Brain damage, also called brain injury, refers to any injury to the brain. It can come from trauma, such as a car accident, or from a medical problem. Medical conditions that lead to brain damage include infections, certain diseases, or a lack of oxygen. The severity and prognosis of brain injuries vary significantly. They can be mild and have no lasting impact, cause temporary disability, cause lifelong impairment, or even be fatal....
Cerebral palsy is caused by brain damage that occurs before or immediately after a person is born. The condition is congenital, meaning you cannot develop cerebral palsy as an adult. However, patients with cerebral palsy have better overall functions and improved survival rates thanks to advanced treatments. Adults who have cerebral palsy generally have a milder form of the condition, and they can often walk with less reliance on assistance devices....
The choroid plexus is a thin structure that lines most of the the ventricles of the brain. It is a protective barrier that produces cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a fluid that provides nourishment and cushioning for the brain and spinal cord. Cysts or tumors can form in the choroid plexus, and the cysts are not usually as dangerous as the tumors. Nevertheless, a choroid plexus cyst or tumor can cause problems, such as hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation) and pressure in the brain, potentially requiring surgical intervention....
If you’ve ever been called “hangry,” you can likely understand how your metabolism and mood can be connected. Similarly, a drop in blood glucose (sugar) levels can stir up feelings of uneasiness, anxiety, and irritability, causing mood fluctuations. In addition to managing the more direct symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), dealing with a chronic disease can significantly impact your mental and emotional health. For instance, people with diabetes are 2 to 3 times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes....
Used for both treatment and diagnosis, dilation and curettage surgery, commonly referred to as D&C, is a procedure that involves removing portions of endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the uterus (or womb). This technique involves dilating the cervix—the lower portion of the uterus—and using a specialized tool to scrape away necessary portions of this tissue. This procedure is conducted by specialists called gynecologists or obstetricians. D&C is primarily used in cases of miscarriage, unexplained bleeding between menstrual periods, or when there’s leftover tissue following childbirth or an abortion....
Down syndrome is listed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as one of the conditions that increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This means that if you or someone who you spend time with has Down syndrome, you need to take precautions to try to avoid exposure to the virus. Down syndrome is considered one of the conditions that put a person at higher risk of severe COVID-19....
Dry brushing the skin is a comparatively new trend, though its roots lie in ancient times. It’s common in Ayurvedic medicine but many cultures, including the ancient Greeks and Japanese, have used skin brushing to cleanse and beautify the skin. It’s done at day spas but you can do it yourself at home, too. It’s called “dry” brushing because you aren’t scrubbing up while you bathe or shower; instead, a firm, bristled brush is swept across the skin, from toe to head....
GlucaGen (glucagon) is an injectable prescription medication used to treat very low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, in people with diabetes when other options are not available. It works by triggering the liver to release stored sugar, raising blood sugar levels. Unlike sugar (glucose or dextrose), GlucaGen can be injected into the muscle directly, making it easy to use in an emergency. It may be given by trained caregivers at home, emergency responders, or healthcare providers....
Scabies treatment typically involves a topical or oral medication, such as Permethrin cream or Ivermectin. These medicines kill scabies mites and their eggs. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other treatments, such as pain or anti-itch medications, to help ease related discomfort. Close contacts, like family members, may even be treated for scabies whether they are showing signs or symptoms of infection or not—partly to get ahead of a potential future diagnosis, partly to protect you all from passing the mite back and forth....
Basal cell skin cancer, also called basal cell carcinoma, is usually very curable, but it can cause disfigurement and complications if it’s not treated. In the majority of cases, basal cell carcinoma is very treatable. It is unusual for basal cell carcinoma to cause death. Approximately 2,000 people in the U.S. die each year from basal and squamous skin cancers. In most cases, people who die from these types of skin cancer tend to be older, immunosuppressed, or have been diagnosed at a very late stage....
