Uterine fibroids are growths in the uterus that can occur in people of childbearing age. Not every person who has fibroids has any problems with them, or the symptoms might be mild enough that treatment with over-the-counter pain (OTC) relievers like ibuprofen can treat the condition until the start of menopause, at which time fibroids tend to shrink. This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series....
Hip replacement surgery is becoming more common, and it is one of the most successful surgical procedures in terms of improving an individual’s life and function, while also having a relatively low complication rate. When the normally smooth cartilage surface of the hip joint is worn away, even simple activities can become difficult. Hip replacement removes the worn-out hip joint and replaces it with an artificial implant. However, that is not to say that there are no risks with the surgery, and one of your surgeon’s primary goals is to avoid potential complications....
Yohimbe is an evergreen tree that grows in western Africa in Nigeria, Cameroon, the Congo, and Gabon. The bark of the tree contains the active compounds called alkaloids. The principal alkaloid is called yohimbine. The Latin name for the herb Yohimbe is Pausinystalia yohimbe. Yohimbine is a prescription drug in the United States for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Its popularity has waned since the introduction of Viagra. Yohimbe bark extracts are also sold in health food stores and online....
ACL surgery involves reconstructing an injured anterior cruciate ligament using a tendon graft that comes from either a deceased donor or the patient themself. The surgery is performed arthroscopically (with small incisions) by an orthopedic surgeon under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. Before the Surgery On the day of your surgery, you will arrive at the hospital or surgical center and check in, which will involve signing a surgery consent form....
Chronic pain—defined as pain that persists for several months—is very common: An estimated 1 in 5 Americans have chronic pain, and 1 in 12 have pain that limits their daily activities. For many types of chronic pain, such as low back pain, neuropathic pain (pain related to the nervous system), or arthritis, there is no easy fix. Doctors once primarily treated chronic pain primarily with passive treatments like medications. It is now known that pain medications are rarely effective on their own and can lead to addiction and other serious side effects....
Diabetes is a chronic condition that you are either born with or develop over time that affects the way your body processes the food you eat. Nearly 35 million Americans have some form of diabetes. This condition can lead to a number of serious complications. There is no cure for diabetes, but careful management of the condition can help you avoid serious problems. Everything we eat is broken down to simple components that our cells can use....
A breast hematoma is a collection of blood that forms under the skin’s surface, very similar to having a large bruise in your breast. Although it is not cancerous, it could possibly be alarming to feel, as it may be painful or tender, or feel like a lump in the breast. A breast hematoma can happen to anyone regardless of age or menopausal status. It may be caused by trauma or from medical procedures, like a breast biopsy or breast surgery....
Bronchogenic carcinoma was once used to describe a specific type of cancer that arises in the bronchi (the large airways of the lungs) and bronchioles (the small branches into which the airways divide). Today, it is considered another name for lung cancer in general. Bronchogenic carcinoma is the most common cancer worldwide and is the leading cancer-related cause of death in both men and women in the U.S. While the survival rate for lung cancer continues to be relatively low compared to other cancers, treatment options are improving....
CAR-T therapy is one of the newest and buzziest treatments for leukemia and lymphoma, hailed a potential cancer “cure” earlier this year for its long-term ability to keep patients cancer-free. Key Takeaways CAR-T therapy has revolutionized care for certain blood cancers, providing treatment options beyond chemotherapy.Evolving research shows CAR-T may also successfully treat other blood cancers and solid tumors.Future uses of CAR-T might include noncancerous conditions, too. The FDA approved the first CAR-T therapy in 2017, and early outcomes show that it has the potential to be effective and well-tolerated for many individuals who do not respond to existing traditional treatments....
Can you imagine crying tears of blood? It may sound like a horror movie, but bloody tears are actually a real thing. Blood in the tears is a rare condition known as haemolacria. Tears of blood have been documented through the ages, usually carrying a negative connotation. In some cultures, having bloody tears was once thought to be associated with demon possession. Thankfully, most cases of haemolacria are benign and usually occur with a reasonable explanation....
