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Sleep problems are a common among those with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). If you have Parkinson’s and experience poor sleep, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider, as treating your sleep-related symptoms may improve your overall well-being. The first step in dealing with your sleep problem is determining the root cause. If you have early or mid-stage PD, chances are your sleep problems involve at least one of the following: insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless or shaky leg movements at night, intense dreams associated with REM behavior disorder, or poor sleep due to depression....

Synovitis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of the synovial tissue, the lining of a joint. This condition can cause joint pain and swelling. It is the hallmark of all inflammatory joint diseases. This article will explain what synovial tissue is, the causes of synovitis, and how you can treat the condition so you can gain relief from the inflammation and pain. What Is the Synovium? The synovium is a thin layer of tissue that lines the joints and tendon sheaths; it is only a few cells thick....

There is a known link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and heart disease, especially among premenopausal women. If you have PCOS, it’s important to know the medical and lifestyle risk factors that lead to heart disease so you can lower your risk of developing it. Having both conditions can interfere with your quality of life and cause life-threatening complications. This article discusses the connection between PCOS and heart disease, including risk factors and how to reduce your risk....

The lumen is the opening inside a tubular body structure that is lined by body tissue known as an epithelial membrane. Examples of body structures that have a lumen include the large intestine, small intestine, veins, and arteries. The name comes from the Latin lūmen, one meaning of which is “light.” This is probably because the lumen is an opening inside a tube, and light will pass through a tube....

Erythromycin, in its topical form (applied to skin), is used to treat inflammatory acne. It cannot cure acne, but can help you keep it under control. If you need to use topical erythromycin, you can choose between erythromycin lotions, gels, ointments, toner-like solutions, and pledgets (small pads soaked in the medicated solution, similar to a Stridex pad). It is typically used in combination with other medications. You can only get topical erythromycin for acne with a prescription....

When you think of how your body is aging, it’s probably the most visible changes that come to mind. Maybe you’ve noticed more gray hair, or your skin doesn’t seem as smooth as it used to be. These are just external signs of a series of processes going on within your cells and bodily systems that together constitute normal aging. While this is one of the few experiences all humans have in common, the National Institutes of Health say aging is actually one of nature’s least understood processes....

Childhood cancer is a common worry among parents, especially when their kids are sick for more than 5-7 days without a good explanation. Some jump to the conclusion that their child might have cancer. Unfortunately, parents often don’t voice that worry to their pediatrician, who would usually be able to quickly reassure them that their child likely doesn’t have any type of cancer. Even though there are many different types of childhood cancer, the risk for any one child to have cancer is fairly low and cancer is considered to be rare in children....

Nutcracker esophagus is a form of esophageal spasm. It is in the same category of esophageal motility disorders as jackhammer esophagus and diffuse esophageal spasms. In the U.S. about 1 in 100,000 individuals are diagnosed with an esophageal motility disorder per year, however, the true incidence is thought to be much higher since it is often misdiagnosed as acid reflux. Esophageal spasms may be more common in Caucasian people and occur more frequently in women than men....

As scientists continue discovering more about COVID-19 and its devastating effects on the body, researchers are now taking a closer look at the virus’s impact on the nervous system. Key Takeaways Many COVID-19 patients exhibit a wide range of neurological symptoms.Some doctors believe these symptoms are appearing in patients experiencing hypoxia, a condition that occurs when a region of the body is deprived of oxygen. More research is needed to determine whether these symptoms will persist with long-term effects....

One of the largest threats to the health of chronic heavy drinkers is the damage that long-time drinking can do to their liver. This can cause cirrhosis, the most severe form of alcoholic liver disease. Normal liver function is essential to life. The liver performs hundreds of essential functions, without which the body can’t survive. In the United States, cirrhosis is a significant cause of death among young and middle-aged adults....

Bran fiber can make irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms worse. Many experts in gut health do not recommend wheat bran for people with IBS, but some people with the condition might be able to tolerate it. If you have IBS, it’s important to include fiber in your diet because not getting enough fiber can also make your IBS symptoms worse. However, not all sources of fiber are the same. You may find that some types of fiber work better for you than others....

For adults, there are two ways of developing some form of immunity against COVID-19: getting vaccinated or recovering from infection. But for babies, who are not vaccine-eligible, evidence suggests immunity can be achieved through a third option: breast milk. Key Takeaways Women who developed antibodies after recovering from a COVID-19 illness or after vaccination could transfer antibodies to their babies through breastfeeding.Antibodies from natural infection can vary and may not be long-lasting....

A food sensitivity or intolerance can cause various symptoms, including skin, digestive, and respiratory symptoms. In some cases, the symptoms of food sensitivity and food allergy are similar, but a food sensitivity is not the same as a food allergy, which may be life-threatening. This article will discuss food sensitivity symptoms, possible complications, and when to see a healthcare provider. Intolerance, Allergy, or Sensitivity? A food sensitivity is not a formally recognized medical diagnosis....

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), it’s likely your healthcare provider has prescribed lifestyle changes like diet and exercise as part of your treatment plan. A healthy diet full of whole foods can help improve your health as well as help you lose weight—as many women with PCOS experience weight gain, which can be difficult to lose. What Are Whole Foods? Whole foods are unprocessed and unrefined foods that are also free from additives or other artificial substances....

The hamate bone is one of eight small bones of the wrist. These eight bones are stacked neatly in two rows at the base of the hand (directly under the thicker parts of the palm). Collectively, the bones are called the carpals—a word that comes from the Latin word meaning “wrist.” Most people have heard of carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where a nerve is pinched as it passes through a tight canal partly formed by the carpal bones....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) usually is not fatal, but complications of the disease can shorten a person’s lifespan. No one knows for sure how their own lifespan will be affected, so it is important to be aware of the ways RA can impact life expectancy, including disease progression, lifestyle, and treatment failure or success. Co-occurring Diseases in RA RA is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means the immune system attacks healthy cells in the body by mistake....

Diagnosis of strep throat cannot be based solely on clinical signs and symptoms, and additional tests are required for positive identification of the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria that cause the condition. A rapid strep test can yield same-day results, but it may take a couple of days to get the results of a throat culture, which is more accurate. A definitive diagnosis is important because treatment can help prevent possible long-term complications, such as heart and kidney disease....

It just doesn’t seem fair: we’re told to consume heart-healthy foods and beverages like red wine, dark chocolate, coffee and berries that are said to keep our bodies young, but they all happen to stain and discolor teeth, making us look older. If you want to prevent tooth discoloration, or if you’ve whitened your teeth and want to protect that investment, these tips will help keep your pearly whites pearly white....

Paranoid personality disorder (PPD) involves persistent or ongoing patterns of thinking and behavior that include distrust, suspicion, hostility, and jealousy toward others. People with PPD often believe that others are malicious or trying to harm them. PPD can cause psychotic symptoms, including delusions and hallucinations. Read on to learn more about PPD, its symptoms, treatment, and how to cope. Definition of Paranoid Personality Disorder PPD has a set of criteria outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the American Psychiatric Association handbook for diagnosing mental health conditions....

Primary CNS Lymphoma is a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that affects only the brain. This may include the brain itself, the meninges (the membranes which line the brain,) the spinal cord, or the eyes. Other forms of lymphoma may spread to the brain after affecting other parts of the body like lymph nodes. However, in primary CNS lymphoma, no other body part is affected. Who Gets Primary CNS Lymphoma?...