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Herpes is a recurrent, contagious viral infection that causes small ulcers and blisters around the mouth or genital area. Herpes infection is widespread in the United States and worldwide. Typically when people think of herpes, they think of genital herpes, but herpes can also cause lesions around the mouth known as cold sores. This article will discuss herpes facts and statistics, including oral and genital herpes. It will also go into how the viruses are transmitted and treated....

Stroke treatment is about halting the potential problems that a stroke can cause before the damage is done. Depending on the type of stroke, a blood thinner such as tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) may be given to improve blood flow to the brain. Doctors will also use medication and fluids, as appropriate, to manage blood pressure, electrolytes, and other factors that, if not maintained, can worsen your prognosis. In some cases, surgery may be needed to improve the potential of recovery....

A vaginal yeast infection is a common and uncomfortable problem that many women will experience at least once. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available. Over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may be adequate for milder yeast infections. However, symptoms can sometimes be caused by other conditions, so you should get a diagnosis before treating yourself. If your yeast infection is severe or a chronic problem, your provider may prescribe an oral or topical medication....

Many women start to notice symptoms they suspect could be indicative of menopause in their 40s. This period of time is called perimenopause, which is the phase leading up to your final menstrual period. During perimenopause, a woman’s ovarian function begins to wane, so estrogen levels in the body start decreasing. With declining estrogen levels and other hormone changes in the body, many women begin to experience symptoms like hot flashes and mood problems, as well as a change in their menstrual cycles....

Metopic craniosynostosis is a rare form of the birth defect craniosynostosis. Craniosynostosis occurs when the flexible joints in a baby’s skull known as sutures fuse prematurely. These sutures usually stay flexible until your child’s second birthday and allow the brain to grow and develop. Metopic craniosynostosis occurs when your child’s metopic suture fuses prematurely. The metopic suture runs from the nose up to the sagittal suture on the top of the head....

Megacystis microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a rare congenital condition characterized by abdominal distension caused by a largely dilated non-obstructed urinary bladder (megacystis); very small colon (microcolon); and decreased or absent intestinal movements (intestinal peristalsis). This impairs the functioning of the stomach, intestines, kidneys, and bladder, thus interfering with urination and digestion. It can cause vomiting and abdominal distension (enlargement) in affected newborns, and children diagnosed with MMIHS require significant, ongoing supportive care....

If you get dry eyes, you probably know how uncomfortable and even painful the condition can be. When the eyes don’t produce enough tears to stay properly lubricated or if tears are poor quality and evaporate too quickly, you may get irritation, inflammation, and blurred vision. The dryness, scratchiness, and stinging that you feel can be caused by factors in your environment (like the humidity in your home or the position of your computer monitor) or by underlying medical conditions....

Almost everyone eats a diet that includes nitrates. These compounds are found naturally in vegetables and are also added to foods like processed meats to help preserve them. Most of the time, nitrates pass through our bodies without causing problems. Bacteria can turn nitrates into similar compounds called nitrites, which are then excreted in urine. For this reason, healthcare providers will sometimes use urine dipstick testing for nitrites to diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs)....

Platelets are one of three types of red blood cells in your body, all of which are produced by stem cells in your bone marrow. Platelets are responsible for forming blood clots to stop bleeding and help repair damaged blood vessels. They also help fight infection by activating immune cells. Platelet disorders happen when there are too many or too few platelets in circulation or the platelets in circulation aren’t functioning properly....

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis is a laboratory technique used to find small amounts of DNA (genetic material) in a sample. Among other applications, PCR can be used to detect multiple sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, a lab can find DNA in a urine sample that reveals gonorrhea or chlamydia. PCR revolutionized the study of DNA and has been called one of the most important advances in molecular biology. It was first developed in the early 1980s by American biochemist Kary Mullis, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1993....

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast in foods, supplements, and other products that are meant to increase the healthy “flora” in or on the body. These naturally occurring microorganisms are considered “good” in that they keep “bad” bacteria and fungus in check. Probiotics have been studied for their possible benefits in treating and preventing gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroenteritis. They may even promote vaginal health by preventing the overgrowth of microbes that cause yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis....

Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) is the most common pregnancy-related itchy rash and is one of the most common diseases associated with pregnancy. Often looking like hives, the rash normally starts on the abdomen and then spreads to the surrounding area. It most often occurs during the third trimester of someone’s first pregnancy and if carrying multiples (two or more babies). The rash is self-limited, which means that it will resolve on its own, usually between four and six weeks....

Hyperpigmentation (the darkening of skin, usually in patches) is often associated with the face—but this phenomenon can occur anywhere on the body, including the cheeks down below. Hyperpigmentation of the buttocks is common and usually nothing to be concerned about. Learn more about what causes skin discoloration on the buttocks and what you can do about it if you choose to. What Is Hyperpigmentation? Skin tone is determined by a brown pigment called melanin that is made by the body....

Spider bites can sometimes look like other types of skin lesions or bites from insects. Photos of spider bites can help you tell if you were bitten by a spider, but signs, symptoms, and appearance can overlap with other causes. This article provides photos of different types of skin lesions and discusses whether or not they could be from a spider bite. This, however, can’t help you reach a concrete diagnosis....

Exercises to strengthen and tighten your anal sphincter may help treat bowel incontinence (fecal incontinence) or reduce your chance of leaking stool or gas in the future. Your anal sphincter is made up of thick bands of muscle. They surround the entrance of your anus and can open and close. The anal sphincter keeps stool inside your body until you are ready to have a bowel movement. These muscles can be strengthened through exercise....

Some COVID-19 patients have reported experiencing psychotic symptoms weeks after their initial infection. And now researchers say the development of these symptoms may be more common than previously thought. Key Takeaways Up to a third of people with COVID-19 have long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms, including psychosis and anxiety. Patients may have new neuropsychiatric symptoms or worse symptoms of an existing mental illness. The virus may cause brain damage directly through inflammation or through blood clotting....

My breast cancer journey began with my mom. Unfortunately, her journey ended after her breast cancer returned, despite getting a unilateral mastectomy. This article is part of Breast Cancer and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Suzette Simon is the founder of NYLaughs, a New York-based nonprofit that produces free comedy events in public spaces to inspire audiences, enrich the lives of New Yorkers, and connect people through humor....

The soleus is a large muscle on the back of your lower leg. This powerful muscle arises from the back of your shin bone and attaches to your heel bone as part of the Achilles tendon. The soleus muscle is active during activities like walking, running, and jumping. Injury to the soleus may affect your ability to perform these basic but necessary functions. The word soleus comes from the Latin term “solea,” which means sandal....

In the United States, around 90% or more of people affected by diabetes have type 2 diabetes. People affected by this condition cannot use insulin effectively. Cells become resistant to insulin, making them not take in enough sugar. In turn, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to keep up with blood glucose (sugar) levels. The high blood glucose levels that result can adversely affect different body systems, such as cardiovascular (heart) or renal (kidney) systems....

Top surgery, also known as gender-affirming chest reconstruction, is usually done as a day surgery or outpatient procedure. It may also be done with an overnight or short hospital stay. Generally, you will come to the hospital or surgery center the morning of your procedure and leave later that day or early the next day. As this procedure is performed under general anesthesia, it is important to have someone to bring you to and from the hospital....