A metallic taste in your mouth is often related to your sense of smell or taste buds. Sinus infections, gingivitis, and oral injuries are some common causes. Sometimes the cause can be more serious, including diabetes, dementia, or kidney failure. In these cases, a metallic taste would usually be just one of several symptoms. A metallic taste can also be the first sign of anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction. This article offers several explanations for what causes a metallic (“tinny”) taste in the mouth....
Post-sepsis syndrome is a collection of long-term physical and psychological symptoms that develop in roughly 50% of sepsis survivors. Sepsis is an extreme reaction carried out by the body when an infection is present. It is a medical emergency because it is life-threatening. Symptoms of post-sepsis syndrome can develop within 90 days of recovering from sepsis and include fatigue, joint pain, and panic attacks. The symptoms can last anywhere from six to 18 months....
In people without psoriasis, skin cells are shed monthly, and new skin growth occurs to replace what is lost. However, in people with psoriasis, inflammatory processes speed up skin cell growth, a sign of an overactive immune system. The result of these processes is inflammation, which is thought to play a role in the development and continuing effects of psoriasis. Reducing inflammation throughout the body is an important part of treating psoriasis, reducing symptoms, preventing disease complications, and improving overall health....
Treatments for prostate cancer range from watchful waiting (closely monitoring the condition without giving treatment) to surgery. Radiation therapy (radiotherapy) is often used as a first-line treatment for this disease. It’s also used to treat recurrences (times when cancer returns) and help relieve advanced-stage prostate cancer symptoms. The primary forms of radiation therapy for prostate cancer are administered either externally or internally. Multiple factors, such as the stage of your cancer and overall health, will determine the type of radiation treatment you receive....
Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces to help control blood glucose levels. Insulin may be needed to manage existing diabetes (type 1 or type 2) during pregnancy or, in some instances, to control blood sugar caused by gestational diabetes. Insulin does not cross the placenta and is considered safe during pregnancy. It can be administered by injection through a syringe, insulin pen, or insulin pump. Pregnant individuals need to receive diabetes treatment....
Breast cancer in females younger than 20 years old is extremely rare. It only occurs at a rate of 0.1%, which means that for every 1 million teens, there is only one case of breast cancer. Lumps in teenage breast tissue can be from breast development, hormone shifts from your menstrual cycle, or noncancerous breast changes. This article reviews breast development, menstrual cycle breast changes, breast cancer myths, noncancerous breast changes, causes of breast cancer, and breast exams....
Nearly one in five adolescents is thought to self-harm at least once in their lifetime. But despite its pervasiveness, relatively little is known about how to accurately predict which teens are at risk. Key Takeaways Researchers identified two major developmental pathways throughout early childhood that could predict which teens are at greater risk for self-harm.Some of these risk factors like bullying and sleep difficulties were apparent in kids as early as age 5....
“Tongue-tie,” or ankyloglossia, is a congenital condition in which the lingual frenulum (a thin fold of tissue that connects the bottom of the mouth to the underside of the tongue) is abnormally short or tight, causing impaired tongue mobility. Tongue-tie surgery releases the lingual frenulum to allow for proper extension and movement of the tongue. Tongue-tie surgery may be indicated if the lingual frenulum does not recede or loosen over time and it restricts tongue movement enough to interfere with an infant’s, child’s, or adult’s health or quality of life....
Ulcerative proctitis is a condition that affects the rectum. It is when the rectum, which is the last part of the large intestine, is inflamed and has ulcers (sores). Ulcerative proctitis is one form of a disease called ulcerative colitis, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms can include blood in the stool, pain in the rectal area, diarrhea, or constipation. Ulcerative Proctitis Symptoms Ulcerative proctitis, as a form of ulcerative colitis, affects only the last part of the digestive system, the rectum....
If you have dizziness or vertigo, you may benefit from a specific type of rehabilitation called vestibular physical therapy. Vestibular physical therapy is a special type of treatment designed to help you recover from dizziness, unsteadiness, or vertigo. It can help you recover quickly and return to your previous level of functioning with no dizzy spells. Symptoms of Vestibular Problems Your vestibular organ is a special structure in your inner ear....
