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Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract resulting in abdominal pain and cramps, bloody stools, persistent diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss that can lead to malnutrition. The disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly impacts the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine. The disease can affect any area of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus, but most commonly impacts the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine....

If you have knee pain due to patellofemoral stress syndrome (PFSS), then you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist to help you manage your pain and return to optimal function. Your PT can assess your condition to determine the cause of your problem and can prescribe the right treatment for you. Patellofemoral stress syndrome can be caused by many different factors. Weakness in your hips may place increased stress on your knee or knees....

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common condition which affects approximately 20 percent of the population. Often referred to as acid reflux, GERD occurs when the contents of your stomach move in the wrong direction―up the esophagus instead of down toward the small intestine. Research shows that up to one-half of those with COPD also have GERD, making it more common in people with COPD than it is in people who don’t have COPD....

While systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) affects men and women of all ages, the scale shifts heavily toward women—and even more so towards minorities. There are several leading factors, details of which continue to reveal themselves through a groundbreaking report called “Lupus in Minorities: Nature Versus Nurture,” or the LUMINA study. Recap: Who Gets Lupus According to the Lupus Foundation of America, out of the 1.5 million Americans affected with some form of lupus, 90% of those diagnosed are women, the vast majority of whom are between 15 to 45 years old....

Mohs surgery has been hailed as an ideal method for treating skin cancer because it impacts very little healthy tissue and can be completed in one day as an outpatient procedure. Even with these benefits, though, Mohs procedure still requires a bit of time for recovery, and some post-operative care. Surgery Follow-Up Your follow-up care after Mohs surgery will depend a lot on the amount of tissue that must be removed to clear the tumor margins completely....

Older parents, especially older fathers, are more likely than other parents to have children with autism. This finding, which has been replicated in several large studies, establishes an association between age and autism. There is no clear indication, however, that parental age actually causes autism. Research is ongoing as to why and how parental age impacts the risk of autism. This article will discuss the evidence as to whether parental age is a risk factor for autism....

Pelvic joint instability is often pregnancy-related, occurring either during pregnancy or after childbirth. Pelvic pain in pregnancy can be related to the pelvic girdle muscle (the pelvic girdle refers to bones that make up the pelvis) or ligament laxity. While the cause of these lax tissues is not completely known, researchers suspect that it has to do with a hormone called relaxin. This hormone allows the pelvic bones to shift enough to make way for a baby....

Medical terms can be a mouthful, even for physical therapists. To keep things simple, they often abbreviate terms when speaking or writing notes. But if you don’t know what the shortened terms mean, you might end up with more questions than answers. This article includes a list of abbreviations that physical therapists often use. Learning them will help you feel more clear about your recovery plan. That said, if ever you feel confused when talking to your doctor, don’t be afraid to speak up....

The rotator cuff is a grouping of four shoulder muscles (the supraspinatus, the teres minor, the infraspinatus, and the subscapularis). This muscular group surrounds the head of the humerus (the ball-shaped top of the arm bone) and helps to elevate and rotate your shoulder. These muscles are also responsible for adding stability to the joint and ensuring that the humeral head stays centered in the socket (glenoid) portion of the joint....

How many people get lupus? And how many die of the disease? And what’s the medical cost of having the disease? Basically, what are some key statistics about lupus? Indeed, what are the key statistics, those numbers we should all be able to recite when someone asks about this disease? If you’re asked the same by someone unfamiliar with lupus, we hope that this article, citing statistics gathered from the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA), will help prepare you....

For about 10% of people who get infected with COVID-19, symptoms like fatigue don’t subside after three months or even a year post-infection. New research finds that exercising may help reduce fatigue for those in recovery. Key Takeaways Researchers found that exercise improved exercise capacity, respiratory symptoms, fatigue, and cognition, in people with long COVID.People can experience long-term COVID anywhere from three months to one year after initial infection. Exercise is not a one-size-fits-all solution and will require consultation with a healthcare provider when recovering....

Triple bypass surgery is a major surgery that takes between three to six hours. It requires general anesthesia, meaning you’ll be unconscious while it’s happening. On average, you’ll remain in the hospital for up to seven days. By understanding what happens before, during, and after triple bypass surgery, you can increase your chances of success. Before the Surgery The day of triple bypass surgery can be hectic and overwhelming. If the surgery is planned, you will have more time to prepare both mentally and physically for the procedure....

Weight loss achieved either through a low calorie diet or bariatric surgery appears to result in the same metabolic improvements for obese people with type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Bariatric surgery and dieting seem to result in similar weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes who are considered obese.Research shows both weight loss methods lead to positive metabolic changes, like improved insulin sensitivity.For the best outcomes, weight loss method should be selected to support sustainable weight loss over time....

Do you sometimes experience dizziness and wonder what might be causing it? If you’re menstruating, the reason you feel dizzy may be related to your period. Dizziness is a sensation that often makes people feel off balance. It may feel like the room is spinning. You may notice this symptom more intensely when getting up quickly from sitting or lying down. Also, you may lose your balance. This article explains why periods can bring on dizziness, what other conditions can cause the symptom, and when to see your healthcare provider....

If you see blood in stools, your first instinct may be to ignore it and wait for it to go away. This is particularly true if the bleeding seems incidental. And, while you may be right and everything is perfectly fine, it is important that you take the time to look and assess what is actually happening. The very appearance of a stool can give you pretty strong clues as to the cause and origin of any bleeding....

Children need to feel safe and stable in their home environment in order to thrive in their growth and development. Trauma experienced during childhood can have a lasting impact on health and well-being. Adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs, are adverse (negative and impactful) experiences that occur during formative childhood years. These include single traumatic events and ongoing traumatic experiences like abuse. This article will help you understand what are adverse childhood experiences, their impact on physical and mental health development, and what recovering from childhood trauma looks like....

Whole grains like wheat, rice, oats, and rye comprise three edible layers: the bran, the endosperm, and the germ. Bran is the hard outer layer removed during refining to give grains a smoother texture and improve their shelf life. However, it is a rich source of essential nutrients, particularly fiber, that benefit your health and may even prevent chronic disease. This article discusses the health benefits, nutrient composition, and food sources of bran....

Plantains are a staple in many tropical cultures, such as the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. They are also found in certain African, Asian, and Indian cuisines. In appearance, plantains resemble bananas but are larger in size, harder to peel, and less sweet than you might expect. Nutritionally, plantains pack a huge punch. They are naturally low in sodium, high in potassium, and rich in antioxidants. Plantains cannot be eaten raw but, when cooked, can be used for both sweet or savory dishes....

Is it possible that eating gluten can cause dizziness? That is what some research has started to suggest, adding vertigo to the growing list of possible symptoms associated with celiac disease.Vertigo is a condition that may affect as many as one in four people with celiac disease, although there is little actual literature on the subject. What Is Vertigo? Vertigo is more than just a dizzy spell. It refers to dizziness that stems from a dysfunction in the balance system of the inner ear....

Many people who have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) wonder what the difference is between the two main subtypes of the disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis affects the airways, while emphysema affects the air sacs. And while that sounds distinct enough, both can cause difficulty breathing, and the two conditions usually coexist. Learning more about their distinctive symptoms and underlying causes can help you better understand how chronic bronchitis and emphysema differ....