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Bladder cancer occurs when cells located within the inner lining of the bladder grow uncontrollably. If not treated, these cells may spread to deeper layers of the bladder and/or to nearby or distant lymph nodes or tissues. A biopsy is essential in diagnosing bladder cancer and occurs when a sample of abnormal-appearing bladder tissue is removed and examined under a microscope for cancer cells. Information from the biopsy is used to determine the grade and stage of the cancer—and it’s these two key factors that help devise a patient’s treatment plan....

Challenges like Dry January and Sober October have been encouraging people to quit alcohol for a whole month. But as alcohol consumption increased during the pandemic, more people are reevaluating their long-term relationship with alcohol—or becoming “sober curious.” This story is part of a sober series that explores what sober curiosity means and how you can practice mindful drinking in your personal life. Read the rest of the stories here....

As summer approaches and states begin loosening restrictions, uncertainty still remains about whether traveling is safe, and what type of vacation is the best. Key Takeaways According to the CDC, unvaccinated travelers are at increased risk for getting and spreading COVID-19, making travel riskier.Traveling internationally and domestically to places with COVID hotspots will put you at greater risk of infection.Experts say that all modes of travel pose their own risk and safety will depend on several factors like whether social distancing is possible and vaccination status....

A black box warning is the sternest warning issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that a medication can carry and still remain on the market in the United States. A black box warning appears on the label of a prescription medication to alert you and your healthcare provider about any important safety concerns, such as serious adverse effects or life-threatening risks. A black box warning, also known as a “black label warning” or “boxed warning,” is named for the black border surrounding the text of the warning that appears on the package insert, label, and other literature describing the medication (for example, magazine advertising)....

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (also called alcohol dementia) is a set of neurological conditions that result from a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. When someone is deficient in thiamine, the brain is less able to process sugar into energy that it can use to function. This, in turn, may lead to the development of symptoms of dementia, including confusion and memory loss. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome can significantly affect life-expectancy and needs immediate treatment. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome consists of two separate conditions: Wernicke encephalopathy, which develops first, and then Korsakoff syndrome, which often presents as the symptoms of Wernicke encephalopathy are subsiding....

Aortic dissection occurs when the wall of the aorta (the major artery of the body) develops a tear, which allows blood to enter the vessel wall, dissecting (or tearing apart) the layers of the wall. Aortic dissection can cause extensive injury to various organs and rapid death, and should always be considered a medical emergency. Causes Aortic dissection occurs when the outer layer of the aortic wall becomes weakened, allowing a tear to form....

Although safe, effective vaccines have provided us with some COVID-19 immunity, there are still questions about how protected we are, and how long we’re protected. Key Takeaways When your body’s immune system is fighting an infection like COVID-19, B-cells and T-cells leap into action.While antibody tests give you some idea of your immunity, T-cell testing could give you a much better picture.T-cell testing is currently time-consuming, labor-intensive, and expensive. A new process could make T-cell testing faster and more affordable....

The carotid Doppler test, or carotid ultrasound, is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to detect narrowing of your arteries or potential blockages caused by plaque. It helps your healthcare provider determine if you are at risk of having a stroke and if you need treatment to prevent it. This article explains the purpose of a carotid ultrasound, what to expect during the procedure, and how the results are used....

Chordomas are rare, cancerous tumors that develop from leftover cells of embryonic tissue which help form the spine before birth. Experts don’t know exactly what causes these cells to turn into chordomas, but genetics are thought to play a role in certain cases. This article discusses the potential causes of chordoma and the research being conducted to know more. Common Causes The exact cause of chordoma is unknown, and many cases are thought to occur randomly....

Creatine is an organic acid that your body uses to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are believed to involve low levels of ATP, so it’s natural to wonder whether creatine could be an effective part of your treatment regimen. What Does Creatine Do? Creatine is produced by your body and is also available through dietary sources. It’s often recommended for athletes, but it may offer benefits to many other people, as well....

You may be familiar with the deaf community in the United States, but what do we know about the deaf community around the world? Are there different forms of sign language? What about schools? Deafness Around the World Deafness is international, and Verywell has looked at international deaf communities in countries ranging from Argentina to South Africa. Deaf people in other countries have their own sign languages, cultures, and organizations. Let’s take a look at some of what we know about resources and opportunities available for people who are deaf or hard of hearing in different regions of the world....

Rib fractures are the most common type of injury caused by chest trauma. Moreover, rib fractures are closely associated with overall health and risk of dying. In other words, a person who sustains a severe injury and has several broken ribs can be at a higher risk of death. Which Ribs Break Most Often Typically, we all have 12 sets of ribs. The first three ribs are difficult to break and typically fracture only after high-energy trauma (e....

Generally speaking, glue isn’t something children and adults with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity need to worry too much about. But there are some exceptions to this rule. The similarity between the words “glue” and “gluten” is no coincidence — the term “gluten” means “glue” in Latin, and gluten is a sticky, gooey protein.​ Wheat flour actually makes pretty awesome glue (ever experiment with paper mache?), and back in the olden days, some glues—especially homemade glues — did contain wheat flour as a component....

If you have irritable bowel syndrome, do you know how that may affect your rights in the workplace and in public accommodations? Learn about the Americans With Disabilities Act and how it may apply to your condition. What Is the Americans With Disabilities Act? The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) is legislation that prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals. The ADA was designed to prevent discrimination across the full range of human experience, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications....

While butterflies are widely appreciated for their beauty, some people have a phobia (an irrational and excessive fear) of butterflies called lepidopterophobia. An encounter with a butterfly can trigger fear or panic, and they may avoid places where they might see a butterfly. This phobia can affect their daily life, but treatment options are available. Definition The fear of butterflies or moths is called lepidopterophobia. This word derives from Lepidoptera, the name of the order of insects that includes butterflies and moths....

When medications fail to adequately control allergy symptoms and avoiding the trigger is not easy or possible, an allergist may recommend immunotherapy, or allergy shots. This treatment consists of a series of injections containing small amounts of the substances to which a person is allergic. After a course of allergy shots, patients have fewer allergy symptoms. Allergy shots can be given for allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (nose and eyes), allergic asthma, and insect sting allergies....

An advisory panel for the Centers for Disease Control of Prevention met on Thursday to address the safety concerns of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways Rare cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) have been reported in people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.These cases surfaced within 42 days of vaccination and most commonly in men over the age of 50.Health authorities say that people with a history of GBS may receive any FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccine, but should first consider mRNA options....

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can contaminate food, and it’s responsible for around 1,600 cases of listeriosis (infection with Listeria) each year in the United States. Listeria is commonly found in soil and the stool of many animals, which is likely why it is so easy for food to become contaminated. Although cooking foods appropriately and pasteurization can kill the Listeria bacteria, that isn’t going to help for contaminated foods like cantaloupe, for which the bacteria can even get inside the fruit....

Recovering from a mastectomy surgery is a two-part process. You’ll start recovering in the hospital immediately following the procedure and then you’ll continue that recovery at home, often with the help of family and friends. Upon being discharged from the hospital, you’ll be given a list of things to do. This will include prescriptions for pain medication, how to care for the bandage and surgical drains, recognizing signs of infection or lymphedema, arm exercises to do, and when you can start wearing a bra again (though your old bras won’t cut it, you’ll need to make sure you have a mastectomy bra to help you heal, at least initially)....

MELAS syndrome (characterized by mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondria are the structures inside our cells that are largely responsible for producing the energy the cells need to do their work. Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is always inherited from the mother. However, MELAS syndrome is often not actually inherited; the mutation in this disorder commonly occurs spontaneously....