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One of the difficult things about dementia is coping with its challenging behaviors, especially when they can be hurtful. For example, a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another kind of dementia such as Lewy body dementia or frontotemporal dementia may become combative when you’re trying to help her, yell at you and call you names, or think you’re trying to embarrass or make fun of her. Perhaps one of the most hurtful things is when a spouse or partner wrongly accuses you of being unfaithful....

Vaginal douching is the process of rinsing the vagina by forcing water or another solution into the vaginal cavity. The solution can include water and vinegar or water and baking soda. Vaginal douches are available over the counter from several manufacturers. Some products are infused with a fragrance. They are also available by prescription to treat certain conditions or prepare for procedures. Some women have the best of intentions (and the highest hopes) for using a vaginal douche....

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that work on the central nervous system. While typically used to treat anxiety, panic disorder, and seizures, they have been used in the treatment of insomnia since the 1970s. Long-term use for this sleep disorder is no longer recommended, however, given the drugs’ potential to be addictive. Often more casually referred to “benzos,” common drugs in this class include Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam)....

Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic condition causing a burning pain sensation in the mouth—often on the tongue or mucous membranes—without another identifiable cause. In most cases, people with burning mouth syndrome are evaluated by many doctors and are told that there is no reason for their symptoms, and therefore may even be labeled as having a psychiatric condition. Many cases of burning mouth syndrome can last for years. Burning mouth syndrome occurs most commonly in postmenopausal women, and often occurs as a sudden onset of symptoms....

Though inconclusive, stress may be a trigger that reactivates shingles. Common symptoms include painful, tingling blisters that occur in clusters on your face or torso. In the United States, about one out of three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. Getting the shingles vaccine can reduce your risk of developing the condition. Read on to learn more about shingles, including the cause, risk factors, and its relationship with stress....

Lupus is an autoimmune disease and is not contagious. Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a malfunction of your immune system. Because of this malfunction, your immune system cannot distinguish between your body’s cells and tissues and that of foreign matter, like viruses and bacteria. Hence, they cause damage to healthy tissues and organs. Environmental factors, such as certain drugs and infections, may trigger the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. While we know lupus causes the immune system to create antibodies against itself, what causes lupus is still unknown....

Colorectal surgery is used to address a number of conditions like cancer, bowel obstructions, infection, and more. In some cases, these fixes are permanent—for others, they are not. Find out what to expect in the long-run after your colorectal surgery. Benefits of Surgery Ideally, after colorectal surgery, the problem you had has been resolved. In cases where tissue was removed for a noncancerous problem, your surgery—if you have no complications—may be the permanent solution....

Hormonal birth control is designed to prevent ovulation by supplying a steady level of estrogen and/or progestin every day. For pregnancy to occur, an egg must be present in the fallopian tube for the sperm to fertilize. So, when hormonal contraceptives stop ovulation, an egg is not released from the ovary. With no egg for the sperm to join, pregnancy is prevented. Combination birth control methods (such as the birth control pill, the patch, and NuvaRing) prevent ovulation, and progestin-only birth control (like Depo-Provera, the minipill, Mirena, Nexplanon, and Skyla) can also do this....

In 2009, while working at a hotel resort, I experienced a health scare. I wasn’t seeing a doctor regularly, so I visited the local health department. This visit led to an STD test, where I was advised to get an HIV test too. I took the HIV test and learned that I was positive. This article is part of Health Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author...

For years, people who experience migraine headaches have had to choose between medications that can treat a current migraine or ones that prevent them altogether. Now, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug that can do both. Key Takeaways The FDA has approved the first drug that can both treat and prevent migraines.Nurtec ODT was initially approved for acute use—to treat an existing migraine—in February of last year....

As the last of your 32 teeth to erupt, impacted wisdom teeth is a common problem that dentists see every day in people’s mouths. Here are some of the most asked questions that dentists hear about wisdom teeth. How Old Do You Need to Be to Have Them Removed? Wisdom teeth erupt from the age of 18-25. Depending on the type and severity of impacted teeth, you may need wisdom teeth removed anywhere around the age of 17-18....

Cartilage is an important component of healthy joints. In osteoarthritis, your cartilage becomes damaged or wears away. What Is Cartilage? This essential building block of your body serves a useful purpose. Your body contains three different types of cartilage—hyaline, elastic, and fibrous. Hyaline cartilage, also referred to as articular cartilage, is the type that is most familiar to arthritis patients. Hyaline cartilage is present in the joints, nasal septum, and air tube....

When we talk about cleaning headaches, we’re not just talking about those stubborn stains that won’t come out. Common household cleaning supplies can be a trigger for many migraine sufferers, and finding ways to keep your home clean without exposing yourself to the offending substances can be a different kind of headache altogether. Let’s learn more about how cleaning supplies cause headaches and what you can do to prevent them....

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that’s normally produced by women during pregnancy. Because it is purported to have fat-burning qualities, it is also the foundation of the so-called “hCG diet,” which proponents claim can result in dramatic weight loss. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, considers hCG products for weight loss ineffective, unsafe, and illegal. Any weight loss that one may experience when on the hCG diet is owed to severe caloric restriction, which itself poses serious concerns....

Neck crepitus is cracking, popping, and grinding sounds in your neck. They can be caused by tightness and stiffness, poor posture, or arthritis. Neck crepitus isn’t generally a cause for concern. But chronic, repetitive, or painful cracking could point to a more serious problem. This article will walk you through what crepitus is, what causes neck crepitus, when to see a healthcare provider, and how it’s diagnosed and treated. What Is Crepitus?...

When you have fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, or ME/CFS), you can end up taking a lot of different medications, including common medications for pain. While that may help you feel and function better, it can also be dangerous. It pays to really understand the drugs that are available to you. Several types of painkillers are available over-the-counter (OTC), and a large percentage of us are given prescription painkillers at some point in our illness....

Our joints carry the weight of our bodies. The more weight you have to carry, the harder it is for your joints to work properly. Even small changes in weight can significantly affect the joint pain experienced by an individual. Don’t believe that? Try a simple test of carrying 15 pounds of weight while doing all of your normal daily activities. Even small weight changes make a big difference because joint forces in the hips and knees increase about three times that weight with normal walking....

You’ve received a copy of your occupational therapy notes so you can be more involved in your care, but now you are reading what seems to be gibberish. As occupational therapists, we are conflicted in our note writing. We want to make the process efficient to maximize patient care time, but we also want to communicate clearly. Many occupational therapists’ notes then turn into a type of hybrid language. Example: Pt....

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs, similar to blisters, that are common in women during their reproductive years. These cysts form on the ovaries, the almond-sized organs on each side of the uterus. Most types of ovarian cysts are harmless and go away without any treatment. However, there are some that can indicate other health issues or even lead to problems with fertility. Types of Ovarian Cysts There are several different types of ovarian cysts:...

Research suggests that performing proprioception and balance training can possibly prevent ankle sprains. Your physical therapist is one of the best resources available to help you with proprioception training in hopes of preventing ankle sprains and injuries. An ankle sprain can be a painful injury, and it is one of the most common orthopedic causes of an emergency room visit. Ankle sprains occur when your ankle rolls over abnormally when running, jumping, and landing from a jump....