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Physical therapy (PT) is an important and effective way to deal with one of the primary symptoms of lupus: joint pain and arthritis. If you suffer from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), you may work with a physical therapist to help restore your physical function, improve your mobility, relieve your pain, and prevent or limit any permanent physical disability. What Happens During Physical Therapy The overall goal of your physical therapy will be to restore, maintain and promote your musculoskeletal fitness and health....

Prepatellar bursitis, also known as housemaid’s knee, is a common cause of swelling and pain on top of the kneecap. The name “housemaid’s knee” comes from the association of this condition with individuals whose work necessitates kneeling for extended lengths of time. Prepatellar bursitis is common in professions such as carpet layers and gardeners. A bursa is a thin sack filled with the body’s own natural lubricating fluid. This slippery sack allows different tissues such as muscle, tendon, and skin slide over bony surfaces without friction....

Stage 3 prostate cancer is a fairly advanced stage of prostate cancer in which cancer has been detected beyond the confines of the prostate itself. The “stage” of prostate cancer refers to how advanced or spread throughout the body it is. Two main systems describe prostate cancer stages. The “TNM” system is the most commonly used, but the Jewett system is used by some healthcare providers. What Is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer develops in the prostate—a small gland that makes seminal fluid....

Economic resources can influence many parts of someone’s health and the treatment they receive. But new research suggests it may also affect how much healthy anxiety someone feels, too. Key Takeaways Health anxiety describes a person’s preoccupation with health and illness, regardless of whether it is based in reality.Researchers found that economic resources and health anxiety may be linked.Political action could help narrow inequalities in health issues such as anxiety. Researchers at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany are among the first to systematically study the links between health anxiety and social inequities....

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that causes a scaly, itchy, inflamed, and sometimes painful rash. Eczema is very common, affecting one in 10 Americans. However, the diagnosis criteria for eczema are not very specific, and skin conditions often have similar appearances. Plus, there is no definitive test to diagnose eczema. That can lead to eczema misdiagnosis. This article will explain why eczema misdiagnosis can occur and why it’s important to get a proper diagnosis for your skin condition....

Acne can be common for tweens between 8 and 12 years old. Fortunately, early treatment can help keep your child’s acne from getting worse as they enter adolescence. This article covers some things you can do to keep your child’s skin healthy. It also goes over how to treat mild breakouts before they get worse. Know the First Signs of Acne Acne usually starts when children reach puberty. Some kids show early signs of acne as soon as age 8....

Tysabri (natalizumab) is a prescription immunomodulator drug used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS). With this disease, the immune system damages the myelin that coats your nerves, not allowing them to work properly. Tysabri prevents certain immune cells in your bloodstream from crossing the blood-brain barrier, which helps protect the myelin in your brain and spinal cord from being damaged. Indications Tysabri is used as a disease-modifying therapy, which means it’s intended to slow the progression of the disease rather than to manage symptoms....

If you’re headed out to spend some time with a friend or family member who is in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s or another dementia, consider these 10 tips as your guide. Know What to Expect Increase the likelihood of a positive visit by setting realistic expectations. The middle stages of dementia can be difficult. Sometimes people experience challenging behaviors such as delusions or anxiety, or they become easily upset. They might not be able to recognize you right away or come up with your name....

Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder and it may cause you to not get enough sleep or wake frequently during the night. If your difficulty sleeping persists and lasts for more than 3 months, it is called chronic insomnia. What causes long-term insomnia? Can it manifest as the result of another sleep disorder or medical problem? These are common questions among people who have trouble sleeping and any number of potential causes may be affecting you....

Arthritis is generally considered a chronic condition, something you will live with for the rest of your life, and a condition you need to learn how to manage. But, there are acute situations, even related to arthritis, that can create an emergency. A rheumatologic emergency is serious and requires immediate medical attention. It’s important for you to recognize these potential situations and know that you need to seek immediate medical attention if it should develop....

