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It can be difficult to motivate people to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also referred to as sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs). In some cases, people are scared to get tested because of how it may affect their relationship. Others are terrified of being diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other incurable STIs. Still others assume that they are “clean” because they have no symptoms. All of these responses, while understandable, place you at greater harm than you might think....

What is Influenza? Influenza, commonly known as “the flu,” is a viral illness that usually causes respiratory symptoms. Common flu symptoms include: fever, body aches, cough, chills, runny or stuffy nose, headache, and feeling very tired. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and in serious cases, can result in hospitalization or rarely, death. The very young and the elderly are the most likely to have a severe case of the flu that results in hospitalization as their immune systems have a greater challenge when fighting off the virus....

Mitral regurgitation (MR), a “leaky” mitral valve, is the most common type of heart valve disease. Some people with MR often have no symptoms and can remain stable for many years and often for their whole lives. However, in other people, MR eventually produces decompensation of the heart, and heart failure results. In such cases, heart failure may not be reversible. The trick to preventing heart failure with MR is to recognize the time when the heart is beginning to decompensate, but before symptoms of heart failure occur....

Nationally notifiable diseases are diseases that healthcare providers are required to report to their local health department. This information is then disclosed to the state health department, which notifies the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some nationally notifiable diseases, like chickenpox and lead poisoning, are not sexually transmitted. Others, like chlamydia and syphilis, are. Reporting these diseases to the government allows for their incidence to be monitored and tracked....

A seminal vesicle is one of a pair of small tubular glands. These glands are positioned inside the body: above the prostate, behind the bladder, and in front of the rectum. One sits toward the left and the other sits toward the right. Each is roughly two inches long, on average. The primary function of the seminal vesicles involves the production of fluid that mixes with sperm and makes up a significant percentage of semen....

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system, which can affect the bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis), or kidneys (pyelonephritis). Up to 6 in 10 women will experience a UTI in the United States. Of those women, about 1 in 4 will experience a repeat infection. This article highlights important facts and statistics you should know about UTIs. Urinary Tract Infection Overview A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary system, leading to inflammation and infection....

Is there such a thing as too tight when it comes to sex? If sex is painful for you, you could have vaginismus, and the answer could be yes. Characterized by a persistent or recurrent spasm of the outer third of the vagina any time penetration is attempted, vaginismus can make sexual activity and medical exams difficult to impossible. Symptoms Symptoms of vaginismus can vary in severity. Some women are able to have sex, but it is painful, while others are able to use tampons, but cannot have penetrative sex....

Peer support specialists are people with lived experience who have been through situations similar to those they support. They have been successful in recovery and have firsthand knowledge of the healing process. They can provide aid in addiction, mental health conditions, medical conditions, and disabilities. While a peer support specialist does not substitute or replace treatment with a healthcare provider when it is needed, they can provide a unique layer of support....

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic conditions, which means that they go through periods of active disease (flare-ups) and remission (loosely defined as periods of little or no disease activity). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are two IBDs that can cause ulcerations in the digestive tract. These ulcers can affect several layers of the walls of the small and large intestine, especially with Crohn’s disease. The innermost layer of the bowel is called the mucosal layer....

Acupuncture—a needle-based alternative therapy—has been used to help promote weight loss. Practiced in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia, acupuncture is believed to stimulate the body’s flow of energy (“chi”), and research suggests that it may improve several factors known to contribute to weight gain and obesity. How It Works Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice of placing thin, flexible needles into the body at specific points. Used for more than 2,500 years, this therapeutic modality has become more popular in North America in recent years and is now recognized as a safe and effective treatment for a myriad of health concerns, including aiding in weight loss....

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are two types of blood cancer that affect specific white blood cells produced by the bone marrow, called lymphocytes. ALL is also called acute lymphocytic leukemia. CLL is the most common form of leukemia cancer affecting adults. ALL primarily affects children, although it can occur in adults. Learn more about the differences between ALL and CLL, including symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

Allergies can sometimes make you feel dizzy. Dizziness may be caused by inflammation of the ear canal in nasal allergies; it can also be a side effect of certain allergy medications. This article will explore whether dizziness could be a symptom of allergies. It also discusses potential causes of dizziness and treatments for allergies and this related symptom. What Is Dizziness? Dizziness causes you to feel off-balance and unsteady on your feet....

Of the new crop of skin tightening ​procedures, the two that are best known are the proprietary procedures Thermage and Titan. While these two treatments utilize different proprietary technology, the idea is essentially the same, in that they both aim to heat the deeper layer of the skin (the dermis) in order to stimulate collagen production. The increased collagen production and remodeling of existing collagen results in improved skin contracture and this tighter skin....

Most people will eventually develop cataracts, which commonly occur due to the aging of the lens of the eye, causing it to become cloudy. Cataracts can develop in just one or both eyes. For the most part, cataracts evolve over a long period of time—so slowly that you may not even notice your vision changing at first. Age-related cataracts tend to be seen in those over age 55. By ages 75 to 85, around half of people will have vision issues due to cataracts....

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine that is used to treat allergies in children and adults. It’s a very popular allergy medication given that it only needs to be taken once a day. It is used to treat indoor or perennial allergic rhinitis and outdoor or seasonal allergic rhinitis in children ages 2 and older, and chronic urticaria (hives) in children ages 6 and older. Allergic rhinitis is the same thing as hay fever, or what many parents simply call “allergies” when their child is sneezing, has a runny nose, red, itchy eyes, and an itchy throat....

The differential diagnosis of osteoarthritis focuses on characteristics that set it apart from other types of arthritis. While most people know that osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, what distinguishes it from other types? Common Signs, Symptoms, and Characteristics of Osteoarthritis The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis are considered first. The primary signs and symptoms include joint pain, joint stiffness, and restricted range of motion of the affected joint or joints....

Eucommia is an herb that comes from the Chinese rubber tree (Eucommia ulmoides). It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to support the endocrine system, improve kidney health, and strengthen bones and muscles. It is also said to promote weight loss, prevent osteoporosis, and enhance heart health. While alternative medicine practitioners turn to eucommia to increase vitality and promote longevity, in the West, it is mostly known as a supplement to lower blood pressure....

There are many types of headaches, including eye strain headaches. These headaches often occur after spending an extended period reading or staring at a computer screen. They may be accompanied by blurry vision, dry eyes, pain in your neck and shoulders, or a dull ache behind your eyes. With the rise of “Zoom culture” in the workplace and school environment, eye strain headaches have become increasingly common. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of eye strain headaches....

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a rare arterial disorder in which the cells in the walls of the arteries are replaced with weaker, less flexible fibrous cells. FMD results in stiff and damage-prone arterial walls, causing narrowing, weakening, and tearing of arteries. This article will explain the types of fibromuscular dysplasia, its causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Types of Fibromuscular Dysplasia FMD is classified into two main categories based on the appearance of the arteries during diagnostic testing, including:...

Neck pain is often accompanied by misalignment in the area between your shoulders and head. If you sit at a computer for hours on end, or you drive for a living, you may be fostering a long-term problem known as forward head posture. Maintaining a forward head posture can strain neck muscles, leading to pain and worsening neck, shoulder, and back posture. A Postural Deviation Your head is in a good alignment with your neck when your ear lines up exactly with the gravity line....