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Nerve pain — a side effect of HIV medications and the infection itself — can be treated with duloxetine (Cymbalta), a common antidepressant. This offers a great benefit to people infected with HIV, as both nerve pain, or peripheral neuropathy, and depression are common ailments. In addition, people with HIV have the burden of taking lots of medications — now their pain and low mood can potentially be treated with just one medication, a huge bonus....

You may hear the term “ultrasound” thrown around here and there during your chronic pain diagnosis or treatments. With all of the types of ultrasound out there, it’s easy to get confused. Here’s what you should know about diagnostic ultrasounds and ultrasound therapy, which are commonly used in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. Diagnostic Ultrasounds To get a clearer picture of what is going on under the skin, a healthcare provider may order a diagnostic ultrasound....

Not everyone who is eligible for Medicare is 65 years and older. While senior citizens tend to have increased medical needs, the federal government recognizes that there are a significant number of younger individuals who also have serious health problems. People with disabilities factor into this equation. The question is: What counts as a disability for the purposes of Medicare eligibility? Defining Disability When someone breaks his leg, he may be put in a cast and given medical advice not to bear weight on the leg....

Each year around Valentine’s Day, newspapers run stories on “broken heart syndrome," a condition in which people—usually postmenopausal women—experience severe, acute cardiac symptoms following an episode of extreme emotional stress. Broken heart syndrome is better known by healthcare providers as “stress cardiomyopathy.” Cardiomyopathy is simply the medical term for any disorder of the heart muscle. Stress cardiomyopathy is a recently-recognized cardiac condition that is dramatic and severe, but that is usually reversible and transient—if treated the right way....

Imagine if there was a software replica designed to be identical to you that your doctor could use to predict how you would react if you caught an infectious disease or determine whether you would benefit from a specific treatment or surgery. Key Takeaways Researchers in both medicine and information technology are developing “digital twins,” or software replicas of patients.Your digital twin would be able to help your doctor predict how an infectious disease would affect you and help guide decisions about the best treatment—or prevention—for it....

Are you worried about autism? Should you be? The truth is, there are a lot of “autism-like” signs which, while they may be mildly concerning, aren’t worthy of real anxiety. For example, Your child is a little behind the curve when it comes to social skills. Your child is a bit shy, awkward, or tongue-tied around her peers.Your three-year-old’s vocabulary isn’t quite as large as the guidelines suggest. But if these signs don’t rise to the level of being red flags for autism, when should you be concerned?...

If you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with celiac disease, you’ll most likely need to be tested as well. That’s because celiac disease is a genetic condition that runs in families. In families with at least one person who has been diagnosed with celiac, so-called first-degree relatives—parents, children, and siblings—carry at least a one-in-22 chance of also having the condition. So-called second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, grandparents, grandchildren or half-siblings) carry at least a one-in-39 chance of having celiac disease....

Monoarthritis is defined as arthritis involving one joint at a time. There are several possible causes of monoarthritis or monoarticular arthritis as it is also called, including infection, nonspecific inflammatory conditions, crystal deposition, trauma, neoplasm, and immunologic conditions. The onset of monoarthritis is often sudden and intense with fever, joint pain, and joint swelling. The presentation of such symptoms requires rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent joint destruction. The diagnostician must utilize a patient’s medical history, physical examination, x-rays, blood tests, and synovial fluid exam to determine the cause of the monoarticular symptoms....

Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, commonly used to treat both acute and chronic pain conditions. Aspirin is available in both over-the-counter and prescription strengths, and can control fevers, or is an antipyretic, as well as treat mild to moderate pain. How Aspirin Works Aspirin has long been thought to inhibit prostaglandins in the body, which can help relieve some types of pain. However, its mechanisms for reducing inflammation have not always been clear....

Brahmi oil is a natural substance used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. Typically massaged into the scalp, it is made from extracts of the herbs bacopa monnieri or gotu kola and is usually combined with sesame oil or coconut oil. Proponents claim that brahmi oil can treat certain health conditions, including alopecia areata, as well as improve hair and skin. Health Benefits In Ayurvedic medicine, brahmi oil is thought to soothe pitta, one of the three doshas....

