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Drinking liquid chlorophyll has taken TikTok by storm. Swiping through videos, you will be hard-pressed to escape the sight of people sipping on a green concoction toted as a “miracle product.” And with claims that this green juice is helping people lose weight, have more energy, and reduce their acne, it is no wonder why people are quickly jumping on the chlorophyll bandwagon. Key Takeaways Liquid chlorophyll is a popular supplement on social media and is associated with many unsubstantiated health claims....

Lecithin is a nutrient that occurs naturally in food and is also sold as a dietary supplement. Lecithin can be found in green vegetables, red meat, and eggs. Supplements are often made from soybeans, egg yolks, or animal products. Lecithin supplements are used to lower cholesterol. Lecithin may also benefit some neurological and inflammatory conditions. However, lecithin supplements are not approved to prevent or treat any condition. This article looks at lecithin uses, food sources, and evidence for lecithin’s effectiveness....

A lipid panel is a blood test that measures the level of different types of fat (lipid molecules) in your blood. Many simply refer to it as a cholesterol test, as it measures total cholesterol and the two types individually; it also measures triglycerides. A lipid panel is often ordered as part of routine blood work conducted during an annual physical exam to screen for risk of cardiovascular concerns, but may be done at other times if certain diseases are suspected by your healthcare provider....

A lump behind the ear is usually harmless and easy to treat, and it isn’t always the sign of a serious or long-term problem. That’s typically the case with swollen lymph nodes, infections, and skin conditions that lead to lumps behind the ear. Less often, tumors can form behind the ear. These tumors may be benign, as with a mastoid osteoma, or they may be cancerous, as in cases of parotid (salivary) gland cancers....

In the United States alone, there are as many as 11 million people who have age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For older Americans (starting at age 60), this is the leading reason for vision loss. With AMD, the macula at the center of the light-sensitive retina in the back of the eye begins to break down. As a result, it may no longer be possible to see fine details. This article will delve into key facts and statistics about macular degeneration, an all-too-common eye condition....

When men age, there’s a natural decline in the body’s production of the hormone testosterone (androgen), which is responsible for regulation of sex characteristics in those assigned male at birth. Later on in life, testosterone is vital to a man’s physical and mental wellness. A drop in testosterone can cause what’s commonly referred to as hypogonadism (“male menopause” or “age-related low testosterone”). The decline in testosterone in men usually arises around the same time as menopause in women: in their late 40s or early 50s....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disorder that affects about 2.8 million people worldwide. It impacts different regions of the brain and spinal cord, causing a variety of symptoms including motor, sensory, or visual impairment; bowel, bladder, and sexual dysfunction; fatigue; cognitive impairment; and depression. MS should be treated with conventional, evidence-based treatments, such as medication. Some people choose complementary treatments like acupuncture along with conventional treatments. While there is not enough evidence for or against people with MS using acupuncture, it is generally considered safe to try as long as it is conducted by a trained, experienced practitioner using sterile single-use needles....

Mycosis Fungoides is a type of T-cell lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) that affects the skin. T-cells are a type of white blood cell that are responsible for making antibodies that help fight infection. In mycosis fungoides, these T-cells become cancerous and cause the skin to develop lesions. This condition is often present for many years and slowly progresses over time. Mycosis fungoides is the most common type of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma....

What Is Orenitram? Orenitram (treprostinil) is a prescription medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in adults. Orenitram is a tricyclic analog of prostacyclin, a hormone that is produced in blood vessels. As a vasodilator, it works by directly widening the blood vessels (vasodilation) of the lungs and other parts of the body to improve blood flow. It also stops platelets from clumping together in the blood (platelet aggregation), and it hinders the growth and division of smooth muscle cells (smooth muscle proliferation)....

Pancolitis is inflammation of the entire colon, or large intestine. It is a form of ulcerative colitis (UC), which is part of a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The exact cause of pancolitis is not well understood. However, it may be brought on by certain intestinal infections or other inflammatory conditions. Pancolitis is also known as pan-ulcerative colitis, extensive colitis, total colitis, or universal colitis. It is a chronic disease, meaning it is often brought on slowly over a long period of time and has no cure....

