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J-pouch surgery, also known as the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) procedure, is a complex treatment for severe disease or injury affecting the large intestine (colon). J-pouch surgery (often, a series of surgeries) is designed to remove the damaged tissue of the colon and allows the patient to continue to have “normal” bowel movements, meaning stool leaves the body through the anus. This article explains why J-pouch surgery is used as an alternative to ileostomy, which creates an artificial pathway for passing stool....

You may have heard that there’s a potential link between celiac disease and multiple sclerosis (MS). People with celiac disease may have neurological manifestations and people with MS may be more likely to have celiac disease. In fact, some people with MS claim to feel better on a gluten-free diet. What does the research tell us about this possible association? Links Between Celiac Disease and MS The links between celiac disease and multiple sclerosis may seem clear at first....

Love bombing involves bombarding a person (usually a romantic partner) with attention and affection, such as excessive compliments and gifts. While this may seem like an over-eager person who is newly infatuated, love bombing is a manipulation tactic meant to obtain power and control at the beginning of a relationship. Love bombing is commonly associated with narcissism. Read on to learn more about love bombing and why it’s a relationship red flag....

There are several medication options that can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), which include frequent, urgent bouts of loose, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and cramping. While irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also cause diarrhea, IBS-D is unique in that diarrhea is the central symptom of the condition. While some medications used for IBS-D are used for the treatment of diarrhea due to a variety of causes, there are a few drugs specifically approved for IBS-D, as well as others that are used off-label....

Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. There are two types of meningococcal disease: meningococcal meningitis or meningococcal septicemia. Meningococcal septicemia, also known as meningococcemia, occurs when the bacteria spread to your bloodstream, while meningococcal meningitis is when the bacteria infect the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord, known as the meninges, and cause swelling. Meningococcal disease is a medical emergency, and the symptoms can progress from mild flu-like symptoms to death in just a matter of hours....

Osteoporosis causes progressive bone loss that can lead to fractures, breaks, and deformities. While the condition worsens over time, proper treatment can help reduce complications and alleviate symptoms. This article discusses the prognosis, complications, and treatment options associated with osteoporosis. Stages of Osteoporosis There are four stages of osteoporosis. Each is categorized by the rate at which the bone loss occurs in relation to bone formation and a T-score, which is a bone density score used to diagnose osteoporosis....

Penicillin is perhaps the most well-known member of a group of antibiotics called beta-lactams, which refers to a particular structure in their chemical makeup. The structure is also shared by semi-synthetic penicillin (amoxicillin), cephalosporins, and other antibiotics, such as imipenem. Penicillins and cephalosporins are the antibiotics most commonly used to treat common bacterial infections. Penicillins and cephalosporins are also the most common causes of drug allergy. About 10% of Americans report having an allergy to penicillin or a related antibiotic....

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune condition in which the body can’t absorb vitamin B12 correctly. This leads to symptoms from anemia (a reduced number of functioning red blood cells) and other problems. The word “pernicious” means gradually harmful and damaging. Historically, before we understood its role and had vitamin B12 treatments available, it was often fatal. Pernicious anemia is also sometimes referred to as “autoimmune gastritis” or “Biermer’s disease.” It is more common in older adults, and it is estimated to affect around 2% of adults over the age of 60....

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder thought to be caused by poor communication between the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system, often affecting the limbs. The exact cause has not yet been identified, but several genes, medications, and other medical conditions have been linked to restless legs syndrome. Genetic RLS, commonly called primary RLS, is the most common cause of RLS. Symptoms of primary RLS can begin at any time in life, but may be worsened by taking certain types of drugs, including antidepressant, antipsychotic, and antihistamine medications....

Like other forms of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause your joints to swell and hurt. Unlike osteoarthritis, RA isn’t caused by normal wear and tear on an aging musculoskeletal system. RA pain can be complicated, but patients might find better coping strategies when they learn more about the condition and its symptoms. What Causes RA Pain? Medical researchers remain uncertain about which factors definitely lead to the condition. Certain people have a higher risk of developing the disease, such as women, those with a family history of the disease, and people age 60 or over....

