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If you’re allergic to shellfish, you need to avoid all shellfish or risk a potentially severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. This may seem like a simple task if you think you only need to steer clear of obvious shellfish like lobster, shrimp, and clams. But there are actually many other types of shellfish. You may not even immediately recognize some of them as shellfish. For example, you might not realize that sea urchins and octopuses are shellfish too....

Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver condition. There are five types of viral hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. Most cases are caused by a hepatitis virus. The condition can also be a result of excessive alcohol or drug use or a faulty inflammatory immune response that occurs when the immune system mistakes the liver as a threat to the body and begins to attack it. There are two hepatitis vaccines that can help prevent hepatitis A and B infections....

Constipation is a common problem for children and adults. In many cases, uncomplicated constipation can be treated with changes to diet, lifestyle, and bowel habits. Trying one or two of these strategies may help bring relief. The occasional use of over-the-counter (OTC) treatments like laxatives or enemas is the next step for short-term relief. Prescription medications and other therapies tend to be reserved for more severe cases. This article explores the different treatments used for constipation....

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological condition that disrupts the sleep-wake cycle. It’s most often associated with extreme daytime sleepiness, though it can also lead to other symptoms, including cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control due to a strong emotional response. While home exams and online tools can help with a diagnosis, and a physical examination will rule out other neurological disorders, narcolepsy is confirmed only after an evaluation at a specialized sleep clinic....

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops because of bone loss. Many factors contribute to the development of the disease, including calcium deficiency, low levels of estrogen, and a lack of physical exercise throughout a person’s life. When osteoporosis develops, the bones become weak and brittle. This leads to an increased risk for fractures that can cause disability or death. There are usually no symptoms of osteoporosis, and people only find out they have it after experiencing a broken bone....

Hydrocephalus is the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the brain’s hollow spaces (ventricles). The excessive fluid increases pressure inside the skull, affecting the brain’s ability to function normally. CSF is a clear fluid that bathes and cushions the brain, protecting and providing it with vital nutrients. CSF flows around the spinal cord and through the brain’s ventricles before being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This article reviews key facts about hydrocephalus, including its types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and outlook....

An ileostomy reversal is a technique that rejoins the two ends of your bowel after an ileostomy. Its purpose is to restore bowel function so you can remove waste normally. This article describes what an ileostomy reversal involves, how to prepare for it, what to expect, and common outcomes. What Is Ileostomy Reversal? Ileostomy reversal involves anastomosis—or joining the two ends of the stoma together—and then closing the part of your belly where a surgical opening called a stoma was created to send the contents of your small intestine out of the body....

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also known as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are an infection that is primarily spread through sexual contact. The high rates of STIs in the United States make it a national health concern. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the two most common STIs in the United States. STIs can cause anal itching. It is a common symptom of several STIs like herpes, gonorrhea, warts, and crabs. However, there are many other causes of anal itching that are not related to STIs....

If you are deemed “legally blind” it means your central visual acuity—the part of your vision that allows you to see straight ahead—is 20/200 or less in your better eye when wearing corrective lenses or your field of vision is no more than 20 degrees. With 20/200 vision, you can see at 20 feet what a person with 20/20 vision sees at 200 feet. If your field of vision is 20 or less, it means you can only see things right in front of you (not to the sides) when staring forward....

Lethargy, or fatigue, describes a state in which you are exhausted and have little to no energy. It is more profound and long-lasting than simply being tired or sleepy. Lethargy can be a symptom of certain diseases and health conditions or it can be a normal response to not getting enough sleep, stress, or eating poorly. When lethargy develops as a response to various life situations, it often resolves with rest, increased sleep, good nutrition, and being active....

Personal lubricant or lube is a liquid or gel that is used to reduce friction and irritation during sexual activity. Lube can be used during almost any type of sex, including penis-in-vagina penetration, anal sex, sex toy play with or without a partner, and masturbation. While many people produce their own natural lubricant, it’s not always enough, and the addition of lube can make sex more enjoyable. This article will go over what lube is, how it’s used, and tips for choosing a lube....

