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Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) surgery is performed to correct the group of painful jaw conditions it’s named after. The joint that causes the problem is the one that joins your jaw bone to your skull. Because of the complexity of the temporomandibular joint, which has hinging and sliding motions, TMJ disorders can be challenging to treat or correct. TMJ jaw surgery may be a last resort treatment when at-home treatments, such as applying ice, eating soft foods, tooth guards, and dental treatment haven’t worked and you have severe pain or limited motion in your jaw....

Roughly 1.9 million people are diagnosed with vitiligo in the United States. However, medical researchers believe that the number of actual cases may be closer to 2.8 million because many patients are undiagnosed. Vitiligo doesn’t discriminate, and it is found relatively equally in all ethnicities and sexes. This article discusses important facts and statistics about vitiligo. Vitiligo Overview Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder that presents as depigmentation of the skin. The pigment melanin, which gives skin its color, is lost in people with vitiligo, resulting in pale patches of white skin on their bodies....

Just after falling asleep, you may wake with a sudden jerking movement. What causes these so-called sleep starts? Learn about hypnagogic jerks, or hypnic jerks, including the most common symptoms, and whether further evaluation and treatment may be necessary. Hypnagogic vs. Hypnic Jerks A hypnagogic jerk is a sudden and strong involuntary twitch or muscle contraction, that occurs while an individual is beginning to fall asleep. The same phenomenon is called a hypnic jerk if it occurs upon awakening....

The thymus gland is the body organ that took scientists the longest time to understand. It’s only active from when you’re born until you become a teenager. Still, it plays a huge role in training your body to fight infections and even cancer for the rest of your life. It’s also vital to the body’s chemical messaging or endocrine system. Read on to learn more about the role of the thymus in immunity, autoimmunity, and aging, as well as how several disorders may affect this important organ....

The expression “6 feet under” is a common euphemism for death. It is based on the idea that the standard depth of a grave is 6 feet. But are all the graves in a cemetery really that deep? There are a lot of theories and explanations about the belief that graves are always 6 feet deep. Some are more plausible than others. This article will discuss the possible origins of the “6 feet under” belief....

Marshall Bedder, MD, FRCPC, was isolated in a hospital room with COVID-19 when he received the call in August. It was Peter Staats, MD, a fellow clinician scientist and an old colleague, calling to check in. Staats had no idea that Bedder was infected with the virus, or that he was struggling with severe shortness of breath despite receiving oxygen, steroids, and antivirals. So it was pure coincidence that a treatment Staats co-invented, gammaCore Sapphire CV, had just received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat patients with COVID-19 and reduced airflow....

What Is Activella? Activella (estradiol and norethindrone) is an orally prescribed medication option used to relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms in people assigned female at birth. Activella can also be used to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis. Activella is defined as a combination hormone therapy. Specifically, it contains a form of estrogen and a human-made version of progesterone, which are defined as sex hormones. This medication works by influencing sex hormones. Hormone replacement therapy works by replacing estrogen hormones that are no longer being made by the body....

The Alfredson Protocol is an exercise program for people with Achilles tendonitis (tendinopathy). The exercises stretch your Achilles tendon in ways that help it handle forces and stress better. This is called “eccentric loading.” If you have Achilles tendonitis, walking and running can be painful. You might have to stop doing fun activities like playing sports. Depending on your job, having the condition may even make it harder for you to work....

Beyaz is a combination birth control pill that, when taken every day, can help prevent pregnancy. Each Beyaz pill also provides a daily folate dose. Folate lowers the risk of having rare neural tube defects in a pregnancy. Beyaz birth control can also help treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), as well as moderate acne. Each pack of Beyaz birth control contains 28 pills—24 pink tablets, each containing 3 milligrams drospirenone (a progestin), 0....

Carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty is a surgical procedure in which the trapezium, one of the carpal bones of the wrist that forms part of the thumb joint, is removed and replaced with an implant. This procedure can help manage symptoms of thumb arthritis by decreasing pain and improving use of the thumb for gripping, pinching, and grasping when conservative methods fail to relieve arthritis symptoms. This article will explain how to prepare for carpometacarpal joint arthroplasty and what to expect....

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that is made in the liver and intestine, but some individuals may take it as a natural supplement for various health and athletic benefits. It can also be found in foods like watermelon. Its function is to detoxify ammonia, a waste product, and act as a vasodilator (dilating the blood vessels). Citrulline is also said to have an antioxidant effect. There are two forms of citrulline supplements....

Cloudy urine isn’t usually cause for concern, but it could indicate a health issue like kidney stones, an infection, or dehydration. If you notice that your urine (pee) is cloudy or has changed color and it doesn’t go away within a short period of time, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider. This article explores why your urine may be cloudy. It will also explain when it’s important to reach out to your doctor....

What Is Compro? Compro (prochlorperazine) is a prescription rectal suppository administered into the rectum. It is used as an antiemetic medication to treat severe nausea and vomiting in adults. Compro reduces nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors in an area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone. Compro is administered rectally. However, prochlorperazine is also available through other administration methods in oral and injectable formulations. What Is Compro Used For?...

The most common form of traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussions are periods of changed brain activity following an impact or blow to the head, causing a range of symptoms. Repeated concussions—those occurring before the brain has had the time to heal—are particularly dangerous and can even be fatal. A concussion protocol, established by organizations like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or sports leagues like the National Football League (NFL), is a set of guidelines and tools for the treatment and management of the condition....

The cough reflex causes every cough you experience. Cough receptor locations throughout your airway recognize irritants that may need to be cleared. These sensors send a signal to your brain, which activates coughing muscles in your chest and abdomen. The result is an expulsion of air traveling up to 100 miles per hour, clearing anything in its way in order to keep your respiratory system healthy. Continue reading to learn more about the cough reflex, including how coughing works and what happens in your body when you cough....

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are a type of soft tissue sarcoma. While they are the most common type of digestive tract sarcoma, they account for only 0.2% of digestive tract cancers overall. They may be found anywhere in the digestive tract but are most common in the stomach and small intestine where they can cause bleeding, anemia, and sometimes severe pain when obstruction or perforation occur. The diagnosis can be challenging, but is most often made with an endoscopic ultrasound....

Emergency contraceptive pills can be taken when you have condomless sex or suspect the birth control method you used may have failed. For instance, maybe you and your partner used an external or internal condom and it broke, you forgot to take several of your birth control pills, or you were late getting your birth control injection. Emergency contraception can be effective, but it’s important to know what’s available, how it works, and how soon after sex you need to take it....

Generally, the outlook for hypothyroidism is good with proper medical treatment, particularly if it is started early. Most people begin to see a resolution of their symptoms within two weeks of starting medication to treat the condition. However, medication must be continued throughout life. Hypothyroidism may be due to an autoimmune condition (in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your tissues), such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or other processes affecting your thyroid gland that are not autoimmune-related....

The gold standard for finding lung cancer early is computed tomography (CT) lung cancer screening. However, this is limited to people who have smoked. Currently, there are more non-smokers (never smokers and past smokers) who develop lung cancer than current smokers. Available laboratory tests may help diagnose lung cancer, though this is more likely with advanced tumors. Research offers hope that blood tests (biomarkers) will assist in the diagnosis or even screening for early-stage lung cancer in the future....

You can prevent and slow down the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by eating a nutrient-dense diet. Your daily food intake should be rich in fruits and vegetables that contain green, orange, and yellow pigments, and foods that provide omega-3 fatty acids. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, stopping smoking, and reducing your exposure to ultraviolet light is also recommended. Research suggests that diet and supplementing with certain vitamins and minerals are helpful....