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Not getting enough sleep can increase your risk of early death from accidents, injuries, or health problems. That’s because sleep deprivation can have a negative short-term impact on your concentration and mood, and prolonged and recurrent sleep loss has serious health consequences, such as an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Can You Survive Without Sleep? If you do not get the amount of sleep you need, even for one night, you might begin to experience the effects of sleep deprivation....

CREST syndrome is a connective tissue disorder and a limited form of systemic sclerosis. CREST is the acronym for its clinical features: calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia. Each of these conditions leads to different symptoms in CREST: Calcinosis: Calcium deposits form on skin. Raynaud’s phenomenon: Hands and feet have an abnormal response to cold temperatures or anxiety. Blood vessels narrow when you are cold or stressed, turning fingers and toes white or blue before blood flow is restored and they return to a normal color....

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It is a chronic condition that fluctuates between periods of remission and heightened symptoms. When symptoms are active, it is referred to as a flare-up, or flare. The frequency and severity of flares depend on the individual’s case of the disease and how well they avoid triggers. This article discusses the signs of a Crohn’s flare and when to go to the hospital....

Computed tomography—also called a CT scan, CAT scan, or computerized axial tomography—relies on multiple X-rays to create a 3-D image. It allows healthcare providers to look at organs and helps them to diagnose an injury, such as a fracture, or a condition like cancer. A CT scan provides more information than some other imaging tests, without the need for invasive techniques. For example, it can be used to complete a biopsy in some cases....

Many people with lung cancer do not have symptoms until the disease has progressed. Early symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, hoarseness, and frequent lung infections (e.g., bronchitis). Because other common diseases can mimic lung cancer, people who do experience early lung cancer symptoms may mistake them for another issue, such as an infection. It’s important to see a healthcare provider promptly for any persistent and unusual symptoms, such as shortness of breath or a nagging cough....

Several substances can cause allergic reactions on the skin, and dish soap is one of them. Certain ingredients in dish soap are known irritants and allergens that can lead to redness or rashes on the hands. This reaction is called contact dermatitis. It may also be referred to as eczema on the hands. This article discusses contact dermatitis, including symptoms, causes, and treatments related to dish soap, which is a common cause of irritated skin and allergic reactions....

Ehrlichiosis, also called human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME), is a rare infectious disease that is transmitted by ticks that carry a specific type of rickettsial bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia. This disease is primarily seen in the Southeastern and Central U.S. While many cases are mild with flu-like symptoms, the infection can be severe; it can even cause death. Treatment with antibiotics is needed to prevent complications. Ehrlichiosis Symptoms The symptoms of ehrlichiosis vary, and can range from mild to severe; usually symptoms can be seen within a week or more (up to two weeks) after a person is bitten by a tick that is infected with the Ehrlichia bacterium....

What Is Epclusa? Epclusa (sofosbuvir and velpatasvir) is an oral antiviral combination medication used to treat viral infections like hepatitis C. Hepatitis is a general term for what occurs when the liver is swollen or inflamed. Specifically, hepatitis C is a viral type of hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Other forms of hepatitis may be caused by heavy alcohol use or, more rarely, drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)....

For the first time, federal regulators approved a fecal transplant therapy—a medical procedure that introduces a donor’s stool samples into a patient’s intestine to restore microbial balance. Key Takeaways The FDA approved a fecal transplant therapy that can reduce the recurrence of C. diff infection in adults.This is the first approval for fecal transplant therapy in the United States.Other products to treat diseases of the microbiome could follow close behind. The drug, called Rebyota, is a one-dose treatment for people who are vulnerable to repeat Clostridioides difficile (C....

Many people enjoying eating food that was prepared outside of their home, and ordering in has become even more common during the pandemic. However, according to a new study, frequently ordering takeout or dining out at a restaurant increases your risk of dying from any cause by nearly 50%. Key Takeaways Data from recent research links eating meals prepared outside of the home (two or more a day) with an increased risk of early death....

