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Yaws is a bacterial infection that, if left untreated, can cause lifelong disability in those who are infected, especially children. The disease is caused by the bacterium Treponema pertenue and spreads when someone comes into contact with the skin of someone who has the bacteria. Though easily treated with a single dose of antibiotics, yaws still impacts more than 46,000 people globally—75 to 80 percent of whom are children under the age of 15 years old....

When you want to improve your smile, you have several choices for cosmetic dental work. Cosmetic dentistry is on the rise, and even a few reality shows have showcased how a dentist can transform almost anyone’s teeth to give them the smile they desire. 7 Procedures Not all of the following procedures will work for everyone. Your dentist can help you determine which method will work the best for enhancing your smile....

You can experience food cravings with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Almost all women diagnosed with PCOS have insulin resistance (a prediabetic condition) and high levels of insulin. Often the development of insulin resistance is accompanied by intense carbohydrate cravings, which may promote overeating. Women with PCOS have a high rate of binge eating disorder. Those who are obese are especially prone to a high level of food cravings, as compared with women with PCOS who are lean or overweight....

There are several types of ablation surgery—cardiac, urethral, endometrial, venous, and more. How you prepare will depend a lot on the type of ablation you are having. Cardiac and brain ablations are the most involved, and will often require a lot of preparation—even a few days in the hospital. Other ablation procedures, like venous ablation, may be performed in an outpatient center or procedure room in a medical office with very little preparation....

Verywell Health: When should prescription drug intervention be considered to help prevent heart disease? This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Expert Gladys Velarde, M.D. is a member of the American College of Cardiology Prevention, Disparities of Care Work Group, and on the CardioSmart.org editorial board. Dr. Velarde’s clinical interests include heart disease in women and other populations along with preventive care....

A bubble study is a noninvasive test that allows healthcare providers to assess the flow of blood through the heart. It is done during an echocardiogram (echo), an imaging study that shows the heart’s structure, and involves the delivery of saline mixed with air into a vein. A bubble study is often performed to help diagnose a patent foramen ovale (PFO)—a hole between the upper chambers of the heart. This test takes about 30 minutes to perform....

It is possible to be allergic to any furred pet, including ferrets. Ferrets are mammals, and they are closely related to minks. The domestic ferret, Mustela putorius furo, is among the furred pets that some people keep in their homes in the United States. There have been several published reports describing ferret allergies in people who owned ferrets. Although it is fairly rare to own ferrets—the prevalence of allergies may be similar to other pet allergies, although this has not been studied....

Many years ago, a conservative treatment approach for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was the norm. Over the years, however, healthcare providers switched to favoring an early and aggressive one as it became more and more apparent that the sooner RA treatment starts, the better the long-term outcomes. This altered approach has improved the outcomes and life expectancies of people with this disease. In fact, studies show that modern treatments, given early on, prevent irreversible joint damage in up to 90% of people with RA....

If you need to have gastrectomy surgery, you should expect a major surgery and a hospital stay. If any complications develop in the surgery or recovery, it will mean a longer stay. So you’ll need to be prepared before you head to the hospital. This article will cover how to prepare for a gastrectomy, including where to go, what to wear and bring with you, and what to do before the day of surgery....

The recommended treatment for neuroblastoma depends on a child’s age and the subsequent size and location of the tumor. Observation, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, stem cell transplant, or a combination of these methods can be used to treat neuroblastoma. This article will highlight the different treatment options available for neuroblastoma. Observation The tumors in neuroblastoma sometimes resolve on their own. If a tumor is less than 5 centimeters and a child is younger than 18 months, an observational approach might be taken because there is a good chance that the tumor will not progress....

Infection is a complication of surgery most feared by patients and surgeons. While no one goes into surgery expecting an infection, most patients want to do everything possible to prevent this risk of surgery. The chance of infection after surgery depends on a number of factors, some of which are more easily controlled than others. So what can you do (or make sure others do) to ensure you have the lowest possible chance of this complication occurring?...

Most people do not see their healthcare provider for a tension headache. That rubber-band-around-the-head sensation is common and usually treated with simple measures like sleep, water, or an over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Let’s take a closer look at medical therapies for tension headaches, including one class of medications that may be prescribed by your healthcare provider to help prevent these nagging headaches. Over-the-Counter Medications A number of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are helpful for treating a tension headache....

The three main components of the nervous system are the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the peripheral nervous system (limbs and organs), and the autonomic nervous system (a control system, maintaining homeostasis in the body). The role of lupus in the autonomic nervous system remains unclear. In this overview, we will focus mainly on the central nervous system and some of the ways lupus affects the system. The Central Nervous System The effects of lupus on the central nervous system are wide-ranging....

An albuterol inhaler is a quick-relief or rescue medication used to decrease asthma symptoms. Albuterol can decrease acute symptoms associated with worsening asthma such as: Chest tightness Chronic Cough Shortness of breath Wheezing Albuterol may also be used to lessen breathing problems associated with other non-infectious respiratory problems. Additionally, albuterol may be used to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or asthma. How Often to Use an Inhaler If you are not familiar with the concept of a rescue and controller inhaler in an asthma action plan, make sure you get this on your asthma to-do list....

A missed miscarriage happens when the fetus stops developing or dies in your womb without obvious signs such as bleeding, lower abdominal cramping, or back pain. It’s also known as a silent miscarriage or silent abortion. A missed miscarriage typically occurs during the first trimester. It is often diagnosed during a routine prenatal ultrasound. Treatment options include waiting for nature to take its course, medication to expel the remains, and, in some cases, surgery....

Despite the importance of calcium for bone health, a new study shows menopausal women are not protected from bone fractures or low bone density even when consuming dairy. Key Takeaways Women going through menopause experience hormonal changes that may cause bone breakdown.An observational study found consuming more dairy foods made no difference in bone mineral density or fracture risk in menopausal women.Most women in the study were not consuming the recommended three servings of dairy per day....

Researchers at Penn State University have developed a new technology that can measure glucose through sweat instead of blood, eliminating the need for a needlestick. Key Takeaways New technology may allow individuals with diabetes to check their glucose without a painful needle stick or sensor that remains embedded beneath the skin.This technology is evolving and still requires further development, but it may have other applications in the future. Their advancement could be valuable to individuals with diabetes, who must monitor their blood sugar several times a day....

Pain is, unfortunately, an extremely common symptom of Parkinson’s disease, up to 85% of people living with Parkinson’s experience pain from their condition at some point. Pain in Parkinson’s disease can occur from rigid muscles, from constant tremors, or from falls or other injuries. Parkinson’s patients most frequently experience pain in their necks, backs, arms, and legs. In some people, pain is one of their first symptoms and could help lead to their diagnosis of the condition....

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the severe end of a spectrum of effects that can occur when a woman drinks alcohol during pregnancy. The characteristics of FAS include growth retardation, facial abnormalities, and central nervous system dysfunction. The extreme case of alcohol-related effects is the death of the fetus and miscarriage. If a pregnant woman drinks alcohol but her child does not have the full symptoms of FAS, it is possible that her child may be born with alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorders (ARND)....

Metastases are what makes cancer dangerous. Uncontrolled cell growth disrupts normal organ function. Some organs, like lymph nodes, for example, are not vital, and when cancer spreads to them, their impact on the overall function of the organism is minimal. Therefore, lymph node spread is the least dangerous form of prostate cancer metastases. At the other end of the spectrum is the liver, which is far less tolerant. The seriousness of bone metastases, the most common site of prostate cancer spread, lies about halfway between that of node metastases and liver metastases....