Posts

Settling into bed to spend the first night using your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device can be a little intimidating. What should you expect when you first use CPAP therapy? How do you set it up? What initial hurdles may there be to overcome? Learn about how to start your CPAP treatment on the right path. Your CPAP Equipment Most people who use CPAP will first be evaluated by a healthcare provider and undergo a sleep study to diagnose the severity of their sleep apnea....

Since 1990, fibromyalgia was diagnosed primarily by the presence of tender points, small areas of the body located near (but not on) a joint that causes pain when pressed. While there is no doubt that tender points are characteristic of fibromyalgia, studies have long questioned their ability to correctly diagnose the disease. In response, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) revised its guidelines for diagnosis in 2010 and again in 2016, replacing the tender points exam with two separate tests that characterize the overall symptomatic experience....

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your throat that produces hormones affecting a number of bodily processes, from metabolism to heart rate. Thyroid disease is relatively common, and having a thyroid adenoma—a benign cyst—is one presentation of thyroid disease. A thyroid adenoma is a noncancerous lesion on the thyroid. Although they’re not cancer, they can still affect your overall health. Thyroid adenomas can be inactive, meaning they don’t produce thyroid hormones, or active, meaning they produce hormones....

Abdominal pain is a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). According to a survey of 1,966 people with IBS by the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, 80% of people with IBS report that pain is what makes their condition severe. Pain is a serious quality of life issue, causing many people with IBS to miss work, school, and social events. Fortunately, a lot of treatment options are available to help you feel and function better....

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies tend to be a real problem for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Several factors contribute to these vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including inflammation, diet, and the treatment for IBD itself. In many cases, vitamins can be gotten either through foods or through supplements. A gastroenterologist is the best source of information on what vitamins and minerals need to be supplemented in people with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis....

When flu season starts and ends depends on where you live. If you are in the United States, flu season usually starts in the fall. Although flu season in the U.S. is usually in the winter, the severity and timing of a flu season vary from year to year. This article will go over when flu season occurs in different parts of the world. You’ll also learn which months the flu is active and when flu season is over....

The routine use of stents in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) was strongly challenged in the COURAGE trial, first reported in 2007. In this trial, patients with stable CAD were randomized to receive optimal medical therapy alone or optimal medical therapy along with stents. The study showed no difference in outcomes between the two groups after 4.6 years. Resistance to the Results of the COURAGE Trial The results of the COURAGE trial should have made all cardiologists re-evaluate when they use stents and in which patients....

Granulated eyelids is a common condition that affects the eyelids. Often referred to as blepharitis, granulated eye lids is a common problem in both adults and children. Blepharitis is an inflammation and sometimes an infection of the eyelids and lashes. It is the most common complication of ocular rosacea. The extent to which the blepharitis affects some people depends on the type of blepharitis. Blepharitis can be considered anterior blepharitis, affecting the outside of the eyelid and eyelashes or posterior blepharitis, affecting the meibomian or oil glands of the eyelid....

Robert L. Quigley, MD, DPhil, is the Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director, Corporate Health Solutions at International SOS & MedAire. After 25 years working in surgery, critical care, and immunology, he’s using his expertise to advise on crisis management, infectious disease, and health care. Here, he shares what people in the U.S. should know about the Delta variant. The Delta coronavirus variant is making headlines daily, posing threats to unvaccinated communities and fully-vaccinated individuals alike....

Raising awareness about ankylosing spondylitis is important to let those with the condition know they’re not alone. In addition, educating and connecting with others with ankylosing spondylitis can help form a community support system. This article will discuss seven ways to advocate and spread awareness for ankylosing spondylitis. Learn More About Ankylosing Spondylitis Being informed about ankylosing spondylitis is important for helping others understand the impact that the condition has. More than 3....

In a given year, an estimated 21 million adults in the United States will have at least one major depressive episode. Many people with depression do not seek treatment, although the majority can benefit from treatment. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression (such as difficulty concentrating, persistent feelings of sadness, and decreased energy), consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. A number of preliminary studies suggest that certain natural remedies may offer health benefits....

Blue balls is the colloquial term for pain or a heavy feeling in the testicles caused by prolonged sexual arousal without orgasm in males. Blood vessels swell during arousal, and that subsides after ejaculation. If ejaculation is withheld or delayed (impaired), fluids build up, resulting in blue balls. The condition itself—also known as epididymal hypertension—is uncomfortable, but not dangerous. It is common in newly pubescent boys, but it can also affect adult males....

A bladder infection—which is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI)—occurs when bacteria multiply in the bladder. While prescription antibiotics are the only proven way to cure a UTI, there are important at-home strategies you should use to help clear your infection and ease discomfort. Self-care can also help prevent you from getting bladder infections in the future. Bladder Infection Symptoms The symptoms that typically accompany a bladder infection include:...

A lipoma in the breast is a benign tumor that is not cancerous. Lipomas are fatty tumors that can grow anywhere in the body. They are usually not painful and do not raise your risk of cancer. Lipomas in the breast have very few symptoms. This article discusses the possible signs and potential causes of lipomas in the breast. It also covers risk factors and when to seek tests or treatment for your symptoms....

Growing pains is a term that not only applies to the emotional challenges of childhood, but to the physical ones as well. Boys and girls between the ages of nine and 14 will commonly complain of muscle and joint pains directly associated with pubescent growth spurts. The term “growing pain” doesn’t suggest a particular diagnosis but is rather used to describe the general symptoms of musculoskeletal pain seen exclusively in adolescence....

A heat dome that blanketed the Northwest in late June made headlines after record temperatures were recorded. Residents in the usually mild Portland metropolitan area saw the thermometer hit 116 degrees—more than 42 degrees above the average daily maximum temperature for the month. Key Takeaways June’s record-breaking heat in the Northwest led to a dramatic spike in emergency room visits.Men and those aged 75 and up were impacted the most.Doctors say that these types of illnesses will likely keep happening as climate change drives temperatures up around the nation....

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes restriction of motion and pain in the shoulder joint. The cause of a frozen shoulder is often unknown, but there are certain people who seem to have a higher likelihood of developing this condition. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue. Most people unfamiliar with this condition are surprised by the amount of pain it can cause and the duration symptoms can persist....

Family members and friends of a dying loved one may wonder if the person knows they are dying. They may worry that if their loved one doesn’t know death is near, telling them might dash any hope and even make them die sooner. Here’s how to recognize the signs that someone is close to dying and why it is ok to acknowledge it. The Important Tasks of Dying It is natural to want to shield the ones we love from pain and sorrow....

Type 2 diabetes management requires eating a healthy diet rich in non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, healthy fats and a moderate amount of complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber. Oftentimes, people with diabetes have trouble coming up with healthy meal choices that include vegetables. They find that vegetables are boring, tasteless or unappealing in appearance. As a result, they get stuck eating the same old thing day-to-day, which may lead to cravings for other unhealthy foods....

Many people with uterine fibroids struggle to access treatment, but getting care is particularly difficult for Black people and people of color. This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. The inequalities in accessing care are even starker when you consider that uterine fibroids are more common in Black people with a uterus and people of color with a uterus. More than 84% of African American women have fibroids by the age of 49 compared to 70% of white women....