Adapting to life with cerebral palsy and learning how to effectively cope with the condition is the leading factor that determines the quality of life of a person with cerebral palsy, as well as the rest of their family. The abilities of people who are living with cerebral palsy vary tremendously. If you have cerebral palsy, you might have to use a wheelchair and may be unable to eat without assistance....
Cerebral palsy is characterized by a collection of symptoms that range from mild to debilitating. If you have cerebral palsy, your symptoms can be similar—but more or less severe—than the symptoms experienced by someone else who also has cerebral palsy. Symptoms of cerebral palsy involve any combination of the following: lack of muscle control, diminished coordination, trouble speaking clearly, cognitive deficits, and problems with chewing and swallowing. Frequent Symptoms A key feature of cerebral palsy is that the lack of development of normal abilities, in contrast to many other childhood neurological conditions, which are characterized by a decline in abilities....
Chemoimmunotherapy means combining chemotherapy drugs with immunotherapy drugs to treat cancer. Yet, in addition to combining two therapies to attack a cancer in different ways, this combination may sometimes work better than would be expected if the benefits of the two therapies were simply added together (synergy). As researchers learn more about the role of the immune system in cancer, as well as normal cells that surround a tumor (the tissue microenvironment), new ways to address even the most aggressive cancers are being designed....
Childhood obesity is on the rise in the United States. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, “The number of children and adolescents with obesity has more than tripled since the 1970s.” Treatment of childhood obesity depends on several factors, these include: The child’s ageCo-occurring medical conditions (such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other obesity-related conditions) Treatment for childhood obesity may involve:...
Childhood schizophrenia (also called pediatric or early onset schizophrenia) is a complex mental health disorder that causes distorted thinking, altered perceptions, unusual behavior, and unusual use of language and words. It’s very rare, affecting only about 0.04% of children. If a child is diagnosed with childhood schizophrenia, extensive lifelong treatment is required, which includes medication and therapy. Treatment is usually carried out as a team by medical and psychiatric professionals, social workers, and the family....
Comedonal acne is a common but often misunderstood form of acne. It doesn’t have the inflamed pimples and pustules characteristic of acne vulgaris (the most common form of acne). Instead, comedonal acne causes bumpy skin, blackheads, and non-inflamed blemishes. Comedonal acne occurs when a hair follicle is blocked by sebum (a waxy skin oil) and dead skin cells. A single bump is referred to as a comedo, while multiple bumps are called comedones....
Costochondritis is a condition that causes chest pain because of inflammation of the cartilage and bones in the rib cage. Costochondritis pain is the result of inflammation where the rib bone meets the breastbone (sternum). This is where cartilage joining these bones can become irritated and inflamed. Depending on the extent of the inflammation, costochondritis can cause pain ranging from mild to severe. Mild costochondritis may cause only tenderness over the affected area in the chest....
Spinal fusion and disc replacement are two surgical methods used to treat certain types of spine disease, especially degenerative disc disease (DDD). Each type of surgery has its risks and benefits and involves recovery time and rehabilitation. About Degenerative Disc Disease As a structure, the spinal column is made of stacked vertebral bones separated by spinal discs. Each disc is composed of tough, but pliable collagen fibers that help maintain the position and integrity of the spine while allowing movement between the vertebrae....
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, or womb. Scar tissue in, on, or around the uterus is known as endometrial scarring. This scar tissue develops from trauma or inflammation. Endometriosis (endo) is a health condition that can cause thick endometrial scarring that leads to adhesions. However, other conditions such as previous surgeries, endometrial ablation (a procedure that destroys tissue), pregnancy, and Asherman’s syndrome can also cause scarring. This article reviews endometrial scarring and adhesions, what they are, how they occur, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment....
