Diseases & Conditions Archive

Cushing's is marked by elevated blood levels of the hormone cortisol. Far more common in women, the condition is categorized as a disease or syndrome based on what factors trigger it, which can include using corticosteroids or having a tumor on the brain's pituitary gland or elsewhere. Symptoms include a swollen face, excess belly weight, fatigue, a fatty hump between the shoulders, stretch marks, easy bruising, and slow wound healing. Cushing's can also lead to health problems such as cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and diabetes.

A small randomized controlled trial published in February 2025 suggests that eliminating oligosaccharides from the diet might be enough to ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, as opposed to eliminating all the categories of food known as FODMAPs.

Many home remedies can soothe tired, dry eyes, such as applying warm compresses, taking regular breaks from electronics, staying hydrated, and using artificial tears. People who struggle using eye drops can try over-the-counter devices that make application easier.

Typical insect bites produce redness, itching, swelling, and pain. Signs of a more severe bug bite include hives, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, drainage, rashes, blisters, numbness, or skin discoloration. People with any of these bug bite symptoms should see a doctor.

Ticks are an increasingly common source of illness, especially in the summer months. While these illnesses used to be common only in certain areas of the country, today more people across the United States are at risk. These conditions typically produce nonspecific symptoms such as fever, headache, and joint pain, and are treated using antibiotics.

A bird flu strain that began circulating in 2020 continues to evolve globally and locally within the United States. If you're wondering what this means, understanding the basics - what bird flu is, how it spreads, whether foods are safe, and prevention tips - can help.

A 2025 study suggested that people with sedentary jobs are at higher risk of developing insomnia, which can persist for many years.

Surgery is usually warranted when bunion pain becomes disabling, a skin ulcer develops, or it's necessary to prevent a bunion from dislocating the second toe. However, recovery can be long and painful, and there's no guarantee that bunions won't come back. Prior to surgery, it might help to use strategies that reduce bunion pain, such as adding cushioning to shoes, stretching shoes where a bunion rubs against them, getting roomier shoes or shoes made with stretchy fabrics, and using toe spacers.

Headaches happen to people every day, and about 4% of Americans report being bothered a great deal by them in the past three months. Only a tiny percentage of headaches indicate a serious underlying problem. Red-flag signs include headaches occurring with other symptoms; new headaches in people over 50; headaches that get worse with exercise, sex, coughing, or lying down; and "thunderclap" headaches that involve rapidly worsening head pain. People experiencing these signs should seek prompt medical attention.