An optic nerve pit is a backward protrusion of tissue seen on the optic nerve. It is hard to notice; in fact, most people are not aware that they have one until an eye doctor observes the pit during an exam. Optic nerve pits are not that common. One early report found that they occur in about 1 in 11,000 patients. They are congenital, meaning that people are born with them....
An overdose (OD), or drug overdose, is when someone accidentally or intentionally consumes more than a safe or typical amount of a substance such as a prescription medication or drug. Knowing the signs and symptoms of an overdose and what to do if you think you or someone else may be overdosing is life-saving information. This article will explain what an overdose is, the signs and symptoms of overdose to watch for in yourself and others, and what to do in case of an overdose....
Vertigo is the sensation of motion in the absence of movement. What Causes Peripheral Vertigo? Peripheral vertigo is most commonly caused by a malfunction of one or more of the structures in the inner ear. These structures make up the vestibular system, which is responsible for your balance. Vertigo can also be caused by your brain (central vertigo). The following conditions are the most common causes of peripheral vertigo: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) Meniere’s disease Vestibular neuritis Otosclerosis Medications such as antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or pain medications Symptoms Associated With Vertigo Feelings of vertigo can seriously disrupt your ability to participate in normal everyday activities....
Premature ejaculation, sometimes known as rapid ejaculation, is the occurrence of ejaculation prior to the wishes of both sexual partners. The cause, or causes, are not fully understood. Explanations for premature ejaculation range from the purely biological to the purely psychological, with yet others suggesting a more complex relationship between biology and psychology. Psychological factors, however, are known to worsen or precipitate premature ejaculation which is why treatment may involve psychological therapies....
There are many extra-intestinal complications that can occur with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including arthritis, liver disease, nutritional disorders, anemia, and skin disorders. Skin disorders are a fairly common problem and may affect up to 25 percent of people who live with IBD. One type of skin disorder that may occur in patients who have IBD is pyoderma gangrenosum. It’s possible for someone with pyoderma gangrenosum to initially be misdiagnosed if the healthcare professionals looking at the lesions on the skin don’t connect it to the IBD....
Shoulder pain when throwing a ball is not so surprising when you consider the complexity of the shoulder joint and what it takes to perform that motion. To move your shoulder joint, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones all have to move in a synchronized and stable pattern. Because of this, subtle abnormalities can lead to shoulder pain and discomfort when you are throwing or afterward. This article reviews the mechanics of the throwing motion and reasons it may cause shoulder pain....
Is there a connection between pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? PFD is a condition in which the muscles in the pelvic floor weaken, but so far research does not show a clear connection between the disorder and IBS. However, PFD can be associated with constipation and fecal incontinence, which are symptoms that often occur with IBS. The Overlap Between PFD and IBS Research on the overlap between IBS and PFD is scarce, so no firm conclusions can yet be drawn about the two....
Bariatric surgery can be an effective way of achieving weight loss for females with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who are obese. For people with PCOS who are obese, significant weight loss is associated with the reversal of many of the PCOS-associated health problems, such as insulin resistance, irregular periods, infertility, and hyperandrogenism. However, more research is needed to fully understand the benefits and risks of this treatment in this population....
Ultram (tramadol) is an analgesic (painkiller) prescribed for moderate to severe pain. It’s an opiate (narcotic) and also a monoamine uptake inhibitor, which means that it makes more of certain neurotransmitters available to your brain. Ultram is also used to treat most types of neuralgia (nerve pain.) It’s sometimes used off-label for fibromyalgia, restless legs syndrome, migraines, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Ultram ER (extended release) is available for controlling severe chronic pain 24 hours a day....
Do you have health and disability benefits through your employer? Could you answer detailed questions about your health and disability benefits? It is important that you know and understands the details now, without waiting until you need to use them. If you have arthritis and are continuing to work, your benefits are as important as your paycheck. Later, if you quit working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits, but now, we are discussing what you are entitled to through your employer....
Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Cachexia How to say it: Cachexia (ka-SHEX-ee-ya) What it means: Wasting and malnourishment related to a disease. Where it comes from: Greek, kachexía, meaning “poor state” Where you might see or hear it: If you are diagnosed with a serious illness like cancer, your body might need to start burning a lot more energy. Sometimes, your body uses up so much energy that you become underweight and not nourished enough....
This fall, getting children their routine and COVID-19 vaccinations will be crucial as they gear up for in-person schooling. A new study shows how parents can best soothe their kids while they get their shots at the physician’s office. Key Takeaways Researchers found that what is said to a child after vaccination can impact a child’s distress levels.Coping-promoting statements like “you can do this” used within the first minute after a child’s vaccination led to higher distress....
Do you have period problems, like painful cramps? If so, they could be related—either directly or indirectly—to your fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). For women with these conditions and others related to them, painful menstrual cramps are quite common. The medical term for these painful cramps is dysmenorrhea. We don’t know exactly why dysmenorrhea is more common with FMS and ME/CFS than for those without it, but some researchers believe these three conditions—as well as several others—are all part of the same “family” of illnesses, called central sensitivity syndromes (CSS)....
Skipping meals is not the answer to weight loss. In fact, skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do when it comes to weight management, especially if you have diabetes. The diet market in the U.S. is a powerful force—reaching an estimated value of $78 billion in 2019. If you are a constant “dieter” and are still not getting the results you need, you might be lured into trying the next step....
If you are experiencing bleeding that is different from your regular period, you may be very worried. Once you have become used to the pattern of your regular cycle, any bleeding that happens outside of your normal period can be unsettling. Irregular bleeding used to be called dysfunctional uterine bleeding. But with new diagnostic terminology in place, the experts recommend that the term dysfunctional uterine bleeding is changed to abnormal uterine bleeding....
The ankle and foot are complex structures, with a variety of connecting bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The ankle is the joint where the foot attaches to the bones of the lower leg, allowing the foot to move up and down and side to side. It is the hinge that supports your body weight and takes the impact when you walk, run, or jump. The ligaments, tendons, and muscles provide stability and balance....
Bowen’s disease (also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ) is a non-invasive early form of skin cancer, characterized by slow-growing patches of red, scaly skin. It affects the squamous cells in the outermost layer of the skin. It is not considered a serious condition, but if left untreated, Bowen’s disease can develop into a more invasive form of skin cancer. Therefore, dermatologists often want to treat or at least monitor Bowen’s disease....
Cholinergic urticaria are a type of hives that are triggered by an increase in body temperature. Like other types of hives, cholinergic urticaria is characterized by red spots that are raised and have clearly defined borders. The rash, sometimes known as heat hives, can appear anywhere on the body and is usually very itchy. Cholinergic urticaria is brought on by activities that cause sweating and increased body temperature, including exercise, anxiety and hot baths or showers....
Getting a filling for a cavity, which is an area of tooth decay, is a routine part of dental care. First, your dentist cleans out the part of the tooth that’s affected, leaving a hole or empty space. Then they’ll fill that space to even out the surface of the tooth so that it “feels” right in the mouth and is protected from further decay. There are five types of materials commonly used to fill in space where a cavity has been removed....
The term “idiopathic” refers to an unknown cause. In idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, it is unclear what causes the disease, although researchers suspect changes in brain cells and neurotransmitters may play a role. The most common form of Parkinsonism, idiopathic Parkinson’s, can lead to tremors, rigidity, and slow movement. Though the condition worsens over time, treatment is available to help manage symptoms. Learn about idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....
