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Durezol, known generically as difluprednate, is a topical emulsion that is used for treating eye-related pain, redness, and swelling. This corticosteroid drop tamps down on the inflammatory response of many agents that would otherwise interfere with healing. It also works to inhibit inflammatory-related scar formation. Uses This emulsion, approved in 2008, has the distinction of being the first steroid specifically approved for ocular pain management. It has also been approved for treating ocular inflammation related to:...

We don’t always see it, but our environment is shaping our health every moment of every day. Where we live, what we eat, and how we interact with the world around us can tip the scales (sometimes literally) between healthy or not. That’s where environmental health professionals, policies, and programs all come into play. While we tend to think about health in terms of personal choices—like whether we exercise or get vaccinated—a lot of external things can influence how healthy we are, including whether we get sick or injured....

The greater petrosal nerve branches off of the facial nerve in the skull. Along with a chain of other nerves, it innervates (provides nerve function to) the lacrimal gland, which produces tears. Also referred to as the greater superficial petrosal nerve, it’s related to structures called the pterygopalatine ganglion, the geniculate ganglion, and the foramen lacerum. Most nerves are either sensory (providing information through your five senses), motor (providing movement), or mixed, meaning they serve both functions....

Even with great health insurance, cancer treatments can quickly get expensive. Add in lost wages from being unable to work when you are sick and people with cancer can quickly find themselves in the red. If you have a friend or family member with cancer, one of the more practical ways to help is fundraising. There are endless ways to raise funds for a loved one with cancer. You can make it as easy or elaborate as you’d like from simply online crowdfunding and selling T-shirts or homemade goods to a gala benefit event....

Implantation cramps happen sometimes when a fertilized egg implants or attaches itself into the uterine lining—in other words, when you first get pregnant. Some people may get these cramps while others may not feel anything at all. Often, implantation cramps feel similar to menstrual cramps, but they tend to be milder. They have absolutely no impact on your pregnancy or the health of your growing fetus. Implantation cramps can easily be mistaken for menstrual cramps because they tend to occur at more or less the same time as your period (six to 10 days after the release of the egg from an ovary, known as ovulation)....

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of osteoarthritis in the United States. It is caused by progressive degeneration of the cartilage in the knee joint, which protects bones in this area from rubbing against each other. While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, also referred to as wear-and-tear arthritis or degenerative joint disease, treatments can help reduce pain and inflammation. If oral medications do not help with your knee osteoarthritis pain, your healthcare provider may suggest injecting a medication directly into the knee joint....

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a medical problem that causes the fetus not to grow as large as it should. It also is sometimes called “fetal growth restriction.” IUGR can cause difficulties with breathing and feeding after birth or other long-term neurological issues. It also increases the risk of stillbirth (death of the infant soon after birth) and is the second leading cause of such deaths. IUGR is about 6 times as common in developing countries compared to countries with greater resources....

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a bacteria that normally resides on people’s skin without causing problems. However, it can cause an infection when it gets under the skin or into the bloodstream. It is highly contagious and can easily spread through certain types of contact. This article discusses the symptoms of a staph infection, how it spreads, treatment, and prevention. What Is Staph? There are many different types of the bacteria Staphylococcus....

Kabuki syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple body systems. It’s characterized by distinctive facial features, delayed growth, intellectual disability, and lower than average height. The effects of this condition can be far-ranging, and specific symptoms can vary a great deal from case to case. Present in approximately one in every 32,000 newborns, it arises due to mutations of one of two genes: KMT2D (for most cases) and KDM6A....

After weeks or months of preparation, the day of your Lap-Band surgery is an exciting and busy one. To prepare for the operation, your healthcare provider may want to perform various tests to ensure your safety under anesthesia. After just an hour or so on the operating table, you’ll be expected to begin light exercise almost immediately after waking up. Under normal circumstances, expect to undergo a mere 24 hours of post-surgical monitoring before you’ll be cleared to head back home....

