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There is a theoretical risk of getting HIV from a tattoo or body piercing simply because the virus can be passed through blood. However, there has yet to be a single documented case of this in the United States. When body art of this sort is performed under the laws and health regulations of U.S. states, the risk of HIV transmission is considered negligible. The same may not be true in unregulated settings where the rate of HIV is high, such as a developing country or prison....

A cancer diagnosis tends to have a rippling effect, mostly impacting those closest to the person diagnosed, like a partner or spouse, but ultimately reaching close friends, siblings, and other relatives. Whether living with, caring for, or simply serving as a listening ear to a person with cancer, it can be exhausting, both physically and mentally. But with a positive mindset and the right tools and support system, you can serve this unique role well....

Since the 1990s, Toms River families affected by cancer linked to industrial pollution pursued a class-action lawsuit against the Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Union Carbide Corporation, and the United Water Toms River. The Ciba-Geigy Corporation From 1952-1990, the Ciba-Geigy Corporation (since acquired by BASF) operated a dye manufacturing plant in Toms River. Waste products from the plant were either stored in 47,000 drums or were treated and pumped through a pipeline to the Atlantic Ocean....

A cochlear implant can enable deaf or hard of hearing people to hear sounds. It replaces the function of the cochlea, the three small bones of the middle ear which turn vibrations into electrical signals to the auditory nerve. Cochlear implants may be used for people who can’t benefit from hearing aids. Cochlear implant surgery may be a day surgery and you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home (you should not drive or take public transportation the day you have anesthesia)....

Peritoneal Dialysis (or PD) is a type of dialysis for patients with kidney failure where the patient’s abdominal cavity- called the peritoneum, itself serves as an artificial kidney. This article is a part of a series that covers complications of dialysis (both hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis). The following article describes the infectious complications that can be seen in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Infectious Complications The dialysis catheter that is inserted into the belly of a patient who opts for peritoneal dialysis, called the PD catheter, is often the Achilles’ heel of the PD patient....

The D’Amico classification system is one of the most widely used approaches for assessing prostate cancer risk. Originally developed in 1998 by Anthony D’Amico, MD, PhD, a professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School and chief of the Division of Genitourinary Radiation Oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, this classification system is designed to evaluate the risk of recurrence following localized treatment of prostate cancer....

Erosive esophagitis is a type of esophagitis in which there is damage to the tissue lining. Esophagitis is inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the lining of the esophagus, which is the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach. Erosive esophagitis may cause heartburn and trouble swallowing. It is usually treated with medication and lifestyle changes. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of erosive esophagitis, as well as complications to look out for....

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a condition that occurs in infants and young children, although it can rarely affect older children or adults as well. It typically causes vomiting and bloody diarrhea after consumption of certain foods (the trigger foods aren’t the same for everyone). Severe reactions can prompt a medical emergency, such as dehydration, or even shock. Over time, FPIES can lead to malnutrition and weight loss and may affect childhood developmental milestones....

A low-cholesterol diet may improve your heart health. It can be overwhelming, though, so it’s helpful to have a list of high-cholesterol and high-saturated fat foods to avoid and limit. You’ll find that below. Remember, it’s never too late to adopt healthier eating habits, but you should work with your healthcare provider to determine the right dietary changes for you. Saturated Fat and Cholesterol Diets high in saturated fat and cholesterol can contribute to high total cholesterol and a high low-density lipoprotein (LDL—the “bad” cholesterol) level in the body, increasing your risk for coronary artery disease caused by atherosclerosis, which is plaque build-up in the arteries....

Iontophoresis is a type of electrical stimulation treatment used to deliver medication through your skin to deeper tissues. Physical therapists occasionally use iontophoresis to penetrate the layers of skin in order to deliver medications to injured body parts. How It Works Iontophoresis works by using electricity to deliver medication through your skin and into your injured tissues. It is often used to decrease sweating, especially in the hands and feet, but it can also be used in physical therapy to decrease inflammation and scar tissue, and to reduce pain....

An elimination diet is a tool to use to assess whether specific foods are contributing to your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. This is not a “diet” in the traditional sense, but a way to systematically find out if certain foods are causing symptoms in your body. Why Use an Elimination Diet for IBS? An elimination diet can be a helpful strategy to learn more about your IBS. Reasons people try elimination diets include the following:...

With a few simple guidelines, you can have better sleep tonight. At some point in our lives, for any number of reasons, nearly all of us will have difficulties sleeping and suffer from acute insomnia. This can lead to significant distress but have no fear. There are simple steps to take that will help you sleep better tonight. Get Up and Go to Bed at the Same Time Every Day Aim to get up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends....

Wrapping your knee with an elastic bandage can help decrease pain and disability from osteoarthritis by supporting and stabilizing your knee joint. Knee wrapping can also help decrease swelling after an injury by applying slight compression to aid in the return of blood and lymph flow back to the heart. It is important to wrap your knee correctly so that you properly support your knee joint and do not restrict the movement of your knee or reduce circulation....

Hydrogen peroxide (H202) is a chemical compound commonly used for disinfecting surfaces, bleaching hair or whitening teeth, and cleaning small wounds. Some people believe that hydrogen peroxide can cure or treat cancer. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizing liquid, meaning it produces oxygen. It’s believed that hydrogen peroxide can introduce oxygen into cancer cells and kill them. This type of treatment is known as oxidative therapy. In this article, we’ll go into greater detail about how hydrogen peroxide therapy works and learn whether or not current evidence supports claims that it can treat or cure cancer....

The hypoglossal nerve supplies all of the motor function to your tongue. It’s the 12th cranial nerve. Damage to this nerve can affect speech, chewing, and swallowing. The prefix hypo is of Greek origin and means “under.” Glossal, also from the Greek, mean “tongue.” Anatomy As your nerves run through your body, they split off and send branches out everywhere. These branches carry sensations (sensory information) between your brain and the rest of your body and allow for the motion (motor function) of all your moving parts....

After you have been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), it will remain in your body for a lifetime. While it doesn’t usually cause illness, this virus has been linked to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in genetically susceptible people. Infection with EBV is extremely common. In fact, approximately 90% of the world’s population is infected. This is because the virus is easily spread, mostly through saliva. The symptoms resemble those of other common viruses and most people never even realize they are infected at all....

Insulinomas are rare tumors that form in the pancreas, an organ essential to enzyme and hormone production. One of these primary hormones is insulin, which helps metabolize food and regulates blood sugar. Insulinomas cause an overproduction of insulin, which can result in hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Most insulinomas are noncancerous, and full recovery is often achieved when the tumor is surgically removed. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of insulinomas....

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes an itchy and scaly rash between the toes. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the foot, such as the heels, soles, and sides of the feet. The fungi that cause athlete’s foot, known as dermophytes, tend to grow on feet that are damp for extended periods. Athlete’s foot is incredibly contagious and can spread in various situations and conditions....

Since the book “The Arthritis Cure” was sold in bookstores across the country in 1997, physicians, pharmacists, and arthritis patients have frequently been asked their opinion of glucosamine as a treatment for arthritis. The word “cure” in the title of the book raised the hopes of many who suffer from the disease. How Glucosamine Works Glucosamine is found in high concentrations in the joints. It has been theorized that glucosamine stimulates the formation of cartilage that is essential for joint repair....

On July 26, President Biden announced that long COVID could soon qualify as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This new designation would allow people with long COVID to access federal resources and protections. Key Takeaways On Monday, July 26, President Biden announced a policy directive to qualify long-term COVID-19 illness as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.Studies estimate that at least 20% of COVID-19 patients experience one post-COVID condition, such as pain or difficulty breathing....