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Knee replacement surgery (knee arthroplasty) involves removing a patient’s damaged joint surface and replacing it with a metal and plastic implant. This surgery is performed on patients with severe knee arthritis (most commonly, osteoarthritis) to decrease pain and improve mobility, and it tends to have a high success rate. While knee replacement surgery is considered a safe and effective operation, it’s important to gain knowledge about the potential risks involved, as well as the recovery process, which may take up to a year in some patients....

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis that eventually results in joint damage. OA is a degenerative condition, which means it gets worse with age. Without proper treatment, OA can lead to complications—some of which can be serious and life-altering. OA is the most common form of arthritis. It is sometimes called wear-and-tear arthritis because it causes the cushion between bones—called cartilage—to break down, eventually causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility (the ability to move around freely and easily)....

Concern over long-term side effects of radiation therapy is becoming more common, as survival rates improve. Just as there can be long-term side effects of chemotherapy, radiation therapy may result in side effects that may begin and linger far after treatment has been completed. These can include heart problems, lung problems, thyroid problems, secondary cancers, and more, but it’s important to keep in mind that the benefits of these treatments usually far outweigh any risks....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition that involves recurring intrusive and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive actions (compulsions). They are performed in an attempt to reduce anxiety caused by the obsessions. Magical thinking OCD is a form of OCD in which people believe their thoughts, words, or actions could have specific, irrational, real-life consequences. Magical thinking, such as with superstition or in childhood, does occur outside of OCD, but for people with OCD, magical thinking is far more disruptive....

What Is Ocaliva? Ocaliva (obeticholic acid) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) without cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or with compensated cirrhosis (cirrhosis without symptoms yet) who do not have signs of portal hypertension (high blood pressure in the portal vein system). Ocaliva is combined with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) or by itself if people cannot tolerate UDCA. Ocaliva is a farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, and it works to treat PBC by reducing the amount of circulating bile acid in the liver....

Psoriasis on the face usually affects your eyebrows, upper forehead, hairline, and the skin between your nose and lips. Treating face psoriasis can be tricky because this skin is more sensitive than what covers your elbows or knees, for example. It’s estimated that up to half of people with psoriasis elsewhere on the body have it on their face as well. When the face is affected, the scalp typically is too....

In the early stages of the disease, rectal cancer symptoms may not be present. As it progresses and symptoms do appear, they can include: Vague abdominal painBlood in the stoolChanges in the shape of the stoolPersistent diarrhea or constipationFatigueUnexplained weight loss Many of the signs of rectal cancer, however, are nonspecific. This means they can be caused by many other conditions—not just cancer. It is important to see a healthcare provider if you notice them....

There are four widely accepted types of borderline personality disorder (BPD): impulsive, discouraged, self-destructive, and petulant BPD. It is possible to have more than one type of BPD at the same time or at different times. It’s also possible to not fit any one of these borderline personality categories. People with this mental health condition have issues with emotion regulation, engage in impulsive behavior, and have trouble with relationships. The types of BPD can overlap significantly in terms of what this looks like, though symptoms like aggressiveness and anger may vary considerably between them....

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall asleep and/or remain asleep. Insomnia prevents you from getting the amount and quality of sleep you need to function normally. Without treatment, insomnia can affect daytime alertness. It can impact your ability to think, remember, and react. It can also affect your health and disease risk. Not everyone who struggles with insomnia has the same issues. Different types of insomnia vary in their cause, the sleep problems associated with them, and how long they occur....

Weight gain and fatigue are common issues that many people experience. These symptoms are often natural consequences of dealing with everyday stressors and a lack of sleep. But unexplained weight gain and fatigue can sometimes be symptoms of an underlying condition. However, since many diseases could produce these symptoms, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. If you are eating a healthy diet and sleeping well but experiencing weight gain and fatigue, talk to a healthcare provider to find out what may be happening....

