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Congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis (CIPA) is a rare disease that causes a person to not be able to feel pain or sweat. CIPA is also known as hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type IV (HSAN IV). Here is what the name means: Hereditary because it runs in families Sensory neuropathy because it affects the nerves controlling sensations in the body (which includes pain) Autonomic because it affects the autonomic nervous system (which regulates sweating) This article will go over what causes CIPA....

Some people feel cold all the time and often need a blanket or coat to keep warm, while others around them seem just fine. As frustrating or worrisome as this may be, it is not an uncommon situation. There are medical and health conditions that can cause a condition known as cold intolerance. Cold intolerance is not an illness but simply an abnormal sensitivity to cold environments or cold temperatures. It may be a symptom of a problem with your metabolism (the conversion of calories to energy) or caused by nervous system disorders that alter your perception of cold....

Research has shown that hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are comorbidities (conditions that frequently occur together) in females. HS is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder. PCOS is a hormonal disorder in people with ovaries. This article will discuss the two conditions, how they are linked, their symptoms, treatment, and more. What Is Hidradenitis Suppurativa? Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that causes painful pus-filled nodules and abscesses to form around the hair follicles....

Contact dermatitis develops when your skin comes in contact with a substance that irritates your skin, or one to which you are allergic. The classic symptoms of contact dermatitis are an itchy, red rash, often with bumps and blisters. Other symptoms include dry skin, cracking, burning, and flaking. Contact dermatitis can come on quickly, in the case of acute contact dermatitis, or develop slowly and be more long-lasting, as in chronic contact dermatitis....

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based therapy that originated from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). The primary goal of DBT is to help patients build a mentally healthy life by improving their ability to manage emotions. Learn more about dialectical behavior therapy, how it works, when it’s used, and its core skills. What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy? In the 1980s, psychologist Dr. Marsha Linehan noticed that CBT was not working well with patients who experienced suicidal behaviors, self-harm tendencies, or had borderline personality disorder....

What Is Firazyr? Firazyr (icatibant) is a prescription medication used for the acute treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks (flare-ups) in adults. As a bradykinin receptor antagonist, Firazyr blocks bradykinin B2 receptors (binding sites). By blocking bradykinin B2 receptors, a type of protein called bradykinin—that widens blood vessels—can’t attach to these binding sites to cause the typical HAE symptoms of swelling and pain. Firazyr is available as an injectable to be given under the skin (subcutaneous)....

The frontal lobe is a large part of the brain. It extends from the front of the brain almost halfway to the back. Damage to the frontal lobe can cause a range of symptoms. These can include behavioral problems, depression, and a loss of strength in the muscles. A variety of conditions can damage the frontal lobe, including stroke, head trauma, and dementia. This article discusses the frontal lobe of the brain, its functions, and the various conditions that can cause frontal lobe damage....

If you or a loved one are considering gender affirmation surgery, you are probably wondering what steps you must go through before the surgery can be done. Let’s look at what is required to be a candidate for these surgeries, the potential positive effects and side effects of hormonal therapy, and the types of surgeries that are available. Overview Gender affirmation surgery, also known as gender confirmation surgery, is performed to align or transition individuals with gender dysphoria to their true gender....

Groin eczema can affect adults and children alike. Although eczema typically affects other areas of the body such as the hands, feet, scalp, face, inside the elbows, the neck, and behind the knees, it can flare up anywhere, including the groin area. Types Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that causes severe itching, dry skin, and scaly patches. There are three types of eczema in the groin area:...

Starting in 2014, most Americans had to maintain minimum essential health insurance coverage or face a tax penalty. That continued to be the case through the end of 2018, but the penalty was reset to zero starting in January 2019, under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted in late 2017. There are still a few states where a penalty continues to apply for people who are uninsured in 2019 and future years, but in most areas of the country, there is no longer a penalty for going without minimum essential coverage....

Fibroids, also called myomas, are benign (noncancerous) tumors of the uterus. The exact cause of fibroids is unknown; however, certain hormones can contribute to their formation. Although many people with uterine fibroids do not have symptoms, others can experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), abnormal uterine bleeding, anemia, pelvic pain, reproductive problems, and painful sex. Treatment for fibroids depends on several factors, including age, the severity of symptoms, desire for pregnancy, and size and location of the tumors....

For a couple of decades, it has been virtual dogma that HDL cholesterol is the “good” kind of cholesterol, that the higher your HDL levels the lower your cardiac risk, and that raising HDL cholesterol levels is a very good idea. But disappointing results from several recent clinical trials have called that dogma into question. Why HDL Is Considered “Good” In the bloodstream, cholesterol is transported by lipoproteins (large complexes made up of lipids and proteins)....

If you have been told that the electrical shock-like sensation that runs down your back, arms, or legs is Lhermitte’s sign, you may be concerned about what this means for you. Lhermitte’s sign is usually triggered by lowering your chin towards your chest, which is why it has also been called the barber chair phenomenon. This can occur with a number of neurological conditions, and while it is most closely associated with multiple sclerosis (MS), you may experience Lhermitte’s sign if you have any problem that affects your cervical (upper) spine....

The Supreme Court plans to strike down Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey this summer, according to a leaked draft opinion obtained by Politico. If the draft decision is confirmed, more than a dozen states are likely to ban abortion care, imposing the largest restriction to reproductive rights in nearly 50 years. Key Takeaways A leaked Supreme Court draft opinion reveals a potential decision to strike down Roe v....

Have you experienced coughing, itching, sneezing, watery eyes, or other symptoms after cuddling or playing with your pet? If so, you might have pet allergies—and you’re not alone. As many as three in 10 people have allergies to dogs and cats. Read more about the causes and symptoms of pet allergies, as well as ways to manage your symptoms. What Causes a Pet Allergy? Allergic reactions occur when your body identifies a substance, called an allergen, as “foreign....

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Every year, more than 1 million adults in the United States go to the hospital to receive care for pneumonia, and 50,000 people die from it. Older adults are often at higher risk for pneumonia, and the infection may be more severe than it would be for younger people. This article discusses pneumonia in older adults, including prevention, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

Porphyrias are a group of several diseases that can affect your skin and nervous system. Beginning in the metabolic system, porphyrias develop when a gene mutation disrupts the chemical process in your body that is responsible for creating blood cells. Porphyrins and porphyrin precursors are chemicals that your body uses to make heme. Heme gives blood its red color and helps to create hemoglobin—the protein that carries oxygen through your blood....

Purging disorder is defined as recurrent purging behavior to influence weight or shape in the absence of binge eating. Purging behavior includes vomiting, excessive exercise, extreme fasting, and using laxatives or diuretics (water pills) to control weight. Purging disorder is a serious and life-threatening disorder, yet it is treatable. This disorder falls under the umbrella diagnosis of “other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)” in the fifth edition of the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” (DSM-5)....

Repetitive, purposeless behaviors are a common symptom of autism. Such behaviors might include repetitively lining up toys, spinning objects, or opening and closing drawers or doors. Repetitive behaviors can also involve talking or asking about the same thing over and over again. Most often, repetitive behaviors are a tool for self-calming. They can become a problem when they get in the way of ordinary activities or make it tough to get through school or work....

A psychopath is described as someone who has emotional deficits, chief among them being a lack of remorse and taking pleasure in “getting over on” or inflicting pain on others. A sociopath differs in that they are antisocial and violate rules. These terms are widely used, but are not actually official diagnoses. They describe aspects of the same condition—antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Clinicians, therefore, do not consider the characteristics of psychopaths vs....