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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic type of arthritis resulting in pain and swelling. RA is a symmetrical condition, meaning it affects the joints on both sides of the body—such as your hands and knees. The involvement of several joints on both sides is what distinguishes RA from other forms of arthritis. RA may also affect the skin, eyes, GI, lungs, heart, and other vital organs. Most people with RA take medication to manage their disease....

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term disability. Long-term outlook depends on many factors, including the type of stroke, its severity, the treatment used, and your overall health. This article reviews the prognosis, life expectancy, and side effects of strokes, and what life can look like after a stroke. Types of Stroke The three main types of strokes are:...

Treatment for styes should be tailored to the severity and cause. It can include home remedies, over-the-counter medications, and prescriptions. Surgery is uncommon unless the style becomes so severe that it needs to be drained. A stye, also called a hordeolum, is a painful red lump that can occur under the eyelid (called an internal hordeolum) or at the base of your eyelashes (called an external hordeolum). This bacterial infection in the oil-producing glands of the eyelid can be caused by lifestyle or medical conditions including eyelid inflammation (blepharitis), seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, diabetes, and lifestyle factors such as contact lens use and using old makeup....

Though we don’t often hear about it, suicide in cancer patients is far too common. And though we might expect suicide to be more common in someone for whom treatment has failed, that’s not the case. When Is Suicide Most Common in Cancer Patients? According to a 2019 study, suicide is most common in the first 3 months after someone is diagnosed with cancer. With an overall risk twice that of the general population, this risk can be as much as 13 times the average suicide risk in those newly diagnosed with cancer....

The thyroid gland’s main function is to regulate your metabolism. It produces hormones that help control your heart and digestive system. In infants, thyroid hormones help the brain and bones develop. A normal functioning thyroid gland is critical to the development of children and to both the long-term and minute-to-minute well-being of adults. Thyroid Hormones The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the neck in front of the trachea (windpipe)....

Lifestyle changes such as eating a diabetes-friendly diet, exercising more, and maintaining a healthy body weight combined with existing treatment options are the best way to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. However, for people with type 2 diabetes who have trouble controlling their blood sugar by making healthier lifestyle choices or taking medications, experimental treatments could help. This article provides an overview of type 2 diabetes experimental treatments and explains how the latest type 2 diabetes research has led to new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved pharmacological treatments and devices like the “artificial pancreas....

Type 2 diabetes is a serious medical condition that involves high blood sugar levels. It occurs when the body cannot process glucose (sugar) properly. About one-third of adults in the United States with diabetes don’t know they have the disease. If you have symptoms or are at risk for diabetes, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. Learn about type 2 diabetes, its signs and symptoms, the tests used to diagnose the condition, and more....

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine, also known as the colon. Symptoms of UC can include bloody stools, pain, and persistent diarrhea. Research suggests that those with UC are at an increased risk of colorectal cancer (cancer that starts in the colon or rectum). The degree of risk may vary based on how long a person has had UC, how severe inflammation related to the condition is, and how much of the large intestine is affected by the disease....

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a common condition that occurs as an adverse effect of the use of painkillers (analgesics). Opioids are painkillers containing a substance chemically similar to the alkaloids that are found in the opium poppy. Prescription medications that contain opioids include methadone, Percocet, Vicodin, Demerol, Dilaudid, and fentanyl. They are prescribed for pain relief, usually for acute pain such as after an injury or surgery, but also for long-term pain such as that caused by cancer....

A fever after surgery is one of the most common complications patients face. In fact, over half of all surgery patients have a higher than normal temperature in the days following their procedure. The good news is that most fevers are not serious. They can be treated with Advil (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Some low-grade fevers don’t need treatment at all. The bad news is that a fever after surgery can sometimes be the first sign of a problem....

