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If you take seizure medication, there are things to consider if you are planning to become pregnant. Read on to learn how anti-seizure medications can affect a pregnancy, which medications are considered the safest during pregnancy, and which medications to avoid if possible. Risks of Seizures During Pregnancy For most people with epilepsy, seizure frequency stays the same or even declines during pregnancy. For about 15% to 30% of pregnant people with epilepsy, seizure activity increases, typically in the first or third trimester....

New research is shining a light on how experiences of sexual assault and harassment can have damaging effects on cardiovascular health. Key Takeaways Sexual assault and workplace harassment are common and may increase the long-term risk of hypertension in women, according to a study.The study did not find an increased risk of hypertension in women who had a history of other types of traumatic experiences or events.Reducing sexual violence against women could be an effective way to improve women’s long-term cardiovascular health....

A maze procedure is a type of cardiac ablation surgery for atrial fibrillation (aFib), a rapid, irregular heart rhythm that cannot be controlled by other treatments. Also known as the Cox maze procedure, the operation involves creating a maze-like pattern of scar tissue in the atrium (the upper chamber of the heart) through which chaotic electrical impulses from the upper chambers to the lower chambers (ventricles) of the heart can travel....

A thyroid ultrasound is a safe, painless procedure that uses sound waves to examine the thyroid gland. It can be used to help diagnose a wide range of medical conditions affecting the thyroid gland, including benign thyroid nodules and possible thyroid cancers. Purpose of Test Clinicians can use thyroid ultrasound to evaluate several different medical conditions that affect the thyroid gland, an endocrine gland in your neck. The thyroid hormone produced by the gland affects many important physiological functions, including heart rate, body temperature, and overall metabolism....

A tracheoesophageal fistula is a condition in which the esophagus (the tube connecting the stomach with the back of the throat) and the trachea (windpipe) are connected. This abnormal connection can allow food to enter into the airways and lungs resulting in serious breathing complications. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is most commonly a congenital defect, meaning that it occurs while a baby is developing inside the mother’s womb and is present at birth....

Thyroid hormone replacement with a prescription thyroid drug is the standard treatment for hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormones) caused by an underactive thyroid gland, surgically removed gland, or congenitally damaged or missing gland. Autoimmune Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The goals of treatment include: Normalizing thyroid hormone levels, specifically, thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels Eliminating symptoms of hypothyroidism, like constipation, fatigue, and cold intolerance Halting and reversing any effects that hypothyroidism may be having on various organ systems (for example, elevated cholesterol levels) Reducing the size of a goiter, if present, as is sometimes the case with Hashimoto’s disease Levothyroxine (T4) Hypothyroidism is treated with prescription oral thyroid hormone preparation (usually levothyroxine, a T4 preparation)....

Although scientists are still understanding the role of diet in treating and controlling multiple sclerosis (MS), some people are able to slow the progression of their disease by following an MS diet. One of those people is Dr. Terry Wahls, a physician who has MS. After becoming wheelchair-bound, she developed the Wahls protocol, a dietary approach aimed to rejuvenate cells and slow the process of MS. The Wahls protocol is similar to paleo or keto diets, but more restrictive....

Diabetic socks are specially designed to keep feet dry, decrease the risk of foot injury, and enhance blood circulation. They are a key part of foot care, which is an important aspect of diabetes management due to potential damage to the nervous and circulatory systems caused by high blood sugar levels. Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy), decreases sensation in the feet, particularly the soles, and increases the risk of injury. It can also cause a person with diabetes to be unaware of an injury and delay treatment....

You’ve probably heard the term “PPO” with regards to health insurance. Maybe you’re considering enrolling in one, either through your employer, through the health insurance marketplace/exchange, or through Medicare Advantage. This article will help you understand what PPOs are, how they differ from other types of health plan management, and whether a PPO will best fit your needs. Understanding PPOs PPO stands for preferred provider organization. PPOs got this name because they have lists of healthcare providers that they prefer you to use....

Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 keeps you from becoming infected and helps you avoid severe illness if you do get sick. Studies have also shown that getting vaccinated significantly reduces the risk of transmission. Key Takeaways Side effects from a COVID-19 vaccine do not indicate an infection or contagiousness.If you experience side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, it does not mean you have the virus or that you could spread it to others....

