It can be distressing to be diagnosed with genital herpes, not only because of the pain and discomfort outbreaks can cause but also because of the stigma many people feel after learning they have an incurable sexually transmitted infection (STI). People with genital herpes often report feeling “guilty,” “ashamed,” and like “outcasts’ after their diagnosis. But, the simple truth is that genital herpes is far more common than most people imagine....
Diarrhea and loss of appetite are two common digestive complaints that can occur separately or together and are often indicative of another underlying health condition. Diarrhea is characterized as watery, loose stools that are usually accompanied by an increased frequency and urgency in bowel movements. Loss of appetite, referred to by healthcare providers as anorexia, is defined as a reduced desire to eat. This article will explain the potential causes of diarrhea and a loss of appetite, as well as diagnosis and treatment options for these digestive issues....
What Is Multaq? Multaq (dronedarone) is a heart medicine used to treat atrial fibrillation (also called AFib, a condition causing irregular and usually very rapid heart rhythm patterns). People with atrial fibrillation use Multaq to lower the risk of going to the hospital. This medicine is available as prescription tablets with only one strength (400 milligrams). Multaq works by blocking passages through which charged potassium particles move in and out of the heart....
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often experience significant improvement in symptoms with proper and timely treatment. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and other factors, your treatment plan may include prescription medications, psychotherapy, or a combination of the two. Read on to learn more about the various methods used to treat OCD. Obsessions and compulsions are time-consuming and can create significant distress. In some cases, OCD can interfere with the ability to function in daily life....
Rehabilitation and recovery from open heart surgery is an extensive process. Initial recovery takes a minimum of six weeks, and successful outcomes hinge in part on longer-term changes in lifestyle and diet. This article will help you understand the benefits of open heart surgery and possible follow-up surgeries, as well as lifestyle changes your doctor is likely to recommend as you recover. Benefits of Surgery Surgeons use open heart surgery for conditions such as heart attack, heart failure, valvular disease, and coronary artery disease....
Paradoxical breathing describes when the chest wall or the abdominal wall moves in when taking a breath and moves out when exhaling. This is the opposite of normal breathing movement. Seen in children and adults, it is a sign of respiratory distress that is associated with damage to the structures involved in breathing. Paradoxical breathing, also called paradoxical respiration, can be a symptom of trauma or a medical condition. It can also lead to other symptoms, like shortness of breath, weakness, rapid heart rate, and dizziness....
Psoriasis of the hands and feet, known as palmoplantar psoriasis, is arguably the most difficult type to live with because the itching and pain can interfere with your ability to perform everyday tasks. Simple activities like writing out a grocery list, walking, or even wearing shoes can cause friction and stress that inflame the skin on the hands and feet, making the condition worse. Palmoplantar psoriasis is its own distinct disease subtype of psoriasis affecting the palms and soles, though it can co-occur with nail psoriasis in 60% of cases....
What Is Sancuso? Sancuso (granisetron) is a prescription transdermal patch used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) for up to five days. As a 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonist (5-HT3-RA), it works by blocking 5-HT3 receptors (binding sites). The 5-HT3 receptors are located in specific parts of your nervous system. When your body is exposed to certain factors—like chemotherapy, enterochromaffin cells (EC) are thought to release serotonin, a naturally occurring chemical in the body....
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that can range from mild to severe. Predicting the recovery time for a severe asthma attack can be challenging, because everyone’s case is different. Typically, recovery time will take days to weeks, some of which may be spent in the hospital. This article discusses how to identify a severe asthma attack, treatment options, and recovery times. What Is a Severe Asthma Attack? Severe asthma is asthma that does not respond well to typical asthma treatments....
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and sleep often go hand in hand; sleep disturbances can exacerbate (worsen) AS symptoms like pain, stiffness, and depression, and AS symptoms can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep. Between 0.2% and 1% of people living in the United States have ankylosing spondylitis, and up to 91% of people living with the condition report having sleep problems. Restful sleep is essential for everyone, and it’s especially crucial for maintaining quality of life with a chronic condition like AS....
