Frozen shoulder, sometimes referred to as adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that affects the shoulder joint. The shoulder is a complex system of bones, ligaments, joints and muscles. The tissue that surrounds this system is called the shoulder capsule. When the...
Bacterial vaginosis is a common condition in women of childbearing age. It is characterized by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina and results in vaginal inflammation. Although women in their reproductive years are most likely to experience an...
A vector-borne illness is one that can be transmitted among humans and/or animals through an organism known as a vector. Mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and other bloodsucking insects are common vectors. According to the World Health Organization, 17 percent of all...
Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, the large breathing tubes in the lungs. Because it is most commonly caused by a virus instead of bacteria, bronchitis usually cannot be treated by antibiotics. Acute bronchitis occurs when symptoms develop and resolve...
In just under 20 years, older adults (age 65 and over) are projected to outnumber children in the United States. This has the potential to make a big impact on infrastructure, natural resources and healthcare spending. As we age, our risk of disease and disability...
Medications can be safe when used as prescribed, but they can be dangerous when taken incorrectly or by the wrong person. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adverse drug events (ADEs) lead to more than 1 million emergency room visits...
Laboratories play an important role in health care because they can help your provider confirm a diagnosis, screen for diseases, monitor organ functions and more. However, lab tests can be expensive. Here’s what you should consider to save money on your lab costs....
Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes interrupted breathing during sleep and affects over 18 million American adults. People with sleep apnea experience disturbed sleep and lowered oxygen levels, which can lead to financial, social and health complications. 1....
The shoulder is one of the most mobile joints in the body, but having extreme mobility puts a demand on the structure of the shoulder, which consists of three bones and a complex system of ligaments, tendons and muscles. That demand can cause the labrum to tear. What...
Extra body fat can have a negative impact on your overall health, potentially putting you at risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. For many people, weight loss is difficult to achieve alone. You may have considered a weight loss program but are...
Immediate medical attention is crucial for someone with alcohol poisoning. When a person drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time, the gag reflex, breathing, body temperature and heart rate can be affected. In worst case scenarios, it can lead to a coma or...
Millions of patients visit the ER for a urinary tract infection (UTI) each year, but research shows that most of these emergency visits are unnecessary. According to the study, the average cost to treat a UTI at an urgent care facility was about $200. The cost to...
Vulvodynia is a painful gynecologic condition that involves pain within one or more areas of the vulvar region. Though some women find it difficult to talk about, it is fairly common. Vulvodynia may be generalized or localized. In generalized vulvodynia, the pain is...
Childhood obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) higher than the 95th percentile for one’s age and gender, can lead to serious health complications including type 2 diabetes, asthma, heart disease, sleep apnea and other chronic conditions. More than one in...
Canker sores can be miserable for those who deal with them, even though they usually go away within a week or two. Canker sores (also referred to as aphthous ulcers) are shallow, painful, small sores in the mouth. They are not contagious and are different than cold...