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Immunotherapy drugs for breast cancer have until recently been relatively ineffective when compared to the sometimes dramatic responses to these drugs in cancers such as melanoma and lung cancer. This changed in March 2019 with the accelerated approval of the drug Tecentriq (atezolizumab) for women and men with metastatic (stage 4) or locally advanced and unresectable triple negative breast cancer. The approval comes along with a companion test to help select which people who might benefit from the treatment....

Intramural fibroids are the most common kind of uterine fibroid. These non-cancerous growths grow in the muscular wall of the uterus (womb). They are typically found during a routine pelvic exam and often diagnosed between ages 30 and 40, though they can develop at any age. For the most part, intramural fibroids are usually harmless and do not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, they can be problematic and cause heavy periods, spotting between periods, lower back pain, and painful intercourse....

Marburg virus disease is a deadly, but rare, hemorrhagic fever similar to Ebola. While the disease typically starts out like many other tropical illnesses with fever and body aches, it can quickly lead to severe bleeding, shock, and death. As many as nine in 10 people with the virus die as a result of the infection. Outbreaks of Marburg virus are extremely uncommon. Initial cases have been linked to exposure to African fruit bats and non-human primates, but the virus can also spread from person-to-person through body fluids like blood or vomit....

What first started as a cluster of pneumonia cases in China in December 2019 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The highly-contagious infection, known as COVID-19, quickly spread to countries around the world. Available data shows that the virus is more severe in seniors and in people with chronic medical conditions, especially if they are immunocompromised or have underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or lung diseases like COPD....

Getting disability benefits if you have multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a difficult task because it’s hard to quantify the disease. Everyone with MS experiences the symptoms differently. A person with MS also might be symptom-free at times. However, MS symptoms can become disabling as the disease progresses and make it harder for a person to participate in activities such as work. Many people with MS who apply for disability are denied the first time they apply....

Oral corticosteroids are a type of drug taken by mouth that have their place in the treatment of asthma. They are most often used when a person has a severe asthma attack to rapidly reduce airway inflammation and relieve asthma symptoms. Oral steroids can also be used for the long-term control of severe asthma when other drugs fail to provide relief. Though effective in controlling severe asthma symptoms, oral steroids need to used sparingly to avoid potentially serious side effects....

Pastoral counseling is a form of psychotherapy that combines both psychology and spirituality. Unlike religious counseling that may be done by religious leaders or figures, pastoral counselors are trained mental healthcare professionals in addition to having in-depth training in religion and/or theology. Pastoral counseling uses existing psychological and therapeutic models and incorporates faith-based ideas. While individual pastoral counselors may represent specific religions, the concept and framework of pastoral counseling is not tied to any one religion or faith....

A phobia is an excessive, persistent, and irrational fear of something, and is a type of anxiety disorder. It can be directed toward objects, places, activities, situations, animals, or people. We all try to avoid things that make us feel uncomfortable, but people with phobias work hard to avoid what scares them, so much so that it disrupts their daily activities. Symptoms can range from mildly inconvenient (like sweating) to disabling (like avoidance behaviors that make someone miss out on important opportunities)....

Psoriasis injections are commonly used in people with moderate to severe psoriasis who do not respond to topical or oral treatments. Methotrexate, an immune suppressant drug, and biologic drugs such as Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Stelara (ustekinumab) are examples of injectable psoriasis medications. In addition to these, injected corticosteroids (steroids) may be used on occasion to bring a psoriasis flare-up under control. Each of these injectable drugs works differently but ultimately dampens the overactive immune response that triggers psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms....

Not everyone who has experienced trauma needs to be treated, but some people may need professional help to overcome the psychological distress from a traumatic event. Approximately 10% to 20% of individuals exposed to trauma experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms that are persistent and associated with impairment. Thankfully, PTSD is very treatable, and treatment often includes different forms of psychotherapy and prescription medications. Most people with PTSD need to confront, process, and integrate the traumatic experiences that caused their symptoms of PTSD in order to get relief from this mental disorder....

