Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is an inherited disease that causes extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light damages the genetic material (DNA) in cells and disrupts normal cell function. Normally, damaged DNA is repaired by the body, but the DNA repair systems of people with XP do not function properly. In XP, the damaged DNA builds up and becomes harmful to the body’s cells, particularly in the skin and eyes....
Xolair (omalizumab) is an injectable prescription medication that is primarily used to treat moderate to severe asthma, a long-term lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. While this medication is generally well tolerated, there are side effects that you should be aware of. Your healthcare provider may recommend Xolair if you have asthma or another allergy-related condition that has not responded well to other treatments. This medication helps prevent an allergic response by blocking the effect of a certain protein in the body that causes allergy symptoms....
Type 2 diabetes can be caused by a combination of a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. These factors can lead to insulin resistance, which, in turn, can cause type 2 diabetes to develop. This article will discuss what a sedentary lifestyle is, how physical activity can reduce your risk and complications of diabetes, and ways to increase physical activity throughout the day. What’s Considered a Sedentary Lifestyle? A sedentary lifestyle is characterized by lying down or sitting for long periods of time....
Arterial blood gas (ABG) testing is a diagnostic test performed on blood taken from an artery that provides a glimpse of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood, along with your blood’s pH level. ABG tests are used to evaluate respiratory and kidney functions and give an overall look into the body’s metabolic state. Purpose of Test Every cell in your body requires oxygen to live. Inhaling and exhaling brings oxygen into your body and pushes carbon dioxide out—a process called gas exchange....
An automatic tachycardia is a type of tachycardia (heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute) caused by the spontaneous generation of abnormal electrical impulses within the heart. Rarely, automatic tachycardia causes symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and fainting, but most people are not aware of the condition unless they undergo an echocardiogram in order to diagnosis another cardiac issue. Treatment for automatic tachycardia typically centers on dealing with the underlying cause, such as heart failure, anemia, or lung disease....
Avoiding secondhand smoke can be simple enough when you are in the comfort of your own home, but how can you avoid it when traveling? You are exposed to secondhand smoke when you breathe in pollutants in the air from cigarette smoke and other tobacco products. For people with the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, secondhand smoke exposure can prompt an exacerbation of symptoms, which can lead to hospitalization. Traveling can put people with COPD at particular risk for possible exposure....
The Billings method is a form of natural birth control that’s also referred to as the Billings ovulation method, ovulation method, or cervical mucus method. This method of contraception is a type of fertility awareness method (FAM) birth control in which individuals learn how to recognize their own fertility patterns, so they can choose when to avoid sexual contact (to prevent pregnancy) or have sexual contact (in the attempt to conceive)....
If you have braces and a sugar craving comes along, you might be tempted to sink your teeth into an oozy, gooey candy bar. But can you eat candy with braces? If you’ve had to ask yourself this very question, the answer probably isn’t too surprising. There are tons of foods you can and can’t eat with braces. Unfortunately, one of those foods that you can’t eat is candy. Candy is specifically not recommended for a number of reasons....
While leg pain can occur for many reasons, it may result from complications of untreated or undiagnosed diabetes. Leg pain that develops as a result of diabetes often comes in the form of nerve pain, called neuropathy, or from wounds, called diabetic ulcers. This article will explore how diabetic neuropathy and diabetic ulcers lead to leg pain and other possible causes of leg pain in people with diabetes. What Is Leg Pain?...
Herniated disc surgery, also known as a spinal discectomy, is a procedure that is performed to decrease pain, limited mobility, and weakness that is caused by nerve compression from a spinal disc herniation. When a disc herniates it may cause pressure on a spinal nerve that travels down your leg or arm. The purpose of surgery for a herniated disc is to remove pressure from the nerve, thus relieving pain, improving strength and flexibility, and restoring normal motion....