Certain seasons are worse for some people with asthma, a chronic lung disease in which airways are inflamed and constricted. Seasonal asthma only flares up at certain times of the year. It may be due to seasonal allergens (normally harmless substances that trigger an immune reaction) or irritants related to the weather. For example, if you are allergic to tree pollen (an allergen), spring may be a challenge for you because that’s when trees produce pollen in large quantities....

About a third of your life is spent sleeping, so finding a comfortable position is a top priority. Most people go to sleep in the most comfortable position they can find, but promising research is showing that some positions may be better for you than others. The majority of people sleep on their side—an idea that has been corroborated by a number of sleep studies. In fact, researchers in the Danish Physical Activity Cohort with Objective Measurements (DPHACTO) study—one of the largest sleep studies conducted in the world—found that sleepers spent over half (54....

Sputum cytology refers to the examination of sputum (mucus) under a microscope to look for abnormal or cancerous cells. Sputum, or phlegm, is the fluid that is secreted by cells in the lower respiratory tract such as the bronchi and the trachea. It differs from saliva, in that it contains cells that line the respiratory passages. If your healthcare provider has recommended a sputum cytology, what this entails and how the sample is taken....

There are varying five-year survival rates for stage 3 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), ranging from as high as 33% to as low as 13%. This advanced stage of the disease, in which the primary tumor has begun to invade nearby lymph nodes or structures, is sometimes—but not always—able to be treated with surgery. This plays a significant role in stage 3 lung cancer life expectancy. Still, there are many variables that can influence survival times....

What Is Symbyax? Symbyax (olanzapine and fluoxetine) is a medication option for the treatment of depressive episodes in bipolar I disorder. It can also be used for treatment-resistant depression. Symbyax is a combination medication that contains Zyprexa (olanzapine) and Prozac (fluoxetine). Olanzapine is a second general or atypical antipsychotic, and fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Olanzapine is thought to work by interfering with the activity of two naturally occurring brain chemicals called dopamine and serotonin....

Dust mites, the microscopic creatures that survive off of dead skin cells, are one of the most common indoor allergens. These tiny pests thrive in warm settings like your mattress, bedding, carpets, and furniture and are found in roughly 4 out of 5 homes in the United States. For some people, dust mites prompt an allergic reaction. However, dust mites can trigger an itchy rash for those living with eczema (atopic dermatitis)....

What Is Vyvanse? Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children age 6 years and older. It’s also used to treat moderate to severe binge eating disorder (BED) in adults. Vyvanse is a member of the amphetamine drug class and the exact way that it works (its “mechanism of action”) in ADHD or binge eating disorder is not known. However, it’s absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract and converted to dextroamphetamine, which increases the availability of the neurotransmitters dopamine (a hormone that affects mood) and norepinephrine (a stress hormone) in the central nervous system....

Werdnig-Hoffmann disease, also called spinal muscular atrophy type 1 (SMA1), is a genetic neuromuscular disorder. It affects the nerve cells controlling the voluntary muscles—the muscles under your conscious control that you can move at will. Symptoms of Werdnig-Hoffmann disease are apparent before age 6 months, sometimes as early as birth. This condition is caused by specific gene mutations and is inherited. Keep reading to learn more about Werdnig-Hoffman disease, including symptoms, how it is caused and diagnosed, treatment, and more....

Having a heavy period after stopping birth control can be normal as your body adjusts to changing hormones, but it can also be a symptom of post-birth control syndrome. Post-birth control syndrome happens in the months after a person stops taking hormonal birth control. Other symptoms include acne, amenorrhea (no menstrual period), hair loss, migraines and more. Most people notice their symptoms disappear within a few weeks after stopping birth control, but others may experience them for months....

Whether they are “high functioning” or severely disabled, adults with autism need at least some level of support. For very severely disabled individuals, there is usually “residential” funding available for group homes or other settings. For moderately to mildly disabled adults, however, funding is a little trickier. The reality is that most young adults with autism (80%) wind up living with their parents after high school. This begs the question: “what will happen to my adult child with autism when we die?...