Gout can be treated with medication, but people with the condition may also look for natural gout remedies to help relieve their symptoms faster. So far, however, scientific support for the claim that any natural remedy can treat gout is limited. This article looks at some of the natural remedies for gout. It also discusses whether scientific research supports the use of natural remedies as a gout treatment. What Causes Gout?...
Splinter skills are abilities that are disconnected from their usual context and/or purpose. Because they are just a “splinter,” or fraction, of a meaningful set of skills, splinter skills may not be particularly useful in real-world situations. Examples include the ability to list football statistics without understanding the game of football, or the ability to memorize a bus schedule without understanding how to get to a bus station or buy a ticket....
A junctional rhythm is a type of abnormal heartbeat, or arrhythmia. It is usually not serious, although it can be associated with heart inflammation or recent heart surgery. It happens when the atrioventricular (AV) node or “His bundle,” both of which are electrical signals that help control your heartbeat, isn’t working properly. This article discusses a junctional rhythm and its symptoms, causes, and treatments. What Is a Junctional Rhythm? The heart has electrical pulses controlled by cell groups called nodes....
Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is a treatment option for patients who are experiencing acute respiratory failure (having trouble breathing on their own). Acute respiratory failure can occur after surgery, a lung injury, as the result of an infection, or a blockage in the lungs caused by a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs). Any of these causes can be serious enough to require intubation. In this procedure, a breathing tube is inserted in the mouth or nose and down the trachea (windpipe)....
While inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a perplexing group of diseases that tends to be difficult to diagnose and treat, researchers have collected a significant amount of information concerning the genetics, distribution, and contributing environmental factors for IBD. Overall, IBD affects people of all genetic backgrounds, but it seems to have a higher prevalence in western and developing countries. It also tends to be diagnosed most commonly in adolescents and young adults....
Airport metal detectors are quite sensitive to metals, this includes metal implants that may have been placed inside your body. Belt buckles, key chains, and steel-toed shoes may set off these sensitive metal detectors. Many commonly used orthopedic implants may also set off the metal detectors. Orthopedic Implants The most commonly implanted orthopedic materials include stainless steel, cobalt chrome, and titanium. Different types of metal detectors work in different ways, but the newer airport screening detectors will identify patients with these metal implants....
The hypothalamus is an important part of your neuroendocrine system. It controls the interaction between your endocrine or hormone-producing system and certain parts of your nervous system. Your hypothalamus is responsible for producing the hormone that triggers the start of your menstrual cycle. Where Is the Hypothalamus Located? If you drew a line from the middle of your eyebrows directly back to the center of your brain you would locate a pea-sized structure called the hypothalamus....
Physical exercise has long been touted as a way to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In recent years, a growing body of evidence suggests that exercise may also benefit those living with the disease, potentially slowing or reversing the progression of symptoms. As a chronic progressive disease, Alzheimer’s requires more than just medications to preserve cognitive function and the quality of life. People with Alzheimer’s can benefit enormously from behavioral and environmental changes, reality orientation training, caregiver support, and other non-drug interventions....
On December 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the organization is calling for “universal face mask use” in all activity outside of one’s home. The CDC is also recommending that masks be worn in the home as well if you, or someone else in your house, has COVID-19 or has had recent exposure to the virus. Key Takeaways...
The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a world leader in cancer treatment and research, has launched a new center that’s specifically designed to prevent and treat BRCA-related cancers. Known as the Center for BRCA and Related Genes, this Boston, Massachusetts-based center gives patients easy access to clinical trials, with a large focus on overcoming chemotherapy resistance, targeted agents, and DNA repair inhibitors. Key Takeaways Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has a new center dedicated to helping people with BRCA-related cancers....
Estrogen is an important hormone produced by the ovaries and in small quantities by the adrenal glands. It’s responsible for the development of female sex characteristics. Estrogen is required for the development of female sexual organs, maintenance of the skeletal system, regulation of the menstrual cycle, and maintenance of pregnancy. Estrogen levels normally fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout a lifetime. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels fluctuate throughout the month....
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a powder made of peanuts to lessen allergic reactions in those who have a confirmed peanut allergy. News of Palforzia’s approval as an oral immunotherapy was detailed in the July 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Key Takeaways The FDA has approved Palforzia to mitigate allergic reactions in those with a confirmed peanut allergy.Palforzia, a powder made from peanuts, is intended to expose the body to specific amounts of peanut protein....
Many worried that initial COVID-19 stay-at-home orders would drive domestic violence rates in households higher. But a recent study conducted in Chicago found that the city’s order was actually associated with a decrease in the rate of domestic violence police reports. Key Takeaways During Chicago’s COVID-19 stay-at-home order, the city saw a decline in domestic violence police reports. While the study did not draw conclusive results, researchers predict that these lower rates were likely due to decreased incidence or simply underreporting....
According to a recent study, middle-aged women with higher carbohydrate intakes might be at a lower risk for cardiovascular disease. The findings challenge previous research that has placed carbs in a category of foods to be limited or even avoided to promote health. Key Takeaways Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one killer of women and accounts for 1 in every 5 deaths in the United States. However, most of the research on ways to reduce CVD risk has not been primarily focused on women....
A high ankle sprain is an injury to the syndesmotic ligament complex that connects and stabilizes the bones of the lower leg, the tibia (shin bone) and fibula. Syndesmotic injuries occur when the ankle is forcefully twisted outward (an external rotation injury) or when the leg twists inward while the foot is planted. High ankle sprains tend to heal more slowly than common ankle sprains. If a high ankle sprain isn’t treated, the ankle joint can become susceptible to further injury....
An Achilles tendon rupture is a traumatic injury that can cause significant disability after it occurs. This condition typically happens without warning and can make it challenging to walk or bear weight through your leg. While many people end up having their tendon surgically repaired after a tear, this is not always necessary. In fact, a significant number of people may actually be able to rehabilitate their ankle without undergoing a procedure....
Sneaker styles are constantly evolving both in the way they look and in how they function. Navigating through all the sneaker brands and various styles, including those with high-tech features, can be confusing. Athletes and sports medicine experts tend to stay current with athletic shoe features and how each one can benefit a specific foot type or activity. But athletes aren’t the only ones who can benefit from finding the right shoe for their foot type or activity level....
Your immune system works to keep illness away. It recognizes and fights potentially harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. If you are immunocompetent (have a properly-functioning immune system) your body is able to respond rapidly and effectively to infectious agents, preventing them from causing serious or prolonged illnesses. Given how important your immune system is to your health, taking steps to protect your immune system can go a long way in keeping you healthy....
Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare condition in which the nerves of the corpus callosum—the area that connects the brain’s two hemispheres—become eroded. This disease is most commonly seen in people with severe alcohol use disorder but can also appear in severely malnourished people. MBD is associated with several symptoms, such as paranoia, psychosis, seizures, and dementia. This article reviews Marchafava-Bignami disease symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Marchiafava-Bignami Disease Symptoms MBD symptoms can vary by person....
Our understanding of the risks and benefits of medical marijuana use has been increasing in recent years. Although as of 2016, not all the questions have been answered, a handful of states have set up dispensaries and passed laws protecting patients who use this drug from prosecution. These programs are far from complete. But the good news is some spine conditions and types of chronic neck or back pain are included by a few of the more forward-leaning states as conditions for which medical marijuana can be prescribed....
