Diseases & Conditions
The human body is a remarkable structure. It's designed to efficiently manage the wear and tear of everyday life and fend off all sorts of threats. Most of us are healthy for most of our lives. But we're also susceptible to hundreds of injuries, diseases, and conditions. Some are quite common, others are extremely rare. Here are some of the most common conditions that affect humans.
Diseases & Conditions Articles
People with appendicitis usually get an appendectomy to relieve the pain and avoid complications. Yet, a new study suggests that trying antibiotic therapy first may help people avoid surgery.
More »
Brain iron deficiency should be one of the first considerations when looking for a cause of restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, many doctors don’t know that iron deficiency is one cause of RLS, and therefore don’t test for it, particularly in men, in whom iron deficiency is uncommon. Diagnosing low brain iron is tricky, because doctors have to infer it from blood levels. Several tests are used to measure iron in the blood. The most important for diagnosing iron deficiency measures ferritin, the primary form of stored iron in the blood.
(Locked)
More »
Eating vegetable nitrates found in green leafy vegetables and beets may a lower risk of developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss among Americans ages 60 and older.
More »
Most healthy people who have a cold or mild bronchitis without a fever or significant cough can continue to exercise during their illness. However, they should reduce intensity and duration by half at first and gradually increase it over their next several workouts.
(Locked)
More »
People with peripheral artery disease in the legs are encouraged to take a daily aspirin tablet because of the risk for atherosclerosis in the arteries in the heart and brain.
(Locked)
More »
Hidradenitis suppurativa is an uncommon skin condition that starts out as pimple-like lesions where skin rubs against skin, such as in the arm pits and groin.
(Locked)
More »
Leaky gut occurs when holes in the gut lining allow toxins and bacteria to enter the body, and may contribute to symptoms like bloating, gas, cramps, food sensitivities, fatigue, and headaches. While leaky gut remains a mysterious ailment and is often tough to diagnose, investing in overall digestive health, including eating a diet with unprocessed foods and adequate fiber intake, and adopting regular exercise can help keep the digestive system healthy.
More »
Increasing evidence suggests that most people with bloating have an abnormal response to a normal amount of gas. This problem is called visceral hypersensitivity. However, bloating can also result from an underlying condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome or a condition called gastroparesis; from a reaction to diet; or possibly from an overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine. To treat bloating, doctors first eliminate underlying conditions and diet issues. If that doesn’t resolve bloat, doctors may consider sensory issues as a cause of bloating.
(Locked)
More »
Psoriasis, a common skin condition, affects more men than women. While it doesn’t affect everyone the same way, the approach to treatment and prevention is often similar. There is no cure yet for psoriasis. The optimal goal of treatment is to reduce affected areas to 1% or less of the body surface area within three months, and to manage triggers to help prevent future outbreaks.
(Locked)
More »
Flu shots are not guaranteed to keep someone from getting influenza. Sometimes the shot is not a good match for the viruses that cause epidemics. Still, older adults should get the trivalent or quadrivalent flu shot, especially people who have diabetes or heart, lung, or kidney disease, or who take medication that suppresses the immune system. Other anti-flu precautions include washing hands often (with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer if soap is unavailable), and covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
(Locked)
More »
HEALTH TOPICS 