Finding out what causes jaw pain can be difficult. The pain can originate in the teeth or in the muscles or bones of the jaw. Or, it may come from an unexpected area like the ears, sinuses, or even the heart. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something is wrong—you’re grinding your teeth, you have an infection, or you have a joint disorder, for example—so getting to the bottom of your jaw pain is important....
Knee replacement surgery involves removing damaged portions of the joint and replacing them with prosthetic components. Depending on your case, it can take three to six weeks before you’re clear to return to normal, day-to-day activities. However, complete rehabilitation can take three months to a year. This is a critical period, and successful outcomes depend on a clear understanding of how to care for the post-surgical knee over the long term....
Receiving a diagnosis of lymphoma can be scary and confusing, in part because the disease has no set course. There are many different types of lymphoma, each with their own course of treatment and expected outcomes. In some cases, you may not even require immediate treatment, which can create stresses as you are forced to wait on tenterhooks, wondering if and when the disease will progress. To better cope with stresses of a lymphoma diagnosis, you need to draw upon resources to overcome the emotional, physical, and practical challenges that invariably face people living with the disease....
Amylase and lipase are digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas. Abnormal levels of amylase and lipase are associated with a condition known as pancreatitis. The pancreas is a digestive gland located near the stomach. The pancreas performs two important digestive functions: Making insulin and producing digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. Elevated amylase and lipase may be an indication of pancreatitis but does not cause pancreatitis. It is estimated that acute pancreatitis, or sudden and short-lived pancreatitis, causes 275,000 hospitalizations a year, and chronic (or long-lasting) pancreatitis leads to 86,000 hospitalizations a year....
If you suffer from migraine headaches, you may benefit from physical therapy (PT) to help decrease your pain, improve your mobility, and manage future attacks of headache pain. Sometimes your migraine headache may be coming from your cervical spine (neck) and may be known as a cervicogenic headache. Your physical therapist can assess your spine and offer treatments that help improve your mobility and decrease your pain. Anatomy of the Cervical Spine Your neck is comprised of seven cervical vertebrae that are stacked one upon another....
In the first several months of the COVID-19 pandemic, testing people for SARS-CoV-2 infection lacked efficiency, with lab bottlenecks and long turnaround time for results. But in the summer of 2020, pooled testing, where samples are batched together, emerged as a more efficient strategy for certain situations, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Key Takeaways Pooled testing allows for several COVID-19 samples to be tested at once, saving time and resources....
Retinal migraine is a rare type of migraine characterized by changes in vision that are monocular, or affect only one eye. Usually, these symptoms precede a headache, but not always. Some practitioners use the term ocular migraine to refer to retinal migraine, but strictly speaking, the retinal migraine is one of two subtypes of ocular migraine. The other type of ocular migraine is migraine with aura, in which the visual disturbances that come before head pain affect both eyes....
Senna tea is made from the leaves of the senna plant. The most commonly used species are Cassia acutifolia or Cassia angustifolia. Studies have shown that senna can have laxative benefits. The active ingredients are compounds called anthraquinones, which are sennosides (agents that treat constipation). The use of senna has been discovered in ancient writings describing several effects, including laxative effects. This article discusses the benefits of senna tea and how to prepare it....
New stent technology is evolving at a dizzying pace. Here is a quick primer on the newer kinds of stents under development and why improved stents are needed. What Are Stents Supposed to Do? The purpose of stents is to help prevent restenosis in a coronary artery (or any artery) after angioplasty of an atherosclerotic plaque. With angioplasty, a balloon catheter is passed across the area of obstruction in an artery, and the balloon is inflated to crush the plaque and relieve the blockage....
Your DNA may predict more about you than the way you look. According to the genetic theory of aging, your genes (as well as mutations in those genes) are responsible for how long you’ll live. Here’s what you should know about genes and longevity, and where genetics fits in among the various theories of aging. Genetic Theory of Aging The genetic theory of aging states that lifespan is largely determined by the genes we inherit....
