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R-CHOP is the acronym for the combination of drugs that are commonly used as chemotherapy for certain cancers, such as non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs). Each letter in R-CHOP stands for a different drug, but the acronym can be confusing in that a single drug sometimes has more than one name: R = RituximabC = CyclophosphamideH = Doxorubicin Hydrochloride (Hydroxydaunomycin)O = Vincristine Sulfate (Oncovin)P = Prednisone Rituximab is an antibody directed against the CD20 antigen, a protein located on normal and malignant pre-B and mature B lymphocytes (white blood cells)....

Finding out your child has a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection can be scary. If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably heard nightmarish stories about this illness—tales of babies struggling to breathe and running sky-high temperatures. But in reality, such severe symptoms are not typical of RSV. In fact, by the age of 2, most children will have been exposed to RSV. Not All RSV Symptoms Are the Same RSV season typically runs from mid-September through April, peaking from late December to mid-February....

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), studies show you also have a greater risk of developing osteoporosis. RA causes pain and damage in your joints, while osteoporosis can make your bones weak and more likely to break. Studies have estimated that about a third of people with RA experience bone loss. This is especially important for women to know, since they’re much more likely than men to develop either condition....

To date, more than 19 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have been administered in the U.S. with more to be disseminated in the coming months. Although herd immunity may seem far off, some experts argue that it could be achieved if people were paid cash incentives to take the vaccine. Key Takeaways Several economists and politicians have argued in favor of offering people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine payments.While some argue that paying people to get vaccinated is an effective way to eliminate vaccine hesitancy, others argue that it may be a coercive and costly plan that might not result in higher vaccination rates....

People with arthritis or other rheumatic conditions are sometimes confused about whether they should get their annual flu vaccine. What guidelines should be followed regarding flu shots for that population of patients? Is there ever a contraindication for getting a flu shot? What Is the Flu? Flu, also referred to as influenza, is a viral illness that affects the respiratory tract. Symptoms include: fever (often high)headachefatiguedry coughsore throatrunny nose (nasal discharge) or stuffy nose (nasal congestion)muscle aches and stomach symptoms (e....

SLUMS, the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination, is a screening test for Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. It is an alternative to the widely used Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). SLUMS was designed to be more effective at identifying people with very early Alzheimer’s symptoms, also called mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild neurocognitive disorder (MNCD). These symptoms occur as people progress from normal aging to early Alzheimer’s disease....

Therapeutic gardens are used to help people with chronic illness and disabilities in a variety of settings. Some of the places you may see a therapeutic garden include vocational rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals, as well as botanical gardens, nurseries, and prisons. The psychiatric and physical value of these gardens has been noted throughout history. One of the first psychiatrists to note the positive effects of gardening on mental health patients was Dr....

There is a relationship between autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and damage in the lining of the intestine after eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. And AITD includes thyroid conditions that are caused by the body’s immune attack against the thyroid gland, most commonly Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease. The Risk Relationship The risk of celiac disease is substantially higher for people who have AITD....

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (more popularly known as UNAIDS) acts as the primary advocate, coordinator and facilitator to ensure a more unified global response to HIV/AIDS. Launched in January 1996 by a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council, UNAIDS’ fundamental objective is to mainstream and integrate HIV/AIDS activities based on a consensus of policy and programmatic objectives by a partnership of international stakeholders. UNAIDS oversees a coordinated association of cosponsoring organizations, which includes the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the following seven UN-led agencies:...

An endemic disease is a disease that is always present in a particular population or region. Every year, the amount of endemic disease is considered a “baseline” of what is expected to persist indefinitely. Some of the most recognized endemic diseases include the flu, malaria, HIV, and syphilis. Many experts predict that COVID-19 will become an endemic disease at some point. This article describes what characterizes a disease as “endemic,” how it differs from “epidemic,” and provides examples of endemic diseases that persist in the world today....

Having your tonsils removed is a surgical procedure called a tonsillectomy. Reasons you may need to have your tonsils removed include frequent infections (episodes of tonsillitis, usually seven or more in one year), obstructive sleep-disordered breathing or swallowing, sleep apnea, or any growths on the tonsils. Preparation Tonsillectomies are performed under general anesthesia. You will be completely asleep and will not be able to feel pain during the procedure. To reduce the risk of vomiting with anesthesia, you will not be able to eat before surgery....

High levels of androgens such as testosterone are common with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). People who have lots of testosterone and PCOS usually have irregular periods. They may also have skin symptoms, including: Acne Hair loss Excessive body hair growth Skin boils known as hidradenitis suppurativa. A healthy diet and lifestyle are important for treating PCOS. This article lists five foods you can eat to lower testosterone naturally. Nuts Nuts are chocked with monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)....

Several factors put someone at risk for a heart attack, including family history and lifestyle habits. In fact, a large Swedish study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2014 showed that five specific lifestyle factors like eating right, regular exercise, and quitting smoking can combine to prevent 80% of first heart attacks. The researchers, from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, set out to determine to what degree healthy habits individually—or in concert—help adults avoid a future heart attack or myocardial infarction....

Around the world, between 6 to 9 billion condoms are sold every year. Unfortunately, their use is not universally accepted, despite the fact that experts agree that consistent condom use can dramatically reduce the number of new HIV infections each year. Even in the Catholic church, which has long forbidden condoms as a means of birth control, leaders have become to endorse them in very particular circumstances. Yet, others within the church still insist condoms promote sexuality out of the bonds of marriage and outright condemn them....

The best treatment of an injury to the Achilles tendon is to focus on prevention. Obviously, it’s best to avoid injuries altogether, but even in the setting of a problem with the Achilles, one of the most important aspects of treatment is to prevent progression and recurrence of the injury. Stretching the Achilles tendon before exercise, even at the start of the day, will help to maintain flexibility in the ankle joint....

Asperger’s syndrome, also known as Asperger’s disorder or simply Asperger’s, is a developmental disorder affecting social skills and interactions and involving repetitive patterns of behavior. It was previously used as a diagnosis at the highest-functioning end of the autism spectrum. Once regarded as one of the distinct types of autism, Asperger’s syndrome was retired in 2013 with the publication of the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)....

Black tongue (or black hairy tongue) is a harmless (benign) condition. Even though the name sounds scary, the condition is not usually a cause for worry. A black tongue can happen for several reasons, including poor dental hygiene. The treatment for the condition is usually simple. Here’s what you need to know about what causes black tongue, what to do if you have the condition, and when you should see your doctor or dentist....

Guggul, also known as guggulu and guggulipid, is a substance secreted by the mukul myrrh tree (Commiphora mukul) after it has been injured. It has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat obesity, osteoarthritis, and some skin conditions. Research has suggested that guggul also may lower total cholesterol levels, especially triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. The theory of how guggul might lower cholesterol is not totally understood, however, there have been many mechanisms proposed....

Like many other days, weeks, or months dedicated to raising awareness for certain health conditions, Deaf History Month occurs annually. This period of time, observed nationwide every year, celebrates deaf history and, in particular, contributions made by the deaf community and the hearing impaired to American culture and society. In 2020, it was from March 13-April 15. Key Historic Events Deaf History Month, by design, spans three key events impacting the deaf community that occurred in American history:...

Ear pain can come on suddenly and cause a lot of anguish. Adults can often name their symptoms of earache, like fever and pain. But ear infections are most common in kids, especially infants between 6 and 15 months old, and they can’t verbalize their symptoms. Because of this, it’s important that parents and caregivers know the symptoms of earache, including unexpected ones, like clumsiness. Continue reading to learn more about symptoms and treatments for earache in adults and children....