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What is the definition of cancer remission? Are there different types of remission? If a cancer is in remission, is it cured? Let’s take a look at the terms which describe the response of cancer to treatment and what these may mean for you. Definition Remission of cancer refers to the absence of active disease for a period of at least 1 month. The absence of active disease does not mean that cancer has been cured or even that there are no detectable signs of cancer....

Capsaicin has been used as a nasal spray to treat the effects of non-allergic rhinitis. While some studies have looked at the possible efficacy, the FDA has not approved capsaicin nasal spray for the treatment of any disease process. Any available capsaicin nasal spray is considered homeopathic and is not a regulated product with known quantities of capsaicin. How Does Capsaicin Work? Capsaicin is found in hot red and chili peppers and it’s responsible for the burning sensation that comes from eating these foods....

The words “cold” and “flu” are sometimes used interchangeably when they’re actually quite different. Both produce respiratory illnesses that can leave you feeling pretty lousy, but they differ in their causes, course, severity, and treatment. The common cold is the most frequent illness in the United States, and it is also the most common reason for healthcare provider’s visits. On average, American adults will have two to four colds per year, and children will get between six and 10....

Riding a bike after knee replacement surgery may be recommended as a part of your rehabilitation treatment. In fact, most people can start riding a stationary bike in as little as two weeks after surgery. Even if you were an avid cycler before, riding a bike after knee replacement may be awkward at first. Your physical therapist can show you how to do so safely. As your range of motion and strength improve, you will be able to move from a stationary bike to an outdoor cycle....

You can still have endometriosis after a hysterectomy done to treat it. Surgery to remove some or all of the uterus is sometimes done if the condition has not responded to less-invasive treatments. While it may reduce pain, it isn’t an endometriosis cure. There are several reasons endometriosis can persist after hysterectomy, including incomplete tissue removal and the presence of lesions outside of the uterus. (Perhaps surprisingly, most post-surgery endometrial lesions appear in the bowels....

The diaphragm is a large, dome-shaped muscle located directly below the lungs. You use it to breathe. When you take a breath, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, which causes your chest cavity to expand. This creates a vacuum, which pulls air through your nose, down your windpipe, and into your lungs. When you exhale, meanwhile, your diaphragm relaxes and returns to its previous shape. This forces air back out of your lungs....

Arthritis is a general term that describes inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. There are many kinds of arthritis but the two most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis, the discomfort in the joints is due to deterioration from use over time; this type of arthritis is common in the elderly and those who perform repetitive tasks. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the membranes that line the joints....

Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat arthritic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Using alcohol while taking sulfasalazine can potentially lead to liver injury in people who have liver disease, hypersensitivity, or a drug allergy to the medication. Allergic reactions tend to occur soon after starting the medication, and acute liver failure is possible. Sulfasalazine has, in some cases, been shown to cause liver disease—with or without concurrent use of alcohol....

There you are, happily watching TV or reading in your favorite chair. But when you try to get up, you realize that your foot has “fallen asleep.” It’s an expression that means your foot may feel numb or overcome with a pins and needles sensation. Moving your muscles is nearly impossible in this state. Contrary to popular thought, the feeling has less to do with blood circulation and more to do with nerves....

Whether it’s COVID-19, swine flu, or smallpox, we hear the word pandemic used in a variety of ways. What does pandemic really mean, and when is the term really warranted? A pandemic refers to an illness that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people. It takes into account where it is located and how it is spreading. Most recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic....

The psoas muscle is a low back muscle located deep in the body, very close to the spine and inside the hip and thigh bones. This depth, combined with the fact that the psoas originates from the sides of the five lumbar vertebrae, means it plays an important role in back health. You use your psoas when you walk, run, climb stairs, sit, play sports or do most anything that requires flexion at the hip....

Rectal cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the rectum, the last six inches of the large intestine. Like other organs in the body, the rectum is vulnerable to many diseases and conditions, such as cancer. Overview Rectal cancer differs from ​anal cancer, which refers to cancers that are in the region between the rectum and the outside of the body. The terms colon cancer and colorectal cancer are often used interchangeably, so much of the information that you will see about colon cancer pertains to rectal cancer as well....

While words can never fully express how much someone means to us, language can still provide comfort, hope, and even inspiration following the death of a loved one. Here’s a select collection of quotes on grief, loss, mortality, and death from the plays and sonnets of William Shakespeare, the famous English poet and playwright who penned classics like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. You might find some of these lines helpful when writing a eulogy, obituary, or condolence letter, especially if you’re having trouble finding the right words and need inspiration....

Should you use an alarm clock to wake up from sleep in the morning? Could using an alarm clock actually be harmful and contribute to sleep deprivation? It may seem hard to believe, but your alarm clock actually promotes unhealthy sleep habits. Following good sleep hygiene guidelines and making a few simple changes to your schedule may make that rude awakening a thing of the past. Do You Need an Alarm Clock?...

Recovery from abdominal surgeries like a splenectomy can be long, but it depends a lot on what technique was used in your surgery. Learn what to expect when your spleen is removed either laparoscopically or through an open procedure. Surgery Follow-Up After your splenectomy, you will go home in about three days if you procedure was laparoscopic. You could stay in the hospital for as long as two weeks with an open procedure....

Lifestyle changes can help you control high blood pressure (hypertension). Some people who make positive changes no longer need hypertension medication. But you shouldn’t just stop taking your medication. This article looks at what to consider before stopping hypertension drugs, when you shouldn’t go off of them, and how to make the best decision for your health. Can I Stop My Hypertension Medication? Whether its safe to stop your blood pressure medication depends on what’s causing your hypertension....

There’s no shortage of amazing deals available to you this week, especially when it comes to water flossers and oral care. Water flossers and picks can be a more expensive dental tool, but luckily several bestsellers and fan-favorite water flossers are available as Cyber Week deals. These are the best water flosser deals available this Cyber Week. Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser To buy: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser $70 (was $100); amazon....

While it may seem reasonable to suggest that obesity places undue stress on the pelvis, back, and spine—triggering the development of chronic back pain—the association has long been a point of contention among researchers. On the one hand, there are those who believe the cause-and-effect is clearly established: that excess weight pushes the pelvis forward and thereby strains the lower back. On the other, there are those who believe that body mechanics alone is far too simple an explanation for a condition that can differ significantly from one person to the next and even those of similar age, body type, and experience....

PASS stands for the Plan to Achieve Self-Support and is a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provision to help people with disabilities return to the workforce. PASS is primarily for individuals who are already receiving Social Security income but would like to either go to work or start a business. The plan is a way for individuals to set aside some of their Social Security income for educational or training or for business expenses such as space rental and equipment....

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) weakens a person’s immune system by destroying the cells that fight disease and infection. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), by extension, is a condition that can develop when HIV has caused serious damage to your immune system. While it’s possible that a woman infected with HIV might display no symptoms, it’s more typical that women infected with HIV will experience some subtle signs and symptoms that they may not realize are actually warning signs of the virus....