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Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is a type of neurological disease caused by the breakdown of a protective nerve covering called myelin. It is the most common type of multiple sclerosis—85 percent of those diagnosed with multiple sclerosis are diagnosed with the relapsing-remitting type. Multiple sclerosis affects over 1 million adults in the United States. Symptoms This breakdown of myelin can affect both the brain and the spinal cord. The damage of these nerve coverings may cause a variety of symptoms called an MS exacerbation, which can get so severe that individuals may be unable to walk or care for themselves....

It’s easy to forget that COVID-19 is still a relatively new virus. And, with that, scientists are still trying to discover ways to treat it. Now, a new study suggests that one potential treatment for the virus could be found at your local pharmacy: the common sleep aid melatonin. Key Takeaways Melatonin is linked to a nearly 30% reduced likelihood of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.Researchers are hoping to find an already-approved drug they can “repurpose” to treat COVID-19....

Deaf and hard of hearing people and families attending churches and synagogues can find sign language translations for their religion. Plenty of resources are available. Most of these resources are offline, in the form of books and video materials. Books Many books are available, and most are focused on signed English translations instead of American Sign Language (ASL). Here are some of the available books. Children and Teens Ann Elizabeth Signs With Love — In this book, a deaf child signs the song “Jesus Loves Me....

Sinus cancer can happen to anyone and sometimes the cause is unknown, but certain risk factors including smoking, heavy exposure to certain substances, and human papillomavirus (HPV) put you at higher risk of developing nasal and paranasal sinus cancers. Common Causes Experts don’t know the exact cause of sinus cancer. For many people, the cause is a mystery. Frustratingly, some known risk factors, like your age or genetics, may be out of your control....

A SLAP repair, a surgical procedure performed for treatment of a SLAP tear, is considered for patients who do not improve following nonsurgical treatments. In patients with a SLAP tear that’s causing pain, surgical treatment may be an option. Options for SLAP Tear Treatment A SLAP tear is a specific type of labral tear within the shoulder joint. SLAP tears occur where the biceps tendon attaches to the labrum on the top of the shoulder socket....

Surgical repair of a cleft lip and palate have medical benefits beyond the cosmetic. Repairing a cleft lip and palate will provide your infant with improved ability to nurse or drink from a bottle while also helping to facilitate optimal speech. Surgical repair of a cleft lip and palate is not a single procedure, but rather a series of surgeries to help maximize the benefit to your child while minimizing the risks for complications....

An embolus and thrombus are similar in that they refer to blood clots. However, they have differences as well. An embolus travels through the bloodstream where it can cause a blockage. A thrombus is a blood clot in the vessel. This article will go over what an embolus and thrombus, and which conditions cause them. Embolus vs. Thrombus vs. Embolism An embolus is a particle or mass (often a blood clot) that travels through the bloodstream....

When Cordialis Msora-Kasago, MA, RDN, founded The African Pot Nutrition (TAPN) in 2010, she was motivated by a deep love for her Zimbabwean heritage and a sharp anger at its lack of representation in Western nutrition manuals. Key Takeaways African cuisines offer a diverse range of grains and leafy grains, but these are often left out of healthy eating suggestions and nutrition studies in the West.As a result, people of African descent are not always given culturally inclusive nutrition advice when seeking tools for disease prevention or recovery....

TikTok users may be spreading misleading information about the Mediterranean Diet, an eating pattern that is hailed as the gold standard by many nutrition professionals. Key Takeaways New research found that TikTok content about the Mediterranean Diet is highly variable, which may lead to confusion for users.Over 20% of the content shared with #mediterraneandiet focused on Mediterranean culture, not the healthy eating pattern.Posts created by healthcare professionals were more likely to include an accurate description of the Mediterranean Diet and cite scientific studies....

If you have back pain, your physician or physical therapist may prescribe a brace to help control motion of your spine. A special back brace called a thoracic lumbar sacral orthosis (TLSO) may be prescribed for this. A TLSO is a brace that limits movement in your spine from the thoracic area (mid back) to your sacrum (low back). It does allow your neck to move freely. If you have a problem with your back that requires it to be kept in a neutral position while limiting excessive spinal motion, then a TLSO may be an option for you....

