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Osteoarthritis of the ankle is, like other forms of osteoarthritis, a condition that gets worse over time. Ankle osteoarthritis can occur in any of the three bones that make up the ankle joint: the lower end of the tibia (shinbone), the fibula (small bone of the lower leg), and the talus (the weight-bearing bone that fits into the socket formed by the tibia and fibula). This article will go over what you should know about ankle osteoarthritis, including the symptoms of ankle osteoarthritis, how osteoarthritis in the ankle is diagnosed, and treatment for ankle osteoarthritis....

Parallel bars are commonly used during physical therapy and rehabilitation. They are used as a support tool to provide a safe way to work on skills like gait training and balance. If you have had an injury or illness that limits your ability to walk, you may work with a physical therapist during your recovery. Your physical therapist will use different methods and modalities to help you as you work on regaining your strength, balance, and mobility....

Edema is bodily swelling caused by fluid leaving the bloodstream and traveling into the tissues. Edema is common in premature babies, whose urinary and circulatory systems are not fully developed. Preemies have a higher water content than full-term babies and the regular routine of administering fluids in the NICU may contribute to edema. Infants have a slower red blood cell production, so the breakdown of red cells may be faster than their ability to produce new red blood cells....

A study published in PLOS Medicine found an association between higher intakes of dairy fat and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. The new findings are at odds with most heart-healthy diet recommendations, which focus on low-fat or non-fat dairy to promote cardiovascular health. Key Takeaways A new study found a potential association between higher dairy fat intake and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.However, the study was observational—meaning that the researchers cannot conclude causality between fatty acid biomarkers in participants’ blood and their risk for heart disease....

Although they may appear to be nothing more than water, our tears are actually quite complex. Your tears contain some salt, as you’ve tasted when you’ve had a good cry. But are there other ingredients in tears? Are some tears different from others? Tears are produced in the lacrimal glands that are in the outer corners of your eyelids with contributing components coming from the meibomian glands (producing oil) and goblet cells within the underside of the lid (producing mucin)....

Shellfish allergy is the most common food allergy among adults in the United States. Unlike many food allergies, shellfish allergy is more likely to develop in adulthood than in early childhood. The majority of people who have shellfish allergies have their first reaction as adults. Once you develop a shellfish allergy, it tends to be severe and lifelong. Symptoms Symptoms of shellfish allergy usually appear within minutes up to two hours of eating shellfish....

Functional diarrhea is chronic diarrhea without any clear cause. It is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGD), meaning that it occurs without any other known signs of disease, injury, or structural problem. Even if the cause of your functional diarrhea is unknown, your symptoms are real and should be treated. Over time, functional diarrhea can cause negative health effects, and you may benefit from lifestyle modifications or medical treatment. This article explains what functional diarrhea is, how it is diagnosed, and how it is treated....

When heat is applied to the skin, it causes more blood to flow into the area where it is applied. Heat affects the skin as well as the underlying tissues below the skin. How deeply these effects travel depends on what type of heat is used for treatment. For instance, a heating pad may only target the “shallow” tissues, which are directly below the skin, while a therapeutic ultrasound can penetrate into the deeper muscles....

Weight loss surgery (also referred to as bariatric surgery) is the first step to improving and in some cases reversing weight-related health conditions that may worsen your overall health over time. But the surgery itself is not a permanent fix. There are a series of changes that need to happen both before and after your procedure to help ensure a successful outcome. The long-term care that happens after surgery is one of the most crucial parts....

Orbital cellulitis is a severe infection of the muscles, fat, and tissues located around the eye. It can also affect the cheeks, eyelids, and eyebrows. It occurs more commonly in children than adults, although it can affect people of any age. Orbital cellulitis generally stems from an infection of the sinuses or face or from trauma to the eye. It requires urgent medical care and can lead to blindness if left untreated....

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) is referred to by several other names, including: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome—RSDSComplex Regional Pain SyndromeShoulder-Hand SyndromeCausalgiaSudeck’s Atrophy Causes According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), RSD is “a chronic pain condition that is believed to be the result of dysfunction in the central or peripheral nervous systems.” According to MedicineNet, RSD involves “irritation and abnormal excitation of nervous tissue, leading to abnormal impulses along nerves that affect blood vessels and skin....

Levsin (hyoscyamine) is classified as an anticholinergic-sedative. It is a combination of two drugs: belladonna alkaloids and barbiturates. Levsin (which also goes by the brand name Anaspaz) is prescribed by a healthcare provider to relax the muscles in the bladder and intestines as well as reduce stomach acid. The medication is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, and bladder spasms. How Levsin Is Taken Levsin should be taken anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes before eating a meal....

Getting a yeast infection after your period is common because of the hormonal changes that occur during the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes can impact the microbiome of the vagina and create an environment where Candida, a yeast found in the vagina, can overgrow. Not everyone will get a yeast infection after their period; certain factors can make some more susceptible than others. Still, roughly 75% of women will experience at least one yeast infection at some point in their lives, while 50% of all women will experience more than one....

Eye problems may not seem like a logical result of arthritis. But while arthritis is primarily a joint disease, several types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions can have systemic (body-wide) effects. Those include some eye problems. In this article, you’ll learn about three common eye conditions associated with systemic inflammatory disease. Dry Eye Syndrome Dry eye syndrome, also called keratitis sicca, is the most common eye problem associated with rheumatoid arthritis....

Asthmatics have to deal with many frustrating symptoms due to their condition, but few actually take the time to understand the most common ones like Bronchoconstriction. Bronchoconstriction is perhaps the most frequent immediate symptom asthmatics experience after being exposed to an asthmatic trigger. Knowing the what, why, and treatment methods associated with bronchoconstriction is important for any asthmatic looking to maintain control of their asthma. We have put this article together to help you more thoroughly understand the ins and outs of bronchoconstriction....

Lumps and bumps on the hands and wrists are typically due to benign causes like ganglion cysts, inclusion cysts, or bone overgrowth. Rarely, they are signs of cancers of the bone, cartilage, and soft tissue. The masses may be visible and cause symptoms, or not felt or otherwise noticed at all. When diagnosing a hand or wrist mass, a doctor will typically explore the most common causes first. These include noncancerous growths, cysts, and tumors....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently added certain mental health disorders to its list of medical conditions that put people at high risk for severe COVID-19. Key Takeaways The CDC updated its list of high-risk conditions for COVID-19 to include certain mental health disorders, like schizophrenia and depression.Experts say that social factors and physical manifestations of mental disorders contribute to an increased risk of COVID-19.Unfortunately, uncertainties from the pandemic have also increased risk of mental health issues, too....

Everyone who has been to the dentist has had dental X-rays at some point, whether as part of their routine visit or to help diagnose a problem. So, what exactly are dental X-rays for and why are they such an important preventative and diagnostic tool for the dental professional? There are many different types of dental X-rays and they all have different purposes. These are the most commonly used dental X-rays and the information that they provide your dentist....

Canes, also known as walking canes, are just one of several assistive devices available to help you with ambulation, or walking. Using a walking cane improves balance by increasing a person’s base of support. When used correctly, canes unload the leg opposite to the hand the cane is in by up to 25%. This can help keep pressure off of injured body parts or allow for optimal healing to occur while still allowing you to get around safely....

As the name suggests, double vision, also known as diplopia, occurs when a person sees two images of a single object. It has a significant impact on daily life since it can often affect day-to-day activities such as reading and driving. People with double vision will often experience problems with balance and movement as well. Diplopia is not a disease but a symptom linked to a range of eye and brain problems or medication side effects....