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Articles by Alexandra Benisek
Birth Control Implants and Weight Gain
The birth control implant is a thin, plastic rod about the size of a matchstick. A doctor puts it under the skin of your upper arm. It’s an option for women who want to prevent pregnancy for up to five years. In the U.S., etonogestrel (NEXPLANON) is the only available implant. It gives off a low dose of a human-made version of the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. Like any type of hormonal birth control, it has many possible side effects, including weight gain.
Prostate Cancer: What to Do Before Surgery
If you plan to get surgery for your prostate cancer, there are a few things you can do to get ready ahead of time. As with any surgery, your well-being and safety are important. If you prepare for surgery, you’ll be more likely to have a successful outcome. Always ask your doctor about the specific steps you should take before your surgery. They may suggest: Diet changes. You’ll need to drink a lot of fluids before surgery. Clear liquids are usually the best options.
Prostatitis vs. Prostate Cancer
Your prostate is an organ that makes some of the fluid that’s part of semen. It’s below your bladder and in front of your rectum. Prostate cancer happens when the cells in your prostate gland grow out of control. Prostatitis, on the other hand, is a different condition that affects your prostate gland. It’s usually not as serious. If you have prostatitis, you might have an infection, inflammation, or pain. Prostatitis is a benign condition, while prostate cancer is malignant.
Navigating hATTR-CM: Why Self-Advocacy Matters
hATTR-CM (hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy) can be tough to diagnose because the warning signs are sometimes mistaken for other conditions, like atrial fibrillation or heart disease caused by chronic high blood pressure. Strong self-advocacy skills can help shorten the journey to diagnosis. Knowing your family history, paying close attention to symptoms, and getting second opinions when something doesn’t feel right can make a huge difference.
Exercise and Schizophrenia: What’s the Link?
If you have schizophrenia, you’re more likely to have physical health problems that could affect your life expectancy. Because of this, experts continue to study treatment and lifestyle options that may improve your overall well-being. In addition to medications and psychotherapy, research shows that exercise can help prevent and treat schizophrenia. With schizophrenia, you may gain weight.
How Do Social Determinants of Health Affect Schizophrenia?
Social determinants of health(SDOH) refer to the conditions in the area that you live, work, play, and learn. The distribution of money, resources, and power shape your SDOH. The social determinants of mental health are societal issues that can affect your mental well-being. These factors affect many of your health risks and outcomes. They may heighten your risk for mental health conditions or make current ones worse. One illness that the SDOH affects is schizophrenia.
Arthritis and Crohn’s Disease
If you have Cohn’s disease, you have a higher risk of arthritis. Experts believe this has to do with your genetics. Arthritis is usually more common when you’re older, but with Crohn’s or other types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it can happen in your younger years too. Crohn’s puts you at risk for three kinds of arthritis: Peripheral arthritis. This is the most common type of arthritis in people with Crohn’s and other types of IBD.
Birth Control Side Effects and Risks
When you’re choosing a birth control method, it’s important to consider the benefits and different side effects and risks you might have. Before you decide, compare your options to figure out which is the best for you. If you have questions about how each form of birth control may affect your body, talk to your doctor. You can also do some research to get a better understanding of the different types. Combined hormonal birth control contains man-made forms of estrogen and progestin.
Resources for Crohn's Disease
You might want extra support to help you manage Crohn’s disease. In addition to your medical team, there are many resources you can use to get reliable information to feel better, including blogs, online communities, and nonprofit organizations. These outlets can offer you emotional support, tips for living with Crohn’s, and chances to meet others with the condition virtually or in person. Your doctor may be able to refer you to in-person support groups. You can explore options online.
Quick Stress-Relief Rituals You Can Do in 5 Minutes or Less
Caregiver stress can happen as a result of the emotional, mental, and physical strain that occurs while taking care of another person. This type of stress can lead to burnout — a form of exhaustion that happens when you’ve drained your energy, strength, and resources. As a caregiver for someone with depression, it can be a challenge to make time for your own well-being. But it’s important to remember that you can’t give your loved one the best quality care if you don’t maintain your own health.
Sleep Apnea: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that happens when your breathing stops and starts while you're asleep. If it goes untreated, it can cause loud snoring, daytime tiredness, or more serious problems like heart trouble or high blood pressure. This condition is different from regular, or primary, snoring. Primary snoring may be caused by nose or throat conditions, your sleep style (especially back sleeping), being overweight or older, or using alcohol or other depressants.
Can My Pet Give Me Coronavirus?
