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Before you have a lumpectomy, a mastectomy, a bilateral mastectomy, or reconstruction surgery, make an appointment to visit a breast surgery boutique, which may also be called a mastectomy boutique. These shops stock prostheses, clothing, and other items that can help you feel comfortable and stylish, and they are often staffed by survivors who can relate to what you’re going through. Aside from meeting your practical needs, a mastectomy boutique shopping experience can be a welcoming one that helps you feel taken care of and understood when you need it most....

Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder that affects metabolism and multiple body systems that affects about one in 100,000 infants. It’s caused by a genetic defect that prevents the body from properly processing certain proteins. This metabolic dysfunction leads to a buildup of methylmalonic acid in the body. Methylmalonic acidemia can cause coma and other serious symptoms if not correctly diagnosed and treated. This article explains the symptoms of methylmalonic acidemia and how it is passed down within families....

Monocytes are a type of white blood cell (leukocyte) that plays an important part in the immune system’s ability to destroy invaders like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Monocytes form in the bone marrow and are released into the blood. They can also help support the removal of infected cells and aid in healing and repair of the body. Certain health conditions can cause you to have too few or too many monocytes....

Researchers have developed a new technology that can objectively measure the painful condition of ringing in the ears—the first device to do so. Key Takeaways Scientists found a way to objectively measure tinnitus, also known as a persistent ringing in the ears, for the first time.The technology measures brain activity and can determine how severe a person’s case of tinnitus is.Researchers are hopeful this tool will improve diagnosis and treatment options for the condition, which is linked to sleep disturbances, anxiety, and depression....

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common type of hearing loss that occurs when you are exposed to loud noises over a prolonged period of time. The exposure to sounds over certain decibel levels can damage the delicate hair cells inside the cochlea, which are necessary to hearing function. Once these cells are damaged, they are not capable of repairing. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and prevention of noise-induced hearing loss....

Actually a pair of cranial nerves, the olfactory nerve transmits information to the brain from smell receptors in the nose. The olfactory nerve is sometimes referred to as the first cranial nerve, or CN1. Cranial means “of the skull.” Of the 12 cranial nerves, the olfactory nerve and the optic nerve, which relays visual information to the brain, are the only ones that don’t connect to the brainstem. Anatomy The olfactory nerve is the shortest nerve in the human head....

Osteopetrosis is a condition in which abnormal bone growth and high bone density can lead to a vulnerability to bone fractures and other effects, such as bleeding. Osteopetrosis falls within a family of sclerosing bone dysplasias, which are characterized by an impairment of normal bone reabsorption (bone remodeling). Researchers have identified several different types of osteopetrosis, with varying degrees of severity. Keep reading to learn about osteopetrosis, including its types, symptoms, causes, and more....

The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen that is located behind the stomach. It makes enzymes and hormones that help in the digestion of food. If the pancreas doesn’t work well to create these substances, an individual might not be able to absorb all the nutrients from their food. When the pancreas doesn’t produce enough of certain enzymes, it’s called exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). People with EPI may take medications called pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) to get enough of the enzymes they need....

Postpartum bleeding is normal after you deliver your baby. The bloody discharge you have is called lochia. It will turn pinkish within a week of giving birth and become white or yellow after about 10 days. Lochia may last for four to six weeks, but it should be less bloody after two weeks. It can come and go for about two months. Heavier and uncontrolled bleeding after giving birth is called postpartum hemorrhage....

Psychoanalytic therapy is a form of psychotherapy rooted in the idea that all people are motivated by unconscious desires, thoughts, emotions, and memories. Also known as psychodynamic psychotherapy, psychoanalytic therapy is based on the theory of psychoanalysis. The Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud developed psychoanalysis in the late 19th century. Today, psychoanalytic therapists help people uncover their unconscious feelings and memories, identify negative patterns of thinking and behavior, and overcome past traumas....

A key concern for women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who want to start a family is how to manage their medications during pregnancy. The best chance for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and baby is to have IBD in remission at the time of conception. The “rule of thirds” is often discussed when it comes to pregnancy and IBD: one-third of patients will get better during pregnancy, one-third will stay the same, and one-third will get worse....

Scabies is a condition caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, a mite. It is characterized by an itchy sensation that may or may not be accompanied by a rash. Scabies affects males and females equally, can be seen in people of all ages, and spreads to individuals of all ethnic groups and in geographic regions throughout the world. Scabies can be treated and is not typically associated with harmful health problems, although skin infection or scarring can occur as a result of excessive scratching and resulting bacterial infection....

Spirometry, a type of pulmonary function test (PFT), is a non-invasive procedure that can provide information about how well your lungs are working. It measures how much and how quickly the air you exhale (breathe out) moves as you breathe into a tube. Spirometry is used to diagnose respiratory conditions such as asthma, and to monitor lung diseases to evaluate how well treatment is working. Sometimes spirometry is done in conjunction with other PFTs....

Call 911 for an ambulance and you’re likely to have another heart attack when you get the bill. Ambulances are not usually free. They cost a lot to keep on the road and charge a lot to get you from point A to point B. How much will you pay? That’s a question almost no one is going to be able to answer for you, especially not the paramedics. This article discusses the cost of an ambulance ride, including how these rates are determined....

If you’re considering laser surgery for a cosmetic procedure, you may come across various types of laser procedures. While they all have similar features, each laser procedure has different effects. Let’s look at which lasers work best for common skin conditions. How Laser Therapy Works The letters in the word “laser” stand for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is a single-wavelength (one color of light) source of high-energy light that can be accurately focused to transmit that light onto a tiny area to achieve the desired effects....

What Is Viagra? Viagra (sildenafil) is a prescription tablet used to treat erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence. It belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase-5 enzyme (PDE5) inhibitors. Viagra blocks an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), causing muscle relaxation and increased blood flow to the penis. By doing this, Viagra makes it easier to have and hold an erection. Sildenafil is also available as a solution for intravenous injection under the brand name Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension....

The COVID-19 pandemic caused periods of unprecedented strain on healthcare systems in the United States. Many non-essential surgeries and medical procedures were postponed and some medical offices closed. While the pressure on the healthcare system has lifted, COVID-19 is still spreading in the community, and the lasting effects of the pandemic have made some people reconsider whether they should seek in-person care for health problems. Knowing the level of care you need—and whether you should go to an emergency room, urgent care facility, doctor’s office, or telemedicine—can ensure that you get appropriate treatment....

If it’s 3:00 a.m. and your mind is ticking away⁠—making grocery lists, balancing your budget, or preparing tomorrow’s to-do list—your insomnia is likely nothing to worry about. However, if this continues for several nights, it may be reasonable to reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep remedy. Persistent insomnia poses serious health concerns if left untreated, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Even occasional insomnia can decrease productivity while increasing the risk of accidents and depression....

A diagnosis of breast cancer will come with many questions and concerns about what treatment will be needed and how treatable the cancer is. It’s important to know how cancer is staged and what the general treatment plan will be. This article will review the different types of treatment that may be needed based on the stage of breast cancer, which can include surgery, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy and radiation....

Half of at-risk children and teens in the United States are not getting the mental and behavioral health help they need, according to researchers at the University of New Hampshire. Key Takeaways According to a new study, more than half of at-risk kids and teens are not receiving the mental health services they could benefit from long-term. Those most at risk have experienced adverse childhood experiences and/or show high distress symptoms....