Mastalgia is the medical term used to describe breast pain. Such pain is fairly common, with up to 70% of women seeing a healthcare provider about it at some point in their lives, and it is not usually associated with breast cancer. It can be concerning but is often not a sign of a larger problem like cancer. Despite that, breast pain can be uncomfortable and interfere with a person’s life, and treatments are available....
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is a flowering plant native to northern Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. The sage-colored plant is commonly used for beer-making but is also thought to prevent or treat health conditions like anxiety, digestion problems, and irregular periods, among others. The roots, leaves, stems, and blossoms of the mugwort plant are all used in folk medicine to make tinctures, extracts, tonics, teas, powders, and essential oils....
Nasacort Allergy 24 Hour (triamcinolone) was the first intranasal corticosteroid nasal spray available over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. Soon after, Flonase (fluticasone) and Rhinocort (budesonide) also became available OTC as effective corticosteroid sprays. Deciding whether to use a nasal corticosteroid spray or an oral OTC antihistamine like Zyrtec or Allegra can be confusing. Which is more effective? Which is longer lasting? Which causes the fewest symptoms? The choice depends largely on the type and severity of your symptoms....
The pubis is one of the three main bones that make up the pelvis. It’s also called the pubic bone or the pelvic girdle. The pelvis is a structure located between the abdomen and thighs. The pubis is the most forward-facing bone of the pelvic bones. The ilium, ischium, and pubis form the deep, cup-shaped structure of the pelvic girdle. The main function of the pubis is to protect the urinary organs and the internal sex organs....
Menopause is the permanent end of a woman’s period. It typically happens naturally but can occur prematurely due to specific medical treatments or diseases; premature menopause is perimenopause. During perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause, women produce fewer hormones, and the first symptom is typically a change in a woman’s menstrual cycle. Menopause causes an imbalance in hormone levels and can cause stress, hot flashes, and fatigue. While there are over-the-counter and prescription medications that can help with symptom relief, relaxation techniques can be a helpful complementary treatment....
With a history of use that dates back at least 3,500 years—the first historical mention of this therapy was found on an ancient Egyptian papyrus scroll—steam inhalation is a long-standing home remedy for colds and sinus issues. When you’re sick, sessions of inhaling steam from a vaporizer device or a bowl of hot water may help loosen up mucus in the lungs and sinuses, help with congestion, ease a sore throat, and improve voice hoarseness....
During pregnancy, from the point at which the egg is fertilized all the way to when labor starts, your body will go through many changes, and you will experience a variety of symptoms. Early signs you may be pregnant include a missed period, tender breasts, fatigue, and nausea. As your pregnancy progresses, your musculoskeletal system will start to be impacted and you may experience back and/or leg pain. However, every pregnancy is different, so it’s normal if your symptoms are different from someone else’s....
The A1C test, also known as an HbA1C, hemoglobin A1C, glycated hemoglobin, or glycosylated hemoglobin test, is a blood test used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. It shows your average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. This is a broader test than conventional home glucose monitoring, which measures your blood sugar at any given moment. Purpose of Test Hemoglobin A, a protein found inside red blood cells, carries oxygen throughout your body....
What Is Tobrex? Tobrex (tobramycin) is a prescription medication that belongs to the aminoglycoside antibiotics drugs class. Tobrex is available and administered as an eye drop solution or ointment for the treatment of external bacterial eye infections in adults and children 2 months and older. As an aminoglycoside antibiotic, Tobrex works to kill certain bacteria. Specifically, it works by blocking bacteria from making more proteins. Tobrex contains the active ingredient tobramycin....
Libido is the term used to describe sexual appetite or sex drive. It is influenced by hormones, brain function, and learned behaviors irrespective of a person’s biological sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Libido can vary from one person to the next, with some people having a “high” libido and others having a “low” libido. Libido can also fluctuate due to a person’s emotional state, hormone levels, and physical health....
You started seeing someone two weeks ago, and have been on a couple of dates. You like them, but they’ve made it very clear—almost too clear—that they like you. They’re already talking about introducing you to their family. They’re showering you with gifts. They might even be starting to say “I love you.” Key Takeaways “Love bombing” refers to behavior patterns where, at the beginning of the relationship, a partner showers the other with over-the-top attention and affection....
What Is Xolair? Xolair (omalizumab) is a prescription drug injected subcutaneously (under the skin of the thigh, stomach, or outer arm if given by a caregiver). Xolair is available as a prefilled syringe and as single-dose vials. Xolair is used to treat: Moderate to severe persistent asthma caused by allergies in adults and children 6 years and older who are not controlled with inhaled corticosteroids Nasal polyps in adults 18 years or older who have not responded to nasal steroids Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) in adults and teenagers 12 years and older who have not responded to antihistamines....
While type 2 diabetes has a large genetic component, the development of the condition is also influenced by environmental factors, including the characteristics of the neighborhood in which a person lives. Researchers can’t say for certain that any individual environmental factor directly causes type 2 diabetes, but studies have found links that suggest some factors play a role in its development. Read on to learn about how environmental factors such as pollution, infrastructure, and access to healthy food may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes....
Albumin is a protein that your liver makes and an albumin blood test is used to check your blood for the amount of albumin present. An albumin blood test is also known as serum albumin test. Learn more about the uses, side effects, procedure, and results of an albumin blood test as well as what the results may indicate about your health. Purpose of Test An albumin test may be ordered as part of your regular medical check-up....
Anemia—low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin—is common in people with cancer. Cancer itself can affect production, and chemotherapy can have both direct and indirect impact on your levels as well. Having cancer doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for other potential causes of anemia too. Having cancer when one of these is at play only heightens your risk for anemia. That’s why your healthcare team will monitor your blood carefully over the course of your illness....
Gout is a painful type of inflammatory arthritis. It often affects the big toe, but gout can develop in any joint, including the ankle. High uric acid levels in the body cause gout. The excess uric acid buildup will cause urate crystals to form. These crystals make their way into the synovial linings of joints leading to swelling, pain, and tenderness of the affected joint. Fortunately, gout is treatable with medications, lifestyle changes, and at-home remedies to control pain and inflammation and prevent gout attacks....
Autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) is a term used to describe various rare autoimmune conditions that attack the retina of the eye. The retina is a thin nerve layer that lines the back of the eye and plays a crucial role in a person’s ability to see. The retina senses light and converts it to neural impulses, which are sent through the optic nerve straight to the brain. Damage to the retina can lead to significant visual disturbances and even vision loss over time....
Historically defined as an imbalance of the four bodily fluids—blood, bile, lymph, and phlegm—blood dyscrasia is now considered a non-specific term that can refer to any blood-related disease. That said, it tends to be used when a diagnosis is uncertain or in certain situations. Blood dyscrasias may affect blood components, bone marrow, lymph tissue, or blood vessels. They can be cancerous or benign, common or not, and they can range from mild to life-threatening....
Finding a lump in your breast can be terrifying. Whether it is discovered during a routine physical, self-exam, or incidentally when you’re putting on deodorant, it’s understandable that you might imagine the worst when you notice something in your body that should not be there. This article is part of Breast Cancer in Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Fortunately, most breast lumps are noncancerous. There are many more common and benign conditions that cause lumps in the breast, including collections of fluid, deposits of fat, and deposits of calcium....
What Is Cardura? Cardura (doxazosin) is a drug used to treat the signs of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is also used to lower high blood pressure. Doxazosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 blockers. It is available as immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (XL) tablets. Cardura blocks specific receptors in your body, causing your veins and arteries to relax. It allows more effortless blood flow, which lowers blood pressure....