Menorrhagia—heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding—can be caused by a number of medical issues, including fibroids, uterine polyps, perimenopause, and other factors. Chronic (prolonged) or heavy periods can lead to complications such as iron-deficiency anemia. Fortunately, heavy periods can be treated with medication, contraceptives, and surgery. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of menorrhagia. It defines normal and heavy periods. It also explains when you should talk to your gynecologist and when emergency medical care may be required....

What Is Naprosyn? Naprosyn (naproxen) is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain associated with medical conditions. Naprosyn works by blocking specific enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2), which produce factors responsible for pain, inflammation, and fever. Naprosyn is available by prescription in the following dosage forms: Immediate, delayed-release, and enteric-coated (EC) tabletsOral suspensionLiquid-filled capsules A salt-based form of naproxen, called Anaprox DS or Anaprox (naproxen sodium), is also available....

Nasal sprays can treat congestion and other symptoms of seasonal allergies or a cold. They work by delivering a fine mist of medication into your nostrils. And since the lining of your nose is rich with vessels and can easily absorb medications into your bloodstream, nasal sprays can also end up delivering medications to other parts of your body. Nasal sprays are available by prescription or over-the-counter (OTC). Most products come in a hand-operated pump bottle or squeeze bottle....

What Is Neurontin? Neurontin (gabapentin) is an antiepileptic drug (AED), also called an anticonvulsant, that can help treat epilepsy or postherpetic neuralgia.Despite the name, it does not affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. Gabapentin binds with voltage-activated calcium channels, which normally mediate nerve activity. However, it is not clear how this action impacts the clinical effects of the medication. Gabapentin is the generic formulation of the drug, and there are several brand-name versions, including Neurontin....

What Is Otezla? Otezla (apremilast) is a prescription medication used to treat psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers caused by an autoimmune condition called Behcet’s disease. It belongs to a group of drugs called phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors. Inflammation is a part of many diseases, including psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. When the immune system gets activated in a certain way, the affected area might attract immune cells and become red and swollen....

Deep within the brain is the tiny pineal gland, an organ that produces the body’s melatonin, an influential hormone that helps to regulate sleep and wakefulness and the circadian patterns that have broad effects on health. Discover more about the anatomy, location, and function of the pineal body and how it influences sleep, affects seasonal reproduction in animals, and may be impacted by specific brain tumors. Anatomy The pineal gland (or pineal body) is a small, pine-cone shaped organ that lies within the roof of the third ventricle, deep within the brain....

Scar revision surgery encompasses a range of surgical techniques used either alone or in combination with other surgical or non-surgical scar treatments. The surgery is used for cosmetic purposes or to restore function to a part of the body that has been restricted by scar tissues. The choice of surgery depends on the type, location, and size of the scar. What Is Scar Revision Surgery? Scar revision surgery is sometimes referred to as scar removal surgery, although it does not erase a scar but rather reduce its appearance or impact....

Scimitar syndrome is a rare, congenital (present at birth) heart defect that occurs in 1 to 3 out of every 100,000 live births. Babies with scimitar syndrome have an underdeveloped right lung and an underdeveloped right pulmonary artery. They also have one or more pulmonary veins that carry blood into the right side of the heart instead of the left. This alters the natural flow of the circulatory system and inhibits the body’s ability to acquire and use freshly oxygenated blood....

A sinus rinse is a drug-free means of flushing mucus, pollen, and other irritants that have collected in the nose and sinuses. Also known as nasal irrigation or a saline rinse, this effective remedy for congestion also helps keep mucous membranes moist. A sinus rinse can help relieve stuffiness due to issues such as the common cold, the flu, allergies, sinus infections, and COVID-19. It can be used on its own or along with cold or allergy medications....