Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder although piebaldism is not. Both vitiligo and piebaldism feature distinctive white skin patches caused by a complete lack of melanin in regions where melanin-producing cells, or melanocytes, are absent.  Melanocytes are destroyed in vitiligo in early childhood or adult years, but they are absent from birth in piebaldism. 7 key …

What causes aphasia? Aphasia impairs a person's ability to process language and speak and understand other people. Recovering from aphasia can be long and difficult for some people, but a qualified speech-language therapist can help. Aphasia impairs a person's ability to process language and speak and understand other people. It's caused by damage to the part of the brain that …

People with heart failure frequently have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea. Sleep studies are tests that record specific body functions during sleep. These include heart rate, breathing rate, nasal airflow, brain wave activity, eye movement, blood oxygen level, and muscle movements. Sleep studies are used to identify sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and parasomnias. Moreover, …

Learn the six most common opportunistic infections in the United States. Most of the microorganisms that cause opportunistic infections (OIs) are extremely widespread, and a person may already be infected with many of them. Keep clean and avoid recognized sources of the bacteria that cause OIs to lower the risk of new infections. Even if a person has some OIs, …

Drugs most often involved in drug-induced lupus include procainamide, hydralazine, and quinidine Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is a type of lupus that occurs as a reaction to exposure to certain medications.  More than 40 drugs have been identified to cause drug-induced lupus, mainly those used to treat chronic conditions such as heart disease, thyroid disease, hypertension, neuropsychiatric disorders, inflammation, and epilepsy. …

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a type of lupus in which the immune system attacks the skin Cutaneous lupus erythematosus is a type of lupus in which the immune system attacks the skin. The main trigger of cutaneous lupus or skin lupus is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays through sunlight (UVA and UVB) or artificial light. Other triggers include: Exposure to …

Treatment can help reduce inverse psoriasis symptoms or make them go away temporarily (remission), but flare-ups can occur throughout life Inverse psoriasis an immune-mediated, non contagious skin condition characterized by rashes in the folds of the skin, such as the groin, armpits, navel, under the breasts, crease between thigh and groin, and the genitals. Inverse psoriasis is a chronic condition. Treatment …

Generic Name: panax ginseng Brand and Other Names: Asian Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, ginseng radix, Ginseng Root, Japanese Ginseng, Jintsam, Korean Ginseng, Ninjin, Radix Ginseng, Red Ginseng, Ren Shen Drug Class: Adaptogens, Herbals What is panax ginseng, and what is it used for? Panax ginseng is an herbal supplement prepared from the root of the Panax ginseng plant. Panax ginseng is one …

Watermelon may protect against heart disease There’s nothing like taking a bite of a piece of cool, sweet watermelon on a hot summer day. Besides being delicious and a way to beat the heat, eating watermelon offers lots of health benefits that you may not know about. Learn about watermelon's numerous benefits and why it should be on your menu …

People living with HIV have up to an 80% increased risk of developing psoriasis Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by increased skin cell proliferation that causes scaly plaques on the skin.  Studies have shown that HIV is linked to a higher likelihood of developing psoriasis and more severe symptoms. In fact, people living with HIV have up to …