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Surgery is not a common treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC), but there are times when it may be an option. For example, surgery can be a consideration if you have limited-stage SCLC. If you are thinking about your treatment options for SCLC, you may want to discuss the pros and cons of lung cancer surgery with your healthcare provider. Surgery Recommendations for SCLC SCLC grows and spreads quickly. In fact, in 60 to 70% of cases, SCLC has already metastasized (spread) beyond the lungs to other areas of the body by the time it is diagnosed....

Synkinesis is an abnormal pairing of muscle movements that are not normally paired. Facial synkinesis is the most common type. It causes a movement pattern of the face in which a person will have involuntary (not on purpose) movements of one or more facial muscles when they voluntarily (on purpose) move another part of the face. For example, the eye might twitch when a person smiles. This occurs due to irregular healing and regeneration of the nerves that control facial movements after they have been damaged....

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR)—also referred to as transcatheter aortic valve implantation—is a minimally invasive heart surgery in which a malfunctioning aortic valve is replaced with an artificial one. This procedure is a less invasive alternative to the traditional open-heart surgery method of replacing a heart valve. Because of this, TAVR is often favored for patients at high risk of surgical complications, although it is still a major surgery that can have complications....

Urethra pain may be caused by many underlying conditions, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prostatitis, local irritation from soaps or spermicides, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). In addition, menopause can sometimes lead to vaginal dryness, which may also contribute to urethra pain. People often describe urethra pain as a burning sensation. And since the urethra is the tube through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body, it can make peeing very uncomfortable—sometimes even excruciating....

What Is Viibryd? Viibryd (vilazodone) is an antidepressant medicine that treats major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults. It is in a class of medications called serotonin modulators. Viibryd works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) in the brain that helps to stabilize mood. Although there are many factors that may influence MDD, it is thought that serotonin imbalance in the brain may play a role....

A doula is a professional trained to support a person emotionally and physically throughout their pregnancy, during and even after childbirth. A doula is also meant to serve as a support person or coach for the person’s significant other or family members who are playing an active role in the pregnancy. Doulas are often referred to as birth workers, which is an umbrella term that encompasses other childbirth and perinatal professionals....

An ulcer is broken skin or tissue, or an open sore, that is usually accompanied by inflammation or infection. Stress ulcers are composed of damaged tissue caused by stress in certain areas of the gastrointestinal tract, the series of hollow organs through which food enters the mouth and travels through the body to be digested. Learn more about stress ulcers, what they are and what they are not, how they form, symptoms, and more....

Have you ever noticed a mild reaction soon after consuming certain types of foods? You may experience slight swelling of your lips, tongue, mouth, or throat; hives, an itchy or tingly mouth, or a scratchy, sore throat. If you have experienced these symptoms, you likely have oral allergy syndrome (OAS). This article will explain what causes it, what signs to look for, what you can do, and where to go for help....

So, you’re fully vaccinated and you’re ready to get your sweat back on. Key Takeaways As with any public space, people who are vaccinated should continue to wear a mask and maintain 6 feet of space between themselves and others while at the gym.Make sure your gym is following state and CDC health guidelines, has good air filtration systems, periodically cleans the equipment, and enforces mask-wearing.When returning to exercise at the gym, ease back into your workout routine....

Not only are there different types and strains of flu, but every flu season varies, with some years being worse than others in terms of number of people infected and the severity of their illness. How mild or severe a flu season is depends on a few different factors, including vaccination rates and vaccine efficacy. Given that different strains of influenza mutate, scientists are constantly chasing a moving target when it comes to helping make the next flu season better than the last....

When Katy Elliott’s parents, Bill and Sue Hankins, scheduled their final COVID-19 vaccine appointment, she helped her three kids create a countdown to the day they could finally hug their grandparents. Key Takeaways As more Americans receive the COVID-19 vaccine, families are now safely reuniting.People are increasingly sharing the stories of their first hugs and indoor visits.When reconnecting with loved ones, it’s important to acknowledge how you both have changed and grown through the course of the pandemic....

Acute cerebellar ataxia (ACA) is a disorder that causes a sudden loss of control of movement due to disease or injury to the cerebellum. The cerebellum is the part of the brain that controls muscle movement and gait (a person’s pattern of walking). The term ataxia refers to uncoordinated and abnormal movements of the body. The cerebellum is a major part of the brain and plays a vital role in controlling muscle movement and balance....

A basophil is a type of white blood cell that is a part of your immune system. They make up only around 1% or less of all white blood cells but are among the largest. The cells not only provide frontline defense against infection but are also involved in processes like inflammation and allergy. This article details the structure and function of basophils as well as the diseases and conditions associated with high or low basophils....

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost everyone’s lives, including people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Due to a variety of factors, some individuals may now be facing particular difficulties managing their disease. By finding ways to work with your medical provider, following practical self-care tips, and getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you can help take control of your life and your symptoms. Continuing Medical Care For various reasons, some people have stopped getting regular medical care during the pandemic....

Most skin tags (acrochordon) don’t need to be removed for health reasons. Still, many people choose to have them removed for cosmetic reasons, or, for example, if the skin tag rubs against their clothes. Don’t try to cut off a skin tag yourself at home. The safest, most effective way to remove a skin tag is to have your healthcare provider take care of it. This article covers how healthcare providers clip skin tags....

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices provide real-time blood sugar readings 24 hours a day, allowing people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes to closely track blood glucose levels and trends. Most CGMs report blood sugar levels every five minutes; that’s a total of 288 glucose readings per day. CGMs can help people with diabetes make informed decisions about food choices, exercise, and other aspects of diabetes management by alleviating much of the guesswork about daily patterns and fluctuations....

Depersonalization-derealization disorder (DPDR) is a mental health condition that causes you to feel detached from your body, thoughts, and environment. DPDR can affect your thoughts, memories, or actions. The average age of onset for depersonalization/derealization disorder is 16 with the majority of cases being diagnosed before age 20. According to one study, 72% of those diagnosed with depersonalization/derealization disorder have another mental health diagnosis. Anxiety and depressive spectrum disorders are the most common....

What Is Dexilant? Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is an oral medication that helps treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)—a condition that causes the acid in your stomach to flow backward, up into your esophagus, and cause heartburn. Dexilant also helps heal the lining of the esophagus (the tube that connects the throat to the stomach), which may become damaged due to stomach acid irritation. Dexilant belongs to a group of medications called proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs....

New York City has been particularly hard-hit by the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak. As of Friday, the city had recorded 839 cases, nearly a third of the cases in the United States. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended using the term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” in order to avoid racist and stigmatizing language when discussing the disease. Both terms will be used for the next year as WHO phases out usage of “monkeypox....

Electrolyte imbalances in your blood can lead to significant and even life-threatening problems. Electrolytes are minerals that your body needs, like sodium, potassium, and calcium. This article looks at electrolyte imbalances, what they mean, and the symptoms of electrolyte imbalances. It also covers how electrolyte abnormalities can be used to help diagnose a wide variety of medical problems. What Is an Electrolyte Imbalance? An electrolyte imbalance is when the concentration of certain important minerals in your blood falls outside the normal range....