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Breast cancer and osteoporosis are both relatively common health conditions in women, whose risk for both conditions increases as they age. Many breast cancer treatments contribute to the development of osteoporosis, affecting bone health and potentially leading to serious fractures. This article discusses the connection between breast cancer and osteoporosis, associated risks, and ways to decrease them. Connections Between Breast Cancer and Osteoporosis Because both breast cancer and osteoporosis are common in postmenopausal women, it’s not surprising that many women who have had breast cancer also develop osteoporosis....

In some people with multiple sclerosis (MS), certain vaccines can trigger symptom flare-ups. This leads some people with MS to wonder if they should get vaccinated against COVID-19. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the answer is yes: It’s safe and important for people with MS to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and MS, including side effects, effectiveness, and risks. Benefits The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has fully approved or given emergency use authorization (EUA) to four COVID-19 vaccines in the United States:...

Cardiac asthma is a term used to describe asthma-like symptoms that can occur with left-sided heart failure, a condition in which a lower chamber of the heart (called the left ventricle) is unable to pump blood efficiently. When this occurs, it can cause respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and wheezing that can easily be mistaken for asthma. Because the causes of asthma and heart failure are different, a correct diagnosis is vital: If cardiac asthma were to be treated with certain asthma medications, the heart failure may get worse....

Itchy breasts are not uncommon and are usually a symptom of noncancerous conditions like dry skin or mastitis. However, there are some serious causes, including inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) and Paget’s disease—two rare forms of breast cancer. If you have itchy breasts, it can be distracting and uncomfortable, for you—and your scratching can lead to bleeding or other complications. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment to relieve your symptoms....

There are several ways that you can develop pneumonia ranging from inhaling toxic substances in the workplace to unknowingly being infected by a bacteria in the hospital. Any lung infection acquired outside of the hospital setting is considered community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Viruses and certain bacteria such as streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), haemophilus influenzae, and atypical bacteria—like chlamydia pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella species—are among the most common culprits of CAP....

Losing the sense of taste and smell is commonly associated with COVID-19. However, it’s not the only smell dysfunction that people might experience. People recovering from COVID-19 are also reporting that the smell of rotting meat seems to follow them everywhere. Normal odors may even suddenly smell rotten, metallic, or skunk-like. Key Takeaways Some people recovering from COVID-19 report that foods taste rotten, metallic, or skunk-like, describing a condition called parosmia....

Waxing is one of the options for dealing with hirsutism (excess hair growth), a common symptom of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Waxing is relatively inexpensive, can be done by yourself at home or a salon by an esthetician, and results can last up to several weeks. Despite these benefits, waxing has some drawbacks. It can be painful and may lead to breakouts or ingrown hairs. Although rare, it may also contribute to bruising or skin infections in susceptible people....

You can have a genetic test to determine whether you carry the gene that causes Huntington’s disease. You would also have a clinical diagnosis when you develop symptoms. The condition is hereditary, and if one of your parents has Huntington’s disease, you have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene. Having the gene means that you will eventually develop the condition. The signs of Huntington’s disease can begin gradually—with personality changes, cognitive decline, involuntary movements, and diminished muscle control....

Mammograms are considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening, but they are not 100% accurate. In some cases, other imaging studies are needed to determine if a biopsy (removing a sample tissue for further examination) is necessary to check for cancer. Medicare covers screening mammograms for free. But breast ultrasounds are also recommended for many women, especially those with dense breast tissue. This article will explain when Medicare pays for breast ultrasound and how much it will cost....

An endotracheal tube, also known as an ET tube, is a flexible tube that is placed in the trachea (windpipe) through the mouth or nose. It is used to either assist with breathing during surgery or support breathing in people with lung disease, heart failure, chest trauma, or an airway obstruction. The process of inserting an ET tube is called endotracheal intubation (EI). Medications can be given to reduce discomfort and make the placement to the tube easier....

When you get a back surgery, once it’s over the last thing you’re probably anticipating is another problem. Unfortunately, almost any surgery comes with the risk for complications, which in turn may give you pain or other symptoms after the fact. One such complication of spine surgery is epidural fibrosis, or scarring at the surgery site. Overview Epidural fibrosis is the name given to scarring that naturally occurs after back surgery....

Many people turn to natural remedies—such as essential oils—to help ease the pain and discomfort caused by shingles. As with any home remedy, it’s important to use essential oils as a complementary treatment and not a substitute for any treatment your healthcare provider suggests. In this article, learn which essential oils may provide relief, the conventional treatments they complement, and how to use essential oils. Essential Oils for Shingles Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts taken from the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of plants....

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is estimated that at least 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C. The infection can cause significant damage to the liver, leading to cirrhosis (liver scarring) and hepatocellular cancer. The virus is spread through contact with the blood of someone who has it. There is no vaccine available to prevent this illness....

Cervical cancer diagnosis usually begins with a routine Pap smear screening. Abnormal results are then followed by a biopsy, in which a small amount of tissue is studied in a laboratory to test for cervical cancer. Other tests or procedures may be done when cervical cancer is diagnosed and staged, before treatment begins. That’s especially true in more advanced stages of cervical cancer. This article explains the tests and procedures used to diagnose cervical cancer....

When your mind is racing and you can’t sleep, you are stuck in a cyclical pattern that can make it hard to get the rest you need. Stress and anxiety can keep your mind running, and those “spinning wheels” can induce more of the same. This can cause or worsen insomnia. To turn off a racing mind, you have to cut off its fuel, so to speak. You can do this by:...

Although it’s been nearly two months since the country began COVID-19 vaccine distribution, plenty of Americans are still at a loss on how they can secure a vaccine appointment. Many state health departments have created vaccine registration portals to make the process easier, but websites often crash due to high traffic as people check repeatedly for open slots. Key Takeaways Some local health departments and health institutions are using social media to disseminate information about available COVID-19 vaccine slots....

Itchy skin, also called pruritus, usually occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or an allergen. Most pruritus is harmless and goes away on its own. Sometimes, though, itchy skin, including itchy ankles, can be a sign of an underlying issue. This article will provide an overview of the possible causes of itchy ankles, when to seek medical care, and how itchy ankles are treated. Causes of Itchy Ankles Conditions that can cause itchy ankles range from allergies to psoriasis to autoimmune conditions (when the immune system overreacts)....

When one or both of your legs shake, it is typically referred to as a tremor. This is an involuntary muscle contraction, meaning you are not in control of the leg movement. Leg tremors may happen for many reasons and are not always a cause for concern. However, there are some conditions that cause leg shaking and may warrant a visit with your healthcare provider. Read on to learn more about what may be causing your legs to shake....

Lung disease is a serious potential health condition that can develop in people with systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Interstitial lung disease occurs in most, but not all people with the condition. It is the leading cause of death among people with systemic sclerosis. Pulmonary hypertension is another less common lung problem in systemic sclerosis. It is the second leading cause of death in people with the condition. Lung Issues From Systemic Sclerosis People with systemic sclerosis can develop specific problems with their lungs....

What Is Nyvepria? Nyvepria (pegfilgrastim-apgf) is a medication used to decrease the risk of infection in people receiving chemotherapy. It is in a class of medications called granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF). Certain chemotherapy medications reduce how many infection-fighting white blood cells are in the body. Nyvepria works by stimulating the bone marrow, the tissue inside the bones where the blood cells are made, to make more white blood cells. This medication is biosimilar to Neulasta (pegfilgrastim)....