Posts

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition characterized by the diminished function or absence of parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH works with your kidneys and bones to maintain the balance of calcium and phosphorous in your body. A deficiency in PTH can result in low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) and high levels phosphorous, which leads to a variety of problems most commonly involving the muscles, nerve endings, bones, and skin. PTH is produced by the parathyroid glands—four small endocrine glands located next to the thyroid gland....

What Is Inbrija? Inbrija (levodopa) inhalation powder is a prescription medication used for the treatment of “off” episodes in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) who are taking carbidopa/levodopa. Carbidopa/levodopa is a combination oral medication commonly used to treat symptoms of PD or Parkinson-like symptoms. Brand names for carbidopa/levodopa include Sinemet, Duopa, and Rytary. Levodopa is the active ingredient in Inbrija, and just like oral levodopa, is converted to a chemical messenger called dopamine in the brain....

Lupus treatment plans are tailored to your individual needs and may change over time. The range and effectiveness of treatments for lupus have increased, giving healthcare providers more choices in how to manage the disease upon diagnosis and thereafter. Prescription medications such as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory drugs, among other options, may be used. It’s important that you work closely with your healthcare provider and take an active role in managing your disease, reevaluating your treatment plan regularly to ensure it’s as effective as possible....

Watching your pregnant belly grow and change can be fascinating. However, many questions and concerns can also accompany the changes in your abdomen during pregnancy. Some pregnant bellies may look like basketballs, others like watermelons, and others may not show at all. Some are carried high, and others low or even wide. Your pregnant belly is unique and will change throughout your pregnancy depending on factors like your height, weight, pre-existing conditions, muscle mass, trimester, baby’s size, and more....

Spinal stenosis surgery is a procedure to create more space in the vertebrae of the spine to reduce compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Spinal stenosis occurs when openings in the vertebrae of the spine narrow due to degenerative changes. This can cause pinching of the spinal cord itself, or of the spinal nerve roots that exit from the spinal cord. It often occurs in the lumbar spine, or low back, but can also occur in the cervical spine of the neck....

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. It is also one of the most common sexual health issues for men. Although the condition is not usually an emergent health concern, it may signify an underlying health issue, especially if it comes on suddenly. A sudden case of ED might need a different approach when it comes to treatment. This article discusses how ED differs from sudden erectile dysfunction, and what to do if you experience this issue....

Toe pain has several causes, from injuries to chronic health conditions and joint deformities. Most causes of toe pain are not serious and can be managed with conservative treatment. However, pain can significantly affect your ability to bear weight through your toes which can limit your ability to comfortably stand and walk. This article will discuss common causes of toe pain, how it is diagnosed, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider for toe pain....

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is when shocking or traumatic events, accidents, and disasters have a lasting effect on a person’s well-being. PTSD symptoms can include flashbacks, anxiety, and frightening thoughts, all of which can be triggered by situations in everyday life, such as loud noises or a person who ignites a memory. Most people who experience a traumatic event don’t develop PTSD, but for those who do, PTSD can go away on its own in the months after a shocking event, or it can become chronic and last for years....

What Is Viread? Viread (tenofovir) is an oral medication prescribed to treat HIV-1, chronic hepatitis B infection, or both. Viread belongs to a class of drugs known as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). It works by blocking the action of an enzyme that HIV-1 and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) both use to make copies of themselves. By doing so, it reduces the viral population to undetectable levels. Viread is available as a tablet or powder and can be used in adults and children as young as 2 years old....

What Is Vitex? Vitex (Vitex agnus-castus) is a plant used in herbal medicine. Also known as chaste tree or chasteberry, it’s often used to remedy women’s health problems. Vitex supplements typically contain extracts of the fruit and/or seed of the plant. Vitex’s entire mechanism of action is unknown, but it may indirectly influence several hormones, such as prolactin, progesterone, and estrogen. For example, it is thought that vitex reduces the release of prolactin by activating dopamine receptors....

