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If you have a myeloproliferative neoplasm, you may need to have frequent blood work. These conditions, which include polycythemia vera (PV), primary myelofibrosis (PMF), essential thrombocytopenia (ET), chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), and atypical myeloproliferative neoplasms, involve the abnormal growth of blood cells. In some cases, myeloproliferative disorders may lead to health complications such as bleeding, or they can develop into leukemia, a type of blood cancer. This article will answer your questions about the most common types of blood work you will need when you have a myeloproliferative disorder....

Congestion happens when the tissues and blood vessels around your nose become swollen with increased fluid. It refers to a feeling of stuffiness in the nasal or breathing passageways. There are different types of head congestion, some may occur with a runny nose and others with pressure around the face. They are often related to a virus or bacterial infection and may cause excess mucus or phlegm. While this condition is usually easily managed and treatable at home, you should contact your healthcare provider about congestion if you’re running a high fever, have symptoms that won’t go away, or experience excessive bleeding....

D-ribose is a supplement sometimes recommended as a treatment for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Also called ribose or Beta-D-ribofuranose, it’s a type of sugar that your body produces naturally and is readily available in supplement form. D-ribose plays several important roles in your body, such as: Helping produce energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) Serving as a building block of the genetic material RNA (ribonucleic acid) Helping increase your muscle energy As with most supplements, we don’t have enough high-quality research to draw a lot of conclusions about it as a treatment for these conditions....

When you’re first diagnosed with celiac disease, you likely hope—and anticipate—that the gluten-free diet will solve your digestive problems. However, studies and anecdotal evidence indicate it’s not always that easy. In fact, a significant percentage of people with celiac disease continue to experience symptoms even after going gluten-free. There are several potential reasons for these ongoing digestive symptoms, all of which you can have in addition to celiac disease: gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)....

If you are wondering whether or not drinking alcohol can cause cirrhosis of the liver, it depends on just how much you are drinking. Your Liver and Cirrhosis The liver carries out several necessary functions, including detoxifying harmful substances in your body, cleaning your blood, and making vital nutrients. The liver is your largest internal organ. About the size of a football, it is located mainly in the upper right portion of your abdomen, beneath the diaphragm and above your stomach....

Researchers are studying whether therapeutic ultrasound works as a treatment in physical therapy. Ultrasound machines may be used to improve circulation and tissue healing, but it’s unclear if it’s a useful component of injury recovery. This article looks at ultrasound therapy in physical therapy and what the research says about its effectiveness. Does Therapeutic Ultrasound Help? Studies about using ultrasound to help speed healing are not so positive. There are many studies that compare ultrasound use to sham (fake) ultrasound....

The reality is clear for participants of contact sports; injuries that result in a concussion could potentially end their sporting career and have serious health consequences. Preventing sports-related injuries is achieved when the proper equipment is used during play. This article discusses whether mouthguards protect against concussions as well as other research on concussions. Does Wearing a Mouthguard Prevent Concussions? The number of sports-related concussions sustained every year is distressing. The University of Pittsburgh Department of Neurological Surgery states that in the United States alone 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually, and the likelihood of suffering a concussion while playing a contact sport is estimated to be as high as 19% per year of play....

If you’re interested in skincare, you probably have already heard the term exfoliation. Exfoliation is beneficial for all skin types, but especially so for acne-prone skin. But what exactly is exfoliation? (Hint: it’s not just about a scrub.) What Exfoliation Does for Your Skin In simple terms, exfoliation is the removal of dead skin cells. An exfoliant is a product or procedure that reduces the amount of dead cell build-up on the skin....

If your symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are preventing you from attending work, the protections provided by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) might be a way for you to keep your job. Here you will learn some basic information regarding the FMLA and how it might be applicable to a person who is dealing with IBS. What Is FMLA? The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) entitles you to up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a period of 12 months....

Tactile allodynia is one of the characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is a neurological condition in which the sensation of pain—sometimes severe—can occur with a simple touch. With this condition, the body perceives pain to otherwise harmless physical (tactile) stimuli. Fibromyalgia involves multiple pain types, including hyperalgesia (the overamplification of pain) and paresthesia (abnormal sensations like burning or tingling in the absence of stimuli). In addition to fibromyalgia, tactile allodynia can occur with peripheral neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, and migraine....

