For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
Although most people equate diabetes with high blood sugars, individuals using insulin or certain diabetes pills may experience low blood sugar levels, especially if they miss a meal or exercise more than usual. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may be mild and easily treated or can worsen to a medical emergency.
Read more →
Soon after the common cold strikes, you may also experience chapped, sore lips. It's no fun having to nurse both symptoms, but by using the proper ointments and changing some simple habits, it'll be smooth sailing for your rough lips.
Read more →
Communication is the sharing of messages between individuals. It may be transmitted orally, by the written word or by the use of body language. Therapeutic communication is a tool employed by health professionals to facilitate discussion with the patient.
Read more →
Eyelid bumps can develop suddenly or gradually, appearing as a knot beneath the skin or a surface growth. Bumps generally occur on the upper or lower eyelid for similar reasons. Common causes include a sty or blocked oil gland. Noncancerous and cancerous growths are also possible culprits.
Read more →
Restasis is the brand name for cyclosporine A ophthalmic drops, used for chronic or severe dry eyes. Restasis is an anti-inflammatory medication that improves tear production that has been suppressed by chronic dry eye inflammation, called keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
Read more →
Strep throat and tinnitus are two unrelated conditions, though they can occur at the same time in certain instances. The conditions are not caused by one another and occur for different reasons. If you have strep throat, but also experience ringing in your ears, there is an explanation that may ease your mind.
Read more →
What starts as little white lies, small exaggerations and stretching the truth can snowball into a chronic issue for teens and parents. Take action if you think your teenager is lying consistently. Find the root of the behavior and learn how to handle the problem effectively.
Read more →
Burning when you urinate can range from annoying to truly painful. The medical term for burning on urination is dysuria. Although dysuria is a symptom rather than a disease, it is not something you should ignore, as several potentially serious conditions could cause dysuria.
Read more →
Vitamins are natural substances found in the foods you eat that help the body to perform functions like building bones or healing wounds. Although getting the vitamins you need from food is ideal, your diet may be lacking in several vitamins. Vitamin deficiencies cause a multitude of problems, from dry skin to scurvy.
Read more →
Hypoglycemia, which is a complication of diabetes, is the medical term for dangerously low blood glucose. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted by a blocked or burst vessel in the brain. Strokes kill brain cells and cause permanent brain damage.
Read more →
Three types of medications to treat erectile dysfunction -- sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil -- may cause low blood pressure. Niacin, used to treat conditions such as high cholesterol and hardening of the arteries, can also lower your blood pressure.
Read more →
Blocked or clogged arteries typically occur when a substance called plaque builds up on your artery walls and significantly reduces your normal blood flow. High cholesterol is a major risk factor for plaque buildup.
Read more →
Congestive heart failure, CHF, is a condition in which the pumping action of your heart is compromised and the heart fails to pump as efficiently as it should. Your tissues and organs rely on the blood pumped from the heart for the delivery of oxygen and nutrients, hence CHF affects the entire body.
Read more →
Low to moderate exercise may help improve your immune response when suffering from common cold symptoms such as a sore throat. However, if your sore throat is accompanied by additional symptoms such as a fever, you may want to avoid exercise until symptoms subside.
Read more →
If you have back problems and pain, your doctor may recommend treatments such as spinal decompression or inversion therapy. The goal is to help reduce pain and improve blood flow, but whether any of these treatments are right for you will depend upon your specific condition.
Read more →
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects 5 to 10 percent of all women of reproductive age and is associated with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, cardiovascular risks, insulin resistance and risk of diabetes, according to the Office on Women's Health.
Read more →
Concussions are one of the most common types of minor head injuries. Each year, 300,000 Americans suffer concussions related to sports and recreation activities, according to the Franklin Institute.
Read more →
Cortisol is a very important hormone, because it influences inflammation and plays a role in the stress response. The adrenal glands secrete this hormone into circulation four times per day. Its earliest and largest release, which occurs around 8 AM, effectively provides the energy to start the day.
Read more →
The menstrual cycle lasts an average of 28 days, during which time the body releases a series of hormones in preparation for pregnancy.
Read more →
Muscle spasms or twitches are common; you might experience one after strenuous exercise, long periods of standing or even while resting. Your muscles require magnesium and other minerals to help them contract and relax. Not getting enough of these nutrients in your diet can lead to muscle spasms.
Read more →