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Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. They may itch, bleed, or cause pain. Severe hemorrhoids sometimes need to be removed by a surgeon. Recovery from hemorrhoid treatment or surgery typically lasts one to six weeks. The timeline depends on a few things, including: The type of treatment The severity of the hemorrhoids The number removed Many patients say recovery from this type of surgery is very painful. You can expect at least some pain and discomfort for one to four weeks after the procedure....

Sciatica is a painful condition that may be relieved by specific stretches and exercises that target the lower back and lumbar spine. Doing so can reduce pain in the back, hip, and outer leg caused by compression of a sciatic nerve. This includes sciatic pain commonly experienced by older adults, people with pregnancy, or those with obesity. With that said, there are exercises that can help and those that can make sciatica symptoms worse....

What Is SPS? SPS (sodium polystyrene sulfonate) is an oral medication that treats hyperkalemia, meaning it lowers potassium levels that are too high. The drug is also known as a cation exchange resin because it works by absorbing potassium ions in exchange for sodium ions in the intestine. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is available as a liquid or solution under Kionex and SPS brand names and as a powder under the brand name Kalexate....

Stomach pain is not all that uncommon. In most cases, it is clearly related to something you either ate (such as with food poisoning), caught (like the stomach flu), or experience routinely (such as gastritis). At other times, it can seem as though it appears out of the blue or after taking medication. If this happens and the symptoms are either severe, persistent, or worsening, you need to see a healthcare provider to investigate the cause....

Everyone experiences stress. Some people experience stress as a part of their everyday lives, while others feel it less frequently. As your brain responds to perceived threats, so does your body. Stress can be motivating at manageable levels, but can quickly become overwhelming if you don’t know how to release it from your body or if you’re constantly facing new stressors before you can work through previous ones. Stress can build up and cause problems to your health....

The causes and risk factors for stroke are well understood. A stroke, or the event that occurs when blood flow is interrupted or reduced, is often a consequence of a condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or infection. While a stroke may feel sudden, the reality is there are often risk factors at play for years prior to the event. Most people who experience a stroke have more than one predisposing factor, be it obesity, a smoking habit, a sedentary lifestyle, or certain genetic traits....

Steroids come in both topical (applied to the skin) and systemic forms. Systemic steroids are taken by mouth or injected. “Systemic” means they affect the entire body, not just the skin. These steroids are used for treating a wide range of diseases. Although these drugs are often necessary and sometimes even life-saving, they can have both short-term and long-term side effects. Some of the long-term side effects can be serious....

Healthcare providers treating people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been utilizing telehealth for several years. But like nearly all other medical fields, it has become increasingly popular. When to Use Telehealth for HIV/AIDS Not every visit with a practitioner, nurse, or other healthcare professional requires physically going into their office. This holds true for people living with HIV/AIDS. Telehealth and COVID-19 With the spread of COVID-19, telehealth has become an attractive alternative to in-person healthcare appointments....

Tingling in the hands and feet—a condition known as peripheral neuropathy—is a complication that can develop in people with diabetes. Usually, this condition develops over time as a result of high or uncontrolled blood sugar levels. In this article, you will learn what other conditions can lead to peripheral neuropathy and how to find relief if you develop tingling in your hands and feet from diabetes. What Is Tingling in the Hands and Feet?...

If you have frequent migraine headaches, you might be surprised to learn that your jaw could be to blame. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your head and the side of your jaw. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)—also called TMJ disorders—refer to a collection of disorders that cause symptoms like pain and clicking in the joint and surrounding areas. TMJ disorders can sometimes cause or worsen migraines (recurring headaches that cause throbbing or pulsing pain)....

Mindfulness and meditation have emerged as mental health cure-alls, treating everything from stress to depression. Increasingly, however, researchers are also coming to terms with the less positive side of the practice. Key Takeaways Meditation and mindfulness can cause some negative side effects in some who practice. In a new study, 6% of participants who practiced mindfulness reported negative side effects that lasted for more than a month.These effects can disrupt social relationships, sense of self, and physical health....

Unexplained or unintentional weight loss may seem a welcome change for some people, but asking about the potential causes is important. Unintentional weight loss may be a sign of a medical condition, and these potentially serious causes can range from thyroid problems to cancer. With medical evaluation, an underlying condition is found in at least 72% of people who lose weight unexpectedly. It’s why unexplained weight loss should always be a reason to talk to your healthcare provider....

What Is Zejula? Zejula (niraparib) is an oral cancer medication called a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. It is used in adults to treat certain types of cancer that affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes. PARP is an enzyme that repairs DNA damage in cells. By blocking PARP from working in cancer cells, they are prevented from repairing the DNA, which causes the cancer cell to die. Zejula comes in capsule form....