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About 30% of Americans will experience contact dermatitis, or eczema, at some point in their lives. “Dermatitis” is an umbrella term for many conditions causing skin inflammation. Inflamed skin can appear dry, itchy, red, hot, or otherwise irritated skin. Scratching only increases irritation to the area and can cause damage and skin injury. There are many reasons why someone may develop dermatitis. Find out how common dermatitis is, what causes dermatitis, who is most likely to develop dermatitis, and when to see a healthcare provider....

Dexilant (dexlansoprazole) is a medication used to treat acid reflux (also called GERD) or heartburn. Dexilant may also be used to heal erosive esophagitis and to maintain the healing of erosive esophagitis. Dexilant is part of a class of medications called proton pump inhibitors (PPI’s). Other medications in this class include omeprazole, pantoprazole and many others. How Does Dexilant Work? Dexilant inhibits the pumps (also called proton pumps) in your stomach that produce stomach acid thus overall reducing the amount of acid that can cause heartburn or reflux....

A headache itself is not always a primary disorder, but rather a symptom of another underlying disease process. For example, in a health condition called giant cell arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis), a headache is the most frequent initial complaint. Overview Giant cell arteritis, or GCA, is a vasculitis that affects large- and medium-sized blood vessels. The term “vasculitis” means that the blood vessels become inflamed. GCA mostly affects the branches of the external carotid artery, a large artery in the neck....

Strokes affect different parts of the brain depending on where the blood flow disruption occurs. A stroke on the right side of the brain can produce symptoms that are different than a stroke on the left side of the brain. Similarly, a stroke may affect you differently if you are left-handed vs. right-handed. This article reviews the main differences between strokes in people that are right-handed vs. people that are left-handed....

Experts are calling for a change to diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on a reanalysis of data from recent studies. Key Takeaways Some experts are suggesting the medical community loosens diagnostic criteria for irritable bowel syndrome.The suggestion was made after analyzing data that found that loosening recommendations could help detect more people with IBS.Experts say this criteria can be helpful in diagnosing IBS but that they aren’t the only way to reach a diagnosis....

Wrinkles are the result of many natural bodily processes as well as environmental factors. As the skin ages, the interconnection of the epidermis (thin outer skin layer) and dermis (thicker deep skin layer) thins and weakens. The collagen fibers are connective tissue fibers that lend support and strength to the skin. These fibers start to stretch out and disappear at around 40 years of age. Elastin fibers give flexibility and resilience to the skin....

This story is part of a series where we look at the ways COVID-19 has changed our lives and how it will continue to affect public health in 2022. Throughout the course of the pandemic, substance abuse in the United States has been on the rise. Key Takeaways During the pandemic, substance abuse has risen in the U.S.While the government has contributed funds for opioid overdose prevention, experts say there needs to be an investment in addressing the root causes of addiction....

Gastric (MALT) lymphoma is a form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that arises from tissue that forms the lining of the stomach, the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT). Because gastric MALT lymphoma usually is caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria, it often can be treated successfully with antibiotics. For the minority of cases that are not associated with H. pylori infection, or those that do not respond to antibiotics, other treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery....

Preparing for your doctor’s appointment is key to getting the most from the visit. Getting together the information you need before a medical appointment can make the entire experience go much more smoothly. It can yield better information, support a good relationship with your doctor, and may, as a result, improve your care outcomes. Preparing for Your First Visit to a New Doctor Here is a list of items for you to take with you to your appointment:...

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is designed to help protect people against the forms of the HPV virus that can lead to cervical cancer. Key Takeaways New data has revealed that cervical cancer rates in the United Kingdom plummeted after the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was introduced in 2008. The rates of cervical cancer were lowest in people who were vaccinated at ages 12 and 13.Anyone can get HPV. In addition to cervical cancer, HPV infection is also linked to other forms of cancer and conditions like genital warts....

