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Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common infection often spread through sexual activity. Though there are more than 200 strains, about 40 of them can cause genital warts or cancer in humans. This article will highlight key facts and statistics you should know about HPV. HPV Overview HPV is an infection that can spread through skin-to-skin contact, often during sex. Some HPV infections have no symptoms and may go away on their own in about two years; others may result in symptoms and become long-term infections....

Physical therapy (PT) might be covered by your insurance plan, either partly or in full. However, your insurance will need your healthcare provider to confirm that PT is medically necessary before they will pay. This applies to private and other insurance plans, including Medicare. Physical therapy typically requires several sessions. Even if your insurance fully covers PT, the costs can still add up because of your co-pays. If you only have partial coverage, you’ll have to factor in that cost as well as the portion of the service fee that you’re responsible for paying....

Mediastinal lymph nodes are lymph nodes located in the mediastinum. The mediastinum is the area located between the lungs that contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, cardiac nerves, thymus gland, and lymph nodes of the central chest. The enlargement of lymph nodes is referred to as lymphadenopathy. Causes Lymph nodes can become enlarged due to infections, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. There are many different causes of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Conditions that cause inflammation in the chest area, can cause enlargement of the lymph nodes of the chest....

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive procedure that plays a key role in diagnosing and monitoring multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, researchers and medical professionals consider MRI to be one of the biggest breakthroughs in the field of multiple sclerosis, since it makes it possible to see lesions on the brain and spinal cord that indicate the disease and would otherwise require surgery to view. If you are undergoing an MRI to find out if you have MS, or if you’ve been diagnosed and will be having the test to evaluate the progression of your disease, you may be nervous....

Peritoneal cancer, also called primary peritoneal cancer, is a rare type of cancer, occurring in only around six out of 1 million people. The exact number, however, is difficult to estimate, as it is thought that up to 15% of people who are diagnosed with advanced serous ovarian cancer could actually have primary peritoneal cancer. The Peritoneum The peritoneum is a two-layered membrane composed of epithelial cells that lines the organs of the abdominal and pelvic cavity, covering the digestive tract, liver, and reproductive organs....

Pill esophagitis, also known as drug-induced esophagitis, is pain and discomfort felt inside the chest and throat after swallowing certain medications. The pain occurs inside the tube, called the esophagus, that connects the mouth to the stomach. Pill esophagitis (esophag- referring to the esophagus and -itis referring to inflammation) is caused by the irritating effects of certain medications, including antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Symptoms such as chest pain and heartburn can range from mild to severe and last for a short time or persist for days....

What Is Rhinocort? Rhinocort (budesonide) is a prescription nasal spray used to relieve nasal symptoms from seasonal and year-round allergies. It is recommended for both adults and children ages 6 and older. Rhinocort, which contains the key ingredient budesonide, is classified under the category of corticosteroids (human-made steroids used to treat inflammation). Budesonide is further identified as a glucocorticoid—a steroid hormone widely used for the treatment of inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer....

After you have weight-loss surgery, you will likely be required to make some big changes to your lifestyle, which will include following your surgeon’s instructions to the letter. Check out these tips for success after weight-loss surgery. Know When to Call Your Surgeon In the weeks after surgery, you should call your surgeon if: You develop a fever over 101 degrees You have uncontrollable pain You cannot keep fluids down You are short of breath or have difficulty breathing You notice dark or tarry (bloody) stools You suddenly begin to bruise easily Your incisions begin to leak pus or bleed heavily You develop unexplainable severe leg pain Don’t Drink Calories Your caloric intake will be very limited after surgery, which should help you lose weight immediately after surgery....

What Is Tpoxx? Tpoxx (tecovirimat) is a medication treatment option for smallpox in people weighing a minimum of 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds). Tpoxx is an antiviral medication. It works by blocking the activity of the VP37 viral protein. Inhibiting this protein prevents the virus from becoming a mature and enveloped (enclosed) virus. Blocking this protein also interferes with the virus’s ability to get out of infected cells and spread to other cells....

