Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare disease that develops when your blood cells are formed. It can lead to the abnormal destruction of blood cells, resulting in various symptoms. People with PNH can have either a few symptoms that come and go or severe symptoms that can have fatal complications. This article will provide an overview of the symptoms you can expect with PNH and why the condition develops....
Your plantar fascia is a tight, thick tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. Plantar fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed or irritated, resulting in a sharp or dull pain felt at the bottom of the heel. This can be caused by several things, from carrying extra weight to wearing unsupportive footwear. Though treatments are usually quite simple, the pain of plantar fasciitis can be fairly severe....
Pokeweed is a poisonous, herbaceous plant native to the Gulf Coast of the United States. It has long been used for food and folk medicine in this part of the world and in parts of eastern North America and the Midwest. In traditional Chinese medicine, pokeweed is known as chui xu shang lu. Due to its potential toxicity, alternative practitioners sometimes refer to it as the “Jekyll and Hyde plant.”...
With ptosis, sometimes called blepharoptosis, the upper eyelid of one or both eyes droops somewhat. This may only sag a little and may be a cosmetic issue. Or it can obstruct the whole pupil. Ptosis can be congenital (present at birth), come about due to an injury, or commonly may be part of the aging process. This condition comes on when there is a problem with either the levator muscle, responsible for opening the upper lid, or the superior tarsal muscle, which keeps the lids open....
What Is Rogaine? Rogaine (minoxidil) is an over-the-counter (OTC) topical medication that helps with short-term hair growth in adults ages 18 and older. Rogaine is most effective for people under 40 years of age whose hair loss is recent. The medication does not affect receding hairlines and does not cure baldness. As a result, most new hair is lost within a few months after the drug is stopped. Although how Rogaine exactly helps with hair growth is unknown, it’s thought to work by influencing the hair cycle....
Physical therapy (PT) for scoliosis may be beneficial to help you relieve pain, improve spinal mobility, and prevent worsening of your lateral spinal curvature. Your physical therapist can work with you to strengthen muscles that support your spine and improve your postural awareness. What Is Scoliosis? Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. There are many causes of scoliosis, and it may affect anyone at any age....
Tetanus is a serious but preventable bacterial infection that affects the nerves. Commonly referred to as lockjaw, the disease is spread by contact with an object or surface that has been contaminated with Clostridium tetani. Transmission is most often the result of a puncture wound that provides the bacterium easy access into the body. There are currently no blood tests available to diagnose tetanus. As such, treatment would begin upon the appearance of symptoms and may include a tetanus antitoxin, intravenous antibiotics, antispasmodic drugs, and mechanical ventilation....
Autism spectrum disorder is clinically diagnosed by specialists or teams of specialists who usually have significant experience. They use various tests to help determine if someone has the symptoms, or traits, of the disorder. Then they select one of three levels indicating the amount of support the autistic person needs, and they can select from a slew of specifications (such as intellectual disability) that may or may not be present....
Tightness in the throat can make you feel as if your airway passage is narrowed, causing symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or breathing. You may feel as if there’s a lump in your throat or that it’s swollen or closed off. These symptoms may be different from those you feel with a sore throat or common cold. The causes of throat tightness can vary in their severity. For example, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common and treatable condition affecting the esophagus, the tube that carries food to the stomach....
What Is Topicort? Topicort (desoximetasone) is a corticosteroid (commonly called a steroid). It is prescribed to relieve itching and inflammation caused by skin conditions such as eczema and plaque psoriasis. It is a topical drug, which means you apply it directly to the skin. Topicort contains the active ingredient desoximetasone, which is classified as a high-potency corticosteroid. It works by blocking certain processes that lead to skin inflammation. Topicort works to relieve itching, swelling, and discomfort caused by inflammation....
Pupils are the dark circles in the eyes. They are usually equal in size, but some people are born with unequal pupils. Many different eye and medical problems can cause the pupils to be unequal—a condition called anisocoria. Certain medications placed in the eyes can cause the pupils to be different sizes, but the effects should wear off, typically within a few hours. This article will discuss the symptom of unequal pupils, possible causes, tests, and treatment....
What Is Urso Forte? Urso Forte (ursodiol) is a pill taken by mouth to treat a chronic liver condition called primary biliary cirrhosis, or primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). PBC occurs when small tubes in the liver called bile ducts slowly become damaged and are eventually destroyed. Urso Forte is the brand name for ursodiol 500-milligram (mg) tablets, and Urso 250 is the brand name for ursodiol 250-mg tablets. Ursodiol is a bile acid drug....
The digestive system’s main job might be to break down food and keep us nourished, but that’s not all the gut is good for. One exciting area of research is examining how the gut is connected to the brain. Key Takeaways A recent study linked specific gut microbes to higher rates of depression.The study adds to the evidence of an important connection between the gut and brain—also called the “gut-brain axis....
Skin conditions are common among people of all ages. Some skin diseases such as keratosis pilaris or psoriasis affect millions of Americans each year. Typically, skin disorders are easy to treat or are so mild that they require no treatment at all. There are, however, some skin conditions that are so rare and severe that they require specialized medical treatment. The following 10 skin diseases are so rare that you may have never heard of them at all....
While it may sometimes seem like your migraines are overwhelming your life, there are ways that you can become more proactive in your migraine care. Taking a more active role will help you feel empowered and give you hope for a healthier future. Here are five strategies that can help you optimize your migraine care (under the guidance of your healthcare provider, of course). Engage in Healthy Habits Start with the basics....
If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you might wonder how alcohol is affecting your symptoms, treatment course, and disease progression. Alcohol in moderation might be safe with AS, but it is always important to ask your healthcare provider and follow their advice. A general misconception about alcohol is that because it is legal, widely available, and generally socially acceptable, it is less harmful to the body than other substances, such as illegal ones....
Audiologists are healthcare specialists who diagnose and treat auditory (hearing) disorders and vestibular (spatial balance) problems related to the inner ear. People are often referred by family physicians, neurologists, ear-nose-throat (ENT) specialists, and speech pathologists to conduct hearing tests and treat a variety often disorders ranging from tinnitus and aging-related dizziness to partial or complete hearing loss. Audiologists provide a variety of treatments, from earwax removal to hearing aids and managing cochlear implants....
Battery acid can cause chemical burns, also known as caustic burns. If you get battery acid on your skin, it must be treated immediately. What kind of burn treatment, however, will depend on the type of battery acid. This article explains the different kinds of battery acids and the potential complications of contact with them. It also discusses how to treat your skin if it comes into contact with battery acid....
What Is Benicar? Benicar (olmesartan) is a prescription medication option used to treat hypertension with or without other blood pressure medications. As a member of the angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medication class, Benicar lowers blood pressure by blocking angiotensin II—a type of hormone. Angiotensin II raises blood pressure by squeezing blood vessels and encouraging the release of aldosterone, which is another type of hormone. Aldosterone increases blood pressure by influencing the kidneys to hold onto salt and water....
Riding a roller coaster can be an exhilarating, carefree experience. But it can pose health risks, including a slim risk of stroke that is worth noting. This is particularly true for those with high blood pressure or heart conditions, which is why there are signs at the entrances of roller coasters and other adventures rides warning that these people should not go on them. For the most part, healthy individuals can expect to be safe on a well-designed roller coaster....
