What are steroids? Readers Comments 5 Share Your Story A syringe and an assortment of steroid pills; photo by iStock Steroids (short for corticosteroids) are synthetic drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your body produces naturally. Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system. They are used to …
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Heat-related illness (hyperthermia) definition and facts What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration? Hyperthermia is overheating of the body. Heat-related illness occurs as a result of heat exposure. Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, heat syncope (fainting), and heat rash. Heat stroke is the most severe form of heat-related illness, and requires immediate medical attention. Certain …
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What is MS (multiple sclerosis)? Share Your Story Over half of people with MS experience some kind of short- or long-term pain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that causes demyelination, or disruption of the substance that coats and protects nerve cells, in the spinal nerve and brain cells. The specific symptoms and severity of the disease are related to …
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What is nature vs. nurture (definitions)? Nature vs. nurture affects our mental and physical health. In the context of the nature vs. nurture debate, “nature” refers to biological/genetic predispositions’ impact on human traits, and nurture describes the influence of learning and other influences from one’s environment. The debate over whether the strengths and weaknesses of people are the result of …
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What is ringworm? What is eczema? Share Your Story Ringworm and eczema both cause itchiness. Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin (ringworm is also termed tinea or dermatophytosis), and the different types of ringworm are named for the location of the rash on the body (for example, tinea corporis [arm and/or leg], scalp [tinea capitis]). These infections …
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Orthostatic hypotension definition and facts What Is Low Blood Pressure? The autonomic nervous system makes changes in blood pressure and heart rate to allow the body to provide adequate blood supply to the brain when the body changes position. Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension include lightheadedness, weakness, blurred vision, and syncope or passing out. Dehydration, blood loss, and anemia are the …
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What is levodopa-carbidopa, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Carbidopa-levodopa is a combination of two drugs, levodopa and carbidopa. Carbidopa-levodopa is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is believed to be caused by low levels of dopamine in certain parts of the brain. When levodopa is taken orally, it crosses into the brain through the …
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What is osteoarthritis (OA)? Share Your Story Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both chronic joint disorders that cause joint pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disorder featuring degeneration and inflammation of cartilage of one or many joints. What is rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune joint disorder characterized by inflammation of the tissue (synovium) that …
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Uterine cancer facts* Uterine cancer is the abnormal growth of any cells that make up tissue of the uterus. *Uterine cancer facts medical author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD The uterus is a hollow organ in females located in the pelvis, commonly called the womb. The uterus functions to support fetal development until birth. The uterus is shaped like an …
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Rheumatic fever (acute rheumatic fever or ARF) facts Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that sometimes occurs after strep throat. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease that may develop after a strep throat infection, especially in children ages 5-15, although older teens and adults may develop the disease. The revised Jones criteria help physicians make the clinical diagnosis of rheumatic …
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