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The ketogenic diet for epilepsy (KDE) is a special diet that has helped many children and some adults achieve better (or even full) control of their seizures. It’s a first-line treatment for a few specific epilepsy syndromes, such as epilepsy due to mutations in GLUT-1 or pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency. Background The ketogenic diet for epilepsy was developed in the 1920s by a Michigan healthcare provider named Hugh Conklin. However, once effective medications were developed, the diet was used less and less frequently....

Laryngeal cancer is a type of cancer that affects the larynx, the organ we commonly know as the voice box. Around 12,500 Americans are diagnosed with laryngeal cancer each year, of which an estimated 3,500 will die of the disease. Anatomy The larynx contains the vocal cords and is divided into three parts: the glottis, the true vocal folds, around which 60 percent of cancers developthe supraglottis, situated above the glottis, where 35 percent of cancers occurthe subglottis, situated just below the glottis The location of a tumor can produce different symptoms and require different treatment approaches....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease, meaning it usually gets worse over time. However, with treatment and symptom management, people with the condition can have a good quality of life. Additionally, while MS is a lifelong disease that cannot be cured, a person with the disease will not necessarily die sooner than someone who does not have the condition. Here is an overview of the potential long-term effects of MS, including how people with the disease can cope with these effects....

Non-HDL cholesterol refers to all your cholesterol values minus your HDL cholesterol. When a healthcare professional draws blood to evaluate your cholesterol levels, they usually report four numbers: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol: Often deemed “bad” cholesterol because of its propensity to build up in the arteries and contribute to plaque formation, the central component of atherosclerosisHigh-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol: Often deemed “good” cholesterol because it helps the body rid itself of excess cholesterol that may potentially clog the arteriesTriglycerides: A type of fat (lipid) found in your bloodTotal cholesterol: Includes all of the above In essence, non-HDL cholesterol is a measure of the not-so-good cholesterol levels in your body....

Crohn’s disease, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, can affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, from the mouth to the anus. The GI system is responsible for taking in and extracting the nutrients from substances ingested and then eliminating waste from the body. In perianal Crohn’s disease (PCD), symptoms and inflammation are centralized around the anus. It’s associated with skin tags, ulcers, fissures, fistulas, and abscesses in or around the perianal area....

Snoring is the loud, harsh sound that results when tissues in the back of your throat vibrate while you sleep. It happens when air can’t move freely through your upper airway. The effect makes the throat and nasal tissue vibrate and make the sound of “sawing wood,” the term often used to describe snoring. Snoring can be harmless and have little impact on your quality of sleep. You may not even know you snore until someone else complains that the telltale noise is disturbing their sleep....

Swan neck deformity is an abnormal positioning of the joints in your fingers. It’s named because of the way an affected finger bends, giving it a curved appearance similar to the neck of a swan. The deformity can be caused by trauma or injury to the finger, as well as by diseases that attack the joints of the fingers, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Swan neck deformity can be treated with surgical and nonsurgical options....

Each year, around 9,000 males are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the United States, the majority of whom are White. However, this form of cancer is considered rare, accounting for less than .5% of males with cancer. This article explains testicular cancer, its prevalence, and who is most likely to be affected. It also explores the causes and risk factors of testicular cancer and survival rates in the United States....

The perineum is the area between the genitals and anus. During childbirth, this fleshy area is strained as you bear down and push out your baby. The pressure can lead to tears in the perineum. If you’re at risk for tearing, your doctor may recommend making a cut to open up the area before you start pushing. This can allow for an easier delivery, but it could lead to some complications....

Common toenail problems include fungal infections, ingrown toenails, and trauma (injuries). You may notice toenail symptoms such as: CrumblingThickeningDiscolorationSwellingPainWarmthFalling off This article provides an overview of the three most common toenail problems, as well as their symptoms, causes, and treatment options. Ingrown Toenail An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the toenail, usually on the big toe, grows into the skin next to it (called the lateral nail fold)....

