak of blackheads and whiteheads....

The well-known symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—inattentiveness and hyperactivity—stem from the impairment of a person’s executive functioning skills. This is linked to dysfunction in the brain and the neurological or nervous system. While also associated with many other mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and schizophrenia, executive dysfunction is most commonly associated with ADHD. This article will discuss executive function and dysfunction, what it looks like, how it’s evaluated, and how it’s related to ADHD....

Flaxseed has an array of dietary uses and it may have health benefits. These seeds have been found to contain components—including phytoestrogens, alphalinolenic acid, and fiber—that may help improve cancer survival for some people. Studies have shown mixed results and more research is needed, but it’s something you may want to learn more about. This article will explore the benefits of flaxseed and flaxseed oil, especially in regards to the effects on cancer....

To diagnose a cardiac arrhythmia, the arrhythmia itself needs to be “captured” on some type of heart rhythm recording. Diagnosis can be easy, difficult, or somewhere in between. If you have a chronic or persistent arrhythmia, then it’s just a matter of recording an electrocardiogram (ECG) and documenting the presence and type of arrhythmia you are experiencing. Unfortunately, cardiac arrhythmias are often episodic in nature, coming and going without warning. In these cases, your symptoms may occur as sporadic episodes, often lasting just a few seconds, making a random 12-second ECG unlikely to reveal the arrhythmia....

Jock itch, also called tinea cruris or ringworm of the groin, is a common fungal infection that causes a red, itchy, ring-shaped rash in the inner thighs and on the buttocks. The fungal infection is a type of ringworm. The fungus that causes jock itch thrives on warm, moist skin that’s covered with tightly fitted clothing. That’s why the condition is especially common in athletes. Although it’s most typically associated with men, anyone, including children, can experience jock itch....

Osteoporosis is not painful by itself, but it can lead to bone fractures that can result in long-term, chronic pain. Approximately 50% of women and 25% of men will break a bone due to osteoporosis at some point in their lives, so it is important to be aware of the associated pain. In this article, learn more about osteoporosis, its sources of pain, and how to cope. Sources of Osteoporosis Pain Pain from osteoporosis varies in intensity and depends on its exact cause....

A low-histamine diet can be suggested for people who have histamine intolerance. Histamine is a chemical released by mast cells in the immune system when the body encounters an allergen, which causes an allergic reaction. Histamine intolerance, otherwise referred to as enteral histaminosis, is a rare condition that is estimated to affect about 1% of the population. It is very hard to diagnose and is often characterized by symptoms such as itching, hives, sneezing, watery eyes, asthma, headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, tachycardia, and hypotension....

Nocturnal hypertension is elevated blood pressure that occurs at night. Normally, blood pressure varies by circadian rhythm and is 10–20% lower at night. This phenomenon is known as “nocturnal dipping.” The absence of the normal dipping pattern and high blood pressure at night have both been linked to complications like kidney damage and cardiovascular disease. Read on to learn about nocturnal hypertension and its symptoms, causes, and management. Nocturnal Hypertension Definition Daytime blood pressure higher than 120/80 mmHg (millimeters of mercury, a measurement unit of pressure) is considered elevated....

Having access to reliable birth control is important for many people. While the birth control pill remains a popular option, more and more people are looking for hormone-free birth control, due to sensitivity to hormonal side effects or for other medical or personal reasons. These days, there are many options for non-hormonal birth control. If you’re looking to avoid unplanned pregnancy and additional hormones, here’s what you should know about your birth control options....

Despite aggressive efforts by the United States to eliminate exposure to lead over the last 40 years, a recent study discovered that one in two children living in America has detectable levels of lead in their blood. Key Takeaways A new study finds that 50% of American children under the age of 6 have detectable levels of lead in their blood.No level of lead exposure is considered safe.Children living in low-income communities are at a higher risk for lead toxicity....

Poria (Poria cocos) is a type of mushroom. It’s been used for 2,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It’s one of the most commonly prescribed traditional remedies in China. Poria has caught the attention of researchers as a potential remedy for symptoms of several different conditions. So far, research has focused on animals or laboratory studies. with some promising biochemical results. The medicinal part of the mushroom is the filaments under the cap....

Potassium is an essential mineral that is critical to many body functions, including the delivery of nerve signals, contraction of muscles, regulation of heartbeats and blood pressure, movement of nutrients into cells, and removal of cellular waste. How much potassium is needed per day can differ depending on the individual. The recommended daily intake for the average adult is 4700 milligrams (mg), although doses of 1600 to 2000 mg a day may be adequate for some adults....

A sprained ankle and a broken ankle can result from twisting and rolling the ankle. While both conditions cause ankle pain and instability, a broken ankle is a more serious injury that requires different treatment compared to a sprained ankle. This article will discuss the differences between a sprained ankle and a broken ankle, how they are diagnosed, and treatment options. Symptoms Symptoms of a sprained ankle and a broken ankle can overlap, with pain and swelling being the most common symptoms among the two types of injuries....

When something stressful happens, the body has a system in place that works to keep you safe in the face of potential danger. This process is regulated by parts of the brain, particularly the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and with hormones such as cortisol. Stress is normal and even healthy in short bursts, as the stress response can help you avoid danger and provide energy to push through short-term issues (such as meeting a deadline)....

Financial barriers can keep people from taking their medication as prescribed. What would happen in a world in which essential medicine was free? Key Takeaways A study conducted in Ontario found that giving essential medications for free led more people to follow their prescriptions.Ontario and the rest of Canada have a universal healthcare system, but this excludes universal coverage for medicines.People adhering to their medication may lower nationwide healthcare costs associated with delayed treatment for chronic health conditions....

What Is Tymlos? Tymlos (abaloparatide) is a prescription medication injected under the skin (subcutaneously) to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal people at high risk for bone fracture. Tymlos contains the active ingredient abaloparatide and is classified as a parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related protein. This type of protein mimics the effects of your body’s natural PTH. As a result, Tymlos regulates the calcium level in the bones and blood, which helps strengthen and build up bones....

You’re not alone for having bags under your eyes. This skin condition is common—especially as you get older. Under-eye bags can form for many other reasons, too. While sometimes they’re a sign of an underlying condition, having them doesn’t mean there’s something physically wrong with you. That said, having puffiness or bags around the eyes can make you look sleepy and unwell. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the look of sagging under-eye skin....