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The information contained in the IBM Watson Micromedex products as delivered by Verywell Health is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen....

Herpes is a highly stigmatized word and one that most people don’t want to be associated with. That’s why some people balk when they hear that chickenpox is a form of herpes. Not only that, the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox in children can also cause shingles in adults when it is reactivated. Does this mean all of these conditions can be referred to as “herpes?” About Herpes Viruses Herpesviridae is a group of viruses also described as herpes viruses....

Kernig’s sign is a physical indication that meningitis may be present. It is one of the clinical signs used by healthcare providers to diagnose meningitis. Kernig’s sign is often looked for along with Brudzinski’s sign when someone is suspected of having meningitis. While a positive Kernig’s sign alone does not guarantee a meningitis diagnosis, it, along with a positive Brudzinski’s sign, increases the likelihood of a meningitis diagnosis. This article talks about what Kernig’s sign means, how it works, and why it is a significant clinical tool....

A kidney laceration is an injury in which a tear in the kidney tissue might lead to bleeding or leaking of urine into the abdominal cavity. The blood or urine collects in a space called the retroperitoneum, which is behind the peritoneum, where your bowels are located. Lacerated kidneys can also lead to blood in the urine. All kidney injuries (also known as renal trauma) account for 1% to 5% of all traumatic injuries that are severe enough to require treatment at a trauma center....

Your spine has curves in five areas (neck, upper back, low back, sacrum, and coccyx). Three main curves are located in the neck, upper back, and low back; they are instrumental for body balance. The bottom end of your spine (your sacrum) is wedged in back between the two hip bones that comprise the pelvis. Because of this location, the movements you make with your pelvis very much affect what happens in your spine....

There are some ways to prevent dislocation of a hip replacement, which is the most common complication of hip replacement surgery. While the ball and socket of the hip replacement are very tightly fit together, they are not actually connected—and if enough force is applied, they can become separated. A dislocation occurs when the femoral head (the “ball”) is separated from the socket. The risk of complications of hip replacement surgery, including dislocation, has come down over the past decade with preventive strategies....

The right hepatic artery supplies oxygenated blood to the right side of the liver. It usually branches off from the common hepatic artery, which supplies blood to multiple organs, including the liver, pancreas, stomach, and gallbladder. This article will look at the anatomy, function, and clinical significance of the right hepatic artery. Anatomy Structure and Location The right hepatic artery is located in the abdomen. It’s a branch of the hepatic artery proper, which is a branch of the common hepatic artery that supplies oxygenated blood to various abdominal organs....

Before you start monitoring your progress with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) specialist during your IVF cycle, there are several important things that you should know. As if the nightly (and sometimes another one in the morning) injections weren’t bad enough, your fertility specialist is probably requesting that you come into the office every day for a blood test and ultrasound. The Importance of Monitoring During an IVF Cycle Your healthcare provider will need to closely follow your response to the medications that you are taking, which may include medications taken prior to IVF along with medications taken for IVF....

Chemorefractory is a term used to describe cancer that does not respond to chemotherapy (chemo) medications. Cancer can be refractory to chemotherapy immediately or may become refractory during treatment. In other words, a tumor may respond to chemotherapy at the beginning and get smaller, only to stop responding and not change size or even get bigger later. This article goes over the basics of chemotherapy and why cancer can be chemorefractory....

As people crank up the thermostat to combat the cold this winter, indoor spaces can become uncomfortably dry. According to a new study, keeping your relative humidity between 40% and 60% may help more than your skin—it may also lower COVID-19 transmission rates. Key Takeaways In a new study, researchers observed a connection between intermediate relative humidity and lower transmission rates of COVID-19.Relative humidity affects the mucociliary system, which removes pathogens before they reach the lungs....

Nearly 2.5 billion people in the world—one in four people—will have some level of hearing loss by 2050, according to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO). They estimate at least 700 million of those people will need access to ear and hearing care or other rehabilitation services. Key Takeaways A WHO report says that nearly 2.5 billion people will have hearing loss by 2050.At least 700 million of those will need ear and hearing care....

It may seem like a giant hassle to remove your jewelry and any piercings you may have prior to surgery, but there are multiple very good reasons for doing so. It isn’t that your surgeon doesn’t like piercings, or has a personal issue with wedding rings. Your surgical team just wants to avoid complications whenever possible. The simple fact is that jewelry can get in the way of a surgical procedure or interfere with an imaging study....

If you were to believe everything you read, a vegetarian or vegan diet would be a healthy, natural, and sure-fire way to clear your acne. A vegetarian doesn’t eat any type of meat—no beef, pork, chicken, or seafood. So, can doing that prevent breakouts? Maybe. According to a few studies, acne may be linked to a high amount of animal protein in the diet. The Link: Meat and Acne Your body contains a protein-complex called mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)....

In the early days of vaccine rollout, COVID-19 vaccines were so scarce that only the most vulnerable groups like older adults and healthcare workers qualified for the shot. But now, as demand wanes, states and businesses are offering monetary incentives as a means to get people fully vaccinated. Key Takeaways States and businesses are providing monetary incentives and material goods to adults willing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts say incentives will need to be coupled with other approaches to increase access to the vaccines....

About 5 million U.S. women of reproductive age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common hormonal problem in women of reproductive age. It usually starts at puberty, when hormone production starts. Women with PCOS make more of the male hormones (androgens) than normal. This can cause infrequent and/or irregular periods and signs of excess male hormone. At least two of the following conditions are necessary to make a diagnosis of PCOS:...

Cholestyramine is a cholesterol-lowering drug that belongs to the bile acid resin class of medications. Studies have shown that cholestyramine mainly lowers LDL cholesterol by about 15%. Cholestyramine does not appear to positively impact other aspects of your lipid profile but may increase triglyceride levels in some instances. Cholestyramine has also been shown to slow the progression of the development of atherosclerosis in a couple of studies. However, it has not been shown to prevent death or disability due to cardiovascular disease....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disorder of the lungs that restricts airflow into and out of the lungs. COPD is classified by stages of disease which help determine the best course of treatment and predict the likely outcome (prognosis) of the disease. Stage IV is considered the most severe form of COPD and is characterized by severe shortness of breath (dyspnea). At this stage, your medications won’t work as well as they used to, simple tasks will leave you breathless, and you will have an increased risk of lung infection and respiratory failure....

It’s one word—eczema—that can actually mean many things besides the red, scaly, blistered rash for which it’s most known. It all depends on the stage you’re talking about. And eczema has three stages: acute, subacute, and chronic. Each eczema stage has its own distinct symptoms. And they’re not nearly as predictable as you might assume. Even scientists have a lot to learn about what causes eczema and how it advances through the three stages....

The term epidural hematoma refers to pooling blood (hematoma) outside the dura mater (epidural). It’s one example of closed head trauma, which also includes subdural hematomas and sub-arachnoid hemorrhage. Closed head injuries, similar to traumatic brain injuries, come from blunt trauma to the noggin that results in swelling of the brain. What actually causes the swelling—blood, fluid, inflammation, etc.—depends partly on where inside the cranium the damage is found. The cranium is a closed space, for the most part....

The COVID-19 vaccine may help protect against more than just illness. New research shows that people who received their COVID-19 vaccine also experienced better mental health after just one dose. Key Takeaways Researchers surveyed over 8,000 adults in the United States about their mental health during the pandemic, starting before vaccines were available.People who got vaccinated reported reduced anxiety and depression compared to people who did not get vaccinated.Experts say getting vaccinated offers a sense of control over a traumatic experience....