The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is routinely used to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is a specialized protein naturally produced by the prostate gland. If there is any abnormality or infection of the gland, the resulting inflammation will trigger the release of additional PSA. This protein is also produced by prostate cancer cells—the more cancer cells, the higher the PSA level. Prostate cancer is just one of the conditions the PSA test can help diagnose....

Rescue medication is a medicine intended to relieve your symptoms immediately. Rescue medications are most often used for severe allergies, for asthma, or for migraines, and they’re also known by the terms quick-acting medication and fast-acting medication. These types of medication can save your life if you’ve been accidentally exposed to an allergen or if you’re having a bad asthma attack. They also can stop a migraine in its tracks. But it’s never a good idea to rely on them solely to protect you....

A vasectomy is a surgical procedure that is done to prevent men from being able to produce children. This permanent male birth control is typically done as an outpatient procedure and is generally considered a low-risk surgery. Healthcare providers use a variety of techniques to surgically and permanently cut off the supply of sperm to semen. While vasectomies are technically reversible, the procedure should be considered permanent, since reversals are complicated and not always successful in restoring fertility....

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a syndrome that causes asthma-like symptoms as a result of the abnormal closure of the vocal cords. Symptoms may include wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest or neck tightness. VCD can so closely mimic asthma that this syndrome has also been called vocal cord asthma. However, asthma medications have no effect on VCD. Sometimes, people undiagnosed for VCD will go to the emergency room and be treated as if they have asthma....

Although yeast infections are associated with sex, they are not sexually transmitted infections (STIs). That said, it may be possible for yeast infections to be transmitted during oral sex and other sexual activity. The data isn’t clear, but it’s considered far more likely for yeast infections to be caused by health concerns and behaviors other than sex. Yeast infections are skin infections that are caused by one or more species of yeast....

While mainstream medical practitioners rarely recommend special diets for autism, many parents will hear of the success of such diets through websites, books, friends, and conferences. The science around such diets is sketchy, but there are plenty of anecdotal stories of special diets having a profound and positive impact on children with autism. The gluten (wheat) free, casein (dairy) free diet is the most popular of the specialized diets. But wheat and dairy are a part of almost everything we serve in the United States, and keeping a child away from ice cream, pizza, milk, and most snack foods and cereals is no small task....

Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder in which there is an overproduction of growth hormone. If the disorder begins in puberty, it is called gigantism. Most cases of acromegaly are caused by a benign (noncancerous) tumor of the pituitary gland in the brain. The tumor produces excess growth hormone, and as it grows it presses on the brain tissue around it. Most of these tumors occur spontaneously and are not genetically inherited....

The notion of autism self-advocacy didn’t really get off the ground until the mid-1990s, when the diagnostic criteria changed to include those with strong verbal and intellectual abilities. Until that point, a diagnosis of “autism” indicated a severe disability, including gross deficits in language development, lack of responsiveness to other people, and behaviors such as head-banging and rocking. With the 1994 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the “autism spectrum” was created and included Asperger’s syndrome and several other related disorders....

Exposure to black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) can cause symptoms such as a stuffy nose, wheezing, and itchy eyes, similar to those of other molds. However, not everyone is bothered by mold. It’s more likely to be a problem if you have certain conditions, including mold allergies and asthma. And long-term exposure to large amounts of mold spores can cause a severe reaction. This article discusses the most common symptoms of black mold, rare symptoms, and when to seek medical help....

When it comes to available treatments, you’re certainly not at a loss for options when it comes to cold medicines. Various widely available drugs can ease a variety of cold symptoms. While it’s easy to pick up a cold medication at a drugstore or supermarket, depending on your overall health, you may need to avoid certain ingredients. In addition, you should keep dosing considerations in mind to ensure you’re using these products as safely as possible....