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Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The condition is marked by damage to the air sacs in the lungs, which limits the flow of air when you breathe. Due to this restriction in airflow, emphysema patients typically aren’t able to take in the oxygen their systems need to function properly. Causes Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of emphysema. Chemicals found in cigarettes are thought to attack your air sacs (as well as the fibers that support them)....

A common cause of heel pain, plantar fasciitis is marked by inflammation in the band of tissue that connects your heel bone to the base of your toes. This band is known as the plantar fascia. Symptoms The main symptom of plantar fasciitis is severe, stabbing pain in the heel of your foot, especially during your first few steps of the day. Although pain tends to become less intense after those first few steps, it can return upon arising after a long period of sitting....

Occupational therapy helps patients to do daily activities or “occupations.” Those activities include cooking, bathing, shopping, eating, getting dressed, and caring for loved ones. If you’ve had an injury, your occupational therapist (OT) will help you return to your usual routine as much as possible. If you have a disability, they will teach you the skills you’ll need to live independently. Occupational therapists may work with you in your home, your workplace, a facility, or in the community to help you do daily activities safely....

Spinal decompression may help treat low back pain, but this popular treatment isn’t a sure thing. Advertising for spinal decompression targets people with degenerative disc disease, bulging discs, herniated discs, or spinal stenosis. What Spinal Decompression Is Spinal decompression is a form of mechanical spinal traction, which refers to the separation of the bones, joints, and discs of the back. It is theorized that this separation relieves pressure on the nerves in the back and helps decrease pain, and thus, improve function....

Choosing a tampon with the right absorbency rating for your menstrual flow is important. Using a super-absorbent tampon when you have light bleeding, for example, may prompt you to leave the tampon in longer, which can increase your risk of a life-threatening infection called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that absorbency ratings be put on tampons for this very reason. This article discusses how you can use tampon absorbency ratings to decide which one is safest and most effective for you to use....

A tubal pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy that takes place in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus. Generally referred to as an ectopic or extrauterine pregnancy, a tubal pregnancy happens when a fertilized egg is not able to make its way to the uterus and is left to grow in the fallopian tube, where it won’t be able to survive. Tubal pregnancies can damage nearby organs and cause life-threatening internal bleeding, requiring emergency treatment....

If you are going to have hemodialysis for management of your kidney failure, you will need one of three types of vascular access to make your dialysis possible: an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, an AV graft, or a venous catheter. All three provide the vascular access needed for regularly scheduled dialysis sessions, but there are a few differences among them. You and your healthcare provider will have to choose which is best for you....

People with uncontrolled diabetes are more susceptible to developing infections, since high blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system’s defenses. In addition, some diabetes-related health issues, such as nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the extremities, increase the body’s vulnerability to infection. Most Likely Infections If You Have Diabetes When you have diabetes, you are especially prone to foot infections, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and surgical site infections....

Hip tendonitis is caused by inflammation of the tendons of the hip flexor muscles, which function to lift the leg up. Hip tendonitis usually results from overworking these muscles without adequate rest to allow them to recover. This article describes causes and symptoms of hip tendonitis, plus how it’s diagnosed and treated. What Is Tendonitis? Tendonitis is inflammation in a muscle’s tendon, which leads to pain and tenderness that gets worse the more the muscle is used....

If you see a red rash or feel an itch under your wedding ring, you could be allergic to one of the metals used to make the ring. Your skin may also be reacting to something under the ring that touches your skin. Wedding ring rash is an example of a common condition known as contact dermatitis, which can appear anywhere on the skin. This articles reviews what to do if you experience wedding ring rash....

Most people with type 2 diabetes will eventually need more than one medication to help control their blood glucose levels. The first drug used is usually metformin, prescribed alongside changes in diet and exercise. But when it comes to which drug to prescribe next if needed, there historically hasn’t been a standard second line of defense. Key Takeaways In a clinical trial comparing four drugs used to control type 2 diabetes, participants who took liraglutide or insulin glargine along with metformin were able to control their blood glucose levels longer than those taking glimepiride or sitagliptin....

Gout is a type of arthritis, a condition involving swollen, painful joints that happens when the immune system attacks healthy cells. The joints most likely to be affected by gout are the joints at the ends of the arms and legs, including the ankles, fingers, toes, and especially the big toe. Many substances can trigger or lead to gout symptoms, including certain medications, foods containing a chemical called purine, and drinking alcohol, including wine....

If it seems like mosquitoes love you more than other people, they very well might. Studies show that around 20% of people are particularly irresistible to these insects. Mosquitos may be more attracted to you for various reasons, including your blood type, your clothes, your breathing, or even the bacteria living on your skin. If you are a magnet for mosquitoes, read on to learn more about what may be luring the insects to you more than the people around you....

Advanced multiple sclerosis (MS) refers to a person who is severely debilitated by their symptoms. Most are in a wheelchair or are bedbound, and are dependent on a home caregiver, family member, or a nursing home for their personal and healthcare needs. While there are rare cases of people who develop MS and progress rapidly, the vast majority of people with advanced MS have had the disease for years. Symptoms The symptoms in a person with advanced MS are similar to those in a person in the early stages of MS; however, they tend to be much more severe, and there are a lot more of them....

AIDS-defining illnesses are those which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified as being directly associated with advanced HIV infection. Many of these diseases are seen outside the realm of HIV but are considered AIDS-defining either because they are more prevalent in HIV-positive people or are rarely seen outside of immune-suppressive disorders. While some of these diseases can occur in people who don’t have HIV, they are only considered AIDS-defining in the presence of an HIV infection....

For more than half a century, the phrase “In lieu of flowers…” has routinely appeared in obituaries and death notices when families request a financial donation or memorial gift following the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, this common phrase often leaves surviving family members and friends uncertain if they should or shouldn’t send flowers as an expression of love and support if they desire. Why Is ‘In Lieu of Flowers’ a Problem?...

Near the end of your pregnancy, your healthcare provider might start referencing something called a Bishop score. This score is a system created to assess how your body is preparing for labor and delivery. Your healthcare provider will assess the position of your baby and monitor changes in your cervix to determine your score. The score may be used to indicate if a successful vaginal delivery is likely. Keep reading to learn more about the purpose of the bishop score, how it is calculated, and what the score means....

On April 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a decision to limit Medicaid coverage of Aduhelm, a recently approved drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, to patients who are part of a clinical trial for the drug. The decision will apply to any future monoclonal antibodies designed to treat Alzheimer’s by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain. Key Takeaways The FDA approved Aduhelm in June 2021 for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease....

The common hepatic artery and its branches supply oxygenated blood to multiple abdominal organs, including the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach. This article will discuss the anatomy and function of the common hepatic artery, and it will also cover its clinical significance. Anatomy Structure and Location The common hepatic artery is located in the abdomen, near the lower portion of the T12 vertebra. It’s one of three branches coming off the celiac trunk....

Over two years ago, COVID-19 rapidly spread across the globe, changing the fabric of society. Masking has become the norm. Reports of newly-discovered variants crop up every few months. Many are battling COVID-induced brain fog and debilitating fatigue. Others are struggling to find ways to cope with grief and loneliness. Some would argue these changes may last forever. In a short series, Verywell looks back at the ways COVID-19 has changed our lives....