While doctors believe taking the apical pulse is more accurate, studies show taking the radial pulse in 30-second counting intervals is also accurate. Doctors believe that taking the apical pulse (the pulse site over the apex of the heart), rather than the radial pulse, is the most accurate, non-invasive way of assessing cardiac health. The …

While medications used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) may not help ease fatigue, they may help keep you awake and manage your tiredness While medications used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) may not help ease fatigue, they may help keep you awake and manage your tiredness. Presently, there are no FDA-approved drugs for treating MS-related fatigue. Doctors may prescribe off-label …

Anorexia, also called anorexia nervosa, is a serious eating disorder that causes a strong fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia avoid eating and might over-exercise to control weight and body image. This intense fear causes them to extremely limit their food intake to the point of starvation.  But food isn’t the only problem with anorexia: Your body becomes neglected because you create …

What is vaginal discharge? The vagina is a self-cleaning organ. It produces its own microbial environment with the help of certain good bacteria. These bacteria, along with dead cells and cellular secretions, form vaginal discharge. If your discharge is one-half to one teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) every day with the following characteristics, it is considered normal. Clear, white or …

If you have ever had a headache or pulled a muscle, you have probably headed to the medicine cabinet to reach for a pain killer. Over-the-counter pain medicines are affordable and safe for most people in the United States. They are so common that many people don't think twice about taking them to manage discomfort. The most common pain medications …

Infertility is defined as being unable to get pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex. It can happen for many different reasons and can be caused by a problem in both the male or female reproductive systems. These can include: Ovary disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome Uterus disorders like endometriosis Hormone imbalances Testicular disorders like varicocele Irregular sperm or egg Infertility can …

What are the side effects of statins? Statins are a group of medications that lower a specific type of cholesterol level in your blood. You will be prescribed statins if your arteries are narrowed or you have cardiovascular disease. While these medications are highly effective in lowering your cholesterol, they often come with serious side effects that may lead you …

Swan neck deformity (SND) is often caused by conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which cause inflammation in the joints Swan neck deformity (SND) may be caused by a variety of conditions, especially those that involve muscles, tendons, or nerves: Rheumatoid arthritis Cerebral palsy Lupus Parkinson’s disease Marfan syndrome Scleroderma Stroke Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Psoriatic arthritis Flexor tendon ruptures following an injury …

Understanding the anatomy of the neck Most people will have neck pain at some point. Injuries and certain illnesses can cause neck pain, but the most common cause is holding your neck in the same position for a long time. More serious symptoms can come from changes in the upper spine that come with aging. These changes often cause neck …

Thumb sprains can take anywhere from 2-12 weeks to heal depending on the severity of the sprain. Learn about how sprains are graded and treated If you have sprained your thumb, it can take anywhere from 2-12 weeks to heal depending on the severity of the sprain. Minor sprains usually heal in about 2 weeks, while severe sprains can take …