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Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the layer of skin that covers the glans (head of the penis). This procedure can be performed in newborns, older children, or adults. Circumcision is the most common surgery among males. This article explains why the surgery is performed, its risks and benefits, and expectations during and after surgery. Why Are Circumcisions Performed? The purpose of circumcision is to surgically remove the foreskin of the penis....

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a typically slow-growing cancer that begins in the bone marrow and spreads into the blood. Often, it is first suspected in a person who has no symptoms, during routine blood work. Additional testing helps to confirm the diagnosis and classify CLL into groups by low-risk to high-risk. Often, CLL does not cause any symptoms for at least a few years and does not require immediate treatment....

Colon cleansing involves flushing out waste from your colon (the large intestine) using fluids. Also called colonic hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation, colon cleansing is sometimes necessary for medical reasons such as preparing you for a diagnostic exam or other procedures. However, it’s also often touted as a way to gain certain health benefits, but these personal uses lack scientific backing. This article explains the benefits and risks of medically necessary and personal colon cleansings....

Coltsfoot is a perennial plant that grows up to 12 inches in height. The plant has golden-colored flowers that resemble dandelions. Coltsfoot originated in parts of Asia as well as in Europe, but the plant also grows throughout damp areas of North America and is known to flourish along roadsides and in meadows and hedgerows. As an herbal supplement, coltsfoot has been used both in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western herbalism, primarily as a treatment for sore throat and chronic (long-term) coughs (such as from emphysema)....

By the time the very first cases of COVID-19 were identified in the United States in January 2020, it was already clear that certain groups were at greater risk of serious illness, and possibly death, than others. In an effort to protect vulnerable populations, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a list of pre-existing health conditions that place certain groups at an increased risk of severe illness and death....

Diet is a key component in managing type 2 diabetes, especially for someone who has developed kidney disease as a result of their condition. This is because when the kidneys aren’t functioning normally, excess nutrients, toxins, and fluids can build up in the blood. It’s such a concern that most patients with advanced kidney disease are referred to a renal dietitian—a nutrition expert who specializes in kidney disease. This professional can devise a personalized eating plan that takes into account specific treatment goals and health status....

An upset stomach and constantly having to go to the bathroom can be unpleasant and embarrassing. Besides frequent loose stools, diarrhea can bring with it other uncomfortable symptoms such as abdominal pain, cramping, and nausea. Often, what you eat can either ease diarrhea or make it worse. Yogurt is something that people often ask about and the answer isn’t so clear-cut. This article will discuss yogurt and how it can impact diarrhea symptoms, including what to look for in yogurt, what to avoid, and other remedies for diarrhea....

Nobody questions social drinking, and almost nobody tells you not to. In the same way, people seldom raise an eyebrow at diet culture. Key Takeaways When eating disorders and alcohol use disorders co-occur, people can find themselves in toxic cycles of under-eating and over-drinking.The joint phenomenon is coined “drunkorexia” by some mental health professionals, and has mental and physical health consequences.Recovery is typically individualized, and may or may not involve cutting out alcohol....

The calf is composedof two muscles, the soleus and the gastrocnemius, which is a large muscle located in the back of your lower leg. The gastrocnemius muscle is an important mover of your lower leg and is responsible for normal walking and running actions. The gastrocnemius joins the soleus to form the Achilles tendon, the large tendon that attaches to your heel bone. You have two gastrocs, one in each lower leg....

Benign migratory glossitis, also called geographic tongue, is a harmless condition affecting the tongue’s mucous membrane. It causes discolored bald spots on the tongue’s surface that often appear in island-like patches, making the tongue’s surface look like a map. This article explains what geographic tongue is and how to tell if you have it. It explains how geographic tongue is diagnosed and what you can do to manage symptoms. Symptoms Geographic tongue is unusual, and you may be alarmed by how your tongue appears....

Acid reflux is a common problem that is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The discomfort of acid reflux is caused by acid flowing backward out of the stomach and into the esophagus (food tube). This condition happens to many people from time to time, but it can also be chronic (lasting a long time) and damage the esophagus. As many as 15% to 30% of Americans experience acid reflux, which may occur at night or when lying down after eating a meal....

Between 2% and 10% of pregnancies in the United States are impacted by gestational diabetes. It is a condition of having high blood sugar while pregnant and can affect your health and your baby’s health. This article will review various causes and risk factors for gestational diabetes and what it means if you receive this diagnosis. Common Causes During pregnancy, the body needs extra insulin. Insulin is a hormone that’s made by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy....

While there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, several treatment options may ease the symptoms of the condition, from home remedies to procedures performed by a dermatologist. Moisturizing your skin regularly and avoiding scratching areas affected by atopic dermatitis are important parts of any treatment plan. This article discusses the different types of treatment for atopic dermatitis. This includes home and lifestyle remedies, over-the-counter therapies, and prescription medications. Home Remedies and Lifestyle Because there is no cure for atopic dermatitis, treatments are usually focused on relieving the symptoms....

Modesty in a medical setting refers to a person’s shyness or fear of exposing their body to someone else. There are many reasons some people feel inhibited about revealing their bodies to healthcare providers, including: Embarrassment Fear of being judged Past medical or sexual trauma Religious or cultural beliefs This article explains modesty and tips for maintaining dignity in healthcare. What Is Modesty in Healthcare? Controlling when, if, and how you expose your body can influence your healthcare experience and sense of dignity....

April 4: That’s the first day this year Dalia left her house in daylight. She remembers because it was the day her face mask arrived in the mail. Before that, she could only venture outside after sunset, disguised by darkness—her fear of facing the world blunted by the fact that the world can’t see her face. Key Takeaways Patients with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) related to their faces are finding that face masks ease their symptoms....

After many surgeries and injuries, physical therapy (PT) is recommended to help you regain your independence and return to your prior activities. Therapy also can be a beneficial treatment for different types of chronic musculoskeletal conditions. During your rehab, your physical therapist may use a form of hands-on treatment called joint mobilization to help with problems you’re having. This article will explain how this treatment technique works, the different ways it is used, and when this therapy should be avoided....

Hyperhidrosis causes heavy sweating that may occur during any time of the day, or night—depending on the type of hyperhidrosis one has. There are two basic forms of hyperhidrosis—primary focal hyperhidrosis and secondary general hyperhidrosis. The sweating is localized to specific parts of the body in focal hyperhidrosis, while in general hyperhidrosis the sweating may be in several areas of the body, or all over the body. Complications of hyperhidrosis include skin problems and impacts on psychological well-being and quality of life....

What Is Indapamide? Indapamide is an oral prescription drug used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) alone or in combination with other medicines. It can also treat swelling due to congestive heart failure (CHF). Indapamide is in a drug class called thiazide-like diuretics, often referred to as water pills, because they act directly on the kidneys to promote urine flow. It works by helping the kidneys eliminate excess water and salt in the urine....

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are medical techniques that help someone get pregnant. They are types of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or fertility treatment. Intrauterine insemination is when the sperm fertilizes the eggs inside the uterus, whereas in vitro fertilization occurs in a petri dish or lab. This article compares types of IUI and IVF, their procedures, cost-effectiveness, success rates, and possible side effects. What Is IUI? IUI is ART that involves placing sperm inside the uterus....

What Is Marinol? Marinol (dronabinol) is a prescription oral cannabinoid medication used to improve appetite in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and decrease nausea due to chemotherapy in patients with cancer. It comes in capsule and solution form. Cannabinoids are chemicals found in the cannabis plant. Marinol contains a synthetic form of a cannabinoid called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that acts on the central nervous system to stimulate appetite and reduce nausea....