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A fetal echocardiogram is a test that allows your healthcare provider to view your developing baby’s heart. This ultrasound test uses sound waves to look at the structures of the heart and can detect a heart defect before your baby is born. A fetal echocardiogram shows a more detailed picture of your baby’s heart than the regular pregnancy ultrasound. This article will explain what to expect during a fetal echocardiogram and how to prepare for one....

Eczema is a group of skin conditions that cause uncomfortable symptoms. One type, called flexural eczema, specifically affects the skin where your joints bend, such as the crease of your elbows and the back of your knees. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatment, prevention, and prognosis for flexural eczema in this article. Flexural Eczema Symptoms Eczema—also called atopic dermatitis—causes the same types of symptoms in any part of the body that is affected....

Fraternal twins, also known dizygotic (DZ) or nonidentical twins, are twins that result from two separate eggs released from the ovary and fertilized by two different sperm cells within the same menstrual cycle. The two fertilized eggs implant in the uterus and develop during one pregnancy. Identical, or monozygotic, twins, on the other hand, develop from one egg that’s fertilized by one sperm. The fertilized egg (zygote) then splits after fertilization....

Meningitis is a condition that affects the meninges, which are layers of tissue that cover, protect, and cushion the brain and spinal cord. It is diagnosed by identifying an infection or confirming inflammation in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. A variety of exams and tests may be done as part of the diagnostic process, but only a lumbar puncture (LP) can confirm meningitis. Also known as a spinal tap, this is an invasive but largely safe procedure that involves removing cerebrospinal fluid and then analyzing it in a lab....

Gas symptoms include burping, passing gas, sharp belly pain, and bloating. While unpleasant or even embarrassing, these are all normal bodily functions. In fact, the average person passes gas up to 23 times a day. However, if your gas is bothering you, some simple things can help relieve gas pain. Keep in mind, though, if your gas pain doesn’t go away quickly, or you also have other worrisome symptoms, there may be more going on....

If you have purchased a fitness tracker, you may wonder how to use the wearable device to improve your sleep. Sleep trackers may provide some valuable insight into an important aspect of health and well-being, but they can also be completely useless. What do these wearables measure? How accurate are these measurements? How do they differ from medical sleep studies? Importantly, how should the information collected be used to make changes to improve sleep and reduce insomnia?...

Interpersonal therapy, or interpersonal psychotherapy, (IPT) is a time-limited, highly structured form of psychotherapy (talk therapy). IPT typically consists of 12–16 hour-long sessions with a trained therapist. Sessions occur in one-on-one or group settings. Along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), IPT is the psychotherapy most commonly recommended for treating depression. Originally developed as a brief treatment for depression, IPT has been adapted to treat many other mental health disorders. IPT differs from other types of psychotherapy in its focus on an individual’s current social relationships and interactions....

Whether you were recently diagnosed or have been living with lupus for some time, what do you need to know about your day-to-day life? Let’s talk about your diagnosis, the initial strategies, your lupus care and regular medical care, as well as how to learn more about your disease and find support. Living With Lupus Those who have been newly diagnosed with lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus) may find themselves shocked at first, possibly relieved if they had envisioned something terrible, and finally, confused....

During the pandemic, many have been encouraged to manage mental health through therapy, leading to an uptick in demand for providers. Key Takeaways Due to the pandemic, mental health professionals in the U.S. are seeing an influx of clients and patients.Many therapists have adjusted to telehealth, and hope to continue its use after a return to normalcy.If you’re having trouble finding a therapist, ask about potential referrals. In November 2020, the American Psychological Association found that mental health professionals reported an almost 30% increase in the number of patients since the beginning of the pandemic....

Methemoglobinemia is an uncommon medical condition that makes some of the red blood cells unable to transport oxygen. Symptoms can range from absent to mild to life-threatening. Usually, methemoglobinemia results from certain toxins or overexposure to certain drugs, like some anesthetics (drugs used to reduce pain and sensation). A smaller number of people also have methemoglobinemia due to genetic problems present from birth. This article will discuss some of the causes and symptoms of methemoglobinemia, as well as its diagnosis, treatment, and related issues....

