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Macular pucker is an extra layer of tissue covering the center of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. This extra tissue can bulge or wrinkle and causes changes to your central vision. Other names for macular pucker are epiretinal membrane, preretinal membrane, cellophane retinopathy, and retina wrinkle. This article will cover what the causes of macular pucker are and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Causes of Macular Pucker Many macular puckers are caused by aging....

People with osteoarthritis often turn to dietary supplements to relieve pain and make their joints stronger and healthier. One popular option is MegaRed Superior Joint Care (omega-3 + HA + Astaxanthin), a product made by Schiff Vitamins that is a combination of several ingredients that may help ease symptoms of arthritis. If you’re thinking of adding MegaRed krill oil or any other dietary supplement to your own daily regimen for treating joint degeneration and pain due to osteoarthritis, here are some things to consider....

Motility, or the speed of the contractions of the muscles in the intestinal system, can be a problem in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Often, colon contractions are too fast in people with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and too slow in people with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C). Here is what you need to know about mobility, IBS, and what may be going wrong. Motility Triggers A variety of common factors trigger changes in motility, whether you have IBS or not....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly causes vision-related symptoms, including optic neuritis—an impairment of the optic nerve, which detects visual input in the eye and sends corresponding messages to the brain. Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of optic neuritis, though not the only one, and the eye condition can be the first symptom that you have this autoimmune disease. Usually, optic neuritis resolves on its own, but you can have some persistent vision loss even after an episode improves....

OAE stands for otoacoustic emissions, the name for the sounds produced by the cochlea. These sounds can be used to test the function of the cochlea (specifically hair cell function) and other parts of the ear, including the auditory nerve. Uses Otoacoustic Emissions Hearing tests are usually performed on newborn babies to detect deafness. The test can also partially estimate hearing sensitivity and test for functional hearing loss. Functional hearing loss is also sometimes referred to as non-organic hearing loss and is a condition where you have symptoms or behaviors of hearing loss but there is nothing actually wrong with your hearing....

Hip pain is surprisingly common in kids, and most often, it is caused by injuries. These injuries—while fairly easy to detect in older children and adolescents—are much harder to detect when infants, toddlers, or preschoolers get hurt. These younger children may not be able to explain that they were injured, and may take a while before complaining of hip pain, may not want to walk, or may develop a limp....

Last week, Pfizer reported that their oral antiviral pill for COVID-19, Paxlovid, significantly reduced the risk of severe outcomes for people with COVID-19. Key Takeaways According to Pfizer, their COVID-19 antiviral pill called Paxlovid significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death.Paxlovid is a protease inhibitor drug, which is different from Merck’s antiviral pill.Pfizer’s clinical trials were stopped early because of the overwhelming efficacy of the drug. COVID-19 patients who received the pill three days after their symptoms began had an 89% reduced risk of hospitalization and death compared to those who received a placebo....

Despite the probability of getting frequent upper respiratory infections and a few gastrointestinal infections each year, most kids have strong immune systems. Some don’t though. And these immunosuppressed kids are at increased risk for infections, including vaccine-preventable diseases. Children With Primary Immunosuppression There are at least 250 different conditions that can cause immune system problems. These primary immunodeficiencies, which are caused by a genetic condition and the primary problem is with the immune system itself, can include:...

If you or a family member is diagnosed with prostate cancer it is important to understand prostate cancer grading and Gleason scores. First, though, let’s take a look at prostate cancer itself. What Is Prostate Cancer? Prostate cancer develops in the prostate — a small gland that makes seminal fluid. It is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows over time and in the beginning usually stays within the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm....

The United States has experienced over 200 mass shootings so far in 2022. Key Takeaways Research shows that people who have been exposed to gun violence have higher levels of stress, depression, and suicidal ideation. The use of therapy can help reduce depressive symptoms and their recurrence. Mental health experts stress that seeking support can help people process their feelings and better cope with the trauma of gun violence. Not only do the shootings have ramifications for the people and communities directly impacted, but they also leave a stain on mental health....

