Moisturizing is an important part of every skincare regimen, even for those with oily and combination skin types. There’s evidence that many natural oils, like coconut oil, can provide moisture to parched skin and delay some signs of aging. Oils are a little different than lotions, and you might find that certain oils make your skin look and feel better. Types of Oils for Skin Here are some natural oils that can benefit the skin....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently lowered its threshold for lead poisoning in children, after a study found that over half of U.S. children had detectable levels of lead in their blood. Key Takeaways The CDC lowered its blood lead reference value for lead poisoning from 5 to 3.5 mg per deciliter of blood.No level of lead is safe. Lead exposure is harmful to children and their long-term health....
Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) is a rare disorder characterized by excessive thirst—or polydipsia—and excessive urination—or polyuria—that occur as a result of damage to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland in the brain releases the hormone arginine vasopressin (AVP)—also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH)—which acts on the kidneys to help promote water reabsorption. When the pituitary gland is damaged via surgery, tumor, head injury, or illness, deficiencies of ADH arise and the free water regulatory mechanism between the brain and kidney is disrupted....
Neglect is when a parent or guardian does not meet a child’s basic needs. If serious enough, one instance can be defined as neglect, but it is usually an ongoing pattern rather than one incident. There are several types of neglect, including emotional neglect, which often overlap with each other and/or other forms of child abuse. Neglect is the most frequent form of child maltreatment noted by child protection agencies. About 18% of the adult population report experiencing emotional neglect as children....
When there’s a mismatch or misalignment between your upper jaw bone (or maxilla) and the lower one (mandible), you have an uneven jaw. This can arise due to everything from disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and trauma to dental issues, such as malocclusion. Crooked jaw varies in severity, with those with more serious cases having symptoms like an asymmetrical face, pain in the temples, ear-popping, and problems chewing. Treatments include using orthodontics, surgery, as well as symptom management....
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a condition that causes pain associated with the movement of the thumb and wrist. The cause of the pain of de Quervain’s is inflammation within a confined area around the base of the thumb. This inflammation is caused by a tendon problem called stenosing tenosynovitis. This means that the tendons at the base of the thumb become irritated as a result of repetitive stress causing damage to these tendons and resulting inflammation....
“Pruritus” is the clinical name for the symptom of itching. There are many causes of pruritus. They include dry skin (xerosis) and skin conditions such as eczema (an inflammatory skin disease also called atopic dermatitis), allergic skin reactions (contact dermatitis), and systemic conditions, such as diabetes and blood cancers. This article will discuss what causes pruritus, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Pruritus Causes There are many causes of pruritus. A common cause of pruritus is xerosis, especially in older adults and in people who live in colder climates....
Frequent urination may be an early sign of diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by the body’s impaired ability to produce or respond to insulin as it should, leading to high blood sugar (glucose) levels. When blood sugar levels are too high, the kidneys must work harder to eliminate excess glucose from the blood. This can cause excessive thirst and frequent urination. Diabetes is not the only cause of frequent urination....
Medications categorized as disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are prescribed for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus. DMARDs are often referred to as immunosuppressants or immunomodulators because they appear to decrease inflammation by modifying the way your immune system works. This action helps slow down disease progression and alleviate symptoms. The earliest DMARDs have been around for decades, so healthcare providers have a wealth of data to guide their treatment decisions....
Graves’ disease is an immune system disorder that leads to thyroid hormones being produced in excess. This is known as hyperthyroidism. Its symptoms include a fast or irregular heartbeat, increased feelings of nervousness, irritability or anxiety, and weight loss. While Graves’ disease can cause many symptoms in various areas of the body, roughly 25%–50% of people will develop symptoms affecting their eyes, known as Graves’ disease ophthalmopathy. This article discusses the eye health consequences of Graves’ disease and whether treatment can return eye health to normal....
People with celiac disease face complicated nutritional challenges, even if they are following the gluten-free diet. First, they must recover (as much as possible) from the nutrient malabsorption that occurred while they were still eating gluten, which might have caused anemia, low bone mineral density and osteoporosis, vitamin deficiencies, and other problems. As if that weren’t enough, unlike gluten-containing products in the supermarket, few commercial gluten-free products are enriched or fortified with extra vitamins, making it difficult for people with celiac disease to get enough vitamins in their diet....
Keratolytics are medications designed to dissolve skin flakes and scales. Removing these scales not only improves the appearance of the skin and minimizes dandruff, it also helps other topical medications to penetrate the skin better. In addition to dandruff, products that contain keratolytics help treat a multitude of skin conditions, including calluses, acne, and psoriasis. Types of Keratolytics Common keratolytic drug ingredients include salicylic acid, urea, and lactic acid. Most keratolytics are available over the counter....
Myeloproliferative disorders include several different conditions that are characterized by excess production of blood cells in the body. They differ based on which type of blood cell is overproduced—red blood cells (carry oxygen from the lung to tissues), platelets (help the blood to clot), or white blood cells (help the body fight infection). The symptoms, causes, and treatments depend on the type and severity of the disorder. Diagnosis of each condition involves a similar process, and usually includes a blood test, and possibly a bone marrow biopsy....
Neuroendocrine cancers are growths that develop when hormone-producing cells of the body start to multiply out of control. These cells form tumors that can release hormones that cause various symptoms. Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers. They send signals from one cell to another through the bloodstream. These chemicals can have a variety of effects throughout the body. Often, they regulate the body’s basic processes, including growth, development, and metabolism....
If you have osteoarthritis, then you may know that your diet affects how you feel. The relationship between joint health and diet isn’t as clear as it is with other conditions, like diabetes or heart disease. But over time, the quality of the food you eat affects the health of your cartilage, synovial fluid, tissues, and the amount of inflammation in your body. (Synovial fluid lubricates joints, making it easier to move....
You can’t change your age or genetics, but you can make some dietary and lifestyle adjustments to lower your risk of osteoporosis. This article will discuss osteoporosis prevention, treatments, and more. What Is Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and brittle. The word osteoporosis means “porous bone.” The condition is the most common bone disease, and is most commonly found in older adults, people assigned female at birth, and people of Caucasian descent....
Fear of dolls, or pediophobia, is considered an anxiety disorder known as specific phobia. Pediophobia is a type of automatonophobia, which is a fear of inanimate objects that appear human or a fear of anything that simulates a real human being. This article discusses the characteristics of pediophobia, as well as its causes, treatment, and ways to cope. Defining Pediophobia The word “pediophobia” comes from the Greek word “paidion,” which means little child....
The condition you had prostate surgery to fix, most commonly prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate that is causing urinary issues, is usually resolved after your procedure. People who go through this type of surgery frequently experience complications like urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction after the procedure, which may be temporary or permanent. There are different ways to minimize the impact these issues may have on someone’s life after prostate surgery....
Snus—a moist, finely ground smokeless tobacco product—originated about 200 years ago in Sweden but is now used in the United States and elsewhere. Smokeless tobacco products like snus are seen by some to be a “better” alternative to cigarette smoking, and there is some evidence to support the claim. In October 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release stating that “using snus instead of cigarettes puts you at a lower risk of heart disease, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, stroke, and emphysema....
Testicular cancer affects one or both of the testes, organs that are part of the male reproductive system. The testes are located in the scrotum, which hangs at the base of the penis. Testicular cancer is most commonly found in young men aged 20 to 39 years old. It is often treated with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. In addition to these regular treatments, many healthcare providers are now conducting certain follow-up appointments via telehealth, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic....
