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People with heart problems have a greater risk of becoming severely ill from developing the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Furthermore, the virus has been found to significantly damage the heart muscle, causing conditions like heart failure even after you’ve recovered from the viral infection. Cardiomyopathy—one of the major causes of heart failure—is both a major risk factor and a serious complication of COVID-19. Cardiomyopathy and COVID-19 Risk Cardiomyopathy refers to any disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood....

For people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), dizziness is a symptom they have to deal with on a daily basis. In some cases, it’s a “head rush” now and then or a few moments of staggering when beginning to walk. In other cases, balance is much worse and fainting is a serious threat. So what’s behind the dizziness and related problems? These symptoms could be related to a number of known components of ME/CFS....

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the term used to describe what happens when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. (It should not be confused with cardiac arrest in which the heart stops beating entirely.) CHF is simply the inadequate functioning of the heart muscle. The condition can either be acute (it occurs rapidly), or chronic (it occurs over the long term). Symptoms of CHF may include fatigue, the swelling of the legs, and shortness of breath (especially with exercise)....

People with epilepsy do not appear to be at a greater risk of getting coronavirus (COVID-19) than anyone else. That said, experts suggest that as many as one in four people with epilepsy experienced more seizures during the height of the pandemic, suggesting that the virus may play a part. It’s a fair assumption, given that COVID-19 is known to cause neurological (nervous system-related) symptoms in some, including headaches, brain inflammation, delirium, and the loss of taste or smell....

People who lived on the island of Guam were disproportionately affected by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in the late 1940s. The disease, now known as lytico-bodig in Guam, presents as a combination of ALS and Parkinson’s dementia symptoms. It is often referred to as ALS and Parkinsons-dementia complex (ALS/PDC). The first high incidence rate of the disease occurred during World War II when ALS in Guam was more prevalent than elsewhere in the world....

Clutter is common, but for 2 to 6% of Americans it’s more than just clutter: it’s the sign of a mental health condition called hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is usually diagnosed through an examination of symptoms and behaviors, which you’ll learn more about in this article. Professional Screenings Hoarding disorder is usually diagnosed by a healthcare provider or mental health professional after reviewing a person’s symptoms and behavior. The process can start with a primary healthcare provider, with a referral to a mental health professional as needed....

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the type that lines the uterus starts to grow in other parts of the body, only outside the uterus. During your menstrual cycle, this tissue that grows outside the uterus acts like the ones inside the uterus—it thickens and then breaks down. However, there is nowhere for the broken down tissue to pass out of the body, so it stays in place and causes the surrounding organs and tissue to become irritated....

There are a variety of health problems a person who has IBS is more likely to have than a person who doesn’t have IBS. Surprisingly, restless leg syndrome (RLS) is one of them. It doesn’t seem to make logical sense—how might it be that a neurological disorder is associated with a gastrointestinal disorder? Let’s take a look at what RLS is and what some of the reasons may be for its overlap with IBS....

As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues to lag behind ideal numbers around the world, some health experts are looking at the potential for giving a single dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, instead of the two-dose regimen. Key Takeaways Some health experts are advocating for a single-dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine when supplies are low or limited, instead of completing the recommended two-dose regimen.Data on efficacy, however, is based on clinical trials, so more research is needed before health officials make a switch on dosing....

What Is Kerydin? Kerydin (tavaborole) is a liquid prescription solution used to treat fungal infections of the toenails, also called onychomycosis. Kerydin is a topical medication, which means you apply it directly to the affected toenail(s). Kerydin contains the active ingredient tavaborole. It is classified as an oxaborole antifungal drug. It blocks the fungus from making the proteins it needs to grow and survive. Kerydin is available in one strength of 5%....

A lesion is a mark on the skin that looks or feels different than the surrounding skin. Everything from a blister to a bug bite could be referred to as a lesion. Some lesions are caused by inflammation and disease, while others are simply inherited traits, like birthmarks. Skin conditions can be challenging to self-diagnose, so regular visits to a dermatologist will offer insight into whether your lesions are a concern....

Research shows that blood glucose monitoring and diabetes self-management education (DSME) can improve health outcomes in people with diabetes, including better blood glucose control. What if you could pair the two in real time? Livongo is a data-based health coaching program that enables people with diabetes to share blood glucose records with Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs). People with diabetes receive feedback in real time—within minutes if there is an emergency....

There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Once the type of lung cancer is identified, healthcare providers use imaging tests and biopsy results to determine how advanced the cancer is and if it has spread. This is known as staging. Staging helps healthcare providers identify the most effective treatment options and your likely prognosis (outcome). The two most common types of cancer are staged and treated differently....

While melasma is incredibly common, fortunately it isn’t harmful, so there’s no medical reason to treat it. However, since it occurs on such visible areas as the face and chest, many people feel self-conscious about it and choose to treat it. Treatment for melasma must be done thoughtfully, on a case-by-case basis, in order to get the best possible results. Your treatment regimen may not look at all like what someone else did for their melasma, and that’s okay....

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a chronic sleep condition where a person’s breathing slows or stops during sleep. It’s estimated that some 90% of people who have OSA are unaware they have it. Left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications. This article will explain who is at risk of developing OSA, what symptoms to watch for, and how diagnosis and treatment work. You’ll also learn some ways of coping with sleep apnea....

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a type of pain management system that allows patients to make their own decisions as to when they need to take a dose of pain medication. The medication is administered through a PCA pump and can be used to treat acute (sudden, severe), chronic (long-term), or postoperative (after surgery) pain. It can also be utilized in obstetrics for the management of labor pain. When it comes to pain management, it is helpful to understand your options so you and your healthcare provider can make the best decision for your care....

Learning about pediatric headache “red flags” can help you figure out if your child’s head pain is from a minor cause—like common childhood illnesses, a mild bump on the head, lack of sleep, not getting enough to eat or drink, or stress. Knowing how to spot headache “red flags” in kids can also help you determine if your child’s pain could be from something more serious, or even alert you that it’s time to go to the ER....

Right bundle branch block (RBBB) is an abnormal pattern seen on an electrocardiogram (ECG). It indicates that the heart’s electrical impulse is not being distributed normally across the ventricles, the chambers that pump blood out of the heart. Specifically, right bundle branch block means that the electrical stimulation of the right ventricle is being delayed. The right ventricle pumps blood to the lungs. This article discusses the causes of right bundle branch block and what it may mean to someone’s future health....

What Is Rilutek? Rilutek is a prescription medication used to slow the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It’s in the central nervous system agent drug class. Rilutek is prescribed for long-term use. It’s available as a tablet that’s taken by mouth on a twice a day schedule. Rilutek slows the breakdown of nerve cells. It blocks the release of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that’s released by nerve cells. Glutamate plays an important role in nerve function and promotes the breakdown of nerve cells....

Your shoulder is one of the most flexible joints in your body. The shoulder joint is made up of three bones, 17 muscles, and several tendons and ligaments. You’re using your shoulders nearly nonstop throughout the day for everything from reaching for a plate from a high cabinet to carrying groceries to typing a text message. When you have shoulder pain, your ability to complete many tasks is compromised. Identifying the symptoms of shoulder pain can help you get relief so that you can return to living pain-free....