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Lichen nitidus is a rare and inflammatory skin condition with no known cause. It leads to the development of tiny, glistening bumps on various areas of the body. The bumps can be difficult to see because they are often the same color as the skin. However, they can present as lighter or darker than a person’s skin tone or as various colors, including violet, yellow, or red-brown. This article discusses the types, symptoms, and treatment options for those with lichen nitidus....

Light spotting after menopause can be caused by a few different things, including non-cancerous polyps, vaginal dryness, or excess growth of the tissue that lines the uterus. Because it can also be a symptom of endometrial cancer, spotting after menopause should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. This article discusses the causes and risk factors associated with bleeding after menopause. Common Causes When bleeding occurs after menopause, it’s referred to as postmenopausal bleeding....

Menarche defines the onset of menstruation, which is a normal physiologic process that occurs at regular monthly intervals. Menarche typically occurs around age 12 but a few years earlier or later is completely normal. Menarche happens during a time of physical and sexual maturation in adolescence known as puberty. It is common for menarche to occur and then for a young girl not to get another period for a few months....

Nosebleeds are common occurrences, affecting one out of every seven people at some point in their lives, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology. They are typically caused by the rupture of small, fragile blood vessels, either at the front (anterior) or back (posterior) part of the nose. This article will give an overview of the common nosebleed causes and their treatments. Causes of Anterior Nosebleeds Most nosebleeds occur within the lower end of the nose in the lower septum—the wall separating the two airways of the nose that ends in the nostrils....

Thinning bones in osteoporosis may become brittle and break. In cancer, uncontrolled cell growth, inflammation, and some types of cancer treatment can also adversely affect bones, leaving them more vulnerable to fractures. What does this mean for bone health? This article explores the connection between osteoporosis and cancer and what this means when undergoing certain cancer treatments. You’ll also find out how to most effectively manage both simultaneously. Connection Between Osteoporosis and Cancer If you have osteoporosis, your healthcare provider monitors your bone health and checks your bone mineral density for any signs of weakening....

By now, the hallmarks of a COVID-19 infection are world-famous: fever, chills, headache, fatigue, coughing, and difficulty breathing, among others. For reasons still unknown to medicine, however, a significant number of infected people—about 45%, according to recent estimates—are asymptomatic, meaning that they exhibit no symptoms. No fever, no chills, nothing. Key Takeaways A new study found that asymptomatic COVID-19 patients have an elevated white blood cell count compared to symptomatic people, indicating that they have better immune function....

Pubic lice (Phthirus pubis)—more commonly known as crabs—are parasitic insects that feed on human blood. They are notorious for infesting pubic hair, but can also be found on facial hair, the hair of armpits, and even on eyebrows and eyelashes. They derive their name from their crab-like appearance. They are small, but you may be able to see them with the naked eye. Typically spread through sexual contact, the insects can only survive for a short period of time away from the warmth and humidity of the human body....

A radial head fracture is the most common type of elbow fracture that occurs in adults. This type of injury is most commonly caused by a fall onto an outstretched hand. Radial head fractures occur most often in two groups of patients: elderly women as a result of osteoporosis or young men as a result of significant trauma. They can also occur in other groups of patients, but these two groups are by far the most common....

Sexsomnia is a complex, atypical, and underreported parasomnia that is characterized by sexual behavior during sleep. Unlike other parasomnias, like REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and sleep paralysis (which also happens during REM sleep), sexsomnia occurs specifically during non-REM sleep. Once awake, a person generally has no recollection of the event that occurred. Sexsomnia has led to clinical, interpersonal, and even legal consequences for those dealing with it. Discover how this condition affects individuals and how it can be diagnosed and treated....

It may not get as much coverage, but the Signing Exact English, a popular form of Manually Coded English, is still with us. SEE is a form of communication/instruction in which signs are used in exact English word order, with some additional signs for conventions such as the “ing” word ending. Over the years, SEE combined with ASL to create Pidgin Signed English (or PSE). History of Signed English SEE first appeared in 1972....

