While taking every effort to beat breast cancer seems obvious, some patients opt out of breast cancer treatment for a variety of reasons. Unless you are a minor or are deemed medically incompetent in a court of law (situations that rarely occur with breast cancer), no one but you can determine what is or what is not in your best interest—even if you decide that the best treatment for your breast cancer is no treatment at all....
Orthorexia occurs when a person has a fixation with eating “healthy” foods. This manifests as restrictive or obsessive behaviors around food. Some researchers have described orthorexia as “extreme dietary purity” and as an extension of “clean eating” or self-imposed diets that were originally meant to promote health but unfortunately have the opposite effect. It can be challenging to diagnose orthorexia because it is a relatively new eating disorder, and it does not have a universally recognized definition at this time....
The word “osteomalacia” comes from the Greek roots “osteon” and “malakia,” meaning “bone” and “soft.” The medical condition may cause pain, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and an increased risk of bone fracture. When caused by vitamin D deficiency, osteomalacia is sometimes called “hypovitaminosis D osteopathy. Elderly persons have a particularly high risk of osteomalacia. Symptoms You may not notice any symptoms from osteomalacia, especially if your condition is not severe. But some people notice problems like bone pain and muscle weakness....
Pacemakers are battery-run devices. And like all batteries, those in pacemakers eventually wear out. When that happens, the whole pacemaker—and not just the battery—has to be replaced. This article discusses what pacemakers do, why they are replaced instead of recharged, and signs that indicate a pacemaker battery is low. Function of Pacemakers Typically, the purpose of a pacemaker is to correct slow heart or irregular rhythms. This prevents symptoms such as lightheadedness, palpitations, or syncope (fainting)....
The pectineus muscle, a flat, quadrangular muscle located in the middle of the thigh, helps to flex or move your leg towards your body. Running, skating, kicking a soccer ball, playing basketball, or exercising with fatigued muscles can strain or pull this muscle, resulting in a painful injury. If that happens, be patient because time and prudent care can get you back “on your game” relatively quickly. Anatomy The pectineus originates from the pectineal line of the pubic bone, which is also known as the pectin pubis....
Toxic chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) might have harmful health effects. They are known as “forever chemicals” because they never break down and, when taken in, remain present in the human body. PFAS are found in everyday products, such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant coatings, carpets or upholstery, water-resistant clothing, and cleaning products. PFAS are also detectable in the drinking water supplies of many major cities. This article will cover the history of PFAS, their uses, products that contain PFAS, your risk of environmental exposure, and more....
A rheumatoid arthritis (RA) latex turbid test is a laboratory test used to help your healthcare provider diagnose rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease. This test is sometimes called a rheumatoid factor (RF) test. The latex turbid test uses an RF antibody that is attached to a latex bead to check for the presence of RF in the blood or joint fluid. This article explores the latex turbid test, including its purpose, risks, and contradictions; what to expect before, during, and after the test; and what results mean....
Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratadine), or Zyrtec (cetirizine) are over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines (allergy pills). They’re used to treat common allergies like those in pollens, pet dander, or dust mites. The drugs have a lot in common, but they also have some differences that may make one a better choice for you. This article compares Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec with each other and with older antihistamines, looks at how quickly they work, their dosages and side effects, and who shouldn’t take them....
The pituitary gland is a very important but small piece of tissue located at the base of the brain. This tissue is referred to as a gland because it secretes hormones into the bloodstream to control essential functions of the body, including reproduction, growth during child development, metabolism, response to stress, and the function of the thyroid. The pituitary gland is arguably the most important gland in the human body because it does so many things at one time....
Telehealth involves the use of technology to give people access to medical appointments. For people living with liver cancer, telehealth provides access to members of their healthcare team in a variety of ways, including help with medications, nutrition tips, consultations about side effects, and discussions about lifestyle changes. While telehealth has been around for many years, it has gained popularity and significance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It helps by increasing access to healthcare for people who live long distances from their doctor’s office or who are unable to leave their homes....
