Therapy is a general term for a treatment for a physical or mental health challenge. When it comes to mental health, therapy, also known as talk therapy or psychotherapy, is a method mental health professionals use to assess, diagnose, and treat concerns related to emotions, thinking, and behavior patterns. It involves talking with a therapist or other mental health professional, such as a psychologist, and may include learning specific skills or coping strategies....
When people carry childhood trauma into adulthood, it can create a pervasive cycle of adverse experiences that affect future generations. Key Takeaways 61% of adults had at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), and 16% had four or more types of ACEs, according to the CDC.The repercussions of childhood trauma can manifest in various ways for adults, such as feeling unsafe in the world, having low self-esteem, and struggling with intimacy....
Aldolase is an enzyme responsible for breaking down certain sugars for energy. The liver and skeletal muscle tissue contain high levels of this enzyme. Aldolase testing may be done by a healthcare provider who suspects a muscular problem, such as muscle pain or weakness. Aldolase is released when muscles get damaged, so a person with muscular problems will have higher levels of aldolase. Read on to learn why the aldolase test is performed and what an abnormal level could mean....
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced recently that it plans to convene a meeting of its Medical Devices Advisory Committee to review concerns about home pulse oximeters. These small devices clip onto your finger to measure your oxygen levels. Key Takeaways While typically used in a hospital setting, pulse oximeters can also be purchased for at-home for $20 to $100.Some COVID patients use pulse oximeters to monitor oxygen saturation levels during their recovery....
There are many reasons feet might suddenly swell or be chronically swollen, and congestive heart failure (CHF) is one of them. This chronic condition results in the heart being unable to pump enough blood to service your body’s needs. The reduced force of blood through the circulatory system causes fluids to get trapped inside tissues and pool in your legs and feet. Swelling in the legs and feet is specifically referred to as peripheral edema....
If you have asthma and are pregnant or want to conceive, you may worry about how your asthma might impact your pregnancy and baby. About 3% to 8% of pregnant people have preexisting asthma. While some research shows asthma can cause pregnancy complications, it rarely poses a significant risk during pregnancy when it is properly treated. You can increase your chance for a healthy pregnancy by: Understanding guidelines for using asthma medications during pregnancy Following your treatment plan for managing asthma Knowing how to watch for potential complications This article explains the symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment of asthma during pregnancy....
Antibiotic ointments for the skin like Neosporin can be toxic to the eye, and should not be used to treat eye wounds or scratches. Neosporin, however, is available as an antibiotic eye ointment as well, which is different from the topical cream for the skin and is often prescribed for eye infections. Understanding the difference between the topical creams, which can be used on the skin, and those that are safe for the eye will help you choose the right eye-friendly antibiotic topical treatment for your needs....
In a group of more than 1,600 transgender women living in major U.S. cities, 42% have HIV. The data, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published last week, was collected through interviews conducted by the agency between 2019 and 2020. Key Takeaways The authors interviewed more than 1,6000 transgender women in 7 major cities and found that 42% had HIV.The report indicates a strong need for allocating resources toward preventing and treating HIV....
It can be scary to experience chest pain and a headache at the same time. The good news is that together the two symptoms usually don’t indicate a serious health problem. Although it’s possible that having chest pain and headache at the same time could be the result of an urgent issue such as a stroke, more likely, your symptoms are the result of a non-life-threatening condition such as anxiety....
Citrus allergies are uncommon but possible. Allergies have been reported to grapefruit and oranges. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and alternatives of citrus allergy. Symptoms Those who have an allergy to citrus may experience a wide variety of symptoms. They can range from mild symptoms to anaphylaxis. Possible symptoms include: Runny noseSneezingProblems with the eyes, including itching, tearing, and rednessItching of the throatMild swelling in the throatRedness of the lips, tongue, soft palate, ears, or inside of the mouthItching of the lips, tongue, soft palate, ears, or inside of the mouthMild swelling in the lips, tongue, soft palate, ears, or inside of the mouthAbdominal painVomitingNauseaFlushing of the skinHivesSwollen skin on any part of the bodyWelts Complications In some cases, more serious symptoms can occur as a result of a citrus allergy....
