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HBeAg stands for hepatitis B e-antigen. This antigen is a protein from the hepatitis B virus that circulates in infected blood when the virus is actively reproducing. If you are HBeAg positive, it means the antigen is present in your blood. This HBeAG test result suggests that a person is infectious and is able to spread the virus to other people. What HBeAg Test Results Mean A positive test for the hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAG) means that there is an active infection with the hepatitis B virus, likely in someone with chronic hepatitis B....

Antidiuretic hormone, or ADH, is a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus and released by the pituitary gland. Its primary jobs are to help the kidneys maintain your body’s fluid levels and to control blood pressure. This involves the regulation of blood volume and blood concentration. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at risk for high blood pressure. Also known as vasopressin, ADH promotes smooth muscle contraction of the blood vessels and causes the body to retain water, helping to prevent dehydration....

Colorectal cancer affects the large intestine and/or the rectum, the last part of the digestive tract before the anus. It is the third leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide, with rectal cancer accounting for about 30% of these cancers. Roughly half of all rectal cancers in the United States are found when they are at stages 2 or 3. This means cancer has not metastasized, or spread, to distant parts of the body like the brain, but it has advanced at the original site or grown into nearby lymph nodes....

Pouchitis is a condition that can affect people who have had j-pouch (ileal pouch-anal anastomosis [IPAA]) surgery for ulcerative colitis. The mechanism of pouchitis is not well understood, and it is thought that it might include several different types of disease. It is the most common complication in people with j-pouches. Symptoms of pouchitis can include: more frequent and urgent bowel movementsabdominal crampingrectal bleedingfever Pouchitis typically responds to treatment with antibiotics but can recur in about two-thirds of patients....

Taking care of someone with a chronic and debilitating disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a rewarding experience. It also can be a rollercoaster filled with ups, downs, twists, and turns that inevitably arise from the complex and unpredictable nature of the disease. In fact, caring for a spouse, partner, child, parent, or other loved one with MS can be daunting and exhausting. If you find yourself in the position of caregiver, you will need guidance and support yourself not only so that you can feel confident you’re providing the best possible care but, equally important, to prevent yourself from becoming burned out....

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects mucus production. CF affects the pancreas, a small gland that secretes hormones and enzymes that control blood sugars, digestion, and other bodily functions. Some patients with CF are at an increased risk for pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas. This can cause pancreas pain, abdominal pain, and other symptoms and is the most common gastrointestinal complication of CF. This article covers pancreas pain associated with cystic fibrosis, why this occurs, who is affected, and how to get relief....

The earlobe (lobulus auriculae) is the soft, fleshy part of the outer ear. Without cartilage, the earlobe contains a large blood supply with many nerve endings. For some, the earlobes are an erogenous zone. Genetics play a part in whether the earlobes are attached to the neck or if they dangle free. Earlobes are not thought to have any biological purpose. Occasionally, earlobes may become swollen. If they do, it is often due to allergies, infection, or injury....

Flexor tenosynovitis, or a flexor tendon sheath infection, is a serious infection around the tendons of the finger. With this type of infection, it’s important to seek treatment immediately, as delayed care can lead to severe consequences. This article explains what a flexor tendon sheath infection is. It also discusses signs and symptoms, treatment options, and possible complications of this infection. What Is the Flexor Tendon Sheath? The flexor tendon is a flexible band of tissue that connects the lower arm muscles to the bones of the fingers and thumb....

A good low cholesterol diet includes a lot of cholesterol-lowering foods—whether you have the time to cook a full course meal or have just enough time to grab and go. Having too many things to do and too little time on your hands, eating healthy may be low on the list of your priorities. On some days, full course meals are neglected in favor of quicker, lighter snacks. Let’s face it—snacking is natural....

Women can experience all the textbook heart attack symptoms that men do. However, heart attack symptoms in women tend to be more subtle, leading many women and their healthcare providers to downplay them or delay treatment. For example, while chest pain is the classic symptom associated with reduced blood flow to the heart, many women having a heart attack have no chest pain. Still others experience a burning sensation that can easily be confused for heartburn....