Venous ulcers are shallow wounds or sores caused by circulation (blood flow) problems. They typically form over a bony area of the leg, such as the ankle. Circulation problems result from leg veins that fail to send blood back toward the heart, a condition called venous insufficiency. Venous ulcers start as a dark or red area that can become thickened, dry, itchy, or tingly. Without treatment, an open wound (ulcer) may form....

Witch hazel is a natural remedy made from a plant called Hamamelis virginiana. Native Americans used it to soothe skin problems. It’s one of the few plants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved as an ingredient for over-the-counter medicines. Witch hazel uses that are backed by at least some medical research include: SunburnChildren’s skin conditionsHemorrhoids Read on to learn more about this medicinal plant with a magical-sounding name, how to use it, and possible side effects....

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes partial or complete weakness of one side of the face. The symptoms of Bell’s palsy, such as a sagging eyebrow or drooping mouth corner, develop pretty quickly and can dramatically change one’s appearance. Symptoms of Bell’s palsy usually improve on their own within a few months. Corticosteroids are typically prescribed to optimize a person’s chance for a full recovery. Bell’s Palsy Symptoms The symptoms of Bell’s palsy usually come on suddenly (over a few hours) and typically worsen over the course of a few days before stabilizing....

Lung cancer can take a tremendous toll on your physical and emotional health. For many people, cancer-related costs are a significant financial burden that can cause a lot of stress. Diagnostic/screening tests used to provide a diagnosis, treatments, the length of treatment, and the treatment setting are all factors that play a role in the overall costs. In the United States, health insurance can help cover the costs of some of your cancer care to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses....

A bone marrow biopsy is a procedure to remove a small sample of bone marrow, the spongy tissue in the center of your bones. A needle is inserted into the bone, typically in the large pelvic bone near the hip (though other sites may be used). This is done to diagnose certain conditions, including blood and bone marrow diseases like leukemias and lymphomas. Often, a bone marrow biopsy to extract solid tissue is done at the same time as a bone marrow aspiration....

If you notice bulging veins, especially on your legs, you probably have varicose veins. Varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin. Spider veins are more subtle varicose veins that resemble a spider’s webs. Not everyone who has these conditions will have bulging veins, but varicose veins often look like they’re popping out of your skin. Bulging veins might seem alarming, but they’re mostly harmless. They may cause your legs to feel heavy or achy, and in some cases can lead to complications like blood clots or chronic swelling....

During a woman’s period, tissue builds up and sheds if she doesn’t become pregnant. However, women with endometriosis develop tissue outside of the uterus, on the reproductive organs, and in the abdominal cavity. This tissue builds up and breaks down during hormonal changes, resulting in bleeding in the pelvis that leads to inflammation, swelling, and scarring of normal tissue. This article examines whether endometriosis can increase the risk of some types of ovarian cancer, the causes, and how to treat the condition....

You’re not alone if you can’t afford your health insurance deductible. No matter how much your deductible is, if you don’t have that much in savings and you’re living paycheck to paycheck, it can feel like your deductible is too high. This article will explain some strategies and options for coping with medical costs when you can’t afford your deductible. Health insurance deductibles have been steadily rising for years. Depending on the plan design, the deductible can be as high as the allowable out-of-pocket maximum, which is $8,700 for a single individual in 2022....

Among the treatments for a herniated disc, also known as a bulging or slipped disc, are surgery and chiropractic therapy. A herniated disc arises when the cartilage discs that cushion the vertebrae (the bones of the spine) move out of position and burst. Surgery for a herniated disc involves removing or repairing the disc, while chiropractic treatment is nonsurgical and can also help with symptoms. Though both treatments have the same goals, there are key differences between them....

Dumping syndrome, also known as rapid gastric emptying, is a condition in which you experience gastrointestinal or vasomotor symptoms because the food that you eat moves too quickly from your stomach into your ​small intestine. Symptoms begin when you eat a meal, particularly from a menu with a high glucose (sugar) content.​​​​ Dumping syndrome is most often seen in people who have had bariatric (weight loss), esophageal, or gastric surgery....