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A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt is a device used to relieve excessive pressure on the brain. There are some serious situations in which the brain becomes in danger of physical compression due to pressure from fluid or blood. Excess fluid within one of the fluid-containing regions of the brain called the ventricles and/or the space surrounding the brain is called hydrocephalus. Treating Hydrocephalus Hydrocephalus can cause long-term consequences and may be life-threatening....

Vulvodynia is common in people with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It’s a chronic pain condition that affects the vulva, which is the external portion of the female genitalia. Vulvodynia can have a major impact on your life. While a lot of us with FMS and ME/CFS deal with, it is not a symptom—it’s a separate condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated on its own. Any source of pain has the potential to make your FMS and ME/CFS symptoms more severe, which makes proper treatment especially important....

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Multivalent How to say it: Multivalent (muhl-tee-VAY-luhnt) What it means: Having more than one of something included in it (for example, antibodies or chromosomes). Where it comes from: Latin, valentia, “strength” Where you might see or hear it: In medicine, the word part “-valent” is often applied to vaccines. For example, a vaccine might be monovalent, bivalent, quadrivalent, or multivalent....

Osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS) and mosaicplasty are surgeries that are done to treat severe cartilage damage in the knee joint. These procedures involve autologous (from your own body) transfer of cartilage from healthy areas to damaged areas. You have a number of treatment options if the cartilage in your knee joint is damaged. Typically, treatment begins with non-invasive approaches, such as pain medication and physical therapy. If these treatments are not effective, more invasive treatments, including surgical options, might be necessary....

Although researchers aren’t sure why, evidence shows that African Americans have a 30 percent greater chance of dying from heart disease than Caucasian Americans. But, according to statistics from the American Heart Association, Black people actually have better cholesterol levels than whites. The reasons behind these disparities are elusive, but researchers are getting closer to finding the cause. According to the American Heart Association, Black men and women tend to have slightly lower total cholesterol levels than whites....

There are many genetic conditions related to problems with the genes on chromosome 16. It contains thousands of genes that guide protein production, which is needed for a variety of functions in the body. Changes in the structure or number of copies of a chromosome can cause problems with health and development. For example, having an extra copy of the gene is called trisomy 16. The most common health effect of trisomy 16 is miscarriage....

For people who use continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel to treat their obstructive sleep apnea, the temperature and humidity of the air can be very important. How can you make these as comfortable as possible? What is climate line heated tubing and how might it be useful for CPAP machine treatment of sleep apnea? You may have heard of climate line tubing as a new comfort feature, but what is it?...

COVID-19 vaccines saved around 279,000 lives and prevented 1.25 million hospitalizations in the United States, according to a new study led by Yale University and the Commonwealth Fund. Key Takeaways The quick rollout of COVID-19 vaccines likely prevented 1.25 million hospitalizations and nearly halved the death rate in the first six months of 2021. The study, published by The Commonwealth Fund and Yale University, uses mathematical modeling to estimate vaccine efficacy....

If you have had a limb amputation, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist to help you regain maximal mobility. Your physical therapist can show you exercises to do, teach you how to manage your prosthesis, and maximize mobility while minimizing pain or discomfort. Rehabilitation after a limb amputation—lower extremity or upper extremity—typically involves several different components. Exercise can help improve your strength and range of motion....

Not getting “morning wood”—also known as nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) or nocturnal erections—can be a sign of erectile dysfunction. However, that’s not always the case. Learning more about what causes morning wood can help you better understand what’s happening to your body. This article explains the causes of morning erections, what the lack of one means, and when you should be concerned. What Causes Morning Wood? An erection—the enlarged, rigid state of the penis—can occur throughout an assigned male’s life....

Rebound congestion is when nasal congestion gets worse because you have overused a nasal decongestant spray like Afrin (oxymetazoline) to treat your symptoms. Rebound congestion is also known as rhinitis medicamentosa, chemical rhinitis, nasal spray addiction. Your nasal passages can develop a dependence to these medications rather quickly. That’s why prescribers and product labels say to limit use to three days. How Decongestants Work A common belief is that congestion is caused by mucus blocking your nasal passages....

You may read about or hear in the news that there is a flu epidemic occurring, but do you know what that means? How do public health officials determine that flu levels are high enough to declare an epidemic? And how does it differ from a pandemic? What is a Flu Epidemic? Although the word “epidemic” sounds scary, it isn’t uncommon for the flu to reach epidemic levels. In fact, seasonal flu epidemics happen almost every year....

Ozone spine injection is an investigational procedure that has been examined in experimental research trials for the treatment of chronic back pain. It’s a controversial treatment that is not approved in the United States. Studies have begun to document the pros and cons of this interventional therapy. What Is Ozone Therapy? Medical ozone treatment is a process utilizing oxygen gas in its unstable O3 form, rather than its more stable O2 form for the treatment of medical conditions....

There are three blood tests for Hepatitis B. One tests for the virus itself, and two test for your body’s reaction to the virus. Sometimes your healthcare provider will do all three tests because each can supply different information. If you are positive for the antigen test (HBsAg) it means that you are currently infected with the virus and can pass it to other. If you clear an HBV infection and do not remain chronically infected, you will usually test negative again within 4 months after your symptoms resolve....

About a quarter of all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are diagnosed as children. Kids with IBD face a host of complications. including slowed growth. Normal growth in kids with IBD can be adversely affected by such factors as intestinal inflammation, malnutrition, reduced calorie intake, and medication side effects. One major concern is that the bone growth in kids with IBD may lag behind that of children of the same age who do not have IBD....

The expected death of a friend or loved one changes your relationship—sometimes for the better, bringing you closer together, but sometimes for the worse. It can be incredibly difficult and awkward for many people to talk to their dying loved one. You might find yourself wondering “What do I say?” and “How will I know when I’ve said enough?” There are some common beliefs about talking to the death that has the potential to prevent us from talking at all....

The iliacus muscle is the triangle-shaped muscle in your pelvic bone that flexes and rotates your thigh bone. The iliacus is one of the most important hip flexor muscles in your body. It works with the other muscles in the hip and thigh to help you bend, run, walk, sit, and maintain correct posture. This article describes where the iliacus muscle is located, what it does, and common medical conditions that can adversely affect its function, causing pain and stiffness....

Chemicals in hair dyes may cause allergies for some people. Around 38% of people who color their hair report having an allergic reaction to the dye. The most common allergic reaction to hair dye is contact dermatitis, which causes itchy, flaky skin. This article will go over the symptoms of a hair dye allergy, what causes it, and how it’s treated. Hair Dye Allergy Symptoms The symptoms of contact dermatitis related to hair dye are redness, itchiness, and rash on the face, eyelids, ears, and neck....

Researchers from The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center have released the results of a survey indicating that most Americans plan to continue following COVID-19 protocols after the pandemic ends and public health guidelines relax. Key Takeaways A new survey found that many individuals in the U.S. plan to continue practicing COVID-19 safety precautions even after the pandemic is under control and public health guidelines have relaxed. Experts say the pandemic will likely change our relationship to public health measures, work, and more....

Birth injuries are not uncommon problems for babies. Because the child is being delivered through a narrow vaginal canal, injuries can occur during the birth process. Newborns with large weight and advanced gestational age are most prone to orthopedic injuries during delivery. Other conditions that can increase the risk of birth injuries include underlying medical problems, such as osteogenesis imperfecta or arthrogryposis. Common Orthopedic Injuries Sustained by Newborns During Childbirth Some of the more common orthopedic injuries seen during childbirth are described below....