Facts you should know about suicide Suicide is the act of purposely ending one's own life. How societies view suicide varies by culture, religion, ethnic norms, and the circumstances under which it occurs. More than 800,000 people worldwide commit suicide each year — nearly 45,000 as recently as in 2016 in the United States. Self-mutilation …
Read More »Ringworm Treatment, Symptoms, Causes & Medicine
A woman seeks treatment for ringworm from a doctor.Source: MedicineNet Facts you should know about ringworm Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection and is not due to a worm. The medical term for ringworm is tinea. The skin disease is further named for the site of the body where the infection occurs. Some types of ringworm infection include tinea …
Read More »Pityriasis Rosea Treatment, Causes, Stages, Pictures
Facts you should know about pityriasis rosea Picture of pityriasis rosea on the torso; photo courtesy of Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD Pityriasis rosea is a skin condition that begins as a single, large pink oval-shaped patch found on the trunk of the body called the "herald patch." The herald patch is followed one to two weeks later with a …
Read More »Menopause Symptoms, Signs, Treatment, Definition
A middle-aged woman sits with her chin on her hand.Source: iStock Facts you should know about menopause Menopause is defined as the absence of menstrual periods for 12 months. It is the time in a woman's life when the function of the ovaries ceases. The process of menopause does not occur overnight, but rather is a gradual process. This so-called …
Read More »What Is Winter Asthma? Cold Weather Asthma
Why is your asthma worse in the colder months? Learn about causes of winter asthma If you’re like many people, you may find that your asthma symptoms are worse in the winter. Cold, dry air outdoors can irritate your respiratory passages, and even indoors, tons of factors could cause your asthma to flare up. So why does winter asthma occur, …
Read More »What Is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder (or drug addiction) is a psychiatric disorder in people. In the disorder, people uncontrollably use a substance (legal or illegal drugs or medications) despite harmful consequences. Substance use disorder (or drug addiction) is a psychiatric disorder in people. In this condition, people uncontrollably use a substance (legal or illegal drugs or medications) despite harmful consequences. The excessive …
Read More »Substance Abuse: Abuse vs. Addiction & Signs of Abuse
Substance abuse is defined as excessive use of any substance that has the potential for addiction. Substance abuse is excessive use of any substance with the potential for addiction. This may include using alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescription) in a way that is detrimental to yourself, society or both. As cited in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and …
Read More »What Is Sclerosis in Multiple Sclerosis?
The medical term sclerosis refers to abnormal hardening of body tissue. In multiple sclerosis, there is a development of hard areas called "plaques" along a neuron's axon (part of a nerve cell). The medical term sclerosis refers to abnormal hardening of body tissue. In multiple sclerosis, there is a development of hard areas called "plaques" along a neuron's axon (part …
Read More »What Does ADHD Look Like in Preschoolers? Signs & Symptoms
ADHD symptoms in kids can be difficult to recognize, especially in preschoolers. Here’s how you can tell if your preschooler has ADHD ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders affecting children, often diagnosed in school-aged children over 6 years old. However, it can also be diagnosed in children as young as 3. Of course, it’s normal for preschoolers …
Read More »Warning Signs of Crohn’s Disease: Symptoms & Diagnosis
Crohn’s disease can cause these signs and symptoms; however, only a doctor can properly diagnose you with the condition. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects each person differently. The condition is characterized by periods of flare-ups and remissions. Flare-ups are active periods of the illness when you experience the symptoms, whereas remissions are periods when you …
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