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The Multifidus Back Pain Solution by Jim Johnson, P.T. offers an exercise program for people who live with chronic back pain. The program is based on scientific evidence regarding how one specific back muscle, the multifidus, plays an important role in almost all non-nerve-related back pain. The author is a licensed physical therapist, and the book provides excellent background information as to why the program works; it may also arm you, the spine health consumer, with the concrete medical knowledge you need to effectively shop for your care....

No matter what type of ankle fracture has occurred, there are some basic treatment principles that can be accomplished with a few initial steps. Your surgeon will help guide you on treatment specifics, such as if surgery is necessary, but here are some of the basics. Ice and Elevation Swelling is almost universally seen following a broken ankle. An important part of treatment of an ankle fracture is to minimize swelling....

When people experience the initial symptoms of arthritis, they typically have considerable pain in one or more joints. It is not uncommon for people to try to self-treat the pain before consulting a healthcare provider. By the time they do consult their healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and to start prescribed treatment, they simply want the pain to stop! The concept of living with chronic pain and learning how to best manage it hasn’t yet entered their mind....

A small new study shows that using a smartphone app to learn a second language appears to improve brain function. It also appears that the act of learning a new language—rather than being fluent in it—is what helps boost cognition. Key Takeaways Learning a second language appears to help preserve the healthy functioning of the brain—even if you don’t become fluent in that language.A Canadian research group found that learning a language using a phone app was just as good as a brain training app at preserving working memory and executive function, which includes abilities like staying focused and managing daily activities....

One of the most common types of infection, urinary tract infections (UTIs), occur when harmful microscopic organisms enter your urinary tract. Although these organisms can include fungi and viruses, most UTIs are caused by bacteria. Your body typically eliminates these bacteria before they can trigger symptoms, but risk factors ranging from sexual activity to underlying health problems can increase the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection. Common Causes and Risk Factors While a UTI can occur in any part of your urinary system (including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra), most UTIs affect the bladder and urethra (i....

Everyone gets infections of some sort or another. Colds, oozing pus, and other ordinary discomforts are all results of infection. Other infections are not so benign. For example, some viral or bacterial infections can be life-threatening. HIV, for example, is an infection that can be deadly. But how do infection-causing pathogens enter the body? Understanding the four main ways that infections start can help you protect yourself. The Respiratory Tract Another name for the common cold is an upper respiratory infection....

For those who experience the nagging symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease, treatment with a handful of dopamine medications can be a godsend. These medicines may include Sinemet (levodopa/carbidopa), Mirapex (pramipexole), Requip (ropinirole), and Neupro (rotigotine patch). Yet sometimes, these medications can cause a rebound phenomenon called augmentation, in which the symptoms become worse. What is an augmentation in RLS and how can it be addressed? Augmentation in Restless Legs Syndrome Augmentation occurs when, after initiating treatment, the symptoms of restless legs syndrome happen earlier in the day, spread to other parts of the body (most commonly the arms), become more intense, and occur more quickly during periods of rest....

During the course of your prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, you will likely be working with a number of different types of physicians. Getting a basic idea of what each of these physicians does and what type of training they have undergone can help you better understand how their efforts work in concert to help you address your disease. General Practitioner The first physician most men see for the majority of their medical problems or routine screening is their general practitioner....

The signs and symptoms of a blood clot include swelling, skin tenderness and warmth, and even chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Blood clot symptoms vary depending on the size and whether it’s in a vein or an artery. The severity of blood clot symptoms also depends on what’s causing them. This article will go over the common signs and symptoms of a blood clot and what to do if you’re experiencing them....

Psoriasis is known for symptoms that tend to occur in episodes, known as flares, which can be triggered by a number of things from stress and infection to medications and skin injuries. Though it may not seem as obvious a trauma to your skin as, say, a cut, the insertion of needles into your skin when you get a tattoo can certainly qualify as one when it comes to what may prompt psoriasis symptoms....

Mood stabilizers are medications designed to even out emotions that are highly variable. For example, a person with extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) may be diagnosed with bipolar disorder and then be prescribed a mood-stabilizing medication to try to calm the fluctuations of their moods and emotions. These drugs have also been prescribed at times to treat the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). These are also sometimes referred to as “challenging behaviors” in dementia....

The term scarlet fever might sound scary to many people, but there is a common cause for this illness that isn’t nearly as frightening as it may seem. Common Causes Although there are any number of reasons a person may develop a rash, only Group A streptococcus causes scarlet fever. Group A Streptococcus is a bacteria that commonly causes strep throat in school-age children and adults. It can also cause impetigo, which is a bacterial infection on the skin....

All types of dementia, also known as a major neurocognitive disorder, cause impairments in memory, reasoning, and judgment. Depending on which part of the brain is suspected as the primary location of the dementia, the type of dementia may be classified as either cortical or subcortical. Cortical and subcortical refer to areas of the brain. Cortical or Subcortical? While some physicians don’t use these classifications of cortical or subcortical often, others find some value in categorizing the types of dementia into these groups based on the initial primary location of damage in the brain....

Dry eye commonly causes symptoms, including itchiness, burning, and pain. Alternatively, glaucoma is an eye condition that often has no symptoms until it affects a person’s vision. More than half of people who have glaucoma also have dry eye. Both conditions become more common as people age, but there’s also a more causal connection: the treatments for glaucoma can make dry eye worse. Read on to learn more about the connection between dry eye and glaucoma and why it’s important to treat both proactively....

Dyshidrotic eczema can cause reddened and tender skin that can crack and peel. This article will discuss the common causes and risk factors of dyshidrotic eczema. It will also cover how genetics and lifestyle choices play a factor in the development of the condition. Common Causes The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is not known, but what experts do know is that the condition is not contagious, and women are more likely than men to develop skin rashes....

New research shows that doing everyday activities like household chores, exercise, and visiting family and friends may lower the risk of developing dementia. Key Takeaways Being active in daily life as an older adult may lower your risk of dementia.In a new study, people who exercised regularly had the lowest risk of dementia. those who did chores also saw benefits.Visiting with family and friends often also lowered the risk of dementia....

Farsightedness, or hyperopia, is a common condition in which distant objects are easier to see than things that are closer to you. Someone who is farsighted may be able to see a highway sign with ease but need to squint when reading a dinner menu. Your eye doctor may diagnose you with farsightedness when performing a routine comprehensive eye exam. Or, you may be diagnosed after seeing a healthcare professional about headaches, difficulty focusing on nearby objects, or pain around the eyes....

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is typically not a serious problem unless it causes symptoms and complications like fainting, dizziness, confusion, and shock. In many cases, simple adjustments to lifestyle, diet, and habits can treat low blood pressure successfully. Sometimes medication may be prescribed to raise the blood pressure to a normal range. If your blood pressure suddenly drops due to a medical condition, such as bleeding, you will need urgent medical treatment,...

If you want to switch to a new birth control pill, there are things you need to consider. You may be switching from a mini-pill to a combined pill. Even for the same type of pills, different pill brands may contain slightly different doses of the hormones estrogen and progestin. Use these tips to ensure the transition is smooth and know when to start the new pack and when to use backup contraception....

Trichomoniasis is a prevalent and curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a protozoan parasite (Trichomonas vaginalis). It is more common in women than men. In 2018, 2 million infections were reported. However, only about 30% of people develop symptoms. People who experience symptoms of trichomoniasis like itching, foul odor, discharge, and redness in the genitals may be tempted to find natural home remedies, but do they work? This article discusses home remedies, proven treatments, and what happens if this STI is left untreated....