Surgical treatments and procedures Archive

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.

A 2025 analysis suggested that GLP-1 medications used for diabetes and weight loss are associated with lower risks for an array of conditions, but that they increase risks for several others.

While there are limited studies about the health benefits of cold-water immersions, a 2025 analysis found regular ice baths or cold showers may help reduce stress levels, improve sleep, and increase quality of life.

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) drug ads promoting treatments for arthritis, cancer, heartburn, psoriasis, flagging memory, and more are all everywhere you look. All too often, the information shared is incomplete, biased, or confusing--here's what to watch out for and how to get the whole story when considering treatment options.

When debating whether to use a pain pill or a pain patch to treat discomfort, it helps to note the main differences between the two. Pain pills are the first choice to relieve sudden or immediate pain. For more persistent or chronic pain, patches can be used alone or combined with certain pain pills. Before using multiple therapies at the same time, check with your doctor or pharmacist for safety.

The FDA added a boxed warning in December 2024 to fezolinetant (Veozah), a nonhormonal drug that reduces hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women. The drug may cause rare but serious liver injury.

In a 2025 study of 1,800 patients undergoing dental surgery, a combination of two over-the-counter pain relievers was more effective and produced fewer side effects than prescription opioids for treating postsurgical pain.

The troubling symptoms of prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate, accounts for roughly two million doctor visits every year. Fortunately, research advances are leading to some encouraging developments for men suffering from this condition.