Mouth ulcers, also known as oral ulcers, aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, are breaks in the tissue lining of your mouth, often along the base of the gums or inside the cheeks or lips, but can form in the floor of the mouth or on the tongue. (Very rarely a mouth ulcer may be the early sign of a cancer.) They can be painful, annoying, and sometimes embarrassing, interfering with eating, drinking, brushing, and even talking....
Myxedema is a medical term used to describe a rare but life-threatening situation caused by untreated hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland is a small organ—about the size of two thumbs—located at the front of your neck. This small gland is responsible for providing your body with a variety of thyroid hormones. Altered mental status, hypothermia, and changes in the skin are key signs of myxedema—or severe hypothyroidism. Myxedema can lead to a coma and death if hypothyroidism is left untreated....
Since the Omicron variant prompted concerns among public health authorities, major vaccine manufacturers have announced their coronavirus defense plans. Key Takeaways Unlike the vaccines, Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill targets the “protease enzyme,” which can slow down the virus spread in the body.Since most of Omicron’s mutations are in the spike protein rather than the protease, the pill should remain effective against the variant.Although the antiviral pill may offer an additional layer of defense against COVID-19, driving vaccination rate remains the best way to prevent further virus mutations....
A new study examining deaths at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention centers found that personnel significantly violated internal medical standards. Key Takeaways A recent investigation found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centers violated their own internal medical standards.Researchers found that ICE violated its own internal medical standards in 78% of deaths included in this study. Experts call for more transparency and oversight. The researchers found that ICE violated its own internal medical standards in 78% of deaths included in this study....
Your leg muscles may become weak after you have hip, knee, ankle, or foot surgery. This happens because you aren’t using those muscles as much while you recover. That’s why it’s important to start strengthening them once your doctor says it’s time to. Gaining back the strength you lost after an injury or surgery is an important step in your recovery. This article discusses the benefits of exercise after surgery. It will also teach you how to do some basic strengthening exercises that will help you recover....
Cologuard, a popular at-home stool DNA test for colorectal cancer, costs around $120 per test after Medicare reimbursements. But a much cheaper alternative test is available, and it’s equally effective, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Many U.S. patients use Cologuard, a multi-target stool DNA test for at-home colorectal cancer screening, even though it’s costly.A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is just as effective at detecting early signs of colorectal cancer as Cologuard, according to a new study....
Our skin is a living organ made up of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (subcutaneous fat layer). Each layer serves a different function. The epidermis is continuously shed and contains melanocytes, which are involved in giving the skin its color. The dermis—the middle layer—gives the skin its strength and flexibility. It also contains pain and touch receptors. The hypodermis helps conserve the body’s heat and protects the body from injury by acting as a shock absorber....
While over-the-counter (OTC) acne products can be effective, prescription topical acne treatment may be recommended if you have stubborn acne and/or moderate-to-severe breakouts. These medications include azelaic acid, retinoid, antibiotic, and combination creams and gels. These work in different ways—reducing inflammation, killing acne-causing bacteria, and encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells, for example. Whether or not you need a prescription topical acne treatment, and which one may be best for you, depends on the severity of your acne....
Acne is arguably the most common skin problem across all skin tones but it can cause special troubles in skin of color – from dark spots and skin discoloration to sensitivity to acne treatments. Here are some acne treatment tips especially for your skin type. Ethnic skin varies in tone from light to very deep brown, depending on the amount of melanin found. Melanin is the protein pigment responsible for coloring the skin, hair, and eyes....
A viral load is simply the measurement of the amount of virus in your blood. Viral load measurements are commonly used to monitor chronic viral diseases such as HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). In the case of HCV, a test called a quantitative HCV RNA assay is used to measure the virus’s genetic material (RNA) detected in a milliliter of blood. Other technologies can be also used to monitor viral activity, most of which do so by detecting either viral DNA or RNA....
