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Antitumor antibiotics are a type of anticancer drug that blocks cell growth by interfering with DNA, which is the genetic material in cells. Unlike antibiotics used to treat infections, antitumor antibiotics work by changing the genetic code in cancer cells to stop them from growing and spreading throughout the body. However, many antitumor antibiotics can negatively affect the cardiovascular system by damaging the heart and blood vessels. Read on to learn more about the different types of antitumor antibiotics and how they work....

Statins are commonly used to treat high LDL cholesterol levels. They lower cholesterol production in the liver by inhibiting an factor in the mevalonate pathway. A negative side effect of statins is that they have the potential to cause liver damage. A positive side effect is that they may reduce a person’s risk of developing colon cancer. Examples Examples of statins include Lipitor (atorvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Mevacor (lovastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin)....

A vasectomy is a safe and effective permanent birth control method for men. In fact, vasectomies: Are the most cost-effective method of contraception Costing half the price of tubal ligation, are much safer, and more effective. Tied for being the most effective method of birth control (99.9% effective. Mirena IUD, Skyla IUD, and Nexplanon are all 99.9% effective, too). The prevalence of vasectomy in the U.S. and Canada combined is 12%....

Drinking during pregnancy can result in a child being born with a range of disorders known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD); the most severe effects of prenatal alcohol exposure is fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome FAS is the leading known preventable causes of mental retardation and birth defects. Fetal alcohol syndrome is a lifelong condition that causes many physical and mental disabilities, including abnormal facial features, growth deficiencies, and central nervous system problems....

GABA and glutamate are neurotransmitters—chemical messengers in your brain. One is calming, one is stimulating, and they’re supposed to stay in balance with each other. So what happens if this balance is thrown off?​ Some research suggests an imbalance of these two substances may play a role in fibromyalgia (FMS). Research is less solid on their involvement in chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), with some studies turning up evidence of dysregulation and others finding nothing....

As awkward as it may be, a surgeon will often need to have a candid discussion with you about sex—specifically anal sex—after certain types of surgery. This is not only true if you have undergone vaginal, anal, or colon surgery but also certain abdominal or pelvic surgeries. This article explains the risks of anal sex after surgery and at what stage it is safe to have sex again. It also offers advice on ways to avoid infection or injury if engaging in anal sex after recovery....

The symptoms of cholera often look a lot like other diarrheal diseases, making it tough to diagnose it on your own or with a physical exam. While some medical teams in endemic areas will know cholera when they see it, the only real way to determine for certain you have cholera is through a lab test. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing There currently aren’t any diagnostic tests for cholera designed to take at home....

Most consumers are well aware of credit reporting agencies. They keep track of how well we pay our bills and manage our credit so lenders can decide whether to loan us the money we need for mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and other credit devices. But most consumer-patients are surprised to learn of the existence of a parallel reporting agency for the health industry, the Medical Information Bureau (MIB). Originally established in 1902, it serves the information needs of almost 500 life and health insurance companies in North America that seek health, credit, and other information about those consumer-patients who request to be insured....

Throughout most of our lives, medical decisions are quite easy. If we get sick, we go to the doctor and get treated. We listen to the doctor and do what he suggests because it can only make us better. As one gets older, however, these decisions become less cut and dry. People are living longer and often with several long-term illnesses. Treatments begin to offer only limited benefits and often come with painful or burdensome side effects....

Household chlorine bleach is a powerful disinfectant (chemical cleaner that destroys harmful bacteria) that is cheap, easy to find, and strong enough to kill dangerous germs. Keeping a clean home is important for any family, but it’s especially important for people with autoimmune conditions or other health problems like cystic fibrosis. Before you start using bleach everywhere, it’s important to know that bleach can burn your skin and give off dangerous fumes....

Meditation may be an effective way to deal with migraine headaches. Such practices as mindfulness, yoga, and other mind-body techniques are being touted as powerful players in pain management, and a growing body of research suggests that a regular meditation practice may help prevent certain migraine triggers and even cause beneficial physical changes in the brain. If you’ve never meditated before, you may find the idea of sitting still for a prolonged period of time daunting—and it can be difficult in the beginning to learn how to turn off your thoughts and simply just be....

When we think of how sugar impacts our health, it’s often because we’re watching our waistline or are worried about cavities. However, the levels of sugar in our bodies can also affect our headaches. Understanding Hypoglycemia To better understand how sugar triggers headaches, let’s first talk about hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when the body’s glucose (or sugar) levels drop below 70 mg/dL. This can not only trigger a headache, but also cause confusion, dizziness, shakiness, hunger, irritability, and weakness....

Agave nectar, also called agave syrup, is a sweetener often recommended for people with diabetes. It is made either by heating extracts of the succulent Agave salmiana plant or by breaking them down with water in a process called hydrolysis. The resulting liquid is processed with enzymes derived from a mold called Aspergillus niger. It’s easy to see why agave nectar appears to be a smart alternative to table sugar, as it’s lower on the glycemic index (GI)—one indication of how a given carbohydrate is likely to affect the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood....

A Kirschner wire (also called a K-wire) is a thin metallic wire or pin that can be used to stabilize bone fragments. These wires can be drilled through the bone to hold the fragments in place. They can be placed percutaneously (through the skin) or can be buried beneath the skin. Kirschner Wires K-wires come in different sizes, and as they increase in size, they become less flexible. K-wires are often used to stabilize a broken bone and can be removed in the office once the fracture has healed....

A recent study from the United Kingdom found that adults who live with children may have a slightly increased risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2 and having COVID-19 symptoms. Key Takeaways A new study from the United Kingdom has found that adults living with children appear to be at a slightly increased risk of getting COVID-19 compared to adults who do not live with kids.The increase was only seen with the second wave of the pandemic in England and not with the first wave....

Mesothelioma is a somewhat rare cancer, with only about 2,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year—but its incidence is increasing worldwide. Sadly, most cases of this disease are related to on-the-job exposure to asbestos and could be prevented through awareness and protective measures at work. That said, in many cases, mesothelioma does not develop until decades after asbestos exposure occurs, and many people that are diagnosed today were exposed to asbestos years ago....

Ellume recalled around 195,000 of its at-home COVID-19 tests in October because of a manufacturing error that resulted in too many false-positive results. The Australian company has since identified more than 2 million affected tests in the United States. Key Takeaways Ellume has recalled over 2 million of its at-home COVID-19 test kits since October.A manufacturing error resulted in higher-than-expected false-positive test results.The FDA classified the recall as Class I, the most serious type of recall, and warned customers about serious adverse effects....

Bulging discs and herniated discs sound like similar problems. While they do have some similarities, they also have important differences, including what causes them. Contrary to popular belief, a bulging disc is not a lighter version of a herniated disc. The main difference between a bulging and herniated disc is where the damage starts. What Is a Bulging Disc? A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus—the soft, jelly-like center of the disc that gives the disc shock-absorbing capacities—extends beyond its normal position inside the disc structure, but remains contained within the annulus fibrosus....

A progressive disorder is a disease or health condition that gets worse over time, resulting in a general decline in health or function. The term progressive disorder is often used to distinguish a condition from a relapsing and remitting disorder. In a relapsing and remitting disorder, there is often a period of relief when the disease is stable for a while or is in remission. In contrast, a progressive disorder does not have these breaks....

Your yearly cases of the common cold won’t do much good in protecting you from COVID-19. A new study has found that previously having one of the seasonal coronaviruses, which cause the common cold, does not help your body develop antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Key Takeaways A new study found that antibodies from the common cold won’t offer protection against COVID-19.The antibodies also did not protect against developing more severe forms of COVID-19....