What Is Coreg? Coreg (carvedilol) is a beta-blocker with alpha-1 blocking activity used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. It works by blocking the action of both alpha receptors and beta receptors to reduce the heart’s workload and help it beat more regularly. Coreg is available by prescription as an oral tablet and extended-release (ER) capsule (Coreg CR). What Is Coreg Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Coreg to treat adults with:...
Substituting high quality plant foods like nuts, legumes, or soy for red meat may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to a new study published on December 2 in The BMJ. But, when you dig a little deeper into the data, this generalized recommendation has some grey areas. Key Takeaways Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the U.S.Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of developing CHDWhile a new study suggests swapping out red meat for plant-based choices to reduce the risk of CHD, other data does not offer the same conclusion....
Hot ears affect most people at one time or another and may be a sign of a medical condition or mean nothing at all. Ears can suddenly get red and hot with strong emotional responses, such as blushing, or turn red due to ear infections, skin infections, ear allergies, hormonal changes, and rare conditions such as red ear syndrome (RES). Where and how you experience hot ears can provide clues as to what is going on....
If you talk to many people with breast cancer, you will learn that coping with the disease involves more than fighting cancer alone. In fact, the side effects and complications of cancer and cancer treatments are often as challenging as the cancer itself. What side effects and what complications may occur when you are treated for early-stage breast cancer? Let’s look at the possible complications related to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, as well as the psychological and social complications you may experience....
A fibula fracture is a partial or complete break of the fibula bone. The fibula is the smaller of two bones of the lower leg, situated between the knee and ankle that helps keep the ankle joint stable. A fracture can be caused by a forceful impact, a traumatic sports injury, or any direct blow to the outside of the lower leg. It can also occur as result of an ankle injury....
Although scientists aren’t entirely sure why and how gallstones form, they seem to occur when your bile has too much cholesterol, too much bilirubin, not enough bile salts, or when your gallbladder is functioning abnormally. Some people are more likely to have risk factors for gallstones too, as age, obesity, certain diseases, and dieting are risk factors. Common Causes Gallstones develop, perhaps obviously, in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ beneath the liver on the right side of the abdomen....
Green tea may help prevent and treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). That’s believed to be due to the antioxidants it contains. These antioxidants are called catechins. Polyphenols are a type of catechin. These substances stabilize molecules—free radicals—that have become unstable for a variety of reasons. Free radicals lead to oxidative stress. They’re implicated in many diseases, including RA. This article looks at why green tea helps with RA, how to use it, other teas that may (or may not) have similar effects, dosages, and side effects....
Autoimmune inner ear disease is a rare condition that results in a rapid decline in your ability to hear and sometimes symptoms such as dizziness or loss of balance. Inner Ear Autoimmune Causes Autoimmune diseases that affect the inner ear are not all well understood, however, they generally involve components of the immune system (immune cells or antibodies) which for unknown reasons begin to attack the structures that make up the inner ear....
A sleep-deprived EEG, or an electroencephalogram, is a type of EEG that’s done when you’ve had much less sleep than usual. It’s used to detect subtle seizures, like absence seizures or focal seizures. Like standard EEGs, this non-invasive test records the electrical activity of the brain and can pick up on abnormal brain waves through electrodes attached to the scalp. When you fall asleep or doze during the test, the machine will continue to record activity in your brain....
Treatment options for kidney cancer will depend on the disease stage and other factors. Most people, even those with advanced kidney cancer, will have some form of surgical treatment. Additional treatments may include targeted therapies and immunotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiation are not commonly used to treat kidney cancer. Types of Treatment The therapy for treating kidney cancer has changed significantly in the past few years with the addition of targeted therapies and immunotherapies....
