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Acne is caused by the effects of hormones on the pilosebaceous unit, consisting of a hair follicle, sebaceous gland, and a hair. The follicle becomes obstructed and an overgrowth of normal skin bacteria, Propionibacterium acnes, causes the destruction of the lining of the follicle. This process allows the follicular material to enter the dermis, causing an inflammatory response. Topical Antibiotics Topical antibiotics work by killing the Propionibacterium acnes bacteria. This not only helps reduce the small infections in the pores but also indirectly keeps the pores open....

Water provides a wide range of health benefits, but can it also help if you have joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or gout? The importance of maintaining hydration is supported by research, but there is limited information related to how your hydration status specifically affects your arthritis symptoms. So how does hydration impact arthritis? Benefits of Drinking Water for Arthritis Water makes up about 60% of the total body weight for adults....

An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday, October 15, voted unanimously in favor of authorizing Johnson & Johnson boosters to people two months after their initial vaccination. UPDATE On October 20, the FDA authorized a single booster of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months after initial vaccination in adults 18 and up. The FDA also said COVID booster shots do not have to match a recipient’s initial vaccine series....

A heel spur (also known as a calcaneal spur) is a bony outgrowth that you can sometimes see and feel on the underside of your foot. It is made up of calcium deposits and can have a pointy, hooked, or shelf-like shape. There are several causes of heel spurs, but they very often occur in patients with plantar fasciitis, or the inflammation of the plantar fascia—the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot and connects the heel to the toes....

Treatment for itchy scalp depends on the exact cause. Many conditions can lead to an itchy scalp, such as dandruff, allergic reactions, and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Often, home remedies can provide effective relief. These remedies include: Salicylic acidMedicated shampoosCoconut oilApple cider vinegarPeppermint or tea tree oil Some cases of itchy scalp may require prescription treatment. This article discusses the different treatments for itchy scalp and when to see your healthcare provider....

Starting January 15, Americans with private health insurance will be able to get at-home COVID-19 tests for free or get reimbursed for the cost. Insurance companies will be required to cover the costs of rapid at-home COVID tests, according to guidance released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “By requiring private health plans to cover people’s at-home tests, we are further expanding Americans’ ability to get tests for free when they need them,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a press release....

If you or your child have chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, you may be eligible for a kidney transplant. Even if you are currently on dialysis, it’s best to get on a waiting list as soon as possible. That’s because people on dialysis do not do as well as people with healthy transplanted kidneys. Don’t count on your dialysis center to refer you to a transplant center. Unfortunately, in a large proportion of cases, they don’t....

Jejunal atresia is one of several types of intestinal atresia. The rare birth defect causes a portion of the membrane (mesentery) that connects the intestines to the abdominal wall to be malformed or missing. The abnormality leads to intestinal blockages (atresia). Symptoms Atresia can often be diagnosed before a baby is born. Routine prenatal screenings may detect the condition because the signs of an intestinal blockage are usually visible on an ultrasound....

It’s important to be aware of the early warning signs of cancer—such as bruising easily, blood in the urine, or fatigue—so that if you are diagnosed with cancer, you can receive treatment as soon as possible. However, while experiencing these symptoms can be frightening, it’s important to keep in mind that many of them are also common signs of less serious conditions, such as an infection, an autoimmune disease, or an allergy....

Some scientific studies have suggested a link between migraine with aura and a patent foramen ovale (PFO), a relatively common congenital heart defect. With this postulated link, controversy arose within the medical community about whether PFOs should be closed to prevent stroke and migraines. The overall consensus leans greatly towards “no.“ Understanding Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) The foramen ovale is a potential opening between the right and left atrium—the two upper chambers of the heart....

Plastic surgery is a range of procedures that reshapes or restores the form of the body. Although the term is usually associated with cosmetic procedures, it actually includes a broad range of practical operations, including reconstructive surgery, craniofacial surgery, burn treatment, and more. Whatever the motivation, the decision to undergo surgery should never be made lightly—the risks and rewards should always be considered.This article will review the potential benefits and drawbacks to having plastic surgery....

Orthodontic bands are small stainless steel rings that are temporarily cemented to the first and second molars during orthodontic treatment. It is common for them to become loose from time to time. What Causes Orthodontic Bands to Become Loose? Orthodontic bands are secured to the tooth temporarily with a cement designed specifically for orthodontic bands. Because the cement is designed to be easily removed, orthodontic bands can loosen fairly easily. Situations that cause an orthodontic band to dislodge include:...

A systemic infection earns its name by being spread throughout the systems of the body. It can be compared to a local infection, in which the pathogen or symptoms are localized to one area. Such infections are sometimes known as local infections. Systemic infections are not necessarily more severe than local infections. They just affect a larger proportion of the body. For example, the common cold is a systemic infection. However, it is usually not particularly serious....

If you are living with pain, adding herbs to your regimen may help to ease your discomfort, especially when combined with regular exercise, diet, and relaxation techniques. Inflammation is at the root of many pain-causing conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and tendonitis. Long-term inflammation puts you at risk factor for chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. This article looks at six herbs that are often used for natural pain relief....

Enamel, the first layer of the tooth that is visible in the mouth, is a porous, calcified substance made from crystalline calcium phosphate. Enamel appears to be a soft beige to white color, yet it is semitranslucent allowing the color of the dentin layer to penetrate through. Enamel is also the hardest substance in the body. Demineralization Enamel is prone to demineralization, or the loss of structure. Common causes of enamel demineralization are erosion and abrasion....

For people taking antidepressants, it can take a lot of trial and error before they find the one that works for them. But now, researchers are proposing a different approach. Key Takeaways People can spend time and money, and experience stress, trying different antidepressants.Researchers developed a new website that predicts which antidepressant medications will work best for a patient given their demographics and medical history.UforU aims to assist and expedite the treatment process....

The vaginal flora is the bacteria that live inside the vagina. The normal vaginal flora is dominated by various lactobacillus species. Lactobacilli help to keep the vagina healthy by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and other substances that inhibit the growth of yeast and other unwanted organisms. They maintain the vagina at a healthy pH of around 4. This mildly acidic environment helps protect against infection. So do the other substances they produce....

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Placebo How to say it: Placebo (plah-SEE-bow) What it means: A treatment or substance with no real medicine in it. Where it comes from: From Latin, placebo, “I shall please” Where you might see or hear it: When researchers are testing a new treatment, they need to compare it to something to see how well it works. One way they can do this is by giving one group of people the real treatment and giving the other group a treatment that looks real but is not....

Gastroschisis is a birth defect in which an infant is born with some or all of their intestines on the outside of the abdomen due to an abnormal opening in the abdominal muscle. The opening can range from small to large, and in some cases, other organs can also protrude through the hole. Young mothers who use recreational drugs early in pregnancy or who smoke have a higher risk of having an infant born with gastroschisis, but in many cases, it is not known what causes the disorder....

It is probably no surprise if you aren’t getting enough sleep at night: you can feel it in many ways. What is sleep debt? Can sleep deprivation or other sleep disorders contribute to an accumulated sleep debt? What can you do to catch up on sleep loss and pay off your sleep debt? Learn the answers about the impacts of sleep debt and sleep deprivation. What Is Sleep Debt? Sleep debt is the accumulated amount of sleep loss from insufficient sleep, regardless of cause....