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Cannabis is the name used to describe a family of flowering plants that come from the Cannabaceae family. There are several different species of cannabis, all of which contain more than 100 cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds that bind to cannabinoid receptors throughout the body leading to a number of possible effects, including feelings of intoxication and pain relief. The History of Cannabis Cannabis is believed to have originated in Mongolia and southern Siberia, although some maintain that the plant could be found in the early years in South Asia, Afghanistan, and the Huang River Valley in northern China....

Understanding the differences between a chalazion vs. a stye can help you figure out which one you may have. A chalazion is a red bump on the eyelid that develops when there is a blocked oil gland. A stye, or hordeolum, develops where your eyelashes start or under your eyelid. Bacterial infections usually cause styes. Having a chalazion or a stye is not usually serious. Discover more about the differences between a chalazion vs....

Covering up our faces when we leave the house is a public health necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s leading to its own unique issue: “maskne.” Key Takeaways Many people are experiencing more acne breakouts due to mask-wearing, referred to as “maskne.“Products with skin barrier-building ingredients such as ceramide, hyaluronic acid, and squalane can help prevent this type of acne.Exercise caution when using active ingredients to treat maskne, since masks can intensify the effect of the product on your skin....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a painful, chronic condition that causes inflammation of the joints and entheses (where the tendons and ligaments attach to bone). PsA is an autoimmune disease that usually occurs in people who already have psoriasis but can sometimes affect people who don’t. If you have PsA, you’re also more likely to have type 2 diabetes. This is the most common type of diabetes and is caused by blood sugar (glucose) being too high, often because your body doesn’t use insulin well....

Roughly 4.4% of American adults are diagnosed with bipolar disorder at some point in their lives, most commonly as adolescents or young adults. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that includes phases of both mania or hypomania (a less intense form of mania) and major depressive episodes. People with bipolar disorder may also experience stable moods called euthymic moods between episodes of mania and depression. Bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed as other conditions, especially depression....

For many of us, alcohol is embedded in our social and cultural activities. We go to happy hour after work, we give toasts at weddings, and we drink to celebrate and mark occasions. Oftentimes, we aren’t thinking about how much or how often we consume alcohol or its effects on the body. From the first sip, alcohol impacts the body—even if you don’t realize it. It impacts us both physically and psychologically....

Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control option that you can use to reduce your risk of getting pregnant after having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Depending on the method used, it either prevents ovulation or fertilization of an egg. So-called “morning-after pills” have been available for more than 30 years, and EC is a safe and effective method of birth control. For the best effectiveness, emergency contraception needs to be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure....

Despite death being inevitable, most people avoid learning about and discussing end-of-life care, whether for themselves or a loved one. While it may be uncomfortable to explore the subject, it can also be empowering and reduce the uncertainty and fear that often come along with this process. This, of course, is especially important if the end of one’s life is known to be near. While everyone experiences death uniquely, there are some commonalities that are worth knowing about....

BMI (body mass index) is a key sign of overall health. Guidelines recommend that all adults keep their BMI between 18 and 24.9. A BMI of 25 and over indicates that you are overweight. And a BMI over 30 is considered obesity. However, it is possible that a few extra pounds may not be as harmful to those over age 65 as they are for younger people. In fact, being underweight is something older people should avoid....

Heinz bodies are small spots in red blood cells that are a sign of certain types of red blood cell damage. They can be observed when a sample of the damaged red blood cells is prepared with special stains and viewed with a microscope. Heinz bodies can form because of oxidative damage, which occurs due to certain medical conditions, and sometimes because of exposure to toxins and medications. With Heinz body anemia you can have symptoms of anemia (low red blood cell number or function), as well as effects that may be associated with the cause....

Hemophobia is a psychological disorder characterized by an extreme fear of blood. Those who have this phobia may become distressed when they see or think about blood. This article will discuss hemophobia, including how it is diagnosed, its causes, and how it is treated. Definition Hemophobia, or blood phobia, causes an irrational fear of seeing blood. This persistent fear causes those who experience blood phobia to have intense feelings of distress upon seeing blood or thinking about blood....

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), with more than half a million new cases in the United States annually. The infection can be caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 can cause sores on the mouth (cold sores) and genitals. HSV-2 only causes genital herpes. This article will explore the symptoms of herpes infection and when these symptoms warrant a visit to a healthcare provider....

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a sexually transmitted virus that can be effectively prevented by using appropriate barrier methods such as condoms and dental dams. This is because HIV is only transmitted by certain bodily fluids, not by skin-to-skin contact. It is easier to prevent than viruses like herpes that are spread from skin to skin. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also be used to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV....

People talk to themselves out loud for many reasons. It could come from loneliness, stress, anxiety, or even trauma. Usually, though, talking to yourself is a healthy, normal, and even beneficial way to process thoughts and experiences. This article explains the difference between healthy and concerning self-talk, provides tips for embracing self-talk and ways to stop it, and gives information on associated mental illnesses. Why Do Some People Talk to Themselves?...

Syphilis is a highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is caused by bacteria. The first symptom of the infection is a single or multiple sores in the area where the bacteria entered the body, typically near the genitals. Other symptoms include a rash on the hands or soles of the feet and flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, as well as hair and weight loss. This article reviews when syphilis is most contagious, how it spreads, and what can happen if a person delays or doesn’t get treatment....

Lean PCOS is polycystic ovary syndrome in people of normal weight. Up to 30% of women with the condition fall into this group. But since they are in the minority and excess weight is considered a classic symptom, those with lean PCOS may not be diagnosed right away. Those who are lean with PCOS can face challenges, including fertility issues and a higher risk of undiagnosed diabetes and heart disease. Their increased levels of androgens (male hormones) can also lead to symptoms like acne, unwanted hair growth, and hair loss....

Four recent studies are exploring why BIPOC individuals are dying from COVID-19 at the highest rates. And all four independently concluded that the racial disparity most likely has a root cause: social inequities of housing, employment, transportation, and access to health care. The studies were published in the journals JAMA Network Open, PLOS Medicine, Clinical Infectious Diseases, and The New England Journal of Medicine, respectively. Key Takeaways The majority of recorded COVID-19 deaths in the United States so far have been of BIPOC people....

A mean corpuscular volume (MCV) blood test measures the size of your red blood cells, which carry oxygen through your body. The MCV count, also known as mean cell volume, is an important number listed on a complete blood count (CBC). Results may indicate that MCV levels are high, or that red blood cells are too large, or low, which means that red blood cells are smaller than average. High MCV levels may indicate a condition like liver disease or a vitamin deficiency, while low MCV levels are commonly associated with iron deficiency anemia....

Melasma is a condition that causes dark patches, spots, or blotches on the skin. It affects any part of your skin exposed to the sun and often appears on the forehead, nose, chin, cheeks, and upper lip areas. This article reviews the link between melasma and hormonal birth control. It also covers birth control methods that don’t cause melasma, when to see the healthcare provider and treatment. The Link Between Melasma and Birth Control Hyperpigmentation causes dark skin patches, as you see with freckles and liver spots....

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition in which the frequent need to urinate undermines a person’s quality of life. It is believed to affect as many as 1 in 4 adult women and 1 in 6 adult men in the United States. While urinary urgency, the sudden urge to empty the bladder, is the defining symptom of OAB, the failure to appropriately treat the condition can lead to an array of unexpected—and potentially debilitating—complications....