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Maintaining eye health is top of mind for many. The retina plays an important role in how well your eyes work. The retina is the light-detecting layer at the back of the eye that is essential for vision. Some retinal conditions are more common with aging or diabetes. Others are hereditary, such as retinitis pigmentosa, or have genetic risk factors. Keeping your vision safe from retinal disease is important. This article will explore symptoms, types of retinal disease, risk factors, prevention, and when to get an eye examination....

Serotonin is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that helps brain and nervous system cells communicate. Its main function is to stabilize your mood, as well as your feelings of happiness and well-being. Serotonin also plays a role in the digestive system and sleep cycles. The body needs serotonin, but too much or too little can lead to health issues. For example, too little serotonin can cause depression. Too much, however, can cause a rare condition called serotonin syndrome....

Takayasu’s arteritis (TA), also known as Takayasu’s disease, is a rare type of vasculitis. Vasculitis disorders cause blood vessel inflammation. With Takayasu’s arteritis, inflammation damages the aorta—the large artery responsible for carrying blood from the heart to the body—and its main branches. People who do not have symptoms of TA may not need treatment. Medications can help control inflammation and prevent complications. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of TA usually appear in two stages....

The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) is a clinical outcome checklist completed by a healthcare provider to assess the presence and severity of abnormal movements of the face, limbs, and body in patients with tardive dyskinesia. Outcome measurement tools help healthcare providers evaluate a person’s overall function. The AIMS can help determine if someone is having side effects from medication and track symptoms over time to establish if adjustments to treatment are needed....

While dental crowns are highly effective in repairing damaged teeth, it’s not uncommon for tooth sensitivity to follow their placement. In these cases, the crowned tooth is very sensitive to heat and cold, and it can hurt when biting. Tooth sensitivity after a crown usually resolves on its own within a few days. However, it can sometimes be a sign of more serious problems that require additional treatment. The associated discomfort arises due to the middle layer of the tooth, or dentin, becoming exposed, which stimulates nerves within the crowned tooth....

Transposition of the great arteries (TGA) is a group of congenital defects in which the position of major blood vessels of the heart are switched. In rare cases, even the chambers of the heart will be swapped. TGA causes the diversion of normal blood circulation, robbing the body of oxygen and nutrients. Depending on which structures are switched, TGA can range in severity from subclinical (without notable symptoms, at least until later in life) to life-threatening....

Most people who have trichomoniasis do not have any symptoms, yet women who are infected are more likely to develop symptoms than men who are infected. The most common symptoms are itching, discharge, and an unpleasant odor. Complications can be serious, including an increased risk of becoming infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)—or spreading it—and an increased risk of low birth weight and premature babies. Frequent Symptoms Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite that can produce obvious and uncomfortable symptoms....

What Is Velphoro? Velphoro (sucroferric oxyhydroxide) is a prescription medication that controls serum phosphorus levels in people with chronic kidney disease. This medication is considered chemically an iron-based phosphorus group binder, which is specifically used to reduce elevated levels of the phosphorus in the body to a normal level. Velphoro tablets come in chewable forms that should be chewed or crushed before being taken. What Is Velphoro Used For? Velphoro is used to help your kidneys....

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) causes a reduction in the level of motor function (movement). Over time, the ability to normally use the muscles continues to slowly decline and often leads to immobility (the inability to walk). Staying active while living with spinal muscular atrophy can be a challenge for many people, particularly considering that the condition causes weakness in the arms and legs as well as adversely affects the muscles that enable breathing....

It can be scary to learn that someone you are dating has human papillomavirus (HPV). You may worry that it can be transmitted to you. Or you may have heard that people with HPV can develop cancer. Many people with HPV never have symptoms. That may leave you to wonder if you have already acquired the infection. All of these are reasonable concerns. To set your mind at ease and allow you to enjoy a healthy sex life, it’s a good idea to learn about how HPV can impact a person and their sexual partners....

Peyronie’s disease is a condition of the penis that results in the formation of scar tissue. The scarring causes the penis to become less flexible. The condition is characterized by a curvature of the penis. If someone has Peyronie’s disease, the penis typically curves towards the scar during an erection. The curvature can be, but is not always, painful. Even if the curvature itself doesn’t cause pain, it can make sexual penetration uncomfortable or, in severe cases, impossible....

When William Hornby began recovery from an eating disorder in college, he felt overwhelmingly alone. Key Takeaways Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, but men tend to hide their conditions because of social stigma and expectations.Treatment centers often admit women only, but some have started to include men and non-binary people.Fitness trends and commercials directed at men perpetuate unrealistic body image and contribute to eating disorders as well. At the time, the only other people Hornby knew who had eating disorders were women....

Accutane (isotretinoin) is a medication used to treat severe or nodular acne that doesn’t improve with other treatments. This drug is for people who’ve tried many other acne treatments without success, including oral antibiotics and multiple topical medications. Accutane was formerly a popular brand name of isotretinoin that’s no longer being sold. However, some people still refer to isotretinoin as Accutane. Along with the generic form, brands that are currently available in the U....

Aleve (naproxen) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is sold over-the-counter (OTC) in 220 mg doses. Prescription-strength Aleve is available in doses ranging from 250 mg to a 750 mg extended-release form. People use Aleve to manage many symptoms, including: Headaches Back pain Fever Symptoms of chronic disease, especially arthritis This article explains Aleve’s dosage, safety, side effects, and drug interactions. It also covers precautions to consider while taking Aleve....

Almond oil has several potential benefits for skin and hair health. Almond oil is a potent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients found in almonds that are vital for skin health. There are two types of almond oil: bitter almond and sweet almond. Each type has different properties and can be used in different ways. This article will go over the possible benefits of using almond oil. You’ll learn about the different types of almond oil and how they are used, as well as the potential side effects of using almond oil on your skin and hair....

Amnesia is a memory disorder. People with amnesia cannot remember past experiences, form new memories, or both. Several factors can cause memory loss, such as physical injury, infection, psychological causes, or other traumatic experiences that prevent normal brain function and trigger memory loss. There are different types of amnesia. In some cases, the memory loss is temporary, and the patient eventually recalls the information they lost. But in other cases, the memory loss is permanent....

One in 59 children with hearing loss also has autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It can be difficult for parents to distinguish these problems from each other. In some instances, children with autism are misdiagnosed as deaf due to overlapping behaviors and symptoms of the two conditions. It’s important to recognize the signs of ASD and hearing loss and to get your child evaluated. Early intervention can make a difference in your child’s quality of life....

Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) is a shrub native to western North America. Its bark is processed for medicinal purposes. Cascara sagrada contains organic plant compounds called anthraquinones that have powerful laxative effects. Since the 1890s, Cascara sagrada has been listed on the U.S. Pharmacopeia, which contains standards for medications and supplements. It received initial approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as an over-the-counter (OTC) laxative for constipation....

Most of us experience dry or chapped lips at some point, but for some people, it can be a more serious problem. Also known as cheilitis, “chapped lips” refers to any acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) inflammation of the lips that can lead to symptoms like redness, dryness, and even peeling. Chapped lips take many forms, and this article will explore some of the symptoms you may experience, as well as a range of causes and types of cheilitis and how the condition can be treated....

If you feel that you have dry eyes in winter more than other times of the year, you’re not alone. Dry eyes in winter are often caused by windy conditions outside. Plus, the air gets drier as temperatures go down, causing the eyes and skin to lose moisture to evaporation. Dry eyes in winter are worsened by indoor heater use, which exposes the eyes to dry heat. This article will review why dry eyes are worse in the winter and how to prevent and treat dry eye symptoms....