Most of us have known someone who had breast cancer despite a normal mammogram. On the flip side, there are benign (not cancerous) breast changes which can mimic breast cancer as well. These breast cancer look-alikes can cause great anxiety and stress, as some benign breast changes not only look like breast cancer on exam, but can do so on mammogram, ultrasound, or even MRI as well. What are some conditions that might be mistaken for breast cancer but are otherwise benign?...

Black fungus disease, or mucormycosis, is a rare infection that develops after someone inhales or touches spores (reproductive cells in plants) from a type of mold known as mucromycetes. People with a weakened immune system and those who have recently recovered from COVID-19 are more susceptible to this illness. This article will explore what black fungus disease is, the symptoms you can expect, treatment options, and its link to COVID-19....

When you first begin to use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnea, there is often a degree of information overload. After learning about the diagnosis, you are usually sent to a private company or provider of durable medical equipment to get a CPAP machine and other associated items. At this time, instructions should be given on how to clean this equipment. In case you missed it, here are some simple step-by-step instructions on how to clean CPAP to maintain your device and health without needing an expensive sanitizer device, and why you shouldn’t neglect cleaning your CPAP....

Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is a species of bacteria that lives harmlessly in the digestive tract, although it can be found in the oral cavity or vaginal tract. It can be resistant to antibiotics (drugs that kill bacteria). When people are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) or have an underlying disease, E. faecalis can become pathogenic (disease-causing). For this reason, E. faecalis is considered an opportunistic pathogen—one that takes advantage of the body when immune defenses are low....

Heart bypass surgery, also referred to as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is a major procedure. The recovery process is not always easy and the recovery timetable varies per person. However, as a general rule of thumb, you may be hospitalized for approximately three to seven days, and many people are discharged in just a few days. Once your hospital stay is over, your recovery is still far from complete. In fact, it may take several months before you’ll be able to return to the same lifestyle and engage in every activity you enjoyed before your surgery....

A heart murmur is an extra or abnormal sound that is heard during cardiac auscultation (when your healthcare provider listens to your heart with a stethoscope). A murmur doesn’t cause noticeable effects on its own. Certain heart murmurs are completely harmless and are not associated with any health problems at all. But sometimes a heart murmur is a sign of heart disease, and you may experience fatigue, shortness of breath, or other complications of your heart condition....

Acute urticaria (hives) is a common skin condition that affects up to 20% of people at some point in their lives, and can transition into chronic urticaria for up to 8% of the population. Hives tend to go away on their own without treatment, but self-care strategies like taking a cooling bath can help manage discomfort. Some people, however, may require medication such as an antihistamine, anti-inflammatory drug, corticosteroid, or monoclonal antibodies....

Treatment options for cancer depend on the specific type and stage of cancer and individual factors such as your age, possible side effects, and other conditions you may have. Local treatments include surgery and radiation therapy, targeting a specific tumor. Systemic treatments target cancer that has spread or may spread, and include chemotherapy, targeted therapies, hormonal therapies, and immunotherapy. The treatment approach will be chosen with your goals in mind. These may be eradicating the cancer, reducing the risk of recurrence, extending your life, or improving the quality of your life through palliative care....

If you plan to travel to a foreign country, it is important that you provide for your medication needs before leaving. An illness in the middle of your trip can ruin your vacation and cost you money to get needed medications. Depending on the circumstances, buying medications in foreign countries can be expensive. Moreover, in some countries, you may be at risk of getting a counterfeit drug. By thinking ahead and packing smart, you can stay healthy and enjoy your time....

Hypertropia is a type of vertical strabismus (crossed eyes) where one eye is deviated upwards compared with the other eye. This can happen all the time or intermittently. Hypertropia occurs when the muscles in both eyes are not balanced and working together. The condition, which can affect both adults and children, is triggered by a wide range of reasons, including nerve palsies, stroke, thyroid disease, trauma, and neurological disorders. Intermittent types of hypertropia are usually a result of stress or tiredness....