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Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. The foreskin is the retractable skin covering the head of the penis. Circumcision is the most common surgery performed on males in the United States. It is most often completed before a baby leaves the hospital after birth. In recent years, more parents in the United States are reconsidering whether or not to have their infants circumcised. Learning about the roots of the procedure, the possible health benefits, and the risks can help you decide whether circumcision is the right decision for your family....

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) often affects the B lymphocytes, which are a key part of the immune system. These are the cells stimulated by vaccines to make antibodies that fight against specific diseases, including COVID-19. People with CLL have a high number of abnormal lymphocytes, and they may not respond to vaccines as effectively as people without CLL. They are also a group that is more at risk for severe COVID-19....

Depression often goes hand-in-hand with chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In spite of the stereotypes, these illnesses aren’t psychological and aren’t caused by depression. Still, getting proper treatment for depression is important for your well being. It can also help you manage your FMS or ME/CFS more effectively. When illness strikes, many people become depressed because of how they feel, the changes forced upon them, and fears about their health....

If you have been diagnosed with a dural sinus thrombosis, you may have some questions about what to expect. Here are some answers to your questions about dural sinus thrombosis. Dural Sinus Overview A dural sinus is a type of blood vessel, and, despite the name, it is not related to the sinuses that we think of when we think of stuffiness and sinus congestion. The brain has a system of veins by which oxygen-depleted blood is channeled back to the lungs, where it can once again be repleted with oxygen....

Most often, you hear of hip osteoarthritis or knee osteoarthritis. However, other joints are common sites of osteoarthritis as well. For example, facet joint osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and lost motion in the back. What are the causes and symptoms of facet joint osteoarthritis, and how is it diagnosed and treated? The facet joints are located on the back of the spine. There are two facet joints between each pair of vertebrae, with one facet joint of the pair on each side of the spine....

Hemophilia is a rare bleeding disorder in which your blood doesn’t clot normally. A person with hemophilia is missing a clotting factor proteins needed to clot the blood, which leads to spontaneous bleeding or bruising. The disorder is usually inherited, but it can also be acquired. There are several different types of hemophilia, each differs by the specific clotting factor that is affected. The two most common types are hemophilia A and hemophilia B....

High blood pressure is commonly referred to as a “silent disease,” because it typically doesn’t announce itself with any hallmark signs and has no universal symptoms. However, there are a few symptoms that can occur with high blood pressure. Among these, recurrent or worsening headaches are the closest things to a “real” high blood pressure symptom. How Does Hypertension Impact Headaches? It has been noted for decades that some people with high blood pressure may experience more frequent and severe headaches....

Insulinoma is a rare type of tumor that grows on the pancreas. Typically, insulinomas are benign (noncancerous). The tumors release excessive amounts of the hormone insulin, which may cause blood sugar levels to dip to dangerously low levels. The exact cause of insulinomas is unknown. However, there are some known risk factors of this condition. This article will discuss some of the genetic links and other potential causes of insulinomas...

When you arrive at week three of labiaplasty recovery, the most difficult part of your post-surgery healing is behind you. At this time, the swelling around your labia majora and trimmed labia minora may be less pronounced, but is likely still noticeable. and your genitals are once again recognizable. By three weeks post-labiaplasty, your pain should decrease significantly, and you may be feeling ready to become more active. But remember, full recovery takes six weeks....

On Wednesday, content subscription service OnlyFans said it was suspending a previously-announced ban on sexually explicit content. The policy change would have come into effect on October 1, and would have adversely affected a particular group: disabled people. Key Takeaways Last week, OnlyFans announced it would be blocking all sexually explicit content on its platform beginning October 1.This explicit content ban was overturned on August 25.The platform has already lost the trust of users, especially disabled content creators who can’t work “traditional” jobs....

Peritoneal fluid is a normal, lubricating fluid found in the peritoneal cavity—the space between the layers of tissue that line the belly’s wall and the abdominal organs (such as the liver, spleen, gall bladder, and stomach). The Purpose of Peritoneal Fluid The primary function of peritoneal fluid is to reduce the friction between the abdominal organs as they move around during digestion. In a healthy person, there is normally a small amount of peritoneal fluid present in the peritoneal cavity....

Most women with PCOS are aware that they may have some difficulty becoming pregnant. Irregular periods and absent ovulation can make it challenging to time intercourse for pregnancy and commonly leads a couple to seek out the assistance of a reproductive specialist. But many women aren’t aware that having PCOS can also increase their risk for certain pregnancy-related complications like those covered here. Rest assured, visiting your obstetrician regularly and following their recommendations for prenatal screening can help reduce your risk of many of these complications....

Strep throat is a common infection caused by group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria. It is a very contagious illness that causes a severe sore throat and a fever. Some people, especially kids, can get recurring strep throat infections. This article explains why recurring strep throat occurs and treatment options. Reasons for Recurring Strep Throat Researchers have examined why some people are more prone to recurring strep throat infections. In one study, researchers examined why some people experience reinfection while others resist it....

Solar retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by extreme and prolonged light exposure. The retina is the layer of tissue in the back of the eye that is most sensitive to light. This type of eye injury is often associated with sun or solar eclipse viewing. However, other factors can cause this type of eye injury as well. This article will provide an overview of everything you need to know about solar retinopathy, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

Of the many ailments that plague the human body, fecal incontinence (FI) is one of the most challenging. The humiliating nature of such “accidents” has a profound negative effect on a person’s quality of life and can contribute to social isolation. Up until now, treatment options have consisted of behavioral changes, biofeedback, and surgical procedures. Fortunately, Solesta, an injectable gel, has more recently come on the scene as a non-surgical treatment option for FI....

The 75 Hard Challenge claims to be the only program that can “permanently change your life” and it builds mental toughness. But sticking with this program can be a real challenge for many. Key Takeaways 75 Hard is a viral wellness challenge that comes with strict rules to promote “mental toughness.”75 Soft gained popularity on TikTok as a more accessible version of this challenge.Experts say there are some concerns with both challenges, but the 75 Soft might work for people who need a structured plan and it can be customized to fit individual needs....

What is the relationship between TNF (tumor necrosis factor) and infection? Is there any case in which a patient’s medical history or clinical symptoms would preclude prescribing TNF blockers? Also, is there any time when these drugs should be discontinued or even temporarily discontinued, such as if a patient has a cold, flu, infection, or upcoming surgery? Side Effects of TNF Blockers TNF blockers are a very effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis....

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a bacterium that grows and divides inside of cells. The infection, which starts in the lungs, causes nodules known as tubercles, or Ghon focii, which are spots left by dead infected tissue. With time, the disease can spread to other areas of the lung and larger areas of lung tissue may die off, causing cavities. Bacteria can also spread to other organs, including the kidney, brain, and spine....

Recently, researchers at the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter found that infection with B.1.1.7, a strain of SARS-CoV-2 that first surfaced in the U.K. in October, is associated with a higher risk of death than infection with other previously known strains of the virus. Key Takeaways The U.K. strain of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be much more lethal as well as more transmissible than other strains of the virus....

Nearly one in five U.S. adults still have long COVID symptoms, according to a recent survey by the National Center for Health Statistics. Key Takeaways A new study analyzed data from numerous studies and health records to identify potential risk factors for prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. Factors such as increasing age, being female, poor pre-pandemic general and mental health, asthma, and obesity were associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID....