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The Mini-Cog is a rapid screening test for Alzheimer’s disease that takes only about three minutes to administer. Unlike other popular Alzheimer’s tests that measure several aspects of cognition, such as the MMSE and the MoCA, the Mini-Cog measures only two: short-term recall and clock drawing (where a person draws numbers and arms pointed at a specific time on a paper clock). Despite that, the Mini-Cog is extremely accurate at predicting whether someone has dementia....

Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic condition, and people with IBD will typically need treatment throughout their lives. But is there anything that might offer a cure? No, currently there is no cure for Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the two main types of IBD. IBD is a chronic condition, and people with IBD will typically need treatment throughout their lives. It is possible for someone to do well with their IBD, but this would be more correctly called deep remission, rather than a cure....

Insulin resistance is a common concern for people who are overweight or have a sedentary lifestyle or for women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance, often a precursor to diabetes, occurs when the body is unable to use insulin properly, and it causes high blood sugar levels. If your healthcare provider suggests that you begin monitoring your blood sugar levels, it is very important that you do so regularly and consistently....

As you get older, you may notice changes to your voice. Some older adults begin to feel like they can’t speak up as well as they once could, or notice that the pitch of their voice has gotten higher or lower over time. Here’s what you should know about the causes and treatments for age-related voice changes called presbyphonia, Definition Presbyphonia is a term used to describe changes associated with the aging voice....

Some of the less common symptoms of Lewy body dementia (LBD) can cause significant concerns for the person with the disease, as well as their caregivers. Knowing the possible symptoms of LBD can help alleviate stress and provide a better treatment plan when they do develop. First, we’ll review the more typical symptoms of LBD and then we’ll identify the less common symptoms. Common Symptoms Cognitive Changes Unlike Alzheimer’s disease where memory challenges are one of the hallmark features, LBD more commonly presents with difficulties in attention and executive functioning....

Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) is an autoimmune disease that can affect any organ or tissue in the body. Lupus develops when the immune system, which normally fights infection and protects the body, attacks healthy tissue like the joints, heart, kidneys, skin, and lungs. Symptoms of lupus are different for each person and range from mild to severe. People with lupus often go through periods of remission, when their symptoms subside or disappear, and periods of flare-ups, when new symptoms develop or existing symptoms become worse....

Myolysis is a procedure that shrinks uterine fibroids by destroying the muscle fiber that they are made of. This is done either by using a laser, extreme cold, an electric current, or high-frequency ultrasound. Myolysis is less invasive than other ways of treating uterine fibroids, including myomectomy or hysterectomy, but it is not recommended for people who want to be pregnant in the future since it can cause uterine scarring. It’s also not a permanent solution—most women who have myolysis will need surgery again in the future....

Most pacemakers are permanently implanted because people with certain heart conditions need to have them for life. However, some people only need to have a pacemaker for a while—such as after they have a procedure or survive a medical event like a heart attack. Eventually, they will have to undergo another surgery to have the device removed, which has risks. Key Takeaways A new type of pacemaker is being developed that can pace a patient’s heartbeat for a few weeks, then dissolve in place....

Olive oil or olive allergy is very rare. In fact, you’re more likely to experience the benefits of olive oil. Olive oil is made from crushing olives—small fruit that grows on olive trees. The oil from the olives is then extracted through a manufacturing process. The result is a tasty liquid with lots of health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and reducing cancer risk. This article discusses olive oil allergy symptoms, causes, and treatment options....

Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is a slow-growing central nervous system tumor that originates from star-shaped cells in the brain and spinal cord called astrocytes. It is the most common pediatric tumor. It mainly occurs in young people under the age of 19. The most common initial symptoms are headache, nausea, and seizure. PA generally has a good prognosis. Early treatment ensures that the tumor does not invade or press on surrounding tissues and cause permanent damage....

Sesame seeds have been used for a variety of reasons for thousands of years. They are available in three different colors—white, black, and brown. Sesame seeds and the oil extracted from the seeds are commonly used in recipes; sesame oils are found in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. What Is Sesame Allergy? Allergy to sesame is not new. Though it was first described in 1950, it seems to be a growing problem. In January 2023, sesame will become the ninth allergen that will need to be declared on food labels in the United States....

Sickle-cell disease (SCD) is an inherited form of anemia where the red blood cells change from the normal round (similar to a doughnut) shape to a long pointed shape like a sickle or banana. These sickled red blood cells have difficulty flowing through the blood vessels and can get stuck. The body recognizes these red blood cells as abnormal and destroys them faster than usual resulting in anemia. How Does Someone Get SCD?...

“Eye cancer” is a general term used to describe the types of cancer that can develop on or within the eye. It is very rare. The American Cancer Society estimates that fewer than 4,000 people per year will be diagnosed with eye cancer. This cancer is typically very treatable but must be addressed as soon as possible for the best outcomes. When people speak of eye cancer, they are usually referring to ocular melanoma, the most common type of eye cancer found in adults....

Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious and life-threatening medical emergency characterized by a sudden loss of consciousness, breathing, and pulse. This may be preceded by dizziness, shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat, or abnormal breathing, though some experience no warnings at all. The symptoms of cardiac arrest come on suddenly and must be treated with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and a defibrillator immediately. Any delay in care increases one’s risk of death....

Many STDs are said to be socially stigmatized. In other words, people are judged or condemned for being infected with STDs. Other types of disease may also carry some level of social stigma. However, the STD stigma is often particularly strong. Why is STD infection associated with such strongly negative responses? In part, it is because people are often judgmental about sex. When someone is diagnosed with an STD and lets people know about it, there is often a very negative reaction....

Omicron BA.5 is now the dominant COVID-19 variant in the United States.Experts said that while this subvariant may be more capable of evading natural and vaccine-induced immunity, BA.5 symptoms are similar to those caused by earlier versions of Omicron. Key Takeaways Omicron BA.5 symptoms remain similar to those of earlier Omicron subvariants.Some people reported having meningitis-like symptoms during the course of their COVID-19 illness, but there is no evidence that BA....

Arthritis and arthralgia are terms that are often confused with one another. The main difference between arthralgia and arthritis is that one is a symptom and the other is a condition. Arthralgia is a symptom that refers to joint pain, and arthritis is a type of medical condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. Symptoms Arthralgia is a term for joint pain and stiffness. It can be a symptom of different conditions, including arthritis....

A bloody nose usually stops after a few minutes and is nothing serious. However, you should worry about a nosebleed if you can’t stop the bleeding, have lost a lot of blood, have trouble breathing, or you’re vomiting from swallowing blood. You should also get medical attention for frequent nosebleeds or a bloody nose that comes on after a serious injury. This article discusses the cases in which you should make an appointment with a healthcare provider or go the hospital for a nosebleed....

Excess mortality is the number of deaths caused by a specific disease, condition, or exposure to harmful circumstances such as radiation, environmental chemicals, or natural disaster. It’s a measure of the deaths which occurred over and above the regular death rate that would be predicted (in the absence of that negative defined circumstance) for a given population. Causes of Excess Mortality in the US According to the World Health Organization, excess mortality can be expressed as a mortality rate—which is the risk of dying from that condition in a specific population—or a total number of excess deaths....

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a hard brace worn on the lower leg that improves overall walking safety and efficiency for people with certain medical conditions. AFOs provide gait stability, keep joints properly aligned, and help compensate for muscle weakness. Different types of AFOs have been developed to address a patient’s individual needs. Generally, a healthcare provider or physical therapist will evaluate you to determine if an AFO is needed and what type to prescribe....