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Because hair growth is affected by hormones, you may experience hair loss if you’re taking hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control includes treatments that are implanted, injected, or taken orally. Read more about how birth control can cause hair loss, as well as its benefits, risks, and other symptoms. Article Synopsis This article discusses how hormonal birth control may cause hair loss. It provides general overviews of the risks, benefits, and other side effects associated with hormonal birth control....

Cancer cells differ from normal cells in the body in many ways. Normal cells become cancerous when a series of mutations leads the cells to continue to grow and divide out of control. In this way, cancer cells achieve a sort of immortality. Also, unlike normal cells that remain in the region where they began, cancer cells have the ability to both invade nearby tissues and spread to distant regions of the body....

The life-saving lung cancer surgery that removes malignant tumors can, in some instances, cause debilitating chest pain, breathing discomfort, burning sensations, and pain with movement. Not all people who undergo surgery for non-small cell lung cancer develop this post-operative problem, but it is common with lobectomy and pneumonectomy. Thankfully, the discomfort is typically manageable and should eventually pass. If you find yourself suffering from chronic pain after lung surgery, you should discuss it with your healthcare provider immediately so you can begin treatments that can help you deal with the pain while ensuring you stay on the road toward remission....

If it feels like your seasonal allergies have become more severe and longer-lasting in recent years, you may be right. And new research shows climate change is to blame. Key Takeaways Pollen seasons grew by 20 days and had 21% more pollen over the last 40 years.Rising temperatures appear to be the most significant factor driving the change.More severe pollen seasons are linked to worse outcomes for people with asthma and allergies....

Gout is a condition characterized by flare-ups of joint pain and inflammation brought on by the crystallization of excessive levels of uric acid in the affected joint. Other symptoms of gout resemble those of flu, such as fever and muscle aches There is not cure for gout and coping with the condition can be challenging: Flare-ups can occur with no warning and last days or weeks, significantly affecting quality of life....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause a range of eye and vision problems, including twitching, blurry or double vision, and even permanent vision loss. The problems are caused by the way this autoimmune disease attacks the protective covering of nerve cells (the myelin sheath) of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes. This destruction can lead to pain, difficulty with coordination, muscle weakness, and vision impairment. This article discusses the connection between MS and eye issues, treatment options, and prevention....

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, or HHT, is a genetic disorder that affects the blood vessels. Also called Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome, HHT results in symptoms and manifestations that can vary a lot from person to person. It is also possible to have HHT and not know you have it, and some people are first diagnosed after they develop serious complications due to HHT. Nearly 90% of those with HHT will have recurrent nosebleeds, but more severe complications are also relatively common....

Herpes blood tests are highly accurate. They have a sensitivity level of 96% to 100% in detecting herpes. If you think you have herpes because you have symptoms or suspect that you may have been exposed to the virus through sex, a healthcare provider can offer you a blood test to confirm whether you have been infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes blood testing is a two-step process in which an initial positive result is followed by a second confirmatory test....

Mask mandates are gradually disappearing. That leaves many people wondering about whether improved ventilation strategies in indoor public spaces help reduce transmission of COVID-19. Key Takeaways Proper air flow can help reduce COVID-19 transmission indoors, even as mask mandates fall away.Air filters can protect again all three types of COVID transmission: inhalation, deposition, and touching.Research shows adding portable air purifiers to spaces that already have HVAC systems can significantly enhance air circulation....

Diagnosing and treating a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the early stages is important to avoid complications and prevent transmission of the infection. Most STDs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and human papillomavirus (HPV), are diagnosed with a blood, urine, or swab test performed in a healthcare provider’s office or sexual health clinic. STDs cause a diverse variety of symptoms or may present with no symptoms at all....

Very often, children (and adults) with autism respond positively to certain types of sensory input. Some, for example, find weighted vests and tight clothing calming, while others are able to focus better when engaged in physical activity. Sensory rooms provide a range of calming and stimulating sensory inputs that can be designed for a group or for a particular individual’s needs. While it’s possible to spend a great deal of money to provide your child with a sensory space that addresses their needs, it’s also quite possible to do the same thing on a very limited budget....

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood glucose levels drop too low to support normal body functions. It is usually defined as a blood glucose level less than 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). In pregnant people, it occurs most often among those with chronic diabetes mellitus. It can also result from gestational diabetes, which begins when you’re pregnant. Though rare, this problem can arise from other causes. Low blood sugar can cause fatigue, heart palpitations, and fainting....

Some people living with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) report that symptoms improve when they follow a gluten-free diet. Gluten is a protein composite found in barley, rye, and wheat grains, and a common element in breads, cereals, and products that include it as a food additive. However, before placing yourself on a restricted diet that may or may not be helpful, it is important to learn more about overlaps among IBS, celiac disease, and gluten intolerance....

Intergenerational trauma is the theory that trauma can be inherited because there are genetic changes in a person’s DNA. The changes from trauma do not damage the gene (genetic change). Instead, they alter how the gene functions (epigenetic change). Epigenetics is the study of the effects that environment and behavior have on genes. For example, in 2008, researchers found an association between prenatal exposure to famine and an offspring’s later adult disease risk....

A small number of teenagers and young adults have developed an inflammatory condition of the heart muscles (myocarditis) after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. No link has been established between the condition and vaccination, but the cases are being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is looking into a small number of cases of heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis) in teenagers and young adults that occurred within days of receiving their second COVID vaccination dose....

A labile mood is characterized by emotions that shift quickly, drastically, and uncontrollably. Labile mood is typically associated with an underlying health condition. It can be a symptom of a mental health condition, or it can occur with conditions that affect the brain. This article discusses mood lability—what it is, what causes it, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated. Symptoms of Labile Mood It’s normal to experience various emotions throughout the day, but these shifts in mood are typically related to things that happen or thoughts that are occurring....

We don’t know the precise causes of liver cancer, but risk factors include excessive alcohol use, smoking, liver infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, certain other medical and genetic conditions, and other concerns. Liver cancer can affect both children and adults but occurs most often in adults. There are several types of liver cancer, but the risk factors below refer to adult primary liver cancer, called hepatocellular carcinoma and bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)....

Naproxen and ibuprofen belong to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are better known by their brand names Aleve (naproxen) and Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen). Both work to inhibit chemicals that cause inflammation in the body due to arthritis. These two NSAIDs also have differences. For example, naproxen offers long-lasting relief and is taken twice daily. On the other hand, ibuprofen is a shorter-acting anti-inflammatory that is taken every four to six hours....

What Is Nayzilam? Nayzilam (midazolam) is a prescription nasal spray used to treat seizure clusters—groups of seizures that occur over a short time. Nayzilam is an anticonvulsant that belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines, sometimes referred to as “benzos.” Benzodiazepines work to control seizures by calming nerve impulses in the brain. What Is Nayzilam Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nayzilam for the acute (short-term) treatment of seizure clusters in people aged 12 years and older....

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that develops because of bone loss. The result is weak and brittle bones that are prone to fractures even from low-impact movements. To find out if you have or are at risk for osteoporosis, you will need a bone density test. A bone density scan produces a number called a T-score. The numerical value will give your doctor an idea of where your bone density currently is....