If you have a teenager at home, you are almost done with taking your child in for regular immunizations. Your child’s vaccination schedule changes as they age, and there are certain vaccines that are specifically recommended for teens and preteens. These vaccinations can help to protect them from communicable diseases when they go off to college. In addition, some childhood vaccines lose their effectiveness over time and require boosters. This article will describe the recommended vaccinations for teens and what to expect....

As your baby starts to roll, crawl, walk, and explore their environment, bumps on the head will come with the territory. But while head bumps in babies may be common, that doesn’t mean they’re not alarming. The vast majority (90%) of head injuries in children are minor. But what about the 10% that aren’t? Will you be able to recognize if your baby or toddler has a serious head injury and respond appropriately?...

If you test positive for COVID-19 and isolate for at least 5 days, you don’t need to get re-tested if you have fully recovered. This article explains why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend re-testing for those who have recovered. It also explains how long you may be contagious after testing positive for COVID-19, how long you can continue to test positive, and when to stop isolation if you are symptom-free....

Breast cancer typically develops in one breast (known as unilateral) but can also occur in both breasts (known as bilateral). Researchers have consistently found that breast cancer is more common in the left breast than in the right, though they haven’t pinpointed an exact reason behind this observation. This article provides an overview of the evidence showing left-sided breast cancer to be more common. Left-Sided Breast Cancer The breast is one of the body’s major paired organs....

Amyloidosis is a rare condition that causes an abnormal buildup of a protein called amyloid throughout the body. This amyloid build-up is dangerous and can cause damage to organs and organ failure. Amyloid can build up in one or more organs, or it can build up throughout the body. Most types of amyloidosis cannot be prevented, but symptoms can be managed with treatment. Here is what you need to know about amyloidosis, including types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

You’ve probably heard about outbreaks of Ebola, Lassa fever, and Zika virus around the world in recent years. Before producing epidemics or pandemics, the pathogens that caused the diseases had to “spillover” from wildlife to humans. Key Takeaways A new online assessment tool may help researchers predict which viruses that originate in wildlife could cause pandemics like COVID-19. Zoonotic viruses, those that spill over from animals into humans, are an increasing threat as humans move into areas that were once isolated....

Enemas are sometimes used for constipation when other measures like laxatives or dietary measures aren’t working. They are also used to clear out the colon before a colonoscopy or other test. While they can be safe and effective, enemas do have risks when performed at home, or if they’re used too frequently. Sometimes, they can cause serious complications such as bowel perforation or sepsis, a life-threatening condition due to infection....

Bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is a mental health disorder characterized by emotional extremes. People with bipolar disorder typically experience periods of abnormally elevated or irritable moods and increased energy (known as mania or the milder hypomania) and periods of depression. They may also experience mixed episodes that share features of both mania and depression. These periods of being up and down are more extreme than normal mood swings....

Many people may endure a traumatic event at some point in their lives. These situations and their aftermath can be debilitating and potentially life-altering. While some people can cope with traumatic events, others experience an acute stress response, adjustment, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a structured form of cognitive-behavioral therapy used to treat PTSD and trauma-related issues. CPT can be helpful for clients to challenge and modify unhealthy beliefs and behaviors that can arise when a traumatic event impacts their life....

Cold rash—medically coined cold urticaria (hives)—is a rare disorder involving an immune response to cold exposure. When a person has cold urticaria, raised wheals or bumps called hives appear if the skin is exposed to cold temperatures. Cold rash comprises approximately 3% of all cases of urticaria (hives). It is more prevalent in younger adults than in the elderly population and affects women and men equally. Treatment often includes employing preventative measures, such as avoiding exposure to cold (including cold air, icy cold drinks or food, and cold water)....

Adults over age 65 have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Now that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has started authorizing vaccines against COVID-19, older adults are among the first in line to receive them. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that people get vaccinated against COVID-19—especially older adults.Even after people get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, they must remain vigilant at protecting themselves from catching the virus and spreading it to others....