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Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare, inherited skeletal disorder that causes bones and teeth to become soft and weak. With HPP, mineralization—the deposition of calcium and phosphorus into the bones and teeth—becomes impaired. This leaves the bones vulnerable to fracture, underdevelopment, and deformity. It also causes premature tooth loss. It is important to diagnose HPP as soon as possible so that treatment can start. But because HPP is so rare, diagnosing it is sometimes hard....

Polycythemia vera is not hereditary, so you wouldn’t necessarily know to self-check or monitor for polycythemia vera until you have already been diagnosed. After diagnosis, it is important that you monitor the effects of your condition so you will be able to quickly recognize complications or signs that it could be worsening. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing You should regularly check for signs of progression or complications if you have polycythemia vera. It will also be beneficial if the people who you live with are familiar with the complications, as well, so they can call for emergency help if you need it....

Parkinson’s disease (PD) results from the death of dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) nerve cells within an area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Since dopamine regulates movement, depletion of it results in motor (movement-related) symptoms like shaking, stiffness, and walking problems. Non-motor symptoms, like depression, sleep problems, and loss of smell, also commonly occur. While there is no definitive way yet to prevent Parkinson’s disease, eating a “brain-healthy” diet and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine might help reduce the risk or delay symptom onset....

Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare condition that causes involuntary muscle weakness and affects approximately 3 in 1 million children (3,000 and 5,000 children) in the United States. Females are twice as likely as males to develop this condition, and the most common age range for diagnosis is between 5 and 10, although children as young as 2 and as old as 15 have developed this condition. This article will explore the different types of dermatomyositis, causes, symptoms, and treatment options....

Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or laparoscopy, is a surgical technique in which a thin, camera-equipped surgical device is inserted into the abdomen or pelvis through one or more small incisions. The camera relays a real-time video of the internal organs on a monitor for surgical guidance, and the operation is done through the small incisions. Laparoscopy can be used for many different types of surgeries, such as hernia repair, hysterectomy, stomach ulcer surgery, and weight loss surgery....

Maintenance therapy is ongoing therapy for a disease that is administered after the acute phase of treatment has been completed. In the case of lung cancer, you would undergo first-line chemotherapy for a limited period of time, and then you might receive maintenance therapy to keep the cancer in check. The goal is to improve quality of life while offering a chance for longer survival. How Maintenance Therapy Works Maintenance therapy is often part of the treatment strategy for advanced lung cancer that’s not fully curable with surgery or radiation....

The Biden Administration announced on Tuesday a nationwide vaccine strategy to control the spread of the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) virus in the United States as cases continue to increase. Key Takeaways The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be sending thousands of mpox vaccine doses to states with high transmission of the virus in the coming weeks.The vaccine being distributed is the Jynneos vaccine, which is administered via two injections four weeks apart....

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases are surging and the U.S. doesn’t have enough vaccine to protect everyone who is at high risk for getting sick with the disease. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended using the term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” in order to avoid racist and stigmatizing language when discussing the disease. Both terms will be used for the next year as WHO phases out usage of “monkeypox....

Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle has stopped for 12 straight months, signaling the end of menstruation. The transitional period prior to menopause is referred to as perimenopause. During this time, a woman’s menstrual cycle begins to change and become irregular. Some women even experience anxiety as a symptom, likely due to hormonal changes. The word “women” is used throughout this article to refer to people who identify as female and have the typical reproductive organs of a cisgender female....

A radiation boost for breast cancer is exactly what the name suggests—an extra radiation dose given after the regular sessions of radiation are complete. The goal of this boost is to minimize the chances of a breast cancer returning. There are certain guidelines that outline who would benefit most from a radiation boost, so it may not be part of everyone’s treatment. There is some evidence of benefit for people who have had either a mastectomy or a lumpectomy procedure, but as with any treatment, there are risks and side effects, and each person’s treatment is personalized....

Strep throat is a highly contagious infection caused by group A Streptococcus bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes), common in children but affecting adults too. Strep throat symptoms include a sore throat and a fever, as well as throat swelling, a swollen uvula, or swollen tonsils. Healthcare providers use several tests to diagnose strep throat. It is treated with antibiotics, while medications and home remedies can help people to cope with symptoms until the infection clears....

Everyone has a different way of coping after stroke. While some effects of a stroke may be immediately apparent and, perhaps with therapy, relatively short-lived, others may take months or even years to develop and could be long-lasting. Having support and getting proper rehabilitation from your care team is essential to making your post-stroke life as good as possible. In addition to physical, occupational, and speech therapy, coping can involve talk therapy with a psychologist or social worker and support groups—online or in-person....

The biliary system, also called the biliary tract or biliary tree, is a system of ducts (narrow tubular structures), organs (including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas), and associated structures that function to produce, store, secrete, and transport bile. Bile Bile is a greenish-brown, thick substance produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile’s function is to be released into the small intestine when a fatty meal is ingested to help break down fats for absorption....

Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two lymph nodes located on each side of the back of your throat. A viral or bacterial infection can cause tonsillitis, resulting in sore throat and other symptoms. While tonsillitis is quite common during the preschool to middle-teen years, it can happen at any time in life. Treatments for tonsillitis have changed considerably in the past 30 years. However, the rate of tonsillectomy (surgery to remove the tonsils) has actually risen since the 1970s....

What Is Trophamine? Trophamine is a nutritional amino acid solution given through the veins. It’s typically used for young children and infants—although it’s used sometimes in adults—who cannot get enough nutrition by mouth. Your body needs amino acids to help build protein. In addition, protein helps your body repair and grow. A healthcare provider gives the nutrient-dense solution through a central line or peripheral vein (“parenteral nutrition”). For example, a healthcare provider would administer nutrition through your or your child’s vein because their normal digestive tract can’t be used or absorb nutrients well, or their protein needs are significantly increased (e....

Definition A shared responsibility payment is a tax penalty created by the Affordable Care Act (and in some cases by state laws). There are two types of shared responsibility payments: the employer shared responsibility payment and the individual shared responsibility payment. Employer shared responsibility The employer shared responsibility payment is a tax penalty imposed on businesses with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees if the businesses don’t offer affordable health insurance benefits, or if the benefits offered do not provide minimum value....

As India faces a rising death toll from a second COVID wave, the country is also experiencing an increase in a fungal infection called mucormycosis, or “black fungus.” According to the BBC, India has reported over 8,800 black fungus cases, and the Indian government recently declared black fungus an epidemic. Key Takeaways Mucormycosis, or “black fungus,” is a rare fungal infection that produces life-threatening health complications with a high risk of death....

Many cosmetic or plastic surgery treatments and procedures exist to help you reach your goals of feeling better in your skin. Fat removal through liposuction is one popular procedure frequently done for body contouring purposes. This article will review everything you need to know about liposuction, including what it is and why it’s done, as well as potential complications from the procedure. What Is Liposuction? Liposuction is a cosmetic surgical procedure in which fat is suctioned from specific areas of the body....

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been separated from their friends and family due to the need for social distancing and lockdowns. Now, as efforts to vaccinate people against COVID-19 are well underway, there is hope that everyone will be reunited with their loved ones again soon. Key Takeaways Experts advise that if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you can hang out with an unvaccinated friend from a single-person household—and they do not have to wear a mask....

What Is Xpovio? Xpovio (selinexor) is an oral medication used to treat two different types of cancers: multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. This medication is in a drug class called nuclear export inhibitors. Xpovio helps restore the balance of natural cancer-killing cells. These cells contain tumor suppressor proteins, which work to try to kill the cancer. In some cancers, the movement of the tumor suppressor proteins in and out of the cell becomes unbalanced....