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Ocular melanoma is sometimes detected during a general eye exam. If it’s suspected, your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will want to take all the steps necessary to diagnose ocular melanoma. Diagnosis begins with a thorough workup by an ophthalmologist. Tests may follow, including an ultrasound, an imaging test in which sound waves are used, in this case, to depict eye structures. You may also have fluorescein angiography, in which dye is injected into the bloodstream....

Unless a medication is specifically labeled as gluten-free, calling the manufacturer is the only way to confirm whether or not your medication is gluten-free. In prescription and over-the-counter medicines, fillers also called “inactive ingredients” or “excipients,” are added to the active drug. Fillers provide shape and bulk for tablets and capsules, aid in water absorption helping the tablet to disintegrate, as well as other purposes. Fillers can be derived from any starch source including corn, potatoes, tapioca, and wheat....

Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) involves a lot more than fatigue. In addition to a few dozen possible symptoms, this disease is also linked to certain heart abnormalities. Does that mean you have to worry about developing heart disease? Not necessarily. However, you should watch out for signs of heart disease and do what you can to lower your risk. The incident rate of heart disease is higher in people with ME/CFS than in the general population, and the association may be more than incidental....

Visit any polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) chat on social media and you’re sure to come across recommendations from other women with the syndrome plugging a gluten-free diet. In fact, a study found that 30% of Americans showed interest in avoiding gluten, even though less than 1% of Americans have celiac disease, which is an inherited autoimmune condition. The number of people without celiac disease who avoid gluten has been steadily increasing since 2009, though the number of people diagnosed with celiac disease has not increased....

Leukopenia occurs when your white blood cell (WBC) count is low. White blood cells are a vital part of your immune system. They help fight off pathogens in your body. Typically, the condition doesn’t present with any distinct symptoms, but a low WBC count can increase the risk of infections. You may not notice that you have leukopenia until you become sick and develop symptoms of an infection. In this article, we discuss symptoms you might have and why you may not have any with leukopenia....

Skelaxin (metaxalone) is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle pain and stiffness related to acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. This medication is often used in combination with rest and physical therapy to treat strains, sprains, or other injuries. Experts believe the drug works by slowing nerve impulses in the brain and spinal cord. Metaxalone is available by prescription only. This article explains how metaxalone is used to treat musculoskeletal pain, as well as its side effects and the reasons why people with certain health conditions should not use it....

Vaginal dryness is common after menopause, but you can experience vaginal dryness at any age. Dryness can lead to other symptoms like itching and burning, all of which can make sex painful. The situation can also result in you having to urinate more often. The dryness is often associated with vaginal atrophy, also known as vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). Numbers vary, but if you’re between the ages of 40 and 45, you have a 20% chance of experiencing vaginal dryness....

Oatmeal is a high-fiber cereal grain packed with antioxidants. However, if you have gout (also known as gouty arthritis) you should limit your intake to reduce the risk of a flare-up (gout attack). Oatmeal can make gout worse because of its purine content (50-150 mg purine per 100 g). For people who are susceptible, high purine intake can cause elevated blood levels of uric acid (hyperuricemia) and result in a gout attack due to uric acid crystal accumulation in the joints....

An ovarian cyst is a solid or fluid-filled sac that forms in or on the ovaries. Anyone with ovaries can develop an ovarian cyst, but it is most commonly found in people with regular menstrual cycles. It is also possible to experience a cyst after menopause. Ovarian cysts are usually benign but may raise the risk of ovarian cancer. The article provides an overview of ovarian cysts after menopause, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options....

Pain management is a branch of medicine that applies science to the reduction of pain. It covers a wide spectrum of conditions, including neuropathic pain, sciatica, postoperative pain, and more. Pain management is a rapidly growing medical specialty that takes a multi-disciplinary approach to treating all kinds of pain. Dr. Sameh Yonan, a pain management specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, says: “We evaluate, rehabilitate and treat people in pain.” Your healthcare provider may refer you to pain management if your pain is ongoing or significant....

Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) is one of the sleep disorders that may cause disruptive movement of your legs, much like restless legs syndrome (RLS). What is PLMS? Learn how movements of the legs at night may relate to other sleep disorders and lead to sleep disruption, insomnia, and even daytime sleepiness. Defining Periodic Limb Movements of Sleep (PLMS) Periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS) consist of sudden jerking movements of the legs which occur involuntarily during sleep and which the affected individual may remain unaware....

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCTs), also called Sertoli-stromal cell tumors are very uncommon and make up approximately 0.5% of all ovarian tumors. Normally, these tumors affect women under the age of 30, although they have been reported in all age ranges. These tumors can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous.) Hormone Producing Tumors SLCTs can produce hormones, usually female hormones. However, in about one-third of cases, women develop signs of androgen (male hormones) overproduction, a process known as masculinization....

When a child is diagnosed with autism—typically by the age of 2 or older—life seems to go into overdrive. There are doctor’s appointments to arrange, therapists to visit, home aides to manage. There are books and websites to read, information to review, and, perhaps most importantly, your at-home time with the child in your care suddenly becomes “therapy” time. Instead of relaxing in front of a video or hanging out in the backyard, you’re working with a child to build communication skills, social skills, and play skills....

Sinus congestion develops when there’s inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, which are air-filled cavities behind the nose. It’s a common symptom of a cold or allergies and can be a sign of a sinus infection (rhinosinusitis). You can often get relief from home treatments and over-the-counter medications, but there are times when you may need to talk to your doctor about your congestion. Types of Sinus Congestion Sinus congestion can be classified by how long it lasts....

If you have psoriasis and develop joint pain, your healthcare provider may have you checked for psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Occasionally, people will have PsA and develop psoriasis later on. Why is there a connection between these two conditions? Are people with either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis more likely to develop both conditions? The Connection Abnormal immune system responses are at the core of both PsA and psoriasis. With psoriasis, the immune system misfires and causes skin cells to grow too quickly....

While advances in modern medical treatments and technologies are impressive, there are situations in which patients either cannot or will not pursue efforts to cure a life-limiting illness, disease, or condition. This article explains what hospice care is, the services it generally provides, and how to determine if seeking hospice care is appropriate for you or a loved one. Overview Hospice is a specialized form of medical care that seeks to provide comfort and maintain a patient’s quality of life (to the greatest extent possible) for those facing a life-limiting illness, disease or terminal condition....

Tuberous sclerosis (also called tuberous sclerosis complex) is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow in various organ systems. People with this condition may have tumors in the brain, kidneys, heart, lungs, eyes, liver, pancreas, and skin. These tumors can result in problems like developmental delay, seizures, kidney disease, and more. Prognosis ultimately depends on the extent of tumor spread. Ultimately, many with the condition go on to live healthy lives....

The ovaries are a key part of the normal development and reproductive function of women. Anatomy Ovaries are a pair of glands (approximately the size and shape of an almond) in the female reproductive system where eggs are stored and estrogen is manufactured. They are held in place by several ligaments on either side of the uterus. Eggs are transported from the ovaries to the uterus via the fallopian tubes. Surrounding the entrance to the fallopian tubes are tiny fimbriae, or fingerlike projections, which guide the egg into the tube each month....

One of the unique characteristics of prostate cancer is its responsiveness to the withdrawal of testosterone. This was discovered in the 1940s when surgical removal of the testicles was shown to induce cancer remission. In 1985, Lupron, an injectable medication that had a similar effect was approved by the FDA. Lupron works by causing the testicles to shut down their production of testosterone. Effectiveness Lupron controls prostate cancer for an average duration of 18 to 24 months in men with metastatic disease....

Weight loss surgery (also referred to as bariatric surgery) can help treat obesity, which is a chronic condition that can lead to an array of other health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, heart disease, and more. Obesity can be hard to treat through diet and exercise alone, and weight loss surgery can help shed excess weight with lifestyle adjustments such as a strict, monitored diet and regular exercise routine as permanent next steps to maintain and contribute to further weight loss....