As many as 80% of people who have an amputation experience some kind of “phantom” sensation in their amputated limbs. However, up to half of those who experience these disturbing feelings do not receive any treatment for—or relief from—their pain. This makes phantom pain a chronic pain condition that needs to be addressed in order to improve the quality of life for those who have had an amputation. What Is Phantom Limb Pain?...
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is an area of darker skin that remains after a pimple or wound heals. The discoloration is due to the production of excess melanin (pigment) as part of the skin’s natural response to inflammation. PIH usually goes away on its own, but it can take up to two years to fade completely. Topical medications and in-office treatments can help speed this up. This article explains post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, why those dark spots develop, and what you can do to help them fade faster...
If you find yourself with an itchy, red rash, you may wonder if it is eczema or scabies. Both conditions can cause itching, red patches, and crusty, flaking skin. And both are more common in children than in adults, but that is where the similarities end. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that has both environmental and genetic factors. Although eczema might run in families, it is not contagious. Scabies, on the other hand, is caused by an infestation of microscopic skin mites (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrow beneath the surface of the skin and lay eggs....
A long day at work or play can leave you with sore feet, but you can take steps to prevent foot pain and soothe your aching feet. This article explains some common causes of sore feet. It also provides tips and strategies for relieving pain. Common Causes of Aching Feet Your sore feet could stem from a few known causes and risk factors: Foot structure: Flat feet, high arches, or arthritis (painful joints that don’t move easily) Injury: Strains, sprains, and other kinds of damage Obesity: Strain on ligaments, muscles, and joints from being overweight Overuse: Too much walking or standing, especially on hard surfaces Pregnancy: Hormonal changes that make ligaments loose and stretchy Poorly fitting shoes: Footwear that is too loose, too tight, or too narrow for your feet 8 Ways to Soothe Foot Pain Besides kicking back and giving your feet a rest, here are some remedies that can help ease the ache of tired feet:...
Spinal manipulation therapy involves using the hands or another device to apply force to manipulate the joints in the spine. This form of therapy aims to improve mobility to relieve ailments such as lower back pain. Chiropractors are most known for performing spinal manipulation, however, other types of licensed healthcare practitioners can perform it as well. This article provides an overview of spinal manipulation, its uses, benefits, risks, and what to expect if you receive this therapy....
The cervix is the lower portion (or the “neck”) of the uterus. It is approximately 1 inch long and 1 inch wide and opens into the vagina. The cervix functions as the entrance for sperm to enter the uterus. During menstruation, the cervix opens slightly to allow menstrual blood to flow out of the uterus. Cervix Functions Your cervix has several important functions, including: Producing cervical mucus during the most fertile phase of the menstrual cycle, which helps sperm travel from the vagina into the uterusOpening during labor to allow the baby to pass through the birth canalProtecting the uterus from bacteria and other foreign objects Here is how the cervix functions during specific phases of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy:...
High thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels based on a TSH test may mean you have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), while low TSH levels suggest hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). TSH values are described as follows: Normal: Between 0.4 and 4.0 mU/LHigh: Over 4.5 mU/LLow: Under 0.4 mu/L But, there are exceptions to these interpretations as well as variations as to what a “normal” TSH level is. This is because TSH levels can vary by age, male and female sex, and other factors....
Why would someone want to have more than one insurance plan? It depends on who you ask. You may want additional coverage to make sure you get all the healthcare services you need. Medicare and other insurers, on the other hand, have another vested interest. If you have more than one health plan, they may be able to shift the burden of payment onto the other party. Don’t worry. Someone is going to foot the bill, and as long as everyone goes according to plan, it shouldn’t be you....
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has decided there is currently not enough evidence to recommend for or against routine visual skin cancer screening in adolescents and adults with the goal of finding skin cancers early. Key Takeaways The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has put out a draft recommendation about routine skin cancer screenings.The task force concluded there is not enough data to determine if the benefits of a visual skin examination in primary care can actually reduce complications or death from skin cancer....
