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Eyeglass lens material doesn’t change the corrective power of your glasses. Rather, eyeglass lens types offer different cosmetic and lifestyle benefits to the wearer. For example, some offer protection from the glare of computer screens. Others thin out lenses that would otherwise be thick and stick out of a frame. This article reviews the different lens material options for glasses. You can use this information to decide which eyeglasses lens material type is right for you....

Corticosteroids refer to a class of drugs used to treat inflammatory arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Because they are commonly referred to as “steroids,” people often believe them to be the same thing as anabolic steroids, which are used to boost strength and physical performance. However, while they share some molecular properties, the two are quite different. Overview The word “steroid” is a broad-ranging term used to describe any compound with a specific molecular structure—in this case, composed of four fused rings of 17 carbon atoms....

Mineral oil is an over-the-counter chemical substance made from naturally occurring crude petroleum oil. It is a colorless, transparent, oily liquid that is odorless and tasteless. Often touted for its health benefits, mineral oil is a staple in many homes as a remedy for a variety of ailments from dry skin to constipation. It is often found in makeup removers. Mineral oil is generally considered safe, but caution is needed when taking it by mouth....

The pleura is a vital part of the respiratory tract. Its role is to cushion the lung and reduce any friction that may develop between the lung, rib cage, and chest cavity. Each pleura (there are two) consists of a two-layered membrane that covers each lung. The layers are separated by a small amount of viscous (thick) lubricant known as pleural fluid. There are a number of medical conditions that can affect the pleura, including pleural effusions, a collapsed lung, and cancer....

Richter’s syndrome (RS), also known as Richter’s transformation, refers to the transformation of one specific blood cancer type into a different, more aggressive type. RS refers to the development of high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma in a person who has chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). Other variants of RS are also known to occur, such as transformation to Hodgkin lymphoma. An explanation of these terms and their significance follows. Overview RS develops in someone who already has a cancer of the white blood cells....

A sinus infection is one of the most common complications that can occur after a cold or allergy attack. It can be difficult to tell when a regular cold has turned into a sinus infection, which is also called sinusitis, but some key indications include pain and pressure in the face; thick green or yellow mucus; and upper/back toothache. While most symptoms resolve in two weeks or less (with or without treatment, depending on the cause), you may also develop a chronic sinus infection that can linger for months....

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a tear in the wall of the coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood. SCAD is an important cause of heart attack in young women and can lead to sudden death, arrhythmias, and heart failure. Treating SCAD is different from heart attack treatment caused by cholesterol plaques or atherosclerosis. Read on to understand the risk factors, symptoms, complications, and treatment of SCAD. SCAD: The Facts A dissection is a tear in the inner lining of an artery....

The transverse cervical artery (also called the transverse artery of the neck) is a small blood vessel located in your neck. This artery provides blood supply to your trapezius muscle, a large muscle in your back that helps raise your arms. You use your trapezius muscle for a variety of movements, including lifting heavy objects and lifting weights. The transverse cervical artery can become damaged by a traumatic neck injury. In certain reconstructive surgical procedures involving the neck, this artery is surgically placed into the restructured tissue so that it can provide a healthy blood supply....

Type 2 diabetes remission occurs when blood glucose (sugar) levels remain below the range that defines diabetes. However, remission does not mean a cure. Someone with type 2 diabetes that’s in remission can return to a state of hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) and type 2 diabetes, especially if weight is regained or unhealthy lifestyle habits return. This article discusses remission in type 2 diabetes, the factors that lead to remission, and the steps you can take to stay in remission....

Genetic predisposition is an increased chance that you’ll develop a certain disease based on your genetic makeup. This can be identified via your family history and/or genetic alterations. A predisposition contributes to the development of disease but doesn’t actually cause it. A genetic predisposition (or genetic susceptibility) isn’t the same as a genetic disease; it’s simply an indicator that, under the right conditions, you’re more likely to develop a disease. It typically takes at least one more contributing factor, beyond the predisposition, to trigger a disease you’re susceptible to....

