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Polycythemia vera is a rare type of blood cancer in which the bone marrow makes too many blood cells, particularly red blood cells. The condition is most common in males over the age of 60. Having polycythemia vera increases the risk of blood clots and can have potentially fatal complications like stroke. Early statistics suggested that people with polycythemia vera were at a higher risk of dying from COVID-19, but more recent research suggests otherwise....

Pregnancy nightmares are common and usually triggered by the emotions related to this period in your life. For example, if you’re anxious about labor and delivery going well, you may have a vivid dream that you have a hard time with childbirth. Changing hormones play a role in this, too. This article looks at pregnancy nightmares and other dreams, why they occur, and what you can do to try to stop them....

In root canal treatment, the infected pulp chamber is removed from inside the toth that travels down the length of the root to the tip or “canal.” Human teeth may have one to four root canals, depending on the anatomy of the tooth. Molars, may have 2 to 4 canals, premolars may have 1 to 2 canals, cuspids may have 1 to 2 canals, and finally, incisors generally have 1 canal....

Skin tags, also called acrochordon, are small skin growths that are usually found in areas where folds of skin rub against each other, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. They are made of collagen fibers, nerve cells, and small blood vessels that become wrapped up in layers of skin. These growths hang from the body on a small piece of tissue called a stalk. The color of the end of a stalk can be the color of your skin or a few shades lighter or darker....

Squamous cell cancer is cancer that develops from squamous cells, which make up the tissue on our skin, in the respiratory tracts, and in certain portions of the digestive system. They also line other organs such as the bladder, kidneys, and male and female reproductive tracts. When cancer develops in this type of cell, it is called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or squamous cell cancer. Types of Squamous Cell Carcinoma SCC can develop in multiple areas, including:...

It’s one thing when influencers on TikTok send the platform in a tizzy over a skin care product. But when dermatologists on the social media platform join the conversation? Well, that’s when you know it’s one to watch. Case in recent point: niacinamide serum. Niacinamide is a powerhouse ingredient in the skin care world. When used topically, it can help treat acne. The ingredient’s anti-inflammatory effects may reduce redness and irritation from acne....

The discovery of telomeres completely changed the way researchers study longevity and the process of aging. In fact, the researchers who discovered telomeres won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2009. Telomeres are bits of “junk DNA” that are located at the ends of chromosomes. They protect your real DNA every time a cell divides. Each time a cell divides, the DNA unwraps, and the information within it is copied....

Thrush is a fungal infection that occurs inside the mouth, causing painful white patches on the tongue and cheeks. The fungus that causes thrush is called candida and is commonly found on our skin and in the environment. Thrush is most likely to affect infants and small children and is rarer in adults. It can be a side effect of corticosteroid inhalers used for asthma and other respiratory conditions. This article discusses the causes, signs, and treatment of thrush, as well as ways to prevent thrush when using a corticosteroid inhaler....

Although lymphomas are all cancers that affect the lymphocytes—a type of white blood cell—sometimes that is where the similarity ends. There are many different types and subtypes of lymphoma. The two main categories are Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or HL, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, or NHL. The majority of both NHL and HL are nodal lymphomas, meaning they originate in the lymph nodes. It’s possible, however, for lymphomas to arise almost anywhere. Primary Extranodal Lymphoma When lymphoma is believed to have originated outside the lymph nodes, it’s called extranodal lymphoma, or more precisely, primary extranodal lymphoma....

A pathologic fracture occurs when a bone breaks in an area that was already weakened by another disease. When the bone is weakened by some underlying medical condition, the individual becomes more susceptible to fracture. Causes of weakened bone include tumors, infection, and certain inherited bone disorders. However, these are just a few of the causes; there are dozens of other diseases and conditions that can lead to a pathologic fracture....

Zorvolex is a low-dose, quick-dissolving form of diclofenac, an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It was approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis pain in 2014. What makes it different from other forms of diclofenac and other NSAIDs? Zorvolex, produced by Iroko Pharmaceuticals, LLC, was previously approved for the treatment of mild to moderate acute pain in adults. The approval for osteoarthritis pain is an additional indication. Since not all medications and treatments are equally effective for any given individual, it was welcomed as a new option for people with osteoarthritis....

Facial steams are popular. You can get them at a salon or do it yourself at home. Home-use steamers are available. And you can always just use a bowl of warm water and a towel. Facial steams feel amazing and leave your skin bright and glowing. But are they good for acne? Some misinformation about facial steams is out there. This article looks at what facial steams actually do and what other acne treatments you should consider....

Have you ever referred to glitter as craft herpes? Have you ever laughed when a friend said “She probably has herpes” about someone you didn’t like? If so, you’ve contributed to the stigma associated with herpes infection. The Impact of Herpes Stigma The negative impact that a positive herpes test has on someone’s life can be enormous. The stigma associated with herpes can make a newly diagnosed person may feel that their life is over or that no one will ever love them again....

A pulmonary embolism (PE) can be life-threatening because a blockage in the lungs damages them and reduces the blood’s ability to receive enough oxygen to support the rest of the body. With rapid treatment, most people affected by a pulmonary embolism can recover. This article discusses breathing exercises and how to do them if you’ve recently had a pulmonary embolism. Breathing Exercises Generally, the diaphragm can easily move oxygen and other gases in and out of the lungs....

Hair loss (alopecia) is a scary and frustrating symptom for parents, especially since you don’t really expect kids to lose their hair. Unfortunately, hair loss is a common symptom, even in kids. In many cases the hair loss is temporary and the child’s hair does grow back. Common Causes There are many possible causes of hair loss in children, broadly categorized by infection, physical causes, autoimmune causes, and reactive causes....

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technology often used to investigate the sources of knee problems. It works by creating a magnetic field that causes the water molecules in tissue, bones, and organs to orient themselves in different ways. These orientations are then translated into images we can use for diagnosis. MRIs are not used on their own to make a diagnosis but can often provide strong evidence to support one....

An epigastric hernia is when a lump forms between the belly button and breastbone where a weakness in the abdominal muscle allows the tissues of the abdomen to protrude through the muscle. Epigastric hernias can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. They are similar to an umbilical hernia, except the umbilical hernia forms around the belly button and the epigastric hernia is usually between the belly button and the chest....

At the start of November, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Weekly U.S Influenza Surveillance Report—also known as FluView—reports that seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains low. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that influenza cases are low for the 2020-2021 flu season compared to last year.The lower numbers might partly be the result of people avoiding seeking health care because of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning fewer cases of the flu are being diagnosed and reported....

Many factors determine whether a person will conceive after sex, including birth control use, age, fertility, or just plain chance. However, 85% of sexually active people between ages 15 and 44 who don’t use any birth control will become pregnant within a year, according to a 2011 study. The process of conception usually takes two to three weeks after intercourse, according to Planned Parenthood. It involves ovulation (egg release), sex with the penis in (or near) the vagina, ejaculation of sperm, fertilization of the egg, and implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus, after which pregnancy symptoms will start to develop....

If you’ve been diagnosed with gout, you may wonder, can gout be removed? Gout can be an extremely painful condition. A commonf inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints, most often the big toe, gout is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body. With proper treatment you may be able to reduce the number of gout crystals in your joints, however, sometimes gout tophi can interfere with your daily life....