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Women and men are equally affected by psoriatic arthritis but differ significantly in some key ways. Not only do women have specific vulnerabilities to developing the psoriatic arthritis, but they also tend to have poorer outcomes. Scientists are not entirely sure why this is and, to date, have offered few guidelines on how to better manage the disease in women. Symptoms Psoriatic arthritis belongs to a class of diseases known as spondyloarthropathies, the predominant features of which include inflammation and joint pain....

The medical term for diarrhea and vomiting caused by a virus is viral gastroenteritis, but it is often called the stomach flu. With viral gastroenteritis, the digestive system is inflamed, which leads to symptoms such as loose stools and vomiting. The symptoms usually last a few days and pass on their own. For this reason, most people don’t wind up seeing a doctor for the stomach flu or getting an official diagnosis....

Social media hasn’t always had a good reputation when it comes to promoting healthy perceptions of body image. At its worst, it can even give a platform to harmful, pro-eating disorder language. But many in recovery are also turning to social apps like TikTok to find community. Key Takeaways Social media outlets such as TikTok have the potential to help raise awareness about eating disorders and recovery resources. Individuals recovering from eating disorders have found community and affirming spaces on social media apps like TikTok....

Hypoglycemia is a potentially dangerous medical condition that occurs when your blood glucose (sugar) levels are too low. A blood glucose level of less than 70 mg/dl is considered low, or hypoglycemic. Hypoglycemia usually happens to people with diabetes when they have a mismatch of medicine, food, and/or exercise. In rare cases, it may occur in those who do not have diabetes, a condition called non-diabetic hypoglycemia. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia is distinctly different from classic hypoglycemia in that symptoms of low blood sugar are quickly resolved after eating sugar....

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that can cause significant mood changes. A person’s energy levels, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors may be affected. When a bipolar partner is unwell, they may struggle to function as they would when they are well. This can create problems and impact the quality of life partners have established. These challenges can cause strain in a relationship for the person with the condition, as well as their spouse....

There are safe and effective treatment options that can improve your child’s migraines. Symptoms of childhood migraines include headaches, vomiting, stomach aches, irritability, and fatigue. Parents and children might not always recognize the effects of a migraine, but treating these episodes at an early stage can help alleviate hours, or even days, of pain and discomfort. After you and your child discuss the symptoms with your child’s pediatrician, you can agree about what to do when a migraine occurs....

Pregnancy may delay the onset of the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) for more than three years, according to new research from Monash University in Australia. Key Takeaways Pregnancy appears to reduce the onset of the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis for three years.The protective effect appears strongest in pregnancies that go through the second and third trimesters, when hormones calm an overactive immune system.Pregnancy hormones may change the expression of genes connected with the immune system, protecting not only the fetus but also reducing relapses of MS....

Mastectomy, or surgical removal of the breast, is often an important part of treatment for breast cancer. There are multiple types of mastectomy surgery, and each leaves a different amount of muscle, skin, and fat for potential breast reconstruction. There are different techniques available to address your nipple and areola as well. This article discusses nipple and areola construction including the pros and cons of the possible procedures, surgical timeline, reconstruction techniques, risks and complications, costs, post-op care, and recovery from the procedure....

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare genetic condition that affects people of any sex. OPMD causes slowly progressive weakness in the muscles of the upper eyelids and throat. Onset typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 60. OPMD is a type of muscular dystrophy (MD), an inherited disease that causes progressive weakness and degeneration of the skeletal muscles. Age of onset, severity of symptoms, muscles affected, and inheritance pattern vary between the over 30 types of MD....

Osteodystrophy is a medical term used to describe abnormal changes in the growth and formation of bone. It is most commonly the result of chronic kidney disease. In children, osteodystrophy can cause bone malformation and short stature, while adults may experience brittle bones and fractures. Because the disease is the result of the malabsorption of calcium, osteodystrophy is most commonly treated with calcium supplements. Types of Osteodystrophy Osteodystrophy is most often the result of chronic kidney disease (CKD), a condition in which the gradual loss of renal (kidney) function causes wastes to accumulate in the body as the kidneys start to fail....

