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U.S. swimmers have already secured 12 medals since the Tokyo Olympics kicked off this Saturday. Key Takeaways Michael Andrew, a U.S. Olympic swimmer, recently sparked controversy because of his vaccination status.Vaccinations are not mandated among athletes, but all Olympians risk removal from games if tested positive for COVID-19.Experts say the risk of contracting COVID-19 during a swimming competition is small, but worry about outside-of-pool contact and individual health risks of any unvaccinated athlete....

A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder and help move the arm. Tissue in this part of the body can become impinged or pinched. Unfortunately, this injury can cause significant pain and may severely limit your normal arm movements and activities. The most common pain-causing disorder affecting the shoulder joint is rotator cuff impingement syndrome, also known as subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for this disorder, including physical therapy (PT)....

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is thought to be caused by disturbances that alter your brain’s neurochemistry and communication circuits. Characterized by severe mood changes that occur a week or two before the start of menstruation, symptoms generally resolve shortly after your period arrives. Hormone changes are at the root of PMDD, but some women may be more prone to the disorder due to factors like genetics and stress. While most women experience some unpleasant symptoms in the days before their period, PMDD is more serious....

There are many approaches to treating psoriasis. Skin care methods and at-home remedies are used by many, but they may not work for everyone. Sometimes medical or pharmaceutical treatment is needed. These can include over-the-counter products, prescription medications, or biologics. This article reviews the different medications for psoriasis treatment. Types of Psoriasis Medication Treatments for autoimmune conditions focus on reducing or controlling the immune system response in your body. Sometimes, localized psoriasis treatments are used to treat a small patch of affected skin....

Psoriatic arthritis has been linked to several conditions that cause breathing problems. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes red scaly patches on the skin. When the condition affects the joints, it is known as psoriatic arthritis. Having psoriatic arthritis can put you at higher risk of developing respiratory diseases, such as asthma, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer. Psoriatic arthritis causes systemic inflammation, which is believed to trigger these other diseases....

Crohn’s disease is a chronic, immune-mediated condition that is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Other forms of IBD include ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis. Crohn’s disease can affect the entire body in different ways because it affects the immune system. However, the disease is usually characterized as one that primarily affects the digestive system. Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus....

Kids seem to bruise easily. Whether it is a toddler taking their first steps or a preschooler who is rough-housing all of the time, kids are prone to bruises. Many parents worry that bruising is a sign of a serious illness. Fortunately, most of the time, it is normal. This article will explore the signs of normal and abnormal bruising and the possible causes. Signs of Normal Bruising and Bleeding Normal bruising is usually found on a child’s shins....

Everyone has one of five skin types. Different things can affect your skin type. Knowing which type of skin you have can help you formulate a skincare regimen that leaves your skin looking and feeling healthy. What Are the Different Skin Types? There are five different skin types. Each has unique characteristics, and knowing them can help you take better care of your skin. Normal Normal skin is just that—normal. It’s easy to take care of and is a lot less problematic than other skin types....

Speech therapy is a treatment led by a speech and language pathologist (SLP) or speech therapist. It helps a person communicate and speak more clearly. Toddlers may develop language or speech impairments due to illness, hearing problems, or brain disorders. This article covers speech and language milestones, causes of speech disorders, diagnosis, what happens in speech therapy, and how parents can help their toddlers. What Is Speech Therapy? Speech therapy is a treatment that helps a person speak or communicate more effectively....

The heart—the primary organ of the cardiovascular system—is a muscle that contracts regularly, via a natural pacemaker that produces electrical impulses. The heartbeat drives the transport of blood throughout the body, which provides oxygen and nutrients to all the body’s cells, tissues, and organs. Although the heart is a complicated organ, in essence, it is a pump that continuously works to circulate blood throughout the body. Anatomy The heart is an organ that weighs approximately 350 grams (less than one pound)....

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures, is significantly more common among people with autism than among the general population. In fact, while less than 2% of the general population has epilepsy, studies suggest that up to 30% of people with autism have the disorder. The association between the two disorders has caused researchers to ask the question: Could neurological disturbances actually cause some cases of autism? While the answer isn’t clear, studies have presented some very intriguing findings....

Getting a diagnosis of thyroid disease is a process that incorporates a number of different types of examinations, including clinical evaluation, blood tests, imaging tests, biopsies, and other tests. Let’s take a look at the various components of the thyroid diagnosis process. Clinical Evaluation An important baseline element in the detection and diagnosis of thyroid disease is clinical evaluation. A clinical evaluation of your thyroid function should be conducted by a healthcare provider....

What Is Tofranil? Tofranil (imipramine) is available as prescription imipramine hydrochloride tablets. Imipramine is a medication treatment option for depression. It may also be used for nighttime bedwetting in children 6 years and older. As a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA), imipramine is thought to work by raising the amounts of naturally-occurring brain chemicals, such as norepinephrine. What Is Tofranil Used For? Tofranil (imipramine) is a medication treatment option for depression. Drug Facts...

Hematopoiesis (pronounced heem-at-oh-po-EE-sus) is the process by which all of your blood cells are formed, develop and mature into their final adult types. The term refers to the pathways or tracks of blood cell development, beginning with what’s known as a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC), going through a series of steps to arrive at the final product—a mature blood cell, whether it’s a red blood cell, a white blood cell such as a lymphocyte, or some other type of blood cell....

A vaginoplasty, also called transfeminine bottom surgery, is a surgery performed in transgender women. It involves creating a new vagina, usually from the inverted skin of the patient’s penis. This long and complex operation requires considerable thought and commitment during both the preparatory and recovery process. What Is a Vaginoplasty? A vaginoplasty is a type of gender-affirming surgery performed under general anesthesia by surgeons with backgrounds in various areas, including plastic surgery, urology, and gynecology....

What Is Valium? Valium (diazepam) is an oral prescription-only medication used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, and muscle spasms. It can also be used with other medications to control seizure disorders. This medication is classified as a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines work in the central nervous system (CNS) in the brain to increase the activity of certain chemicals called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA produces a calming effect. Valium is classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as a schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it has a risk for dependence or abuse, but less so than drugs classified as schedule I, II, or III substances....

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition involving deterioration of the macula (the middle portion of the retina). There are two forms of AMD, including the wet form and the dry form. Approximately 8 out of 10 people with AMD have the dry form. Dry AMD occurs because of thinning and breaking down of the macula. Studies have shown that certain vitamins and supplements may help some people with AMD (age-related macular degeneration)....

A person with vitiligo is more likely to get lupus than someone without it. Vitiligo can also be a symptom of lupus. People with vitiligo are more likely to have other autoimmune disorders than people who don’t have it. About 20% of people with vitiligo also have a different autoimmune disease. This may be due to similarities and overlaps in some genes and environmental factors. This article discusses the connection between vitiligo and lupus, their symptoms, and treatment options....

Some conditions, like sleep apnea, can take a toll on the hormonal balances in your body, leading to problems including erectile dysfunction. In this article, we’ll discuss why this happens and what you can do about it. Sleep Disorders and Testosterone Sleep plays an important role in your overall physical and mental health. While you sleep, tissues grow and are replenished, and balance is achieved. Sleep deprivation can alter the brain, causing a cascade of problems....

If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you may be wondering how to cope with swearing and other bad or foul language; words that can be shocking when they come from the mouth of a family member or friend who has never spoken like that. Let’s take a look at why some people with dementia swear, the possible triggers for foul language, and what you can do to cope....