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Egrifta (tesamorelin) is an injectable, synthetic form of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. This synthetic form of GHRH is more potent and stable than GHRH is in its natural state. When injected, Egrifta stimulates the production of growth hormone (GH), which binds to receptors on organs and tissues that regulate body composition. In addition to having an anabolic (tissue- and muscle-building) effect, Egrifta is also lipolytic, meaning that it alters the pathways by which triglycerides are metabolized....

Treatment of mesothelioma, a type of cancer of the mesothelium, the thin layer of tissue covering most internal organs, is highly dependent on the advice and guidance of a specialist. Nothing can replace the training and expertise of someone who also intimately understands the individual needs of a patient. Consultation with a healthcare provider will help you understand what may be most effective in your case. Nevertheless, it can be helpful to review some of the therapy options for mesothelioma that may be available, including chemotherapy medications, surgery, pain relief, and alternatives....

Mammograms are a type of X-ray used to detect breast cancer. It is recommended that women start getting annual mammograms at age 40. There may be questions regarding the test for someone about to get their first mammogram. It’s perfectly normal and common to feel anxious before a mammogram. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare before, during, and after the screening can help ease some of your concerns....

Federal regulators authorized next-generation COVID-19 boosters from Moderna and Pfizer, despite scant data on how effective and durable booster-induced immunity will be. Key Takeaways Federal regulators authorized new booster COVID-19 booster shots from Moderna and Pfizer for people ages 12 and older.The bivalent boosters target both the original strain of COVID-19 and the newer Omicron variants that are responsible for most U.S. cases now.The updated vaccines were authorized based on animal studies and a clinical study from an earlier version of a bivalent vaccine....

A study from researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine has found a link between mindfulness training and sleep quality in children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Key Takeaways A new study has linked mindfulness training has been linked to better sleep among at-risk children.Sleep quality is directly correlated to both mental and physical health, including learning and behavior. Mindfulness training uses breathing exercises, relaxation, and slow movements to help you become aware of your emotions and regulate the stress response....

Mixed hyperlipidemia is a condition characterized by elevated levels of fats in the blood, including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides. Because of this, it can increase the risk of heart disease and lead to problems like heart attacks. Mixed hyperlipidemia can be passed down through families, which is why it’s also called familial combined hyperlipidemia. However, it can also be idiopathic (with an unknown cause) or a result of other conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and thyroid disease....

A molar pregnancy is a pregnancy complication where a non-viable fertilized egg develops into a tumor rather than a fetus. The mass often resembles a clump of grapes when viewed on an ultrasound. Molar pregnancies are usually not cancerous, but sometimes the tumor can be malignant. Since the pregnancy cannot be carried to term and because the complication can pose health risks to the pregnant person, treatment involves terminating the pregnancy, usually by dilation and curettage (D&C)....

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system, which typically fights off infections, mistakenly attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin controls the amount of glucose (blood sugar) within your bloodstream. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is also an autoimmune disease. In MS, the immune system attacks and destroys myelin, the protective covering of nerve cells, in the brain, spinal cord, or eyes....

On October 12, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued draft recommendations that reconsider whether it is safe for most older adults to take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Key Takeaways Draft guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) question the long-held wisdom that daily aspirin use is a safe prevention strategy to reduce the risk of a first heart attack or stroke.Based on research in the last decade, the USPSTF has decided that the risks that are associated with taking aspirin daily (internal bleeding, specifically) outweigh the potential preventive benefits for most older adults....

Palliative care is a form of medical care that is ultimately aimed at relieving the symptoms associated with a serious illness while improving a person’s quality of life. A specialized team of health and allied professionals work together to address an individual’s physical, emotional, practical, and spiritual needs. Palliative care is often confused with hospice care, which is comfort care for patients who only have a few months or less to live....

Pomegranate is a fruit that is made up of a hard outer layer with around 600 arils, which contain the edible part of the fruit, the seeds. It is full of antioxidants, which protect cells from oxidative damage due to natural biochemical processes and everyday exposure to environmental toxins. They can also help prevent and repair DNA damage that can lead to cancer, and research has found that pomegranate juice may even benefit prostate and heart health....

Radiology is the field of medicine that uses imaging techniques (such as X-rays) to diagnose and treat disease. It may be used diagnostically in order to determine if a medical condition is present or not (such as finding a lung cancer), interventionally as a procedure (such as removing a blood clot in an artery), or as a treatment. such as giving radiation therapy to treat cancer. Here’s a look at the different uses for diagnostic imaging, conditions that may be treated with radiologic techniques, cautions and warnings about potential adverse effects, and the medical professionals you may encounter when you have a radiological test or procedure....

Along with the medications that treat multiple sclerosis (MS), rehabilitation is a key part of managing your condition effectively, particularly after a relapse. Depending on your symptoms, you may only occasionally need rehabilitation or you may require these therapies regularly to help you stay as healthy as possible. From physical therapy to speech-language therapy to cognitive therapy (and more), there are a number of effective, engaging rehabilitation options that can minimize the impact of MS-related disabilities and help you function at your best in every aspect of your life....

A retrograde pyelogram is an imaging study of the renal system (urinary tract) using X-ray technology, usually with contrast dye. It shows pictures of the structures of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This test helps healthcare providers identify blockages in the urinary tract and may be used to identify the cause of hematuria (blood in the urine). During a retrograde pyelogram, dye is inserted through the urethra up the urinary tract toward the kidney to highlight the lining of the urinary tract....

Ringworm and eczema are both skin conditions that cause dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. However, the causes and treatment options for each are very different. Ringworm, also known as tinea, is a fungal infection that causes a ring-shaped rash with a raised, scaly border. It can occur anywhere on the body and is highly contagious. Eczema, on the other hand, is a chronic skin condition that causes dry, red patches of skin....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment usually centers around disease-modifying drugs that help reduce relapses or “flare-ups” of symptoms and slow the natural progression of the disease. While these drugs are beneficial, stem cell therapies potentially offer more promise by putting patients into long-term remission and/or repairing the damage done by the disease. This article will discuss the risks, benefits, and research behind two types of stem cell treatments being used or explored in MS care....

February is American Heart Month. The observance is a great time to learn about what causes heart disease and how you can prevent it. Key Takeaways High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms. Even if a person hasn’t been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it could still be damaging their body. Heart disease is one of the biggest risks associated with high blood pressure. Controlling high blood pressure takes collaboration between patients and their healthcare providers....

When it first develops, emphysema, one of a group of lung diseases known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is usually asymptomatic. As the illness progresses, however, it causes shortness of breath with activity and, eventually, a chronic cough with phlegm and frequent bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia. In the later stages of emphysema, potential complications can range from anxiety to heart problems. Commonly caused by cigarette smoking or exposure to other lung irritants or pollutants that damage the alveoli in the lungs—where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged—emphysema is a progressive illness without a cure, but its symptoms can be managed....

Vervain (Verbena officinalis), also known as common vervain or common verbena, is a flowering perennial plant native to Europe and Asia. Alternative practitioners believe it offers many health benefits. The plant is recognized by its jagged, tooth-shaped leaves and clusters of delicate, mauve or pale-purple blossoms. Rich in plant-based compounds known as flavonoids, vervain is thought to have potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. There are even those who contend that vervain has anti-tumor properties that can help fight cancer....

SPF stands for sun protection factor. Simply put, an SPF rating tells you how long you can stay in the sun without getting burned while wearing that sunscreen, compared with how long you can stay in the sun before you burn without wearing that sunscreen. For example, if it typically takes you 15 minutes to burn without sunscreen and you apply an SPF 10, it will take 10 times longer (2....