Whether you need to make a change in your primary care provider, or if you find you need a specialist to take care of specific symptoms, you’ll want to follow these guidelines to choose the right healthcare provider for your medical care. Assess Your Needs Are you in need of a new primary care doctor? If so, it’s most important to find one you can trust, with whom you can communicate well and establish a long-time relationship....
Dermaplaning is an exfoliation style of treatment that’s done with a blade. The aim is to remove dead skin cells from the top layer of skin on the face in order to smooth the face, restoring a younger and more radiant complexion. The treatment can also be used to rid the face of short hairs, often called peach fuzz, and remove acne scarring. Procedure The process behind a dermaplaning treatment is similar to that of shaving....
Diarrhea after eating is called postprandial diarrhea. You might experience this for a few days (acute) or it can be a condition that you deal with for a long time (chronic). Diarrhea after eating can be caused by many things, ranging from a case of the “stomach flu” to a more serious health condition. This article will go over the reasons why you might be experiencing diarrhea after eating. It also provides some steps you can take to feel better and possibly prevent the symptom....
New research has found that endometriosis is more common in teenagers than was previously believed. Key Takeaways A new study has found that as many as 60% of teenagers who have pelvic pain may actually have endometriosis.Doctors don’t commonly consider endometriosis as a cause of pelvic pain in teenagers.Earlier diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis can help a person with the condition control their symptoms and may help slow the progression of the disease....
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is one of the most common infections in humans. This infection is active worldwide, and somewhere around 95% of people get infected with this virus during their lifetimes. EBV is also known as human herpesvirus 4. EBV infection usually doesn’t cause symptoms and, therefore, often isn’t treated. The symptoms it does cause, however, typically are treatable. Symptomatic Epstein-Barr infections are generally in the form of infectious mononucleosis, the treatment for which is over-the-counter fever and pain medications, hydration, and rest....
Giving birth is the process of pushing the baby out from your uterus. When you are ready to do that, you will go through labor, which consists of three stages. Signs like contractions that are becoming more regular and closer together, water breaking, and cramps will signal to you that it’s time for you to deliver your baby. Preterm labor can start before the full 37 weeks of pregnancy. Your baby will only be seen as viable (able to survive) after the 24th week of pregnancy....
Sore gums are never fun. They can be mildly tender or swollen, red, and bleeding. A variety of factors can cause sore gums, but once you figure out the cause, the discomfort is almost always treatable. Read on to find out more about what causes gum pain and what can be done to relieve it. What Causes Gum Pain? Gum pain can be caused by a number of issues. It’s important to know the underlying cause because then it can be appropriately treated....
Hormone therapy is used to treat prostate cancer. This treatment is needed to reduce or eliminate the impact that testosterone, an androgen hormone, has on prostate cancer cells. Hormones are chemical messengers secreted by glands. Hormone therapy for prostate cancer is also referred to as androgen suppression therapy. Your healthcare provider may recommend hormone therapy to you at various times during treatment. Hormone therapy can be a medical or surgical procedure....
Bulimia nervosa is a mental health disorder that causes chaotic and disordered eating habits followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors (behaviors to try and counteract the effects), such as purging. Self-induced vomiting, laxative abuse, and diuretic abuse are the most common methods of purging. Self-induced vomiting is the most common purging method reported by 56-86% of individuals. A common side effect of self-induced vomiting is bulimia teeth. Bulimia teeth describes a variety of oral health problems resulting from frequent binging and purging through self-induced vomiting....
The ways healthcare professionals diagnose heart disease can vary quite a bit, depending on which kind of heart disease we’re talking about. However, it is possible to outline the general method which most clinicians use to make a diagnosis when they suspect you may have heart disease. It looks like this: Take a careful medical history.Perform a focused physical examination.Decide which medical tests are likely to help complete the diagnosis. Medical History “Taking a medical history” simply means that your clinician will interview you to learn what kinds of symptoms or medical complaints (if any) you may have and tease out any features associated with those symptoms that might point toward their causes....
