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Symbicort is a combination inhaler used to control asthma and to maintain airflow in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It contains an inhaled corticosteroid called budesonide that helps alleviate airway inflammation and a long-acting bronchodilator called formoterol fumarate dihydrate that helps keep airways open. Symbicort is not used as a rescue inhaler but rather provides long-term control of obstructive airway diseases like asthma and COPD. While safe, convenient, and effective, Symbicort is not appropriate for everyone....

A tension headache is the most common type of headache disorder, and you can experience them once in a while or chronically (more than 15 days per month). You may have head pain, irritability, or trouble concentrating with a tension headache. These headaches are a type of primary headache disorder in that they are not caused by a serious medical or neurological problem. Typically, tension headaches are diagnosed based on symptoms, but you may need some diagnostic tests to rule out a medical cause of your headaches....

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis, are small pitted lesions (sores) that occur inside of the mouth. The exact cause is unknown, but they are not contagious. Roughly 20% of people will develop canker sores at some time in their life. Canker sores only occur inside the mouth and should not to confused with cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. We tend to think of canker sores as one thing, but there are actually different types with different features and risk factors....

While the shingles rash may initially look somewhat like chickenpox, shingles tends to take on a unique look as it progresses and causes clusters of blisters. Photos of people with shingles also showcase another obvious difference: Unlike a chickenpox rash, which eventually appears all over, a shingles rash tends to occur in one single “stripe” on one side of the body. It’s important to get properly diagnosed because shingles can have serious complications in some cases....

Hyaluronic acid is a common ingredient in skincare products. It’s used chiefly in moisturizing creams, lotions, and serums because of its ability to hydrate and plump the skin. Hyaluronic acid is also used in injectable dermal fillers to help eliminate wrinkles and add volume to the face and lips. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan that occurs naturally in the skin, connective tissue, eyes, and joints. It is also called hyaluronan....

When you’re getting cancer treatment, you may be given a combination of surgery and other medications, treatments, or drugs. These additional treatments are sometimes referred to as adjuvant therapies, adjunct therapies, or by other names. Many different treatments may be administered as adjuvants. They may include adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. Adjuvant therapies are a common part of treatment plans for breast cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer....

Androgyny is a type of gender presentation that mixes masculinity and femininity. The word itself combines the two concepts and means that someone has both masculine and feminine characteristics. Andro- is a latin prefix referring to maleness or men, while -gyn is a root that can be used as either a suffix of prefix meaning woman. A person who practices androgyny is an androgyne. The adjective for androgyny is androgynous....

Tamoxifen is a medication that is used to treat estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, typically in premenopausal people. It is not uncommon for those taking tamoxifen to also be taking an antidepressant medication. An antidepressant may be needed to treat depression associated with having cancer or possibly as a way to help manage hot flashes, a common side effect of tamoxifen. However, some antidepressants can interfere with the benefits of tamoxifen. Knowing the potential interactions between tamoxifen and antidepressants is important if you are taking these types of medications....

Aseptic meningitis is nonbacterial inflammation of the meninges, the tissue layers and fluid that protect the brain and spinal cord. It’s usually not life-threatening, but the symptoms can be distressing. Often, aseptic meningitis improves on its own without causing brain or spinal cord damage. It’s important to rest while you’re recovering. Symptomatic treatment, like pain medication or intravenous fluids, can help you to stay comfortable and avoid complications as the inflammation subsides....

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common but frustrating condition in which the balance of bacteria in the vagina gets out of sync. Usually, the body is able to maintain the ideal balance. But if the balance is disrupted, certain types of bacteria can overgrow and cause symptoms. BV is readily treated and usually doesn’t cause any other health problems. With that said, it can increase the risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or lead to birth complications in people who are pregnant....

Depression, anxiety, and fatigue are three of the most common symptoms reported by those coping with celiac disease. The emotional component of coping with celiac disease can be perplexing, particularly for those who have not experienced the disease first-hand. Because celiac disease is a long-term autoimmune disorder, there are multiple issues at play; for example, malabsorption—a common symptom of celiac disease—is thought to play a part in depression. Changing to a gluten-free diet to treat celiac disease is not only a practical concern but also an emotional one....

If you have been told that you need to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat your sleep apnea, you may wonder how a CPAP machine works. CPAP machines relieve snoring and sleep apnea with pressurized air and what special considerations may be necessary if you have central sleep apnea. This article discusses sleep apnea machines, including the history of CPAP, how CPAP works, and side effects of CPAP treatment for sleep apnea....

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that is a complication of diabetes. It is strongly associated with the duration of diabetes, status of retinopathy at diagnosis, and level of glycemic control. Other factors associated with the disease include hypertension (high blood pressure), nephropathy (kidney disease), and dyslipidemia. Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed using a comprehensive dilated eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist who has experience with diabetic eye disease. Early detection and treatment can reduce complications and reduce the progression of the disease....

Neck pain and tension is often related to your day in and day out posture. For example, slaving over a computer for your job may contribute or even cause a problem known as kyphosis (rounded upper back) as well as a related forward head posture. If so, you likely crane your neck forward so you can see your computer when you work, the road when you drive and more. Believe it or not, making the effort to recover—both from the two posture problems mentioned above and any pain or discomfort these may cause—is also good for you in other ways....

Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside the uterus, often extending to the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvic wall. Nearly half of the women affected by endometriosis will have chronic pelvic pain, while around 70 percent will have pain during their periods (dysmenorrhea). Infertility is also common, affecting as many as one in every two women with the condition. No one currently knows the exact cause of endometriosis....

Lots of different health conditions can cause eye pain. Some of them are serious, like narrow-angle glaucoma and optic neuritis. Others are less so, like conjunctivitis, styes, or dry eyes. The kind of pain you’re feeling (burning, sharp, aching, etc.) and any additional symptoms you have (sensitivity to light, headache, etc.) can help your healthcare provider determine the cause. Your healthcare provider may prescribe eye drops or self-care treatments. In some situations, you may need to see an eye doctor....

Getting enough water daily is essential to staying healthy, but how much water is enough? The widespread advice is to drink eight glasses of water daily, but this recommendation does not apply to everyone. Daily water intake recommendations vary by a person’s age, sex, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and health status. Read more about how much water you should drink a day, why it is important to overall health, and signs of adequate hydration....

Fistulas are abnormal tunnel-shaped openings that form in the intestine and connect to another organ. Fistulas affect up to half of people with Crohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The most common site for a fistula is from the anal area to the skin, which is called a perianal fistula, but they can form between other organs as well. Fistulas need prompt medical treatment to control infection and other complications....

Implantation bleeding is spotting or light bleeding that happens when a fertilized egg attaches itself to the uterine lining (endometrium). Implantation bleeding may occur six to 12 days after fertilization, but not everyone experiences it. Approximately 15% to 25% of those who become pregnant will have bleeding in the first trimester. Implantation bleeding is a normal symptom that doesn’t require any medical attention. However, there are important signs to watch for that can indicate something serious....

What Is Imuran? Imuran (azathioprine) is a medication that works by suppressing the immune system. It is approved for use in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Imuran is also used to prevent rejection of a kidney transplant. Imuran works by decreasing the immune system’s ability to cause inflammation. This can be important when given for a kidney transplant, so the immune system can’t attack the new kidney and prevent it from working....