When you lose an adult tooth, it’s important for your dental health that you get it replaced. If you don’t, you risk teeth shifting, further instability in the mouth, and additional tooth loss. It may also cause damage to the underlying bone. One option for replacing lost teeth is an endosteal implant, which is often referred to as a dental implant. In a multi-step surgery, this type of implant is permanently embedded into your upper or lower jaw bone....

Yervoy (ipilimumab) is an immunotherapy drug approved to treat a variety of cancers, including melanoma, kidney cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and certain types of lung cancer. It is administered through your vein and may be given alone or in combination with another immunotherapy drug called Optivo (nivolumab). The goal of Yervoy (and other immunotherapies) is to prompt your immune system to attack cancer cells within your body. Yervoy does this by targeting and inhibiting a protein receptor called cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4)....

On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City, leading to nearly 3,000 deaths. In the weeks and months following the attacks, thousands of first responders and recovery workers put their own physical and mental health at risk by reporting to Ground Zero to aid in the recovery efforts. This article discusses the health effects for the people involved in the rescue effort, including the most common cancers in people who were exposed....

The idea of an addictive personality, in which someone’s personality makes them more susceptible to addiction, is controversial among addiction experts. Research shows that there is not a clearly defined addictive personality. Some experts say it’s an invalid construct and only encourages addiction stigma. Others say early trauma is more likely to predispose people to addiction. Some research indicates that those at high-risk for addiction do share common traits, including impulsivity and risk-taking....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) cannot be prevented. However, with proper and prompt diagnosis and treatment, it can certainly be managed. Managing symptoms well decreases the chance for long-term complications. This article discusses the outlook, treatments, and changes to make to better manage ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing Spondylitis Outlook While ankylosing spondylitis cannot be prevented, due to advances in modern medicine, it can certainly be managed and well-controlled. People with AS can lead productive, full lives with a normal life span....

The symptoms of asthma, a chronic (long-term) condition that causes the sudden narrowing of airways, can be triggered by many different things. One of the more common is allergies. In fact, roughly three out of every five people with asthma have what is called allergy-induced asthma, or simply allergic asthma. When you have an allergic reaction, the immune system will release a chemical called histamine that triggers symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, and rash....

You may have seen Blue-Emu cream sitting among various topical pain relievers on your drugstore shelf. It likely caught your attention because the name of the product sounds a little different, even a little exotic. What is Blue-Emu? What are the common uses of this product? Is it safe and effective? This article will answer those questions and more. You’ll learn how to use Blu-Emu cream as well as what the research says about its safety and effectiveness for pain relief....

With the rise of bariatric surgery and extreme weight loss, body lift surgery is becoming more frequent. Body lift surgery addresses loose, hanging skin caused by massive weight loss, pregnancy, age, and sun damage. The procedure raises, firms, and tightens the skin of the thighs, buttocks, hips (flanks), groin, waist, and abdomen. Also known as a lower body lift or belt lipectomy—so named because the incisions encircle the body like a belt, excess skin is removed and the surrounding tissue repositioned to create a more natural body contour....

You can use mail-order drug services to have your prescription drugs delivered to your home. You skip the line and inconvenience of visiting a pharmacy. This article will explain what you need to know about the benefits and drawbacks of receiving drugs by mail order. Utilizing mail-order pharmacy services has been growing in popularity for years. According to a 2020 analysis, there were 13.5 million American adults receiving prescriptions via mail order in 1996, and that had grown to nearly 26 million by 2018....

You probably know that calcium is good for your bone health and may help you ward off osteoporosis—a bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little, or both. Calcium is a vital nutrient that can build bone and maintain your bone strength. But calcium cannot help your bones if you are not getting enough vitamin D. But before you decide to start taking calcium and vitamin D supplements, it is a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about whether you actually need them....