Posts

A mammogram is the standard test for breast cancer screening. Sometimes it can be used together with breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect or rule out breast cancer for women at high risk of the disease. Breast MRIs can detect tumors that mammograms may miss, but they also have the potential to mistakenly identify non-cancerous breast tissue as cancer, which can lead to a false-positive result. Usually, breast MRIs are expensive, and the cost isn’t always covered by health insurance....

Pan ulcerative colitis is a form of ulcerative colitis that affects the entire colon. It is characterized by inflammation, which can lead to sores, ulcers, and gastrointestinal symptoms. It is commonly referred to as pancolitis, total colitis, or universal colitis. Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic, lifelong condition. Approximately 14%–35% of patients with ulcerative colitis will develop pancolitis. Causes The cause of ulcerative colitis is not well understood by researchers, but it is thought to be the result of complex interactions between the intestinal lining and immune system....

When it’s time, your healthcare provider will outline the best prednisone tapering schedule for you to wean yourself off of the drug. This involves gradually reducing the dose over days, weeks, or months. Some typical recommendations for prednisone tapering include: Dosages above 40 milligrams (mg) per day: Decrease by 5 mg at a time until you reach 20 mg per day.Dosages of 20 mg: Decrease in 2.5-mg increments until you reach 10 mg per day....

Cervical cancer is caused by abnormalities in the cells of the cervix that usually progress slowly over time, and is almost always caused by an infection with high-risk forms of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. Lifestyle approaches can reduce your risk, and vaccination can be very effective in preventing the HPV infection that leads to the cancer in the first place. Regular screening with a primary HPV test or a combination of an HPV test and a Pap smear can identify early precancerous changes, and treatment, when needed, can greatly reduce the chance that cervical cancer will develop or spread....

While there is no cure for psoriasis (an autoimmune skin condition), it is treatable and manageable. Treatment may vary depending on the psoriasis type, but the condition is frequently treated with topical treatments, oral and injected systemic (whole-body) drugs, and phototherapy. Treatment goals for psoriasis are to decrease disease severity and improve quality of life. This typically means reducing skin lesions on most of the body within a few months of the start of treatment....

Craving an adult beverage? Here’s some alcohol. If you’re 21 or older, the next party you go to will probably have alcoholic drinks, but it might not have much else. Adults who don’t drink alcohol, or who are trying to cut back, may find themselves awkwardly scanning trays of boozy concoctions—or eyeing up the kids’ table instead. Aqxyl Storms, who co-founded the Brooklyn-based nonalcoholic liquor store Minus Moonshine, said adults are too often left out of “fun” beverages if they don’t drink alcohol....

What Is Qsymia? Qsymia is a prescription medication that, along with changes in eating habits and exercise, can aid in weight loss in certain people. It’s classified as a Schedule IV drug (controlled substance). Qsymia combines Adipex-P (phentermine), an anorexiant (reduces food intake), and Topamax (topiramate), an anti-seizure medicine. It contains a synthetic yellow dye called tartrazine. Qsymia works by releasing certain chemicals in the brain (hypothalamus), suppressing appetite, and reducing the amount of food you eat....

Headaches in pregnancy can sometimes be a warning sign of a more serious problem like preeclampsia—a condition that involves high blood pressure. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of headaches during pregnancy, how to recognize them, and what to do if you think your headache may be a sign of a dangerous complication. Types of Headaches Headaches are classified by what causes them and fall into two categories:...

Skin (cutaneous) lymphomas often manifest as a skin rash. Although usually identified early, skin lymphomas can be mistaken for other skin conditions, delaying diagnosis. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) occurs when lymphocytes called T cells and B cells become cancerous. Although there are many subtypes of lymphoma, skin lymphomas only make up about 4% of the total of all NHL. This article will review the types of skin lymphomas and discuss their symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment....

