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A meningioma is a type of slow-growing brain tumor. It is easily treated, but can occasionally become serious. This article looks at meningiomas, their diagnosis, and risk factors. It will also help you understand when a meningioma might become serious. What Is a Meningioma? Although meningiomas are often considered primary brain tumors, they are not tumors of brain tissue. Instead, they grow from the meninges, the protective tissue surrounding the brain....

A chronic illness like fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can be hard on your social life. Especially if you’ve had to leave your job or cut way down on socializing, it can become hard to meet anyone you might be interested in dating. You may also wonder if anyone would want to date you. It’s a natural concern to have when you’re stuck on the roller coaster of life with FMS or ME/CFS....

If you have had shoulder surgery, you will likely benefit from physical therapy after surgery to help get things moving toward a full recovery. Your PT can assess your condition and help improve the way your shoulder moves and functions. Exercise in the immediate post-operative period can help improve your shoulder motion and start your shoulder rehab in the right direction. Early motion after surgery can also help prevent contractures and the dreaded frozen shoulder....

If you or a loved one has cancer, then you understand how it may affect all aspects of your life. A cancer diagnosis can be challenging, both emotionally and physically. Cancer may limit your ability to move properly, and it may make basic functional tasks like walking, standing, or moving in bed difficult. If you have cancer, working with a physical therapist may be an excellent option to help you recover and maintain functional mobility as you are navigating your cancer diagnosis and treatment....

Synvisc (Hylan G-F 20) is a viscous fluid derived from a substance known as hyaluronan (sodium hyaluronate). Hyaluronan is produced naturally in the body to help lubricate the joints. The form of hyaluronan found in Synvisc is made from gelatinous substances derived from chicken combs. Synvisc is used in a form of therapy known as viscosupplementation in which the substance is injected into joint spaces to help increase lubrication. This article discusses Synvisc knee injections, the procedure, and the side effects of Synvisc....

Cryptosporidium, or crypto for short, is a parasite that frustrates many parents each summer as it causes small outbreaks of diarrhea in places like community pools, water parks, and water spray parks that recycle the water.​ Cryptosporidiosis, an infection with the crypto parasite, can follow drinking contaminated water and often leads to a few weeks of diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea. A sick child is upsetting enough, but that they got sick in a chlorinated pool, which most parents assume kills most germs, is what usually gets them the most frustrated....

A person is considered to be “treatment-naive” if they have never undergone treatment for a particular illness. In the world of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the term is most often used to refer to people who are HIV-positive and who have never taken any antiretroviral therapy for their infection. People who have already taken one or more forms of HIV medication are considered to be “treatment experienced.” Treatment-Naive Patients and Antiretroviral Therapy In general, treatment-naive patients have more options for antiretroviral therapy than treatment-experienced patients....

Gout is a type of painful arthritis caused by the buildup of uric acid crystals in one or more joints, most often the big toe. A growing body of research suggests that vitamin C can reduce the amount of uric acid in the blood, which may prevent the condition. This article explores the research on what is known about vitamin C and gout. Vitamin C and Gout Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant essential for collagen production, iron absorption, and wound healing....

When you’re unable to urinate, the problem can quickly become serious. As urine builds up in the bladder, it becomes uncomfortable, then painful. If the problem continues, the bladder can become overly full and urine can back up into your kidneys, causing damage that can be permanent. When this happens, a sterile, flexible tube called a urinary catheter is inserted into the urethra (where urine leaves the body) and is gently pushed up until the end rests in your bladder....

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter secreted from the substantia nigra, a small region in the brainstem that withers away in Parkinson’s disease. As natural dopamine levels in the brain begin to fall, signs of Parkinson’s disease appear. If dopamine is replaced, many of the symptoms improve. One would think, then, that dopamine should be given as soon as possible. There are other options, though. In addition to given dopamine directly (a drug called carbidopa-levodopa), Parkinson’s disease patients may benefit from a class of drugs called dopamine agonists....

As soon as there’s a hint of autumn in the air, pumpkin spice pops up everywhere you look. Whether you’re snacking on limited-edition pumpkin spice cereal, cookies, and other treats, or whipping out pumpkin spice hand sanitizer, there are practically no limits to where you’ll spot the favorite fall flavor. Key Takeaways Pumpkin spice lattes are a popular staple during the autumn season.These drinks tend to be high in sugar and calories, but you can have them as an occasional treat....

Medical science has long recognized that remaining sedentary after an ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) (heart attack) is a major risk factor for early death. People who engage in formal cardiac rehabilitation programs after a heart attack, and then continue exercising once the formal rehab program has ended, are known to do much better for much longer than people who remain (or become) inactive. This is why regular exercise is emphasized by doctors who treat patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)....

Itching of the skin, also called pruritus, is a common problem experienced by many people. The itching may or may not come along with a rash, which can be limited to small areas of skin or can occur over the entire body. When a rash does occur, it can be a clue as to the cause of the itching. Itching can be a minor nuisance or can be a major disruption and severely impact a person’s quality of life....

A continuous passive motion (CPM) machine is a motorized device that gently moves a joint through a set range of motion. It is sometimes used after knee replacement surgery to prevent scar tissue development, reduce stiffness, and restore normal function. In theory, placing the knee in this device soon after surgery does just that. But although there is some benefit to using CPM in the first days and weeks of recovery, there is no difference in the overall outcomes of those who use CPM vs....

One of the many concerns people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have about abdominal surgery, and especially colostomy and ileostomy surgery, is how it will affect the genital area. Women are typically concerned with the ability to conceive and give birth, and what effect any scarring might have on their reproductive organs. Men are typically concerned about the potential for impotence (the inability to maintain an erection) and the ability to father children....

Evidence suggesting the unique pain of fibromyalgia may stem largely from the fascia has led to an interest in a type of massage called myofascial release. It’s common to hear someone with fibromyalgia say, “My muscles ache all over my body, all the time.” But as scientists work to understand the cause of fibromyalgia pain, they’re looking less and less at the muscles and instead focusing more on the fascia....

Growth plate fractures are injuries that occur in growing children and adolescents. These injuries occur in the area of the bone responsible for growth, the growth plate at the end of the long bones. When this part of the bone is damaged, there is concern about possible problems with the future growth of the bone. Appropriate treatment of a growth plate injury is essential to ensure proper growth of the child....

If you receive a diagnosis of sinus cancer, the first thing your doctor will do is undertake a thorough assessment of the tumor, as treatment protocols depend on the stage of the disease, as well as the size and type of tumors and their location. Once your cancer has been examined, a healthcare team of doctors and nurses will work with you to formulate an individualized treatment plan that maximizes your chances of achieving full remission while minimizing side effects that can affect your quality of life....

Thyroid problems can result in menstrual irregularities. This is because the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the front of your neck, plays an essential role in your reproductive health. The thyroid directly affects your ovaries and indirectly interacts with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG is a protein that “sticks” to reproductive hormones so they can be carried throughout your body. Menstrual problems tend to be most common in those with severe thyroid disease and less common in those with more mild or moderate cases....

Once you have made the decision to have heart valve replacement surgery, you, along with your surgeon, will need to decide what type of replacement valve is best for you. There are several types of valves currently available for surgeons to use, but there are benefits and downsides to each type. Your surgeon should help guide you through the decision-making process. Important information like age, your unique heart and valve condition, gender, and the desire to become pregnant will all play a role in the final decision....