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The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments critical to stabilizing the knee joint. A ligament is made of tough fibrous material and functions to control excessive motion by limiting joint mobility. Of the four major ligaments of the knee, the ACL is the most frequently injured. When you have an injury to your ACL it often feels like the knee is “giving way.” ACL Function The anterior cruciate ligament provides the primary restraint to forward motion of the shin bone (tibia)....

Bath salts are synthetic cathinones, an illegal stimulant drug that have one or more laboratory-made chemicals similar to cathinone. Cathinone is a stimulant found naturally in the khat plant, which is grown in East Africa and southern Arabia. Not to be confused with epsom salts, bath salts are addictive and dangerous. People take bath salts because they provide a brief and intense high, but they have potentially life-threatening effects. The short-term effects of bath salts include paranoia, dizziness, and dehydration....

As the number of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in the United States hit—and passed—10,000, some people are remembering the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic when they were wiping down their groceries with disinfectant. Key Takeaways Mpox is mostly spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.Few cases of mpox have been traced back to contact with contaminated surfaces.The mpox virus can spread to soft surfaces (like bed linens) and may survive on other surfaces that are in cool, dark environments....

When it comes to birth control, some methods are more effective than others. This is especially the case with over-the-counter (OTC) methods. For example, the effectiveness of condoms against pregnancy is higher than the effectiveness of spermicides. Plus, to be most effective, OTC birth control needs to be used correctly every time you have sex. So even though condoms can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy if your boyfriend refuses to wear condoms, or he does not properly put one on, the condom loses some of its effectiveness....

Epidermoid cysts are non-cancerous, balloon-like bumps that slowly develop under the skin. They are filled with keratin protein and can range in size from less than an inch to several inches wide. Some have a head in the center. Thick, yellow, foul-smelling liquid may drain out of the cyst. Epidermoid cysts most often appear on the face, scalp, trunk, groin, and upper back, though they can pop up anywhere. They’re typically harmless, but may require treatment if they become large, inflamed, and/or infected....

A four-year study of a medication called Xeljanz (tofacitinib) found that it increased the risk of a major cardiovascular event and the risk of developing cancer in older patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, Xeljanz increased risk of a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke by 33% and of developing cancer by 48%. Key Takeaways A study mandated by the Food and Drug Administration found that older patients with rheumatoid arthritis who took Xeljanz (tofacitinib) have an increased risk of having a heart attack or stroke or of developing cancer....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday removed the requirement for patients to pick up abortion medication in-person, allowing for the pill to be sent via mail. Key Takeaways The FDA is permanently removing an in-person dispensing requirement for the abortion pill.Experts say this is a big step for abortion access and a win for pro-choice advocates.Despite the FDA decision, some states still prohibit mail orders or telemedicine visits for the abortion pill....

The more you know about chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), the better prepared you’ll be when trying to find a healthcare provider. It’s a difficult process, and you may need to educate a few health-care professionals along the way. Be sure you know the list of symptoms and become familiar with the various ways ME/CFS is treated. The crux of the problem is that no medical specialty has “claimed” ME/CFS, so finding a knowledgeable healthcare provider isn’t as easy as with most illnesses....

Having a mild or moderate reaction to an influenza vaccine might not be a bad thing if you have heart disease and are over the age of 65. Key Takeaways New research shows that having a mild to moderate reaction to a flu vaccine may lower the risk of hospitalization in people with heart disease.Having a reaction to flu vaccination is also associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes....

Mental health providers who are culturally competent and sensitive are an integral component of high quality mental healthcare delivery. Key Takeaways Culturally and linguistically sensitive therapists bring awareness and knowledge to the sessions. They also tend to be conscious of values, assumptions, and biases regarding racial and ethnic groups. In 2015, only 31% of Black and Hispanic Americans and 22% of Asian Americans received mental health services, compared to 48% of Whites....

Emollients are the ingredients in certain moisturizers and cleansers that maintain the skin’s softness, smoothness, and elasticity. They are chemicals that remain in the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis, and act as lubricants. Emollients are thought to fill in the crevices between corneocytes, or proteins, that are in the process of desquamation, or shedding. They are used to reverse dryness and scaling, fine lines and wrinkles, and irritant contact dermatitis....

During the past two decades, the number of ways you can memorialize a deceased loved one has increased significantly. No longer limited to a headstone or grave marker within the confines of a cemetery, the ever-growing range of product and service options available today makes it relatively easy to select a fitting and meaningful tribute. This article explores how you can honor a loved one by establishing a memorial bench in a public place....

If your periods don’t arrive every four weeks on the dot, you’re not alone. About 14% to 25% of people with uteruses in the U.S. experience irregular periods. Key Takeaways Irregular periods are not uncommon, but research suggests that some people who have irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles might have a higher risk of heart disease.While more research is needed to understand the link between irregular periods and chronic disease, experts think hormone dysfunction plays a role....

Many people are aware that COVID-19 can cause dangerous lung problems. However, COVID-19 can also affect other organs, including the kidneys. If that is the case, patients might need kidney replacement therapies such as dialysis while they are being hospitalized for COVID-19. Why the Kidneys Are Important The kidneys perform several important functions. By producing urine, they help regulate fluid in your body, making sure your blood can flow with enough pressure....

Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) is a type of eye surgery done to correct certain refractive errors that lead to overall blurriness or a hampered ability to see objects at different distances. LASIK reshapes the cornea in order to permanently improve your vision. Diagnosis Related to LASIK Eye Surgery Your cornea is a clear, dome-shaped tissue that covers the front of your eye. It is mainly responsible for bending (“refracting”) light rays as they enter the eye....

Peyronie’s disease is the result of inflammation and scarring in the erectile tissues of the penis, which leads to and abnormal curvature of the penis. Scarring causes areas of the penis to become less flexible. During an erection, the penis curves towards the area that can’t stretch. Depending on the location of the scarring, the penis may also lose length. Only a small fraction of cases of Peyronie’s disease occur after there has been a clear, noticeable injury to the penis....

Have you been told you need joint replacement surgery, but had hoped you could wait a little longer? Well, you’re not alone. Many patients want to find relief from pain but are not ready to proceed with major surgery. They may, therefore, choose to delay joint replacement and continue simpler treatments, including oral medications, cortisone injections, use of walking aids, and physical therapy. But they may also worry if they are doing damage, or making surgery more difficult, by delaying a hip or knee replacement....

A Salter-Harris fracture is a break near, through, or along the growth plate in a bone. This usually occurs in children or adolescents and can cause functional limitations in walking and running (if the fracture is in the knee or ankle) or reaching and lifting (if the fracture is in an upper extremity). A Salter-Harris fracture in children is often referred to as a stress fracture, but, even with the innocuous-sounding name, can be a serious problem....

Shoulder instability is a problem that occurs when the structures that surround the shoulder joint do not work to keep the ball tightly within its socket. If the joint is too loose, it may slide partially out of place, a condition called shoulder subluxation. If the joint comes completely out of place, this is called a shoulder dislocation. Patients with shoulder instability often complain of an uncomfortable sensation that their shoulder may be about to shift out of place–this is what physicians call “apprehension....

Depression is not uncommon after surgery, or even after a diagnosis that leads to surgery. Getting the news that your health isn’t perfect and you need surgery, the financial pressures of obtaining health care, and feeling bad physically can all trigger an episode of depression or make the depression that is already present worse. Individuals with depression that is well controlled may find that they have “breakthrough” symptoms during an illness....