Migraine with aura (also called a “common migraine”) is a migraine with sensory disturbances. These disturbances can occur just before or at the same time as the migraine itself. Experiencing auras with migraine is relatively common. Estimates from the American Migraine Foundation (AMF) say at least 30 percent of people with migraines have symptoms of aura, while other evidence has placed that number at more than 50 percent. Symptoms of aura can range in severity and may be similar to symptoms that accompany more serious neurological events, such as stroke or brain tumor....

Much like perishable food products, vaccines—or, rather, the viral components that make them tick—can go bad if stored improperly. Researchers may have found a way to keep them from spoiling in hot environments, however. Key Takeaways Researchers may have found a chemical solution to vaccine storage intolerance.Vaccines are extremely temperature-sensitive and must be transported via a “cold chain” to ensure their viability.Roughly half of all vaccines produced each year have to be discarded....

One of the first steps in diagnosing lung diseases is differentiating between obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease. While both types can cause shortness of breath, obstructive lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cause more difficulty with exhaling air, while restrictive lung diseases (such as pulmonary fibrosis) can cause problems by restricting a person’s ability to inhale air. It’s a difference that might not be obvious, but the treatments differ, and diagnostic tests can distinguish between these two different categories of lung disease....

There is a relationship between depression and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). As many as 40% of women with PCOS experience depressive symptoms. One study published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology showed that suicide rates were seven times higher among women with PCOS than those without the syndrome. There are numerous reasons why women with PCOS are at a high risk of depression. A related imbalance in sex hormones or insulin could be to blame....

Pitted keratolysis is a non-contagious bacterial infection that affects the skin. The infection typically develops on the soles of the feet in people that suffer from excessive sweat, but it can also affect the palms of the hands. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for pitted keratolysis. Pitted Keratolysis Symptoms Many symptoms can develop in a person with pitted keratolysis. The most common symptom of the condition is a foul smell coming from the feet....

What Is Pradaxa? Pradaxa (dabigatran) is an orally administered prescription anticoagulant (blood thinner), specifically a direct thrombin inhibitor (DTI), available in capsule form for people 8 and older. Pradaxa is an alternative to warfarin (a blood thinner used to treat blot clots) used to reduce the risk of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AFib, a heart rhythm disorder that increases the chance of clots) not caused by a heart valve problem....

A pulmonologist is a physician who specializes in diseases of the respiratory tract. This includes the lungs, airways (mouth, nose, pharynx, larynx, and trachea), and respiratory muscles (including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles). Pulmonology, known as chest medicine is some countries, is a subspecialty of internal medicine. Pulmonologists can treat a wide range of respiratory diseases and disorders, from asthma and bronchitis right through to lung cancer and COPD. A pulmonologist requires no less than 13 years of education and training, sometimes more for certain subspecialties....

RhoGAM is a shot given to pregnant people whose blood is negative for Rhesus factor (Rh) protein but who are carrying an Rh-positive fetus. This incompatibility can cause a pregnant person’s immune system react to the Rh protein on the fetus’s red blood cells that have entered their bloodstream. This potentially causes complications like fetal brain damage and pregnancy loss in future pregnancies. RhoGAM almost completely prevents this. RhoGAM contains Rho(D) immune globulin, which are antibodies specific to the Rh protein....

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a condition that can occur when too much of the small intestine has been removed or is not absorbing nutrients as it should. Vitamins and minerals that the body needs are taken up from food as it passes through the small intestine. If the small intestine is too short to absorb enough from food, or if parts of it are not able to absorb nutrients, it can lead to malnutrition....

The only person who can determine the appropriate treatment for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a healthcare provider. A prescription medication is typically in order, and what you need depends on the type of infection you have. For example, chlamydia can be cured with antibiotics, while herpes can be managed (though not eliminated) with antiviral medication. In some cases, lifestyle changes, home remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) options may also be recommended to help ease symptoms, promote healing, or prevent recurrence....