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Liver disease refers to a range of diseases that can cause dysfunction and damage to the liver. There are over 100 types of liver disease. Some of these diseases may cause itching that can interfere with your quality of life. Itching as a symptom found in liver disease is referred to as pruritus. In this article, you can learn more about the causes of itching associated with liver disease, the symptoms to watch for, ways to find relief, and when to see a healthcare provider....

The standard initial treatment for melanoma is the surgical removal of any lesions, a procedure called wide area excision. Depending on the stage of your tumor, your healthcare provider may then recommend an adjuvant (after surgery) treatment to lessen the chance that the melanoma will come back (recur). For example, if the melanoma has spread to one or more of your lymph nodes, there is an estimated 70% to 80% chance that the melanoma will recur within the next three to five years....

Arthroscopic surgery is performed through small incisions using a camera to see the inside of a joint. Through several small incisions (about 1 centimeter each), your surgeon will insert a camera into one incision, and small instruments through the other incisions. The exact number of incisions made depends on the specific surgery performed. Arthroscopic vs. Open Surgery There’s often a debate among patients and surgeons about which is better—arthroscopic or ‘open’ surgery....

The Smith’s fracture is a specific type of injury to the forearm bone (the radius) near the wrist joint. In this injury, there is displacement of the bone such that the wrist joint rests in front of its normal anatomic position. The traditional view is that this injury is most commonly caused by falling onto the back of the hand, but some research has pointed to falls on the palm of the hand being a common cause....

Many people may be going through life experiencing concussion-like symptoms—like headaches, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating—without ever suffering an injury. Key Takeaways Concussion symptoms can be mimicked by preexisting conditions, such as stress and lack of sleep.Athletes most likely to report concussion-related symptoms after not having suffered a recent head injury also report trouble sleeping and mental health disorders, such as ADHD and depression.The findings could help to make diagnostic tools more precise, and encourage individualized treatment and care....

It’s been long since debated whether red and processed meat can be part of a heart-healthy diet. But new research suggests that it should be limited to keep heart disease at bay. Key Takeaways A recent meta-analysis found that eating red and processed meat can increase ischemic heart disease risk.In the same study, eating poultry didn’t appear to play a significant role on heart health.Experts say people should focus on dietary patterns and overall lifestyle choices when supporting heart health instead of completely eliminating one food from their diet....

The synovium, also called the synovial membrane, is the soft tissue that lines the spaces of diarthrodial joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae. The synovium is where synovial fluid is produced, the substance that lubricates and nourishes the cartilage and bones inside the joint capsule. Synovium Anatomy The synovium is a special type of connective tissue located in articulated joints like the knees and elbows. The synovium lines the entire inner surface of the joint, except where the joint is lined with cartilage....

The sudden death of a young, apparently healthy athlete is a great tragedy. The odds that any given athlete will die suddenly are very small. Estimates range from 1 in 50,000 to 1 in 80,000 a year among high school and college athletes. However, each sudden death that does occur is devastating to family, friends, and the community. The large majority of these sudden deaths are related to underlying cardiac conditions that were undiagnosed beforehand....

Oral contraceptives, commonly known as birth control pills or just “the pill,” were approved by the FDA on June 23, 1960. The pill has revolutionized women’s health over the last five decades. Here’s a brief history of the birth control pill and how it works. The First Birth Control Pill The first birth control was called Enovid and was manufactured by Searle. The 1960s woman, as well as women today, liked the pill because it provided a reversible method of birth control that was, and still is today, almost 100% effective when taken as directed....

Celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity involve two different responses to the gluten protein, which is found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye. However, the symptoms of both conditions are very similar or even nearly identical, which makes it close to impossible to determine which one you might have (if either one) without the use of medical tests. Celiac Disease Celiac disease occurs when gluten spurs your immune system to attack the lining of your small intestine....

Atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) is a severe form of eye allergy that can involve the cornea of the eye, as well as the eyelids and conjunctiva. AKC usually affects young adults starting in the late teens to early twenties and can persist for decades. The majority of people with AKC also have atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, and/or asthma. Severe AKC can lead to complications including cataracts, eye infections, and blindness. Symptoms The symptoms of AKC are initially similar to those of allergic conjunctivitis but tend to be much more severe....

Chymotrypsin is a digestive proteolytic enzyme produced by the pancreas that is used in the small intestine to help digest proteins. The enzyme is also used to help create medicines and has been used in clinical healthcare settings since the 1960s. It is known to help to reduce redness and swelling caused by surgery or infection and help promote speedier healing of wounds/traumatic injury to tissue. The versatile enzyme is also often used in medicines to help loosen phlegm in individuals who have asthma, bronchitis, or sinus infections....

Crouzon syndrome is one of several genetic conditions that affect skull development (craniosynostosis). The condition was named after a neurologist named Louis Edouard Octave Crouzon, who extensively researched genetic and neurological diseases. In Crouzon syndrome, the boundaries that join the bones of the skull (sutures) to close earlier than they typically do. The premature closure results in an unusually-shaped skull and abnormal facial features. Crouzon syndrome primarily involves the musculoskeletal system of the body, which includes bones, muscles, joints, and cartilage....

This story is part of a series that explores growing health trends that were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Will these trends stay or go away in the post-pandemic era? As gyms and fitness centers faced global shutdowns and the COVID-19 pandemic forced many to stay home, people took advantage of their flexible schedules to establish exercise regimens or improve existing fitness habits. Key Takeaways Popular pandemic exercise trends, like ab challenges, may have led to an increase in anxiety levels surrounding physical health and fitness....

A flap is a piece of tissue still attached to the body by a major artery and vein or at its base. This piece of tissue with its attached blood supply is used in reconstructive surgery by being set into a recipient site (injured area onto which a flap or graft is placed). Sometimes, the flap consists of skin and fatty tissue only, but a flap may also include muscle from the donor site (the area from which the flap is raised)....

Most cases of cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis) are mild, and they’re usually easy to treat on your own with home remedies like shampooing and brushing. When that’s not sufficient, over-the-counter medications may be enough to reduce flaking on a baby’s scalp. However, some babies can have more extensive cradle cap with thick scaling. In these instances, cradle cap treatment will likely require prescription medication. The good news is that, no matter what it looks like, cradle cap is almost always a harmless condition....

Glaucoma is an eye condition that occurs when the optic nerve is damaged due to elevated pressure in the eye. One possible cause of the increase in pressure is excess fluid in the eye, either because too much fluid is being produced or due to a drainage problem. Sometimes the cause cannot be determined. About 3 million Americans have this condition, according to the American Glaucoma Society, though many more cases may go undiagnosed....

If you are living with diabetes, you’ve most likely had your blood or urine tested for ketones. When your body doesn’t have enough insulin to absorb glucose, it breaks down fats for energy, creating chemicals called ketones as a by-product. Everyone produces ketones, but if you have diabetes, you have a greater risk of ketones building up in your blood, which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a condition that can make you ill....

The inferior alveolar nerve supplies feeling to your lower teeth. It’s a branch of the mandibular nerve, which itself branches off from the trigeminal nerve. It’s sometimes called the inferior dental nerve. Anatomy All of the nerves in your body exist as symmetrical pairs, one on the left side and one on the right. They’re referred to as a single nerve in most cases unless it’s necessary to distinguish one from the other such as if it’s been injured on one side....

As cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) show no signs of stopping, we’ve grown accustomed to precautions—like face masks and social distancing—encouraged by public health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO). However, an open letter to WHO signed by 239 scientists in 32 countries argues these precautions are not enough. Key Takeaways In an open letter, 239 scientists said WHO should give greater acknowledgment to the possibility that COVID-19 is airborne....