You have probably experienced first-hand the relationship between IBS and stress. This has a lot to do with the way that our bodies respond to internal or external changes. This stress response, also known as the fight-or-flight response, appears to have developed so as to allow us to respond to life-threatening situations in a way that would maximize our chances of survival. The stress response is a complicated process. It involves our nervous and endocrine systems and it stimulates changes in a variety of body processes, including blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and bowel functioning....

Although not as common as it once was, thanks to the increased availability of foods with iron in the 1980s and 1990s, iron deficiency is still a common cause of anemia in young children. Our bodies need a certain amount of iron to help the hemoglobin in our blood cells carry oxygen. Iron is also a part of many enzymes and is needed for them to work properly, for example, to help digest food and regulate cell growth, etc....

Osteoarthritis is a common condition characterized by joint degeneration (wearing down), pain, and stiffness. It has also been associated with excessive joint flexibility, including varying degrees of joint instability, hypermobility, and laxity. These conditions, which are characterized by an increased range of joint motion, can predispose you to joint injuries. This article discusses joint laxity and hypermobility in relation to osteoarthritis. It also discusses joint instability and flexibility. If you have osteoarthritis, it is helpful to recognize the signs of joint laxity....

Kawasaki disease (KD), also called mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome, is an acute inflammatory disease of unknown cause, most often affecting infants and children. Kawasaki disease is a self-limited disease, lasting about 12 days. Unfortunately, however, children with Kawasaki disease who are not treated aggressively can suffer permanent cardiac complications, especially aneurysms of the coronary arteries, which can lead to heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Symptoms Acutely, the symptoms of Kawasaki disease include high fever, rash, redness of the eyes, swollen lymph nodes in the neck area, red palms and soles, swelling of the hands and feet, and tachycardia (rapid heart rate) that is out of proportion to the degree of fever....

Liver cysts, also called hepatic cysts, are small, fluid-filled tissue growths on the liver. They’re found in about 5% to 10% of people and have a variety of causes. Several factors are involved in the development of liver cysts, including a defect that’s present at birth (congenital), certain genetic diseases, or parasitic infections. This article provides an overview of the potential causes of liver cysts. Common Causes There are several types of liver cysts....

A clinical trial of a new medication to treat people hospitalized with COVID-19 was so successful that researchers stopped it early. Key Takeaways Sabizabulin is designed to treat hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19.Clinical trials found it can reduce the risk of death by 55% in patients.The makers of sabizabulin plan to submit an emergency use authorization application to the FDA. Researchers shut down a phase 3 trial for the drug, called sabizabulin, last week after they determined that it has the potential to halve the risk of death for people with moderate and severe forms of COVID-19....

It’s been a year since your last visit to the eye doctor. You know how important it is to have an annual eye examination. Your optometrist is friendly and kind and keeps your vision as sharp as possible. The vision tests are simple, easy and comfortable. Only one thing is keeping you from scheduling an appointment —you don’t like having your eyes dilated. Facts About Dilation Many people consider dilation a nuisance....

While there is no widely recommended and established screening for osteosarcoma, it can usually be detected early. The earlier osteosarcoma is identified and treated, the better the chances of survival. Therefore, it’s important to pay close attention to emerging symptoms, such as bone pain or swelling near the joints, and see a doctor if they persist. Osteosarcoma is most commonly observed in teenagers and young adults, especially during periods of rapid growth....

Philadelphia is the first major U.S. city to reinstate a mask mandate after restrictions were dropped nationally earlier this spring. The move, which will go into effect on April 18, demonstrates a larger display of caution than other localities with similar or higher risk levels. It goes beyond cautionary benchmarks set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Key Takeaways Philadelphia is reinstating an indoor mask mandate starting April 18....

Even though there are many birth control methods that are very effective, you can still get pregnant while on birth control. About half of all unintended pregnancies actually happen when you are using birth control. Also, certain conditions or behaviors can increase the chances that your birth control won’t be as effective at preventing pregnancy. If you have experienced birth control failure (like a condom breaking), or your period is late, you may be wondering, did my birth control fail?...