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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a lifelong inflammatory disease that results when the immune system malfunctions and attacks the joints and skin. The symptoms you might experience often depend on the subtype of PsA you have. It is possible to have more than one type of PsA, and PsA patterns can change with time. The five types of PsA are asymmetric, symmetric, psoriatic spondylitis, distal interphalangeal predominant, and psoriatic arthritis mutilans. This article will discuss the five types of PsA, their symptoms, and how PsA is diagnosed and treated....

Thermography is a noninvasive imaging technique that measures variations in temperature over the body surface. Because the body emits heat where there is increased blood flow, the study will show increased heat in areas where there is: Active inflammation: The immune system sends white blood cells and other inflammatory cells into the bloodstream to protect you. Cancer: Cancer forms new blood vessels in a process known as angiogenesis to feed the cancer with oxygen and nutrients that help it to grow....

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with the endocrine system. This is the system that controls the hormones in your body, and the glands that produce them. Many different conditions involve the endocrine system, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, growth hormone deficiency, infertility, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure, and obesity, among others. What Endocrinology Involves Given that endocrinology centers on the endocrine system, let’s start by looking at what it is and how it works....

Despite current recommendations for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in all girls and boys ages 11 to 12, only 49% have completed the recommended vaccine series, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are many reasons for this, some of which are more easily remedied than others. The benefits of vaccination from HPV are potentially enormous. By getting vaccinated during your preteen years, you can greatly reduce your risk of HPV-associated cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and head and neck cancers....

Not sure if you should just wait and watch your loved with dementia, or call the doctor? This question for caregivers can be difficult to answer, especially when caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia who may have difficulty expressing how they feel. A call to the doctor is warranted under some circumstances and will benefit your loved one’s wellness. Consider these suggestions for when to make the call....

What Is Actos? Actos (pioglitazone) is an oral prescription antidiabetic medication. When used along with diet and exercise, it improves blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Actos is in a drug class known as thiazolidinediones. Drugs in this category are also sometimes referred to as glitazones. This medication decreases blood glucose (sugar) levels by improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Actos contains the ingredient pioglitazone. It is available in both brand name and generic form as a tablet....

An acute injury to the patella (kneecap) can happen from a blow to the knee or a fall. There may be damage to the soft tissues, such as a patellar tendon tear, or a fracture to the bone. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, or a feeling of instability or that the joint is locked. Some types of injuries can be treated with bracing and rehabilitation exercises, but others may need surgery....

Adriamycin (doxorubicin) is a type of chemotherapy medication used to treat many types of cancer. It is an often-used medication for breast cancer treatment, typically given in combination with other chemotherapy medications. It is made from a bacterium called Streptomyces peucetius. It works to kill cancer cells in two ways, by damaging the DNA, which kills the cells, and by blocking a pathway the cells use to fix themselves. This article will review the uses of Adriamycin, as well as how it is given, the potential side effects, interactions, and things to know before and after treatment....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) typically affects the spine and causes back pain and stiffness. It can impact other joints and organs as it progresses, leading to complications such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and uveitis (eye inflammation). When left untreated, AS can significantly impact your quality of life. Chronic pain due to AS can affect your mental health, leading to depression and anxiety. Some people with AS may not be able to work because of pain or immobility, which can lead to socioeconomic hardship....

Tooth agenesis is a genetic condition causing missing teeth. Anodontia is a rare form of tooth agenesis that causes the absence of all teeth. Anodontia may be suspected if baby teeth or permanent teeth aren’t developed by the typical timelines and can be confirmed with dental X-rays. It can be treated by replacing the missing teeth with dentures, dental implants, or dental bridges. This article provides an overview of anodontia, as well as its causes and available treatment options....

Aspirin is a medication that has many benefits—it reduces fever, diminishes pain, has anti-inflammatory properties, and has antiplatelet properties that prevent blood clots. Due to its antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory effects, daily aspirin may be recommended if you have had an ischemic stroke. Used in this way, aspirin can lower your risk of having another stroke. A stroke is a type of brain damage that occurs when blood flow in a region of the brain is interrupted, usually due to a blood clot....

Fish oil comes from the tissues of fatty fish and is a good source of polyunsaturated fats known as omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in heart function. Fish oil supplements have long been marketed as having heart health benefits. While fish oil supplements have been found to help lower triglycerides and blood pressure, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting their use to prevent heart disease in the general population....

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled sac within your body that lies near bony prominences and joints. The bursa acts as a cushion between muscles, ligaments, and bones and allows structures to glide and slide past one another with ease and with minimal friction. Injury to a bursa may cause pain, limited motion, and decreased functional mobility. Fun fact: The plural of bursa is bursae. Anatomy The bursae in your body are made up of a synovial membrane....

Cancer is a disease that occurs when some cells in the body grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body, causing damage. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs, but it can spread and affect other areas of the body, as well. Depression is a mental health condition that involves feelings of sadness or decreased interest in activities. About 25% of people with cancer experience depression....

Cardiothoracic surgery, also known as thoracic surgery, is a field of surgery pertaining to organs in the thorax (chest), including the heart and lungs. It may be used to treat a wide range of issues, from heart failure to pulmonary embolism to esophageal cancer. The body of cardiothoracic surgeries is diverse, including coronary artery bypass surgery, lung resection, vascular stenting, and many other procedures. Likewise, thoracic surgery numerous medical disciplines, including pediatrics, oncology, and neurology....

Coughing up blood from the lower respiratory tract, which is known as hemoptysis, can be a distressing symptom. But it’s important to understand that there are many reasons for this symptom besides serious illnesses like cancer. Hemoptysis should be discussed with a healthcare provider if experienced. It can be life-threatening if large amounts of blood are being coughed up. This article focuses on the symptom of coughing up blood, its potential causes, and when to seek tests and treatment....

If you are diabetic, it is important to check your blood sugar on a regular basis. If the levels get too low, it can cause severe hypoglycemia—also referred to as hypoglycemic shock and diabetic shock, which are not medical terms. What Is Severe Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a potentially dangerous medical condition that occurs when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. A blood glucose level of less than 70 mg/dl is considered low, or hypoglycemic....

Blood work is the diagnostic testing of a blood sample in a lab. Blood is obtained through a process called a venipuncture, in which a vein is punctured with a needle to draw the blood. Lab tests are useful for diagnosing, screening, and monitoring medical conditions. While most lab tests do not require fasting, some lab tests do require a period of going without food before testing, since food enters the bloodstream and can affect the results....

Having gestational thrombocytopenia, or low platelets in pregnancy, does not cause bleeding problems and is not usually associated with a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications. This drop in platelets, or cells that clot blood, occurs in about 10% of pregnancies. It’s normal for your platelet count to drop in pregnancy. However, if your count drops below a certain level, your obstetrician will carefully monitor your blood values and take extra precautions as needed....

Hospice is a specialized form of medical care that seeks to provide comfort and optimal quality of life for those facing a life-limiting illness or terminal diagnosis. A person in hospice receives individualized care that addresses not only their physical needs but their emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well. While advances in life-extending medical treatments and technologies have made impressive strides, there are still times when a person either cannot or will not pursue efforts to manage their condition....