An anal fissure is a tear or a break in the skin of the anus. The anus is the opening in your bottom through which stool (fecal matter) leaves the body. An anal fissure can occur in anyone but is common in babies and children. A fissure can be painful and bleed, but it usually gets better with home treatment. This article will discuss the most common causes of anal fissures....
Breast cancer and uterine cancer may not seem associated with each other, but there is an increased risk for one if you have had the other. This is due to shared risk factors like hormone levels and several lifestyle factors, as well as treatments for one cancer increasing the risk of the other. While risk can increase, it’s important to remember that having one type of cancer does not necessarily mean you will develop the other type....
Menstrual migraines are those that occur in the days before or after your period. While scientists are not completely sure why there is an association between migraines and menstruation, there is strong evidence that fluctuating levels of estrogen, a hormone that regulates the menstrual cycle, are involved. For this reason, birth control pills, which prevent these hormonal fluctuations, are often prescribed to prevent menstrual migraines. Types of Menstrual Migraines There are two sub-types of menstrual migraines: pure menstrual migraines and menstrual-related migraines, with the latter being more common than the former....
Cancer is a disease of abnormal DNA and abnormal cell growth. When cancer starts to grow, cells with abnormal DNA do not behave normally. The cells may grow and divide too rapidly, or may not die when they are supposed to. Many risk factors are associated with the development of cancer, one of them being exposure to carcinogens. A carcinogen is a substance that has the potential to cause cancer. This article will review carcinogens and how they can cause cancer....
Marijuana can be used in many different ways. The delivery methods are important considerations for medical marijuana users as well as those who are using it recreationally, whether legally or not. Learn about the variety of methods available. Smoking A common method of using marijuana is to roll it into a cigarette (or joint) using tobacco rolling papers and then smoking it. It can also be smoked in a pipe or a bong (which is a filtration device that uses water)....
Yuck! What’s that smell? Well, according to some researchers, your ability to answer that question may predict your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Many research studies over the last 20 years have demonstrated a connection between an inability to detect odors and a decline in cognition. Several of those studies also demonstrated a predictive relationship where a poor sense of smell in people who did not have dementia predicted an increased likelihood of those same individuals developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease over time....
So you’ve had your physical therapy treatment and have gone home. You’ve done your stretches and worked on your strengthening exercises for your home exercise program. You may be feeling a little bit better about your condition and are excited to get back to physical therapy to show your therapist the gains you have been making. But what does your physical therapist (PT) do when the last patient leaves? What happens when the notes are all done and the therapeutic modalities are all placed back where they belong?...
As Pfizer booster shots roll out nationwide, vaccinated folks who received Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still awaiting their turn. But you may have heard of people getting Moderna “boosters” although the shots are not yet authorized. Key Takeaways At the moment, only certain people who got the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are eligible to get a booster shot.A booster vaccine dose is for individuals who already built COVID-19 immunity from vaccination but whose protection may have waned over time....
Concern about having a pelvic exam can make some people reluctant to seek out testing for a sexually transmitted disease (STD). While having pelvic exams is a necessary part of the recommended screening for cervical cancer, there are several other options for STD testing, including self STD testing, and you can do it at your healthcare provider’s office. What Is the Purpose of a Pelvic Exam? There are several reasons why your healthcare provider might do a pelvic exam....
From flash flooding across Southern states to unprecedented heat in the Pacific Northwest, recent extreme weather events are undeniable evidence of climate change. This spring, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said climate crisis will likely continue to affect human health and the environment. Key Takeaways Responses to climate change vary widely around the country.States like Indiana are tracking climate change vulnerability on a city and county level, allowing local governments to create action plans....
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by certain medications, inflammatory disease, and, most often, hepatitis viruses. Otherwise known as germs, viruses are microscopic organisms, sometimes referred to as microbes or microorganisms, There are five known types of viral hepatitis, commonly known as hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Each of these five viruses can lead to a different type of liver infection, which can result in liver inflammation, liver scarring, liver failure, or cancer....
Sports hernias can cause severe bouts of abdominal and pelvic pain. If you have female biology, it may be hard for your healthcare provider to diagnose a hernia. It may take months or years for you to get the correct diagnosis. Hernias occur when part of the abdominal wall becomes thin, weak, or separated. That lets your internal organs push through. This article looks at how hernia symptoms are different in biological females and how hernias are diagnosed and treated....
Medicare Part B covers the bulk of your healthcare expenses through two types of services: medically necessary and preventive. Understanding how those services translate into your care and what you will pay out of pocket is essential in planning a 2023 budget. Part B Deductible The annual deductible for Part B is $226 in 2023, a $7 decrease from 2022. You are required to pay the full deductible amount before Medicare will start paying toward your health expenses....
It doesn’t matter whether you need sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, treatment, or even just screening before starting a new relationship. A free STI clinic can be a great place to seek affordable care. Fortunately, locating a free STI clinic near you doesn’t have to be hard. This article will review a few simple steps. Call Your Local Health Department Most free STI clinics are run by your local town or county health department....
Interpreting blood pressure readings for children is somewhat complicated compared to adults. While adult blood pressure readings can easily be compared to simply published values for what is considered to be normal and abnormal, such easy comparisons aren’t possible for children. Because children’s bodies change so quickly early in life, blood pressure readings must be adjusted for height, age, weight, and gender. These adjusted readings are then compared to complicated tables that list “percentile ranges....
If you need to learn how to read lips – for example, if you experienced a sudden loss of hearing – you can seek out in-person training in lipreading or you may turn to commercial lipreading software. Here’s an overview of some of the more popular lipreading programs. A doctor and researcher in Australia, Dr. Mary Allen, developed her own program. Dr. Allen had done a thesis on lipreading with the aid of computers....
Traditional hip replacement surgery is done through an incision that is usually about 10 to 12 inches in length. Beneath the incision, the muscle is separated, and the hip joint is exposed. The surgeon then removes the arthritic hip joint and replaces this with a metal and plastic implant. The surgeon performs this surgery by looking directly at the arthritic hip joint and setting the artificial hip implant into place....
An open fracture is a broken bone that penetrates the skin. This is an important distinction because when a broken bone penetrates the skin there is a need for immediate treatment, and an operation is often required to clean the area of the fracture. Furthermore, because of the risk of infection, there are more often problems associated with healing when a fracture is open to the skin. Open fractures are typically caused by high-energy injuries such as car crashes, falls, or sports injuries....
Platelet function disorders are a group of bleeding disorders in which the platelets do not function appropriately, leading to bleeding. These disorders can be inherited (passed down in families) or acquired (developed after birth). Symptoms Platelets are one part of our clotting system, the system that helps us stop bleeding. If your platelets don’t function properly, you are at an increased risk of bleeding. MedlinePlus reports symptoms include: Increased bruising Nosebleeds Gum bleeding Menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding) Prolonged bleeding after a cut or other injury Prolonged bleeding with surgery Causes As noted, platelet function disorders can be divided into categories including congenital (inherited) or acquired....
The pleural cavity is the space that lies between the pleura, the two thin membranes that line and surround the lungs. The pleural cavity contains a small amount of liquid known as pleural fluid, which provides lubrication as the lungs expand and contract during respiration. When increased fluid occupies this space, it is referred to as a pleural effusion and can severely restrict breathing depending on the size. Other disorders may also affect the pleural space such as a pneumothorax (build-up of air), a hemothorax (build-up of blood), and more....
