While a lump is the most common breast cancer symptom, dimpling of the breast may also be a warning sign. Dimpling usually appears as a slight indentation in the skin along with an uneven texture. Breast cancer dimpling can occur when a tumor inside the breast pulls on healthy tissue and distorts the look of the skin. The dimpling may also be noticeable if a lump grows close to the overlying skin....
A small vessel stroke occurs when a small artery that branches off from a large artery in the brain becomes blocked or leaks. This deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, which kills brain cells. Since small vessel strokes occur in the subcortical region—an area deep beneath the surface layers of the brain—they are also called subcortical strokes. Even though a subcortical stroke is generally small in terms of the area it affects, it can cause noticeable signs and symptoms, like weakness or numbness on one side of the body....
The intrinsic back muscles are subdivided into 3 layers: the superficial layer, the intermediate layer, and the deep layer. The superficial layer of the intrinsic back muscles contains the uppermost deep back muscles, which are the splenious muscles—the splenius cervicis and splenius capitis. In contrast to extrinsic muscles, the intrinsic back muscles, which are located more deeply, are the muscles that act on the spine and head, as opposed to the ribs and upper limb....
While happiness is often thought of as an emotion that just happens to us, we’re learning more and more about the ways it can be cultivated and learned through daily life. Key Takeaways A study found that a nine-month program focused on improving happiness helped lessen anxiety and increased levels of life satisfaction.Experts stress that happiness is something you should work at and cultivate throughout your life with certain techniques. Mindfulness is one of the key tools introduced through the program, which you can incorporate into your daily life....
While most children experience mild cases of COVID-19, some develop serious complications from the virus. Now, a new study is helping determine which kids are most at risk. Key Takeaways Researchers determined several factors that put children at a higher risk for severe COVID-19.Children with underlying health conditions are more likely to develop a severe form of infection.Doctors say parents should do their best to protect children from the virus. For the study, researchers analyzed data from 45 U....
An Adam’s apple is a visible bump at the front of a person’s throat that is caused by the larynx, or voice box, pushing the skin outward. It’s a secondary sex characteristic of males. Although an Adam’s apple is more common in men—and generally associated with masculine identity—the bump can be visible in a person of any gender or sex. The term Adam’s apple is rooted in the Bible and Judeo-Christian history....
When bowel sounds are absent, it can be a sign of a problem. Bowel sounds are the noises made when food, fluid, and gases move around in the intestines. Whether they are quiet enough to be heard only with a stethoscope or loud enough that people notice, these noises are an important sign of healthy intestines. This article will explain why bowel sounds are important and what may cause them to be absent....
A patient may refuse surgery as long as they can understand the decision, the effect that decision will have on them and act in their own best interest. A competent patient has the right to refuse any treatment, even if it will shorten their life, and choose an option that provides the best quality of life for them. The individual can decide what they believe to be the best quality of life, rather than the medical team deciding for them....
Sometimes it seems impossible to find a primary care physician. Why is it so difficult to find a primary care physician and what can we do about it? Why Is Finding a Primary Care Physician So Difficult? Like so many of the questions about our healthcare, we can follow the money to get to the bottom of the reason many of us may have trouble finding a primary care doctor....
Waking up at the same time every morning may seem like a habit, but it is not. A habit is a choice you make, like setting an alarm clock. But you may wake up at the same time even without an alarm clock. If you wake at the same time every day, it may be related to body functions such as sleep timing, circadian rhythms (your body’s inner clock), and sleep cycles....
Autoimmune disease is a term used to describe more than 100 disorders in which your body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. While each of the many types is unique in its disease mechanism, they all ultimately represent an immune system gone awry. Though scientists are not entirely sure what causes autoimmune diseases, the bulk of evidence suggests that genetics plays a central role in combination with external factors such as environment, lifestyle, and even past infections....
That microdermabrasion treatment on the day spa menu sounds so tempting. But can you have a microdermabrasion treatment done with acne? Because it works on the superficial layers of the skin, it’s generally a very safe procedure. So safe, in fact, that you can get one done at nearly any day spa or skin clinic. Although microdermabrasion is safe, there are contraindications to the procedure. A contraindication is something that would make the procedure unsafe or inadvisable for you....
Most children make loud noises, act impulsively, and run or climb when they shouldn’t. Kids can be picky eaters, refuse to wear certain clothes, or have a tough time falling and staying asleep. And at some point, they have all had a full-blown meltdown in public. Many adults see a child act in these ways and assume the child’s behavior is due to bad parenting—parents who are too permissive, don’t set limits, and can’t control their child....
Endometriosis varies in symptoms and severity. Some people may experience spotting between menstrual periods, severe pain with menstruation, or bladder problems, and others will have vague symptoms like cramps. This article will discuss spotting as a symptom of endometriosis and the difference between vaginal spotting and discharge. What Is Vaginal Discharge? Vaginal discharge is a normal and natural fluid made from the glands around the vagina to keep the vaginal canal clean and lubricated....
Heat exhaustion is caused by an increase in core body temperature often coupled with fluid loss (dehydration). It’s important to recognize heat exhaustion early and seek treatment as quickly as possible. It does not need to be hot outside for heat exhaustion to occur. Heat exhaustion can lead to heatstroke if not treated in time. Overview When your body’s internal temperature rises, its normal response is to sweat and be cooled by evaporation....
Beta-glucan is a form of soluble fiber that is widely available as a nutritional supplement. Surprisingly, beta-glucan can also be found in yeast, algae, and in certain foods—including whole grains and mushrooms. Beta-glucan has been studied in a variety of health conditions, including diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and allergies. This healthy fiber has also been shown to help improve digestive and immune system health. Because soluble fiber is known for keeping your lipid levels healthy, it is no surprise that there are quite a few studies examining the effect that beta-glucan has on high cholesterol and triglyceride levels....
While Paxlovid can reduce the risks of hospitalization and death for adults who are 65 and older, the antiviral treatment made little to no difference for those aged 40 to 65, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Key Takeaways A study in Israel found that Paxlovid may not reduce the risks of hospitalization and death in people younger than 65.The study evaluated very few participants who are at high risk, and younger adults are on average less likely to be severely ill from COVID-19....
The risk of developing lymphoma is markedly increased after solid organ transplantation for example kidney transplants, liver transplants, heart transplants or lung transplants. These lymphomas are medically termed “post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders” or PTLDs. How Common Is Lymphoma After Organ Transplant? PTLD includes a wide variety of lymphoproliferative conditions following solid organ or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may occur in 10% of adults post-transplant. A range of 1 to 20% has also been used to estimate the overall incidence of post-transplant LPD....
Looking rather like an oddly-shaped Band-Aid, with super sticky adhesive on one side, pore strips are pressed firmly onto the skin wherever you have blackheads. The strip sets for several minutes, and then is pulled off of the skin. The idea is the adhesive will stick to the top of your blackheads and pull them out of the pore. The Truth About Whether Pore Strips Really Work Pore strips give a quick, albeit temporary, improvement of blackheads....
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproductive system located between the bladder and the penis. After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States. About 268,490 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed annually. In 2019, about 3.3 million men were living with prostate cancer in the United States. Typically, prostate cancer grows slowly and has a good prognosis....
