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When you have surgery, the procedure itself and the effects of anesthesia put stress on the body that may result in elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Because of this, people with diabetes have an especially high risk for blood sugar complications following a surgical procedure. People who don’t have diabetes or who have an undiagnosed case can also experience increased glucose levels post-surgery and the accompanying problems. Whichever category you fall into, you can take appropriate steps to control your glucose levels before, during, and after surgery....

HLA (human leukocyte antigen) typing is a kind of genetic test. HLA typing is sometimes called HLA matching. HLA typing looks at certain factors related to the immune system. The test can help figure out if a person can safely donate bone marrow, cord blood, or an organ to someone who needs a transplant. This article will explain how HLA typing works. You will also learn about the HLA system and what it can tell you about your immune system....

A number of tests and procedures may be used to diagnose ovarian cancer, including a pelvic exam; imaging tests, such as transvaginal ultrasound, CT, or MRI; and blood tests, such as CA-125. A biopsy is usually needed to determine whether a mass is malignant (cancerous) and to identify the type and subtype of the disease. When a diagnosis is made, these results and further tests are used to define the stage of the disease, which will help determine the best course of treatment....

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that affects breathing during sleep in both adults and children. It can have an important impact on growth, development, and behavior in affected youth. What are some of the symptoms associated with sleep apnea in children and adolescents? What unique treatments exist for these groups? Learn how to treat obstructive sleep apnea in children and teenagers, including the roles of surgery, allergy treatment, orthodontics, CPAP therapy, weight loss, and alternative options like myofunctional therapy....

Sinus pain relief can often start at home. However, you may need to see your healthcare provider for sinus pain treatment depending on the cause. Sinus pain can range in severity from a mild headache to excruciating head and face pain, toothaches, and earaches. Regardless of the underlying cause, sinus pain usually develops as the result of inflammation and congestion in the sinus cavities. Since congestion is a big factor in causing sinus discomfort, many sinus pain treatments are aimed at reducing congestion....

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of 200 related viruses that are most commonly spread by skin-to-skin contact through sexual activity. HPV is so prevalent that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 85% of all people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime, and 13 million adults and teenagers will be infected with HPV each year. The terms “women” and “girls” are used in this article to refer to people who identify as female and have the typical reproductive organs of a cisgender female....

Alcoholism is the lay term for alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is a brain disorder affecting nearly 15 million people aged 12 and older in 2019, according to a national survey. Some people may also know it as alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, or alcohol dependence. AUD ranges from mild to moderate to severe. No matter the severity, the key characteristic in people who have AUD is an impaired ability to control their alcohol use despite consequences....

Lip cancer is a type of oral (mouth) cancer that occurs when malignant (cancerous) cells develop in the lips. Symptoms are similar to less serious conditions such as cold sores or chapped lips so they are often overlooked. Sun exposure and tobacco use are two of the most common risk factors for lip cancer. Because symptoms of lip cancer are in a visible area, they are usually caught early. Dentists and dental hygienists are frequently the first to catch signs of this disease....

What Is Mifeprex? Mifeprex (mifepristone) is commonly known as the abortion pill, but it’s actually taken with misoprostol to end a pregnancy. Both Mifeprex and misoprostol are prescription tablets. You can only receive Mifeprex, however, by visiting your healthcare provider. Mifeprex is an antiprogestin. This medication works by preventing progesterone (a naturally occurring sex hormone) from attaching to progesterone receptors (binding sites). Blocking progesterone activity leads to uterine and cervix effects that will end your pregnancy—when Mifeprex is combined with another medication called misoprostol....

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for treating a variety of common conditions, like arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. NSAIDs are useful because they help decrease pain, control swelling, and reduce inflammation. However, anti-inflammatory medicines also come with some side effects, especially for people who have underlying risk factors. This article discusses the pros and cons of prescription and over-the-counter NSAIDs and alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs. Prescription vs. OTC NSAIDs NSAIDs are available in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription formulations....

A commonly shared piece of advice among females—and some males—is that urinating (peeing) after sex can reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). So, what actually is true? As with all words of wisdom, there are truths intermingled with misconceptions that can be hard to separate. This article explores whether peeing after sex has any benefit in the prevention of UTIs or STIs....

In 1862, Dr. John Langdon Down noted that some of his patients shared a combination of distinct physical features, medical issues, and cognitive impairments. Tying these similarities together, Down concluded that his patients had a specific syndrome. Down reported his observations in a medical journal and was the first to describe what we now know as Down syndrome. Physical Features of Down Syndrome While not all people with Down syndrome share the exact same physical characteristics, there are some features that tend to occur in this genetic disorder....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints. This leads to joint inflammation and pain, often of the hands, feet, wrists, or ankles. While autoimmune disorders mainly affect a specific organ system (like the joints in RA), they can also cause inflammation throughout the body. When inflammation is more widespread, it can lead to fevers. This article discusses fevers associated with RA, how to treat them, and when to be concerned....

Bariatric surgery is a life-altering experience. No matter which weight loss surgery you choose, the procedure is expensive and will require that you make big changes to your lifestyle. As with any surgery, there are benefits and shortcomings to consider. In some cases, the impact on your life may make you wonder if it is truly worth the cost and risks. To make the best decision, speak honestly and openly with your surgeon about the pros and cons of bariatric surgery....

Spinach is not a top food allergen, but some people are allergic to it. You may notice specific symptoms after you eat spinach if you are allergic, like gastrointestinal, nasal, respiratory, or skin problems. This article explains spinach allergy symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Spinach Allergy and Histamine Intolerance Link While histamine intolerance and food allergies share some symptoms, they are not the same thing. Histamine intolerance is when the body cannot process high histamine levels naturally present in some foods....

Less than 4% of adults who undergo a colonoscopy experience complications, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open in June. But that number is higher in older adults, especially those with underlying health conditions. Key Takeaways A new study shows that older adults are at a slightly higher risk of complications after having a colonoscopy.An additional study found a high-quality colonoscopy is associated with over 17 years’ worth of lower colorectal cancer risk....

The COVID-19 pandemic provided unique challenges for people living with kidney disease, particularly those with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are at risk of serious complications from coronavirus infection. Telehealth, initially seen as a means to alleviate the burden on overstressed healthcare systems, is now regarded as a viable and effective tool to manage many chronic health conditions, including kidney disease. Telehealth is not without its challenges and limitations. But, when used appropriately with the right tools and technologies, it can provide people with kidney disease high levels of care and oversight, even those on home dialysis....

A healthy diet is important for everyone, and especially so when you have arthritis. Evidence shows how you eat can influence some arthritis symptoms. The link between diet and arthritis is complex. To find the dietary changes most likely to help you, you need to know what’s best for your type of arthritis. This article will walk you through the latest research so you can make informed decisions about making nutritional changes....

More than 1.43 million Americans live in nursing homes, but how do they pay for it? The majority of people rely on Medicaid to foot the bill. Getting approved for Medicaid, however, can be tricky, especially when it comes to the Medicaid Look Back Period. Here’s what you need to know so that you can get nursing home care when you need it. High Cost of Nursing Home Care As of 2020, the average cost of a semi-private room in a nursing home in the U....

A majority of people turn to the internet for health-related information. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2021, 93% of American adults had access to the internet. Studies report that between 67.5% and 81.5% of American adults have looked online for health-related information. This increasing trend has pros and cons. One significant downside is that self-diagnosis and self-treatment based on internet findings can be hazardous to your health. In this article, you’ll learn the potential problems of self-diagnosis and treatment, who searches for health information, how to use information safely and responsibly, and how to find reliable websites for medical information....