Skin disorders are a common extraintestinal symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), occurring in up to 25% of people with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Some of these skin conditions are called pyoderma gangrenosum, aphthous ulcers, and erythema nodosum. Erythema nodosum is a skin condition that most often affects people with Crohn’s disease, but can also develop in those who have ulcerative colitis. It is estimated to occur in between 10% to 15% of people with IBD, making it a fairly common complication....

Lemon water has often been touted as a sort of cure-all for various health conditions, including arthritis and gout. Some claims about its benefits may be overblown, but lemon water does have some health value. Lemon water will help keep you hydrated. And researchers have studied lemon water as a potential source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation. Properties and Health Benefits Lemon is a citrus fruit that’s rich in vitamin C and citric acid....

Do you have pain from a cavity or tooth decay? It’s time to see your dentist. But until your appointment, you’ve got to manage the pain. Decay destroys your tooth’s hard enamel and dentin, the layer under the enamel. That exposes the nerves and leads to sensitivity and toothaches. This article offers quick dos and don’ts for easing cavity pain until you can get to the dentist. Call Your Dentist Before you do anything else, make a dentist appointment for as soon as possible....

The U.S. is going through yet another COVID-19 surge. After a summer lull, cases spiked in early September before lowering just before Halloween. And now, they’re on a massive uptick. Key Takeaways COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing in the U.S.—coinciding with the rise of the Omicron variant.The Omicron variant’s doubling time is 1.5 to three days.Experts say the Delta variant is still driving most cases in the country. As of December 17, there were 156,754 new COVID-19 cases reported in the country—a dramatic increase from the 120,337 new cases reported on November 30....

Many people believe that pounding through pain is necessary for keeping up with their fitness goals. Does this describe you? If so, and you maintain that attitude when your back is giving you problems, you may be paying too high a price for a great body. What should you do if you want, or need, to exercise when your back is sore? Here are a few tips. Use Body Awareness The old adage “err on the side of caution” is applicable when you are considering exercising with back pain present....

Itchiness is just one of many multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, but the underlying cause is different than in other cases of itchiness, which are related to inflammation of the skin. With MS, itchiness is a manifestation of the demyelination of nerves that is the hallmark of the disease. Prescription medications used to treat MS can also cause or compound itchiness. Symptoms MS-related itchiness is typically paroxysmal, meaning it starts and stops abruptly....

While there is no specific cause of seborrheic dermatitis, a variety of risk factors have been identified. Specifically, it’s possible that age and gender, preexisting medical conditions, drug regimes, or even a person’s genetics may play a role in developing the condition. Additionally, a factor frequently linked to seborrheic dermatitis is a yeast species called Malassezia. This article will highlight the causes and risk factors behind seborrheic dermatitis. Common Causes Most experts theorize that there are likely multiple factors working together that ultimately make a person vulnerable to manifesting this inflammatory skin condition....

If you have shoulder pain or have had shoulder surgery such as a rotator cuff repair, you may be having difficulty using your arm for basic functional tasks like brushing your hair or putting on a belt. Your shoulder pain may also disturb your normal sleep pattern. Shoulder pain is a common problem for which your healthcare provider may refer you to physical therapy. A physical therapist can evaluate your situation and devise a plan of care to help you return to normal activity and function quickly and safely....

Sialolithiasis is a benign condition where stones form in the salivary ducts. These stones are called calculi and are mostly composed of calcium. They can develop in any of the salivary glands, including the parotid, submandibular, or sublingual, but are most likely to form in the submandibular gland. Children rarely develop sialolithiasis. They are most commonly found in men between the ages of 30 and 60. Saliva’s Function Saliva is mostly made up of water but also contains small amounts of electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, important antibacterial compounds, and digestive enzymes....

Cardiac arrest is the hallmark of death. It’s the moment when the heart stops effectively pumping blood around to the muscles and tissues of the body, especially the brain. This is the moment when every patient dies. You might see the term used in official press releases or media accounts (cause of death: cardiac arrest), but that’s like saying the reason someone fell was because of gravity. Cardiac arrest is recognized by the cessation of a pulse and of breathing....