When you have fibromyalgia (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome, or (CFS or ME/CFS), an injury can have intense and lasting effects on your symptoms. And your condition can heighten your body’s response to injuries from accidents or contact sports. It almost seems unfair that those of us who have (FMS) and CFS or ME/CFS still get injured. It’s like life is adding insult to injury—or maybe injury to insult is more accurate....
Knee cartilage is a type of connective tissue in your knee. A tear that occurs in the knee cartilage may be called a “cartilage tear” or a “meniscus tear,” but the terms are not always interchangeable. The meniscus is a cushion in the knee joint. It is made up of one of two types of cartilage found in the knee. The other type is called articular cartilage. A meniscus tear is one type of knee cartilage tear, but tears can occur in both types....
Lumbar traction, often combined with exercise, is a physical therapy treatment that is sometimes used for low back pain or sciatica. The technique stretches the space between the vertebrae in the lower spine, helping to relieve lower back pain. This article discusses lumbar traction, how it works, and various methods and devices used for lumbar traction. It also takes a look at the research and alternative ways to relieve lower back pain....
Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a genetic disorder that leads to progressive nervous system degeneration and for some, brain damage. The genetic defect that produces MSUD results in a defect in the enzyme called branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKD), which is necessary for the breakdown of the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine. Without the BCKD enzyme, these amino acids build up to toxic levels in the body. MSUD gets its name from the fact that, at times when blood amino acid levels are high, the urine takes on the syrup’s distinctive odor....
When we think of testosterone, we usually think of it as a male hormone, a marker of men’s inherent masculinity. But testosterone is actually one of six hormones produced by the female reproductive organs as well. It is often not until women enter menopause, however, or experience dissatisfaction in the bedroom, that they start to look more closely at their testosterone levels. Back in 1999, researchers appearing in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommended the addition of androgen (testosterone) to estrogen for all women undergoing surgical menopause....
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a food additive suspected of causing reactions such as headache, flushing, and heart palpitations. People who experience such a reaction may mistake it for an MSG allergy. But MSG symptom complex is different than an allergy and not yet clearly understood. What Is MSG? MSG is a sodium salt derived from glutamic acid, an amino acid that naturally occurs in many foods (like parmesan cheese and tomatoes)....
The day of neck surgery can be exciting, nerve-wracking, and for most patients, a bit scary. Once you’ve taken care of all the necessary preparations leading up to surgery, there’s not much left to do but follow your healthcare provider’s orders and show up to your procedure on time. Here’s what you can expect in the immediate moments before, during, and after your operation. Before the Surgery The majority of the pre-surgical testing you’ll need to complete will be done during the weeks and days prior to your scheduled surgery date....
Researchers have developed a new test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Key Takeaways Researchers developed a new test to diagnose myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), better known as chronic fatigue syndrome.ME is a complex chronic disease affecting up to 2.5 million Americans.Many COVID-19 long haulers are experiencing ME-like illness. The test stands out as the first successful molecular diagnostic tool for ME, a development that has been long anticipated by many healthcare providers and patients....
Despite even the best palliative care, some people can’t get adequate relief from their suffering and may need what’s known as palliative sedation to avoid distress. Before sedation is considered, the team of people caring for you or your loved one—often known as the palliative care team—will look at many possible options to help relieve suffering, such as aggressive symptom management (using any and all medications and treatments that may help) and mental support to help with emotional concerns....
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and may affect up to 1 in 12 individuals who menstruate. Many of those with PMDD have also been diagnosed with anxiety or depression. This article reviews basic facts about premenstrual dysphoric disorder—including how common it is, who gets it, and how likely it is to cause complications. PMDD Overview Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a chronic condition that affects some individuals who menstruate....
Is there such a thing as too many red blood cells? When most people think about problems with red blood cells, they think of anemia, a reduced number of red blood cells, but too many red blood cells can be a problem too. This is called polycythemia, or erythrocytosis. There are some technical differences between the two but the two terms are often used interchangeably. The Problem of Too Many Red Blood Cells While you may think more is better than not enough, polycythemia can cause significant problems....
Prurigo pigmentosa (PP), also called Nagashima disease, is a rare chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes an itchy rash with vesicles (blisters). The blisters eventually develop into brown spots that appear in a net-like pattern. PP rash often occurs on the trunk and neck, but it can appear anywhere, including the face and scalp. It is also associated with conditions that produce ketosis (when your body uses stored fat rather than glucose for energy), including restricting food intake and diabetes....
There are several risk factors for pressure ulcers, which are now referred to as pressure injuries. They are skin sores that typically develop over bony areas, such as the lower spine, hips, and elbows. Also known as bedsores, pressure injuries are a common problem for people who have low mobility and spend most of their time in bed. Pressure injuries are painful and can be difficult to treat. Preventing pressure injuries is critical to maintaining comfort, and treating them promptly is essential....
Professional teeth cleaning at a dental office is an important way of maintaining your oral health. Usually done by a dental hygienist, a teeth cleaning session helps remove plaque from your teeth in order to prevent gum disease and cavities. At your checkup, your dentist will also be able to spot any signs of tooth decay and other oral health conditions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you visit your dentist at least once a year for a dental checkup and professional cleaning with a dental hygienist....
The surgical specialty of vascular surgery is concerned with treating the blood vessels of the body, with the exception of the vessels of the heart and brain. A vascular surgeon may perform procedures on the arteries and veins of a wide variety of areas of the body, including the arms, legs, organs, and other tissues. You will be referred to a vascular surgeon by your primary care physician for conditions such as peripheral arterial disease....
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. Its primary function is to produce the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones travel through the body and help regulate metabolism. They also aid in brain development, digestive function, muscle control, and balancing mood. When the thyroid produces either too much or too little of these hormones, it causes the gland to work improperly, leading to disorders such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, the two most common types of thyroid disease....
The Achilles tendon is the largest and most vulnerable tendon in the body. It joins the calf muscles of the lower leg (the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles) to the heel bone of the foot. The gastrocnemius muscle crosses the knee and the ankle joints. Stress and tension in the Achilles tendon can lead to injury. Tendons are strong, but not very flexible, so they can only stretch so far before they get inflamed or tear....
A myomectomy is a procedure that can remove fibroids and preserve the uterus. Sometimes this type of surgery can be a safe and effective alternative to a hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of the uterus. Preparation Before having a myomectomy, you may need preoperative preparation, which often includes treatment with Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate) for about three months preceding the procedure. Lupron inhibits estrogen production, causing the fibroids to shrink in size....
Loose braces may be handled in a variety of ways depending on the situation at hand. If your braces have become loose, you need not worry, because dealing with a loose bracket is easier than you might think. When Braces Are Loose Your braces can become loose due to a number of reasons, including eating the wrong food. The most common reasons are: Bad habits such as biting your fingernails, nibbling on pens and pencils, or chewing iceA poor bond between the tooth and the bracketA change in bite due to the constant movement of the teethInjury or trauma to the mouth What You Should Do If one or more of your braces have become loose, call your orthodontist or dentist right away....
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed on people who have stopped breathing and do not have a pulse. It is vital in life-threatening situations like a drowning accident or cardiac arrest. The aim of CPR is to compress the chest and heart so that blood can be pumped to the brain, albeit weakly. Fast action is required. If CPR is not started within two minutes of the heart stopping, brain damage can develop rapidly....
