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Panax ginseng is one of the several types of ginseng commonly used in herbal medicine. The ginseng plant grows in the mountains of East Asia, where its roots are harvested into the ginseng that is consumed—often in teas and supplements. This article takes a closer look at Panax ginseng and its researched uses, potential side effects, and what to look for when buying supplements. Purported Uses of Panax Ginseng Panax ginseng is often promoted as a general tonic to improve well-being or cholesterol health....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is supposed to protect the body, malfunctions and attacks its own healthy tissues. With RA, those attacks target the lining of the joints called the synovium. This leads to red, warm, inflamed, and painful joints. People with RA can experience flares, or flare-ups, periods in which inflammation and disease activity are high. RA flare-ups are caused by one or more triggers, including diet, stress, illness, weather changes, smoking, and overexertion....

A saddle joint—also called a sellar joint—allows for many types of movements in many directions. A saddle joint includes one concave bone—shaped like a saddle—and another convex bone—shaped like a rider sitting on a horse’s saddle. The design of a saddle joint helps keep it stable and reduces the risk of damage from constant use. There are only a few saddle joints in your body. These joints are found in the thumb, shoulder, and inner ear....

The diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is based on recurrent symptoms of psychosis and mood disturbance. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the guide used by mental health professionals, includes specific criteria used to diagnose this condition. Schizoaffective disorder has features similar to those of several other disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain types of depression. Depending on your symptoms and physical examination, other conditions may need to be considered and ruled out before a definitive diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder is made....

According to statistics from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the rate of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the United States reached an all-time high among people of any sex and of all races or ethnicities in 2018.1 The common STIs—chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis—accounted for more than 2.4 million of these new infections, a 34% increase from 2013, when 1.8 million cases were reported. Half of new infections are among youth....

Most studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) and its treatments have lacked diversity, leaving clinicians and researchers without valuable insight into what the disease is like for minority patients—who are affected by MS more often than White patients. Key Takeaways Data shows that minority patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience a greater incidence of disability from the condition. However, few studies have explored the effects of MS and its treatments specifically on minority groups....

Retin-A and Retin-A Micro are both topical prescription medications that your dermatologist may prescribe to treat acne. Because they have nearly identical names (and are manufactured by the same company), you may wonder if they’re the same medication. Despite the similar names, Retin-A and Retin-A Micro aren’t exactly alike. There are some big differences between the two products, namely in the way they are formulated and deliver the active ingredient to the skin....

All U.S. hospitals follow standard precautions. These are infection-control practices such as wearing gloves, properly disposing of contaminated materials, and so on. While having these is place is reassuring, compliance can vary. And even when hospital staffers reliably take every step to avoid the spread of infection, transmission can and does occur. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated one in 25 people admitted to hospital will acquire an infection during their stay....

Ask a wide range of experts—healthcare providers, dietitians, and nurses—how they feel about the ketogenic diet for diabetes and you’ll probably hear a wide range of answers. Some answers might be based on personal experience, others on scientific evidence about its efficacy, long-term benefits vs. risks, and so on. Ask people with diabetes who’ve tried the ketogenic diet about their experience and you’ll also hear a wide range of answers. This is because a dietary approach that works for one may not work for someone else....

Vaginal cuts are injuries of the vaginal tissues, including the vagina or the vulva, which is the external genitals. Severe vaginal tears (called lacerations) are often caused by childbirth; some may need stitches. But smaller vaginal cuts, sometimes referred to as micro-cuts, are very common and usually heal on their own. This article covers the most common causes of vaginal cuts, how they are treated, and when you should see your healthcare provider....

Antispasmodics are medications used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. These drugs stop painful spasms by targeting smooth muscles in the digestive tract and are particularly effective in people living with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). This article looks at types of antispasmodics used for IBS, their benefits and side effects, and other ways to treat IBS. Why Antispasmodics Are Used for IBS Studies suggest about 5% of Americans have IBS symptoms....

Tens of millions people in America live with asthma, which can impact their participation in daily life. What’s more, a person’s daily living situation can impact their risk of developing asthma, or developing severe consequences from their asthma later in life. This article is part of Health Divide: Asthma in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Expert Jurairat J. Molina, MD, is a board-certified allergist who has been practicing in field of allergy and clinical immunology for the past two decades....

If you have hyperglycemia, it means that your blood glucose levels are too high. Often a result of diabetes, elevated glucose levels are due to your body not producing enough insulin or not utilizing this hormone properly. Elevated blood sugar levels can have a negative impact on your health as a whole, affecting everything from your vision to weight to heart health. While changing your diet or incorporating more exercise can help manage high blood sugar, there are also many supplements that may help....

When cancer affects the bones, this is most commonly due to a non-bone cancer that has started elsewhere in the body and spread, or metastasized, to the bones. In contrast, the focus here is on those cancers that do begin in the bones, also known as primary bone cancers. Primary bone cancer is actually a broad category, consisting of many different types of malignancies, some of which are very rare; however, of these, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma are among the most common....

Carpal tunnel surgery, also known as carpal tunnel release (CTR) or carpal tunnel decompression surgery, is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when one of the major nerves in the wrist becomes pinched, causing numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the fingers as well as general weakness of the hand muscles. When these symptoms become persistent or do not respond to conservative therapies (such as wrist splinting, steroid injections, and nonsteroidal pain relievers), your healthcare provider may recommend carpal tunnel surgery....

Certain types of foot pain can be associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It can be a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are conditions in which blood sugar levels cannot be controlled without medication and/or lifestyle measures. This article discusses how diabetes can affect your feet and cause symptoms. It also covers how to care for your feet to lower the risk of serious complications....

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). It is spread through genital or oral contact with an infected person who might or might have symptoms or a diagnosis. Symptoms of genital herpes can include a discharge from the genitals that can have a distinct smell. This article covers the types of genital herpes discharge, other genital herpes symptoms, other possible reasons for genital discharge, when to see a healthcare provider, and diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes....

With symptoms such as itching and flaking, dry scalp can be aggravating and embarrassing. And it can sometimes be difficult to figure out the cause. It can be triggered by different things, like environmental factors (such as dry outdoor or indoor air) or conditions like dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis. However, there are some natural remedies known to help if you are experiencing dry scalp. Here’s a look at them and how each works....

A food allergy is an abnormal reaction to a food triggered by your immune system. Research from the Harvard School of Medicine suggests that anywhere from 6.5% to 8% of American children have a food allergy, while other studies have pegged the rate in adults at 10% or higher. What is confounding to those who suffer food allergies is why they have them and why certain foods are more likely to trigger symptoms than others....

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or “pure hypercholesterolemia,” is an inherited condition that prevents the body from effectively getting rid of extra LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. This article will review how a diagnosis of FH is usually made, which often includes a combination of taking a family history, blood tests, and doing a physical exam. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing One of the most important steps to take at home, whether FH is suspected or not, is to learn about your family’s health history....