You may have heard that coronaviruses can infect animals and wondered whether your pets could get COVID-19--or pass the virus to you. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and some, like canine and feline coronaviruses, infect only animals. In rare cases, a coronavirus jumps from animals to humans. A small number of pets have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Tips for Dating With Psoriasis
Dating in itself can be tricky. But if you have a skin condition like psoriasis, you might feel as though there are extra hurdles to overcome while you meet new people. Studies have shown that some people with psoriasis have a lower quality of life. The condition can also affect your sexual health. But there are many things you can do to avoid or reduce self-doubt when it comes to dating with psoriasis. Communication is important in all relationships.
Can Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Be Reversed?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) happens when your arteries harden and narrow due to a buildup of plaque, made up of fats and other substances in your bloodstream. You get PAD, also called peripheral arterial disease, in the arteries that carry blood to your arms and legs. If blood can’t get to these areas, tissue damage (and eventually tissue death) can occur. If it's not controlled, PAD can lead to a stroke, heart attack, kidney disease, or amputation of your foot, leg, or arm.
Atrial Fibrillation and Inflammation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is related to inflammation in your body, like other heart disease. Some research suggests that inflammation can cause AFib or make it worse if you already have it. Other studies seem to show that atrial fibrillation itself can spark inflammation. Both things may be true, but we need more research to know exactly what the connection is. AFib is one of the most common types of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
Sleep Disorders: Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis): Overview, Causes, and Treatments
Your child may wet the bed every now and then. While it's usually not a big deal, it can be frustrating for both you and your kid. Here's some more information about the types of bedwetting, why it happens, and when to see a doctor. Bedwetting happens when someone accidentally pees while sleeping. It's common in kids, even if they've been toilet trained. (Photo credit: iStock / Getty Images) Bedwetting, or nocturnal enuresis, happens when someone accidentally pees while sleeping.
COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccine helps train your immune system to fight off coronavirus disease (COVID) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The coronavirus can cause serious illness and potentially death. But vaccination is one of the best ways to stop it. Your risk of serious coronavirus illness is similar to or higher than that of the flu, depending on your age and medical conditions. COVID-19 is now seasonal, like colds and influenza. Historically, we would use a vaccine to help control it.
Conditions That Can Look Like PsA But Aren’t
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis that affects some people with psoriasis. It can cause your joints to become stiff, painful, swollen, or warm to touch. You might notice symptoms in your spine, hands, feet, or lower back, but PsA can affect any part of your body. Signs of PsA also may be signs of other diseases. If you think your pain is related to PsA, visit your doctor. They’ll be able to tell if your symptoms are caused by this or another condition.
Conditions You Might Have Along With AS
If you have ankylosing spondylitis (AS), you may be more likely to develop another disease or illness. Some conditions are more common than others in people with AS. It’s not always clear why, but when you know what the possible risks are, you can take action to help prevent those problems. This condition affects your bones. Your body either doesn’t make enough bone, loses too much, or both. Due to this, your bones become fragile and could break more easily.
Latest Research on Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis can create uncomfortable pain or stiffness in your back, neck, hips, and other areas of your body. We’ve learned a lot about AS in recent years but there’s still a lot we don’t know. Experts continue to find new data about the possible causes and treatment options for ankylosing spondylitis. Scientists don’t yet know the exact cause of ankylosing spondylitis. But they think that a mix of environmental and genetic factors are involved.
Conditions That Can Seem Like Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in your lungs. You have the highest risk of this disease if you smoke. But you can still get it if you’ve avoided tobacco. In its early stages, lung cancer usually doesn’t have many symptoms. Over time, you may notice: Chest pain A cough that doesn’t go away A cough with some blood Shortness of breath Weight loss A hoarse voice Headache Pain in your bones Some other conditions can have similar warning signs to lung cancer.
Ovarian Cancer and Weight Gain
You can have ovarian cancer but have few or no symptoms in the early stages. One of the warning signs that you may overlook is weight gain. The extra pounds are both a risk factor for getting ovarian cancer as well as a side effect from the disease or its treatments. Being overweight or obese raises your chances for many types of cancer. That clearly includes ovarian cancer.
COVID-19 and Your Brain: What You Should Know
About 1 in 7 people who’ve had the COVID-19 virus have developed neurological side effects or symptoms that affected their brain function. While the virus doesn’t necessarily directly attack your brain tissue or nerves, it can cause problems that range from temporary confusion to strokes and seizures in severe situations. This trend is like other “brain fog” complications seen in previous viruses, such as SARS and H1N1. It may take months for experts to discover the reasons behind these issues.
Home Remedies for Shortness of Breath
You have shortness of breath, or dyspnea, when you have a hard time breathing. You may notice tightness in your chest, or feel like you're suffocating. Intense exercise, high elevations, and harsh temperatures can cause shortness of breath. So can anxiety, colds and flu, COVID-19, obesity, and heart and lung conditions. If it's new or can't be explained, call your doctor right away. If your shortness of breath is sudden or intense, or you also have symptoms like chest pain, it could be an emergency.
