Our body contains a host of microorganisms that are not harmful to us. However, when they grow out of control, they can make us ill. One example is the Candida yeast. Candida is found both on our skin and inside our body, in the mouth, throat, gut, and vaginal area. It is usually harmless. However, when it grows uncontrollably, especially in babies, it causes yeast infections. Yeast often proliferates in warm and moist areas....
Ovarian cysts, fluid-filled sacs that develop in and on the ovaries, can be cancerous, but the likelihood of that depends on when in a woman’s life they occur. Before menopause, or the cessation of menstruation, ovarian cysts are less likely to be cancerous. They are more likely the result of normal ovulation and other causes. After menopause, new cysts are somewhat more likely to be cancerous, though the vast majority will be harmless (benign)....
Breast cancer is possible in children but very rare. Research shows that children treated for previous cancer with radiation to the chest are the most at risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females age 15 to 39, but less than 5% of all breast cancer cases occur in this group. There are other benign reasons why a child or adolescent might develop a lump in their breast....
A celiac plexus block, sometimes referred to as a celiac nerve block, is a procedure used in the treatment of abdominal pain that has been unresponsive to other treatments. Learn about the procedure, why it’s used, possible risks, how to prepare, and the recovery time. What Is the Celiac Plexus? The celiac plexus is a cluster of nerves located in the upper abdomen. The celiac plexus is located behind the pancreas, near the body’s largest blood vessel, the aorta....
Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an organ in the digestive system that is located under the liver. The gallbladder is where bile, a substance used in digestion, is stored until it is needed. Symptoms of cholecystitis include pain in the upper center or right abdomen that can extend to the right shoulder or back, bloating, fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal tenderness. Cholecystitis might be diagnosed through the use of various procedures and/or tests that are used to get a picture of the gallbladder and the bile ducts....
Most cancers in the colon or rectum (the digestive tube located between the colon and anus) develop from polyps, which are growths that form within the colon’s inner lining. While most polyps do not turn into cancer, the ones that are most likely to are called adenomatous polyps or adenomas. Large polyps (greater than 1 centimeter), polyps that contain abnormal cells (called dysplastic polyps), and having two or more polyps within the colon also increases the likelihood of colon cancer....
Depression affects at least 350 million people around the world. Women are twice as likely to deal with its symptoms as men. Countless factors can influence how the female body and mind respond to life’s changes and challenges. These include genetic issues, physical problems, and social factors. Understanding how depression develops in women can help you prevent or manage its symptoms. This article covers causes and signs of depression, along with ways to improve your mood....
Developmental psychology is the study of how humans grow, change, and adapt across the course of their lives. Developmental psychologists research the stages of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development from the prenatal stage to infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Learn more about developmental psychology, including the definition, types, life stages, and how to seek treatment when necessary. Definition According to the American Psychological Association (APA), developmental psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how human beings grow, change, adapt, and mature across various life stages....
Garlic may have benefits that go beyond flavoring food. It has been shown to have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. It has also been linked to a reduced risk of developing certain cancers. Although there is still much to be learned about the exact role garlic might play in reducing the risk of cancer, it might have some benefits in cancers of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as well as the breast and prostate....
If you’re living with eosinophilic gastritis, a condition that causes inflammation in the digestive system, knowing which foods to eat and which to avoid can be a challenge. Many people with eosinophilic gastritis follow a special diet, such as an elimination diet or elemental diet, that may help provide relief from symptoms. While eating a specific diet won’t cure eosinophilic gastritis, this article will discuss nutritional strategies that can help reduce symptoms and improve your overall health and well-being....
Black people in the United States are not only more likely to get hepatitis C, a viral infection affecting the liver, but also are less likely to access treatment for this now-curable disease. These factors contribute to disproportionately high death rates among Black people with hepatitis compared to all other racial or ethnic groups. This article offers facts and statistics about hepatitis C in the Black community. It explores why infection rates remain high and testing and treatment rates remain low despite increased awareness about the disease....
Chondrocalcinosis, also known as calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) and pseudogout, is a condition where calcium pyrophosphate crystals build up in the joints. It is a type of arthritis that causes inflammation, stiffness, tenderness, redness, and warmth of the joints. It usually affects one joint, but it may also affect several joints at once. Symptoms of chondrocalcinosis can be similar to gout (a type of arthritis caused by uric acid crystals in the joints) or other kinds of arthritis....
If you spend a lot of time each day in front of a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, you are likely to experience symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain. Many people experience this eyestrain and irritation. Computer glasses are prescription glasses specially designed to allow you to work comfortably at a computer or when using other digital devices. Computer Vision Syndrome and Digital Eye Strain CVS is a collection of symptoms caused by prolonged computer or digital device use....
Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar (glucose) levels are elevated but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. If prediabetes is not treated, it may progress into type 2 diabetes, a chronic condition associated with heart, nerve, eye, kidney, and blood vessel complications. This article addresses the management of prediabetes, which predominantly involves diet, exercise, and weight loss. It also reviews how a prescription drug called metformin and various complementary therapies may be used to help treat prediabetes....
A hydrogen breath test is used to measure the amount of hydrogen gas in a person’s breath. It can be used as part of diagnosing some digestive conditions, especially small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), carbohydrate malabsorption (including lactose intolerance), and if food is moving too slowly through the small intestine. This type of test was first described in 1975, but it has not always been widely used. People may be given the option of taking this test if they have symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea that are going on for a long time (chronic)....
If you have Parkinson’s disease, you probably realize that all of your relationships – those with your spouse, partner, family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances – can change. They can change in a good way (you renew and deepen a connection) or in a bad way (you completely lose a relationship). The most important thing to remember when reflecting on how Parkinson’s influences your relationships is that you have some say in the matter....
There are many reasons why you may experience kidney pain, some of which are more serious than others. The pain may be the sign of an infection, injury, or another health concern, like a kidney stone. Because the pain is experienced inside the body, it can sometimes be confused with muscular back pain. The symptoms can also vary based on the underlying cause, ranging from a dull, creeping ache to a deeply intense pain accompanied by vomiting and fever....
Measles is a viral infection that today is most common in underdeveloped nations like Nigeria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1,282 cases of the illness were confirmed in the United States in 2019. This number, although relatively low compared to cases in other countries, was the highest the United States has seen since 1992. This article highlights important facts and statistics you should know about measles....
It can be difficult to cope with osteoarthritis symptoms that interfere with usual activities of daily living. The best way to cope with physical limitations is to know you are doing everything you can do in terms of pain relief and improving physical function. There are actions that can improve your ability to cope—and to feel better both physically and emotionally. Emotional Being diagnosed with, and living with, osteoarthritis can be overwhelming....
Prostate massage is a procedure in which a finger is inserted into the rectum to stimulate the prostate gland either for sexual stimulation or to treat medical conditions such an enlarged prostate, prostatitis (prostate inflammation), erectile dysfunction, and urination hesitancy (difficulty urinating). This article will discuss the medical and sexual purposes of prostate massage. It also covers how the procedure is done, along with the risks and side effects that may come with it....
