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Cholestatic pruritus is a symptom of cholestatic liver disease. It is a constant, severe, and sometimes debilitating itching sensation on various parts of the body. Over 80% of people with cholestatic liver disease develop cholestatic pruritus. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for people with cholestatic pruritus. Cholestatic Pruritus Symptoms For people with cholestatic liver disease accompanied by cholestatic pruritus, the first and foremost symptom is an intense itch that doesn’t go away with scratching....

The use of data to drive important decisions has proven to be a recurrent theme during the 21st century. The practice of medicine is no different and is also data dependent. Ideally, treatment should be guided by evidence and not by chance, intuition, or mere observation. That said, several organizations do engage in developing evidence-based clinical guidelines, including the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). According to the SIGN website: “SIGN guidelines are derived from a systematic review of the scientific literature and are designed as a vehicle for accelerating the translation of new knowledge into action to meet our aim of reducing variations in practice, and improving patient-important outcomes....

The drugs commonly used before, during, and after surgical procedures vary widely from patient to patient. This is because the specific drugs you receive are based on the type of surgery you are having, the type of anesthesia, or pain control given. Any underlying health issues you may have also play a role in the choice of drugs used. This article will explore medications that may be used before, during, and after your surgery....

About 30,000 Americans have cystic fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. CF is caused by genetic defects in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. People with CF carry two defective copies of the CFTR gene, one from each parent. People who carry only one defective CFTR gene do not have CF but are CF carriers. If they have a baby with another CF carrier, they have a 1 in 4 chance of having a child with CF....

You may find dark spots on your vagina or vulva for multiple reasons. Some causes, like aging, friction, and hormones, are less concerning than others. But sometimes dark spots can be problematic. The color of your vulva usually coincides with the tone of your skin and can range from pink to brown. Being familiar with your body and what is normal can help you identify changes in pigment. This article explains what causes dark spots on the vagina and vulva....

In 2014, Morgana Wingard was living in Liberia, West Africa, when an Ebola outbreak overtook the country. As fear, myths, and misinformation spread alongside the virus, the photographer-filmmaker started chronicling first-person accounts from survivors to show the humanity behind the headlines and help curb the spread of the virus. Key Takeaways Humanitarian photographer and filmmaker Morgana Wingard is traveling the country to document the stories of COVID-19 survivors.Many of her subjects are “long-haulers,” people who experience systemic, debilitating, and varied symptoms even after the SARS-CoV-2 infection has cleared the body....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its healthy cells and tissues. With PsA, these attacks are mainly targeted at the joints, leading to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. But joint symptoms are not the only way PsA will affect you. The condition can also cause systemic (whole-body) symptoms, such as dizziness and vertigo. Keep reading to learn about PsA, dizziness, and vertigo, how these symptoms and PsA are connected, and how vertigo in people with PsA is treated....

Lower-lid blepharoplasty (eye bag surgery) is a cosmetic procedure used to remove under-eye bags. Eye bags are often age-related, and some people seek to have them surgically removed. If you are considering this lower eyelid surgery, you can learn more about it to decide if it would be right for you. What Is Eye Bag Surgery? Eye bags are described as saggy pouches under the eyes. They develop in place of previously smooth, tighter looking skin under the eyes....

Glaucoma can refer to any of several types and conditions, and they may vary in causes and risk factors. There are a variety of forms of glaucoma that can lead to damage of the optic nerve and potentially result in blindness. Those who have high pressure in the eye tend to find themselves more at risk for glaucoma, but others without any eye pressure issues can get the condition as well....

Grocery shoppers have to embrace a new term: bioengineered. Key Takeaways As of January 1, 2022, producers are required to comply with the new labeling guidelines.Bioengineered food labels can include the word “bioengineered,” a USDA-created bioengineered logo, a QR code, or a phone number to text for more information.Advocates are worried that the new term will confuse consumers and that food companies can take advantage of regulatory loopholes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture established a federal standard for labeling genetically modified foods with “bioengineered” or “derived from bioengineered....

It may sound like something out of science fiction, but as medical science advances, there might there one day be a role for a head transplant. Head transplant would theoretically involve surgically removing the head of someone with a terminal illness and attaching their blood vessels, muscles, trachea, and esophagus with those structures of the donor body. The most recently proposed head transplant procedure also involves fusing the recipient and donor’s spinal nerves....

Migraine affects over 39 million Americans, and women are affected more than men. This gender discrepancy in migraine prevalence is largely attributed to the natural fluctuation of the female hormone estrogen. Cyclical changes, as well as erratic fluctuations in estrogen levels, can precipitate migraines in migraine-prone women. Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout a woman’s menstrual cycle. And prolonged estrogen changes occur during pregnancy, breastfeeding, perimenopause, and menopause. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also influence estrogen levels....

How germs are spread is a key factor in preventing disease, and it varies for different bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. In some cases, you may have to come in direct contact with an infected person to be infected. In others, the germ may be aerosolized (say, when someone sneezes) and find its way into your body when you simply take a breath. By understanding these and other modes of germ transmission, you can protect your health and that of the people around you....

Kidney cancer (renal cell carcinoma) is usually diagnosed using a combination of ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans, along with a careful history, physical exam, blood tests, and urine tests. Once a cancer is diagnosed, the tumor needs to be carefully staged in order to determine the most appropriate treatments. Going through the diagnostic process can be stressful—you may feel fear and anxiety. Knowing what to expect and how to cope with the wait time and results may help ease some of the emotions....

Hypophosphatemia is a condition in which phosphate levels are too low. Phosphate is an electrolyte, a type of mineral that is found in your blood, urine, tissues, and body fluids. Electrolytes help balance the water and pH (a measure of acidity and alkalinity) in your body, move nutrients into your cells, and clear wastes out. They have a role in keeping your heart, brain, muscles, and nerves working well. You also need phosphate to keep bones and teeth strong....

Herpes is a common infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types known as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Usually, oral herpes (cold sores) is caused by HSV-1 and genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. But it is possible for HSV-1 to cause genital herpes and HSV-2 to cause cold sores. There is really no way to tell by appearance alone whether an outbreak is caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2....

Inner-thigh stretches are a great way to release tension and improve flexibility in your inner-thigh muscles, also known as the groin or adductors. The adductor muscle group is a set of five muscles that bring your leg in toward the center of your body. With most of the adductors, one end of the muscle is attached to the pubic bone; the other attaches on or near the thigh bone (femur)....

The only thing as frustrating as waiting to find out if you’ve tested positive for the coronavirus, a process that can take days, might be enduring the test in the first place. The most common COVID-19 test involves a long swab stuck up your nostril to collect secretions from the back of your nose and throat—not exactly a pleasant sensation. But researchers are breaking ground on easier methods. One might be like testing the breath for booze consumption....

Mask mandates are being lifted nationwide. Several airlines, including Delta, American Airlines, Southwest, and JetBlue are no longer requiring customers or employees to wear a face mask in terminals or when aboard an aircraft. Many ground transportation options like trains, subways, and buses have also ditched masking restrictions. Key Takeaways Several major airlines and ground transportation services are no longer requiring face masks for travelers or employees. Buses, trains, and subways lack the ventilation and filtration systems that airplanes have, making them riskier for COVID-19 transmission....

It’s important to know what medications you are taking if you have diabetes. You should know what they do, when to take them, and why you are taking them. Increasing your awareness can help you to better manage your condition and avoid complications. While there are guidelines to direct which drugs should be used at what stage of treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. For its part, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) advises that the choice of medications should be individualized, taking into account a person’s age, medical history, blood sugar readings, cost of treatment, possible side effects, and—just as importantly—personal preferences....