What Is Zonegran? Zonegran (zonisamide) is a prescription anticonvulsant (anti-epilepsy drug, or AED) used to prevent seizures for adults and teenagers aged 16 and older who have certain types of epilepsy. It comes in capsule form and is taken by mouth (orally). Zonegran prevents nerve overactivity in the brain by acting on the nerve’s sodium and calcium channels. Zonegran is classified as a sulfonamide and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. What is Zonegran Used For?...

Nipples are as varied as breasts themselves. But broadly speaking, nipples can be categorized as either: Protruding (raised)Flat (flush with the skin)Inverted (sunken)Unclassified (various characteristics) Beyond this, nipples can differ in size, color, and texture. There are also uncommon variations like bifurcated nipples (two nipples next to each other), supernumerary nipples (an extra nipple elsewhere on the body), and athelia (missing nipples). This article describes the four types of nipples a person can have, as well as common and uncommon variations in nipple structure and appearance....

There are a few reasons a pimple might not be going away. It’s normal for some types of acne—especially deep, large pimples—to take some time to clear up. You might also have persistent pimples if you’re not taking care of your skin, taking certain medications, or have certain health conditions. This article covers what you should and shouldn’t do when a pimple won’t go away. It also includes information about other types of bumps on your face that can be mistaken for pimples, and when you should see your doctor or dermatologist for acne that won’t go away....

When Kyle Planck first came down with a fever and flu-like symptoms after celebrating Pride in late June, he suspected COVID-19. Three negative rapid tests later, he began to fear that mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was the true culprit. Several days later, small red splotches popped up on his fingers and arms, confirming his hunch. As a gay man and sixth-year pharmacology PhD candidate at the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences in New York City, Planck had been paying attention to mpox since the beginning of the current outbreak....

The apical pulse, also known as the precordial impulse, is a site on the chest where you can feel the heartbeat. The apical pulse can provide information about heart rate, rhythm, size, and location. Some abnormalities of the heart’s structure can cause changes in the apical pulse. This article discusses how to locate and interpret the apical pulse. How to Check Apical Pulse Other pulse sites are felt by placing the finger over a medium or large artery....

Hair loss is often associated with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It is thought that certain problems caused by diabetes may result in hair loss, including an immune system disorder called alopecia areata, poor circulation, and high blood sugar. This article will explore whether hair loss could be a symptom of diabetes, potential causes of hair loss, and treatment options. What Is Hair Loss? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, the average human normally sheds about 50 to 100 hairs per day....

Diabetes and pancreatic cancer have a cause-and-effect relationship. Diabetes causes changes in cells that can lead to cancer due to the damaging effects of high blood sugar. Meanwhile, pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes by disrupting one of the key functions of the pancreas—the production of the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar. This article takes an in-depth look at the connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer, including the factors that can increase the risk of getting cancer....

A new study suggests that artificially sweetened (often called “diet”) beverages might not be a healthy substitute for sugary drinks—at least in terms of cardiovascular health. Key Takeaways A new study indicates that consuming high amounts of sugary drinks and artificially sweetened beverages is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.Calorie-free drinks that are not made with artificial sweeteners appear to be the better choice for supporting cardiovascular health. The research, published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology on Tuesday, highlights a potential risk to heart health from consuming artificial sweeteners....

The Disney rash—also called golfer’s vasculitis, exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV), or golfer’s rash—is caused by damage to blood vessels associated with exercise, typically in the heat. It’s seen in golfers, runners, hikers, and those who walk around for long periods of time at theme parks (like Disney World). This article discusses golfer’s vasculitis and how it occurs. It also explores the symptoms of this “Disney rash” and how it is treated....

Lymphatic filariasis, commonly referred to as elephantiasis, is a neglected tropical disease caused by tiny parasitic worms spread by mosquitos. While most people don’t have any symptoms, the infection can cause painful swelling, particularly in the limbs, that can lead to permanent disability. More than 120 million people in 72 countries are impacted by the worms, mostly the poorest of the poor in parts of Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Caribbean, and South America....