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Finding the right gifts for a cancer patient can be tricky. Cancer causes physical and emotional changes, such as sensitivities and self-image challenges, that make certain gifts less than desirable or helpful—even though they’re given with the best intentions. From comfortable clothing to things to pass the time, snacks to personal care items, this article covers some gifts for cancer patients that are sure to be well-received. It provides options you can purchase and some that require no money at all, and also discusses gifts you may want to avoid....

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a disease of ups and downs. Some days, your back and joint symptoms are well-managed and you can go about your day with little or no discomfort. On other days, the swelling and pain are magnified, and you struggle to do simple tasks. A flare, or a flare-up, is when symptoms of axSpA increase, causing pain and discomfort, and might affect your ability to get around. Most researchers describe a flare-up as when your axSpA symptoms increase over a short period....

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, your healthcare provider may have prescribed more than one inhaler. Short-acting bronchodilators are rescue inhalers to be used as needed for acute (sudden) breathing difficulties. Long-acting controller medications—either inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting bronchodilators, or combination inhalers—are taken every day to prevent symptom flare-ups and asthma attacks. If you are having difficulty breathing, reach for your rescue inhaler. These include: Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA (albuterol) Xopenex HFA (levalbuterol) Alupent (metaproterenol) Maxair (pirbuterol) Short-Acting Bronchodilators Work Quickly Short-acting bronchodilators, known as short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs), provide quick relief of asthma attacks and COPD exacerbations....

Many different health conditions can cause limping (antalgic gait) when you walk. This can include acute injuries as well as gradually progressing medical concerns. Paying closer attention to when the limping occurs and any symptoms that accompany it can help you determine its origins. This article will detail the most common causes of and treatments for limping. Causes of Limping Limping is associated with many diagnoses, though some are more common than others....

Cecum cancer is a specific type of cancer that can develop at the very beginning of the colon. Signs and symptoms are sometimes elusive, but historical studies show that up to 20% of colorectal cancers occur in the cecum (in some studies it is much less common). This article will discuss the signs and symptoms of cecum cancer, and how it is diagnosed and treated. Anatomy and Function of the Cecum In order to better understand the symptoms you might expect from cecum cancer, it’s helpful to review the anatomy and function of the colon in the digestive process....

Clonus is a reflex which refers to involuntary, repetitive, and rhythmic muscle contractions. This abnormal reflex is due to a lesions in descending motor neurons, which are those responsible for motor function, muscle tone, reflex strength, and more. Clonus can be observed throughout the body, but is most commonly seen in the biceps, triceps, patella, and ankle regions. This article reviews the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of clonus. Causes of Clonus Clonus is a type of stretch reflex, meaning that when a muscle group is stretched or stimulated, neurons perceive that stretch and cause contraction of the same muscle group....

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a protein that appears in the blood when you have a hepatitis B infection. An HBsAg blood test can detect this antigen. If you’re positive, it means you have the virus and can pass it to others through your blood or body fluids. The HBsAg test is used along with other tests to confirm hepatitis B and whether or not you’re contagious. What Is Hepatitis B?...

Internal hemorrhoids, also called piles, are a common condition. They happen when veins inside the rectum and anus become swollen due to increased pressure. Many hemorrhoids can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. This is especially the case if a blood clot has formed, or the hemorrhoids have become chronic or long-term. This article looks at hemorrhoids, their symptoms, causes, and diagnosis. It also looks at some of the ways hemorrhoids can be treated....

A loosening hip replacement implant can be painful. Symptoms of a loose hip replacement include pain in the groin or upper thigh, new popping or clicking noises, joint instability, and dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation) of the joint. Hip replacements usually last at least 20 years. Carrying excess body weight or doing high-impact activities and exercise can put excess strain on the artificial joint and cause it to wear out early....

Proper management of your child’s cleft lip repair is very important to prevent damage to the surgical site. Any complications can lead to additional scarring, a longer healing period, and even increase the possibility that your child will need extra surgeries. This article will explain how to best care for your child after their cleft lip repair, but because all cases are unique, please follow your healthcare provider’s instructions if they differ from this document....