When Leqembi (lecanemab) received FDA approval last week as the second-ever drug to reduce cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease, it was met with optimism from those seeking more treatment options. But many Alzheimer’s researchers were frustrated by the news. Key Takeaways The FDA approved Leqembi (lecanemab), a drug shown to slow cognitive decline in patients with early and mild Alzheimer’s-related dementia.Patients in clinical trials saw some benefit from the drug, though outside experts warn that the effects are modest....
Toenail fungal infections (onychomycosis) are a common toenail problem. An estimated 10% of the population is affected by nail fungus. Toenail fungus causes discoloration, nail thickening, and nail cracking and breaking. It occurs when an overgrowth of fungus gets into your nail and causes an infection. This article explains toenail fungus causes, symptoms, treatment, potential complications, and prevention steps. Toenail Fungus Causes Microscopic organisms cause toenail fungus. You can come into contact with fungi that can cause an infection in various ways, including:...
Anesthesia is the administration of medication to allow medical procedures to be done without pain and, in some cases, without the patient being awake during the procedure. It’s used in a wide range of procedures, from invasive surgeries like open-heart surgery to minor procedures including tooth extraction. There are four types of anesthesia: GeneralRegionalLocalMonitored anesthesia care (MAC) Several different medical professionals are able to administer these for a variety of purposes....
Veneers are shells used by cosmetic dentists to fix the appearance of teeth. Made of porcelain or composite, they restore the front sides of chipped or cracked teeth, correct discoloration, and can help with crowding, among other issues. Among the types of veneers are Lumineers, which are thinner, tend to be cheaper, and require less preparation to put in place. That said, “no-prep” veneers like these may not be the best for all cases, and the traditional type has its advantages....
A small percentage of people seem to never fully recover from COVID-19. Dubbed ‘long-haulers,’ these patients continue to experience symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, fatigue, insomnia, and headaches, for weeks—if not months—after infection. Some people also have trouble with memory and concentration. While there’s been limited research on the causes of this effect of COVID-19, there’s been even less on how to treat it. Key Takeaways Brain fog is an umbrella term that is used to describe trouble concentrating and memory problems to more severe neurological complications such as dementia and psychotic disorders....
What Is Vistogard? Vistogard (uridine triacetate) is an oral prescription medication used for the emergency treatment of an overdose of fluorouracil or capecitabine, two drugs that treat various types of cancer. It is a drug in the pyrimidine analog drug class. Fluorouracil or capecitabine interfere with DNA synthesis to cause cell death, which slows down cancer growth. However, in addition to working against cancer cells, it also affects your normal cells....
Having 20/20 vision means you can see objects clearly from a distance of 20 feet. It’s a measurement of the clarity and sharpness of your vision. If you have 20/20 vision, you have a clear view of things that are 20 feet away from you. What 20/20 Vision Means A measurement of 20/20 vision refers to visual acuity. Visual acuity describes a person’s ability to see shapes and details. It is not the full measure of vision but rather a factor that is taken into consideration when judging a person’s ability to see....
Fructose is a sugar found in fruit, vegetables, and sweeteners. The amount of fructose people consume has increased over recent years, and it could be behind your stomach problems. While you may have heard of people needing to go gluten-free or having a lactose intolerance, some people have fructose intolerance. This article will discuss the types of fructose intolerance, including causes and risk factors. Also learn symptoms, diagnosis, and how to manage this condition....
Are online pharmacies safe? For many of us, the Internet has changed the way we live, work, and shop. It has made it possible for us to compare prices and buy medications without leaving our homes. And most insurance plans cover mail-order prescription delivery, with refills that can be ordered online. But the internet also has some bad apples, with websites that attempt to skirt regulations or scam consumers. This is true for online pharmacies, just as it is for every industry....
Natural sleep remedies include meditation, yoga, supplements, and essential oils. Whether you are dealing with the occasional poor night’s sleep or long-term insomnia, many people find these natural sleep aids helpful. This article discusses 14 natural sleep remedies. It also explains the evidence to support the claims for natural sleep aids and other ways to get a good night’s sleep. Melatonin You may have heard that melatonin supplements can help you sleep....