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is the abnormal growth of cells (neoplasia) or lesions on your outer cervix lining (intraepithelial). CIN can be detected through your routine pap smear exam and is most commonly caused by one of the 100 subtypes of human papillomavirus (HPV). CIN is also considered “premalignant” cancer, because having CIN is a risk factor for developing cervical cancer at a later time. Depending on your age, risk factors for cervical cancer, and health condition, treatment protocols can vary....

Fungal acne, also known as pityrosporum folliculitis or malassezia folliculitis, is caused by an overgrowth of yeast in the hair follicle. This leads to breakouts, itching, and irritation on the skin’s surface. The condition can be quite distressing due to its discomfort and cosmetic concerns. Fungal acne treated differently than other types of acne. It can often be controlled or prevented. This article will go over fungal acne causes, what these breakouts look like, how it the condition is diagnosed, what options you have in terms of fungal acne treatment, and tips for preventing it....

The medications most commonly associated with tardive dyskinesia include antipsychotic medications called neuroleptics. Neuroleptics help treat psychotic disorders (severe mental health disorders in which a person loses touch with reality) and some mood disorders (like depression and bipolar disorder). Tardive dyskinesia can also occur as a side effect of some medications used to treat nausea and digestive disorders. This article will discuss which medications are associated with tardive dyskinesia and its symptoms and treatment....

Fecal bacteriotherapy (FB), which is also called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) or intestinal microbiota transplantation (IMT), is a type of therapy that has been used for many years to treat different conditions, especially those that are centered in the digestive tract. It is being studied for use in treating conditions from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and ulcerative colitis in particular, to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to obesity. However, so far, its use has been inconsistent and not proven to work across a variety of cases of any particular condition....

Specific symptoms of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC or AdCC) depend upon the glands affected by this rare form of cancer. In most cases, ACC begins in the head and neck and invades salivary glands (the glands in your mouth that make and release saliva). Lesions or painless masses (cell growths) in the salivary glands are signs of ACC. This article describes the signs and symptoms of adenoid cystic carcinoma and associated complications....

What Is Advil Cold & Sinus? Advil Cold & Sinus (pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Advil Cold & Sinus is a combination product that contains pseudoephedrine and ibuprofen. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that influences chemical binding sites called alpha-adrenergic receptors. It narrows blood vessels in the nose, relieving stuffy-nose symptoms. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that blocks unique proteins called cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-1 and 2)....

What Is Arixtra? Arixtra (fondaparinux) is a prescription anticoagulant used to prevent and treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism, or PE). Arixtra is an antithrombotic agent in a drug class called selective factor Xa inhibitors. It selectively binds to a protein called antithrombin III to inhibit the activity of factor Xa (an enzyme that helps the body form blood clots). Inhibiting this enzyme interrupts blood coagulation....

Arthritis in the toes is chronic inflammation of the joints in the forefoot. The joint most often affected is the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, which connects the big toe to the rest of the foot. Symptoms of toe arthritis are similar to those of arthritis that affects other joints: tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and pain. The most common causes of toe arthritis are wear and tear (degeneration) of the cartilage that cushions the bones that form joints, as occurs in osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis, (RA), an autoimmune disease....

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops when a person loses a significant amount of bone density. The disease leads to weak and brittle bones. People with osteoporosis are susceptible to bone fractures from even mild stressors such as coughing or bending over. Since they have a high fracture risk, people with osteoporosis may eventually experience limited mobility. Some fractures that can be caused by osteoporosis—especially hip fractures—can increase a person’s risk of death....

What Is Betapace? Betapace (sotalol) is a prescription-only pill used to treat abnormal heart rhythms in the upper and lower chambers of the heart. It is an antiarrhythmic medication in a drug class known as beta-blockers. Beta-blockers work by blocking beta receptors in the heart, which decreases your heart rate and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood to the rest of your body. In addition, sotalol can also block potassium channels located in the muscle of the heart....