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Potassium is a mineral needed in small amounts for cell, nerve, and muscle function. Under normal circumstances, your body will automatically control potassium levels in your blood. Low potassium, also known as hypokalemia, can have many causes that result in mild to severe symptoms. Low potassium levels are most frequently caused by certain medications or medical conditions, including gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. While low potassium usually is not dangerous, severely low levels can cause serious complications that can affect your nervous and digestive systems and your heart....

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a condition that causes profound muscle weakness as a result of the immune system attacking receptors (docking sites) located on muscle tissue. The muscles in the eyelids and those attached to the eyeball are commonly the first (and sometimes only) muscles affected in myasthenia gravis. Other muscles that may become weak include jaw, limb, and even, breathing muscles. While there is no cure yet for myasthenia gravis, the upside is that there are several therapies available to improve symptoms....

While medication is often prescribed to treat osteoporosis, maintaining a healthful diet with the recommended amounts of calcium, vitamin D, protein, and other nutrients is critical to supporting good bone health. Avoiding ultra-processed foods, added sugars, and excess alcohol can also help. This article looks at the best foods for bone health and foods to avoid to help with osteoporosis. Benefits A balanced diet that includes nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, and protein, helps prevent further bone loss and reduces the risk of fractures....

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) typically affects people of child-bearing age. Because of this, some people wonder if it stops once a person reaches menopause. The short answer is no, menopause does not cure PCOS. However, PCOS does manifest differently in perimenopause and beyond. Read on to learn how PCOS and menopause are connected, including symptoms and management. PCOS Hormone Levels During Perimenopause Both PCOS and perimenopause (time leading up to menopause) cause hormonal changes and imbalances....

Neck pain is a serious problem that can limit your ability to perform normal, everyday tasks. It can cause you to lose range of motion in your neck, and it may also be a source of pain in your shoulder, arm, or hand. Anatomy of the Neck The neck, or cervical spine, is comprised of 7 bones called vertebrae which are stacked on top of one another. Between each bone is a spongy material called the intervertebral disc....

Many plants can cause rashes. People with sensitive skin may experience skin irritation when touching plant matter without protective equipment, like gloves. But some plants are more likely to lead to terrible itching than others. The poison ivy plant, for example, is well-known for causing a painful, itchy rash. This article outlines several common rash-causing plants you should avoid, along with the symptoms to look out for and when to see a healthcare provider....

Pneumococcal disease (PD) is a common infection. It is caused by a bacterium called Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known known as pneumococcus. There are instances in which pneumococcal disease causes serious health problems or is life-threatening, especially in the elderly, small children, and people with weakened immune systems. Regular vaccinations can prevent pneumococcal disease and disease complications. Symptoms There are two main types of pneumococcal disease: non-invasive and invasive. The non-invasive form of the disease is less serious, whereas invasive is fatal in 10% of cases according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

What Is Promethazine: Injection and Intravenous? Promethazine hydrochloride is a prescription injectable medication used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting. It can also treat certain types of allergic reactions or be used in addition to other therapies as an add-on analgesic or anesthetic during surgery. Promethazine works as an antihistamine and has sedative and antiemetic (antinausea) effects. It also has anticholinergic properties, meaning it blocks the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous systems....

Retroactive jealousy refers to the distress or perceived threat a person feels about their partner’s past romantic relationships. This can occur even if their partner is no longer in contact with their exes and the ex-partners have moved on, and they are not interfering with the current relationship. A small amount of jealousy in a relationship is normal when a partner feels there is a threat to the relationship. But jealousy can be problematic when it becomes a pattern of obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors....

There are several effective treatment options, including physical therapy (PT), that can help manage rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. This article will discuss the effects of RA, the benefits of physical therapy, types of physical therapy, and several exercises that may be appropriate. Where Does RA Happen? Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common form of autoimmune arthritis. This disease occurs because of a faulty immune response that causes the body to attack its own tissue....

There’s a respiratory virus that’s crowding U.S. children’s hospitals, and it’s not influenza and it’s not COVID-19. This year, healthcare systems are seeing surges of an illness called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Key Takeaways Cases of RSV are surging unseasonably early in communities across the U.S.RSV infection feels like the common cold for most healthy adults. But for young babies and older adults, the infection can be severe and sometimes deadly....

Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are two common acne treatments. Most over-the-counter and prescription acne medications contain one, the other, or both. Both are effective at clearing breakouts, but they do so in different ways. The salicylic acid vs. benzoyl peroxide debate really comes down to the type of acne you have: Benzoyl peroxide targets acne-causing bacteria and works best on red, inflamed acne and whiteheads.Salicylic acid exfoliates to help shed dead cells that clog pores and is helpful for rough, bumpy breakouts with minimal redness....

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited progressive neurodegenerative disease. SMA is caused by alterations (mutations) in the genes that make proteins needed to support motor neuron function. The degree of genetic involvement determines what type of SMA you have as well as the severity of symptoms. Since SMA is a genetic condition, there are no specific lifestyle factors known to cause or prevent it. However, there are ways to reduce the risk for complications if you have SMA....

Stomach gas is a completely normal part of digestion, and everyone experiences trapped gas from time to time. It can be uncomfortable, causing symptoms like bloating or even pain until it eventually comes out as a burp or fart. In most cases, stomach gas isn’t a symptom of a disease or a condition. However, some people may require a visit to a gastroenterologist and treatment with prescription gas medication. This article describes stomach gas symptoms, typical causes, and common treatments....

Erectile dysfunction (ED), also known as impotence, is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection long enough for satisfactory sexual activity. Worldwide, ED affects up to 52% of men. However, all men usually experience ED at some point in their lifetime. Stress can interfere with sexual function and cause ED. This article discusses how stress impacts a person’s physical, mental, and sexual health, along with strategies for managing stress to improve quality of life....

We know that stress is not good for us, especially the day-in, day-out survival-type stress that persists for weeks, months, and years, which is also known as chronic psychological stress. But can it really have that much of an impact on us? Enough of an impact to increase our risk for very specific illnesses and even cancers? The answer appears to be yes for some illnesses, but there isn’t always a clear answer when it comes to cancer and its development....

Blisters (also called vesicles) are bubbles of liquid that develop between layers of skin. They can be painful, especially if they’re on a part of your body that experiences repeated friction, like feet and hands. This article explains the types, causes, symptoms, and treatment of skin blisters. Types of Blisters There are several types of blisters, each is caused in different ways. Blood Blisters Blood blisters, as the name suggests, are blisters in which the sac is filled with blood....

Color-blind people see differently depending on what kind of color blindness they have. For example, some people may not be able to tell one color from another. Colors can also appear muted. In rarer cases, someone who is color blind may not see color at all. This article covers the various types of color blindness to help you better understand what color-blind people see and why it can vary. It also talks about how color-blind people can adapt to make living with their vision difference easier....

Catatonia is a psychomotor condition in which a person has significant motor disturbances. This can manifest as a lack of movement (retarded type), fast and irregular movement (excited type), or life-threatening autonomic changes (malignant type). Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and more. Some people may experience what used to be called catatonic schizophrenia when these two conditions overlap. Historically, catatonic schizophrenia was considered a subtype of schizophrenia....

When taking a pregnancy test, it’s a good idea to wait until a day after your missed period to get an accurate result. That said, some over-the-counter (OTC) early pregnancy tests are sensitive enough to detect pregnancy several days before a missed period. This article will go over the types of pregnancy tests and factors that can affect results. It also covers how to decide when to take a pregnancy test and when to retest after getting a negative result....