If you are experiencing severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity, you might consider a clinical trial for RA. In a clinical trial, you have access to the newest treatments and additional care from clinical trial coordinators, who are generally rheumatologists (medical doctors trained in diagnosing and treating arthritis and other disease of the joints, bones, and muscles) and scientists knowledgeable about RA. Even with mild or moderate disease, entering a clinical trial can allow you to help researchers better understand RA’s effects and contribute to bringing about better medicines and treatment approaches....

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), now formally known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is a cyclical type of depression that occurs in a regular relationship to the seasons. It can be a disabling mental health condition, but it is also highly treatable. Light therapy is a unique treatment for seasonal affective disorder that occurs in the fall or winter months, with evidence to support 10,000 lux brightness for 30 minutes daily....

Subcutaneous emphysema is a rare condition in which air becomes trapped under the skin. This is most likely to occur in the chest, neck, and face, but it can happen in any part of the body. Specifically, the air is trapped in the innermost of the skin’s three layers, known as the subcutaneous layer. Subcutaneous emphysema can be caused by medical procedures, surgeries, accidents, injuries, or infections. Symptoms can vary, but swelling and a crackling noise when the skin is touched are considered standard....

Sugar intolerance describes difficulty digesting certain types of sugar and does not involve the immune system reaction that happens with an allergy. In some individuals, sugar can cause various symptoms, including digestive issues, migraines, hives, and wheezing. While these symptoms may feel allergy-like, keep in mind that certain types of sugar intolerance are common, but having a true sugar allergy is rare. Intolerance vs. Allergy In general, when you first ingest a food that you’re allergic to, your body forms an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE)....

If your wife or partner has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are many things you can do to help support her. You can work together on making the lifestyle changes that can help manage her condition, for example. It is also important for you to understand her condition and what she is feeling. PCOS is neither a fatal nor inherently dangerous disease and the vast majority of women with the condition do just fine....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions diagnosed in children. This means there are differences in the ADHD brain that affect development. Children with ADHD may have difficulty paying attention to parents and teachers, following rules and staying on task, and behaving in appropriate ways. They may seem overly active, disruptive, and impulsive. Symptoms may change throughout their lifetime, but adult ADHD does exist and can cause difficulties in relationships, work, and everyday life....

Trixaicin (capsaicin), is a topical cream, ointment, or gel that is used relieve minor pain in muscles and joints caused by arthritis, backaches, muscle strains, bruises, cramps, and sprains. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in Trixaicin, is derived from chile peppers. Chile or chile pepper plants are categorized under the genus Capsicum, belonging to a dicotyledonous group of flowering plants. Chilis have widely been regarded for their therapeutic properties and have been used for pain relief for centuries....

Fibrosis can develop on any tissue in the body but most commonly affects the lungs and skin. Several types of fibrosis can develop, depending on what’s causing it. Learn more about types of fibrosis, their causes, and risk factors. What Is Fibrosis? The term “fibrosis” is used to describe tissue that has overgrown, hardened, and/or scarred as a result of chronic inflammatory processes. Unlike acute inflammation, chronic inflammation lasts for months....

Under Section 1331 of the Affordable Care Act, each state has the option to establish a Basic Health Program (BHP) that provides affordable, comprehensive health coverage to residents who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but not more than 200% of the poverty level. This article will explain what BHPs are, how they work, and where they’re available. Only two states—New York and Minnesota—have created Basic Health Programs as of 2022, but in those states, residents with modest income have access to more affordable health coverage than they would have in the rest of the country....

Allergy testing measures how a person reacts to specific allergens, such as tree pollen, pet dander, foods, medications or molds. A “positive” allergy test means that a person has a specific allergic antibody to the substance tested. This often means that the person is allergic to the substance, meaning that the person will experience symptoms when exposed to the allergen. However, a positive allergy test does not necessarily mean that the person is indeed allergic to the substance....