An LVAD helps maintain the pumping capacity of a heart that is too weak to function on its own A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) is a surgically implanted mechanical device that pumps blood from the lower left chamber of the heart (ventricle) to the rest of the body. An LVAD helps maintain the pumping …

Frequent, intense heartburn may be serious if it occurs more than twice a week. Learn about GERD symptoms, causes, and treatment Heartburn that is frequent or intense may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Contact your doctor if your heartburn: Occurs more than twice a week Persists despite dietary and lifestyle changes Persists despite the use of over-the-counter …

What causes cold sores? Cold sores, also called fever blisters or oral herpes, are a viral infection that leaves small blisters around your mouth. You get a cold sore on your lip due to viral infection from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Do you feel a tingling, itching, or burning around your mouth? If that tingly feeling turns into …

When is it safe to have sex while pregnant?  Sex allows you to enjoy physical pleasure and intimacy with your partner with little chance of harming your baby. No medical studies definitively indicate that sex in the third trimester of pregnancy can induce labor. No medical studies definitively indicate that sex in the third trimester of pregnancy can induce labor. …

What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that affects how the brain processes information. Research on schizophrenia and emotions has revealed that people with schizophrenia lack the ability to recognize and express emotion. One of the most debilitating and unrelenting of all major mental illnesses is schizophrenia. It usually appears between the ages of 16 and 30 in …

What is syphilis? Syphilis is classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is typically passed from one person to another via sexual activity. Contrary to popular belief, though, you can get syphilis non-sexually. Syphilis is classified as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is typically passed from one person to another via sexual activity. Contrary to popular belief, though, …

Doctors have a hard time diagnosing bipolar disorder or schizophrenia because some of their symptoms may be similar. Some people can have symptoms of both disorders. They have a condition called schizoaffective disorder. Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are mental health illnesses. Bipolar disorder is a mood or affective disorder. It’s when you have extreme mood swings that affect your daily …

Having sex once or twice a week can burn almost as many calories as a moderately intense gym exercise. Sex can help you shed unwanted fat all over your body while maximizing the loss of belly fat. Exercise, among other weight-loss strategies, is key to losing extra fat around the abdominal area. However, there are many ways to exercise. For …

Generic Name: rifampin Brand and Other Names: Rifadin, Rimactane, rifampicin Drug Class: Antitubercular Agents What is rifampin, and what is it used for? Rifampin is a semisynthetic antibiotic used to treat latent or active tuberculosis, a disease caused by mycobacterial infection, and the asymptomatic carrier state of meningococcal disease. Rifampin is also used off-label to treat other mycobacterial infections such …

Generic Name: psyllium Brand and Other Names: Metamucil, Konsyl, Reguloid Drug Class: Antidiarrheals; Laxatives, Bulk-Producing What is psyllium, and what is it used for? Psyllium is a dietary fiber used to relieve occasional constipation and to maintain regularity of bowel movements. Psyllium is a bulk-producing laxative that is available over-the-counter (OTC) as capsules or powders and is derived from the seed husks …