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The Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) is the gold standard for measuring anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure. Your inability to experience pleasure often manifests as a loss of interest in doing daily activities or hobbies you used to enjoy. The SHAPS test measures your ability to experience pleasure or the severity of your anhedonia based on what is called hedonic tone. Someone with a high SHAPS score would also have low hedonic tone, or reduced ability to feel pleasure....

Diabetes is a condition that makes it difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar (glucose) levels or to respond to insulin appropriately (insulin resistance). People with diabetes must, therefore, carefully manage their blood sugar through medication or insulin and pay close attention to the types and amounts of foods they consume. Sometimes, a person may use their diabetes diagnosis to justify or disguise their eating disorder (or disordered eating). However, managing diabetes and eating disorders often involve similar behaviors, including closely monitoring food intake, labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” and weight management....

The vastus lateralis is a muscle located on the lateral, or outside, part of your thigh. The muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles and is the largest muscle of that group. The function of the vastus laterails is to work with the other quad muscles to help extend your knee joint. It is also active in maintaining thigh and kneecap position while walking and running. This article explores the anatomy and actions of the vastus lateralis, as well as common injuries and conditions that affect it....

Lung cancer with bone metastases refers to the spread of cancer from the primary (original) tumor to the bone. The spread of cancer cells occurs either through the bloodstream or lymphatic system (a system of fluids, vessels, and organs that protect the body against foreign invaders). Bone metastases from lung cancer affect between 30% and 40% of people with advanced lung cancer. The bones are the third most common site for metastases, after the liver and adrenal glands, among people with lung cancer....

A toddler wetting the bed might not come as a surprise to parents, but a teen with the same issue might be unexpected. Yet wetting the bed during the teen years is actually not uncommon. Studies show that nighttime bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, occurs in 2% to 3% of 12-year-old children. Between 1% and 3% of children in their late teenage years wet the bed. It is more common among boys....

There are many misconceptions about Parkinson’s disease, which has led to widespread misunderstanding about what the disease really is and the effects it has on someone who is living with it. Many people believe that having Parkinson’s means you would look sick, but that’s not always the case. Living with Parkinson’s disease looks slightly different for everyone. The condition can cause symptoms like tremors or balance issues and mental health struggles such as depression....

In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic grabbed headlines and touched many people’s daily lives. Scientists around the globe collaborated to create groundbreaking vaccines, tests, and treatments. Beyond the arena of COVID-19, researchers forged ahead, chipping away at some of the biggest health issues of our time. They brought about innovations that transcended the prior limits of diagnostic tests, preventative measures, and treatments for an array of maladies. As we look ahead in 2022, we shall take a moment to acknowledge some of these breakthroughs....

As continued shutdowns have people spending more time at home and increasing their screen time, eye health experts are becoming increasingly concerned about an indirect consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic: computer vision syndrome. Key Takeaways Spending too much time in front of screens can lead to eye strain called computer vision syndrome.Computer vision syndrome leads to temporary but uncomfortable symptoms like blurred vision, dry eyes, and headaches.Making sure you properly set up your computer station, take frequent breaks, and block blue light can help reduce eye strain and keep you feeling good while working from home....

What Is Aldara? Aldara (imiquimod) is a prescription topical cream that works as an immunomodulator. As an immunomodulator, Adlara treats certain skin diseases by stimulating the immune system. Imiquimod is also available under the brand name Zyclara. What Is Aldara Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Aldara to treat: Drug Facts Generic Name: Imiquimod Actinic keratosis, also called solar keratosis, on the face and scalp in adults Condyloma acuminata (external genital warts) around the genital or anal area in patients 12 years of age or older Small superficial basal cell carcinoma (a certain kind of skin cancer), when surgery is not the best option How to Use Aldara Use Aldara exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider....