A latex allergy is caused by proteins found in latex rubber, and may also be found in cross-reactive foods that share the same proteins, like avocados, bananas, and chestnuts. Your risk of developing a latex allergy increases the more you use latex products, like rubber gloves or condoms. This article discusses a latex condom allergy, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and alternatives to latex condoms. Latex Condom Allergy Symptoms Topical symptoms of latex condoms include itching, swelling, and redness around the skin and genitals....

Ligaments are tough, fibrous connective tissue that connect two adjacent bones and help to keep them stabilized within a joint space. The main job of ligaments is to provide stability to joints and bones throughout the body. In fact, the function of ligaments are reflected in their name, which comes from “ligare”—the Latin word for “bind” or “tie.” When you suffer a ligament injury, you lose stability at the injured site....

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a type of noninvasive imaging test that allows your healthcare provider to see inside the fluid-filled organs in your abdomen, including the: Pancreas and pancreatic duct Gallbladder and gallbladder ducts Liver The test is used to help diagnose a number of health conditions, such as gallstones and pancreatitis. It can also be used to look for structural or functional issues that develop prenatally, as well as surgical complications that can affect these vital organs....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and reactive arthritis are conditions that cause joint pain and swelling. MS is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system malfunctions and starts to attack healthy tissues. MS will target the brain and spinal cord, attacking the myelin sheath—the protective coating surrounding nerve fibers. Researchers believe that reactive arthritis is also an autoimmune disorder triggered by an infection that induces an immune system response. Bacteria can travel from the site of infection through the bloodstream to the synovial tissue (lining of the joints), leading to the development of reactive arthritis....

Neurodermatitis, also known as lichen simplex chronicus, is a skin condition that involves excessive itching and scratching, leading to inflamed patches on the skin. It is not life-threatening or contagious, but it rarely goes away on its own without treatment. When people scratch areas of neurodermatitis, they can irritate the nerves in the skin, which can lead to a chronic itch-and-scratch cycle that prevents healing. If you are suffering from any itching or scratching on your skin, read on to see if it might be neurodermatitis and what you can do about it....

Obsessions are persistent and often intrusive thoughts, ideas, or impulses. Most people know that their obsessions are excessive but feel unable to control them. Because they are unwanted and disturbing, obsessions usually cause anxiety. To relieve that anxiety, people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are driven to perform compulsions. Compulsions are rituals or behaviors that temporarily “neutralize” someone’s distress about an unwanted obsession. Most people with OCD experience both obsessions and compulsions....

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can range from mild to severe. It is commonly caused by bacteria or viruses but can also be due to fungal infections. In the United States, common causes of viral pneumonia are influenza (the flu) and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As with all COVID-19 research, studies into the connection between pneumonia and COVID-19 are ongoing. This article explores the connection between COVID-19 and pneumonia....

Hepatitis C does not affect all groups equally. Black and Latinx people in the United States are not only more likely to get this viral liver disease but more likely to die from hepatitis C complications than White people. What is especially alarming is the high rate of liver cancer and liver cancer deaths among Black people, which is around 50% higher than the rate seen in Whites. Hepatitis C is a contributing factor given that Black people are twice as likely to have the virus than Whites....

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed more people in the U.S. into the role of unpaid caregiver, increasing the demands for those who were already assisting a loved one with daily tasks. Key Takeaways A Blue Cross Blue Shield report has found that unpaid caregivers in the U.S. experience a higher prevalence of health conditions that could lower their overall wellbeing.More individuals are identifying as caregivers during the COVID-19 outbreak.One in four unpaid caregivers report feeling added stress because of the pandemic....

Those who have had scabies may only need to hear the name of this condition to reimagine the notable symptoms it causes. The main one is an extremely itchy (and unforgettable) rash caused when the Sarcoptes scabiei mite burrows itself beneath the skin. The rash may be red or purple and paired with pimples or pus. Lines (burrows) may also be present, which can help differentiate a scabies rash from another skin concern....