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Morphea, also sometimes called “localized scleroderma,” is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes skin thickening, hardening, and color changes. It often only affects the outer layer of skin but sometimes leads to more serious issues due to the involvement of deeper parts of the body. The disease most commonly begins to affect people in their fourth or fifth decade of life. However, it sometimes affects children as well. It is more common in females than in males....

Having abdominal surgery can sometimes lead to chronic abdominal nerve pain or chronic pelvic nerve pain. During surgeries like an appendectomy, gynecological surgery, or hernia repair, it’s possible for abdominal or pelvic nerves to get cut, stretched, or damaged in another way. This complication is called surgically-induced neuropathic pain (SINP). It is unclear how often it happens, but researchers are starting to learn that nerve pain after surgery is probably common....

During a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic, teens and young adults are more likely to experience feelings of isolation, emotional or financial stresses, anxiety, and depression. Key Takeaways A series of studies from the CDC demonstrated how the COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health of teenagers.The pandemic led to disruptions in the school and home life of students.Parents, teachers, and other community members need to provide robust support as young people adjust....

ROS1 positive lung cancer is an aggressive form of lung cancer that often spreads quickly. New, targeted medications can help keep this type of lung cancer from progressing for a period of time, providing a better prognosis today compared to previous generations. A ROS1 rearrangement is a type of chromosome abnormality that may affect cells of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This genetic mutation occurs in about 1% to 2% of people diagnosed with NSCLC....

Common sage (Salvia officinalis) is an aromatic plant that is usually dried and used as a culinary herb. For centuries, sage also has also been used in both Eastern and Western cultures as a medicinal plant. In recent years, scientists have studied the use of sage, sage tea, or sage extracts in preventing or treating some common medical conditions, such as high cholesterol, inflammatory conditions, and hot flashes. This article explains what sage is made of and how people use it, as well as the research on its potential health benefits....

What Is Samsca? Samsca contains the active drug tolvaptan, which belongs to the vasopressin receptor antagonist class. It is a prescription drug used to treat hyponatremia (low sodium levels). It is usually started in a hospital setting. Samsca binds to vasopressin receptors and blocks vasopressin. This causes water to be released from the body as urine without impacting sodium and potassium levels. This is in contrast to traditional diuretics (water pills)....

Children often have to visit their pediatrician because of skin rashes. Some may be easily identifiable, such as diaper rash or one due to an insect bite. Others, such as ringworm or measles, may not—either because you haven’t seen them before or because they aren’t very distinct. Unless your child’s rash has already been formally diagnosed or you are certain about its cause, it’s a good idea to have your child evaluated by a healthcare provider....

Skin tuberculosis (TB), also known as cutaneous TB, is an infection most often caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria. It spreads through direct contact via cuts or wounds or when chronic TB spreads from the lungs to the skin; this causes lesions, painful ulcers, severe discolorations, growths, and other symptoms. A very rare but treatable disease, skin TB represents roughly 1% to 1.5% of all TB cases. This article discusses the causes and symptoms of skin TB and how it’s diagnosed and treated....

Sulfites are food additives used to enhance flavor and preserve freshness. These sulfur-based compounds also occur naturally in foods. For instance, they’re in fermented beverages and wines. They’re also used to increase the shelf life of some medications. If you’re allergic to sulfites or you have a sulfite sensitivity, you may experience symptoms like wheezing and coughing or flushing and dizziness after eating or drinking something that contains sulfites. Reactions can range from mild to potentially life-threatening....

Just as veins carry blood from the body back to the lungs to be oxygenated, there are a number of vessels called sinuses that help carry blood and other fluids away from the brain. The superior sagittal sinus is one of these vessels. It collects fluids from smaller ducts, carrying them to the jugular vein for transport to the heart and lungs. The sinus system is similar to the venous system, with a few key differences....

Tea tree oil—sometimes called melaleuca oil—has been used for centuries to treat wounds and other skin conditions. Over the years, research has supported that tea tree oil may help treat various conditions, such as athlete’s foot, acne, and dandruff. Tea tree oil is distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. You can buy tea tree oil, dilute it with another oil (like almond oil), and apply it to the skin....

