Posts

Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder that affects about one in 700 newborns. People with Down syndrome typically have distinctive physical features and intellectual challenges as a result of having an extra chromosome. A chromosome is a thread-like structure made up of protein and DNA. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes inherited from their parents. With Down syndrome, there is an extra full or partial chromosome 21. With the mosaic Down syndrome type, the extra chromosome may not be in all cells, leading to variations in how that’s expressed....

What Is Dymista? Dymista (azelastine and fluticasone) is a combination of two medications used to relieve nasal symptoms of seasonal allergies. The two components of Dymista work differently. Azelastine blocks histamine receptors in the body. Histamine is a bodily chemical that is involved in the process of allergic reactions. Fluticasone, on the other hand, is in a class of medications called corticosteroids that reduces swelling (inflammation) in the nasal passages....

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the large intestine (colon). The condition causes inflammation in the colon that leads to ulcers, which produce mucus and pus and can cause painful symptoms. If you have UC, you may be taking medication and adhering to a special diet to alleviate symptoms and reduce flare-ups. Many people with UC also use at-home remedies in conjunction with traditional medications to manage the condition....

Hair loss, known clinically as alopecia, thins hair in some, changes the hairline in others, and can lead to partial or total baldness. While it’s usually hereditary and a result of aging (androgenetic alopecia, or pattern baldness), it can also be the result of physical or emotional stress, a side effect of cancer treatment or other medications, or due to other factors. Though hair loss isn’t a medical emergency, it can be distressing, impacting self-esteem and mental health....

Uric acid is a waste product found in urine. If your body makes too much or doesn’t eliminate enough of it, uric acid levels can become too high—a condition known as hyperuricemia. High uric acid levels can lead to symptoms and eventually conditions like gout and kidney disease. Most uric acid is produced naturally in your body. The rest is converted from substances in certain foods called purines. If you’re diagnosed with hyperuricemia, changes to what you eat and drink may help you bring your uric acid levels back down to normal....

This month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shifted mask guidelines, saying fully vaccinated people can safely ditch masks in most settings. Now, schools are navigating this guidance as they plan to reopen classrooms for in-person learning in the fall. Key Takeaways Various states are approaching mask guidelines differently.Some schools intend on going maskless in the fall, while others will still require masks indoors.The safest action parents can take right now is to get their children ages 12 to 15 years old vaccinated....

Hypertension is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently measures >130 mmHg systolic and >80 mmHg diastolic. Blood pressure is measured using a blood pressure cuff, which is a non-invasive device that can detect the pressure inside your arteries, conveying numerical values using a sphygmomanometer or an electronic device. Your healthcare provider may also use lab tests or imaging tests to diagnose some of the causes or complications of hypertension. Labs and Tests Your blood pressure fluctuates from minute to minute during the course of the day in response to your activity level, fluid status, anxiety level, and many other factors....

If you have been diagnosed with testicular cancer, there are three main types of treatments that may be used: surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Which is recommended for you will be based largely on the stage (extent) of the cancer and the cellular characteristics of the tumor. Thanks to advances in chemotherapeutic drugs, in stage 1 testicular cancer we are now achieving five-year survival rates approaching 99%. Moreover, the five-year survival rate for stage 3 testicular cancer is approximately 74%....

Vital signs are measurements of the body’s most basic functions—body temperature, rate of respiration (breathing), pulse rate, and blood pressure. Medical professionals use these four measurements in numerous ways, and variations from normal adult vital signs can prove to be important in assessing one’s general health, indicating disease, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. Compared to high-tech medical tests, measuring a person’s vital signs is relatively simple and straightforward, requiring little more than basic medical equipment—a thermometer, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff—and a stopwatch or other timing device....

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of infections in people of all ages. While it often just causes symptoms similar to the common cold in older children and adults, in infants and younger children, it can cause bronchiolitis, a more serious infection, associated with inflammation in the lungs, wheezing and difficulty breathing. RSV can also cause croup, ear infections, and pneumonia. RSV Season RSV infections are seasonal, and in the United States, typically run from mid-September through April, peaking from late December to mid-February....