In stage 4 renal cell carcinoma, cancer cells have spread from the kidneys into other areas of the body. Treatment is possible but more difficult than for earlier stages of renal cell carcinoma. This article will provide an overview of stage 4 renal cell carcinoma and the treatment options. Types of Renal Cell Carcinoma The different types of renal cell carcinoma include: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma: This is the most common subtype of renal cell carcinoma and makes up about 70% of all cases....
Sternal precautions are used after open heart surgery to prevent the sternum, or breastbone, from pulling apart as it is healing. These precautions are meant to protect you and to reduce the risk of infection in your healing sternal incision. Your sternal precautions may be a part of your overall cardiac rehabilitation plan, meant to assist your recovery and improve your strength, endurance, and functional mobility. It’s important to practice them at home as you progress through physical therapy or related services....
Polyphenols are a group of compounds found in plant foods that are beneficial for health. They’re naturally found in many plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, herbs, tea, red wine, and dark chocolate. Polyphenols act as antioxidants in the body, meaning they help protect the body and neutralize free radicals that cause damage to cells. Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen molecules produced by normal cell processes and external factors like radiation, air pollution, smoking, and chemical exposure....
Getting two periods in one month is most often due to something simple and harmless. It some cases, though, it could indicate an underlying health problem that requires treatment. Possible reasons you may have two periods in one month include: Age Skipping or stopping birth control Lifestyle or habit changes Weight gain or obesity Endometriosis Thyroid disease Uterine polyps or fibroids Pelvic inflammatory disease Cancer This is not an uncommon occurrence....
Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a tube-shaped tissue attached to the large intestine. A blockage within the appendix resulting in inflammation is the primary cause of appendicitis. Several factors, including impacted stool and swollen lymph nodes, can cause this blockage. Genetic factors may also contribute to appendicitis. This article will explore the cause and potential risk factors of appendicitis. It will also discuss the early warning signs of appendicitis and the symptoms of a ruptured appendix....
Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) is a versatile herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, and its purported health benefits for men include: Boosting testosterone levelsEnhancing sexual desireIncreasing sperm count and motilityImproving erectile dysfunction Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, as it is believed to help the body adapt to and manage stress. While there is some research supporting most of Ashwagandha’s benefits for men, that’s not the case for erectile dysfunction. This article discusses each of them, as well as the potential side effects of ashwagandha and how to use the herb....
Inflammation, which can cause tissue and organ damage, is the main trigger behind the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Generally speaking, an autoimmune disease symptom checklist includes: Fatigue Pain and swelling in the muscles, connective tissues, and/or joints Skin rashes Stomach ache Swollen glands Recurring low-grade fever Trouble concentrating Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet These signs and symptoms are common to most autoimmune diseases. But there are many conditions that fall under this umbrella....
The conjunctiva is a thin layer of clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white of the eye (sclera). This mucous membrane secretes fluids to keep the eye moist and protect it from foreign bodies and infections. It’s also involved in tear production. This article describes the conjunctiva anatomy as well as diseases and conditions that can adversely affect the white of the eye and inner eyelid....
When Tina Cascio was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2020, she knew what to expect. She had spent years as a caretaker, both as a nurse and for her mother, who died of ALS two years prior. Key Takeaways Relyvrio is the first new ALS drug to earn FDA approval in five years.Funding and enthusiasm for the drug came partially from the viral Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014.While there are insufficient data to prove the drug works, patients are eager for any treatment that can extend their lifespan with ALS, which is a fatal disease....
Dry needling is a therapeutic procedure used to relieve muscular pain and improve joint range of motion (ROM). It can cause side effects, such as soreness, bleeding, bruising, and fatigue. The procedure involves the insertion of a needle into myofascial trigger points—which are small muscle knots that can be highly sensitive and painful to the touch. A minimally invasive treatment with a low risk of complication, research suggests that dry needling may be effective in relieving acute and chronic pain when used along with other treatments including stretching, massage, ultrasound, electrical nerve stimulation, and heat therapy....
