It’s normal to be concerned when you discover a red flush or pimple-like dots on your skin, but a rash under your breast could indicate any number of things. The good news: Most are mild or easy to treat. Still, in rare cases, a breast rash can be a sign of something more serious. Here’s a roundup of likely causes, plus when to call a healthcare professional. Infections Often, a below-the-breast rash is a sign of a mild infection....
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a progressive disease that mainly affects the joints. According to the American College of Rheumatology, RA is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis, affecting more than 1.3 million Americans. RA can affect many different body systems, including the musculoskeletal system, integumentary system, ocular system, immune system, circulatory system, and more. Read to find out more about these effects. Musculoskeletal System Your musculoskeletal system provides the body with movement, stability, shape, and support....
Every year, about 12 million Americans head to their healthcare providers with “impacted or excessive cerumen,” which means their ears are just full of earwax. All those checkups lead to about 8 million yearly earwax removal procedures performed by medical professionals (a.k.a. not the ear candle specialist at the salon on the corner), according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. Purpose of Earwax The purpose of earwax really is to keep your ear canal clean....
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly assumed to be a childhood disorder. However, in two thirds of cases, it continues into adulthood. The lifetime prevalence of ADHD in adults 18 to 44 years old in the U.S., by some estimates, is as high as 8.8%. Yet fewer than 20% of adults with ADHD are currently diagnosed and treated. When ADHD goes untreated in adults, it can lead to functional impairments, particularly in relationships and in the workplace....
The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is one of the primary ligaments, or connective tissues, in the knee joint. An ACL tear can be either partial or complete. Complete tears usually require surgery, but some partial tears are treatable with non-surgical techniques. If you have a partial tear, your healthcare provider may assess the need for surgery based on how unstable your knee is. If your knee is stable, you may not need surgery....
Allergies are an immune system reaction caused by allergens, which can include pollen, pet dander, dust, and other foreign substances. When a person is sensitive to certain irritants, their immune system responds to that trigger with the production of antibodies. These are blood proteins designed to fight off specific molecules known as antigens. When a specific substance is more abundant during a specific time of the year, the symptoms that some people experience are referred to as seasonal allergies....
As researchers have found new and safer ways to combat infectious diseases, the schedule of vaccines in the United States has grown substantially. Today, fully vaccinated children and teens are protected from 16 different diseases—far more than their parents or grandparents While most parents have embraced these changes, some worry about the increasing number and/or frequency of vaccines that their children receive and wonder if they are actually necessary and safe....
Blood thinners are medications used to treat and prevent blood clots. Blood travels through blood vessels in a liquid form to bring oxygen and nutrients to tissues throughout the body. When blood clots form in the body, they block normal blood flow from reaching tissues, and can cause tissue death, such as in heart attack, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. While blood thinners can be lifesaving medications, they carry a risk of bleeding....
Many people are aware that BRCA2 gene mutations are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, but these mutations have also been linked with ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. While BRCA2 mutations are often linked together with BRCA1 mutations, there are many important differences. The two mutations confer different risks for breast and ovarian cancer and are also associated with different cancers in other regions of the body, including pancreatic cancer....
Bronchodilators are prescription medications used for managing a number of lung conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, and bronchiolitis. Bronchodilators work by dilating (widening) the airways to help you breathe better. These medications are typically inhaled through the mouth using an inhaler and are also prescribed in liquid, pill, and injectable forms. Uses and Types Because bronchodilators relax smooth muscle in the airways. They have a dilating effect on the bronchi and they relieve issues like sudden constriction (tightening) of the airways....
Caffeine is a substance that stimulates the body’s central nervous system, helping you feel more awake and giving you a boost of energy. It comes from natural sources like coffee beans, cacao, and tea leaves, and is commonly added to foods, drinks, and medications. Many people consume at least one caffeinated beverage daily, and some are more sensitive to caffeine than others. This means they experience intense or unwanted side effects after relatively low doses of caffeine, such as headache, restlessness, dizziness, or trouble sleeping....
The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the leading source of information about the incidence of cancer and survival in the United States. The program, founded in 1973, collects and publishes data from population-based cancer registries covering around one-third of the U.S. population. In 2017, an estimated 15,760,939 Americans are living with cancer (or roughly 20% of the U.S. population). The data is further broken down to monitor cancer incidence, prevalence, and trends....
Central vision loss refers to either the sudden or gradual loss of central vision. It involves losing the details in a person’s vision and instead seeing one or more dark or blurry spots in their field of vision. These spots may grow in size or multiply over time. This article will discuss central vision loss, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. What Is Central Vision Loss? In order to see, light must pass through the pupil, which is the small black dot in the center of our eyes....
Clay masks are a popular beauty product that’s used help to cleanse, smooth, and brighten skin and hair. They are popular among people who have oily or acne-prone skin, and they are commonly used to reduce excess oil (also known as sebum) on the face and eliminate impurities that clog pores. Different types of clay masks are used on different skin types. Not all masks are effective, and none can treat the underlying conditions that may be causing your skin symptoms....
There has been a lot of news surrounding the use of antibody tests for COVID-19 as well as confusion about what the tests do. How are they different from PCR tests used for the primary diagnosis of COVID-19? In the most basic terms, antibody tests are used to determine if you have had a past COVID-19 infection, while PCR tests are used to determine if you are currently infected. Key Takeaways...
The CCP (cyclic citrullinated peptide) test measures CCP antibodies in the blood. These proteins are part of an immune system attack on healthy tissues and cells, such as the joints. A healthcare provider may order this test to help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Another common name for this is the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) test. Other names include: Citrulline antibodyCyclic citrullinated peptide antibodyAnticitrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) This article explains what citrullinated proteins do and how the CCP test is used to evaluate them....
There are a variety of surgical specialties—some of which are broader in scope than others. Aside from having differences in training that qualify them to perform certain surgeries, physicians with surgical specialties tend to conduct many of the same procedures again and again. Key to having the most successful outcome is ensuring that you find the right doctor to perform your surgery, and understanding that their experience can be invaluable....
Eating certain foods in restaurants can trigger heartburn, just like they do at home. However, there are methods you can use to reduce your chances of having acid reflex triggered by what you eat and drink. These include regulating food choices, knowing how the food is prepared, beverage selection, and limiting portion sizes. The following recommendations on what to avoid and what is better to eat cover many of the trigger foods and safer foods identified by people with heartburn....
New research from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has found that people who are receiving immunotherapy for melanoma skin cancer may have better outcomes if they eat a high-fiber diet that’s made up of mostly plant-based foods. Key Takeaways Research has shown that a high-fiber diet contributes to a healthy gut and immune system.A new study has found that patients with melanoma who are receiving immunotherapy to treat their cancer may have a better response to treatment if they eat a high-fiber diet....
The esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. In people with GERD, the most common site of injury is the lining of the lower part of the esophagus, at the junction where the esophagus and stomach meet. The protective lining erodes over time. When that layer is completely worn away, the muscular layers of the esophagus are more susceptible to damage from stomach acid. This injury to the esophagus is called an esophageal ulcer....
