A gonorrhea diagnosis is based on lab analysis of a urine sample or a swab of the potentially infected area (vagina, urethra, or throat, for example). If you’re unable to see a physician, or you prefer to handle this privately, there are also kits you can use to self-test from home. If you suspect that you have been infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium that causes gonorrhea, it’s important that you see a healthcare provider....
Several factors, including overall health and age, come into play when deciding which method of birth control is best for you to prevent pregnancy. Other factors that determine the best type of birth control are the number of partners and frequency of sexual intercourse, family history, and if you want to have children in the future. This article discusses the different types of birth control, how they work, and how effective they are at preventing pregnancy....
Hysterectomy—surgical removal of the uterus—is a common treatment for endometriosis. However, it’s not usually the first treatment option and may not be the final one, either. In endometriosis, tissues that normally grow inside the uterus grow outside of it, most often on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It sometimes extends to the bowels, bladder, and other nearby structures as well. This tissue growth can lead to symptoms ranging from mild to debilitating, including:...
Iron deficiency anemia is among the most prevalent types of anemia. Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, and tachycardia (rapid heart rate). This type of anemia can be caused by a variety of factors—most commonly low dietary iron or chronic bleeding. Some conditions, such as pregnancy, temporarily increase the risk of iron deficiency anemia. Anemia is diagnosed based on a blood test, which may show small-sized red blood cells (RBCs) and possibly a decreased concentration of RBCs....
Cancer is not contagious in the conventional sense. It cannot be transmitted from one person to another by breathing the same air, sharing a toothbrush, touching, kissing, or having sex. With a few rare exceptions (such as organ transplant recipients and mother-to-fetal transmission), the immune system will recognize and destroy any foreign cells (including cancer cells from another person). However, though cancer itself is not contagious, some infections (which are contagious) can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer....
Throughout the pandemic, researchers have said that we’re unlikely to fully eradicate COVID-19. Instead, they’ve emphasized that the virus will likely become endemic. Key Takeaways According to researchers, COVID-19 will likely become endemic, rather than fully eradicated.They predict COVID-19 will eventually circulate less and in ways that are more predictable.But we’re still not there yet. They hope that instead of uncontrolled transmission and rising case counts, we’ll get to a point where COVID-19 will circulate less and more predictably....
Feeling itchy after a shower is usually due to dry skin. The soap and hot water of the shower wash away the natural oils that protect, moisturize, and soften your skin. As a result, your skin is left feeling itchy and tight, especially during the winter when humidity is low. Post-shower itching commonly goes away after a few minutes. Applying moisturizing lotion can help to prevent and soothe itchy skin after a shower....
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an umbrella term used to describe a longstanding disease or condition that causes the progressive loss of kidney (renal) function. The primary functions of the kidneys are to excrete waste and regulate the water and acid-base balance of the body. Without these functions, a person cannot survive. While there are many different causes of CKD—including diabetes, hypertension, infection, and autoimmune diseases—the symptoms will often be similar irrespective of the underlying condition....
“Leaky gut syndrome” is a controversial gastrointestinal condition that some have proposed contributes to a range of whole-body health problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome, skin rashes, chronic fatigue syndrome, and mood disorders. The term “leaky gut syndrome” is typically used by alternative medicine practitioners. However, doctors and other healthcare providers sometimes use the phrase “leaky gut” to explain increased intestinal permeability (intestinal hyperpermeability). The cause of intestinal hyperpermeability isn’t clear, but it’s sometimes seen in people who have certain conditions like inflammatory bowel or celiac disease....
A lung transplant may be the best option for some people with severe lung disease. The procedure can improve quality of life and help you live longer. However, there are serious risks, such as infection and rejection. And long-term use of anti-rejection drugs can increase the risk of other health problems. Lungs are very fragile organs. That may be why the survival rate doesn’t match that of other solid organ transplants....
What Is Mucinex? Mucinex (guaifenesin) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to help relieve chest congestion from a cold or flu. Mucinex belongs to a group of drugs called expectorants. Expectorants make it easier for you to cough up phlegm by loosening and thinning the mucus in your lungs. Mucinex is available in several different nonprescription preparations, including tablets, liquids, and dissolving granules. Several OTC cough and cold combination products also contain guaifenesin as an ingredient....
Facial numbness can be alarming. It’s a symptom that can occur with neurological problems that affect the brain or the trigeminal nerve (the nerve that controls sensations of the face). It can also happen with dental or mouth problems, after facial trauma, or as an effect of medications or toxins. Emergency Help If you think you’re experiencing a numb face due to a stroke, call 911 immediately. If you have any unexpected numbness, pain, or change in the sensation of your face, get medical attention immediately....
Occupational therapy (OT) and speech therapy (ST) both fall into the category of rehabilitation therapy. Though there is some overlap, each is a distinct field with a specific purpose. The goal of OT is to help a person who is injured, ill, or disabled do things that are important to them and to work on solutions to problems that interfere with their ability to do so. Occupational therapists (OTs) may help with areas such as self-care, school or work, leisure activities, and more....
There are many medication options to treat osteoporosis, a disease that weakens bones and makes them brittle and prone to breaking. When choosing the right medicine, several factors must be considered, including menopausal status, disease severity, and the drug’s cost, risks, and delivery method—injection, oral, or intravenous (IV) infusion. This article reviews the factors that go into choosing an osteoporosis drug. A list of osteoporosis medications, including their mode of action and side effects, is also provided....
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints. Symptoms include joint pain and swelling, lower back pain, eye inflammation, nail changes, and foot pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids are often used to provide pain relief. While there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, it is possible to achieve remission with the help of medication. Treatments include disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics. This article explores current PsA treatments, research being explored, and potential approaches to finding a cure....
Sebum is an oily substance that’s made by the sebaceous glands in the skin. The function of sebum is to moisten and prevent the skin from becoming too dry. Sebum also has antibacterial properties and is the body’s first defense against infection. The sebaceous glands that make sebum are on just about every surface of the body. While sebum is important for skin health, having too much or too little of the oil can lead to acne, oily skin, and chronic itchiness and skin irritation....
Cancer is the second leading cause of death among adults in the United States. Some cancer risk factors are out of our control, like family history and age. Key Takeaways Research has shown that what you eat can play a role in your risk for diseases, including many types of cancer.A new study suggested that people who eat more meat may have a higher cancer risk than people who eat less, or no, meat....
Sonography is a diagnostic medical test that uses high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound waves, to create images of tissues, glands, organs, and blood or fluid flow within the body. This test is also referred to as an ultrasound or sonogram. Sonography uses a device called a transducer on the surface of the skin to send ultrasound waves and listen for an echo. A computer translates the ultrasound waves into an image....
The Tdap vaccine is used to protect individuals against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It may be given to adolescents and adults to boost waning immunity from the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine they were given as part of their childhood vaccination schedule. Although aims of the two combination vaccines are the same, their composition and indications for use differ. Tdap or Td (tetanus and diphtheria vaccine) is recommended as a booster every 10 years to sustain immunity to these potentially serious infectious diseases....
Sleep problems, such as snoring and insomnia, are signs of a sleep disorder called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can contribute to oral health problems and dental problems can also cause sleep apnea. Learn more about the connection between sleep apnea and your oral health. What Is Sleep Apnea? Sleep apnea is a very common sleep disorder affecting 25 million American adults, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. It is characterized by repeated breathing interruptions (apneas) during sleep cycles....
