Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) differs from most other health conditions in one key way—its symptoms are bodily processes that we have been conditioned to think of as embarrassing. Since early childhood, we have been taught to hide any signs or noises relating to our bowels and that it is in bad taste to discuss these things in public. Unfortunately, IBS puts these “taboo” things front and center in one’s life....
Preparing for knee replacement surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, begins several weeks beforehand with optimization of certain underlying health conditions, arranging for help at home after the surgery, and in some cases, attending a pre-operative education and/or exercise class. These steps may not seem all that critical, but proper preparation for knee replacement is a key element of the procedure’s outcome. There are also some logistical elements of your surgery that you should be aware of so you are prepared for your operation day....
The most common side effect of LASIK eye surgery is dry eye. About 40% of patients report having dry eye one month after surgery. Dry eye after LASIK can affect your vision and cause discomfort. It is not uncommon for patients to have dry eye before LASIK as well. This can increase the chances of experiencing dry eye after LASIK. This article will cover what causes dry eye after LASIK eye surgery, who is the most at risk for dry eye after LASIK, and common screening tests for dry eye....
Life expectancy for stage 4 breast cancer (metastatic breast cancer) varies widely. Each person is different, and factors like your age, overall health, the type of breast cancer, and even the organ sites where cancer has spread (metastasized) can affect treatment outcomes. Stage 4 cancer isn’t curable, so it can be helpful to look at long-term survival rates and other information to become better informed about a prognosis, or outcome. Keep in mind, though, that the data also has limitations and not everyone may find the current research helpful....
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is associated with problems with fertility in males and pregnancy complications in females, such as premature birth. However, low blood pressure, known as hypotension, can also make it difficult to become pregnant and maintain that pregnancy. Low blood pressure occurs when blood pressure is much lower than normal. This means the heart, brain, and other parts of the body do not get enough blood. If your blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) or lower, you have low blood pressure....
Medicare’s hospice benefit is a special part of Medicare that pays for hospice care. If you or a loved one have Medicare and are considering enrolling in hospice care, this article will explain what you need to know about how Medicare covers hospice care. To be eligible for hospice coverage, you must have a life expectancy of fewer than six months. But if you live longer than six months, you can continue to receive hospice benefits as long as your hospice doctor recertifies that you’re terminally ill....
If you have migraines, you’re more than 2 1/2 times more likely to develop depression than people who don’t have migraines. And if you leave depression untreated, your risk of going from episodic migraines (fewer than 15 per month) to chronic (15 or more per month) increases. The biological link between migraines and depression is complex and may be related to genes, low serotonin production, or other factors. They are worth understanding more about, especially when working to manage both conditions effectively....
Most people with Parkinson’s disease notice some decline in their memory and mental agility, even very early in the course of the disease. Chances are that your PD will also affect your thinking to some extent. But the effects are subtle. For example, you may notice that it takes you a bit longer to retrieve a memory, come to a decision, calculate a cost or plan a trip. This overall mental sluggishness is influenced by your mood and, in turn, your memory struggles can sometimes negatively influence your mood as well....
Causes of neck pain include acute conditions, like muscle strains and whiplash, and chronic conditions, such as cervical spondylosis (neck osteoarthritis) and myofascial pain syndrome. Pinched nerves, infections, fractures, and spinal cord problems can also cause neck pain. Getting to the bottom of your neck pain is essential to starting an appropriate and effective treatment plan, which will differ depending on the reason for your discomfort. This article will go over the causes of neck pain, as well as how neck pain is diagnosed and treated....
Community-based needle exchange programs (NEPs) provide clean needles or syringes to people who inject drugs (PWID). They are also called syringe service programs or syringe exchange programs. Collection of used syringes and other harm reduction services to address social, medical, and mental health needs are also provided. Read on for more information on needle exchange programs, how to access them, and where to find support for substance abuse. How Do Needle Exchange Programs Work?...