Hormone receptor status is important in determining options for breast cancer treatment. Determining your tumor’s status is a high priority after a breast biopsy or breast-cancer surgery (mastectomy or lumpectomy). Whether you’re positive (meaning estrogen and/or progesterone drives the growth of cancer cells) or negative (meaning hormones do not drive growth) will have a big impact on the next steps you take. Hormone Receptors & Receptor Tests All breast cancers are examined under a microscope for biomarkers of estrogen and progesterone receptors....

A morning bowl of oatmeal can give you benefits towards heart health, including lowering your cholesterol. Oatmeal is made of ground oats that can be made into a variety of foods, including porridges, cookies, and snacks. Studies also have shown that oatmeal has some heart-healthy benefits. This is mainly due to the rich source of water-soluble dietary fibers, particularly beta-glucan, that are found in oatmeal. Over the years, there have been many research studies that have proven the benefits of oatmeal in lowering cholesterol levels....

If you have back pain or hip pain, you may benefit from physical therapy to help improve your mobility and manage your symptoms. One component of your rehab may include performing exercises to help improve the strength of your low back muscles and your hips. This can help improve the way you walk or may aid in attaining and maintain proper posture. One important exercise that may be a part of your spine, hip, or lower extremity rehab is the prone straight leg raise (SLR) exercise....

Immunotherapy is the medical term your healthcare professional uses for what you may refer to as “allergy shots.” If your immune system overreacts to allergens (allergic triggers), such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites, you may benefit from immunotherapy. These allergens can trigger many different symptoms, and they can worsen asthma. When you are exposed to one of your allergic triggers, your body produces a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE)....

An inflammatory granuloma is a rare but potential complication that may occur after the surgical implantation of a drug delivery system, such as a morphine pump, in your spine. This complication, while rare, is a result of the surgical procedure. Only about 1% of implanted drug delivery system patients (who are therefore at risk for inflammatory granuloma) actually develop the condition. The term inflammatory granuloma describes the formation of an inflamed mass of tissue right where the catheter is inserted during the procedure....

Maxillofacial surgery that employs jaw advancement is used sometimes to treat obstructive sleep apnea. How does jaw surgery correct the anatomy of a small or recessed jaw that contributes to sleep apnea? Learn about this procedure, the potential risks, and the expected recovery time after surgery. Anatomy Corrected Jaw surgery for sleep apnea is a procedure that involves surgically moving the upper and/or lower jaws forward. The upper jaw is called the maxilla and the lower jaw is called the mandible....

Moderna submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week for the evaluation of a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways Moderna is seeking FDA authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine for the general public.Data presented by the company indicates that a booster shot containing half the initial dosage is effective at creating a strong immune response.If the half dose is authorized, Moderna could potentially ramp up its global vaccine supply....

Ovarian cysts are common in people with ovaries. Most cysts are asymptomatic (have no symptoms) and don’t require medical treatment. Ovarian cysts often heal on their own. When they don’t, treatments can help. These vary based on factors such as your age and the size of the cyst. In some instances, an ovarian cyst may rupture. Some cysts may also become large or cause symptoms, such as pain during menstruation or sex....

Paget’s disease of bone is the second most common metabolic bone condition behind osteoporosis, causing accelerated bone growth leading to tumors and increased bleeding from fractures. Paget’s disease of bone affects one or more bones in the body. The body is supposed to break down old bone and replenish it over time. Paget’s disease of bone accelerates that process which includes the regrowth of new bone. The resulting accelerated bone growth leads to abnormal growth, including deformities and bones that are prone to fractures....

The debate over the morality and legality of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) isn’t new. It’s been a topic of heated discussions for hundreds of years and doesn’t show any signs of cooling down. Physician-assisted suicide is legal in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, and Washington DC. It became legal across Canada in 2015. Around the world (though restrictions vary considerably) it is legal in the Netherlands, Belgium, the U....