President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA, often known as Obamacare) into law in March 2010. Most of its provisions were delayed until at least 2014, but some parts of the law—including extended dependent coverage for young adults—began to take effect in the first few months after the legislation was enacted. This article will explain the dependent coverage rules in the ACA, and what you need to know about obtaining coverage for yourself or your young adult child....

Before Arushi Tandon, a writer in her twenties based in Delhi-NCR, India, was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, she noticed that she would get rashes when she was out in the sun. This sun sensitivity started around the same time as Tandon’s other lupus symptoms. Key Takeaways People with rheumatoid conditions like lupus may experience photosensitivity as a symptom of their autoimmune disease.If someone notices their skin getting redder at the start of summer, they may have a polymorphous light eruption....

If you drink more than the recommended guidelines for low-risk alcohol consumption, you are not only placing yourself at risk for developing an alcohol use disorder, but you are also significantly increasing your risk of a variety of cardiovascular problems. There is a massive amount of scientific research that indicates an increased risk for heart problems for people who drink alcohol habitually or heavily. Based on that research, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has established guidelines for “safe” drinking levels and “high risk” drinking....

Stress is a common occurrence, but thankfully there are strategies to help you cope with the overwhelming feelings that come with it. Read about how you can use these techniques to better manage your stress in order to experience mental and physical relief. What Is Stress? Stress is a physical, mental, and emotional response to any challenging situation. Sometimes this stress is positive and helps motivate us, such as during a race or competition, or while finishing an important project on a deadline....

Trying to navigate social interaction during a summer of COVID-19 comes with a lot of questions about safety. On June 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) aimed to answer some of these questions, issuing very specific guidance on what to do to lower your risk of contracting the virus while doing a range of social activities, including hosting gatherings and cookouts. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines on how to minimize your COVID-19 risk during gatherings and cookouts this summer....

Pain in the inner knee, also known as medial knee pain, can prevent you from walking and running normally. The condition is sometimes referred to as runner’s knee, a generalized term for any knee pain that occurs with running. Inner knee pain can come on suddenly or gradually and may occur without any specific, known injury. It can even occur when you are not running. This article outlines the symptoms and causes of runner’s knee as well as how the condition is diagnosed and treated....

Intermittent fasting, especially “time-restricted feeding” or “prolonged nighttime fasting” has become very popular, and questions about its potential role in both cancer prevention and treatment have been raised. Early evidence suggests that this strategy has the potential to improve the effectiveness of treatments and reduce side effects, but thus far, only a limited number of studies have been done. With regard to breast cancer, there is evidence that prolonged nighttime fasting may lower the risk of recurrence, a risk we are learning can remain for decades after treatment....

Laxative abuse happens when someone tries to lose weight, shed calories, or feel “empty” through the repeated use of laxatives. Laxatives are medications that are used to treat constipation. They work either by stimulating the lower intestine or by softening the stool. However, laxatives are not effective for weight control. What’s more, laxative abuse is unsafe and can lead to a wide range of short-term and long-term health complications. Learn more about laxative abuse, including the symptoms, causes, and treatment options....

Muscle weakness causes difficulty performing normal muscular contractions, resulting in decreased strength and compromised ability to perform active movements. Muscle weakness can make everyday activities and movements of your arms, legs, and body challenging. If it is severe, muscle weakness can interfere with your ability to move, sit up, stand, walk, and maintain your balance. Muscle weakness can be caused by an underlying disease, but can also result from other causes, such as aging, recovery from intense exercise or strength training, poor physical conditioning, malnutrition, or taking certain medications....

Seizures occur when there is unusual electrical activity in the brain. Nocturnal seizures occur while a person is asleep. Since nocturnal seizures occur while a person is in a state of sleep, diagnosis can be challenging, especially if no one is present to observe them. This article reviews the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of nocturnal seizures. Causes Seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. There are several possible reasons why people have seizures....