Type 2 diabetes increasingly affects children and teens. Unlike type 1 (what used to be considered juvenile diabetes), type 2 can often be prevented or risks lowered by following a healthy diet and making family lifestyle changes. This article discusses what causes diabetes in children and how to prevent diabetes type 2 in childhood. Type 2 Diabetes in Children Type 2 diabetes was considered adult-onset diabetes, but this is no longer accurate....

Fixed indemnity health insurance is a type of policy that pays the insured person a set amount of money based on the medical service that the person receives, regardless of the actual cost of the care. The plan can pay a fixed amount based on a particular type of service provided, or pay a fixed amount based on a time period during which care is provided; some fixed indemnity plans use both approaches, depending on the circumstances....

Some people may find relief when they use acupuncture for arthritis. Acupuncturists use this traditional form of Chinese medicine to help control the flow of qi (energy) in the body. Practitioners of acupuncture believe that various illnesses or conditions can block a patient’s qi, which can result in stiffness or pain. During an appointment, acupuncturists will gently insert long, thin needles under a patient’s skin to stimulate qi. So, can acupuncture actually help arthritis discomfort or inflammation?...

If you enjoy hiking or skiing in the mountains, you may be aware of one of the most common side effects of spending time in high-altitude settings: altitude headaches. These occur when a person ascends to high altitudes. It is the most prominent symptom of acute mountain sickness (AMS), which can also include other symptoms such as dizziness, muscle aches, and nausea. This article reviews why altitude headaches occur and how to prevent them....

Amjevita (adalimumab-atto), a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab), gained approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and various other inflammatory diseases. It comes in liquid form that is self-injected under the skin and works to stop inflammation from increasing. Uses Amjevita is approved for the treatment of the following diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis: To reduce signs and symptoms, inhibit progression of structural damage, and improve physical function in adults with moderately to severely active disease Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): To reduce the signs and symptoms of moderately to severely active polyarticular JIA (formerly called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis) in children age 4 and older Psoriatic arthritis (PsA): To reduce signs and symptoms, inhibit progression of structural damage, and improve physical function in adults with active disease Ankylosing spondylitis (AS): To reduce signs and symptoms in adults with active disease Adult Crohn’s disease (CD): To reduce signs and symptoms; to induce and maintain clinical remission in adults with moderately to severely active disease who had an inadequate response to conventional treatment, stopped responding to Remicade, or simply could not tolerate Remicade Ulcerative colitis (UC): To induce and maintain clinical remission in adults with moderately or severely active disease who had an inadequate response to immunosuppressants Plaque psoriasis (Ps): For adults with moderate to severe chronic disease who are suitable candidates for systemic therapy or phototherapy; also used when other systemic therapies are deemed less appropriate Amjevita is a specific type of biologic known as a recombinant human IgG1 monoclonal antibody....

Arthritis refers to rheumatic diseases that cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in joints. The most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease or wear-and-tear arthritis, happens over time as cartilage around joints wears down. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, often on both sides of the body at once, causing painful swelling and bone erosion....

The brainstem is the part of the brain that directly connects with the spinal cord. It contains regions that modulate breathing and heart function, as well as pathways for communication between the brain and the spinal cord. The cranial nerves emerge from the brainstem—controlling movement and sensation in and around the face. A number of conditions can affect the brainstem, and the symptoms can vary, often including dizziness, double vision, and/or problems with physical movement....

Calcium lactate is a calcium salt. It is a less concentrated form of calcium, and seems to be less bioavailable than other forms of supplemental calcium. This means it’s less available to be absorbed and used by your body. For this reason, calcium lactate is not the most practical form of oral supplemental calcium. Calcium lactate is often used as a food additive to enhance the calcium content of foods, replace other salts, or increase the overall pH (that is, decrease the acidity) of the food....

A dental crown is a type of cap placed on top of a damaged tooth. Dentists recommend dental crowns when: Your tooth has a very large filling that is bigger than your natural tooth structure Your tooth had root canal therapy You have a combination of root canal therapy and a large filling You need a crown for cosmetic reasons This article will discuss dental crowns, how a dentist decides you need one, and alternatives to getting a dental crown....