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There are no guaranteed suggestions for how to prevent Peyronie’s disease (PD)—a condition in which scar tissue inside the penis causes curved, painful erections. Scientists do not know exactly what causes it. But since trauma to the penis is thought to contribute, avoiding injuries to the penis may help. You may, then, be able to prevent Peyronie’s disease, or at least reduce your risk of it, by avoiding vigorous or “rough” sex, wearing an athletic cup during contact sports, and taking other steps that protect the penis....

Stroke is something most people associate with elderly relatives, so it may come as a shock that children can have them too. Strokes do occur in newborns and children, but fortunately, overall, the risk is low (less than 1 percent of children). Cardiac (heart) disease and sickle cell anemia (hemoglobin SS or sickle beta zero thalassemia) are the most common causes of stroke in childhood. Without proper screening, eleven percent of children with sickle cell anemia will experience a stroke by 20 years of age....

A chemical peel can be one of the most effective ways to shave a few years off the appearance of your face. You can go to a dermatologist or aesthetician for a peel, of course, but if that’s not in your budget or you prefer to tend to your skin at home, an at-home peel may be the answer. This quick guide to DIY skin peels will help you get started....

Shingles is the name for an infectious disease involving an itchy, sometimes painful rash that results from a viral infection in the nerves just beneath the skin. The medical term for shingles is herpes zoster. The virus that causes shingles—varicella-zoster virus (VZV)—is the same one that causes chickenpox. Risk Factors Shingles is not typically thought to affect children. It usually occurs in adults over age 60, but the risk of shingles continues to increase as a person ages, so teenagers are at a higher risk of shingles than are small children....

Sunblock and sunscreen are two different types of sun protection that work in different ways. Sunscreen filters the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, while sunblock reflects the sun’s rays away from the skin. Both forms are effective at protecting the skin from sunburn and preventing wrinkles. This article discusses why sunscreen and sunblock are, indeed, two different things. It offers you information so you’ll know which one is right for you....

A good acne skin care routine is essential when you’re prone to breakouts. Your daily process can help your skin in the following ways: Remove excess oilKeep pores clearHelp blemishes heal more quickly With so many products available and so much conflicting information out there, creating a skincare routine for acne can seem confusing. But your daily skin care routine for acne doesn’t need to be complex to be effective....

The Embrace2 watch is an FDA-cleared smartwatch that can be worn as a seizure alert system for children and adults. It detects some types of seizure and sends an alert signal to your designated caregivers, notifying them that you need help. The Embrace2 watch uses technology developed by Empatica, an affective computing company that was spun-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The product was developed in partnership with the Epilepsy Foundation and private donors....

Hospice nurses are vital members of the hospice care team, providing many aspects of care in a variety of different roles. You and your family can choose hospice care in your own home, in a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or even in a hospital. Most people experience a combination of hospice care settings, relying on several hospice nurses throughout the hospice process. Hospice Care and Staff Hospice care is a way to continue to receive modified medical care when you expect to die from a terminal illness within approximately six months....

Topamax is a prescription medication sold under the generic name topiramate. It is most commonly prescribed to treat seizures and for prevention of migraine headaches. It also seems to help with weight loss. Learn more about how Topamax works and the most common side effects. Uses The primary use of Topamax is for seizure disorders that occur as part of epilepsy, as well as for mood stability, chronic nerve pain and migraine prevention....

For years it has been “common knowledge” that people who are under a lot of stress have an increased risk of heart disease. But is this common knowledge correct? And if so, what kinds of stress increase your risk of heart disease, how does it increase your risk, and what can you do about it? At least three things have made it difficult to sort out the effects of stress on the heart:...

Psoriasis causes a variety of symptoms that range from merely irritating to actually debilitating. The symptoms can include thick, red patches on the skin; pitted, ridged fingernails; scaly, itchy scalp and hair loss; and stiff, painful joints. Why do some people, but not others, get this frustrating condition in the first place? Arriving at an answer to this question relies partly on knowing that psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder – “auto” meaning self and “immune” referring to the body’s complex immune system....

Alcohol can trigger headaches, including migraines, cluster headaches, and tension-type headaches. In fact, around 30 percent of people who experience recurrent migraines report alcohol as a trigger. About half of those with less common headache disorders, such as cluster headaches, paroxysmal hemicrania, hemicrania continua, and familial hemiplegic migraine, also notice that alcohol precipitates their headaches. If you have chronic headaches, identifying and avoiding your triggers can substantially improve your quality of life....

Of the 100+ autoimmune diseases, a handful are potentially fatal. Four of the most frequently fatal ones include: Giant cell myocarditisAnti-NMDA receptor encephalitisMixed connective tissue diseaseAutoimmune vasculitis This article goes over the basics of these autoimmune diseases and how they’re treated. Giant Cell Myocarditis Giant cell myocarditis is a rare cardiovascular disorder that progresses rapidly and is often fatal. In this disease, there is inflammation in the heart muscle (myocardium). Initial symptoms can include:...

As a growing amount of research has looked into what causes wrinkles and the effects of photoaging, the use of beta hydroxy acid has increased greatly in popularity. There are two types of hydroxy acids: alpha and beta. Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are exfoliants that are derived from fruit and milk sugars such as glycolic acid, which is produced from sugar cane and lactic acid (which is produced from milk). There is only one beta hydroxy acid (BHA) commonly used in skin care products, and that is salicylic acid, which is derived from aspirin....

Chromium is a trace mineral the body needs in order to stay healthy. Discovered in the late 18th century, this essential nutrient aids in the regulation of insulin—a hormone critical for healthy regulation of blood sugar. Today, chromium is combined with niacin—a B-complex vitamin (B3)—and sold as chromium polynicotinate. It is a nutritional supplement many people use to balance blood sugar levels, lose weight, and reduce cholesterol levels. What Is Chromium Polynicotinate Used For?...

Apples have been touted as not only a delicious fruit but also as an effective way to improve your health. Research suggests that eating apples can benefit your heart, your teeth, and your energy level. Eating a higher amount of fruits and vegetables, in general, has also been associated with a lower risk for chronic diseases including coronary heart disease, asthma, diabetes, cancer and perhaps even Alzheimer’s disease. So, is it true that apples are a super fruit?...

When faced with major surgery, you may have concerns about the risks of blood transfusions. One way to make it safer is with a preoperative autologous donation (PAD), in which your blood is collected before surgery and given back to you during or after surgery if you should happen to need it. The reasons for a preoperative autologous donation can vary. In some cases, PAD is recommended for surgeries in which blood loss is expected to be high....

If you’ve experienced an allergic reaction to the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges you to ask your doctor about getting a different type of shot. But a new pair of case reports finds that, in some situations, it may be possible to complete the two-dose vaccine series if you’ve experienced an allergic reaction. Key Takeaways Allergic reactions to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are rare but happen....

Seborrheic dermatitis causes red patches with overlying yellowish, greasy-appearing scales that form on oily parts of the skin like the scalp, face, upper chest and back, armpits, and genitals. Seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp in infants often resolves on its own. In adults, it is often a chronic, relapsing condition that requires long-term treatment with antifungal shampoo or, if on areas other than the scalp, with topical steroids or antifungal creams....

The overall recovery for an abdominal hysterectomy is around four to six weeks and may be sooner for a laparoscopic or vaginal hysterectomy. To prevent complications and to optimize healing, it’s important that you carefully and thoroughly follow your surgeon’s instructions. These may include when to follow-up, activities to restrict (e.g., lifting, sex, driving, etc), and what symptoms to watch out for, like a fever or abnormal drainage from your incision site....