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High blood pressure (hypertension) is a unique condition, because, unlike most health concerns, it usually has no identifying signs or symptoms. For this reason, high blood pressure is commonly referred to as the “silent killer” as it can lead to serious illness—and even death—if left untreated. Here are four simple facts everyone should know. Hypertension May Have No Noticeable Signs While having a cold can make your nose stuffy and anemia may make you weak, high blood pressure can exist for years without any noticeable symptoms....

Allergies are caused by your body reacting to substances in the air that you breathe. Although airborne allergies are caused by harmless things, your body identifies these substances as “foreign.” This leads to your allergy symptoms—sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and more. Inhalant allergies commonly include indoor allergens (such as dust mites) and outdoor allergens (such as pollen and mold). Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of inhalant allergies in this article....

Following a Mediterranean-style diet that includes lean beef can offer heart-health benefits, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Following the Mediterranean Diet can support heart health as well as overall health. Including lean beef and extra-lean beef can be a part of a Mediterranean-style diet and can support heart health, according to a new study. Following a Mediterranean-style diet that included lean beef resulted in lower LDL cholesterol levels when compared to eating a standard American diet....

Open-heart surgery involves opening the chest with a large incision to expose the heart. It is a longstanding and widely-used surgical treatment for heart failure, heart attack, coronary artery disease, heart transplant, and atrial fibrillation (irregular, fast heart rhythm). While some heart surgeries can be done minimally invasively by accessing the heart through small incisions and a camera on the left side of the ribs, that is not the case with open-heart surgery....

Peripheral blood stem cell transplants, or PBSCT’s, are procedures that restore stem cells that have been destroyed by high doses of chemotherapy. Stem cells are cells that give rise to the blood cells—red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that help the body to fight infections, and platelets that help make the blood clot. It used to be that stem cell transplants came from donated bone marrow. Though most of the stem cells are present in bone marrow, some are out circulating—in the peripheral bloodstream....

Proctalgia fugax is a condition characterized by brief sudden spasms of rectal pain. These attacks can last up to 30 minutes before disappearing. It affects adults and is more prevalent in women. Its exact cause is not certain, but proctalgia fugax is believed to stem from activity of a muscle or nerve issue. Proctalgia fugax is diagnosed when identifiable causes of rectal pain have been excluded. This article provides an overview of proctalgia fugax, including its symptoms, when it tends to occur, possible reasons why, and how it’s diagnosed and treated....

Robert Gallo is one of the scientists credited with the discovery of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Gallo and his collaborators published their research on the discovery of the HIV virus in early 1984. This was a monumental turning point in a rapidly growing health crisis. In the early 1980s, little was known about a mysterious disease that was killing thousands of people whose immune systems were effectively collapsing, leaving them vulnerable to an array of life-threatening illnesses....

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that often form on or in an ovary (a reproductive organ that produces eggs). It is normal for certain types of ovarian cysts called follicular cysts to rupture when ovulation occurs during the menstrual cycle. Ruptured ovarian cysts may cause no symptoms. If there are symptoms, the most common is lower abdominal pain (usually on one side) when the cyst bursts. It may be followed by discomfort for several days....

During discussions of healthcare reform in the United States, some people use the term “socialized medicine” to scare away those who think part of the reform solution is to turn to the government. They cite too much government involvement in the process and try to compare it to communism, capitalizing on the disdain for socialism and communism in American culture. What does socialized medicine mean? Socialized Medicine The concept of completely socialized medicine means that the government provides all aspects of health care:...

There is a recognized connection between stroke and dementia. Certain types of stroke cause dementia and there are also many similarities and differences between stroke and dementia. What Is Dementia? Dementia is a condition in which multiple aspects of brain function decline, interfering with a person’s normal everyday functioning. There are a number of diseases which can lead to dementia, and each one is characterized by a different pattern of behavioral changes....

Based on new research, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now advising anyone who gets a negative result on an at-home COVID test to perform serial—or repeat—testing. This ensures that a SARS-CoV-2 infection does not go undetected, whether you’re symptomatic or not. Key Takeaways According to the FDA, taking multiple rapid tests optimizes the detection of COVID-19.If you’re symptomatic and you got a negative result, take another test after at least 48 hours....

Researchers believe that psoriatic disease (PD) is an autoimmune disease. That means that both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are caused by your immune system becoming overactive. While both conditions are lifelong, treatment can help to stabilize and regulate the overactive process of the immune system, allowing you to better manage your symptoms. How Does the Immune System Work? Your immune system is supposed to protect against infection and diseases through inflammation....

Typhoid fever is a bacterial disease that’s spread through food, water, or person-to-person contact. The disease causes flu-like symptoms that can become life-threatening if not treated. You’re more likely to get typhoid fever if you travel to developing areas where the disease is prevalent, such as parts of South Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that typhoid fever affects 5,700 in the U....

Affecting between 1% and 2% of the global population, vitiligo is one of the most common skin pigmentation disorders. Causing patches of white skin on any part of the body, this incurable condition isn’t life-threatening, and there are few other symptoms. However, since it affects how you look, it can significantly impact self-esteem and be a source of social stigma. This is why it’s so important to find sources of social support if you’re living with vitiligo....

Post-Mohs surgery is a type of reconstructive plastic surgery that can be done after skin-cancer lesions are removed with Mohs surgery. This reconstruction is done to optimize the appearance of the skin after surgery. Reconstruction Options Several techniques can be used during post-Mohs reconstructive surgery. The techniques that your surgeon selects would be based on the location, size, and type of skin cancer that you have. Techniques include: Flap techniques: The most commonly used technique in post skin cancer facial reconstruction, a flap technique uses a piece of tissue that has a good vascular supply....

It takes years of education and training to teach healthcare providers the skills needed to evaluate a patient, make a diagnosis, and treat that person according to the standard of care. In 2015, a new layer of complexity was added that affects whether or not your insurance plan will pay for your care — a change in diagnosis codes. How Medical Billing Works You could take a course to understand the intricacies of medical billing, but what you really need to know are the aspects of billing that affect you on a personal level....

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be different in women. So if you’re a woman who is wondering why the disorder doesn’t affect you the same way it affects a man in your life, rest assured that the gender gap isn’t all in your head. Experts have long known that this medical condition manifests itself differently in women than it does in men. In fact, IBS affects significantly more women than men, indicating that female sex hormones may be a factor....

Nearly everyone has experienced an insect bite or sting at some point in their lives. Most of the time, these stings and bites lead to mild pain or itching right where they occurred. Sometimes, however, people can experience more severe reactions that could be caused by an allergic reaction to the sting or bite. We will expand more on these allergies, but first it’s important to note that not all “reactions” after an insect bite or sting are “allergic” reactions....

There is often confusion about steroids. We hear about steroids taken by athletes as being bad, but we also hear good things about steroids injected for arthritis, or inhaled for asthmatics. What’s the difference between the steroids that are taken by athletes to enhance performance, and the steroids prescribed by a healthcare provider? What Are Steroids? Essentially, all steroids are chemicals that share some basic components of their molecular structure. But steroids are a broad class of molecules, and different steroids have very different properties....

Unfortunately, there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A big reason why is that researchers still aren’t quite sure exactly what causes it. While a quick internet search will point you to many sites that tout a cure for PCOS, it’s important to know that one has not been scientifically confirmed. However, like type 2 diabetes, PCOS can be managed with lifestyle changes, medications, supplements, and routine check-ups with your healthcare provider....