A macule is a discolored patch of skin that is not elevated and is less than one centimeter in diameter. If you were to close your eyes and run your finger over the skin, you generally would not be able to feel any change in texture. Macules are characteristic of different medical conditions, some serious and others not. They are referred to as primary lesions as they are often the first step toward identifying a disease....
In treating hyperventilation syndrome, the most essential component of the plan is calm. While breathing more (faster and deeper) can be brought on by several health conditions, true hyperventilation syndrome is the result of anxiety or a panic attack. Over-breathing triggers a decrease in carbon dioxide levels in the blood, which is why the person might also feel light-headed or dizzy, or experience feelings of tingling or numbness in the arms or around the mouth....
Myringotomy surgery and insertion of synthetic ear tubes, also called myringotomy tubes or ventilation tubes, are used to treat and prevent chronic ear infections or fluid in the ear. Why Your Child Might Need Ear Tubes Ear infections can occur when the Eustachian tube (also called an auditory tube) becomes swollen and no longer ventilates the middle ear, leading to fluid and sometimes infection in the middle ear. Children are more likely to experience chronic ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are at a more horizontal angle, shorter and narrower than that of adults....
Bronchitis is contagious when the cause is bacterial or viral. Infected saliva, respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze, and contaminated surfaces can pass on an acute case. Chronic bronchitis, however, is usually not contagious since it is caused by long-term irritation to the lungs (e.g., from smoking). Read on for more on the signs of bronchitis, how long bronchitis lasts, and how long bronchitis is contagious. How Do You Get Bronchitis?...
Stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, and other health conditions are more common among Black women than white women. Unfortunately, when it comes time for menopause, you’re also likely to have more intense symptoms than your white peers. Genetic and environmental factors likely play a role, experts say. But you don’t have to let menopause bring you down. Here’s what to know about the research behind why menopause is worse for Black women—and what you can do about it....
Librax is a fixed-dose combination drug comprised of two different medications, chlordiazepoxide and clidinium. Chlordiazepoxide belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines that are typically prescribed for anxiety and tension. Clidinium is an anticholinergic that prevents spasms in the muscles of the gut and bladder while reducing the excess production of stomach acid. Librax may be prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as adjunctive therapy for peptic ulcers or an inflammation of the digestive tract (enterocolitis)....
If you have chronic pain, chances are you’ve turned to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief on more than one occasion. However, chronic or long-term use of NSAIDs—defined as more than three times a week for more than three months—can have negative health effects. This article discusses the use of NSAIDs like ibuprofen and naproxen for chronic pain, how these drugs work, and how to take them. It also discusses the potential side effects and problems with the long-term use of NSAIDs....
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has certain requirements regarding first aid and CPR preparedness in the workplace. Some OSHA compliance standards require specific types of industry to provide first-aid and CPR training to employees. The specific industries identified by OSHA are: 1910.146 Permit-required Confined Spaces 1910.266 Appendix B: Logging Operations — First-Aid and CPR Training 1910.269 Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution 1910.410 Qualifications of Dive Team 1926.950 Construction Subpart V, Power Transmission, and Distribution In addition to these specific industries, OSHA standard 1910....
Primary bone lymphoma is a lymphoma, a type of blood cancer affecting the lymphatic system, that starts in the bone. Though lymphomas usually begin in the lymph nodes, they can arise virtually anywhere in the body. When they arise outside the lymph nodes, they are called extranodal lymphomas. Primary bone lymphoma is an uncommon extranodal lymphoma. When a lymphoma starts outside of the lymph nodes, it is much more common for the malignancy to begin in the gastrointestinal tract than in the bone....
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) tend to have higher rates of periodontal disease, which can involve gum inflammation (gingivitis) and infection of the tissues that support the teeth (periodontitis). Interestingly, research has shown that people with more pronounced gum disease also have more severe RA, and the connection ties back to a common factor: persistent inflammation. Along with the risks this poses to your dental health, including tooth loss, untreated periodontal disease may also make certain RA medications less effective....
Prasterone is a synthetic version of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is an endogenous hormone—this means that it is naturally produced by the human body. The synthetic version has been considered a potential treatment for lupus, although the use of DHEA in lupus is not FDA-approved. Prasterone is a supplement that might be beneficial as a complementary treatment for lupus. Studies looking at the effect of DHEA on lupus symptoms have yielded mixed results, with some showing no improvement and others showing modest improvement in health-related quality of life....
Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Word of the Week: Heritable How to say it: Heritable (hair-it-ah-bull) What it means: Something—like a condition or trait—that can be passed on from one generation to another. Where it comes from: The French heriter, which means “to make an heir.” Where you might see or hear it: If you’ve ever been curious about your genetic risk for certain traits, diseases, and even preferences, you are familiar with the concept of something being “hereditary....
If you have a cobalt allergy, it may be triggered by vitamin B12 (cobalamin). That’s because the cobalamin molecule contains a cobalt atom. Cobalt is a mineral with many uses. It’s in rechargeable batteries, automotive airbags, steel-belted tires, and magnets. It gives a distinctive blue tint to glass. It’s used as a blue pigment in cosmetics, paints, and inks. If you’re allergic to cobalt, high B12 doses can cause contact dermatitis....
Vaginal prolapse, also known as vaginal hernia, is when the vagina slips out of place in the body. Sometimes the vagina moves only slightly or it can shift significantly. In the most severe cases, it can protrude from the body. Vaginal prolapse can cause discomfort but can be treated with vaginal physical therapy, medication, or surgery, if necessary. This article discusses the signs, causes, and treatment of vaginal prolapse. Signs and Symptoms of Vaginal Prolapse Many women do not have any symptoms of vaginal prolapse....