For those who experience sleep eating, there can be significant effects that might motivate treatment. What are the best solutions and ways to treat sleep eating? Consider how addressing the underlying cause might help, especially if it is due to another sleep disorder or a medication. Learn how to avoid common precipitants such as sleep deprivation and about the role of medications in treating sleep eating. Review treatments of sleep eating disorders and finally stop those unwanted midnight snacks....

Eczema, a condition that causes uncomfortably dry, itchy skin, is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide. There is a cyclical connection between eczema and stress; stress can trigger or worsen eczema symptoms, and severe eczema can lower quality of life, contributing to mental illness and increased stress. There is no cure for eczema, but there are ways to improve symptoms, including decreasing stress. This article looks at the connection between stress and eczema, the risks, management options, and tips for preventing worsening symptoms....

The Best Bet Diet was developed by Ashton Embry, Ph.D., as a dietary strategy for managing multiple sclerosis (MS). He and the diet’s supporters suggest that leaky gut syndrome can initiate a series of events that contribute to MS, and that dietary modifications and supplementation can lessen this risk. Leading MS organizations, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society, are aware of The Best Bet Diet—and they do not endorse it for management of MS....

Your fingers and toes serve as your first contact with the world. Thus, your fingernails and toenails are especially prone to injury, whether it be a stubbed toe or power tool mishap. Sometimes hand or foot injuries result in bleeding under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma. These bleeds can result in darkened discoloration, such as black spots, and pressure and pain. This article will explore what’s happening under the nail in a subungual hematoma, how it’s commonly treated, and when to seek medical care....

You’ve decided that using a natural sunscreen is the right choice for you. Maybe you feel it’s the healthier choice for you and the environment, or sunscreen with synthetic active ingredients irritate your oh-so-sensitive skin. Then you hear about “nanoparticles” in some natural sunscreens, along with some alarming and conflicting info about said particles that gives you pause. Seriously, does choosing a natural sunscreen have to be this confusing? With so much info out there, it can seem overwhelming....

Aplasia cutis congenita is a skin disorder which causes children to be born with a missing patch of skin. Aplasia cutis congenita may occur by itself or as a symptom of other disorders such as Johanson-Blizzard syndrome and Adams-Oliver syndrome. Aplasia cutis congenita may be inherited or occur without any family history of the condition. The disorder affects both males and females of all ethnic backgrounds and occurs in about 1 in 10,000 births....

Arteries are the blood vessels through which nutrient and oxygen-rich blood flow toward organs such as the kidneys, heart, and brain. Oxygen and nutrients are essential for the survival of every organ in the body. The main arteries that bring blood to the brain are the carotid and vertebral arteries. Any problem with blood flow in these arteries can cause a stroke. A relatively uncommon type of defect of the arteries, called an arterial dissection, can cause a stroke....

Astigmatism is a common vision problem caused by an irregularly shaped cornea that prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. The most common symptom is blurred or distorted vision at any distance. People with astigmatism may also have eye strain, headaches, squinting to try to see clearly, or eye discomfort. People with a mild form of astigmatism may not notice any symptoms....

If you are having surgery, you may be concerned about a bacterial infection after your procedure. While these infections are often preventable with good wound care and frequent hand washing, some patients do experience an infection after surgery that can lead to long-term harm. For most, a bacterial infection after surgery is relatively minor and leads to redness or pus in or around the incision. These infections are typically easily treated....

A developmental-behavioral pediatrican is a board-accredited pediatrician who has also received sub-specialty training and certification in developmental-behavioral pediatrics. That person should have fulfilled all the requirements to be a pediatrician, and also three years of full-time, broad-based fellowship training in development-behavioral pediatrics. The American Board of Pediatrics has established a whole set of subject areas in which a certified developmental pediatrician should be knowledgeable and experienced. Benefits Most pediatricians in general practice have little experience with autism spectrum disorders....