Telehealth is health care provided remotely using technology, including live video chats, mobile health apps (also called mHealth), online visits, and secure messaging via text or email. Many conditions can be diagnosed and/or managed through telehealth, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—a common condition in people of childbearing age involving hormone imbalances, metabolic problems, and the development of ovarian cysts. When to Use Telehealth for PCOS Because telehealth uses technology that includes video, audio, or email (or a combination), healthcare providers can assess and treat conditions that do not require a physical exam....

What Is Vabysmo? Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) is a prescription medication used to treat various ophthalmic (eye) conditions, such as macular degeneration and macular edema, in adults 18 and older. Vabysmo is classified as a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) inhibitor. Specifically, Vabysmo stops the formation of specific proteins that may cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes, allowing them to break and leak blood and fluid into areas of the eye, ultimately causing vision damage....

A pessary is a soft, flexible device that is inserted into the vagina to support pelvic structures such as the bladder, uterus, and rectum and to prevent their protrusion into the vagina. They are made in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be an effective, non-invasive way to treat pelvic organ prolapse. Different forms of pessary have been used since ancient times, including a reference by Hippocrates in which half a pomegranate was used to support a prolapsed uterus....

There are a lot of possible reasons why you may be experiencing pain or soreness in and around your vagina. Some, like irritation or menopause, may be obvious. Others, like a sexually transmitted infection or a cyst, less so. What people call “vagina pain” may indeed involve the vagina, the inside part that connects to the womb or uterus. But it may also involve the vulva, the outer part of the genitals....

Cystic fibrosis–related diabetes (CFRD) is a complication of cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is an inherited disorder that causes the mucus in your body to be thick and sticky. It affects many organs and body systems, including your pancreas. If your pancreas becomes too damaged, it will be difficult to make enough of the hormone insulin to take the sugar out of your bloodstream. If this happens, you will develop diabetes....

When the COVID-19 pandemic first began, healthcare professionals were puzzled by the patients who never seemed to fully recover from the virus. Since those first few months, help and resources have emerged for those experiencing what is now known as long COVID. Key Takeaways People in the chronic illness community are noticing similarities between long COVID and conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and fibromyalgia.But people with chronic illnesses often have had to struggle for years to be taken seriously and receive a diagnosis....

There are two major types of doctors that work on the kidney: nephrologists and urologists. Urologists are surgeons of the urinary tract that can remove cancers of the kidneys, open up blockages in the ureters from stones, or help drain the bladder better. Nephrologists are medical specialist of the kidneys that can help maximize the kidney’s function and support it with dialysis if necessary. Kidney Disease Overview Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often referred to as the “silent killer,” as many people have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all when they are diagnosed....

Pregnancy insomnia refers to trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both when pregnant. Sleepless nights are a common occurrence during pregnancy. It is estimated that up to 78% of pregnant people experience sleep disturbances throughout pregnancy. There are several possible causes of pregnancy insomnia, including hormonal changes, physical discomfort, and mood disorders. It is not recommended to use regular sleep medications while pregnant. This article will provide an overview of pregnancy insomnia and describe natural remedies to address it....

Influenza—also known as the flu—can affect between 3% and 11% of Americans each year. Certain people, like people aged 65 and older or those with chronic conditions like asthma, are at a greater risk of developing serious complications if they get the flu. The best way to stop from getting sick is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. Flu vaccines come in the form of shots and the FluMist nasal spray....

Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. Heredity, genetics, and environmental triggers are thought to cause these conditions. There are more than 100 different types and up to 75% of those living with these conditions are women and girls. There are lots of theories about why females are more susceptible to these conditions, but researchers don’t have definitive answers. Keep reading to learn about why autoimmune diseases might affect more females, which ones are most common in women, and the effect they have....

A bronchoscopy is an endoscopic medical procedure that is used to look inside the airways (bronchi) and the lungs. It involves inserting a bronchoscope—a narrow tube that has a light and a camera on one end—through the nose or mouth and guiding it down through the trachea (windpipe) in order to get an internal view of the respiratory system. It may be done to diagnose a disease or condition such as lung cancer or infection, or to treat a medical problem such as a foreign object that’s lodged in the airways....