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a wide range of effects. This means that people who are living with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis may also experience a variety of health issues that don’t directly involve the digestive system. People who menstruate may notice that their IBD symptoms change during their period. Your period may be impacted when your IBD is more active and when you have more inflammation....

Lupus is a mysterious disease, one with a multitude of smaller signs and symptoms—fatigue, achy joints, hair loss, headaches, and more—that are often overlooked or misinterpreted as harbingers of a different disease, leading to misdiagnosis. But when one of the most common symptoms is accompanied by a more suggestive sign or complication, lupus starts to become clear. Frequent Symptoms Though symptoms can come and go and manifest differently in every individual, the most common symptoms of lupus include:...

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) test is a screening tool to check for antibodies in a person’s blood. Epstein-Barr virus is a common cause of mononucleosis (mono); therefore, this test could be used to help diagnose the infection. Purpose of the Test A doctor can use the EBV blood test when a patient has signs of mono, which can show up anywhere between four to six weeks after the initial infection....

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD)—formerly called Devic’s disease–is characterized by symptoms of transverse myelitis (inflammation of both sides of a section of the spinal cord), as well as symptoms resulting from inflammation of the optic nerve (called optic neuritis). The cause of NMOSD is not well understood, and there is no cure. Treatment aims at relieving symptoms (called palliative treatment) and preventing relapses. The immune system functions typically to attack only foreign cells (such as viruses)....

Vegetables, especially non-starchy vegetables, are a healthy and important part of your diet. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, disease-fighting antioxidants, and fiber. Studies show a vegetable-rich diet can help lower your blood pressure and reduce your risk of: Cardiovascular disease Cancer Type 2 diabetes Obesity This article looks at which vegetables are starchy and non-starchy vegetables and how to add non-starchy veggies to your daily diet. What Are Starchy and Non-Starchy Vegetables?...

What Is Nuzyra? Nuzyra (omadacycline) is an oral prescription drug used to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Community-acquired bacterial pneumonia is pneumonia (a type of lung infection) that is acquired in the community setting, not in the medical or hospital setting. Nuzyra is in a drug class called tetracycline antibiotics. It works by preventing bacteria from growing and spreading. Nuzyra is available in tablet form to take by mouth....

Some research is hailing the MEND approach as a possible way to treat, and even reverse, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition that affects approximately 5.3 million Americans. Its symptoms include memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and communication problems. Left unchecked, Alzheimer’s leads to complete deterioration of both the brain and the body, as well as eventual death. Unfortunately, several new drugs to treat Alzheimer’s disease have been tested over the last decade and thus far have generally failed to make much of a difference in their clinical trials....

In President Joe Biden’s six-pronged plan to combat the spread of the Delta variant, booster shots are a prominent piece. Boosters are authorized for all three of the available COVID vaccines in the United States. Key Takeaways Boosters are now available to all individuals 5 years and older who completed their initial COVID-19 vaccine series.Antibodies are only one aspect of the immune response triggered by the COVID-19 vaccines.B and T cells offer long term protection against serious infection....

The sacral plexus is a network of nerves emerging from the lower part of the spine. These nerves provide motor control to and receive sensory information from most of the pelvis and leg. A plexus is a web of nerves that share roots, branches, and functions. There are several plexi (plural of plexus) throughout the body, and the sacral plexus covers a large area of the body in terms of its motor and sensory nerve function....

While type 2 diabetes is a disease that must be managed on a daily basis, you can live a normal, healthy life with it. A key component of proper diabetes management is making lifestyle changes. Two of the most critical ones are improving your diet and getting more physical activity. These can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and effectively manage your blood sugar levels. The American Diabetes Association says that highly motivated patients with a near-target A1C level could engage in lifestyle changes for three to six months before drug therapy is considered....