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The next time you have a hearing test, you don’t have to be bewildered by the audiogram you are given. Here is an easy-to-understand explanation of how to read your audiogram. The Y- and X-Axes An audiogram is set up as a chart with the horizontal X-axis representing frequencies, or Hertz (Hz). The X-axis is divided into two parts: On the left side of the “divide” are the low frequencies. On the right side of the “divide” are the high frequencies....

A j-pouch, or ileal pouch reconstruction, is a complex type of surgery used for people who have ulcerative colitis, particular types of colon cancer, or familial polyposis. Developed in the 1970s, this surgery eliminates the need for an external pouch to collect waste because a pouch that functions as a rectum is made from the end of the small intestine in the body. The procedure can be performed in one, two, or three steps, but is most often done in two....

HDL is considered “good” cholesterol, and levels should be greater than 40 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). There are no symptoms associated with low HDL levels, but it does increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. Associated signs include stroke, heart attack, premature coronary artery disease, and peripheral polyneuropathy. Having low HDL levels increases your risk for complications, such as metabolic syndrome, heart failure, and diabetes. This article discusses low HDL symptoms and complications....

Metal implants in the body, including joint replacements, plates, screws, and rods, can set off metal detectors during airport security screenings. For many years, healthcare providers supplied medical ID cards to notify security personnel if a person has a medical implant. While these cards can be helpful, they’re not necessary. While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will accept a medical ID card or other documentation if you wish to discretely describe your condition, you will still have to undergo screening....

On a cross-country trip, it is common to spend some of the time driving at night. Without adequate rest, this may raise the risk of experiencing sudden, brief lapses into sleep. The car may swerve a little, or you might hear the sound of the tires running along the rumble strip at the road’s edge. It may be time for someone else to drive. What explains these episodes of microsleep? Learn about the signs, causes, dangers, and prevention....

Aside from the short-term, albeit debilitating pain and “brain fog” associated with a migraine attack, researchers are finding that migraines may also be associated with cognitive problems in between migraine attacks. Your cognitive abilities refer to mental processes your brain performs in order to acquire information, and then understand, communicate, process, judge, and remember that information. Your cognitive abilities are important because they affect your actions, and how you interact with others and your environment—they are part of your identity, so to speak....

During a test for nuchal translucency (NT), an ultrasound is performed to measure the collection of fluid between the fetus’s spine and the skin in the area of the nape of the neck. The procedure is performed by a specially trained ultrasound technician, and the results are read by a radiologist who also has specific training. This test differs from a routine ultrasound and is not offered at every healthcare facility....

While researchers are not certain of the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it is known that an imbalance of the endocrine system is responsible for many of the changes associated with it. A woman’s ovaries and adrenal glands produce more androgens than normal, resulting in increased body hair, acne, and irregular periods. A combination of genetic, health, and lifestyle factors may play a role in these changes. Common Causes PCOS affects between 6% and 10% of women worldwide....

Vaccinations are critical to preventing disease and are an essential part of your baby’s health care. Though some babies can have reactions to vaccines, such as tenderness at the injection site or a fever, these are generally mild and short-lived. A serious allergic reaction is possible, but rare. In most babies, the pros of vaccines far outweigh the cons—including possible reactions. If your child has a health concern that would make vaccine inadvisable, your pediatrician will let you know....

With contact lens care now easier and more convenient than ever before, wearing contacts has become more of a possibility for teens, preteens, and even some children. Most eye care professionals agree that by age 13, even as early as age 11, most eyes have developed enough for contact lenses. An eye exam will confirm whether contacts should be worn or not. If you are considering allowing your teenager to wear contacts, here are a few things to think about....

Understanding the life cycle of HIV has made it possible to develop the drugs we use to treat the disease. It allows us to identify how the virus makes copies of itself, which in turn allow us to develop ways to block (or inhibit) that process. The HIV life cycle is typically divided into seven distinct stages, from the attachment of the virus to the host cell to the budding of new free-circulating HIV virions (pictured)....

Anyone with fibromyalgia (FM) knows it causes widespread chronic pain, but the “why” behind this pain remains murky. And while the pain certainly exists, FM doesn’t cause the inflammation or damage you expect of pain conditions. Pain without visible damage is hard to understand and treat, which is why for many years, fibromyalgia was erroneously deemed a psychological disease. Over the years, though, as researchers dug deeper into the physiology of FM, they discovered that fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition characterized by central sensitization, which is a type of altered pain processing....

The symptoms of fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) are many and they can fluctuate like crazy—one day you feel pretty good, the next you can barely walk, and the next you feel all right physically but just can’t concentrate or communicate well. With these kinds of ups and downs, how can you and your healthcare provider hope to figure out what is going on with you?...

ENT is a medical abbreviation for ears, nose, and throat. A healthcare provider who specializes in treating ENT disorders may be referred to simply as an “ENT.” However, the proper name for this type of doctor is an otolaryngologist. ENT Anatomy and Function Overview The ears, nose, and throat are important parts of your body that are used on a daily basis. The ears are sensory organs that are not only related to hearing but also function to provide you with a sense of balance....

A butt bruise, or gluteal contusion, is an injury to the glute muscles of the buttocks. A butt bruise most often results in pain and visible discoloration of the skin at the injury site. This article will describe symptoms and causes of a butt bruise, how it’s diagnosed, and treated. Butt Bruise Symptoms A contusion, or bruise, is a type of muscle injury that can affect any of the body’s skeletal muscles....

Dental crowns are used for a number of reasons. Your dentist may recommend one due to loss of tooth structure or root canal treatment. You might also choose one for cosmetic improvement of your smile. There are many different types of crowns used to restore a tooth. Among those are gold crowns, which have been used in dentistry for a number of years. Materials In dentistry, there are three main categories of crowns, all metal crowns, all porcelain crowns, and porcelain fused to metal (PFM)....

Arthritis and bursitis are different conditions that have similar characteristics. Arthritis includes a group of chronic diseases, with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) being the most common. Bursitis is a temporary condition that’s usually caused by overuse, injury, or infection. Both involve joint inflammation, pain, and discomfort. What Is Bursitis? Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, which are fluid-filled sacs near the joints. The bursae cushion bones, tendons, and muscles to reduce joint friction and inflammation....

Humans have wisdom teeth because our ancestors needed them. Early humans didn’t cook and weren’t able to cut their food with knives. Because their teeth were the only tools they had for breaking down tough, uncooked foods, they needed a broader jaw containing extra molars. Wisdom teeth gave them the power to chew a broader variety of raw foods. Why We Get Wisdom Teeth Our earliest ancestors survived on a diet of raw meat, nuts, roots, berries, and leaves....

If you designated someone to serve as your durable power of attorney for health care, you might be wondering when or how the power in that document is activated. When does the person who is identified on the form begin to make medical decisions? Medical Power of Attorney Documents This question of when a power of attorney for health care is activated may be especially perplexing in the case of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia....

Colored condoms can be a fun addition to your sex life. I like to say that they add some fashion to your passion. Maybe you’ve always wondered what your partner looks like in red. Maybe you think that fellatio is more fun in fuchsia. Visual stimulation can be an important part of the sexual experience. Colored condoms can be an interesting way to spice things up. Price You can buy a basic supply of colorful condoms for no more than you’d pay for any other latex condom....