Posts

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD), also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, or SCA3, is an inherited ataxia disorder. Ataxia can affect muscle control, resulting in a lack of balance and coordination. Specifically, MJD causes a progressive lack of coordination in the arms and legs. People with the condition tend to have a distinctive walk, similar to a drunken stagger. They may also have difficulty speaking and swallowing. MJD has been linked to a genetic defect in the ATXN3 gene on chromosome 14....

Demand for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments is rising nationwide. The treatment, given to people recently infected with the virus, has been touted by health officials as a way to prevent thousands of hospitalizations. Key Takeaways COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments are in high demand.This therapy is used to treat people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk for a severe case.It must be administered very early in the infection to be effective....

To most of us, protein is something that you get from your diet, and it is generally good for you. If your healthcare provider tells you that you have “protein in the urine” you may wonder why is it a problem. The medical term is proteinuria, which means the presence of an abnormally high amount of protein in the urine. A normal person’s urine, when tested in the lab with a dipstick, should not show the presence of any protein....

Sick sinus syndrome occurs when the sinus node becomes diseased enough to cause bradycardia (slow heart rate) that produces symptoms. This disorder is most commonly seen in people over 70 years of age. You may also hear it referred to as sinus node dysfunction (SND). People who have sick sinus syndrome often require treatment with a permanent pacemaker to relieve their symptoms. In addition to bradycardia symptoms, sick sinus syndrome often occurs with atrial fibrillation, which may require additional treatment....

Enrolling in Medicare or changing Medicare plans is not hard but knowing when you can do it can be confusing. There are a number of Medicare enrollment periods throughout the year but only a few that may apply to your situation. This calendar will help you to keep them straight. Initial Enrollment Periods First and foremost, you have to understand your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This is when you first apply for Medicare....

Many people are familiar with non-allergic symptoms such as itchy eyes, an itchy, runny nose that can result from standing too close to a barbeque grill. However, people with allergies or asthma may need to think twice about invitations to summer barbecues. While most don’t realize it, certain types of wood and charcoal used for grilling can trigger symptoms in people with those conditions. Tree Wood and Pollen Transfer Trees like cedar, oak, hickory, and mesquite are commonly used in barbecuing and contain a high amount of allergen in their wood and pollen....

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Word of the Week: Viable How to say it: Viable (vye-ah-bull) What it means: Capable of growing and developing, and living after birth. Where it comes from: Latin vita meaning “life.” Where you might see or hear it: The term “viable” is usually used in medicine to refer to whether a pregnancy will be able to carry through to the birth of a baby that will survive....

Though the risk is small, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a slightly increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. The more irregular and sparse periods a woman has, the greater her risk becomes. For that reason, it’s important to keep track of your periods so that you can inform your healthcare provider of any abnormalities. What Happens During Your Period During a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium is exposed to hormones, like estrogen, which cause the lining to proliferate and thicken....

Influenza (the flu) causes millions of people in the United States to get sick each year. While many people don’t get seriously ill from the flu, some people do. Each year, thousands of people die from the flu—including children. There are many factors that contribute to annual flu deaths, like how many people were infected with the flu, the availability of flu vaccines, and the strain of the flu virus that was going around....

Stroke signs and symptoms can affect different parts of the body. You probably aren’t sure whether or not you would be able to recognize signs and symptoms of a stroke if you or someone else had any. Most signs and symptoms of stroke are unsettling enough that they would be hard to ignore—if you know what to look for. Whether you are at work, at a family or social gathering or even in a public setting, you could save someone’s life if you recognize these 11 signs and symptoms of stroke....

What types of animals can be service animals? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has a specific definition for service animals, but the variety of animals that can be trained to assist those with disabilities can include a broader range of animals. ADA’s Definition of Service Animal The Americans with Disabilities Act’s final regulations for Title II (state and local government services) and Title III (public accommodations and commercial facilities) implemented new and updated federal rules and requirements regarding service animals....

In people with heart disease, depression is more likely to lead to heart attack, stroke and chest pain than is smoking, high blood pressure or even diabetes. But the odds can be evened by taking antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), according to a Canadian study published in the 2007 Journal of the American Medical Association. Patients who suffer depression–around 50% of those hospitalized and as many as one-fifth of others–are up to five times more likely to die or experience further heart problems within the next year than others....

There’s currently an outbreak of brucellosis, a disease caused by bacterial infection, in China. People may be wondering what it is and if they are at risk—and if this will play out like COVID-19. But experts says brucellosis spreads very differently than COVID-19. Key Takeaways Brucellosis is a bacterial infection transmitted from animals to humans, but not between humans.Experts say a recent outbreak in China isn’t cause for alarm in the United States....

There are several theories about what causes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but none are confirmed. As an idiopathic disease, or one of unknown cause, it may be that one or several factors give rise to the diseases that comprise IBD (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and indeterminate colitis). A malfunctioning immune system, genetics, other conditions, and certain risk factors may all potentially play a role. While it was once thought that what you eat and your stress levels could cause IBD, that is no longer the case....

Chest wall cancer is cancer of the bone, cartilage, or soft tissue that protects and supports the organs in the chest cavity. The chest wall is made up of the bones of the spine, ribs, and sternum, as well as the muscles, fat, connective tissues, and nerves attached to them. Primary chest wall cancer arises directly from these tissues and may be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Other types of tumors can spread from other tissues in the body, such as the nearby lung or breast, or metastasize (spread) from tissues elsewhere in the body....

Cosmetic acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment that involves using acupuncture to improve skin and fight the aging process. Sometimes referred to as an “acupuncture facelift” or “facial rejuvenation,” cosmetic acupuncture often is used as an alternative to surgical facelifts and other conventional procedures said to reverse signs of aging in the skin. Proponents claim that cosmetic acupuncture can help reduce wrinkles, diminish fine lines, remove age spots, and lift droopy eyelids....

The order in which COVID-19 symptoms appear may help medical providers distinguish the disease from other illnesses such as the flu, according to a new study from the University of Southern California. Key Takeaways COVID-19 symptoms may appear in a specific order, usually starting with fever, according to a new study.The order of symptoms may help doctors differentiate between other respiratory illnesses.If you’re experiencing any symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, you should seek testing regardless of the order symptoms appear....

Hemodialysis is a form of treatment that rids the blood of waste and excess water. It is typically used in patients with compromised kidney function or kidney disease, as it works to perform some of the same tasks as the kidneys do. Research has looked into the use of hemodialysis for schizophrenia, which is a serious mental health condition that affects an individual’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. However, scientific evidence to support the claim that hemodialysis can help people with this disorder is inconclusive....

A cervical cap is a reusable, hormone-free, silicone cup that’s inserted into the vagina up to six hours before sex to prevent pregnancy. Also known as FemCap (or the cap, cervical barrier, the shield, or Lea’s Shield) this is a safe, convenient, and effective birth control method. One cervical cap can last for up to two years. Cervical caps are a type of barrier birth control. The cervical cap is similar to a diaphragm — both a diaphragm and a cervical cap prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg....

Hepatitis D is a virus that causes an infection only in people who already have hepatitis B or who contract hepatitis D and B at the same time. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it affects nearly 5% of people worldwide who already have hepatitis B. A healthcare provider who suspects a hepatitis D infection usually will use basic blood tests to confirm a diagnosis. This article will take a closer look at how healthcare providers typically diagnose hepatitis D....