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A carefully constructed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) care plan can have a major impact on your quality of life, expanding your opportunities for self-care, enjoyment, socializing, and work. Your COPD management involves issues such as making your home safe and accessible, getting regular physical exercise, learning to optimize your breathing, using supplemental oxygen and more. At the core of your COPD care plan, you need to take your maintenance medications as directed and have your emergency prescriptions handy....

Cirrhosis is a late-stage liver disease in which there is significant scarring (fibrosis) of the liver. It can bring with it a range of complications, from easy bruising or bleeding to a buildup of toxins in the brain, to potentially fatal conditions such as kidney failure and liver cancer. In fact, more than a million people throughout the world die from complications of cirrhosis each year. Forty thousand of those fatalities occur in the United States, making cirrhosis the 11th leading cause of death in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention....

Diabetic retinopathy results from damage to blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. The condition is a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and it can result in eyesight concerns ranging from blurriness to issues seeing colors and more. If untreated, blindness can occur. Having poorly controlled levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood is a major risk factor for this condition, which is the most common cause of vision impairment and blindness among adults in the United States....

Food allergies in children are common, affecting one in 13 children in the United States. Children can develop an allergy to any food, but eggs, milk, fish, shellfish, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, and wheat are the most common foods that trigger allergic reactions in kids. Learn more about food allergies in children, their causes, symptoms, and how to prevent and treat them. What Is a Food Allergy? When the immune system overreacts to a protein in a certain food, it can result in an immune response that sends out immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies....

Heartburn and acid regurgitation are the main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), though some people have GERD without heartburn. Other symptoms include pain in your chest and/or abdomen, difficulty swallowing, dry cough, hoarseness, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, wheezing, and interrupted sleep. Frequent Symptoms Whether or not you have heartburn, if you have GERD, you will likely experience some or all of these frequent symptoms, including: Acid reflux: You might feel a burning sensation in your chest and/or abdomen, and you might taste stomach acid combined with whatever food you just ate, especially in the back of your throat....

Glycine is one of the many amino acids your body needs to function properly. Glycine is important because it: Stimulates production of the “feel good” hormone serotoninServes as the key component of collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, skin, muscles, and connective tissues, as well as other key proteinsPlays a role in nerve signal transmission and clearing toxins from the body Glycine may also benefit the following, though evidence is limited and more research is needed:...

Several things can cause hepatitis, including microbes, harmful substances, and medical conditions. The most common form of hepatitis is viral hepatitis, brought on by viruses hepatitis B and C. Other causes of hepatitis include toxic substances (ex. alcohol or drugs) and autoimmune diseases. Common Causes While hepatitis viruses are the most common cause of hepatitis, certain medical conditions, medications or drugs can lead someone to develop it, too. The Five Types of Viral Hepatitis...

A viral hepatitis infection is an inflammation of the liver, resulting in liver damage. There are different types of hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV), which are distinct viruses that share some similarities. Though both viral strains can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, HBV can also be spread through other bodily fluids. Either can cause an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) infection, and symptoms can present similarly....

Breast cancer is a disease in which cells in the breast begin to grow uncontrollably. These abnormal cells can start growing in either the ducts or in the lobules of the breasts. When cancer becomes metastatic, it moves from its original location to other areas of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. One of the important facts to know about your breast cancer is whether it is HER2-positive. About 20% of all breast cancers are HER2-positive....

More than 80% of people get hot flashes at some point before or after menopause. Changing hormones are believed to be the cause of hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause, including anxiety, insomnia, joint pain, and trouble with memory. For some people, these symptoms, including hot flashes, may linger after menopause. Here’s what you should know about experiencing hot flashes after menopause, including possible causes and when you should talk to your doctor....

To diagnose adrenocortical carcinoma, a healthcare provider will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order a blood test, a urine test, and imaging studies. In its early stages, adrenocortical carcinoma often doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms, so many people find out they have it incidentally through imaging or tests for other conditions. This article looks at how healthcare providers diagnose adrenocortical carcinoma and outlines the different tests and imaging studies involved in a diagnosis....

Two types of workers have emerged as companies finalize their return-to-office plans: ones who wish to work remotely forever and ones who are excited to leave their home. Key Takeaways Multiple surveys have shown that remote workers would prefer to stay remote or adopt a hybrid work schedule after the pandemic.Workplace telepressure, the urge to respond to work messages and emails quickly, existed even before the pandemic, and it can contribute to burnouts, sleep quality issues, and absenteeism....

While there is no cure for chronic plaque psoriasis, there are a variety of treatments that can help remove scales and prevent skin cells from growing so quickly. Options include topical ointments, light therapy, and prescription drugs taken either orally or by injection. Proper skincare and lifestyle choices can also help you gain control of a disorder that continues to affect as many as 7.5 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology....

Many women want to understand their breast cancer risk, especially if someone in their family has or has had the disease. Genetics significantly affects about 5% to 10% of breast cancers. Having a sister or mother with breast cancer roughly doubles your risk, but most people who get breast cancer don’t have a close relative with it. This article discusses the role of genetics in breast cancer, key genes, testing, and nongenetic risk factors....

In the medical world, definitions of chronic disease are varied, and work is being done to widen the umbrella of diseases that can be classified as chronic. This work is important because it creates a shared language for healthcare providers and patients. As survivorship increases, more cancer patients will be living with cancer for longer periods of time. This may affect your view of the disease and your treatment plans. Often, this can be a positive thing....

Real-world data and anecdotes from infected people suggest that Omicron is milder than previous COVID-19 variants. Several studies published in recent weeks support this idea, pointing to how the variant seems to infect the upper airway but largely spare the lungs. Key Takeaways In lab studies, researchers found that Omicron more readily infects the upper respiratory tract.The variant fares worse in the lungs, compared to Delta and other variants, potentially sparing the organ from severe damage....

My story is really my son’s story. His name is Anthony. We call him Tony. This article is part of Health Divide: Asthma in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Laonis has suffered from asthma since she was six years old. Her children, nieces, nephews, and mother also have asthma. She became a nurse to help other sick people and became a patient advocate for children with asthma after losing her first son, Tony, to a fatal asthma attack....

Lazy eye, also known as amblyopia, is a common cause of vision problems in children. Most often, this occurs in one eye, although sometimes both eyes can be affected. When it happens in one eye, the brain favors the normally functioning eye. Diagnosing amblyopia early, ideally, before the age of 7, is vital to prevent vision from getting worse. Screening and intervention can prevent irreversible loss of vision, difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, reduced school performance, frustration, and lowered self-esteem....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) gradually destroys the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibers within the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged or destroyed by MS, communication signals between the brain and spinal cord are disrupted. This damage can lead to physical limitations that interfere with daily activities. Many people with MS eventually rely on assistive technologies—also known as adaptive technologies—to perform everyday tasks. This article reviews various assistive technologies that help people living with MS maintain independence and optimize their quality of life....

Multiple sclerosis progressively damages the myelin sheath, a protective coating around the nerve cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Over time, this demyelination slows and even prevents the transfer of nerve signals between the brain and the body. This damage is visible on imaging scans, so advanced imaging can be used to diagnose multiple sclerosis. This article reviews what MS looks like on imaging scans and what to expect during imaging procedures....