What Is Norpace? Norpace (disopyramide) is an orally administered prescription medication used to treat life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm problems in adults 18 and older. Norpace contains the active drug, disopyramide, which belongs to the antiarrhythmic 1A drugs class. The antiarrhythmic 1A drugs class refers to a grouping of drugs defined as sodium channel blockers that block fast sodium channels, therefore slowing conduction in fast-channel tissues. Most antiarrhythmic drugs are grouped into four main classes, and it’s important to know that these class I drugs are subdivided based on the specific kinetics (the rate of reaction) of their sodium channel effects....

The term rhinoplasty refers to surgery performed on the nose. Patients may have nose surgery to improve their breathing ability, alter the appearance of their nose, or both. Nose surgery is a specialized procedure, so choosing an experienced surgeon is crucial. Here’s what you can expect when undergoing a “nose job.” What Is Rhinoplasty? Other than in the case of a car accident (or bar fight) nose surgery is a procedure that’s typically scheduled in advance....

Oropharyngeal cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells take over a part of the oropharynx—that is, the soft palate, tonsils, and tissue in the very back of the throat and tongue. Signs typically include a lump in the throat that is sometimes painful and can make it hard to swallow or open the mouth. Most oropharyngeal cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), tobacco, alcohol, and they are diagnosed primarily through imagining tests and removing a small piece of the affected area to check for cancerous cells....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of psoriatic disease that primarily affects the joints and entheses (areas where bones meet ligaments and tendons) throughout the body. It is sometimes linked to a second kind of psoriatic disease called psoriasis, which primarily affects the skin. With both types of psoriatic disease, the immune system will malfunction for unknown reasons and start to attack healthy tissues. Some people will have both PsA and psoriasis, while others with PsA may never get psoriasis....

For years, there have been hints that some women with breast implants may be at risk for the development of a rare lymphoma. However, the evidence was at first rather flimsy, and statements from organizations such as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) had reflected that lack of evidence. In 2011, the FDA put forth the following statement about breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL):...

What Is Savella? Savella (milnacipran) is an oral prescription drug that belongs to a class of medications called selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is used to treat a condition called fibromyalgia in adults. Norepinephrine and serotonin are neurotransmitters (signaling molecules) in the brain and the rest of the nervous system. SNRIs increase the amounts of these neurotransmitters by stopping their breakdown or transport. This drug class usually treats depression and other psychological disorders....

It is not known exactly what causes schizophrenia, but a number of risk factors have been linked to the disorder. There is a strong genetic component to schizophrenia, and altered brain development and environmental factors may also play a role. People with schizophrenia can experience a number of symptoms and not everyone will experience all of them. Symptoms usually start to develop during young adulthood, between late adolescence and early 30s....

Symptoms of colon cancer in women include diarrhea, constipation, unintended weight loss, and bloody stools. While these are the same for anyone with colon cancer, symptoms in women may be misattributed to digestive disorders that affect them more often than men. Some more subtle symptoms of colon cancer in women may also be mistaken for gynecological or menstrual issues. This article reviews the symptoms of colon cancer in women and discusses risk factors to be aware of....

When you have lupus, your symptoms can make healthcare provider’s appointments difficult to get to. You now have an option that could make it easier because of the COVID-19 pandemic and advances in technology. With a telehealth appointment—from the comfort of your home—you can have your appointment on your computer, phone, or other device. Lupus is an autoimmune disease in which your body attacks various organs, which can include the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, or blood cells....

Autism is a spectrum disorder. This means people with autism have a wide range of needs and abilities. While those with high-functioning autism may not need as much support as others with autism, they may still struggle with day-to-day activities. Symptoms of high-functioning autism (HFA) in adults and children that can be challenging to deal with include: Experiencing sensory overloadNot understanding social cuesAnxiety or mood disordersPoor organizationDifficulty controlling emotionsProblems with verbal communication This article discusses the common challenges of living with high-functioning autism....