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FODMAPs are types of carbohydrates found in ordinary foods, and research suggests that they may contribute to symptoms in people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Eliminating high FODMAP foods from their diet helps many people with IBS feel better and may even have value for treating other conditions. The acronym FODMAP stands for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.” These are all types of sugars that are poorly absorbed by the small intestine....

The thoracodorsal nerve, also known as the middle subscapular nerve or the long subscapular nerve, provides motor function to a large triangular muscle in your back called the latissimus dorsi muscle. The thoracodorsal nerve branches out from a part of the brachial plexus. It’s a purely motor nerve. Anatomy The nerves of the brachial plexus supply most of the sensory function (feeling) and movement (motor function) of your arms and hands....

Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have any of the three receptors (estrogen, progesterone, and HER2) that contribute to some types of breast cancer growth. Approximately 10-20% of breast cancers are diagnosed as triple-negative breast cancer, and it’s more likely to occur in younger people, African Americans or Hispanics, and those with a BRCA1 gene mutation. While treatment of triple-negative breast cancer is different than the treatments used for other types of breast cancer, the symptoms are similar....

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects your body’s ability to use sugar (glucose). Having type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of worse complications and severe illness from a COVID-19 infection. Diabetes is considered one of many underlying medical conditions that can affect how your body responds to the virus. Type 2 Diabetes and COVID-19 Risk We do not know if having type 2 diabetes increases your risk of getting a COVID-19 infection....

A boil is a form of infected skin sore that may appear in a variety of places on the body, including in the vagina or vulva (the external genitalia). Boils appear due to a bacterial infection in a hair follicle. Learn more about boils in the vagina or vulva, symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment, and prevention strategies. What Is a Boil? A vaginal boil is an infected sore located in the genital area....

The word puberty is derived from the Latin word “puber,” which means adult. Puberty is the term used to describe the years during which a girl’s body undergoes the transition to physiologic adulthood. During this time, a series of changes happen in the body. These changes cause sexual development, a different body shape, and an increase in height. In addition, this is a time when a girl begins to mature emotionally....

Adderall is a drug that is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and occasionally narcolepsy. While the medication can be helpful, it does have many side effects. Some people with a penis experience Adderall erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is typically more common in older adults, but young people who take Adderall are more likely than their peers who do not take the medication to have ED. Reduced sexual functioning can have a negative effect on mental health and sexual wellness....

Ounce for ounce, animal proteins and plant-based proteins may not offer the same nutritional benefits, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Protein is an essential part of most diets and supports many bodily functions.Both animal- and plant-based protein sources are common in a standard diet.While both animal- and plant-based proteins are considered to be equivalent, a new study shows that animal proteins may provide more amino acids into your diet....

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has become an essential part of basic preventive healthcare for preteens, teenagers, and young adults. It prevents against nine strains of HPV, a virus that can be transmitted through sexual contact of all types, including vaginal, oral, and anal sex. HPV can cause genital warts and, in some people, cervical, throat, anal, or other cancers. Gardasil-9 is the only HPV vaccine available in the United States....

Many organisms live on our skin and in our bodies. These bacteria and fungi are vital to our bodies’ natural ecosystems. Sometimes a person’s ecosystem can become unbalanced and cause skin rashes, irritation, and pain. A yeast infection happens when a type of yeast common in the human body, Candida albicans, overgrows. Anyone can develop yeast infections in various places on or in their bodies, such as in the vagina, anus, mouth, or between other folds of skin....

Lots of people—particularly parents who have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity but whose children are not gluten-free—want to know if they can use gluten ingredients in food they aren’t planning to eat themselves. Newly diagnosed people who work in restaurants or even in bakeries might also want to know if they can keep their jobs now that they can’t eat the food they’re preparing. So is it safe to cook with gluten ingredients when you need to be gluten-free yourself?...

Systemic lupus erythematosus, commonly known as lupus, is a disease that causes the body’s immune system to malfunction - producing antibodies against the body’s own tissues. These antibodies can cause damage to multiple organs leading to symptoms which vary widely and include fatigue, skin rashes, joint pains, arthritis, and seizures, and even stroke. Lupus patients are more likely to suffer a stroke than people without lupus. In fact, some people with lupus suffer from recurrent strokes, especially if they also have high blood pressure....

Cataract surgery involves removing the lens of your eye and replacing it with a clear, artificial lens. A person usually undergoes cataract surgery when their visual symptoms (e.g., blurry vision or seeing colors as less vivid) interfere with their daily routine. Even though cataract surgery is a common and safe procedure, you will need to undergo several eye tests in order to prepare for it. Diagnosis Related to Cataract Surgery Cataracts, while generally associated with aging, may also develop as a result of an eye injury, taking certain medications (e....

Frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) is a condition that causes hair loss (alopecia) at the front of the scalp and near the temples. Treatment of the condition varies, although none can restore hair that has already been lost. The condition can also cause hair loss on the eyebrows, underarms, and other areas of the body where there are hair follicles. The condition is most common in post-menopausal women but can also occur in women and men of all ages....

Chia (Salvia hispanica L) is a type of plant that is a member of the mint family and is mostly grown in countries such as Colombia and Guatemala. The seed derived from this plant is commonly used in many types of foods—including breads, cereals, and other dishes—as well as consumed alone. Chia seeds have become a popular food in recent years due to a variety of factors. Although chia seeds are mostly known for contributing to the popular gift, the Chia pet, they are also high in many nutrients— including soluble fiber, healthy fats, antioxidants, minerals, and B vitamins....

Corneal haze describes a cloudy or opaque appearance of the cornea. The cornea is the clear front window of the eye. It is the part of the eye that transmits and focuses light into the eye. The cornea is a fairly complex structure that has five layers. If this part of your eye becomes damaged through disease, infection, or injury, scarring can interfere with your vision by blocking or distorting light as it enters the eye....

Guidelines for universal HIV testing have existed for a long time now. However, many people do not get tested for HIV on a regular basis. That means that at the time someone is diagnosed with a new HIV infection, they may wonder if there is any way of knowing when they were infected or who infected them. Diagnosing New and Old HIV Infections There are several ways for doctors to determine whether a person who has been newly diagnosed as HIV positive is also newly infected....

Study after study links fibromyalgia with being overweight and being out of shape. Fibromyalgia causes severe chronic pain, fatigue, and an extreme reaction to exercise. Gaining weight after sickness and giving up much—if not all—of one’s favorite activities is not uncommon. Fibromyalgia isn’t alone; research shows that being overweight is common in all kinds of chronic pain conditions. Physical symptoms as well as cognitive dysfunction can make it hard for people with this condition to regularly grocery shop and to cook, so healthy eating becomes difficult....

Preventive care is a crucial part of skin health. The earlier you notice something, the easier it is to solve. In fact, the estimated five-year survival rate drops drastically as skin cancer—like melanoma—has the opportunity to spread. Survival rates are: 99% when detected early 68% when the cancer reaches the lymph nodes 30% when the cancer spreads to distant organs Dermatologists like myself typically recommend skin checks once a year if you are at high risk of skin cancer....

The lens is a transparent structure in the eye that is suspended immediately behind the iris and that brings rays of light to a focus on the retina. The crystalline lens is the name given to the natural lens that humans are born with. Small muscles attached to the lens can make the lens change shape, which allows the eyes to focus on near or far objects. Parts of the Eye To best understand the function of the crystalline lens, it helps to know the anatomy of the eye....