The exact reason why scabs itch isn’t completely clear, but scientists have a few theories. When you get a cut or scrape, your body releases chemicals called histamines, which may cause irritation and itching. And as the wound heals, the action of new cell formation can be interpreted by the brain as an itching sensation. An itchy scab can be irritating, but it’s typically a sign that a wound is healing correctly....
Most people are fairly used to the idea that a major claim on their car insurance policy or homeowners policy could trigger a premium increase (note that this certainly isn’t always the case). So it’s a common misconception that the same is true for health insurance. But that’s not the case, and it wasn’t the case even before the Affordable Care Act reformed the health insurance market. This article will explain how health insurance rate changes work, and how medical claims affect them....
Traits of a covert narcissist are similar to those of someone with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The main difference is covert narcissists don’t demonstrate the same sense of superiority, arrogance, or entitlement. Instead, people with covert narcissism suffer from feelings of inadequacy, are often shy and withdrawn, and have a tendency to put themselves down. Though they are less obvious to spot than classic narcissists, covert narcissists can be frustrating to deal with and cause you to question your own mental health....
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection that evolves in four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary. The most advanced form is tertiary syphilis. Tertiary syphilis is a severe illness that develops 10–30 years after the initial infection. The disease damages many different internal organs. This article will discuss what syphilis is and how it is transmitted. It will focus on the symptoms of tertiary syphilis and will go into detail regarding the affected organ systems....
An essential part of treating Clostridioides difficile (C. diff, previously known as Clostridium difficile), a bacterial infection, is maintaining a diet that helps alleviate the primary symptom—diarrhea. A highly contagious organism, C. diff primarily impacts people over age 65, particularly those who are taking antibiotics and are in the hospital or living in a facility such as a senior care center. This article covers the foods you can and can’t eat with C....
According to Planned Parenthood, masturbation is the safest form of sexual activity. If you don’t have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), also referred to as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you can’t get one from masturbating yourself. However, if you masturbate someone or someone masturbates you, certain STIs can be passed, particularly through skin-to-skin contact. You can also pass certain STIs from one part of your body to another, such as from your genitals to your mouth or eyes....
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids act on the body’s endocannabinoid system to regulate anxiety, mood, and appetite. CBD is extracted from cannabis plants (e.g., Cannabis indica, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis ruderalis). However, the hemp plant (Cannabis ruderalis) typically contains higher quantities of CBD. CBD is then mixed with a carrier oil to make CBD oil. The other main component of Cannabis indica and Cannabis sativa species–but not typically Cannabis ruderalis—is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)....
Chromium is a trace element found in certain foods and the environment. There are two known forms: trivalent (chromium 3+) and hexavalent (chromium 6+). The trivalent form is found in foods and supplements, while toxic hexavalent chromium is found in industrial pollution. Due to its effects on insulin action, chromium is an essential nutrient. Some people take chromium to manage diabetes, weight gain, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and blood cholesterol levels....
Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is a rare, aggressive, and deadly type of brain cancer that primarily affects children under the age of 10. The tumor grows in the brainstem, which sits at the back of the neck where the brain meets the spinal cord. It’s made up of glial cells, which makes it a type of glioma. Glial cells act as supportive cells around neurons. With DIPG, glial cells grow out of control, eventually squeezing and damaging the healthy brain tissue....
There are several types of hearing loss. Sometimes it’s temporary, caused by fluid in the ear or a blockage. Or it can be permanent, the result of ear damage from loud noises, aging, an infectious disease, or another cause. You may not be able to hear anything other than ringing in the ear, or you may still notice muffled sounds. People can be born with hearing loss, but it can happen at any time to one or both ears....
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium (lining of the uterus, or womb) grows outside the uterus. The lesions or implants can grow anywhere in the body. However, they are most commonly found in the pelvic area (between the hips) and in or around reproductive organs. These lesions respond to hormones and grow and bleed, causing inflammation, pain, heavy periods, and sometimes infertility. Many of the symptoms of endometriosis are tied to the location, size, and depth of lesions....
Ergot alkaloids include a group of medicines used to treat severe headaches and other conditions. Two major types of substance contain ergot alkaliods—naturally occurring chemicals and manufactured drugs. The naturally occurring chemicals are produced by fungal contamination of plants. The fungus can cause health problems if it’s consumed. The manufactured drugs include a variety of prescription medications used to prevent bleeding during labor and delivery, for the treatment of headaches, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and to create the recreational synthetic drug LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), which causes hallucinations....
Erythroblastosis fetalis, also known as hemolytic disease of the newborn, is an anemia that occurs in a fetus when the pregnant parent and fetus have different blood types. Major blood types are A, B, O, and AB, but blood type is also based on Rh factor, a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. When the birthing parent and fetus have incompatible Rh factor types, the parent’s body can attack the fetus’s red blood cells....
An estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test is a blood test that’s used to figure out how well your kidneys are doing their job. The test measures the amount of creatinine in your blood and, using a formula, mathematically derives a number that estimates how well your kidneys are functioning. The formula uses your creatinine levels, age, sex, weight, and race to arrive at that number—your eGFR. Purpose of Test Your healthcare provider will order an eGFR test if they suspect you have chronic kidney disease....
After a breast lump is found, more tests are needed to determine what the lump means and if it is cancerous or not. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a procedure used to obtain a sample of cells from a breast lump. The results help determine whether it’s a cyst, an infection, a benign tumor, or cancer. FNA is usually chosen when a lump is likely a fluid-filled cyst. This is because the procedure is particularly helpful in distinguishing cysts from solid masses....
A gastrointestinal disease is one that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the passage that runs from the mouth to the anus. Common GI disorders include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, indigestion, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids. As many as 11% of Americans have gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. They can develop because of functional or structural problems within the GI tract. The GI tract is responsible for digestion—breaking down food so the body can absorb and direct nutrients to keep you healthy....
What Is Hepsera? Hepsera (adefovir) is a nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) used to treat chronic (long-term) liver infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). The medication can be used in people aged 12 years and older. Hepsera prevents the virus from making more copies of itself by inserting itself into the viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) genetic material and making this DNA useless. This medication is available as a prescription tablet....
It’s not uncommon for those with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to consider natural treatments like vitamin B12, ginseng, L-carnitine when working to find a regimen that works. Chronic fatigue is a complex illness, and no one treatment plan works for everyone. Multi-faceted approaches are typically needed to help manage the syndrome’s impactful symptoms, including incapacitating fatigue and pain. Although alternative medicine use is quite popular among people with CFS, so far, scientific support for specific treatments is lacking....
Sensor-augmented insulin pumps (SAPs) are insulin pumps capable of talking to continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs). As an “open-loop” system, SAPs still require manual adjustments and inputs from the wearer. They are an important step toward the ultimate goal of a “closed-loop” system, which would work as an artificial pancreas capable of making insulin dose decisions on your behalf. Insulin Pumps and CGMs To prevent serious, life-threatening complications, people with type 1 diabetes must take insulin via injection at regular intervals throughout the day....
Fibromyalgia is a difficult disorder to diagnose. Because it is so poorly understood, there is no clear consensus as to what measures could or should be used to confirm it. Moreover, even if you have signs of the disorder—including chronic widespread pain and fatigue—available lab and imaging tests will often appear perfectly normal. This can be a painstaking process in which your healthcare provider reviews and weeds out many other possible causes of your symptoms....