How Your COPD Treatment May Change Over Time
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your symptoms may worsen over time. Your treatments may change along with them. Doctors divide COPD into four stages, depending on how severe your condition is. Treatment in any stage is tailored to relieve your symptoms, slow how fast your COPD is getting worse, and lower your risk of lung cancer and other problems. This is when you might have slight trouble breathing and sometimes cough up mucus.
What to Know About Bloating and Ovarian Cancer
There are lots of reasons you may feel bloated, including minor problems like eating gassy foods. But bloating can also be a symptom of ovarian cancer in some women. Bloating is a feeling of fullness or tightness around your belly. You might feel like you need to pass gas. In some cases, your belly might appear swollen (distension).
How to Manage ADHD Medication Rebound
Kids who take a stimulant medication for ADHD might have times of day when their symptoms flare. Doctors call this a “medication rebound,” or “the arsenic hour,” which happens when your child’s brain reacts to their medicine wearing off. When medication leaves your child’s body too quickly, ADHD symptoms can return suddenly and intensely. If these flare-ups happen, they tend to be at the end of the day, around dinner or about the time you return from work.
Surgery and Other Procedures for AFib
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to serious problems and may need treatment. That will depend on what’s causing your Afib, your age, your symptoms, and other medical conditions you have. Some medications can control your heart rate or can convert your heart’s rhythm back to normal, but you might also have surgery or another kind of procedure to correct or maintain it. A cardioversion procedure can reset your heart to its normal rhythm.
Effective Exercises for Knee Pain Relief and Strengthening Your Joints
The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body, making knee pain a common issue. The activities of daily life can take a toll on your knees. Walking puts stress on your knees that's equal to one and a half times your body weight, while going downstairs creates pressure equal to two to three times your body weight. No wonder that knee pain triggers up to 40% of physical therapy visits.
Where Does Ovarian Cancer Spread?
When ovarian cancer moves beyond your ovaries or fallopian tubes, cancer cells may reach your liver, lungs, or other places in your body. The stage your doctor assigns to your ovarian cancer can tell you how far the disease has spread.
What Is Hexavalent Chromium?
Hexavalent chromium is a type of the element chromium. Doctors have found that it can cause cancer and harm other parts of your body. Chromium is naturally found in animals, rocks, plants, soil, gases, and volcanic dust. But experts usually find hexavalent chromium in industrial areas. You may have heard of hexavalent chromium from the 2000 movie Erin Brockovich.
What Is a Mediastinoscopy?
A mediastinoscopy helps doctors look at the space behind your breastbone in the middle of your chest, between your lungs. Experts call this area your “mediastinum.” It holds your heart and its large vessels, your trachea or windpipe, your esophagus, your thymus gland, and some of your lymph nodes. This surgical procedure can help your doctor look for and locate problems related to lung cancer. Your doctor might suggest a mediastinoscopy to take out some of your lymph nodes if you have lung cancer.
Surface Cleaning and COVID-19: What You Should Know
The COVID-19 virus spreads mainly through exposure to airborne droplets infected with the virus. While it's possible to be infected with COVID by coming in contact with a surface with the virus on it, it's very rare. However, you should still clean and disinfect surfaces in your home, especially if someone has tested positive for the virus. This alone can help reduce the spread of infection. CDC guidelines suggest using disinfectants in your home within the first 24 hours of a positive diagnosis.
What Birth Control Can You Get Without a Prescription?
If you want to avoid pregnancy without a prescription from your doctor, you can buy several types of birth control over the counter — including condoms, spermicide, and nonprescription birth control pills. Most pharmacies and grocery stores offer a range of over-the-counter contraceptives. Which one is best for you depends on what you're comfortable with, as well as your lifestyle and your relationship. Some options are more effective than others.
Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight and Keep it Off?
Losing weight can be difficult. But keeping the weight off is another challenge. There are many factors that go into weight management. Some are in your control and some aren’t. In the WebMD webinar “Why Is It So Hard to Lose Weight and Keep it Off?” Amanda Velazquez, MD, an obesity medicine and nutrition specialist who serves as director of obesity medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, explained why obesity is a chronic disease and what goes into losing weight without gaining it back.
Ovarian Cancer and Pain
Pain -- sharp or dull, in your belly, pelvis, or elsewhere -- can be one of the earliest warning signs of ovarian cancer. Your disease and the treatments for it also may cause pain. You might hurt from the symptoms of ovarian cancer or because of other reasons: Tumor. Your cancer can leave your belly or pelvis swollen and sore. As the tumor grows and spreads, you might feel pain near your lungs, liver, and other parts of your body. Digestive symptoms. You might mistake ovarian cancer for indigestion.