Dandruff is a very common skin condition, involving skin flakes, itching, and mild redness of the scalp. It is estimated that dandruff—along with a more severe skin condition called seborrheic dermatitis (SD)—affects 50% of the adult population in the United States. Learn more about the types, symptoms, causes, and treatment of dandruff. Types of Dandruff There are several types of dandruff, including: Dry skin–related dandruff: This is the most common type of dandruff, which usually occurs during the winter months (from cold, dry weather) and is linked with using hot water to shampoo the hair (which dries out the scalp)....

Dissociative disorders are mental health conditions that cause a person to be disconnected from their consciousness, thoughts, memories, and identity. There are 3 types of dissociative disorders recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5): dissociative identity disorder, dissociative amnesia, and depersonalization/derealization disorder. Specific symptoms occur with each of these types. This article discusses the symptoms associated with each type of dissociative disorder as well as symptoms that children with dissociative disorders commonly exhibit....

Diverticular disease is an umbrella term that refers to the condition where outpouchings (called diverticula) are present in the wall of the colon, and any symptoms or complications that may occur as a result. Having diverticula, which is called diverticulosis, is more common in people over the age of 40, and occurs in more than half all people over the age of 60. In most cases the diverticula cause no symptoms but in a minority of cases they can become inflamed and cause a condition called diverticulitis....

Erectile dysfunction occurs when you can not get an erection that is firm enough to have a satisfying sexual experience. It can also be defined as when you can not keep an erection for long enough to have a satisfying sexual experience. Because everyone’s expectations for sex are different, there is not a specific time or firmness requirement for diagnosis. It’s all about whether your erection allows you to meet your sexual needs and desires as well as those of your partner....

While vitiligo is not life-threatening or harmful, it can cause problems with social stigma, depression, and anxiety because it affects a person’s physical appearance. As such, if you experience this disorder, talking about it with loved ones, friends, and family is essential for coping. This means learning about vitiligo, being open about its impact, and actively communicating about it. This article discusses tips on how to explain vitiligo to others, as well as coping strategies....

When we think of a fear of clowns, we may usually think it’s something that only children experience. It is not uncommon for a child to develop a fear of clowns, whether it’s caused by an adverse interaction at a birthday party, the circus, or a community event. However, some adults also experience a phobia of clowns. Coulrophobia is a fear of clowns. When a person has this condition, they are known to react when they see a photo of a clown, a video, or a clown in person....

Diverticulitis is a condition that must be diagnosed by a physician, even for those in whom it has been a problem in the past. In most cases, a careful medical history and an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan is going to be the typical way that diverticulitis is diagnosed. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing There is no way to diagnose diverticulitis at home. Even if it’s already known that diverticula are present because they were found during a colonoscopy or other test, or even if diverticulitis has been diagnosed in the past, patients are not able to diagnose and treat this condition themselves....

The holiday season means you’ll be enjoying lots of food. Between parties, family dinners, and all of the traditional baked goods, you may need a bit extra help with your digestion. Key Takeaways Deep breathing before a meal can help the body digest food.Diaphragmatic breathing is a good way to manage stress, which improves gut health.Getting quality sleep, limiting caffeine, and practicing yoga can also help with digestion. There’s a slew of remedies, but one natural solution may help ease discomfort in your gut: diaphragmatic breathing....

Hypothermia is both a medical condition as well as the description of an abnormal vital sign (low body temperature). In theory, diagnosing hypothermia should be fairly straightforward: Take a temperature and if it is below a defined threshold, the patient has hypothermia. In reality, not all thermometers are the same and taking temperatures in different parts of the body will produce different values. Why Diagnosis Is Important Most people don’t really think of mild hypothermia as being a medical condition that needs a diagnosis....

Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease is diagnosed through a physical exam, laboratory testing, and imaging. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing There aren’t currently any at-home testing kits to diagnose VHL. It is most often diagnosed after someone is discovered to have the tumors likely associated with VHL. An evaluation that can be completed at home is a thorough and accurate family history. Although about 20% of VHL happens spontaneously, 80% of VHL is passed down in a family....