Diseases & Conditions Archive

Avocados are abundant in healthy fats, fiber, and micronutrients that boost heart health. A long-term study has found that people who eat avocado regularly have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, which leads to heart attacks and strokes.

Rashes are a common side effect of many medications, and while they can be annoying, they typically run their course over a week or two. But not all drug rashes are mild — and some can even be deadly. How can you tell a serious rash from one that is just a nuisance?

It can be hard to tell the difference between a groin strain (muscle or tendon tear) and an inguinal hernia (fat or intestine poking through a hole in the abdominal wall in the groin). Both conditions can cause a dull ache or burning pain in the groin. However, a groin strain usually gets better on its own; an inguinal hernia does not, and only gets bigger over time. With hernias a lump can often be felt under the skin; not so with groin strains. Treatment ranges from rest and ice (for a groin strain) to surgery (for a hernia).

Toenail fungus is difficult to cure without resorting to oral treatments that can affect liver function. Topical treatment can improve nails' appearance.

A sudden urge to use the bathroom when arriving home, sometimes called latchkey incontinence, occurs when the brain associates coming home with the need to urinate, whether the bladder is full or not. Bladder training may help address this pattern.

Varicose veins are a common, treatable condition. They occur when valves inside the veins weaken and allow blood to flow back toward the feet, instead of up to the heart. People may be more prone to develop them if there are others in their family who have them. Lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and wearing compression stockings, can help prevent them. While varicose veins used to be treated surgically, today they are commonly addressed using less invasive office procedures. Treating veins early can help to prevent complications, such as skin pigmentation changes, leg swelling, and skin ulcers.

Heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease are two of the most common digestive-related problems, but they often get confused with each other because they share many of the same traits. While the two conditions are connected, they are quite different. Recognizing the difference can help a person adopt lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and know when to seek other options, like medication and surgery.

Many medications are effective for managing (but not preventing) chronic inflammation. The most common medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics. These drugs can have dangerous side effects, so a physician must oversee their use. Other important ways to manage chronic inflammation include treating underlying causes of inflammation and living a healthy lifestyle, such as cutting out processed foods and taking a 10-minute walk each day. A healthy lifestyle may also help prevent chronic inflammation from developing in the first place.

Using salt substitutes containing potassium chloride instead of using sodium chloride (table salt) may help reduce heart attack and stroke risk. A Harvard study published online Nov. 13, 2021, by The New England Journal of Medicine found that people who consumed the most sodium chloride had a 60% higher risk of a major cardiovascular event (a heart attack, a stroke, cardiac stent placement, or surgery) compared with those who consumed the least. People who consumed the most potassium chloride had a 31% lower risk of a major cardiovascular event compared with the people who consumed the least.

Shingles is a painful condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus. People typically encounter this virus, which causes chickenpox, in childhood. The virus stays dormant in the body, sometimes for decades, and may re-emerge as shingles. The best way to prevent shingles is by getting vaccinated. People should get the vaccine even if they've had shingles in the past, because it is possible to get shingles more than once. Maintaining healthy habits, such as eating right, getting enough sleep, and managing stress, may also help to prevent shingles by keeping the immune system working well.