Most people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use an inhaler every day to control shortness of breath and other symptoms of this progressive lung disease. There are many different kinds of inhalers. Some are used once or twice a day to manage COPD and prevent acute exacerbations (attacks). Others are used as needed when an exacerbation occurs. As a result, most people with COPD use several different inhalers as part of the treatment plan....
An ependymoma is a rare tumor of the brain or spinal cord. This type of tumor can spread throughout the central nervous system (CNS) and, in rare cases, to other parts of the body. Ependymomas can occur in children and adults, but they are more common in children. This article will provide an overview of ependymomas, as well as their causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Types of Ependymoma There are four grades, or types, of ependymomas, including:...
Most strokes occur when a blood clot forms in an artery that supplies the brain, a condition commonly referred to as an ischemic stroke. However, in around 13% of cases, a stroke is caused when a blood vessel suddenly bursts in the brain. Without the oxygen carried by blood, brain cells can quickly die, leading to permanent brain damage. This type of stroke is referred to as a hemorrhagic stroke, which is accompanied by intracerebral hemorrhage....
Expiration dates on most food items have nothing to do with safety.Best-by dates only tell you when a food is past its peak quality period, but many items are safe to eat long after that date. For example, refrigerated eggs can last five weeks after they were purchased. And breakfast cereal can last for three months, even after it’s been opened. Key Takeaways Best-by and sell-by dates for most food items only indicate food quality, not food safety....
Hernia surgery corrects a condition in which internal organs or tissues protrude through abdominal muscles. Performed either as an open procedure or a more minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, this operation is successful, with hernia returning in between an estimated 1% and 10% of cases. Critical to success is the period of recovery as well as long-term care. As with all aspects of medical treatments you’re considering or may need, it’s important to gain a full sense of what the benefits of hernia surgery are, as well as what to keep in mind in the period after treatment....
Hiatal hernia surgery, sometimes called hiatal hernia repair, is a procedure that takes on tougher cases of hiatal hernia, in which the stomach moves out of position and penetrates the chest cavity due to weakness or a tear in the diaphragm. The primary aim of treatment is to repair the tear or weak area and reinforce the affected muscular walls. While hiatal hernia is often asymptomatic, surgery is indicated when it leads to difficult cases of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD), in which stomach acids are caught in the esophagus (the tube connecting the throat to the stomach)....
The most common way to diagnose ringworm is by a simple visual inspection of the rash. Ringworm generally forms a very distinctive ring-shaped rash that is easy to identify once you’ve seen it (although the rash does look different depending on where it’s found on the body). If necessary, testing can be performed to confirm the presence of the fungi (dermatophytes) that cause ringworm. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing If you have an itchy, raised, ring-shaped rash that slowly grows outward as it spreads, suspect ringworm....
In general, we experience 4 types of tastes, however experts argue on a 5th taste: SweetSourSaltyBitterUmami The 5th taste, umami, is the Japanese word similar to savory or delicious. It is actually related to the taste of glutamate and is similar to the taste of broth. This flavor is said to elicit an emotional response. How Does the Sense of Taste Work? The tastes that we perceive are a two-phase chemical reaction that involves both our mouth and throat (taste) as well as our nose (smell)....
Medicare provides health care to millions of people, 64.5 million in 2022. Many are still left uninsured. It is important to know when and if you are eligible to take advantage of the program’s many benefits. While Medicare.gov offers an eligibility calculator, it can still be confusing. Understanding exactly what those requirements are will give you a better understanding of the Medicare application process. Living in America Medicare is health care partially funded by tax dollars....
Most people are familiar with sunscreen in lotion or spray formulas, but TikTokers are raving about how easy it is to layer powder sunscreen over makeup. Key Takeaways Powder sunscreen is becoming more popular, especially for people who don’t like the stickiness or scent of liquid sunscreen.Dermatologists say powder sunscreen is safe and easy to use, but it’s best to use it as a reapplication on top of cream or lotion sunscreen....
