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Sinus cancer symptoms are usually subtle and often go unnoticed because they mimic other benign (less-harmful) conditions like allergies, the common cold, and postnasal drip. But for smokers, industrial plant workers, and those with a personal history of cancer, persistent head and neck symptoms may be a serious sign worthy of a doctor’s visit. The most common symptoms of nasal and sinus cancer are frequent nosebleeds and nasal blockage that is not relieved by blowing your nose....

A swollen knee is a common problem that can affect the young as well as old. Many people refer to it as “water on the knee” because of its often spongy appearance. Determining the cause of a swollen knee can sometimes be challenging. A swollen knee may be an acute condition caused by a traumatic injury or a chronic one that has developed slowly over time. The location of the swelling can also vary, sometimes occurring within the knee joint and, at others, in the soft tissues surrounding the knee....

Gut bacteria may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If you suffer from IBS, you may sometimes think that there is a war going on inside of your body. Well, the latest IBS research suggests that you might be on to something. Your intestinal system is filled with billions of bacteria of all different kinds; altogether these bacteria are called the gut flora. In a state of optimal health, all of these bacteria play nicely together....

Skilled nursing is a term that refers to a patient’s need for care or treatment that can only be done by licensed nurses. Get the facts on skilled nursing with this review of this branch of medical care and the patients served by it. Examples of skilled nursing needs include complex wound dressings, rehabilitation, tube feedings or rapidly changing health status. A number of patients may have a health status that changes quickly....

The Timed Up and Go test, also known as the TUG test, is a simple evaluative test used to measure your functional mobility. The TUG test measures how long it takes to stand up, walk a distance of 10 feet, turn, walk back, and sit down again. The TUG test is most often used in physical therapy to give your therapist an idea of how safely you can move around. It can also be used by your healthcare provider to estimate your risk of falling and your ability to maintain balance while walking....

While hospitals can provide life-saving treatment, they can also become the source of potentially serious infections that are resistant to standard treatments. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, or VRE, is an infection that began appearing in hospitals in the early 1990s. While not as terrifying as flesh-eating bacteria, VRE can cause significant problems. What Are Enterococci? Enterococcus (the plural form is Enterococci) is a type of bacteria found naturally in the body’s intestinal tract and in the genital tracts of women....

The ureterovesical junction (UVJ) is the area where the ureter—the thin tube that drains urine from your kidney—joins the bladder. When this area, or “junction,” becomes blocked, a condition called ureterovesical junction obstruction develops. UVJ obstruction prevents urine from normally flowing into the bladder, where it is eventually released by urination. As a result, the urine backs up into the ureter and kidney, causing them both to become swollen and dilated....

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) may help treat symptoms associated with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Research shows that phytochemicals in ginger—including gingerol, shogoal, and zingerone—have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve arthritis joint pain and inflammation. In fact, lab studies show that these compounds inhibit several of the very same targets as arthritis medications. A tropical plant with green-purple flowers, ginger’s aromatic root has been used for centuries in folk medicine to relieve pain and ease nausea....

Itching refers to an unpleasant sensation that causes the need to scratch—the medical term for itching is pruritus. Itching may be confined to a certain area of the body (localized) or can be all over the body (generalized). Itching may be associated with a rash, which may either be the cause of the itch or the result of the scratching. For some people, there is no visible rash associated with itching....

Neutrophils are white blood cells that help our bodies fight infection. During pregnancy, the number of neutrophils in the blood naturally increases in response to the extra stress that pregnancy puts on a person’s body. While a high blood cell count is normal during pregnancy, there may be signs of serious conditions. This article will explain why the neutrophil count goes up during pregnancy, what to expect, and when to be concerned....

If you have psoriasis, you may be aware that certain substances or events can cause an outbreak of symptoms, known as a flare. These so-called “triggers” include stress, infections, skin trauma, and even extremely cold and dry temperatures. Also included on the list are certain medications that, for reasons unknown, can induce an acute psoriasis episode. There are few defining characteristics as to the types of drugs that may cause flares....

The very idea of the Bubonic Plague is something we associate with the Dark Ages when tens of millions were killed in the wake of the “Black Death” which swept across Asia, Africa, and Europe in the 14th century. Like smallpox and polio, most of us assumed that the plague had become the stuff of history books. Disease control experts say this is not the case—in fact, they have begun to see a re-emergence of the disease....

Maybe you find yourself mindlessly snacking after an important work call. Or perhaps an argument with your partner leaves you without an appetite. While these eating habits are at different ends of the spectrum, both are normal responses to stress and anxiety. Key Takeaways Over and undereating are common ways to cope with feelings like stress, anxiety, and being overwhelmed. Undereating tends to be a common response to acute or temporary stress, while overeating is linked to prolonged stress....

Statins are prescribed in cases where diet and exercise are not enough to lower your cholesterol levels. Because of their ability to impact all aspects of your lipid profile, statins are one of the most commonly prescribed lipid-lowering medications. Although you might think of high cholesterol and triglyceride levels as something to worry about as you get older, you can have high cholesterol levels at a younger age, too—even in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, which is commonly around the time many women begin having children....

Editor’s note: Below you’ll find release of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker originally published Feb. 23, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker homepage for the latest data. While the country might not be feeling the immediate impact just yet, COVID-19 vaccination efforts improved significantly in the U.S. last week. The achievement isn’t readily apparent. As of February 23, 2021, the total number of vaccine doses distributed across the country has risen by another 10 million—an increase on par with previous weeks....

The controversy surrounding the safety of dental amalgam—a mixture of metals, including potentially-toxic mercury, used to fill in areas of a tooth where decay has been removed—is decades long. The American Dental Association (ADA) and other health organizations assert amalgam is safe for most patients, although there is a small group of people for whom alternative filling materials may be safer. If you have a cavity that needs to filled and your dentist plans to use amalgam, you may be interested in understanding the benefits and potential risks of this material....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Qelbree, a nonstimulant medication, to treat adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Key Takeaways For the first time in 20 years, the FDA has approved a nonstimulant drug to treat adults with ADHD. It was long assumed that most children may outgrow the condition, but many don’t, though it may present differently in adults. The approval opens up more non-addictive treatment options for adults with ADHD....

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is a condition characterized by the abnormal shape of the ball-and-socket hip joint. FAI is associated with hip-joint arthritis, and there are a number of different treatment options. FAI Defined With FAI, the alteration in the shape of the ball-and-socket hip joint causes restricted movement. Sometimes, bone spurs can form around the hip joint. You can also have damaged cartilage in the hip and labral tears of the hip with FAI....

Shingles affects roughly one out of every three people in the United States, so chances are you probably already know someone who’s had it. But even if you can spot the signs and symptoms of shingles yourself, it’s still important to be seen by a healthcare provider for an official diagnosis and proper treatment plan. For those with a classic case of the disease, healthcare providers can typically diagnose shingles just by looking at the rash and asking a few questions about your medical history....

Have you ever wondered how the pill works to prevent pregnancy? The pill is one of the most effective forms of contraception, with 41% of females between the ages of 15 and 24 and 22% of females between 25 and 34 using it, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Here are some facts that can help you decide if the pill is the right option for you. About Hormonal Contraceptives For the most part, all hormonal contraceptives—including the pill—work in the same way to prevent pregnancy....