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What Is Ditropan XL? Ditropan XL (oxybutynin) is an orally prescribed extended-release (ER) medication that is primarily used to treat symptoms of overactive bladder, including urge incontinence (loss of bladder control), urgency, and frequency. Additionally, for children 6 and older, Ditropan XL is used to treat detrusor overactivity associated with a neurological condition, such as spina bifida. The primary ingredient in Ditropan XL, oxybutynin, is classified as an antispasmodic and anticholinergic agent....

An eczema diet is an eating plan that aims to eliminate food allergens and fight inflammation in the body. The theory is that an eczema diet may reduce the frequency and severity of eczema flares. This article discusses the benefits of an eczema diet. It includes foods and supplements that may help you prevent eczema flares, along with cooking tips for making the most of your eating plan. Foods That Trigger Eczema Between 20% and 80% of people with eczema have some kind of food allergy....

Incorporating plant-based foods can have numerous health benefits. And now, a new study links a healthy plant-based diet to a 10% reduction in stroke risk compared to people who eat a lower quality diet. Key Takeaways Eating a high-quality plant-based diet may be able to reduce your risk of stroke by 10%, according to a recent study.Focusing on nutrient-dense foods while limiting (not avoiding) animal-based proteins appears to offer some benefit....

Gout symptoms are associated with gouty arthritis, which can develop when there is excess uric acid in the body. The signs of gout can be sudden and severe, causing pain, redness, and swelling in the affected joint, most often the big toe. Attacks occur most frequently at night or in the early morning hours. While the severity of gout symptoms can vary, it tends to progress in stages and worsens over time....

Herpes gladiatorum is a type of herpes virus spread by skin-to-skin contact. It’s a prevalent problem in close contact sports like wrestling, earning it the nickname “mat herpes” for the surface wrestlers perform on. Like most types of herpes, herpes gladiatorum will stay in your body once you are infected. You’ll also go through periods without active infection and other times when the infection flares up. Transmission increases during flare-ups....

Causes of high triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) include inactivity, foods high in fat and sugar, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and being overweight. Non-modifiable risk factors include family history, menopause, and chronic conditions like thyroid, kidney, or liver disease. Triglycerides are a type of lipid (fat) found in the blood that, when elevated, increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis. By identifying the causes of high triglycerides that you can influence, you can takes steps to reduce your risk....

If the symptoms linked to a pheochromocytoma are observed, or if a person has a family history of a genetic disorder associated with pheochromocytomas, the first step to reaching a diagnosis is typically a blood or urine test used to detect the increased levels of hormones that pheochromocytomas secrete. From there, imaging studies may be needed. This article will review the diagnostic processes for treating pheochromocytomas. Self-Checks/At Home Testing There are currently no self-screening procedures or at-home tests that are of benefit in diagnosing a pheochromocytoma....

Most people with autism prefer to live a predictable, routinized life. In fact, for some people on the spectrum, even the slightest change (a detour on the way to school, for example) can be upsetting. So travel, not surprisingly, can be very challenging for autistic individuals and their families. Fortunately, there are ways to make travel easier; your choice of method will depend on your particular needs and pocketbook. Travel Challenges for People on the Autism Spectrum Travel of any sort can be challenging....

When medical or surgical treatment causes a new illness or injury, the result is considered to be iatrogenic. If you or your child are going for medical care, one of your worst fears may be that something could go wrong as a result of the treatment. An iatrogenic event can either complicate your existing medical condition or cause health issues unrelated to the illness you sought treatment for in the first place....

Keratoconus is a medical condition that causes the eye’s cornea to bulge outward into a cone shape, becoming steeper over time. The cornea is the clear, dome-like structure on the front part of the eye. “Keratoconus” is a Greek word meaning “cone-shaped cornea.” With the condition, vision becomes extremely distorted and blurred. Symptoms Keratoconus may start appearing in the teenage years and level off after the age of 40. In the early stages, it may go unnoticed....

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is becoming an increasing problem for people of all ages in the United States. This is probably due, in part, to an increase in the consumption of fast food, which tends to be greasy and fatty, as well as the escalating rate of obesity. If you’re suffering from acid reflux, it’s important that you see a healthcare provider to determine if a diagnosis of GERD is appropriate and to exclude other disorders with similar symptoms....

Nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are a class of medication known as antivirals. NRTIs are primarily used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), although some also are approved to treat chronic hepatitis B. Uses NRTIs are used for the treatment and management of HIV. In some cases, NRTIs are also used to treat chronic hepatitis B. NRTIs Were Early Antiretroviral Drugs NRTIs were the first class of antiretroviral drugs to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)....

Occupational therapists work with children and adults with autism to help them better perform activities of daily living. Occupational therapy is one of the three most commonly offered therapies in the school setting (along with speech therapy and behavioral therapy); occupational therapists may work toward a huge range of goals, from better handwriting to play skills to sensory integration. What Is an Occupational Therapist? Occupational therapists are individuals who have completed a master’s degree and received a license to practice....

Persistent depressive disorder is a mood disorder with chronic depressive symptoms. In general, the treatment of persistent depressive disorder is not much different from the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Individual treatment plans differ based on the particular presentation of symptoms, but the general principles of pharmacotherapy (i.e., medication) and psychotherapy remain the same. Research shows that the combination of therapy and medication should be the first line of treatment for chronic depression, but more research is needed to identify which people can benefit most from which specific interventions....

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a popular form of reversible birth control. Both hormonal and copper IUDs are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy with typical use, but it still is possible to become pregnant if you have an IUD in. This article will discuss becoming pregnant while you have an IUD, why it can happen, the risks to the pregnant person and fetus, and your options if this occurs....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect your life in many ways, but pain seems to have the most effect on people who live with the condition. The primary cause of RA pain is inflammation that leads to joint swelling. Getting your RA pain under control might take some time and work, and it may require several different medications—some to slow down the disease’s effects and others to alleviate your pain. Keep reading to learn about the medicines that manage RA pain, their side effects, and why your healthcare provider might recommend them....

Secondhand marijuana smoke can negatively affect the health of exposed non-pot smokers. The risks of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure have been known for many years, but with the legalization of marijuana in some states, concerns have been raised about secondhand marijuana smoke exposure as well. These concerns commonly come from two angles: The health effects of secondhand marijuana smoke and the impact of secondhand weed smoke on a drug test. This article discusses both....

Some common arthritis drugs are self-injectable. That means they’re shots you give yourself at home. Most self-injectable medications are classified as biologics. The idea of self-injection can be daunting. But you can use tips that make it much simpler than you imagine. Most people who use these arthritis medications get over their anxiety over self-injection once they get comfortable with the process. This article looks at which drugs are self-injectable, how to give yourself the shot, and where to go for more instruction....

You can develop shingles on the face. The rash looks like a group of small blisters or lesions that can itch, burn, or tingle. With treatment, the lesions and pain should subside in 3 to 5 weeks. Shingles on the face can lead to severe complications. While the rash is typically limited to one side of your face, it can extend to your ear, eye, mouth, or scalp. This can result in vision problems, hearing loss, facial weakness, hair loss, and lingering nerve pain....

Shoulder pain is among the more common reasons for why people visit a healthcare provider. Pain, tenderness, and reduced range of motion in your shoulder can disrupt your daily life. Your healthcare provider may use one or several special tests in order to pinpoint the problem. The Neer test, Crank test, and Speed’s test are among these tests. This article explains 12 of these specific tests used for shoulder pain. It will walk you through how these exams are performed and why they are used to identify the type of shoulder condition....