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease in the world, affecting one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50. Osteoporotic bones become thin and extremely porous, causing them to fracture (break) easily. Osteoporosis is usually only discovered and diagnosed when a fracture occurs. This article explores the emotional, physical, and practical aspects of living and coping with osteoporosis. Emotional Osteoporosis affects a person’s emotional quality of life and impacts their choices regarding daily activities....

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that results from inflammation of the plantar fascia (a band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes). Walking, running, and even standing on your feet when you have plantar fasciitis can be very painful and uncomfortable. When your plantar fasciitis is treated appropriately, you can manage symptoms and resume activities with less pain and discomfort. This article will discuss treatment options and tips for running safely with plantar fasciitis....

Self-harm is a way of trying to ease emotional pain through intentionally causing physical harm. Self-harming behaviors often include self-injury, like cutting or burning the skin, and intentional self-poisoning, like taking more medications than prescribed. Many people who deliberately harm themselves do not intend to kill themselves. Self-harm, by definition, means it is nonfatal. However, this type of behavior is highly associated with future suicides and should always be taken seriously, even if it’s a recurring incident....

Severe asthma is a lung disease that does not respond well to typical asthma treatments. It can become serious and even life-threatening if left untreated. Asthma is commonly triggered by allergens such as dust, pets, and cleaning products, and some less common triggers like weather changes and emotional distress. This article outlines a list of asthma triggers, the symptoms to look for in a severe asthma attack, and how severe asthma is diagnosed and treated in a hospital setting....

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in which blood sugar issues show up gradually. First signs begin with slightly elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels—out of normal range but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. This is called insulin resistance and is the first of four stages of type 2 diabetes. This article will explain what you can expect at each stage and how to manage the condition as it progresses....

Transaminitis means having higher than normal levels of certain liver enzymes, called transaminases, detected on a blood test. By itself, transaminitis is not a medical condition—it’s just a test result that needs to be followed-up on by a healthcare provider. Two enzymes may be elevated: aspartate transaminase (AST) or alanine transaminase (ALT). When one of these enzymes is elevated, it might be a sign of liver disease or another medical condition....

Refractory celiac disease can be a frightening diagnosis. By definition, it means the standard treatment for celiac disease, the gluten-free diet, has failed to work, and you must now seek alternatives. The good news, however, is that refractory celiac is extremely rare. In most cases, your problem isn’t refractory celiac disease. Instead, microscopic amounts of gluten in your diet or another medical condition likely are causing your continuing symptoms. However, if your healthcare provider rules out other causes and you ultimately are diagnosed with refractory celiac disease, you should know that healthcare provider are able to treat the majority of cases successfully; treatment will depend on what type of refractory celiac you suffer from, along with other factors in your medical history and condition....

Hospice is care that focuses on treating symptoms at the end of life. Choosing hospice does not mean giving up hope. It simply means that treatment will aim to improve the patient’s quality of life rather than trying to cure the disease. Here’s what to know about the goals and benefits of hospice care. Understanding what hospice really means and clearing up any misconceptions you may have can help you decide if this is the right choice for you or your loved one....

You may have been told not to eat or drink for eight to 12 hours before surgery. And that’s a firm rule: No food or drink means no food or drink. Don’t snack or take even a sip of water. If you do, your surgery may be canceled or postponed. Many surgeries are scheduled for the early morning. This means most of your eight to 12 hour fast will be at night while you are asleep....

Last year, wildfires raged across the Western U.S., enveloping entire cities in smoke and exacerbating respiratory issues for many. As climate change drives more intense wildfire seasons, these pollutants being spewed into the air may be bringing dire health consequences. Key Takeaways High concentrations of fine particle pollution from wildfire smoke drove an increase of up to 10% in hospital admissions for respiratory issues, a new study finds.While other sources of pollution seem to be declining, wildfire smoke pollution is becoming more prevalent due to climate change....