Ensuring healthy teeth through good oral hygiene yields overall health benefits. Dental problems such as tooth decay and gum disease not only lead to tooth loss, but are associated with serious, chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and diabetes. Along with proper toothbrushing twice a day and daily flossing, maintaining a healthy smile can also mean making dietary adjustments, limiting alcohol and tobacco use, and ensuring you’re keeping up with regular dental appointments....
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS), is a group of symptoms that occurs before the first day of a woman’s period. Some women experience mild abdominal cramps for a few hours, while others can experience severe pain and mood swings for up to two weeks before their period starts. PMS is often diagnosed based on the timing of the symptoms. When the effects are especially burdensome, hormone levels or imaging tests may be needed to determine whether a woman has a health condition....
The four pulmonary veins play an important role in the pulmonary circulation by receiving oxygenated blood from the lungs and delivering it to the left atrium, where it can then enter the left ventricle to be circulated throughout the body. The pulmonary vein is unique in that it is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood. Until delivery, fetal blood flow bypasses these vessels, which open at birth upon exposure to oxygen....
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is recurrent and seasonally dependent. It is also referred to as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Seasonal affective disorder is cyclical. As the seasons change, symptoms go away or change, only to return at the same time each year. When someone has seasonal affective disorder, they experience depressive symptoms that typically worsen in the fall and winter months, as the days get shorter and darker....
If you are recovering from surgery, it is important to take the right steps to prevent infection. Infections after surgical procedures can affect the incision, bladder, lungs, intestines, or bloodstream. Doing all the right things after surgery can lower your risk of an infection, but it doesn’t completely guarantee that you will be infection-free. This article discusses infections after surgery and how to prevent them. It also looks at types of infections, symptoms, and when you should see a doctor....
Cholestyramine is a medication usually prescribed to lower cholesterol. However, cholestyramine is sometimes also used to treat chronic diarrhea because it affects bile acid, a substance created in the liver that can cause diarrhea. Since it’s a drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a different medical need, prescribing it to help with diarrhea is called an “off-label” use. This article explains how cholestyramine helps with diarrhea and what you need to know before you take it, including proper dosage and side effects....
Constipation is common in both adults and children. This condition is defined as bowel movements that occur less than two or three times per week. In the United States, 16% of adults experience symptoms of constipation, and that number rises to 33% for adults over the age of 60. Often, the condition is a symptom that you have another medical problem. This article covers the symptoms and causes of constipation and explains how it can be treated....
California is the first U.S. state to make non-consensual condom removal, known as “stealthing,” illegal under civil law. The law declares it a “sexual battery” for someone to remove a condom during intercourse without their partner’s verbal consent. Key Takeaways Stealthing, or non-consensual condom removal, is a civil offense under California law.In California, it’s now illegal to remove condom during sexual intercourse without the partner’s verbal consent.Some other countries have statutes or case laws about stealthing, but no other U....
Amelogenesis imperfecta is a heritable dental disease that affects 1 in 14,000 in the U.S. Children with amelogenesis imperfecta do not produce functional proteins that are required to create and lay down effective enamel. As a result, their teeth can be discolored, misshapen, or fragile, and most cases require dental work to preserve or replace teeth. Symptoms Amelogenesis imperfecta can cause specific symptoms affecting the teeth and bite, including: Yellow, brown, grey, or white (snow-capping) discoloration of teethThin, soft, or brittle enamelUnusual tooth growthUneven, lumpy, or ridged teethExtreme tooth sensitivityOpen bite (misaligned jaws) Some of the additional risks and complications associated with amelogenesis imperfecta include:...
Bronchitis is caused by inflammation of the bronchi, which are the passages that air travels through when you breathe in and out. Short-term inflammation of the bronchi, which is defined as acute bronchitis, is usually triggered by an infection. Long-term inflammation of the bronchi, which is defined as chronic bronchitis, is caused by recurrent inflammation of the bronchi, usually as a result of smoking or other inhaled irritants. Common Causes The inflammation of acute and chronic bronchitis prevents air from traveling in and out of the lungs efficiently....