Small intestinal fungal overgrowth (SIFO) is the term coined to describe a theoretical condition in which atypical amounts of fungi are present in the small intestine. This overgrowth is thought to result in digestive symptoms. Why Fungi May Be Responsible for GI Issues An overgrowth of fungi, particularly in the form of the yeast Candida, has been noted as a cause of infection in various areas of the body: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (Thrush (mouth/throat))Candida esophagitis (esophagus)Candidemia (bloodstream)Cutaneous candidiasis (skin)Genital or vulvovaginal candidiasis (Vaginal yeast infection)Invasive candidiasis (severe infection) The fact that a fungal overgrowth can cause symptoms in the body has led some researchers to investigate whether or not an overgrowth in the small intestine might be responsible for unexplainable gastrointestinal symptoms....

Aquatic therapy, or pool therapy, consists of an exercise program that is performed in the water. It is a beneficial form of therapy that is useful for a variety of medical conditions. Aquatic therapy uses the physical properties of water to assist in patient healing and exercise performance. Benefits One benefit of aquatic therapy is the buoyancy provided by the water. While submerged in water, buoyancy assists in supporting the weight of the patient....

Walkers and rollators have been around for a few decades now. They have both done wonders for people who want to maintain an independent lifestyle but need a little extra help getting around. Who Needs a Walker? More and more seniors want to stay in their own home and they often live alone. Many also have conditions like hip and back problems, arthritis, and severe breathing conditions that inhibit their ability to walk and limit their endurance....

Triphala has long been a mainstay of Ayurvedic medicine. It is an herbal preparation long thought to promote general and digestive health. But can it help your IBS? Here’s an introduction to Triphala and what research has to offer in terms of its effectiveness for your IBS symptoms. What Is Ayurvedic Medicine? Ayurvedic medicine is a system of health care that originated in India over 3000 years ago. Ayurveda gets its name by combining two Sanskrit words, with the resulting translation of “life science....

Transgender surgery, also known as gender affirmation surgery or gender confirmation surgery, requires many preparation steps. The preparation process will depend on the type of transgender surgery procedure you are having and your overall health. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to get ready. Location Usually, transgender surgeries are done in hospitals or surgical centers because the procedures are too complex for an outpatient center. Most procedures require you to stay at least overnight for monitoring....

A desirable level of total blood cholesterol in adults is 150 mg/dL or less, according to the American Heart Association. Blood cholesterol levels from 150 to 199 mg/dL are considered borderline high; levels of 200 mg/dL and above indicate high blood cholesterol levels. Why should you care? The higher your blood cholesterol, the higher your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance in your blood and in all the cells of your body....

Having a bathroom accident can be upsetting, especially if it occurs in front of others. Involuntarily passing stool is a recognized medical condition formally known as fecal or bowel incontinence. Bathroom accidents can happen when: You pass gasYou have an urgent bowel movementConstipation results in loose stool that leaks around the hard stool Experiencing incontinence of this sort can be very upsetting, but there are steps you can take to address this problem head-on....

As more and more states are legalizing the use of marijuana, both for medicinal and recreational uses, more research is being performed to investigate the possible benefits, and the possible side effects, of this drug. In the medical world, many proponents of legalization tout the pain-relieving effects of marijuana, especially given the challenges with narcotic pain medication usage in so many parts of the country. While these and other potential benefits are clear, there are concerns that possible side effects of marijuana are not as well understood....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is arthritis that primarily affects the spine. For some people, this disease can also cause inflammation in other joints, most commonly the hips. However, leg pain can be an indication that inflammation has spread to your knees, ankles, or joints in your feet. This article discusses leg pain as a symptom of ankylosing spondylitis—why it happens and treatment options. Is Leg Pain a Symptom of Ankylosing Spondylitis? The primary symptom of ankylosing spondylitis is pain and stiffness in the lower back and/or hips....

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Though ankylosing spondylitis most often affects the lower back, it can sometimes also affect the neck. This causes deep, achy pain that worsens with a lack of movement. This article will discuss how ankylosing spondylitis causes neck pain and ways to treat your symptoms. What Is Neck Pain? Neck pain is any type of discomfort that comes from the structures within your neck, which include muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and the vertebrae bones of the cervical spine....