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A proctoscopy is a type of endoscopy procedure. A tool called a proctoscope is gently inserted through the anus and into the rectum. With the use of this tool, the inside of the rectum (the last part of the large intestine) can be seen, including any problems or abnormalities. A proctoscopy typically is performed by a digestive disease specialist (a gastroenterologist) on an outpatient basis. This article will review the proctoscopy procedure, including why it might be done, how to prepare, and what the procedure is like....

Quadruple bypass surgery is an open-heart surgical procedure that is done to improve blood flow to the heart muscle. In an open-heart surgery, the chest is cut open and the person is put on a machine to do the work of the heart and lungs during the surgery. To understand what it means to have a quadruple bypass, it is important to have an idea of the effects of heart disease and how the disease relates to the structure of the heart....

Radon is a radioactive gas that arises naturally from the uranium found in rocks and soils all over the world. You can’t see or smell it, but it is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Researchers established the link between radon and lung cancer during the 1950s and 1960s, but in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of never-smokers with lung cancer linked to radon....

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation in your joints, leading to symptoms like joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. In simple terms, your immune system attacks your healthy tissues. If rheumatoid arthritis is left untreated, the condition can damage your joints and impair your ability to perform certain activities. It is in your best interest to make a long-term care plan that will not only slow the progression of your disease but will also keep you financially secure....

External (male) condoms and internal (female) condoms are two of the best ways to make sex safer. Unfortunately, not everyone likes to use these forms of contraception. Many people assume that, in a heterosexual encounter, it is always the male partner who is reluctant to use condoms. But, that’s not necessarily the case. The avoidance of condoms among women in the United States is almost as high as among men....

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is often incorrectly self-diagnosed. For an accurate seasonal affective disorder diagnosis, a certain set of criteria, set forth in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5) need to be met. The current DSM-5 terminology for SAD is major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. During the diagnosis process, a healthcare provider will conduct a psychiatric interview and may give you a standardized screening. It’s important to seek diagnosis with a licensed medical or mental health professional if you think you have seasonal affective disorder....

The idea that only older people should be concerned with getting shingles is untrue. The rates of singles have been stable in older adults since 2008. However, the rates of shingles are increasing in middle-aged and, especially, younger adults. The exact reason for this increase is unknown. Still, studies suggest that it could be caused by decreased early exposure to the shingles virus, known as the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), due to childhood varicella vaccinations....

Status epilepticus is a dangerous situation historically defined as a seizure or a cluster of seizures lasting longer than 30 minutes without improvement in consciousness. When seizures do not improve, on their own or with medication, they can cause brain damage or even death. Therefore, this 30-minute definition is not used in clinical practice; instead, any continuous seizure lasting five minutes or more, or two or more successive seizures without recovery of consciousness is considered status, requiring immediate treatment with anti-seizure medications....

A surgical technologist is a health professional who is an integral part of a surgical team. The position requires around two years of training, which provides the technologist the tools and expertise needed to ensure that the operating room is safe, the equipment functions properly, and the surgical team has the hands-on assistance to complete an operation in a smooth and efficient manner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are just over 100,000 surgical technologists actively practicing in the United States....

You can reduce your risk of catching common viral infections like colds or influenza (the flu) with some simple steps and good habits, from washing your hands to getting the annual flu shot. Working to prevent the spread of these highly-contagious illnesses not only means fewer people will get sick, but that people who are at high risk for complications have a better chance of avoiding them. The best steps you can take to stay healthy and prevent colds and the flu are things you have likely heard over and over again (and deservedly so):...

Figuring out how to find a doctor for your asthma can seem challenging at first—after all, you want to make sure that you’re getting the best treatment possible while also staying within your geographic location as well as your insurance plan. It’s important to recognize that the process of finding the right healthcare provider isn’t accomplished in one step; it takes time, effort, and the willingness to search in more than one place to get what you need....

Wet macular degeneration (wet AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in the United States (and other Western countries). When a person gets a diagnosis of wet age-related macular degeneration, facing the possible impact of severe visual impairment is inevitable. Coping with the emotions that come along with a chronic (long-term) condition can be quite a challenge, particularly when the condition may involve the loss of one’s sight....

Do you have a medical flexible spending account (FSA) that reimburses you for medical expenses like your health insurance deductible, copays, and coinsurance? Are you about to get laid off, quit your job, or retire? This article will explain what will happen to your flexible spending account when you leave your job, and what steps you can take to maximize your FSA benefit. Your FSA Is Linked to Your Job Your ability to use your FSA is linked to your job....

Electrical burns or injuries from holiday lights send around 14,000 Americans to emergency departments each year. While the glitter and shine of twinkling lights is magical, an old string of lights with a bad wire—especially coupled with rain or snow—can cause more damage than you might think. It doesn’t take much electricity to cause burns or injury, and most household appliances and electronics deliver a bigger punch than you might think....

A drug formulary refers to the list of drugs that a particular health insurance plan will cover. Has your healthcare provider prescribed a drug that’s not on your health plan’s drug formulary? Many people are shocked to learn their health plan has a list of drugs it will pay for (or count towards your deductible, if you have to meet it first); if your drug isn’t on that list, your health insurance won’t pay for it....

The five stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (DABDA). They apply when you are grieving for the death of a loved one as well as when you are facing a terminal diagnosis. These stages help describe the emotional process when facing these life-changing events. But keep in mind that most people do not experience emotion in a linear pattern, and the responses are unique to each person facing illness, death, or loss....

Adult-onset asthma is a subtype of asthma that develops in adulthood. The symptoms are the same as for asthma that appears during childhood, including dyspnea (shortness of breath) and wheezing, but tend to be more frequent and are more likely to impair lung function. For this reason, it’s important to get a prompt diagnosis so that you can get effective treatment, which typically includes avoiding triggers, using a controller medication regularly to prevent symptoms, and using a rescue inhaler to treat symptoms if they occur anyway....

Most articles and images focus on young children when it comes to autism, making it easy to overlook autism in adults. While it’s true that symptoms of autism appear first in early childhood, autism doesn’t affect children only. Those with the condition, like everyone else, are adults for much longer than they are kids and face lifelong challenges. So why is relatively little written about autism and adulthood? While there’s no absolute answer, here are some educated guesses:...

People who enjoy a break from allergy symptoms in the cold winter months often dread the return of spring. With it comes an explosion pollen from trees, grass, and weeds that can trigger allergic rhinitis (hay fever). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 8% of American adults (20 million) and over 7% of children (6 million) experience seasonal allergies. Symptoms of spring allergies include: 7 Tips for Avoiding Pollen Exposure...

Cases of COVID-19 are rising in parts of the U.S. as we head into the holiday season. Certain regions are considered hotspots, as various local and state governments have developed their own pandemic response plans—some more successfully than others. Key Takeaways COVID-19 cases are rising across the U.S. and an interactive map allows you to see how risky a social gathering is in your state and county.The tool is intended to help people better understand risk and encourage them to engage in measures to protect themselves and others....