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An esophageal tear is a tear in the esophagus—a tube that connects the mouth and throat to the stomach. Also known as an esophageal rupture or perforation, it’s a potentially life-threatening condition. Esophageal tears can be caused by severe vomiting, foreign objects, caustic substances, and surgical injuries. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a hiatal hernial are at greater risk of esophageal tears. This article discusses different types of esophagus tears, symptoms, causes, and complications....

The FEV1/FVC is a ratio that reflects the amount of air you can forcefully exhale from your lungs. It’s measured by spirometry, a test used to evaluate lung function. The FEV1/FVC ratio is often used in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It’s made up of two measurements: FEV1: Forced expiratory volume in one second, or the volume of breath exhaled with effort in one second FVC: Forced vital capacity, or the full amount of air that can be exhaled with effort in a complete breath This article discusses the purpose of measuring the FEV1/FVC ratio....

There are two very good reasons why you should know how to survive a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction (MI). First, odds are very high that either you or someone you love will suffer from a heart attack during your lifetime. And second, whether you survive that heart attack may depend on what you and your healthcare providers do about it during the first few hours. A heart attack occurs when there is a blockage or severe reduction in blood flow to a portion of the heart....

Heart disease cannot be cured, but survival and quality of life with heart failure can be improved with medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and sometimes specialized surgical procedures. Prescription medications, such as beta-blockers, angiotensin-receptor neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), and diuretics, are commonly used to treat heart failure. When medications aren’t enough to manage symptoms, or when a problem like an arrhythmia or heart valve disease is the cause of heart failure, procedures such as valve replacement, a pacemaker, or other interventions may be necessary for some people....

Herpes meningitis is a form of meningitis caused by the herpes virus. Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which are the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord. This viral infection prompts flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, fever, and stiff neck. While herpes meningitis often clears up on its own without medical treatment, it can sometimes lead to severe illness, particularly for babies and people who have weakened immune systems....

Being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is likely to leave you with more questions than answers. After being diagnosed, what happens next? Much of what happens is dependent upon the stage of your CLL. Staging is important as the natural progression of CLL is highly variable, with survival ranging from a couple of years to more than 20 years. The staging is typically identified through physical examination and lab work....

Melanin is a substance in your body that determines your skin, hair, and eye pigmentation. The more melanin produced, the darker your skin, hair, and eyes. Research is still evolving about effective ways to increase melanin production. Melanocytes (cells that produce melanin) can be found in your hair, the innermost layer of your skin, the pupils and irises of your eyes, and a few areas in the brain and inner ear....

An intravenous pyelogram is a medical imaging test that uses contrast media (also known as dye) injected into the veins to help see the urinary system clearly on an X-ray. An intravenous pyelogram is sometimes abbreviated as “IVP.” It is also known as intravenous urography, or an intravenous urogram, and can be abbreviated as “IVU.” Purpose of the Test An intravenous pyelogram is used to see the structures and outlines of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder....

Low-frequency hearing loss is a relatively rare condition in which a person has a decreased ability or inability to hear deeper or low-pitched sounds. These occur in the frequency of 2,000 hertz (Hz) or lower, like an airplane passing overhead or a running appliance. There are many different causes of low-frequency hearing loss, including Meniere’s disease and genetic syndromes. Treatment often involves hearing aids or addressing the root cause, or both of these approaches....

Lymphoma symptoms are common to a group of blood cancers that affect lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Common early symptoms of lymphoma include fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. These and other symptoms are associated with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), accounting for about 10% of all lymphoma cases in the United States, or with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the majority of cases. This article discusses lymphoma symptoms and how they present with both HL and NHL lymphoma types....

If you consistently experience pain in your hands, fingers, or wrists, you might wonder what type of arthritis might be causing your hand problems. The two most common forms of arthritis in the hands are osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory type of arthritis. OA and RA have many symptoms in common. These include pain, stiffness, swelling, and tenderness in the hands and finger joints....

Opioid addiction is a substance use disorder that can significantly impact a person’s health and have social and economic consequences. A person with opioid use disorder may strongly desire to take opioid drugs even if they are not medically required. Opioids can take the form of prescription medications used for pain relief but can also be found on the street in forms such as heroin. Opioid or Opiate? Opioids refer to drugs that are either synthetic (produced from chemicals) or naturally derived from the opium poppy....

Any surgery is going to bring a certain amount of fear and anxiety. Ileostomy surgery is no different when it comes to causing uncertainty, but in many cases, an ileostomy is a life-saving surgery that can increase a person’s quality of life. Broadly put, ileostomy surgery is an opening in the belly, or abdominal wall, that’s usually needed when the ileum, which is part of the small intestine, isn’t working properly....

Progesterone cream is a type of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It may help reduce menopause symptoms, signs of skin aging, and bone loss that can lead to osteoporosis. Progesterone cream contains natural plant-based compounds from soybeans and wild yams (Dioscorea villosa). It’s easy to find and is sold over the counter. Other hormone replacement options are progesterone pills, suppositories, vaginal gels, and medicated patches that you place on your skin. However, some women want to avoid synthetic (artificial) progesterone....

Proton beam therapy for cancer is similar to radiation therapy but uses high energy protons instead of photons or X-rays to damage tumors. It is usually used for early-stage tumors (stage I, II, and III) and has been used for many different types of cancer, such as lung cancer, prostate cancer, childhood cancers, and more. While proton therapy has the advantage of more precise delivery of radiation (that’s useful for cancers such as brain tumor), its primary advantage is in reducing the short term and long term side effects of radiation....

What Is Sprintec? Sprintec (ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate) is an orally administered combinational birth control pill containing two primary hormones—estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (norgestimate)—that is classified as a combination oral contraceptive (COC). Sprintec is prescribed for females of childbearing age who wish to avoid pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin are two female sex hormones. The combination of estrogen and progestin hormones works by stopping ovulation (the process where eggs are released from the ovaries) from occurring....

Staphylococcal (staph) infection is caused when bacteria called Staphyloccocus enters the body, usually through a skin cut or wound. Staphyloccocus aureus is the most common type to infect humans, though there are more than 30 others. While staph normally lives in the nose or on the skin of some healthy individuals without consequence, infections can cause abscesses, cellulitis, or other skin concerns, and can less commonly infect the bloodstream or other organs (e....

Caring for someone with Huntington’s disease involves paying attention to and helping manage the emotional, physical, social, and practical needs of your loved one as they cope with their condition. Unfortunately, taking care of your loved one can take a toll on you, the caregiver, which is why it is important to consider and take care of your own needs as well. Managing Medical Care Helping your loved one manage their medical care is a major part of caring for someone who has Huntington’s disease....

Your kidneys work hard to remove fluid and waste from the body. During this process, kidney stones can sometimes form. Kidney stones are hardened mineral deposits that can form in the urinary tract. They often pass unnoticed or can be extremely painful and require treatment. This article provides a look at the four main stages of passing a kidney stone. What Are Kidney Stones? If you have too much salt, certain minerals, or chemicals in your system and a lack of urine, the excess material can form crystals in your kidneys....

The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is the large tube that delivers air from the upper respiratory tract (the nasal passages, throat, and larynx) to the bronchi (the two large airways that branch off into each lung). In the process, it warms and moisturizes the air and catches debris and microbes before they enter the lungs. The trachea can become infected, inflamed, or damaged. In rare situations, this can lead to tracheal stenosis, in which the trachea narrows and restricts breathing....