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Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are outgrowths of bone that develop within joints due to increased pressure between bones from a lack of cartilage. Bone spurs within the knee can cause pain and limit joint mobility, which can cause difficulty with everyday activities like walking, squatting, bending, and going up and down stairs, and can lead to muscle imbalances in the leg. However, not everyone will experience symptoms, and some may not know they have a bone spur in their knee....

If you notice that your legs are more itchy than normal, it’s likely not a cause for concern. Itchy legs are commonly caused by dry skin, but this feeling can also be indicative of more serious conditions. It’s important to avoid scratching your itchy legs, as this may cause further damage to the skin and can make the area feel even more sensitive. Read on to learn more about what causes itchy legs and what you can do to alleviate the itch....

Endocarditis is an often serious infection (or inflammation) of the heart. Technically, endocarditis is the infection or inflammation of the endocardium, which is the inner heart surface. This means endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves. It can also affect devices (pacemakers, defibrillators, and their wires) as well as artificial valves. What Happens In endocarditis, vegetations—or clusters of microbes and human fibrin and platelets—amass on heart valves. They fling back and forth as the valve opens and closes....

Breast cancer has one main intention—to spread. Often, the first stop is the lymph nodes. And, as it advances, metastases can occur in distant parts of the body, some of the most common ones being the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. The areas to which breast cancer spreads, and the extent to which it does, are important as metastasis is responsible for most deaths from the disease. Doctors aren’t certain why cancer recurs and spreads, or how it can appear to lie dormant for years and even decades and then recur....

Usually, when someone dies in their sleep, several codependent organ systems have failed. Most often, heart failure and lung failure are to blame. One one of these organs fails, the other likely will in short order. Heart rhythm changes that trigger sudden cardiac arrest and the progressive loss of heart function associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) are chief among the medical conditions that can increase the risk of this occurring....

Seasoning with spices might add toxins to your food. A new study from Consumer Reports found high levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in one-third of the dried herbs and spices tested. Many of them are made by well-known brands like McCormick, La Flor, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Great Value (Walmart). Key Takeaways A study by Consumer Reports found concerning levels of heavy metals in some common dried herbs and spices....

What Is Arava? Arava (leflunomide) is a prescription medication that relieves rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. It belongs to a class known as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). DMARDs work by calming your body’s overactive immune system to help reduce inflammation. Arava is available in tablet form. What Is Arava Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Arava to treat adults with active RA. RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes symptoms such as swelling, pain, stiffness, and damage to your joints....

A new painless lump, swelling, and skin changes to your breasts may be a warning of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women, so knowing the symptoms of breast cancer is important. However, the disease rarely causes symptoms until it reaches a relatively late stage, so preventive tests like mammograms are crucial in receiving an early diagnosis. Black women are disproportionately burdened by breast cancer....

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your breathing. All types of asthma impact the tubes that move air in and out of your lungs, called bronchial tubes or bronchi. These tubes become swollen and inflamed in people with asthma, earning this condition its name. This article will explore the different asthma types, what sets them apart, and how to manage them. Causes and Types of Asthma An asthma diagnosis means you have chronic swelling and inflammation in the bronchioles....

One of the biggest oddities in the emergency treatment of symptomatic bradycardia is the propensity to skip atropine administration and jump straight to external pacing. It’s a common choice among paramedics. The thinking is that atropine causes such an increased oxygen demand that it puts undue stress on the heart muscle and could lead to a myocardial infarction. Instead, the thinking goes, use transcutaneous pacing to increase the heart rate without the ill effects of atropine....

Hearing loss affects more people than you may realize. About 15% of American adults—that’s 37.5 million people—report some difficulty with hearing. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to loud noises or an infection, and it often progresses gradually. Hearing loss can impair your work and relationships. It’s important to get your hearing screened regularly and to see a healthcare provider if you’re having any difficulties with hearing or your ears....

Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when dopamine-producing cells in the brain die. Dopamine is a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells. This loss of dopamine causes motor (movement-related) symptoms like uncontrollable shaking and stiffness. Dopamine depletion in PD is also associated with non-motor symptoms like depression, a serious mental health condition that negatively impacts how you feel and think. Depression is common in PD and is often an early (if not first) symptom of the disease....

One of the most common questions about condom use is whether or not wearing two external condoms during sex provides better pregnancy protection than using just one. Along the same lines, many people also wonder if wearing both an external condom and an internal condom lowers your chances of getting pregnant. Wearing Two Condoms May Seem Like a Good Idea When you think about it, wearing two external condoms at the same time (also known as double bagging condoms) may seem like a good idea....

An endocrinologist is a physician who specializes in endocrinology, a branch of medicine devoted to the study of hormonal glands and the diseases and disorders that affect them. The specialty involves the evaluation of a wide range of symptoms in relation to a deficiency or excess of hormones. Many of these conditions are chronic (meaning they persist over a long time) and require ongoing and even lifelong management. An endocrinologist is first trained in internal medicine, pediatrics, or gynecology before specializing in endocrinology....

In 1965, Dr. Seiichi Ise and Dr. Shigeo Ofuji described a variant of “superficial pustular dermatosis” in a Japanese female patient with “crops of small pustules on the face, the trunk, and the upper arms without any general symptoms.” Skin exams in the patient showed pustules in the upper parts of hair follicles. Eosinophilic folliculitis (EF), or eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF), is a rare type of folliculitis (infection of the hair follicles)....

Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes a wide variety of movement-related symptoms including resting tremors, rigidity in the arms or legs, slowed movement, and difficulty with walking or balance. These symptoms typically progress slowly, but can eventually cause significant disability and loss of independence. While there is no cure for this condition, performing a Parkinson’s exercise program can help you manage your symptoms and may prolong your independence....

Forward head posture (FHP) is a complication of the combination of slouched-forward shoulders and kyphosis (rounded upper back) that has become a common result of modern-day living and working. Causes of Forward Head Posture This “humpback” position can lead to a painful shortening of the muscles of the back of the neck, as well as compression of the cervical vertebrae—the uppermost portion of the spine that supports the head and protects the spinal cord....

When you think about celiac disease, you most likely think first of its effects on your digestive system. But the condition has a significant effect on another important system: your cardiovascular system. Research shows that people with celiac disease have a higher risk of two different types of cardiovascular disease: ischemic heart disease (more commonly known as coronary artery disease), and atrial fibrillation (an irregular, usually rapid heartbeat that’s called A-Fib for short)....

Mania is a mood episode characterized by elevated energy and mood. While hypomania is similar, it’s a less severe form of mania and lasts a shorter period of time. Hypomania and mania are associated with different types of bipolar disorder. Mania is a feature of bipolar I disorder, and hypomania is a part of bipolar II disorder. This article discusses the similarities and differences between hypomania and mania. Symptoms Symptoms of mania and hypomania are similar, but the intensity of the symptoms and how long they last vary between the two....

Eplerenone, known by the brand name Inspra, is prescribed for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. This medication has resulted in reduced blood pressure and improved survival for those who have had heart failure after a heart attack. Common Eplerenone Side Effects Many of the common side effects of Inspra (eplerenone) tend to resolve as your body adapts to the medication. Call your healthcare provider if any of these side effects persist or worsen:...