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel condition that can affect any area of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease is typically categorized based on what area of the GI tract is affected. This article will explore the subtype of Crohn’s disease known as gastroduodenal Crohn’s disease, in which inflammation is found within the stomach and the first part of the small intestine, known as the duodenum....
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a type of messenger protein known as a cytokine that is produced by white blood cells. TNF is important to the body because it helps regulate the response of the immune system to a foreign object, especially to the present cancerous tumor. It promotes inflammation, produces other cells used in the inflammatory response, and can help cells heal. TNF is also sometimes referred to as tumor necrosis factor-alpha....
Verywell Health: Are pigmentation changes permanent with skin conditions like eczema? What can I do to lessen these changes? This article is part of Health Divide: Skin Conditions and Darker Skin, a destination in our Health Divide series. Dr. Woolery-Lloyd: No. The pigment changes are rarely permanent. The most common pigment change is hyperpigmentation, which is darkening of the skin. Usually, once eczema resolves, the hyperpigmentation will fade over time. Occasionally we use some treatments to speed up that process, but we have to be careful in people with eczema-prone skin because some of them can be irritating....
Robert L. Quigley, MD, DPhil, is the Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director, Corporate Health Solutions at International SOS & MedAire. After 25 years working in surgery, critical care, and immunology, he’s using his expertise to advise on crisis management, infectious disease, and health care. Here, he shares his thoughts on travel considerations for families with young children who may not yet be fully vaccinated. With the holidays just around the corner, many families who are planning to travel remain anxious about the potential heightened risk of COVID-19 transmission....
If you have oily skin or tend to be prone to acne, moisturizers still play an important role in your skin-care routine. Skin oils and skin hydration are not the same thing, and your skin can be both oily and dehydrated. Moisturizers can help offset fluid loss due to environmental factors, such as cold weather, or other causes. This article will help you to better understand the biology of your skin and what is needed to keep it healthy....
Dysdiadochokinesia (DDK) refers to the inability to perform rapid, alternating movements, such as flipping one’s hand from back to front on a flat surface, or screwing in a light bulb. DDK can cause problems with upper and lower extremities as well as with speech. This problem is often seen in patients with multiple sclerosis or other conditions that impair coordination. Symptoms DDK typically affects the muscles in the arms, hands, legs, and feet, as well as the muscles in the larynx that control speech....
Exercise tolerance refers to the exercise capacity of an individual as measured by their ability to endure exercise and/or the maximum workload achieved during the exercise period. Exercise tolerance can be measured accurately during an exercise tolerance test. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, have a reduced capacity for exercise/activity due to dyspnea and fatigue, which stem from an inadequate oxygen supply within the body. Over time, even the slightest tasks, such as getting dressed, can cause difficulty....
While efforts to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine at lightning speeds are underway, convincing the majority of the U.S. population to get vaccinated poses a new challenge. A Pew Research Center study finds that 49% of people said they would not be willing or are unlikely to get vaccinated, highlighting the need for a large scale vaccine promotion strategy across the country. Key Takeaways A study suggests five key strategies for a way to move COVID-19 vaccine promotion forward, including making vaccines free and using public endorsements from government leaders....
Asking “what does acid reflux or heartburn feel like?” seems like a simple enough question. Usually, heartburn is said to feel like some level of discomfort in the chest area. Heartburn or acid reflux is a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but it’s typically not the only one. Also, some people who experience gastroesophageal reflux won’t ever have chest discomfort. Symptoms of Acid Reflux and Heartburn Heartburn is not the same for everyone who experiences it....
People with celiac disease have an increased risk for certain types of cancer, research has shown. But do people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity also carry a higher risk of cancer? Here’s what we know (and don’t know). Research into gluten sensitivity is in its infancy — in fact, clinicians haven’t yet coalesced around a definition of the condition, and there’s still no accepted way to diagnose it. Therefore, few studies have looked specifically at the risk of cancer in people determined to be gluten-sensitive....
