Posts

Fatigue is different than ordinary tiredness. Fatigue is disruptive and interferes with all aspects of daily living. About 10 million healthcare provider visits each year are attributed to fatigue, and many of those are tied to arthritis-related conditions. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 98 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 50 percent of people with lupus or Sjogren’s syndrome report fatigue. The percentage escalates with obesity and depression, and complications of secondary conditions such as fibromyalgia, lung conditions, and cardiovascular problems....

Rotating knee replacement implants are a choice for total knee replacement surgery, a procedure done to replace worn-out cartilage of the knee joint with a metal and plastic implant. Development is constantly taking place to design a knee replacement implant that will be both reliable and last a long time. Part of designing a knee replacement is a keen understanding of the materials used to replace the normal knee joint surfaces....

Recent studies have suggested that sexual contact is driving a majority of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) transmission in the current outbreak. Key Takeaways Wearing a condom may protect certain areas of the body, including the anus, mouth, penis or vagina from exposure to mpox, according to the CDC.But condom use alone may not prevent exposure to the virus since rashes and lesions can occur on other parts of the body....

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is an important stabilizing structure located within your knee joint. This ligament is attached diagonally from the shinbone (tibia) to the thigh bone (femur) and helps prevent the tibia from shifting forward on the femur. The structure also provides stability to the knee during higher-level activities like running, cutting, and jumping. Regrettably, tears to the ACL are common, particularly in people with more rigorous occupations or those who play more physically demanding sports....

Since the accelerated approval of an Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm, Santosh Kesari, MD, PhD, has been getting calls from patients of all stages of the disease. Key Takeaways The FDA issued an accelerated approval for a new Alzheimer’s drug, Aduhelm, this June.The approved received backlash, in part because studies did not include people with late stages of the disease.Now, the FDA is changing the drug label to specify it is for people in mild stages of the disease....

Health officials in Russia are reporting the first known cases of a particular strain of avian flu that has passed from poultry to people. Key Takeaways A strain of avian flu, previously detected in Europe and Asia, has jumped from animals to humans in Russia.This is the first time H5N8 has been detected in people—those infected didn’t experience symptoms of the virus.Experts say their asymptomatic nature is a good sign this avian flu won’t cause severe disease....

So Is Fish Oil Good For the Heart or Not? Question: My doctor has been telling me for several years to take fish oil capsules every day for my heart. Last week when I saw her for my yearly checkup, she told me to stop taking them, because some newer studies show they really don’t do any good. What’s going on here? Is fish oil good for the heart or not?...

Scientists have long touted the benefits of being an early riser. But now, a new study finds night owls should adopt some early bird habits to improve their mental health. Key Takeaways A recent study finds that waking up just one hour earlier could reduce a person’s risk of major depression by 23%.People who were early risers were less likely to develop depression compared to people who woke up later. Following some sleep hygiene tips can help you change your sleeping habits....

How long physical therapy will take is a common question from many patients. Although the question is a simple one, it is complicated to answer. Remember, every person is different, and determining your overall prognosis and length of physical therapy depends on many factors. So how long does it take? Unfortunately, there is no correct answer to this question. Each person’s rate of healing is different. It may take one person only three days to walk one hundred feet after knee surgery, however, a patient who had surgery on the same day may need five days to reach the same distance....

Menstrual cramps are a natural result of the uterus contracting when it sheds its lining each month as part of your menstrual cycle. Though most women experience some degree of cramping at some time in their lives, the pain isn’t something you “just have to live with.” A number of at-home, over-the-counter, and surgical treatment options are available to help you treat menstrual cramps. Your symptoms play a role in determining treatment....

Anyone who has left food out too long has seen the visible effects of microbial growth. The reasons for many kitchen hygiene recommendations are obvious, such as washing your dishes or refrigerating your food. But others are less so. One good rule of thumb is to remember that microbes are called microbes because they are microscopic. In other words, you can’t see germs with the naked eye, so even if you’ve wiped up that raw chicken or can’t see or smell anything wrong with Aunt Muriel’s potato salad, there’s a good chance that something nasty may still be lurking....

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sometimes referred to as hamburger disease, is a life-threatening condition that damages the kidneys. HUS destroys clotting cells (thrombocytopenia) and red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), which may lead to severe anemia, gastrointestinal disease, and central nervous system disease (especially in children). It may also lead to renal failure, in which the kidneys shut down. HUS usually affects children between the ages of 1 to 10 years, but can also occur in adults....

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is common in people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Some researchers believe they are all part of a family of illnesses, which some have called “functional somatic syndromes” or “environmental illness.” A term now gaining prominence is “central sensitivity syndromes.” In central sensitivity syndromes, the central nervous system becomes hyper-responsive to certain stimuli. Those stimuli can include pain, temperature, light, and, especially in the case of MCS, chemicals....

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in the United States. While it is notorious for causing outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting on cruise ships, not everyone realizes it can also cause outbreaks in schools and daycare centers. Most cases of norovirus occur between November and April. Each year in the United States, norovirus causes up to: 21 million cases of gastroenteritis2.2 million healthcare provider visits465,000 ER visits109,000 hospitalizations900 deaths Norovirus cases in children account for nearly 1 million medical care visits each year....

Embalming involves the artificial preservation of a dead human body through deliberate human action(s). Modern embalming methods achieve this (temporary) preservation through the use of chemicals, such as formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, which are injected into the cadaver’s circulatory system and bodily cavities as blood and other bodily fluids are removed. Considered “one of humankind’s longest practiced arts,” the Egyptians originated embalming around 3200 B.C. because they believed religious resurrection could only occur for bodies preserved intact....

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) does not cause symptoms for a long time. The first and most common symptom of PMP is usually a swollen belly caused by a buildup of mucin (abundant macromolecular proteins found in mucus) in the abdominal cavity and pelvis. As a consequence, abdominal pressure is also a common symptom associated with PMP. Moreover, in people with ovaries, an enlarged ovary is a common symptom linked to PMP....

Vaginal discharge, such as Spinnbarkeit mucus, is a normal occurrence for women. Depending on your body’s menstrual cycle, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The amount of the discharge can vary, as can odor and color, so observing the presence of mucus at the opening of the vagina (vulva) is one way of determining when your body ovulates. Cervical Mucus and Fertility Any mucus at the vulva is significant as it is a sign of ovarian activity and indicates potential fertility and pending ovulation....

Sulfur is one of the oldest known acne treatments. Yes, sulfur. The same stuff the flammable ends of matchsticks are made of is also used as an acne treatment. Historically known as brimstone, sulfur was used in ancient times to treat a wide range of skin problems, from dermatitis and dandruff to rosacea and warts. It’s still used in skin care products today. Sulfur is a natural element and has an odor that is quite…distinctive....

Managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually involves both medical treatment and lifestyle changes. At home, that means watching your blood pressure and eating a kidney-friendly diet. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet has been found to lower the risk for heart disease as well as kidney disease. However, if you already have chronic kidney disease, talk with your healthcare provider before starting the diet. The DASH diet may require some changes if you have dietary restrictions....

Asthma is a chronic illness that affects the lungs and makes it harder to breathe. It can be brought on by various triggers in the environment like pollen, dust, and mold. Asthma-related symptoms can become worse when you’re sick with a virus, such as those that cause the common cold or the flu. This is known as viral-induced asthma. This article discusses the different viruses that can make your asthma worse and the available treatment options....