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Bullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune condition that causes large, fluid-filled blisters on the skin. (The word “bullous” is a medical term for blister.) It mostly affects older people but less commonly appears in children or adolescents. It can pose a serious health risk, particularly in older people with other major medical problems. Bullous pemphigoid is a rare disease, but it has become slightly more common in recent years. Researchers aren’t exactly sure why this is, but a number of factors may be involved, like the increasing age of the population, the side effects of other drugs, or just better recognition of the disease....

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a common surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease symptoms like stiffness, slow movements, and tremors. DBS will not cure the disease, but it may improve the symptoms that medicine for Parkinson’s is not adequately treating. It may result in more “on” time (a longer duration of feeling good) during the day. This article will discuss how deep brain stimulation works for Parkinson’s, the symptoms it treats, benefits and risks, and what to expect after this surgery....

You are probably familiar with dental X-rays from your trips to the dentist over the years. But what is the purpose of these X-rays, and why do we need them? Dentists use dental X-rays (radiographs) to diagnose dental disease or damage that is not visible on a clinical oral examination. These X-rays indicate recommendations for treatment that your dentist may or may not make. Learn more about dental X-rays, how they work, what they detect, and the risks associated with them....

Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, and fibromyalgia share many symptoms. In fact, having one of these conditions may predispose you to the other, and having both impacts each disease. Despite the associations, theories about the cause of these related conditions are not concrete. Researchers have proposed autoimmunity, dysfunction of the hypothalamus, and more possibilities. Who They Affect Thyroid disease and fibromyalgia are each very common in the United States. Estimates suggest that at least 5 percent of adults in the United States are living with hypothyroidism....

Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, is the most commonly held situational fear among people. Public speaking causes feelings of anxiety in roughly 77% of the general population, and it can sometimes hinder a person’s day-to-day life. This is especially true when it comes to school- or work-related situations that involve speaking in front of others. Read on to learn more about glossophobia and healthy ways to cope with this fear....

Amongst all the talk about the benefits of drinking green tea in recent years are several claims that a chemical found in green tea—epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)—may be a powerful weapon against breast cancer. The low rate of breast cancer (and some other cancers) in regions where people drink large amounts of green tea is what made researchers start examining the relationship. Before you put faith in your teacup, it’s important to dig into the science—what’s known and what needs more examination....

The diseases hepatologists and gastroenterologists treat have some overlap, and those with liver disease in particular may wonder if they should see one, the other, or both. While a gastroenterologist diagnoses and treats diseases involving all 10 components of the digestive tract, the liver being just one, a hepatologist’s focus is limited to only the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. Weighing the differences between a gastroenterologist vs. a hepatologist can help you and your primary care provider decide who you should see to diagnose and help manage liver disease....

If you have ever woken with an aching hip, you are not alone. In fact, around 20% of people over the age of 65 report chronic hip pain. Hip pain can prevent you from exercising or being active, but it can also wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. When your hips hurt during the night, you may find it more difficult to sleep. You may twist and turn in your sleep to try to find a more comfortable position....

The diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can be challenging. Not only do healthcare providers have to differentiate NHL from Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), there are different types of NHL—some of which are indolent (slow-growing) and others of which are aggressive (fast-growing). Healthcare providers can use a multitude of tactics to diagnose NHL. Specifically, they can look for common signs and symptoms (e.g., chest pain, unexplained weight loss, night sweats) to determine if a person falls into an at-risk category (e....

While there is no cure for psoriasis, it can be treated effectively. Psoriasis is usually treated with a combination of self-care interventions, medications, and ultraviolet (UV) light therapy. Despite many treatment options, managing the inflamed, scaly skin patches that come with this condition can be tricky. It requires an individualized approach based on the type, location, and severity of psoriasis you have. Patience and persistence may be needed to find the combination of therapies that works best for you....

Maryland has been hit by freezing weather and some snow days in the last few weeks, but that hasn’t stopped thousands of people from driving to the state’s Six Flags amusement park each day. Key Takeaways Venues like stadiums, convention centers, and even parking lots are being converted into large-scale vaccination sites to quickly and efficiently vaccinate a high volume of eligible people.These mass vaccination sites require appointments, so call ahead or sign up online....

What Is Luvox? Luvox (fluvoxamine) is a prescription medication that is used for adults and children aged 8 and older to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is available as an extended-release Luvox CR capsule, as well as standard-release generic fluvoxamine maleate tablets. This medication increases the action of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is thought to control the symptoms of OCD. Luvox is a selective serotonin (5-HT) reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that prevents serotonin from being reabsorbed into nerve terminals (reabsorption normally reduces the action of serotonin)....

Male anorgasmia is when a person with a penis has persistent delay having or an inability to achieve an orgasm even after sexual stimulation. Anorgasmia, or Coughlan’s syndrome, affects both men and women, but it’s more common in women. Male anorgasmia can be distressing to those who experience it, especially since it often occurs with delayed ejaculation. It’s estimated that about 8% of men have delayed or absent orgasm. It’s less common among younger men and increases with age....

Malignant hypertension (MHT) is a severe form of high blood pressure. It is characterized by a sudden spike in blood pressure and acute organ damage. The incidence of MHT in the United States is highest among Black Americans, current and former smokers, and people with a history of renal artery stenosis (narrowing in one or more arteries carrying blood to the kidneys). Malignant hypertension is a medical emergency. It can lead to permanent central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular, and renal damage if left untreated....

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. When the condition is not managed properly, blood glucose stays elevated, which can lead to kidney damage, limb amputations, and vision loss. Although there is no cure yet for diabetes, managing diabetes through lifestyle changes and taking your medication as prescribed can help you stay within your target glucose range and prevent negative health consequences....

A medical technologist is a highly skilled health professional who tests and looks carefully at blood, other body fluids, and tissue samples. Medical technologists are responsible for operating and maintaining the equipment that is used to look at samples or specimens. They make sure that all tests are done the right way and in a timely manner. A medical technologist’s training is more extensive than what is required of medical lab technicians....

Researchers have developed a new test that can measure a person’s level of COVID-19 antibodies with just a prick of blood, and deliver the results within one hour. Key Takeaways A new test can measure the amount of COVID-19 antibodies someone has in a small sample of blood. The method uses an enzyme called luciferase, which is the same enzyme that makes fireflies glow.Not only does it reveal if antibodies are present, but it can measure how much of an antibody response someone currently has....

Night sweats are episodes of sweating at night while sleeping. Night sweats can vary from waking up feeling moist to waking and being drenched in sweat, requiring a shower and changing bedclothes in the middle of the night. This article will discuss night sweats and their possible causes. It will also discuss when to seek an evaluation with your healthcare team if you’re experiencing night sweats. Symptoms of Night Sweats How much people perspire at night can vary....

The early symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer may include shortness of breath, a cough, shoulder or back pain, and more, but can depend on the subtype of the tumor. There can also be physical signs of the disease, such as a lump above the collar bone or clubbing. In some cases, the first symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer arise due to complications of the disease, such as blood clots or spinal cord compression....

Oophorectomy involves the removal of one or both ovaries. This operation may be done to treat a number of ovarian diseases, including endometriosis and benign or cancerous ovarian masses. Oophorectomy may also be performed as a preventive surgery in women at high risk for developing ovarian cancer. What Is an Oophorectomy? Ovaries are almond-shaped glands located on either side of the uterus. Oophorectomy is surgery to remove one or both of these glands....