Are you having eye symptoms that you think may be due to allergies? What symptoms do people have with allergic conjunctivitis and what symptoms may mean something else is going on? How are eye allergies diagnosed, and how are they treated? Symptoms of Eye Allergies (Allergic Conjunctivitis) Symptoms of eye allergies, or allergic conjunctivitis, include watery, itchy, red, sore, swollen and stinging of the eyes. Itching of the eyes is the most common symptom of allergic conjunctivitis....

An allergy cough is caused by airborne allergens (allergy-causing substances) like tree and grass pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold. These allergens can get into your nasal passages and trigger a hypersensitive reaction. A cough caused by allergies can be similar to a cough caused by a cold, but they may differ in subtle ways. A cough caused by allergies is usually dry and may feel like an itch or tickle in your throat....

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can be treated with certain medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but the condition is not curable. However, these prescription therapies may reduce motor neuron damage, which is the cause of ALS. Management of symptoms is the cornerstone of ALS treatment. Stem cell therapy is one of the treatment options currently being examined in research studies as a potential treatment for ALS. Stem cells are special immature cells that have the potential to develop into different kinds of cells....

Though they may have similar symptoms in some cases, anal fissures and fistulas are different conditions. An anal fissure is a crack or a tear in the tissue of the anus. A fistula is when a tunnel or connection forms between two organs or the organ and the skin. Fissures and fistulas can both cause pain and bleeding. However, they are treated differently, so it’s important to tell them apart....

Progress has been made in treating ankylosing spondylitis (AS) thanks to research breakthroughs achieved through clinical trials. In addition, new medications, therapies, and treatment strategies have revolutionized the management of AS and improved people’s lives. For people living with AS, clinical trials offer the opportunity to try promising new treatments and different approaches to using existing therapies before they become available to the general public. This article discusses what you need to know about ankylosing spondylitis clinical trials, including their efficacy and safety, potential benefits and risks, and how to find and enroll in an ankylosing spondylitis clinical trial....

Asymptomatic means the absence of symptoms. If your provider tells you that you have a disease or condition but are asymptomatic, it means your medical condition is not producing any noticeable symptoms indicating that you are sick. The term asymptomatic is often used to describe cases of illness that are symptom-free for all or part of the time. However, the term pre-symptomatic is sometimes used to differentiate those cases that start with no symptoms but then go on to develop them....

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age and one of the most misunderstood. BV is associated with the same risk factors as the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. In fact, scientists aren’t even entirely sure which mechanisms give rise to BV or why some women are prone to the infection and others aren’t. What is known is that, whatever the underlying cause, BV is the result of an imbalance in the vaginal flora, the bacteria that live inside the vagina....

Your blood sugar naturally goes up with age, which increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. In fact, more than 20% of the people diagnosed with the disease are over age 65—that’s more than any other age group. Blood sugar (glucose) targets for those over 65 are less strict than those for younger people. The diabetes management plan may also be different. This article looks at the challenges of managing diabetes after 65, blood sugar targets, how to monitor your glucose, and the benefits of dietary changes and medication....

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer, finding a breast cancer specialist is an important step in taking charge of your treatment plan. You won’t need just one breast cancer doctor, but an entire treatment team that involves oncologists (cancer doctors), nurses, and social workers. Finding a team that you trust and feel comfortable with is crucial. Remember, you are entitled to feel valued, respected, and informed during your breast cancer treatment....

Most people think a yeast infection is primarily a women’s health problem. The condition may be less common in males, but men can also get yeast infections. The fungus candidiasis causes yeast infections, and it’s one of the most common types of fungal infections. Yeast infections can develop anywhere on the skin, but the fungus prefers areas where moisture can accumulate. Common places for yeast infections include the genital area, skin folds, the belly button, the mouth, and the throat....

Chiggers are tiny, biting pests that feed on skin and leave behind itchy, reddish bumps. They’re active during warm weather and typically latch onto you when you move through their habitat, which is tall grass, weeds, and wooded areas, especially near water. While annoying, chigger bites are fairly easy to treat. Better yet, you can take steps to prevent them. This article describes what chiggers are, how they bite, and the symptoms they cause....