Posts

Acute renal failure, known today as acute kidney injury (AKI), is the sudden and often temporary loss of kidney function. It is a condition that develops rapidly over the course of several hours or days and typically occurs in people who are critically ill and already in the hospital. As the kidneys stop functioning, waste products meant to be filtered from the blood begin to accumulate, setting off a cascade of symptoms including decreased urination, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling due to the retention of fluid....

Cold showers have gotten much attention for their reported physical and mental effects, including improved circulation, immunity, energy, mental clarity, and skin and hair health. However, while some benefits have been proven, scientific research has not kept up with all the claims and more research is needed. This article discusses the benefits and disadvantages of cold showers. Is Taking a Cold Shower Healthy? The benefits of cold showers are believed to result through a biological process known as hormesis....

It’s allergy season: You constantly need to blow your nose, your eyes itch, and your head feels like it might explode. On top of all this, you’re not sure how to choose from all the over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medicine options. This article will provide some pointers on how to choose the right allergy medication. It also discusses the different types and forms of allergy medication. Types of Allergy Medication All allergy medications are not the same....

Blood clots form to stop excess bleeding from an injury. Usually, blood clots are beneficial but they can be harmful at times, blocking blood flow within the body’s organs, and potentially causing serious consequences, such as a heart attack or a stroke. In an emergency, the effects of a blood clot can often be treated with medication or surgery. If you have a condition that makes you prone to blood clots, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication to prevent them....

Both emotional and physical stress can be detrimental to the body in many ways. One of the effects it could have on health is a spike in blood sugar levels. When the body experiences high levels of chronic stress, it releases more cortisol, the primary stress hormone. A higher serum cortisol level causes the body to decrease insulin secretion. Insulin helps bring sugar into cells from the bloodstream, where it’s used for energy....

There are many possible causes of rib cage pain or pain in the area around your ribs. These can range from conditions that are simply uncomfortable to those that are life-threatening. This article will look at musculoskeletal causes of rib cage pain, as well as pain that originates in organs within or outside of the rib cage. Rib Cage Anatomy and Structure When looking at potential causes and how rib cage pain is evaluated, it’s helpful to think about the structures in and around the rib cage....

Chronic rhinitis is best described as a set of symptoms that persists for months or even years. These symptoms usually consist of a runny nose, an itchy nose, sneezing, congestion, or postnasal drip. Depending on the root cause of your rhinitis, it may be further classified as allergic or non-allergic. Allergic Rhinitis Allergic rhinitis is a common condition and even when you are able to identify a trigger for your symptoms, the condition can still become chronic in nature....

Contact dermatitis treatment usually involves home remedies like cold compresses, warm baths, moisturizing, and minimizing exposure to the affected area. Contact dermatitis is a common type of skin rash that happens after skin comes into contact with an irritant. Most cases will go away within a few weeks. For more stubborn cases, a prescription treatment may be needed. Most importantly, identifying and avoiding the triggering substance is imperative to allow the skin to heal....

Many people diagnosed with a hiatal hernia will not have any symptoms. Those who do have symptoms usually experience heartburn and indigestion. While medications may provide some relief, finding effective strategies to cope with pain and discomfort is important. This article explains how what you eat and how you eat affects symptoms of hiatal hernia. It covers the benefits of losing weight if needed and suggests ways you can manage symptoms when they do occur....

Dilated pupils (mydriasis or fixed pupils) are when your eyes’ pupils, which let light into your eyes, become wider. This can happen due to medications used during an eye exam (mydriatic drops), other types of drugs, or trauma to the eye. Your pupils get smaller when exposed to light (a process called miosis), and dilate naturally as the light dims. You should see a healthcare provider for dilated pupils if you also feel dizzy, have a headache, or if one pupil is more dilated than the other....

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive form of lung cancer predominantly caused by cigarette smoking, making up 13% of all U.S. cancer cases. SCLC tends to grow and spread faster than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SCLC is lethal if not caught early, so you never want to take any upper respiratory symptom lightly if you are a smoker. Even more, traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation usually target rapidly dividing cells, which means that SCLC is more responsive to chemotherapy and radiation treatment, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and treatment....

There’s a very common pattern surrounding dental check-ups. Chances are, you were told at your last appointment that you should brush and floss more. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many people don’t stick to a low-sugar diet or a strict oral hygiene regimen, and they often report the same experience: Life got busy, they forgot, or they simply couldn’t maintain a daily flossing habit. While many people will frantically floss or brush before their dental appointment, they know deep down their dentist will likely be able to tell if they keep a regular routine or not....

Dysuria refers to pain when you urinate. Individuals with dysuria usually describe it as a burning sensation. Dysuria is most often caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). Dysuria can affect anyone of any age, but it is most common in women. Treatment for dysuria depends on the underlying cause. If a bacterial infection causes dysuria, antibiotics are usually prescribed. This article will provide an overview of dysuria, including common causes, symptoms, and treatment....

In diabetes, you have too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. This is because your body either can’t produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or doesn’t use it properly (type 2 diabetes). Some people have no symptoms of early diabetes. When they do occur, type 1 diabetes tends to cause sudden symptoms, while type 2 is generally more gradual. Most early signs are the same for both types, but some tend to be unique to the type....

Forgetfulness is a normal part of life, and it’s common to grow more forgetful as you age. Still, it can be scary and make you concerned about developing Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurological condition associated with memory loss. Rest assured that most people get more forgetful over time and do not have Alzheimer’s. Many other conditions can cause forgetfulness as well. This article will explore the symptoms and causes of forgetfulness and how it’s diagnosed and treated....

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder in which the lower esophageal sphincter closes incorrectly. Reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus can cause heartburn and other symptoms. In the United States, it is estimated that about 20% of adults have GERD. Anxiety is a mental health condition characterized by worry that is disproportionate to the situation and limits daily functioning. There are multiple types of anxiety disorders. It is estimated that 31....

Gymnema sylvestre is a plant used in Ayurveda, an ages-old form of holistic medicine practiced in India. The plant is a perennial vine found in tropical regions of India, as well as Africa and Australia. The plant is also known as Australian cowplant and periploca of the woods. The Hindi term for G. sylvestre is gurmar, which is translated as “sugar destroyer.” This is because gymnema leaves contain a compound called gymnemic acid that suppresses the taste of sugar....

A combination of medications, diet changes, and exercise adjustments are usually used to help manage gout and prevent flare-ups. However, there are several herbs that many people find helpful when treating gout symptoms. This article reviews some of the herbs commonly used in gout treatment. Herbs for Gout Several herbs are thought to have healing properties to help alleviate symptoms of gout. Gout is a common type of inflammatory arthritis. Its most frequent symptoms include pain, swelling, and redness around the affected joint....

Perhaps since the beginning of time, human beings have been actively engaged in the pursuit of self-improvement. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that plastic surgery may be one of the world’s oldest healing treatments. There is documentation of the use of surgical means for correcting facial injuries dating back more than 4,000 years ago. Plastic Surgery Began With Skin Grafts in Ancient India Physicians in ancient India used skin grafts for reconstructive surgery as early as 800 B....

Advances in HIV treatment and prevention have allowed couples living with HIV to get pregnant without the risk of passing the virus to the baby. At the same time, HIV medications (called antiretrovirals) can ensure that HIV is not passed between partners trying to conceive According to the World Health Organization, nearly half of all couples living with HIV around the world are serodiscordant, meaning that one partner has HIV and the other doesn’t....