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The treatment options for prostate cancer can vary based on many factors, including the aggressiveness of the tumor, the stage of the disease, personal preferences, and more. Curative options may include surgery or radiation therapy. With less aggressive tumors, watchful waiting (active surveillance) with treatment begun only if the cancer progresses may be an option. There are also a number of different therapies that can be used to control the growth of these cancers, including hormone therapies, chemotherapy, and newer treatments such as immunotherapy....

The Maddrey Score is known by many names, including Maddrey Discrimination Function, MDF, DF or DFI. It is a tool used by healthcare providers to determine the appropriate type of care for a patient who has a specific type of liver damage called alcoholic cirrhosis. The scoring tool is often used in the hospital setting, as these individuals are often quite sick when they reach the disease state that necessitates the use of the Maddrey Score....

After eight months of physical distancing, many Americans simply want to give their far-away loved ones a hug and get together for the holidays as they do every year. Key Takeaways Many people are used to traveling or getting together with friends and family for Thanksgiving, but these traditions may not be possible this year during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.Experts stay that Thanksgiving gatherings should be small in size but big on creativity and care....

The novel COVID-19 hit nursing homes hard this year—making it especially difficult for people attempting to choose a nursing home during this time. What should you look for if you’re looking for a nursing home, especially in the age of COVID-19? Key Takeaways U.S. News & World Report recently released its ratings on nursing homes, which includes COVID-19 data.Experts suggest avoiding nursing homes during the pandemic if at all possible.If you must find a facility, you can evaluate the quality of a nursing home by examining a variety of factors, such as community COVID-19 outbreak data and visitation policies....

Integrase inhibitors (INSTIs) are a class of antiretroviral drug that prevents HIV from inserting its genetic code into the DNA of an infected cell. It does this by blocking an enzyme known as integrase that HIV needs to hijack the host cell’s DNA and start churning out copies of itself. Isentress (raltegravir) was the first integrase inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 12, 2007. All told, there are five individual INSTI drugs and six fixed-dose combination drugs in which an integrase inhibitor is a component....

Lap-band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery are two different types of weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. They are options for treating obesity to help avoid additional health complications. Both procedures involve surgically adjusting the size of the stomach so that it holds less food. Both procedures do so in different ways and target slightly different patients. This article provides an overview of lap-band surgery and gastric sleeve surgery, outlining what you should know about these weight loss procedures and their results....

The term “leaky gut” can be confusing and even controversial. The name is sometimes used to describe a specific medical condition related to intestinal permeability. However, the term is also used to discuss so-called “leaky gut syndrome.” While it’s popular in alternative medicine, the medical profession does not recognize leaky gut syndrome as a condition nor a valid diagnosis. If your healthcare provider uses the term “leaky gut” to help you understand a medical condition, they are likely referring to intestinal hyperpermeability....

Chemotherapy side effects are a common concern among people with cancer. Although chemotherapy aims to wipe out cancer cells and stop them from multiplying, it can also affect healthy cells, resulting in a number of symptoms. Common Side Effects of Chemotherapy Side effects and their severity vary from person to person and depend on the type and dose of chemotherapy. Some common chemotherapy side effects include: Hair loss Nausea and vomiting Constipation Stomach pain Appetite and weight changes Mouth sores Nerve and muscle problems (numbness, tingling, or pain) Natural Remedies for Chemotherapy Side Effects Although research on the potential benefits of natural remedies and alternative therapies is still quite limited, some studies suggest that certain remedies may be helpful in preventing or treating side effects....

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Paranoia is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among people diagnosed with schizophrenia. According to some studies, almost 50% of individuals seeking help for a psychotic disorder experience paranoia. Schizophrenia can cause a number of symptoms and not everyone will experience the same ones. Some people who are diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have paranoia as a symptom....