While the World Health Organization (WHO) currently recommends nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 testing, there are several different sample and swab types that can be used for diagnostic tests. They include: Key Takeaways Studies show sputum may be the most reliable sample for a COVID-19 diagnostic test.Tests continue to improve over time.Regardless of sample type, false negatives and false positives are possible. Nasal swab (inside the nose)Nasopharyngeal swab (deep inside the nose, reaching the back of the throat)Oropharyngeal swab (throat, through the mouth)SalivaSputum (phlegm)...

Active drugs used in medications are temperature-sensitive. When stored in hot or cold places, they can become unstable and even degrade, posing a risk of negative side effects and decreasing their effectiveness. Drug companies are required to strictly control temperatures during manufacturing. And most medications must be stored at a controlled room temperature of around 68 to 77 degrees F once you get them. This article covers how to protect your medications from a variety of elements and what to do if they are exposed to potentially harmful temperatures....

Testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and your partner(s) from infection. However, STD tests aren’t perfect. It is possible to get a negative test result and still have an STD. Given the potential impact of some STDs—from genital warts to fertility issues to cancer and more—it may seem unlikely that you could have one and not know it. But very often, that’s the case....

Barium X-rays are diagnostic X-rays in which barium is used to diagnose abnormalities of the digestive tract. Types of Barium X-Rays If your healthcare provider has ordered a barium study, it’s important to know that there are different procedures that are considered barium X-rays. These include: Barium swallow (discussed below) Barium small bowel follow-through (discussed below) Barium enema (Lower GI series) Barium Swallow A barium swallow (also referred to as a barium esophagogram) or upper GI series may be ordered to examine the back of your throat, your esophagus, and stomach....

The Biden Administration will just miss its goal of having 70% of American adults get at least one dose of a COVID-19 by July 4. Unless there is a sudden surge of vaccinations in the next week, only about 67% of adults in the United States will have received at least one shot by the Independence Day deadline. Key Takeaways The Biden Administration came very close to meeting its goal of having 70% of American adults at least partially vaccinated against COVID-19 by July 4....

A bipartite patella occurs when the patella, or kneecap, occurs as two separate bones. Instead of fusing together in early childhood, the patella remains separated. A bipartite patella is usually not a problem; it occurs in about 2-3% of the population. The Kneecap The kneecap, or properly named, the patella, is a type of bone called a sesamoid bone. Sesamoid bones are enveloped within a tendon. The patella is within the quadriceps tendon and it has three important functions:...

Many children with celiac disease are shorter than their non-celiac peers—in fact, what’s called “short stature” can suggest that a child (even one with no other symptoms of celiac disease) actually suffers from the condition. But once that child is diagnosed and begins following the gluten-free diet, can she regain some or all of that lost growth? Evidence from medical studies and real-life experiences of children who were diagnosed with celiac disease before they had finished growing suggests the answer is a qualified “yes....

Choriocarcinoma is caused by abnormal tissue that develops after sperm fertilizes an egg inside the womb. Anyone with a uterus can develop this type of tumor, and there are certain risk factors to be aware of. This article will explain choriocarcinoma’s causes and risk factors. Common Causes Anyone who has a uterus can get choriocarcinoma. This type of cancer begins in the uterus after a sperm fertilizes the egg. It is possible to develop choriocarcinoma, even if you have a normal pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy child....

Migraine headaches are common, affecting around 10% of the population worldwide. These throbbing headaches are typically located on one side of the head and may be accompanied by an aura. A migraine aura precedes a headache and is associated with visual, sensory, and/or speech disturbances that last up to one hour. The term “complicated migraine” is outdated and no longer used within the medical community. Although there was no clear consensus on the term’s exact definition, “complicated migraine” was historically used by healthcare providers to describe migraine with aura and/or migraines associated with prolonged or atypical aura symptoms....

Traditionally, a tampon is a cotton plug that absorbs menstrual blood, and it has a string attached. Smart tampons are tampons that can monitor certain aspects of health using a technological connection. But are smart tampons really useful, or are they examples of technological overreach? Learn more about what smart tampons are, what they could be used for, as well as their limitations. The my.Flow Tampon Monitor This smart tampon consists of a long tail that connects to a monitor by means of a medical-grade conductive thread....