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Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection from an overgrowth of vaginal bacteria. Your vagina always has a basic amount of bacteria (called flora) that is healthy and natural. The increase of less common bacteria upsets the natural balance of the vagina and can cause uncomfortable symptoms. BV is prevalent among women and has been identified as the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. A study found that 23%–29% of women experience BV....

Barotrauma of the ear occurs when the pressure inside of the ear does not match the pressure outside of the ear. Mismatched pressures can cause discomfort, loss of hearing, or injury (a ruptured eardrum). This usually occurs when there are rapid changes in the air pressure of our environment and the ear can’t adjust. For example, when you take off in an airplane or come up too quickly while scuba diving....

A common complaint from people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is that cold weather makes their pain worse. The cold seems to get into the bones and make everything tighten up and ache. Medical science has found a possible reason for this: an abnormally high number of sensory nerves in the circulatory system. In fibromyalgia, the cold can make the skin hurt, and when you get chilled it can be extremely hard to warm back up....

Colorectal surgery involves organs in the lower digestive tract, such as the colon and rectum. There are a number of reasons you could need surgery in this area. One of the primary reasons for colorectal surgery is cancer. You may also have a blockage or a rupture that requires repair. Learn about the top diagnoses that lead to colorectal surgery. Diagnosis Related to Colorectal Surgery There are many things that can go wrong in the lower digestive tract....

Sneezing (the nasoocular reflex) is often immediately associated with allergies, but there are other causes. While there are different treatments that can address the underlying cause of sneezing or inhibit the sneeze mechanism, one of the best ways to relieve sneezing is to avoid what is triggering it in the first place. Allergic Rhinitis Hay fever, or allergy to pollen, mold, dander, or dust, can have you running for the tissues....

Excess glycogen storage occurs when you eat more glucose (sugar) than your body needs for energy at that moment or when you have a medical condition that affects how your body processes glucose and glycogen (which is made from glucose). Excess glucose makes your blood sugar rise, which starts a chain reaction that changes it into glycogen. Glycogen is then stored in your muscle and liver cells. Later, when your body needs energy, it converts glycogen back into glucose for quick energy....

The second of the two shots you need in order to be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 reportedly causes more symptoms than the first. Within 24 hours of receiving it, you may experience some combination of chills, headache, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and pain and swelling at the injection site. While these side effects are temporary, they’re far from pleasant. Key Takeaways The second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may cause more symptoms than the first dose like chills, fever, and fatigue....

Progesterone is a hormone that is responsible for preparing the endometrium, the membrane that lines the uterus, for pregnancy. Progesterone levels rise after ovulation, the release of an egg from the ovaries. High progesterone is usually associated with the time just before your period or during pregnancy. If a person does not become pregnant, progesterone levels in their body will fall and this sparks menstruation. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone continues to stimulate the body to provide the blood vessels that will feed the growing fetus....

Iliopsoas syndrome (also called psoas syndrome) is a vague, “catch-all” name that encompasses several other conditions. The term is often used interchangeably with iliopsoas tendinitis, snapping hip syndrome, and iliopsoas bursitis—conditions that also affect the iliopsoas muscles, which bend your leg at the hip. Iliopsoas syndrome is generally regarded as an overuse injury and is commonly seen in gymnasts, dancers, track-and-field participants, and other athletes who perform repeated hip flexion movements....

Tension-type headaches, which is a headache that feels like a tight band around your head, is the most common type of headache experienced by children. Interestingly, while scientists used to think that tension-type headaches weren’t inherited, research now suggests that some people, especially those who experience more frequent headaches, may have specific genes that influence their headaches. Let’s dive deeper into understanding tension-type headaches in children, like how they are different from migraines, and how you can help your child treat one (under the guidance of his or her healthcare provider)....

The reverse shoulder replacement was specifically designed for a problem called rotator cuff tear arthropathy. Rotator cuff tear arthropathy is a problem that occurs when a patient has both shoulder arthritis and a rotator cuff tear. Reverse shoulder replacement was developed because traditional surgical options for shoulder arthritis, such as total shoulder replacements, aren’t a suitable option when patients also have a rotator cuff tear. Indications The rotator cuff is the group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint....

A tibial plafond fracture (also called a tibial pilon fracture) occurs at the end of the shin bone and involves the ankle joint. As is the case with tibial plateau fractures, these injuries occur close to the joint and must be treated with the cartilage surface of the ankle joint in mind. Tibial plafond fractures occur just above the ankle joint and involve that critical cartilage surface of the ankle. The other major factor that must be considered with these injuries is the soft tissue around the ankle region....

Part of your routine dental care, along with having your teeth cleaned by the dental hygienist, includes having a complete dental exam performed by your dentist. It is important to be checked regularly by your dentist (at least every year or whatever is recommended based on the health of your mouth). The Periodic Oral Exam At each dental visit, the dental technician or dental hygienist will review your medical history to see if there are any changes that need to be updated....

For some people with allergies to airborne particles, nasal filters can help prevent allergy symptoms. A nasal filter is a small device that fits just inside the nostrils and acts to filter airborne allergens from the inhaled air, preventing these particles from reaching the mucous membranes of the nose, You can use a nasal air filter when you are indoors or outdoors, which makes it versatile for filtering out different types of airborne allergies....

Have you wished you could find functional footwear that also was fashionable? Vionic is a brand designed by a podiatrist to meet your needs. If you have arthritis or any medical condition that affects the feet, shoes need to be more about function than fashion. There can be consequences for other joints, such as your ankles, knees, and hips if you don’t pay attention to your footwear. Vionic Shoes With Orthaheel Technology Dr....

The pandemic made it difficult for kids to get outside and play. Many sports activities were forced to shut down to keep kids safe, which led to less exercise overall. Experts are now looking for creative solutions to this problem. Key Takeaways Many children are not getting enough physical activity, which could lead to long-term health problems.Incentivizing children to be more active through rewards-based apps encourages them to get more exercise....

It is normal to wake up at night. In fact, if you didn’t, that would be a different problem entirely. Prolonged time spent awake at night may be a symptom of insomnia. In this context, awakenings can become deeply distressing. Why do awakenings happen at night? How do you know if you are waking up too much? Learn about awakenings at night and consider if you need help. Idealized Sleep May Not Reflect Reality Many people have an idealized vision of what sleep should be: you should fall asleep instantly, sleep through the night without waking, and jump out of the bed in the morning fully recharged....

More than a year after COVID-19 lockdowns started in earnest, Americans are finally coming to grips with the fact that life may not return to normal any time soon. As a potential fourth wave brews thanks to a combination of pandemic fatigue and new SARS-CoV-2 variants, people all around the U.S. are becoming more confident that vaccines are the way out of this pandemic, even if it takes another year. Key Themes From Our Survey...

The odds of catching the common cold or influenza are highest during the fall and winter. However, the weather itself cannot cause either of these viral illness. It can, however, set the stage for certain factors that decrease your immunity and increase opportunities to catch a cold or the flu. Cold, Dry Air There is some evidence to suggest that viruses spread more easily through cold, dry air. Temperature and humidity, therefore, may affect your risk of contracting a virus....

Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) typically spreads through skin-to-skin contact with someone’s infectious rash, bodily fluids, or respiratory secretions. But experts say the public should also be aware of the risk of surface transmission. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended using the term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” in order to avoid racist and stigmatizing language when discussing the disease. Both terms will be used for the next year as WHO phases out usage of “monkeypox....