Managing Advanced Ovarian Cancer Symptoms
If you have advanced ovarian cancer, it means that your cancer has spread outside of your ovary into other areas of your body. As a result, your symptoms may be harder to manage than before it spread. Whichever ones you have, there are many ways you and your doctor can work together to help you feel better. You might have intense pain in your pelvis or your abdomen. To treat this, your doctor may give you over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen.
Blood Pressure Medications for Lupus
If you have lupus, you’re at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke. Up to 74% of people with lupus also have high blood pressure. To lower your likelihood of cardiovascular issues and other problems, it’s important to treat your high blood pressure. There are certain drugs that aren’t safe to take if you have high blood pressure and lupus. The good news is there are other options to keep both conditions in check.
Pain Management With Crohn's Disease
If you have Crohn’s disease and pain, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Pain is common with Crohn’s, but there are ways to treat it. Pain management can help control your discomfort related to Crohn’s. You may notice two main types of pain: Visceral pain. This happens inside your body and it’s hard to locate. Somatic pain. This affects your muscles, joints, and bones. It’s easier to find exactly where the pain comes from.
Side Effects of Ulcerative Colitis Medications
Medication is usually the first option when treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Your doctor will choose the best drug for you, based on how severe your condition is and other factors. But it may come with side effects. Here’s what you need to know. These medications are also known as aminosalicylates. They lower inflammation in your digestive tract. They’re best for mild to moderate flares and can help you avoid relapses (when your symptoms come back). They usually come in tablets.
Types of Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis (UC) can affect different parts of your colon and rectum. There are three main types of UC and each can have different symptoms. The intensity of your condition depends on the amount of inflammation and the area affected. It’s important to know which type of UC you have and how it may affect your health. This type of UC affects about one-third of people with the disease.
Lung Granuloma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Granulomas are small lumps of immune cells that form in your body in areas where there is infection or inflammation. They’re most commonly found in your lungs, but they can also be in other areas of your head and body. Doctors believe that they block the spread of organisms such as bacteria and fungi through your body. Granulomas are usually accidentally found through X-rays or other tests when doctors look for other health issues.
When AFib Gets Worse
If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), you may not need any treatment, or you may be able to manage it with medication. But this condition is almost always progressive and often needs lifelong therapy. In the beginning, your AFib episodes might be more spaced out and less intense. But over time the problem can become worse and it can happen more often. If you have ongoing symptoms for more than 1 week, this is called persistent AFib.
Conditions That Can Seem Like MS
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting disease that affects the nerves in your brain and spinal cord. It's often hard to diagnose because symptoms can vary so much from person to person. They can be mild or severe. They may come and go, or they may get worse over time. There are many other diseases like MS.
How to Manage Neck Pain and Stiffness of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) causes inflammation that can lead to pain and stiffness in areas of your body. One common area you may notice this discomfort is in your neck. The pain may be especially noticeable first thing in the morning, at night, or after you haven’t moved for a while. Experts don’t fully understand what causes AS, but they know that it can cause your joints to fuse together. This can lead to a loss of movement in certain areas of your body.
Coronavirus Recovery
SOURCES: J. Randall Curtis, MD, A. Bruce Montgomery, American Lung Association Endowed Chair in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington, Seattle.
Cancer Caused by Radiation Therapy
If you have cancer, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy. This uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It’s rare, but these high doses of radiation could trigger another cancer called second primary cancer. It typically doesn’t show up until years after treatment. Here’s what you need to know. The strength of this treatment can damage your DNA and kill healthy cells and tissues. This can lead to cancer.
Your Crohn's Care Team
If you have Crohn’s disease, you’ll probably see several types of health professionals. Ideally, they'll work together to help you reduce symptoms and manage your health. Members of your team might include: Primary care doctor or pediatrician: Your primary doctor helps you keep track of your overall health and coordinates your care. Crohn's can be hard to diagnose, and there's no one test for it.
How Severe Is My Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a condition that affects your colon and rectum. Its symptoms vary based on how severe it is. They can range from mild cases with a few stomach cramps and constipation, to more severe symptoms such as anemia or weight loss. In all cases of ulcerative colitis, you may go through periods of remission, have less symptoms, or your symptoms may worsen. To understand how doctors group ulcerative colitis, it’s helpful to know about a few terms first: C-reactive protein (CRP).
Alzheimer's Disease in Older Men vs. Older Women
Both men and women are at increasing risk for Alzheimer’s disease as they age. But women get it more often, and the disease doesn’t affect men and women the same. Experts are studying Alzheimer’s differences between the sexes. In the U.S., 6.2 million people over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s disease. About two-thirds of these people are women. That means 1 in 6 women in this age group will develop the condition.
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