It may be surprising to many parents, but headaches—both migraines and tension headaches—are actually quite common in the pediatric population. Migraines become more prevalent the older kids get; they’re estimated to occur in nearly 10% of kids ages five to 15 years, and around 28% of teens ages 15 to 19 years. Boys tend to get migraines more often before adolescence, and girls have them more frequently after puberty, likely due to the role of estrogen....
Arava (leflunomide) is a once-daily disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) used to reduce pain, stiffness, and inflammation, and slow disease progression in moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases. An immune modulator, Arava works to decrease joint damage and prevent disability. It is often prescribed when other DMARDs, such as methotrexate, cannot be tolerated or fail to control RA symptoms. Before prescribing Arava, your healthcare provider will weigh the potential benefits against the risks....
Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is an extract from the Boswellia serrata tree that is found in parts of Asia and Africa. It is an herbal remedy that is often used in Ayurveda, one of the oldest alternative health practices in the world. Boswellia is rich in boswellic acids that are thought to have anti-inflammatory effects. The herbal extract is made with the Boswellia resin from inside the tree, which contains boswellic acid....
Brain cancer can cause a variety of neurological symptoms, as well as systemic (whole body) effects. Brain cancer may develop gradually, without any noticeable signs or with minimal symptoms, and it may suddenly cause severe, rapidly worsening effects. The signs of a brain tumor often correspond to its location in the brain. If you have neurological symptoms, it’s important that you see a healthcare provider. And if you have already been diagnosed with brain cancer, you should be familiar with the signs that it could be progressing so you can get prompt medical attention and treatment....
Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) can be associated with breast cancer. Lymph node swelling usually means the body is fighting a foreign invader, like an infection or an accumulation of abnormal cells. Most of the time, swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of an infection. However, swollen lymph nodes can be a sign of cancer as well. Learn more about lymphadenopathy, why it’s a symptom of breast cancer, and what to do about it....
Bronchoconstriction is tightening of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and bronchioles (airways), causing the airways to become narrow and obstructing the movement of air into and out of the lungs. Bronchoconstriction is characteristic of asthma as well as lung diseases such as emphysema, viral infections, stress, and other health concerns. Bronchoconstriction can lead to a respiratory emergency, such as an asthma attack, which must be treated with inhaled medication to relieve symptoms....
Bone spurs, also called osteophytes, are outgrowths of bone that develop within joints over a long period of time. Bone spurs in the hand can develop as a result of injury to the finger joints or more commonly from osteoarthritis, where the protective cartilage covering the joint surfaces of the fingers breaks down and wears away over time. Bone spurs are most common in people over 60 years old, but they can occur in younger people too....
You get chest congestion when your lungs and lower airway passages (bronchial tubes) become inflamed and filled with mucus (also known as phlegm). Chest congestion is one way your immune system tries to protect you from pathogens (germs) that make you sick. Chest congestion is often a symptom of respiratory infections such as the common cold, the flu, or bronchitis. This article goes over remedies for chest congestion, including both home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, plus when you should see a healthcare provider....
Chlorophyll is best known as the substance that gives plants their green color and helps them absorb energy and get their nutrients from sunlight. While essential to the life of a plant, chlorophyll also has many purported health benefits for humans. Liquid chlorophyll, for example, is a popular supplement that detoxes the body, strengthens the immune system, boosts energy, and more. While there may indeed be some health benefits of chlorophyll, research is lacking....
Constipation—when your bowel movements don’t happen as often as they should or are difficult to pass—is a common gastrointestinal symptom of diabetes. Experts estimate that it may affect up to 60% of people with diabetes. Constipation can arise from high blood sugar levels that lead to nerve damage in the digestive system, a low-fiber diet, lack of exercise, and using certain medications. This article explores why constipation is a common symptom of diabetes....
A hand transplant (vascularized composite allotransplantation, or VCA), is a total surgical replacement of the hand. The procedure is also sometimes referred to as composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA). Both terms refer to structures within the hand, including blood vessels, nerves, cartilage, bone, tendon, skin, and muscle, that are united during a transplant. A hand transplant might be considered when illness or injury results in severe structural, functional, and cosmetic deficits....