What Is Remeron? Remeron (mirtazapine) is a prescription oral antidepressant drug used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), or clinical depression. MDD is a mental health disorder that causes persistent, severely depressed mood, loss of interest in activities, and other symptoms like sleep changes. Remeron works a little differently than any of the other antidepressant drugs currently available on the U.S. market. For that reason, it is sometimes called an “atypical” antidepressant....

Part of diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves ruling out other conditions that mimic RA, such as fibromyalgia, Lyme disease, and osteoarthritis. Diagnosis involves a physical examination, a review of medical history, blood work, and imaging studies. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis. RA causes chronic inflammation that attacks the lining of the joints (the synovium). As a result, the joints may get red, warm, swollen, and painful....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition that targets joints throughout the body. This condition occurs when your immune system destroys your body’s own cells as if they were a foreign invader. RA can cause elbow pain, as well as swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. This article discusses rheumatoid arthritis of the elbow—what the symptoms are, how it’s diagnosed, and treatments for this condition. Symptoms of RA in the Elbow One of the earliest symptoms of RA in the elbows is pain that affects both arms at the same time....

Domestic abuse goes beyond physical abuse or violence. Abusers use many physical, mental, or emotional tactics to assert their power and control over the victim and to keep them in the relationship. There are patterns of behaviors in an abusive relationship. Identifying them is the first step to breaking free from abuse. Signs of Domestic Abuse In domestic abuse relationships, there are many behaviors that are used by the abuser to gain and maintain power and control over their partner....

If you or your healthcare provider find an abnormality on your skin that might be skin cancer, a biopsy is needed to determine both the type and extent of the cancer. A simple shave or punch biopsy is often done if a basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma is suspected, but an excisional biopsy is usually the better choice if it could be a melanoma. For melanomas and squamous cell cancers that have spread, further tests such as CT, MRI, PET, and/or a sentinel node biopsy may be needed to determine the stage of the disease....

Having “the talk” with your teen can be difficult in the best of times. It can evoke feelings of discomfort in adults who are unaccustomed to discussing sex with others, much less their own kids. It may even challenge moral or religious beliefs, suggesting to some a tacit approval of teen sex. Whatever your beliefs or concerns, one fact remains: avoiding an open and non-judgmental discussion about sex—or assuming your child’s school will take care of it—may be a mistake....

What Is Tyvaso? Tyvaso (treprostinil) is a prescription-only medication used to help improve the symptoms of a medical condition known as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Pulmonary hypertension means you have high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to your lungs. This is a serious medical condition that is accompanied by bothersome symptoms. When high blood pressure is in these arteries, the blood vessels are narrowed, meaning less blood and oxygen can get to the lungs....

A rapid HIV test can test for HIV and return the results in a short period of time, usually 20 minutes. There are two kinds of rapid HIV tests: A rapid self-test can be taken in a private location, while a rapid point-of-care test is given at a clinic or healthcare provider’s office. A rapid self-test can be purchased through a pharmacy or online and performed at home. Currently, there is only one FDA-approved rapid self-test, OraQuick....

Laser skin resurfacing has become a popular skin care treatment, especially in the area of skin rejuvenation. Many have looked to laser skin resurfacing to improve their skin and help remove the signs of aging skin. Continue reading to learn more about laser skin resurfacing, which lasers are used, and possible complications. The CO2 laser is used as a resurfacing instrument, as well as for laser peels. The healthcare provider can adjust the amount of energy in the laser beam, thus controlling the penetration depth....

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation primarily in the spine but can also affect other joints. People with ankylosing spondylitis are often prescribed immunosuppressive medications to manage their symptoms and reduce inflammation. Because this type of medication weakens the immune system response, people with ankylosing spondylitis who are taking these medications may be at an increased risk of acquiring infections, possibly including COVID-19, or experiencing a more severe infection....