Cancer stem cells are a small subpopulation of cells found within tumors that are tumorigenic, meaning they can create a cancerous tumor. Self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into diverse cell types are hallmark features of cancer stem cells. They can reproduce themselves and sustain cancer in the body. They are therefore hypothesized to be the primary driver of cancer growth and metastasis. This is called the stem cell theory of cancer....
Sometimes that dull, throbbing pain in your face is a sign that you’ve caught the dreaded common cold, and your sinuses are now inflamed. It’s tricky though to differentiate between sinus pain and a migraine or tension headache, since all three can produce similar types of pain. Let’s learn more about sinus headaches and what you can do to ease your pain and accompanying symptoms. How Do I Know if my Headache is from my Sinuses?...
Arthritis symptoms should not be ignored. By spotting the warning signs early, you can get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment before serious disability occurs. The problem, of course, is that there is not just one form of arthritis. Some types are characterized by “classic” symptoms like enlarged joints or unremitting stiffness and pain, while others are more subtle and easily mistaken for other medical conditions. Here are 9 common signs of arthritis you may not know about:...
Acute pain refers to any specific, sharp pain that is of rapid onset or pain that results from a specific traumatic incident such as an injury to a specific part of the body, or an illness. Acute pain tends to be very isolated. Such pain comes on quickly but often has a limited overall duration. An acute injury is usually the result of a specific impact or traumatic event that occurs in one specific area of the body, such as a muscle, bone, or joint....
Continuous passive motion (CPM) is a therapy that uses a machine to move a joint for a patient. CPM machines are most commonly used on the knee joints, usually after knee surgery). There are also CPM machines made for other joints. During CPM, a motorized device gently bends the joint back and forth to a set number of degrees. The amount of movement and speed can be adjusted by the physical therapist (PT)....
On March 30, the White House launched COVID.gov to help people access COVID-19 transmission information, vaccine appointments, tests, treatments, masks, and educational resources. Key Takeaways COVID.gov can help you find locations for vaccines, booster shots, testing, and treatment.You can use the site to order up to eight home test kits for COVID-19.The White House is currently waiting for much-needed COVID-19 funding from Congress. If the money isn’t granted, the White House may not be able to provide some of the services listed on the new website....
According to new estimates, the worldwide number of people with dementia will nearly triple by 2050. Dementia’s prevalence is expected to rise from just under 60 million cases in 2019 to nearly 153 million cases globally in 2050. Key Takeaways Cases of dementia around the world are expected to almost triple by 2050. According to a new analysis, the key factors are population growth and population aging.Some areas of the world—like North Africa, the Middle East, and sub-Saharan Africa—are expected to see the biggest increases in dementia....
Facial masking, also called masked facies or hypomimia, is the loss of facial expression most commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease. The condition gives the affected person a fixed, mask-like expression. There may be several causes of facial masking, including a psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia that may limit affect and expression, or medication that may lead to a similar response. With Parkinson’s disease, the facial masking is typically caused by a progressive loss of motor control....
The hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) is produced by your immune system after infection by the hepatitis B virus, and it can persist for life. It is a sign that you either have an new, active (acute) hepatitis B infection or that you acquired hepatitis B in the past. HBcAb is an immune system response to a protein in the core of the virus, and it is only present if you have been infected, rather than immunized against the virus....
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare genetic disorder that causes attacks of severe swelling in the skin, hands, feet, face, and airways. Although HAE attacks are often spontaneous, they can be caused by specific triggers. Understanding these triggers might help people to manage this condition. This article will describe the symptoms of an HAE attack, common triggers, and how to identify and track potential triggers so you can manage HAE....
Hyalgan is a viscous solution that contains purified natural sodium hyaluronate (Hyalectin) in physiological saline. Hyalgan is one of the hyaluronates used in viscosupplementation, a treatment that involves injecting a gel-like substance (hyaluronate) into a joint to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid. The injected viscosupplement helps to cushion the joint and provides lubrication to reduce friction that occurs with movement. With osteoarthritis, synovial fluid loses its lubricating properties and the goal of viscosupplementation is to restore those properties....
Weight management is a key part of managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The hormonal changes that occur with PCOS aren’t just an imbalance of the reproductive hormones. Insulin (the body’s tool for dealing with sugar) is also affected. This contributes to weight gain in a major way, making it more challenging for people with PCOS to maintain a healthy weight. This article discusses the reasons why weight management is difficult for people with PCOS....
Throughout the pandemic, people have delayed healthcare procedures and check-ups. Now, new research finds that breast cancer screening rates also declined during this time. Key Takeaways A study found that breast cancer screening rates declined by 8% among low-income communities during the pandemic.This is a reversal of the 18% improvement witnessed researchers found between 2018 to 2019. While telehealth was posed as a potential solution to delayed pandemic care, experts say it isn’t as accessible for low-income neighborhoods....
Overactive bladder (OAB), characterized by sudden urges to urinate and an inability to control bladder function, is quite common. Researchers estimate that as many as 23.3% of Americans experience this condition, with women being twice as likely to have it than men. While there are several treatment approaches to it—everything from lifestyle changes to medications—many people with OAB hesitate to report it. Conditions like this carry a great deal of social stigma....
After treatment completion, an individual is generally assessed for a response after a period of time to allow the maximal regression of the tumor. At the end of that period, if there is some disease remaining but a reduction of disease by 30% or more on clinical examination or x-rays and scans, it is called partial response (or partial regression). What Does a Partial Response Mean? Partial response (PR) implies that further treatment will probably be required to attempt a cure....
Posterior pelvic tilt is a condition in which the front of the pelvis rises and the back of the pelvis drops, while the pelvis rotates upwards. The position of your pelvis matters a great deal to your spinal alignment and your low-back health. Posterior pelvic tilt is caused by an imbalance between the core muscles and the leg muscles. It can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, such as tight hamstrings and back pain....
Resection is the medical term for surgically removing part or all of a tissue, structure, or organ. Resection may be performed for a wide variety of reasons. A resection may remove a tissue that is known to be cancerous or diseased, and the surgery may treat or cure a disease process. Depending on the tissue or organ, resection surgery may be an open surgery or may be done with a scope through a small incision or a natural entry point, such as the urethra or cervix....
Remicade (infliximab) was the first TNF-alpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha)-blocker to be approved to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). TNF-alpha drugs are used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis because people with IBD have been shown to have more TNF-alpha in their bodies than people who do not have IBD. Remicade is given by infusion in a doctor’s office, infusion center, or hospital setting. An IV is used to give the drug....
Sleep paralysis is not dangerous, whether you experience it once or repeatedly. If it happens to you while you are falling asleep, it’s called hypnagogia. If sleep paralysis happens upon waking, it’s called hypnopompic. While an episode of sleep paralysis can be frightening at first, finding out what exactly happened and recognizing that it’s not something more serious is usually enough to curb a person’s fears. (Isolated sleep paralysis occurs without any other symptoms and accounts for most cases....
Squamous epithelial cells are a type of flat cell found throughout the body, including in the mouth, on the lips, and on the cervix. They are also seen in the middle layers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinoma is a type of cancer that affects the squamous layers of the epithelium. It’s the most common cancer of the oral cavity. and also is common in the cervix and the skin....
