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Clostridioides difficile (formerly known as Clostridium difficile) infection, often called C. diff, is a bacterial infection in the gut. C. diff is a type of bacteria that can commonly transmit the infection to individuals in health care settings, such as hospitals, rehab facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. Most C. diff infections are associated with recently taking antibiotics for an infection or other issues. C. diff can cause various symptoms, most commonly diarrhea, abdominal cramping, indigestion, stomach upset, and bloating....

A breast cancer diagnosis affects all members of a person’s family, and caregivers are likely to have many questions as they care for a loved one battling cancer. Though it can feel overwhelming, it is possible for caregivers to provide support for a loved one with breast cancer while also balancing their own needs. This article provides information on caring for someone with breast cancer medically, practically, and emotionally. It also discusses what to avoid, how to talk to someone with breast cancer, and how to practice self-care....

Castile soap is a vegetable-based soap that is free of chemicals, other synthetic ingredients, and animal products. It can be used to wash your skin, hair, clothes, and more. As it is hypoallergenic, it may be an ideal option for people with sensitivity to harsh soaps and cleansers. Castile soap originated from the Mediterranean region around Castile, Spain in the 12th century. It was originally made from pure olive oil. Today it is made with a variety of plant-based oils, including hemp, coconut, avocado, and almond oil....

CHF is a medical abbreviation for congestive heart failure, sometimes simply referred to as heart failure. Despite this name, the heart doesn’t actually stop functioning altogether. Rather, its muscles fail to keep up with the body’s needs, meaning the heart is unable to properly circulate blood. This typically chronic condition causes blood to pool in arteries and veins, leading to swelling (usually in the feet and ankles), fluid buildup in the lungs, and kidney problems, among many other symptoms....

Colon cancer, often described collectively as colorectal cancer, is the fourth leading cause of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. Part of the reason for the high mortality rate is the relative lack of symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Because of this, more than 60% of cases are diagnosed when the malignancy has already spread regionally or to distant organs....

Combined type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common of the three presentations of ADHD. The others are predominantly inattentive presentation and predominantly hyperactive-impulsive presentation. As the name suggests, people with combined type ADHD show both inattentive and hyperactive symptoms. Although it’s difficult to say what percentage of people with ADHD have combined type, one small study estimates that about 70% of adults with ADHD had combined type....

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a plant often regarded as a weed but one that may offer health benefits by acting as a diuretic (“water pill”) or potentially boosting the immune system to help fight infections. It is also said to have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. Naturopaths and other alternative practitioners often contend that dandelion can help treat a wide range of medical conditions—including arthritis, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and even cancer—although there is little scientific evidence to support the claims....

Diverticulosis is a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) develop in the lining of the intestines. Diverticulitis occurs when those pouches become inflamed or infected. Both are known as diverticular diseases. A main difference between diverticulosis and diverticulitis is that diverticulosis doesn’t usually cause symptoms. Diverticulitis, on the other hand, causes persistent abdominal pain, usually on the lower left side of the abdomen. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and fever....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that causes hyperactivity and difficulty maintaining attention. It typically begins during childhood and often continues into adulthood. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 13.2% of boys and 5.6% of girls are diagnosed with ADHD. The exact cause of ADHD is not known, but it is associated with changes in neurotransmitter activity in certain areas of the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that coordinate the action of the nervous system....

Epilepsy impacts 1.3 million women of childbearing age across the United States. Couples with epilepsy often have concerns about passing the condition to their children, fertility, and pregnancy safety. Though epilepsy can present challenges, positive pregnancy outcomes are possible. This is especially true with planning and guidance from your healthcare team. This article reviews how antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may affect fertility, risk factors affecting a couple’s ability to get pregnant, pregnancy safety, and family planning with your healthcare provider....

It’s widely known that spending time outside can be good for your mental health—something that many people discovered they took for granted as they spent more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takewaways A recent study from researchers in Germany found that the volume of grey matter in certain parts of the brain can quickly change depending on how often a person is outside.Previous research has found that decreased grey matter in the brain is linked to several psychiatric disorders....

All of us have tiny hair-like structures on our tongues. These are not the same as hairs on your head—even though they share similar properties. The cone-like hairs on your tongue are called filiform papillae, and they are usually only about 1 millimeter long. In about 13% of the population, though, these “hairs” grow longer and darker. This article will explain why these hair-like structures grow on our tongues, what they do, and what can make them become more noticeable....

A hamartoma is a benign tumor that may occur in the lungs, heart, skin, brain, breast, or other regions. They are made up of abnormal but not cancerous cells similar to the cells that make up the tissue where they originate. Hamartomas can look similar to cancer on imaging studies, and for this reason, can be very frightening. In some regions of the body, they may not cause any symptoms. They can sometimes shrink on their own, but in other cases, they can cause complications....

Syphilis is a fairly common sexually transmitted infection (STI), affecting more than 120,000 people in the United States each year. The mainstay of treatment is penicillin, but other types of antibiotics may be appropriate as well. Learn more about syphilis and the potential treatment options your healthcare provider may prescribe if you or your partner becomes infected. Prescriptions Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a bacteria known as Treponema pallidum....

Boundaries protect a person’s personal or mental space, much like fences between neighbors. They involve the physical and emotional limits of appropriate behavior between people, and help define where one person ends and the other begins. People typically learn boundaries during childhood within their families.Research indicates that in families with healthy, flexible boundaries, each person is able to develop into a distinct individual with their own unique interests and skills. This helps foster well-being, self-control, and self-esteem....

What Is Ketoconazole? Ketoconazole is an orally prescribed medication used to treat certain fungal infections, mainly systemic (bloodstream) infections, and is approved for adults 18 and older. Ketoconazole is categorized within a class of antifungals called imidazoles and is used when other medications are unavailable or cannot be tolerated. This antifungal works by blocking a specific fungal protein called cytochrome P-450-mediated 14 alpha-lanosterol demethylase enzyme. This protein is responsible for turning lanosterol—a type of steroid—into ergosterol....

The medical specialties of obstetrics and gynecology are closely related and often practiced together. Obstetrics is concerned specifically with childbirth and the care of women giving birth. Gynecology deals with the functions and diseases specific to women and girls, especially those affecting the female reproductive tract. When practiced together, the specialties are commonly referred to as OB/GYN or OB-GYN. Postgraduate training programs will combine the two disciplines so that healthcare providers are adept in dealing with women’s health issues as well as managing the stages of pregnancy....

An occupational therapist (OT) helps teach or re-teach people the skills they need to perform everyday activities. Those who benefit from occupational therapy often have developmental delays or are recovering from a physical or cognitive injury. An OT’s job may include overseeing exercises to manage pain, adapting an environment to accommodate a person’s needs, or teaching a patient to use special equipment such as a wheelchair or eating aid. This article outlines the responsibilities and day-to-day duties of an occupational therapist....

High cholesterol can harm your health. It’s important to keep track of your cholesterol levels because you may not have any symptoms until a serious problem occurs—like a heart attack or a stroke. This article explains the causes of high cholesterol. It also discusses how to treat and prevent it. Overview You need cholesterol to produce hormones, digest food, and make vitamin D. Your body has two main types of cholesterol: LDL and HDL....

Tardive dyskinesia is a disabling side effect of medications most often used to treat mental health disorders. It causes involuntary and repetitive movements, usually in the tongue and face. People living with mental health conditions and associated complications like tardive dyskinesia may wonder how a COVID-19 infection might affect them differently than others. This article will discuss the risks and complications of COVID-19 in people with tardive dyskinesia, the pandemic’s effect on the diagnosis of tardive dyskinesia, and other considerations, including concerns about vaccination....