Type 2 diabetes can result from lifestyle factors like lack of exercise and poor diet. Regular exercise can significantly reduce complications of type 2 diabetes. Exercise can decrease body fat, lower blood pressure, and prevent high blood sugar. This article will review important points to take into consideration when beginning an exercise plan with type 2 diabetes and how to create an exercise routine that will work for you. Talk to Your Healthcare Provider Always make sure to consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise program to make sure you are healthy enough to support an increase in physical activity....

Chills are the shaking, shivering, trembling, and cold feeling you get when your core body temperature drops. Chills can be uncomfortable, but they help raise your core temperature back to a healthy range. When you have chills, your muscles rapidly relax and contract in response to causes like cold temperatures, viruses, or infections. There are common infections that can cause fevers and chills, as well as side effects from medications, reactions to exercise, hypothyroidism (underactive thryroid), hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), malnutrition (a lack of nutrients), or frisson (a brief thrill)....

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious illness that often causes mild upper respiratory symptoms, similar to a cold. However, for infants, older adults, and people who have a weakened immune system or certain underlying health problems, RSV can cause serious lower respiratory illnesses, which means that it may involve the lungs. There is no cure for RSV; rather, treatment involves managing the symptoms (e.g., drinking fluids and lowering fever), as well as monitoring closely for breathing problems, which may warrant hospitalization....

A voiding cystourethrogram is a medical examination that entails obtaining images of your urinary bladder with an X-ray. The examination is mainly used to diagnose bladder issues and is performed by a radiologist with the assistance of an X-ray technician. Purpose of Test A voiding cystourethrogram is most commonly used to diagnose urinary reflux, also known as vesicoureteral reflux or simply reflux. The condition is often characterized by recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs)....

Nummular eczema is a type of eczema that is distinguished, in large part, by coin-shaped (round or oval) spots on the skin. The rash can be itchy or not, dry or wet, and cause significant discomfort. Treating nummular eczema is difficult, as it does not affect everyone who has it in the same way, and its root cause is not known. Symptoms Though nummular eczema can appear anywhere on the body, the condition typically affects the arms and legs....

What do LeBron James and adults over 50 have in common? Apparently, their common ground is pickleball. The NBA legend recently purchased a Major League Pickleball team, joining the legions of sports fans that have taken country clubs, community centers, and senior living centers by storm. Key Takeaways Pickleball, a paddle-based sport that borrows from tennis and badminton, is growing in popularity among older adults.Because of its small court, moderately-paced gameplay, and simple rules, the game is welcoming to newcomers....

From the early days of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the question of whether a prior infection should count as equivalent to a dose of vaccine has emerged and re-emerged in both scientific and political circles. Key Takeaways Some data suggest that people who are recovered from COVID-19 may be as protected against future infection as a vaccinated individual.Verifying infections and counting them among an individual’s vaccine doses may be too logistically complicated at this point in the pandemic....

Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow food dye. It is also called FD&C yellow #5. Tartrazine is one of several azo food dyes made from petroleum products, and among several dyes and food additives studied for potential health impacts. Yellow #5 adds color to make foods and soft drinks look more appealing. It’s also approved for use in pills and other medications, and in personal care products such as skin care products, shampoo, and cosmetics....

Acne conglobata is a very severe, but fairly rare, form of inflammatory acne. Acne conglobata causes large inflammatory pimples, papules, and deep nodules. Nodules grow very large and are often dome-shaped. Breakouts often drain bad-smelling pus. What separates acne conglobata from the more common nodulocystic acne is that acne conglobata causes large draining abscesses and sinus tracts. Now, these sinus tracts don’t have anything to do with the sinuses of your respiratory tract....

What Is Aristada? Aristada is a long-acting, injectable medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults. Aristada belongs to a group of drugs called antipsychotics. Antipsychotics affect the activity of certain natural brain chemicals, including dopamine and serotonin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued boxed warnings for Aristada. Talk with your healthcare provider about these risks before starting treatment. What Is Aristada Used For? Aristada is a long-acting injectable medication used to treat schizophrenia in adults....