Eosinophilia is the medical term for an increased eosinophil count. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell. When elevated, it may suggest an underlying health concern. Causes of high eosinophils, as measured by blood test results, range from relatively benign food allergies to parasite infections, or far more serious types of cancer or COVID-related illness. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of eosinophilia, as well as how some of the conditions that cause it may be diagnosed and treated....
Most people have memory distortions, but emotional states, health, age, and environment can all affect how things are remembered. False memories are memories that seem real but are not based in reality. Everyone has false memories at times because the human brain doesn’t usually record events with the detailed accuracy of a device. Instead, people are more likely to remember the stories or the “gist”(substance of information) of an event....
The FreeStyle Libre system is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) worn on the upper arm that provides real-time blood sugar (glucose) readings. It is intended for use by people who have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, especially those who take insulin. This article looks at how the FreeStyle Libre system works, the benefits and limitations of the device, and when traditional fingerprick testing may be needed. How the FreeStyle Libre Works The FreeStyle Libre system provides real-time glucose readings every minute, 24 hours a day....
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed some rule changes intended to make it easier for people to enroll in health coverage. These changes include a proposed extension of the annual open enrollment period for individual/family health coverage, as well as a proposed year-round enrollment opportunity for low-income households. This article explains these proposals, including how they came to be and what consumers can expect in terms of access to health insurance....
There is no doubt that workplace wellness programs are popular with employers and employees alike. As of 2019, 84% of employers with at least 200 employees were offering wellness programs for their workers. These programs are designed to encourage healthy habits, such as walking more and learning effective stress management techniques, or discourage unhealthy habits, such as tobacco use. Despite their popularity, there are concerns that wellness programs are not particularly effective in reducing costs for employers or improving employees’ overall health....
How does cancer affect fertility? What do you need to know before cancer treatment in order to plan ahead? Although fertility problems are fairly well-known side effects of cancer and cancer therapy, they are often dismissed as an unfortunate consequence that nobody has any control over. Many people are unaware of how fertility is affected by these treatments or has an understanding of what can be done ahead of time to be fully prepared....
Dry eyes, also known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye disease, are often treated with eye drops or ointments to restore moisture. Dry eyes occur when your eyes don’t produce enough tears. It may be an acute condition (rapidly occurring and resolving), chronic (persistent and ongoing), or recurrent. If home remedies or over-the-counter therapies don’t work, a specialist known as an ophthalmologist may be needed to provide other forms of treatment....
It’s estimated that up to 4% of the population has hidradenitis suppurativa, but many believe it’s actually more common and that many cases go either undiagnosed or unreported. Diagnosing hidradentitis suppurativa can be challenging in some cases because symptoms can come and go, and they resemble other skin conditions. The three factors that can be used to diagnose this condition include the type of lesions that develop (nodules, abscesses, and sinus tracts), where these lesions appear (generally in the armpit, groin, buttocks, and gential area), and the chronic recurrence of these lesions....
An estimated 30% of U.S. adults have insomnia, the most common type of sleep disorder, and 10% of people have chronic insomnia lasting longer than six months. Sleep deprivation can significantly impact functioning, mood, health, and overall quality of life, making it important that insomnia gets treated. Meditation is a relaxation technique that typically involves slow, deep breathing and paying attention to your body. It has been shown to be helpful with insomnia....
Influenza (referred to as the “flu”) is a contagious respiratory disease caused by the influenza A, B, or C virus. Influenza viruses are airborne and affect the nose, throat, and lungs. Not all illnesses are caused by viruses. Some such as bacterial pneumonia can cause flu-like symptoms but are caused by bacteria. However, the flu can lead to bacterial infections as a person’s natural defenses may be weakened during an infection....
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease of kidney damage, where the kidneys slowly lose functioning over time and cannot work as they should. Stages are a way to keep track of the progression of the disease and its severity. Through monitoring, your treatment team can help you make adjustments to any medication and alter things like diet or other health behaviors. While the most common causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure, other causes include infections, autoimmune disease, genetic disorders, and heavy metal poisoning....
