Autism spectrum tests can help you assess for autism spectrum traits in yourself, a child, teenager, or another adult. These tests can’t confirm a diagnosis on their own. Even a high score doesn’t necessarily mean you have autism. However, results can help you decide whether you should ask a healthcare provider about being formally evaluated. These tests generally include 50 questions or fewer and can be completed in a few minutes....
The pelvis is located in the abdominal area, below your belly button and between your hips. Pelvic pain can occur in women and men, and it can originate in the urinary, reproductive, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems. Pelvic pain intensity varies based on the cause and can be sudden, constant, or come and go. This article discusses pelvic pain, causes, tests, treatment, and when to see your healthcare provider. Symptoms of Pelvic Pain Characteristics of pelvic pain vary based on the underlying cause....
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare skeletal muscle cancer that occurs most often in childhood. It’s a type of sarcoma. Sarcomas are tumors that arise from mesothelial cells, the cells in the body which give rise to connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, muscle, ligaments, other soft tissues. Roughly 85% of cancers, in contrast, are carcinomas, which arise from epithelial cells. Unlike carcinomas in which epithelial cells have something known as a “basement membrane,” sarcomas do not have a “precancerous cell” stage and therefore screening tests for precancerous stages of the disease are not effective....
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) refers to the unexpected, unexplained death of an infant less than a year old. For a diagnosis of SIDS, the cause of death remains unclear even after a complete investigation. This may include an autopsy, taking a complete medical history, and reviewing the scene of death. Causes Most SIDS deaths are associated with sleep, and some people still refer to SIDS as “crib death.” The exact cause of SIDS remains unknown, but researchers have a number of theories....
People who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) also sometimes develop other diseases or conditions that are called extra-intestinal manifestations (or sometimes EIMs). Skin conditions are fairly common in people with IBD, and one that tends to occur frequently both in the general population and in people with IBD is psoriasis. Many people may think of psoriasis as a rash, but it’s actually a systemic condition and may share the same inflammatory pathway as Crohn’s disease....
The diencephalon has a central location within the human brain sitting just above the brain stem. It is divided into four main structures—the thalamus, hypothalamus, epithalamus, and subthalamus. The diencephalon is involved in many crucial bodily functions including coordinating with the endocrine system to release hormones, relaying sensory and motor signals to the cerebral cortex, and regulating circadian rhythms (the sleep wake cycle). Structures that make up the diencephalon are also involved in regulating body temperature, appetite, and more....
The wear-and-tear theory of aging asserts that the effects of aging are caused by progressive damage to cells and body systems over time. Essentially, human bodies “wear out” due to use. Once they wear out, they can no longer function correctly. It is sometimes called simple deterioration theory or fundamental limitation theory. It’s one of many theories on aging that continue to emerge. Some view aging as a more intentional process....
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are especially common during pregnancy. They are often caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other infections. When left untreated, UTIs can lead to issues with fertility as well as complications during and after pregnancy. UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urethra (the thin tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) and infect the urinary tract. Complicated infections that aren’t treated can affect reproductive organs, including the uterus....
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness along with symptoms like fatigue, cold sensitivity, sleep problems, and a mental “fog.” It can be difficult to more specifically describe what fibromyalgia feels like because it can vary so much from one person to the next. For example, fibromyalgia pain—the defining feature of the condition—can be: Diffuse (felt all over the body) or localized to specific parts of the body, such as the back, abdomen, or neckDescribed as aching, burning, sharp, stabbing, or tinglingConstant, occurring in episodes, or get worse in certain situations (such as in cold weather or at night) This article describes the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia in greater detail so you can have a better idea of how people experience the condition....
Definition The individual mandate—officially called the individual shared responsibility provision—requires virtually all citizens and legal residents of the United States to have health insurance. This article will explain what the individual mandate is, how it was initially enforced, and why it’s no longer an issue for the majority of Americans. The individual mandate is part of the Affordable Care Act, and from 2014 through 2018, there was a financial penalty—assessed by the IRS—for people who didn’t comply with the mandate, unless they were eligible for an exemption from the penalty....
All-cause mortality means death due to any cause. The term is commonly used in medical research where it is often expressed as the total number of deaths that occur within a specific timeframe and population. For example, a 2022 report in the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases states that “smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of all-cause mortality.” In other words, smoking cigarettes increases the risk of dying prematurely due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or any other cause....
There are many different things that can cause bilateral knee pain, which is when both of your knees hurt at the same time. While some of these conditions are quite common and can be easily managed, others are rarer and may require significant medical intervention. Taking a closer look at your symptoms can help you identify and treat the pain. Common Causes Osteoarthritis Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of osteoarthritis....
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a slightly modified form of the unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid called linoleic acid—the word “conjugated” refers to the type of bond between molecules. Naturally found in dairy products and beef (it’s made by microbes that live within the gut of animals), CLA can also be synthesized in the lab as a dietary supplement. There are two major forms (isomers) of CLA: cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12....
Wealthier countries are staking claim to COVID-19 vaccines, possibly buying more doses than they need and leaving low- and middle-income countries short, according to research from Duke University. Key Takeaways High-income countries are snatching up COVID-19 vaccines, and some may have a surplus, according to a Duke University report.With 50% of the initial vaccine supply claimed by 13% of the world population, many countries will come up short.Canada currently has claim to the most doses per capita....
Craniosynostosis causes a baby’s head to have a misshapen appearance. This is because the condition causes one or more of the flexible joints in a baby’s skull, called sutures, to fuse together prematurely. The shape of the baby’s head depends on which suture fused too early. Other possible symptoms include an asymmetrical face and a larger or smaller head than normal. This article discusses the common and rare symptoms of craniosynostosis and its complications....
The benefits of good dental hygiene go beyond bright smiles. Making sure you’re brushing properly, flossing daily, and keeping up with dental appointments preserves your overall health. Dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay can contribute to a number of health conditions, including heart disease and pneumonia. This article provides a quick overview of the conditions associated with poor oral health, those that can make your dental health worse, as well as what you can do to maintain your smile....
Spinal cord compression due to cancer may occur when cancer spreads (metastasizes) to the bones of the spine, and is sometimes the first symptom of cancer. Symptoms usually begin with back pain, that may radiate down the legs or arms, cause weakness or tingling, a band-like sensation in the chest, and/or bladder and bowel problems. An MRI is the best test to diagnose the condition, though the entire spine should be examined....
Egg intolerance is a digestive condition that occurs when a person has difficulty digesting egg whites, egg yolks, or both. This intolerance may develop at any age, last several years, or cause a person to struggle their entire life. This article will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of egg intolerance and explore common foods that contain eggs and egg-free alternatives. Egg Intolerance vs. Egg Allergy An egg intolerance shouldn’t be confused with an egg allergy....
The thought of having surgery can be rather intimidating, but for older adults who have been repeatedly told that they are “high risk” for surgery, the thought can be downright scary. While it is true that an elderly person has a higher risk of complications during and after surgery, that does not mean that a person should expect the worst during or soon after surgery just because they are no longer in their youth....
Exercising with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism has many benefits. It increases energy levels, improves sleep quality, and helps relieve other symptoms of thyroid disease. However, if your thyroid levels are not under control, exercising could cause problems. This article explains what you need to know about exercising with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. It offers advice on how to get started, precautions to consider, and how exercise benefits your thyroid. It also details how much exercise you should be getting every week and how to get out of an exercise rut....
