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We have all struggled to talk about difficult topics with people in our lives. Healthy Conversations is a new and innovative approach to help people find their best words when it comes to talking about sensitive health issues. This experience not only equips users with information and conversation prompts, but also empowers them to embrace difficult health conversations rather than shy away from them. The more prepared and educated people are for having difficult discussions about health and disease, the more fluid and productive the conversation and the better the overall outcome....

If you have ever had a heart attack, a healthcare provider has probably told you to carry an aspirin or two with you at all times to have available if you ever think you might be having another heart attack. If your healthcare provider hasn’t told you to do this, they should have. As it turns out, in the very earliest stages of a heart attack, in those critical minutes when part of your heart muscle is losing its blood supply, a simple aspirin can make a huge difference....

As the Delta variant rages on, current COVID-19 cases are at their highest levels since last fall and winter. This spike in cases arrives just in time for back-to-school season, as thousands of children across the country transition to in-person schooling. Key Takeaways Verywell Health’s latest vaccine sentiment survey finds that most parents plan on sending their kids with face masks to school this year.Despite the popularity of mask-wearing for students, the topic has become entangled in political debates....

Ampligen (rintatolimod) is an experimental anti-viral, immune-system modulating drug that’s been in the works for more than 30 years. It’s been studied as a possible treatment for multiple conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), HIV/AIDS, certain types of cancer, both avian flu and swine flu (H1N1), and the Ebola virus. In 2009 and again in 2013, the FDA rejected Ampligen as a ME/CFS treatment. It would have been the first approved treatment for this condition as well as providing Ampligen’s entrance into the marketplace....

Buphthalmos is an enlargement of the eye due to raised eye pressure that is present at birth or soon after. This is a rare condition that is present in about 1 in 30,000 births. It requires prompt treatment to preserve sight. The term buphthalmos comes from Greek roots and means “ox-eyed.” The ancient physician Hippocrates described it in 400 BC. This article will take a closer look at buphthalmos, what the symptoms are, what causes this to occur, how to detect the condition, the diagnostic factors, and what treatments to consider....

April is Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day. During the entire month of April, you’ll hear about autism-oriented fundraisers, autism awareness presentations, autism-friendly happenings, and special opportunities to recognize people on the autism spectrum. You’ll also notice that most people involved with these activities are wearing the color blue. In fact, you might even notice buildings (including major top architectural icons) “lighting it up blue” on April 2....

If you will be receiving chemotherapy over a long period of time, or if you are a candidate for a blood or marrow transplantation, your healthcare provider may recommend a central line, or central venous catheter (CVC). CVCs may also be called venous access devices (VADs). CVCs are catheters that are inserted into the veins of your arm or chest and have a tip that is located in a large vein near your heart called the superior vena cava....

The deep peroneal nerve, also called the deep fibular nerve, is a peripheral nerve of the calf. It’s a terminal branch of the common peroneal nerve, which is a branch of the sciatic nerve. The deep peroneal nerve contains both motor and sensory fibers. Anatomy All of your nerves, except for the cranial nerves, branch off from the spinal cord. The nerves that extend away from the spine and into the limbs are called peripheral nerves....

Cynophobia, the phobia (irrational fear) of dogs, is a type of anxiety disorder. Cynophobia is more than being afraid of dogs or not wanting to be around dogs. This type of fear interferes with your daily activities. Cynophobia often develops at a young age and is sometimes—but not always—the result of a traumatic encounter with a dog. This article discusses cynophobia and its symptoms, diagnosis, causes, and treatment options. What Is the Fear of Dogs?...

Range of motion (ROM) is a measurement of the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. Hip ROM is dictated by the ball-and-socket hip joint, which is made up of the femur and pelvis. They fit together in a way that allows for fluid, repeated motion—and a fair amount of wear and tear—but the joint isn’t indestructible. Obesity, a fall, infections, or even just chronic wear and tear can cause damage to your hip, which can then affect your hip ROM....

If your healthcare provider suspects you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you will be likely be asked to have a chest X-ray. A chest X-ray is a simple, non-invasive imaging technique that uses electromagnetic waves to create a one-dimensional picture of your heart, lungs, and diaphragm. While a chest X-ray cannot make a diagnosis of COPD, especially in early-stage disease, it can help support it. By and large, an abnormal chest X-ray is generally only seen when the damage to the lungs is extensive....

Poor judgment is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, while a typical symptom of early stages of Alzheimer’s is short-term memory loss, poor judgment can sometimes precede memory loss. Poor judgment refers to the inability to make appropriate decisions. If your relative has Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, she might be unable to evaluate the different factors that should be considered when making a decision. Looking ahead to the possible outcome of behavior or choice may also be a challenge for her, as is considering abstract ideas vs....

Penis growth is influenced by the hormones of puberty and does not have one set age limit. A person’s penis will start to grow more rapidly between ages 10 and 14, but can keep growing until they are between ages 16 and 21—or once puberty ends. Many young people feel concerned or self-conscious about their penis size during adolescence. While most reach their full penis size by their late teens, this entirely depends on each person’s puberty hormones....

Kleptomania is a mental health disorder that involves an urge to steal and an inability to control that urge. Further, the person has no use for what is stolen. Instead, the act of stealing is driven by a feeling of tension or discomfort before stealing, and a feeling of pleasure or relief after stealing. This is a rare disorder, affecting only 0.3% to 0.6% of people. It is also a serious condition linked to other risks, such as an attempted suicide rate that is nearly 25%....

Leukocoria occurs when the usually black pupil at the center of the eye is white or abnormally colored when direct light is shined on it. Simply put, “leukocoria” means “white pupil.” Parents or other family members may often detect this abnormal pupil in children. It may be noticed in a darkened room or sometimes spotted in a photograph, where instead of the typical “red reflex,” the eye with leukocoria appears white or another color....

For the first time, researchers have confirmed the link between gastrointestinal disorders and the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Key Takeaways People who have certain gastrointestinal disorders may be at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, as new data highlights a genetic link between the two.The findings also link abnormal cholesterol levels to Alzheimer’s and gut disorders.These new findings could lead to earlier detection and new interventions, like using cholesterol-lowering statins to treat the conditions....

A nursemaid’s elbow is a common elbow injury seen in young children. The injury causes a subluxation of one of the bones (the radius) at the elbow joint. Subluxation means the bones have slid out of proper position. The nursemaid’s elbow injury usually occurs in children age 5 or younger. Causes A nursemaid’s elbow can be caused by many types of injuries, but the classic mechanism is a sudden pull on a young child’s arm....

Osteoarthritis and mortality have not been extensively studied, nor discussed. Mostly, osteoarthritis is associated with joint pain, physical disability, and functional limitations. It is usually rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis, that is connected to increased mortality and reduced life expectancy. That said, collectively, rheumatic diseases are not considered fatal or terminal. The History of Research on the Link In 2008, Hochberg published results from a systematic review of studies that considered mortality and survival in people with osteoarthritis....

Low back pain affects nearly everyone at one time or another. If you are pregnant, you may have an increased chance of feeling back pain, most likely due to the little bundle of joy that is hanging out in front of your spine for nine months. Physical therapy is a proven treatment for low back pain. People with back pain or sciatica may benefit from PT to help improve posture, learn the correct exercises to perform, and learn what NOT to do during episodes of pain....

A pinguecula is a yellow-colored benign growth or bump on the white of your eye. It most commonly occurs on the side of your eye near your nose, but it can happen on either side. A pinguecula can occur in one or both eyes. The pinguecula itself is a deposit of protein, fat, or calcium on the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of your eyes. The name comes from the Latin word for fat or grease....