Posts

Plan B One-Step is the brand name of an oral hormone pill approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2009 as an effective form of emergency contraception. Also known as the “morning-after pill,” Plan B One-Step is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Plan B One-Step consists of one pill containing 1.5 milligrams (mg) of the progestin hormone levonorgestrel. It replaces the original Plan B (sold under the generic name Next Choice), in which two pills are taken....

Ventilation tubes are used to treat fluid in the ear. When the space in the middle ear fills up with fluid, due to a clogged or collapsed auditory tube, it is sometimes necessary to create a way for the fluid to escape. By surgically placing a tiny synthetic tube—called a ventilation tube—through the eardrum, the pressure in the middle ear is equalized.Ventilation tubes are also sometimes used to treat chronic middle ear infections....

Methamphetamine, an illegal recreational drug of abuse, can cause stroke in habitual or first-time users, whether they are young or older in age. The pharmacological action of methamphetamine is quite well understood. Classified as a stimulant, it is illegally used primarily for the purpose of achieving a sense of euphoria, to temporarily relieve symptoms of low self-esteem or to amplify the sex drive of the user. Physical Effects of Methamphetamine The physical effects of methamphetamine are produced by its chemical action on the body....

“Name signs” in Deaf culture provide a unique, personal way to identify someone without fully spelling out their name using American Sign Language (ASL). These names often reflect the person’s character and are usually devised by someone within the Deaf community. This article discusses the different types of name signs and how they are assigned. It also covers how you can introduce your name to others in the Deaf community....

Neovascular glaucoma is a potentially devastating type of glaucoma that can cause blindness if not treated quickly. Neovascular glaucoma is classified as a secondary glaucoma, as it is caused by other health conditions. Most people who develop glaucoma develop the disease very slowly, over a period of years. However, neovascular glaucoma can occur suddenly. Who’s at Risk People at increased risk for developing neovascular glaucoma include those who have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or some other cardiovascular problem....

The signs and symptoms of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) are non-specific. However, healthcare providers may look for certain types of indicators when examining a person. Specifically, common symptoms such as fatigue and chest pain may alert your healthcare provider to a potential issue. Moreover, if a person presents any “B symptoms,” such as a high fever or night sweats, these signs may trigger further testing. The presence of lymphomas may also indicate a potential cancer diagnosis....

Panic attacks are episodes in which the body has a physical reaction of extreme fear that feels out of control. Some estimate that 11% of adults experience panic attacks within a year-long period of time. These episodes can occur without a specific trigger, or they can occur as a result of anxiety about something that is perceived as scary. A panic disorder is a condition in which a person has recurrent and unexpected panic attacks and becomes apprehensive about the possibility of having them....

Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder in which your body makes too many red blood cells. The condition may cause subtle symptoms, such as a generalized sense of fatigue, or it might not cause symptoms at all at an early stage. Over time, serious complications can occur. It can cause dangerous blood clots to form, and it may progress to blood cancer and damage the bone marrow. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, knowing its effects and complications can help you and your doctor assess the effectiveness of your treatment and get additional medical help when you need it....

There are a number of potential causes of pain during sex. Some of these causes are infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Others are unrelated to sexual activity, such as endometriosis and ovarian cysts. Trauma, as well as certain cancers, can also cause pain during sex. In addition, there are sexual pain disorders, such as vulvodynia, that are less well understood. If you experience pain during sex, it is therefore important to see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis....

Proliferative sickle cell retinopathy (PSR) is a complication in the eyes that can happen in some people who have sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects how red blood cells work. PSR causes new, abnormal blood vessels to grow and leak behind the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye called the retina. The leakage from these blood vessels can lead to vision loss....

Evidence is growing for the Traditional Chinese practice of qigong as a treatment for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Qigong (also spelled “qi gong” or “chi kung”) is pronounced “chee gung.” Like acupuncture, qigong has to do with the movement of energy through the body. This energy, called qi or chi, is believed to impact health. Qigong has several forms. In the west, the best-known form is Tai chi. It, like other forms of what’s called internal qigong, combines breathing exercises with meditation and movement....

A revision hip replacement surgery is a surgical procedure to replace a worn out or failed hip replacement implant. Hip replacements are among the most common procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons. This surgery is generally very successful and has excellent results in the vast majority of patients. Despite this, unfortunately, over time hip replacements can wear out. Hip replacements typically wear out very slowly, but the problem does progress over the years....

Probiotic coffee promises to wake you up in the morning while strengthening your gut. It sounds like a dream combination, but should you drink it? Key Takeaways Researchers developed a new fermented coffee beverage with more than 1 billion live bacteria.Fermented coffee could be a way for people following a dairy-free diet to get probiotics.Experts say that you should give your body time to get used to new probiotic sources to avoid uncomfortable digestive side effects....

You may not be familiar with spinal nerve roots, but if you’ve experienced sciatica or other radiating nerve pain, you know what it feels like when spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed. Spinal conditions such as herniated disc and stenosis can lead to that radiating pain that travels down one arm or leg. Other symptoms include weakness, numbness, and/or shooting electrical sensations. The medical term for the symptoms of pinched nerves is radiculopathy....

Your healthcare provider may have prescribed you the immunosuppressant drug Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) if your lupus has gotten severe. The “gold standard” drug regimen for treating severe lupus is Cytoxan in combination with the corticosteroid methylprednisolone. Cytoxan is actually a cancer drug, but in lupus patients, it’s used to treat serious kidney inflammation (including lupus nephritis) or other complications that threaten the organs. Cytoxan has serious side effects, including birth defects, so you’ll want to learn more about it....

Fleas are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of mammals and birds. When a human has flea bites, they appear as itchy bumps, often in groups of three. Fleas are known for their leaping capabilities. They can jump more than 100 times their body length, making them resilient and pervasive in their ability to leap from host to host. This article discusses flea bites, how to identify them, and treatment options....

According to the CDC, as many as 1 out of every 59 children may have autism spectrum disorder. So if you’re a parent of a young child and worried about the early signs of autism, you have a right to be concerned. It’s a good idea to keep a close eye on your child’s development because even very young children can be diagnosed. And research shows that the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the prognosis for good outcomes....

Orientation is something healthcare providers check when screening for dementia and evaluating cognitive abilities. It refers to a person’s level of awareness of self, place, time, and situation. Healthcare providers score a person’s orientation on a scale of 1 to 4. The higher the number, the better oriented a person is considered. For example, if you are fully alert and oriented, x4 will be noted. When testing a person’s orientation, a doctor asks standard questions that may seem like small talk....

The hippocampus is a seahorse-shaped structure in your brain that is involved in memory and learning. It helps organize and store new memories and connects them to your emotions. This article will explain more about the hippocampus and its function. Structure The hippocampus is a small structure that has the shape of a seahorse. It is located inside the brain’s temporal lobe, which is behind your ears. The hippocampus is part of the brain’s limbic system involved in how you behave and respond emotionally....

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is one of the most common lymphomas diagnosed during pregnancy, mainly because the peak incidence of HL coincides with reproductive age. Several treatment options are available, depending on the lymphoma stage and how far along your pregnancy is. Keeping the Fetus Safe Some of the signs and symptoms from HL, such as fatigue and shortness of breath, can overlap with common signs and symptoms seen during pregnancy, which can complicate matters, but the staging of HL is done to provide enough information to guide management while limiting the risks to the fetus....