An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is an injury of the knee joint, and it usually happens while playing sports. It causes leg pain and instability of the knee. ACL tears are often seen in high-profile athletes such as football player Tom Brady, golfer Tiger Woods, and soccer player Frankie Hejduk. This is also one of the most common injuries among recreational athletes of all ages. An ACL tear is diagnosed by a physical examination....
Acute gastritis is the sudden inflammation of the lining of the stomach. It can cause stomach pain and discomfort that goes away in time. The lining of the stomach is very strong, but it can be irritated by bacteria, medications, or certain foods. Irritation can lead to inflammation and pain. This article will discuss acute gastritis symptoms and causes, how it differs from chronic gastritis, and ways to prevent it. It will also cover holistic and standard medical treatments....
Many cancer centers now offer oncology massage as a complementary treatment for cancer. In this sense, massage is not used as a treatment for cancer, per se—such as chemotherapy or surgery would be—but as a method of helping with the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of treatment. The research is young, but oncology massage may help with pain, cancer-related fatigue, anxiety, and quality of life, and meets evidence-based guidelines for aiding in the relief of depression and mood disorders in women with breast cancer....
Black lung disease, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), is an occupational condition that—while once declining—is now increasing in both incidence and severity in the United States. Most often occurring in coal miners, the greatest increase has been seen in central Appalachia, though the disease is increasing in other regions as well. CWP is caused by the inhalation of fine dust particles that cause scarring, which is followed by the development of scar tissue (fibrosis)....
About 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetimes, so it is understandable why finding a lump is frightening. While breast lumps are common in women (and possible but less-so in men), most are not cancerous or life-threatening. Breast cysts, or sacs of fluid in the breast tissue, are one of the most common noncancerous breast lumps. Learn about the differences between breast cancer and breast cysts, their symptoms, causes, treatments, and more....
When plaque on your teeth gets out of control, it hardens, forming tartar, also known as calculus. A calculus bridge is when this buildup coats multiple teeth and starts to fill in gaps. If untreated, this can lead to serious dental issues, including gum disease and tooth decay. This article provides an overview of calculus bridges, including their causes, their impact on oral health, and their treatment and prevention. How Plaque Can Cause a Calculus Bridge Plaque is a bacteria-rich film that forms on the teeth, along the gumline and on such surfaces as fillings and dental crowns....
According to a new study published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, there’s a simple, low-cost way to improve cognition and memory in older adults—and it’s something that many people might already be doing. Key Takeaways A recent study found that older adults who took the daily multivitamin supplement Centrum Silver had improved cognition and memory.The researchers estimated that taking the multivitamin daily slowed cognitive decline by 1.8 years. More research is needed before the widespread use of multivitamin supplements by older adults is recommended to reduce the risk of cognitive decline....
Right-sided chest pain has many possible causes including lung, digestive, and heart-related issues. It can be the sign of minor injury, like a muscle strain, or a more serious condition. While left-sided chest pain is usually the focus of heart-related concerns, right-sided chest pain can sometimes point to cardiac issues as well. See your healthcare provider if you are experiencing chest pain, especially if it happens along with other symptoms. Getting a diagnosis is key to ensure that your right-sided chest pain is identified and treated....
The World Health Organization (WHO) on November 26 classified the COVID-19 Omicron variant—B.1.1.529—as a variant of concern (VOC). Key Takeaways Omicron is a new COVID variant of concern.The Omicron variant contains more unusual mutations than previous strains, and it could be more transmissible and vaccine-resistant potentially.Vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer and Moderna have announced plans for a potential Omicron-specific shot. South Africa was the first country to report the Omicron variant to the WHO, but a Dutch health agency confirmed that the variant was already present in the Netherlands a week earlier....
People with epilepsy sometimes have trained service dogs to help their owners during seizures. They are trained to prevent injuries and seek help when needed. Learn about training service dogs for epilepsy, owner responsibilities, and more. Reasons to Train a Service Dog for Epilepsy Alert Service dogs can perform various tasks related to their handlers’ disabilities. For people with epilepsy, these tasks are not limited to when a seizure occurs....
Coping with esophageal cancer and living your best life can be challenging in many ways. Physically, problems with swallowing and weight loss often need attention. Emotionally, you may experience moments of anger, disbelief, and frustration. Life changes socially for almost everyone who faces cancer as family roles change and some friendships deepen while others fall away. That said, there are a number of tools that can help with coping and receiving the support you need as you face this disease....
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a disorder involving a group of cancers known as sarcomas. Sarcomas are very slow-growing malignant (potentially fatal) tumors of connective or other tissue, such as cartilage, nervous, and muscle tissue. In the United States, there are an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 new diagnoses of GISTs each year. This type of tumor originates in nerve cells in the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and can occur anywhere from the esophagus to the rectum....
From 1990 to 2019, cardiovascular disease cases almost doubled, increasing from 271 million to 523 million worldwide. Deaths from heart disease also increased, from 12.1 million in 1990 to 18.6 million in 2019. Here are more statistics about heart disease that you’ll want to know, including types of cardiovascular disease, heart disease stats by population groups, and how to lower your risk. What Is Heart Disease? Heart disease is a broad term for many different heart conditions....
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a preventive strategy in which the use of antiretroviral medication can reduce the risk of getting HIV by up to 99%. There are currently three approved prescription medications: Truvada (emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is a daily pill approved for those at risk for HIV through sex or injection drug use.Descovy (emtricitabine + tenofovir alafenamide) is a daily pill approved for sexually active men and transgender women at risk for HIV....
If you live in Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, or the District of Columbia, there’s a penalty for being without health insurance, unless you qualify for an exemption. These states have their own requirements that residents have health coverage, most of which have been created since the federal individual mandate penalty was eliminated. This article will explain why some states have created their own individual mandates, which states have them, and how they work....
Did you know that at birth a baby has more bones in its body than an adult? Babies are born with about 270 bones, some of which will eventually fuse to form the 206–213 bones that they will have as adults. Learn about how a baby’s bones change over time. Bones and What They’re Made Of A baby’s bones consist of more cartilage than solid bone. Cartilage is more flexible than bone and is able to resist compression and provide support and flexibility....
If you haven’t yet heard much about your gut bacteria, part of your overall gut flora, chances are you are going to be hearing a lot more about this topic in the future. These previously much-overlooked bacteria are now being associated with a wide range of human health solutions and problems. As you follow along with this unfolding science, there are things that you can do to ensure that your gut bacteria are as healthy as they can be....
Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and hyperthyroidism (HT) sound a lot alike. While the glands involved are somewhat related, they produce different hormones that have different effects on your body. They have different symptoms and require different treatments, as well. Your thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly. It sits at the front of your throat, right in the center. The four parathyroid glands are usually located just behind the thyroid, near the upper and lower tips of the “wings....
A hypertensive crisis occurs when there is a sudden spike in blood pressure to dangerous levels. It is considered a medical emergency, and you should seek out immediate medical attention if you experience extremely high blood pressure. Blood pressure associated with a hypertensive crisis means the systolic pressure (the top number) is 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher, and the diastolic pressure (the bottom number) is 120 mm Hg or higher....
Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disorder, not a mental illness in the traditional sense. Though listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)—a handbook used by healthcare professionals to diagnose mental health conditions—autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder. This question often comes up because people with autism are at a greater risk for developing mental health problems, and characteristics of autism overlap with certain mental illnesses....
