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Verywell Health: How can I avoid a misdiagnosis when it comes to my skin condition? This article is part of Health Divide: Skin Conditions and Darker Skin, a destination in our Health Divide series. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: There are two main things you can do. One is to try to seek out an expert who specializes in or has experience with what you’re concerned about. For example, some dermatologists treat a lot of hair loss or see a lot of psoriasis, but others don’t....

Type 2 diabetes is common in the United States, and many people who are not diagnosed may be at risk. This article is part of Health Divide: Type 2 Diabetes in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Expert Do-Eun Lee, MD, has been practicing medicine for more than 20 years and specializes in diabetes, thyroid issues, and general endocrinology. She currently operates a private practice in Lafayette, CA, which opened in 2009....

In the coming weeks, more than a dozen states will open their COVID-19 eligibility to all adults in an effort to continue curbing the spread and transmission of COVID-19. But while states are working to get first doses in arms, ensuring everyone gets their second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be tricky. Key Takeaways According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 10 people missed their second COVID-19 vaccine dose....

On March 8, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidelines stating that fully vaccinated people—two weeks or more after receiving the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson—may visit unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19. Key Takeaways Non-vaccinated people can still get vaccinated people sick with COVID-19. Vaccinated people who contract COVID-19 may have less severe symptoms because the body mounts an immune response and adapts to prevent the coronavirus from replicating....

Experts are still learning about what causes fibromyalgia and why some people are more prone to this disorder of body-wide pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Many experts believe the condition is linked to a genetic predisposition. Brain and hormonal abnormalities, sleep problems, or a triggering event, such as physical or emotional stress, are possible causes as well. It’s likely that a combination of factors is what ends up causing fibromyalgia in certain individuals....

Consuming whole grains, like whole grain bread, brown rice, and quinoa, instead of their refined counterparts may result in improved health outcomes, according to new data. Key Takeaways Consuming whole grains can lead to some positive cardiovascular health outcomes, but not necessarily a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.It is recommended that people include three servings of whole grains in their diet per day. Research has already established that consuming whole grains is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal cancers....

A tonsillectomy is a common surgery to remove your tonsils. Healthcare providers may recommend it if you keep getting infections six or more times a year. Another reason might be that your tonsils are so large they cause problems breathing while you sleep. After the surgery, it’s normal for your throat to look different and hurt. There are four main changes to expect. Knowing what to expect could help you worry less....

If you’ve ever hit your funny bone, you know what some of the symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome feel like. Nerve compression syndromes cause symptoms including pain, numbness, and weakness. Nerves can become pinched for a variety of reasons. Most people are familiar with carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition where the median nerve is pinched in the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common nerve compression syndrome of the upper extremity....

If you’ve ever experienced a headache after working out, you may be wondering why it happened. A headache after exercise is commonly described as pulsating pain on both sides of the head. This type of headache generally lasts from a few minutes to up to 48 hours following physical activity. This article reviews some of the causes, treatments, and prevention methods for exercise-induced headaches. Causes Exercise-induced headaches occur after strenuous physical activity such as running, weight lifting, cycling, or swimming....

The external jugular vein is a superficial vein of the neck that drains blood from the parotid gland, most of the scalp, and side of the face, then back to the heart. It also assists with blood flow down from the head when other major veins, like the internal jugular vein, are compressed or blocked. Complications affecting the external jugular vein are relatively rare. Anatomy All veins carry deoxygenated blood from the organs, muscles, and other structures back to the heart....

The gluteus minimus is the smallest muscle of the gluteal muscles. Together with the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius, these three muscles make up the glutes. Your glutes help shape your butt, stabilize your hips, rotate your legs, and raise your thigh. The gluteus minimus and gluteus medius specifically help the gluteus maximus raise your leg out to the side as well as rotate your thigh inwards and outwards. Anatomy The gluteus minimus muscle is triangular in shape and lies underneath the gluteus medius near the rotators of the hip joints....

Headaches are one of the most common types of chronic pain. They’re right up there with back pain and nerve pain. Sometimes recurrent headaches are symptoms of other chronic pain diagnoses, such as chronic neck pain or fibromyalgia. Many people, however, suffer from chronic headaches without having any other major medical problems. The three most common types of chronic headaches are migraines, tension headaches, and cluster headaches. The underlying causes for each type of headache vary, so pain manifests in very different and distinct ways....

Hair loss is not a common symptom of HIV. However, people living with HIV may experience hair loss as a natural part of aging or from other conditions that may develop along with HIV. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a chronic condition that attacks the immune system, leading to symptoms and complications. Common symptoms may include aches, chills, weight loss, fatigue, and a rash. This article will discuss the possible connections between HIV and hair loss and potential treatments for hair loss....

If you’ve been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus, you already have a good idea of what a rheumatologist is and what they do. If you haven’t encountered this medical specialist yet, chances are you will very soon. What Is a Rheumatologist? When most people hear the word rheumatology, they think rheumatoid ​arthritis and make the logical leap that a rheumatologist treats diseases of the joints. They do. But they also diagnose and treat diseases of the muscles and bones, such as osteoporosis, and a number of autoimmune diseases, such as lupus....

Swimmer’s ear, also called otitis externa by medical professionals, is a fairly common infection that needs to be treated by a healthcare provider. Swimmer’s ear is caused by contaminated water entering the ear. It is an infection of the outer ear, unlike otitis media (middle ear infections), the ear infections that are so common in children. Swimmer’s ear is generally caused by bacteria or fungus, and treatment often depends on the severity of the infection but frequently involves the administration of special ear drops....

Meghan Fitzgerald, RN, MPH, DrPH, is an adjunct associate professor with the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and a private equity investor. She has decades of experience working in the healthcare field, ranging from frontline patient care to advising prominent healthcare firms. Here, she shares her take on why the American public receives so much mixed messaging regarding COVID-19 safety policies. Why can some people remain unvaccinated in a place of work but not on a cruise in the same state?...

The Lachman test is used to diagnose an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The ACL is one of four major knee ligaments that contribute to the stability of the knee joint. An ACL tear often occurs as a sport-related injury and may require surgical reconstruction for treatment. How the Test Is Performed With the patient lying flat and relaxed, the examiner bends the knee slightly (about 20 to 30 degrees). The examiner then stabilizes the thigh while pulling the shin forward....

The lacrimal gland is a small, almond-shaped gland that sits in the upper, outer corner of the eye socket, just about parallel to the outer edge of your eyebrow. It produces the aqueous (watery) portion of tears. Tears have three layers—water, mucus, and oil layers. Tears are essential for keeping the eye’s surface moist, washing away dirt and debris, and helping to refract (bend) light. Certain infections, diseases, and other factors can lead to inflammation of the lacrimal gland....

There is no known cause of liposarcoma. Researchers have discovered certain risk factors that may increase a person’s chances of developing this type of cancer, including genetics and previous exposure to radiation or toxic chemicals. This article will review the risk factors associated with liposarcoma and what you can do to reduce your risk. Common Risk Factors A risk factor is anything that increases the likelihood of developing a disease. There are no known causes of liposarcoma, but some risk factors have been identified for liposarcoma, including:...

Lymphadenitis is an infection of the lymph nodes characterized by painful, swollen glands. Infected lymph nodes are typically a secondary infection caused by a bacteria, virus, or fungus elsewhere in the body. Lymphadenitis can quickly spread to other nodes throughout the body and requires prompt treatment with antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungal medication. Types of Lymphadenitis Lymph nodes are kidney-shaped glands that are part of the lymphatic system, which is an intricate web of organs, vessels, and glands that run throughout the body....