Diseases & Conditions Archive

Dry eye disease is broken down into two types: In aqueous-deficient dry eye, the eyes don’t produce enough tears. In evaporative dry eye (sometimes called meibomian gland dysfunction) there are enough tears, but they’re unstable and evaporate too quickly. Dry eye symptoms include eyes that feel gritty, sandy, stinging, burning, scratchy, tired, or sensitive to light. People with symptoms often forgo seeing a doctor. Artificial tears are an effective starting point for many cases of dry eye.

Shingles occurs when the dormant chickenpox virus reactivates, causing tingling, burning, and a painful, blistering rash. Shingles can affect anyone who has had chickenpox, with higher risk after age 50 and in people with weakened immunity. Diagnosis and treatment within three days of the rash appearing can shorten the illness and reduce severity. Most people recover completely from shingles, but there may be complications, such as post-herpetic neuralgia, which is pain that can be severe and long-lasting. Vaccination is the best way to prevent shingles and its complications.

A 2025 study suggests that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to heart-related complications, such as a heart attack, chronic heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat—even in people without a previous heart condition.

Being mindful of how various factors affect blood sugar levels can help people avoid fatigue, curb cravings, boost mood, and manage weight. Blood sugar spikes after people eat carbohydrate-heavy foods, soon dropping again. Eating balanced meals and snacks that include protein, fat, and carbohydrates can maintain more stable blood sugar levels. People can keep blood sugar levels consistent by timing meals, practicing portion control, prioritizing healthy foods, staying active, avoiding smoking, and keeping a food log.

Hyperacusis describes sensitivity to some or all sounds, no matter the volume. Depending on the person, sounds might be uncomfortably loud; cause pain in the ear, head, or another part of the body; trigger negative emotional responses; or make someone dizzy. These reactions might be due to irritated or overactive nerve fibers or muscles in the ear. While doctors have few treatments for hyperacusis, certain strategies help, such as avoiding sound triggers, wearing hearing protection, and engaging in sound therapy.

Among 12 physical therapy approaches for knee osteoarthritis compared in a 2025 study, three stood out. Knee braces, followed by hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and exercise (strength training and aerobics), were best for reducing pain and stiffness and improving physical function.

Arthritis in the joint at the base of thumb (the carpometacarpal joint) can cause pain, weakness, and instability. It can seriously impair the ability to function. Thumb arthritis is diagnosed with a physical examination and x-rays. It can be managed with occupational therapy, which includes learning optimal hand positions and exercises and wearing a hand splint. Pain relief options include heat, pain medications, and cortisone injections. If these are inadequate or the condition is severe, surgery is an option.

A 2025 randomized trial of people with carpal tunnel syndrome found that 57% of those who had surgery as a first-line treatment recovered within 18 months, without additional treatments, compared with 13% of people who received steroid injections instead.

Same-day bilateral cataract surgery removes cataracts in both eyes in one surgical session, instead of two surgeries that are a few weeks apart. The approach has many benefits, such as convenience, but it has risks, too. Vision clarity might not be as good as it is when the procedures are done separately. Some doctors fear that vision loss (which is a low risk for any cataract surgery) could possibly occur in both eyes at the same time.

People with high blood pressure typically die earlier than people without the condition. A 2025 study suggests that they can significantly lower—or even eliminate—that difference by controlling several key risk factors.