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If you have knee pain or other knee problems, your physical therapist may pay close attention to your hips and the strength of your hip muscles. Why? Because your hip muscles, like the gluteus medius, control the position of your knees when you are walking, running, or jumping. Knee pain is a common problem that can be caused by many things including arthritis, trauma, repetitive strain, or running, and it may limit your ability to walk, run, or climb stairs....

Most healthcare providers today are trained to take a more patient-centered focus toward the practice of medicine. What this means is that they take time educating their patients about their diseases or conditions. It also means that they encourage questions and collaboration as well as discuss how the condition will impact the patient, not only physically but emotionally as well. And most importantly, they actively involve their patients—and many times family members—in the treatment decisions....

Although there isn’t a uniform way to categorize acne most people, including dermatologists, classify acne as mild, moderate, or severe. It’s important to have a basic idea of where your acne falls on this scale because it gives you a good idea on where to start with treatment. What Is Mild Acne? Mild acne is the most minor form of acne. You’ll have some bumps and blackheads. You may get the occasional papule or pustule, but they’re not widespread or very inflamed....

An increased risk of lymphoma has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Various studies have linked the two conditions but it has never been completely clear whether disease activity or the treatments used to battle rheumatoid arthritis cause the increased risk of lymphoma. Research is ongoing but some studies have shed light on the problem. Lymphoma Risk In RA Patients Lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system (lymph nodes, spleen, and other organs of the immune system) that starts in white blood cells (leukocytes)....

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents many challenges to those who deal with the disease. One of the everyday problems that can be a real annoyance is how to keep the perianal skin (which is the skin around the anus) clean. Diarrhea, in particular, can present several different problems with keeping the bottom area clean, especially when it is continuing and happening many times a day. Other complications such as fissures and fistulas can add to the discomfort caused by diarrhea....

If you have been advised to use a light box for phototherapy to treat your circadian rhythm sleep disorder or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), you may wonder how to use one effectively. How can light improve insomnia and morning sleepiness experienced by night owls or winter depression in northern latitudes? Learn about the proper use of a light box, what timing and intensity of therapy is most effective, and alternatives to consider such as exposure to natural morning sunlight....

The luteal phase is the last stage of the menstrual cycle during which the uterus thickens to prepare for possible pregnancy. It’s typically 10 to 14 days long, starting after ovulation (when the ovaries release an egg) and continuing until the first day of a period. In a textbook 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs on day 14, and the luteal phase is from day 15 to day 28. A women’s cycle can vary from 21 to 35 days....

The mandibular nerve, which plays an important role in moving your mouth, splits off from the trigeminal nerve to connect with the lower jaw. It plays both a motor and sensory role in your head as well as interacting with fibers of other cranial nerves. It’s the largest of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve, which is the fifth cranial nerve. The trigeminal nerve is responsible for feeling in your face as well as biting and chewing motions....

Whether you prefer walking, running, or swimming, finding time for a workout can be tricky—even though physical activity has many health benefits. Key Takeaways A new study found that working out in the morning may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke compared to working out at other times of the day.Experts say that working out at night could interrupt your sleep patterns and influence your eating behaviors, which can affect your overall health....

While there’s still no specific treatment for COVID-19, a team of researchers at the University of California San Diego is working to change that. The researchers have invented a treatment that involves using “nanosponges” to target and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Key Takeaways New medical technology called nanosponges may help prevent and fight COVID-19.Nanosponges can attract the virus and neutralize it.There is potential for nanosponge technology beyond COVID-19....

You’ve heard you should eat more fish because it’s good for your heart. But you may also be concerned about mercury and other contaminants. What is a health-conscious consumer to do? Here’s the low-down on fish: how much to eat, how to avoid mercury and other toxins, and whether you should take a fish oil supplement. Fish for Heart Health Oily or “fatty” fish, such as salmon, tuna, and sardines, are an excellent source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids....

Many patients find physical therapy an essential part of arthritis treatment. Physical therapy can help patients cope with pain and disability caused by arthritis. Because there is no cure for arthritis, the focus of treatment is on disease management. A patient’s doctor and physical therapist work together to define goals for physical therapy. The patient’s input is necessary, too, to establish priorities—in other words, what the patient feels he or she should be able to do....

A pressure ulcer, also known as a pressure sore or bedsore, is an injury to the skin and potentially the tissues beneath the skin. This type of injury is caused by pressure on the area, which can be caused by the weight of the body, medical devices or a lack of movement. Bony areas without fat or muscle under the skin are more likely to develop ulcers than areas with fat and muscle....

Finding the best school for a child with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is not always easy. While there are public schools that can meet the needs of some kids with autism, most have significant limitations. Private schools for autism, on the other hand, may have the resources necessary to both nurture a child’s strengths and address their challenges. This article discusses private schools for autism, the various educational options, and the pros and cons of each....

After someone experiences a traumatic event, their early responses can lead to distress that can interfere with coping. Psychological first aid (PFA) is a disaster relief technique developed by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and National Center for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The goal of the intervention is to provide safety, stability, and resources to people in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic event to increase survivors’ abilities to cope....

Why do older people fall? Contrary to popular assumption, poor reflexes or tripping may not be to blame, according to groundbreaking research from Simon Fraser University released in 2012. The study, published in The Lancet, is the first to use digital video data from closed-circuit cameras installed in long-term care facilities. The cameras were installed in various common areas like living rooms and hallways of two different nursing homes in British Columbia, with permission from the residents and staff....

Approximately 39.5% of people will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetimes. Some risk factors, like genetics, are not in a person’s control, but diet and lifestyle choices are considered modifiable risk factors. Key Takeaways Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.In addition to evidence that eating vegetables may reduce cancer risk in some cases, a new study highlights that mushrooms, in particular, reduce cancer risk by 45%....

A surgical anastomosis is the joining of two body structures that are not currently connected. It’s performed during surgery and may be done to repair a defect, to make the anatomy functional again after tissue is removed, or to make treatment possible. Examples An example of treating a vascular defect would be repairing a blood vessel problem that interferes with the way blood flows to the heart muscle. In this case, a cardiothoracic surgeon would perform a procedure that would join different blood vessels together to allow blood to flow better....

Elderspeak is a term that refers to the way some people speak to older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia. Elderspeak involved speaking slowly, using a high-pitched voice, using terms of endearment such as “honey” or “sweetheart,” and speaking to the adult as if he was an infant or young child. For that reason, elderspeak is also described as using communication that “infantilizes” the adult....

The towel shoulder internal rotation stretch is a great exercise to improve the way your shoulder or rotator cuff moves. It can be an effective stretch for a frozen shoulder and as part of your post-op rotator cuff surgery protocol. If you are experiencing tightness around your shoulder, your PT can show you how to do the internal rotation stretch. The shoulder is a complex ball and socket joint that allows you to move your arm in many different directions....