Pagophagia is a term used to describe the compulsion to chew ice. Although it is regarded as a form of pica (a psychological disorder characterized by eating non-food items like hair and paper), pagophagia may also be a sign of iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which a lack of iron causes a drop in healthy red blood cells. Symptoms The primary symptom of pagophagia is the compulsive chewing and eating of ice....
A panniculectomy is surgery to remove excess skin from the lower abdomen. It is different from a tummy tuck, which is a cosmetic procedure that removes excess skin and fat and tightens the abdominal muscles. A panniculectomy is elective surgery performed to relieve symptoms from an overhanging apron of skin. The excess skin can irritate and interfere with everyday activities. It’s usually the result of significant weight loss. This article discusses what a panniculectomy is and when it’s recommended....
Prediabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not quite at the level of diabetes. High blood sugar levels occur in prediabetes when the body does not properly respond to insulin (a hormone that allows cells to use sugar for energy). People with prediabetes are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease that can cause problems such as heart, eye, kidney, and nerve damage....
Medications can help with the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in your hands. But many people still have residual symptoms, even with optimal drug treatment. If that applies to you, you might want to consider rings splints. These are a type of hand orthosis, devices used to bring alignment, stability, and support to the joints. Ring splints also may help reduce pain and discomfort in your fingers. How Ring Splints Help Arthritis By definition, people with arthritis have some inflammation of the joints....
Ear scabs are common, and most are not serious. There are several reasons that a person can have scabs in their ear. This article will share the potential causes, symptoms, and treatment options for ear scabs. Ear Pimples Ear pimples can appear on the inside of the ear. They can form just like any pimple found on the face or neck. Although the pimple is harmless, it is important not to pick at or pop it....
Sam Fleming has had anxiety and depression for as long as he can remember. The 33-year-old has also been coping with social difficulties, sensory challenges, and shutdowns throughout his life. Key Takeaways A new study shows that receiving an autism diagnosis in adulthood rather than childhood can lead to lower quality of life, more severe mental health symptoms, and higher autistic trait levels.Research has also shown that men receive a diagnosis of autism several years sooner than women....
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can mean talking with a lot of medical professionals. On top of visits with your regular healthcare provider and rheumatologist (a physician specializing in arthritis), you might see occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or orthopedic surgeons—all of whom have different roles to play in managing your RA and helping you cope. These visits can sometimes feel repetitive or frustrating, as you’re asked to rehash your symptoms over and over again....
Drinking coffee has health benefits, some studies show. But for some people, coffee seems to stir up digestive issues. In fact, some studies suggest that it could cause heartburn, indigestion, and acid reflux. To solve this problem, scientists have explored ways to adjust the compounds in coffee to make a gentler brew. This article discusses what’s known about coffee’s role in stomach woes, and whether drinking certain types of coffee can make the experience less gut-wrenching....
Typhus is a group of bacterial diseases caused by rickettsia bacteria infection. This zoonotic illness is transferred to humans by an infected animal, and typical carriers of the bacteria include fleas, mites, and lice. The infection can spread through the entire bloodstream with systemic (whole-body) involvement, including affecting the central nervous system. Although the disease is more common in underdeveloped areas, it can be found all over the world. It’s uncommon in the United States, but there have been documented cases in parts of the US, including California....
Your teeth and gums play an important role in your digestive system. But it might come as a surprise to learn that celiac disease—which most people associate more frequently with symptoms a bit lower in the digestive tract—can seriously impact your mouth. In fact, it’s possible for your teeth and gums to show signs of celiac disease even before you develop other symptoms, such as diarrhea or constipation, bloating, chronic tiredness or a very itchy skin rash....
When you are starting chemotherapy, your healthcare provider will explain the drug being used, the length of your treatment, and which side effects may occur. This treatment is usually given in regular cycles. Throughout these cycles, you will receive either one chemotherapy drug or a combination with other chemotherapies or treatment types. Here’s what you need to know about what happens during chemotherapy. What Is Chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses chemicals to attack and kill cancer cells....
Treating osteoporosis requires healthy lifestyle habits, such as taking prescribed medications as directed, participating in weight-bearing exercises, and eating a healthy diet rich in nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K, which support bone health. This article discusses eight types of foods that are best avoided when you have osteoporosis. High-sodium Foods Sodium is an essential nutrient, but getting too much of it can adversely affect health, including bones. The current recommendation for sodium intake is no more than 2,300 milligrams per day for most healthy adults....
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), also known as “sticky blood,” is an autoimmune disorder—the result of the immune system attacking the body in error. In the case of APS, the body produces antibodies that attack certain proteins that bind to phospholipids, a type of fat found in blood cells as well as in the lining of blood vessels. The result is the formation of blood clots, which can be serious and sometimes lead to a heart attack or stroke....
Bipolar disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) are different mental disorders. These two conditions can have some overlapping traits. At times, it may be hard to tell them apart. BPD features distinct mood shifts that may last weeks or longer. These include: Manic episodes: Extreme energy, elation, or irritabilityDepressive episodes: Sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interestMixed episodes: Symptoms of both moods at the same time Key NPD symptoms are:...
If you’re living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) during the current COVID-19 pandemic, you may have concerns about your risk of becoming seriously ill should you contract the infection, or if any changes should be made to your medications or dialysis schedule. While early reports didn’t list chronic kidney disease as a risk factor for severe COVID-19, more recent studies have found there is significant reason for concern. Out of risk factors for serious COVID-19 infections, it’s now thought that CKD is the most common risk factor for severe COVID-19 worldwide....
What Is Cytomel? Cytomel (liothyronine) is a thyroid replacement medication, a synthetic form of a naturally occurring thyroid hormone called L-triiodothyronine, or T3. It can be used to treat hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too little hormone. Cytomel replaces the hormone that the thyroid is no longer producing. This medication can also be used in higher doses to suppress thyroid function during treatment for thyroid cancer. Cytomel is an oral medication that comes in tablet form...
Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus) are topical drugs used for the short-term treatment of eczema (atopic dermatitis). The drugs, classified as topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), are the first nonsteroid topical medications developed to treat eczema. Unlike topical steroids, TCIs can be used on the face and eyelids and are not associated with skin injury or the loss of drug action with repeated use. Side effects tend to be mild and may include mild itching and burning sensations....
Fear of intimacy is characterized as the fear of sharing a close physical or emotional relationship with another person. People with a fear of intimacy may experience distress or anxiety at the thought of being intimate with another person. Intimacy can take many forms, including sexual intimacy, emotional intimacy, intellectual intimacy, experiential intimacy, and spiritual intimacy. Learn more about the fear of intimacy, its characteristics, causes, and ways to cope....
Fungal pneumonia is a non-contagious lung infection caused by fungal spores. It happens when the spores mix with the air and are inhaled, or when an inactive infection is reactivated. Fungal pneumonia symptoms are those of the flu: coughing, headache, thick mucus, fever, and chest pain. Several fungi cause fungal pneumonia, the three most common ones being Pneumocystis, Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus. These fungi are found in the air, soil, and clinical environments like hospitals....
Malaria, a parasitic infection, causes an illness that primarily affects red blood cells. The symptoms of malaria infection can be moderate, but serious consequences may occur. Supportive home remedies such as staying hydrated and resting can help you stay comfortable as you recover. Prescription anti-malaria medication is the cornerstone of malaria treatment. In rare instances, specialized medical interventions may be necessary to manage some of the adverse complications. Home Remedies and Lifestyle There are no home remedies that can cure malaria infection or prevent its harmful complications, but at-home management can help make you more comfortable while your infection is being treated with prescription medications....