A numb thumb can happen if the nerve supply to the thumb and hand is affected by an injury or health condition. Pressure put on the nerve (compression) is one of the most common causes of numbness and tingling the thumb or hand. There are also less common but potentially serious causes of a numb thumb like a stroke, a heart attack, or aortic dissection. However, you’ll usually have other symptoms along with thumb numbness if you have one of these problems....

The anatomical location of the prostate gland, situated within millimeters of the bladder and rectum, means that urologists are simply unable to cut a wide margin around the gland. Slicing into the bladder or rectum is not an option. Unfortunately, if a patient’s cancer grows through the capsule, rather than cutting around the cancer, the surgeon will be forced to cut through the cancer during the attempt to remove the gland....

Rabies is not the public health concern that it once was, but it continues to command respect due to its serious consequences. The viral disease is transmitted almost exclusively by animal bites and, if left untreated, can cause serious neurological symptoms including fever, headache, excessive salivation, muscle spasms, paralysis, and mental confusion. A series of shots started immediately after a bite, can help unvaccinated individuals avert the disease. Unfortunately, once symptoms appear the disease almost always fatal....

What Is Rebetol? Rebetol (ribavirin) is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat chronic (long-term) hepatitis C virus infection. It belongs to the drug class known as nucleoside analogues. Ribavirin must be used in combination with another drug called interferon alfa-2b (pegylated and nonpegylated). Its mechanism of action related to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is not fully understood. It works against many RNA and DNA viruses. However, ribavirin alone is ineffective against hepatitis C and must be used as part of combination therapy....

The signs and symptoms of stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, can range from blood in the stool to abdominal pain. For many people, though, there are no symptoms of stomach cancer, especially in its early stages. Symptoms may also be so vague or non-specific, and easily mistaken for other conditions or everyday stomach issues. Depending on the type of stomach cancer you have, as well as the stage of disease, symptoms can vary....

Since the start of the pandemic, researchers have observed that males with COVID-19 have worse outcomes than females. The data shows that men tend to get sicker and die from COVID more often than women do. Key Takeaways A new study found that social factors shape sex disparities in COVID-19 risks and outcomes.While biology plays a role, sex-related biological differences alone are not responsible for the observed sex disparities in COVID outcomes....

Depending on what season it is, you could be seeing higher peaks of COVID-19 cases, according to a new study. Key Takeaways COVID-19 cases tend to spike below 62 degrees and above 75 degrees, a new study suggested.Virus particles tend to linger longer in drier environments than in humid conditions.Ventilation and filtration are the best preventative measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19 indoors. Researchers found that COVID-19 transmission may be tied to temperature and humidity....

A swollen tongue can be caused by several things, from allergic reactions to an injury in your mouth. Some causes of a swollen tongue can be harder to spot, like a side effect of a medication or an undiagnosed health condition. Swelling (edema) of your tongue can be an annoying, but harmless, problem. However, it can also be a sign of a serious—even life-threatening—condition. This article will go over the possible causes of a swollen tongue....

Synovial fluid, also known as synovia, is a thick fluid with an egg white-like consistency that lubricates and reduces friction between joints. When synovial fluid is low, which tends to happen with age, it can contribute to joint stiffness and other aging-related joint conditions like osteoarthritis. Synovial fluid can also provide information about joint diseases and may be extracted and analyzed to check for sign of infection, bleeding, or inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or gout....

Iodine deficiency is a nutritional imbalance resulting from not consuming enough iodine in your diet. Iodine is an essential component of two hormones produced by your thyroid: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Without consuming enough iodine in your diet, your thyroid will be unable to produce enough of either hormone and you will experience symptoms related to hypothyroidism, or the under-functioning of your thyroid. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that is located in the front and lower part of your neck....

The clitoris is a part of the genitals found in people assigned female at birth. It plays a key role in sexual stimulation and pleasure. Most of the clitoris is inside the body and not visible to the eye, but it has a small nub that you can see. This is called the glans clitoris. The clitoris develops from the same structures in the human embryo as the penis does. The two actually have many similar properties....