From the earliest days of the HIV epidemic, marijuana (cannabis) has been used to treat many of the complications of the disease, ranging from the symptoms of HIV wasting syndrome to side effects associated with antiretroviral drug use. While newer generation drugs have greatly reduced the incidence and severity of many of these conditions, marijuana is still popularly embraced as a means to alleviate the pain, nausea, weight loss, and depression that can accompany infection....
The liquid facelift uses injectables known as fillers, along with Botox, to help relax, and soften the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles. The liquid facelift also uses volumizers, such as Voluma, Restylan, Lyft, and Sculptra to restore volume. The lift can reduce sagging of the skin by filling it up from the inside, and it can re-contour drooping facial features or hollow eyes. It is a minimally-invasive cosmetic procedure and is touted as a less expensive and less risky alternative to a traditional facelift....
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a perennial plant related to the ginger family. The root stalks, or rhizomes, of turmeric are ground into a bright golden-yellow powder and used as a spice for coloring and flavoring food. Curcumin, the chemical compound in turmeric, has long been used in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. Turmeric can come in root, powder, or supplement form. Emerging research supports the topical use of turmeric to the skin via a cream or gel that contains extract from the turmeric root for improving symptoms of eczema....
Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is the persistent, often daily appearance of hives (urticaria) that last for six or more weeks for no known reason. These hives are often itchy welts or bumps that appear when a trigger in the body causes mast cells to release histamine, serotonin, or other chemicals under the skin. In general, hives are usually caused by a known trigger—often an allergic reaction or a viral infection that usually goes away on its own after a short time....
The rhythm method of birth control, also known as natural family planning or fertility awareness, is the process of tracking your monthly menstrual cycle to help you either avoid pregnancy or become pregnant. Women are fertile for only a few days each month. If you want to become pregnant, the rhythm method can help you identify the days when you are most likely to become pregnant (before ovulation) or, if you want to avoid pregnancy, when you should not have sex....
What does it mean when health care is “excluded from the deductible” or “not subject to the deductible”? That’s a question some readers had in response to a Commonwealth Fund Analysis of individual market health plans sold in states that use Healthcare.gov. This article will explain what these terms mean, and how you can decipher the coverage that your health plan provides. “Not subject to the deductible” = You Pay Less It’s easy to see how this could be confusing, since “excluded” is also a word used to describe services that aren’t covered at all by a health plan (say, for example, infertility treatment in states that don’t require it)....
As soon as the 28 million children aged 5 to 11 became eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, caregivers rushed to get their youngsters immunized. Key Takeaways In the rush to get kids vaccinated against COVID-19 before the holiday season, some families are having difficulty finding pediatric vaccine appointments.Pfizer is shipping millions of doses, but it takes time to stock vaccine distribution sites with the child-specific vaccine. Vaccines are available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies, community- and school-based vaccine sites, and children’s hospitals around the country....
Instead of getting a COVID-19 vaccine in your arm, imagine having the option to get a dose sprayed in your nose. It could be a reality in the near future, as researchers across the world are working on intranasal vaccines and trials are already underway. Key Takeways Intranasal vaccines are administered in the nose instead of in the arm.No intranasal COVID-19 vaccines are currently approved for human use, but trials are underway....
Asthma itself is associated with high blood pressure. While hypertension medications can worsen asthma symptoms, asthma medications usually don’t induce or worsen hypertension. However, there are certain risk factors that may pose some related concerns, including severe heart disease. When asthma and hypertension occur together, the combination worsens overall health and increases the risk of death, especially if both or either condition is not well controlled. If you have asthma and hypertension, or a high risk for it, your healthcare providers will use caution when prescribing asthma medications....
Blood pressure (BP) measures the force pressed against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body. Average blood pressure differs by sex and tends to rise with age. It’s important to know how blood pressure affects your health. This article covers how healthcare providers differentiate between “normal” blood pressure and hypertension (high blood pressure) and includes blood pressure charts by age and gender. It will also discuss the health risks involved with hypertension, how you can monitor your blood pressure, and when you should call your healthcare provider....
