Addison’s disease facts* *Addison’s Disease Facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOE Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism, occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. Addison’s disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes...
A-Z List of Common Medical Abbreviations, Acronyms & Definitions
What should I know about medical abbreviations? What do they mean? Have you ever wondered why you can't read the doctor's note or the letters and numbers on a prescription? Health care professionals often quickly scribble notes with important medical information that they would like a patient to reference in regard to the type of current, or recently diagnosed disease,...
Cortisone Shot (Steroid Shot) Side Effects, Pain & Risks
Source: iStock Facts you should know about corticosteroid (cortisone) injection of joints and soft tissues Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications. Cortisone shots (steroid shot) can offer fast-acting relief of inflamed muscles, joints, tendons, and bursa. Complications are rare but may include infection and bleeding. When administered by an expert, cortisone injections offer significant pain relief from inflammation with only minimal...
Coxsackievirus Incubation Period, Symptoms, Treatment & Rash
Coxsackievirus facts Picture of the coxsackievirus; SOURCE: CDC Coxsackieviruses are RNA viruses that may cause hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), as well as disease of muscles, lungs, and heart. HFMD usually occurs in children but can occur in adults. The majority of HFMD infections are self-limited, so no treatment is required. HFMD, caused by coxsackieviruses, usually causes fever, malaise,...
What sleep-disordered breathing conditions are treated with a CPAP machine?
What is a sleep-disordered breathing condition? A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine treats the following sleep-disordered breathing conditions: obstructive sleep apnea and snoring Sleep disorders that cause difficulty in breathing during sleep are known as sleep-disordered breathing conditions. Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common type of sleep-disordered breathing condition. Other disorders of this type are as follows: Obstructive...
Alopecia Areata Signs, Treatment, Symptoms, Causes, In Children
Alopecia areata facts Picture of Alopecia Areata Alopecia areata is peculiar form of hair loss that usually affects the scalp but can occur on any hair-bearing skin. Alopecia areata produces one or more patches of balding without any obvious change in the texture of the affected skin, a non-scarring alopecia. Alopecia areata affects males and females. It is thought to...
Are There Stages of Thyroid Cancer? Chart
Stages of thyroid cancer The staging system most often used for thyroid cancer is the TNM system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). Like other cancer, thyroid cancer has stages. Stages used to describe thyroid cancer are based on the type of thyroid cancer and the patient’s age. The different types of thyroid cancer include Papillary and follicular...
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Treatment, Symptoms & Causes
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) facts Combined 2015 to 2016 data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) show that 10% of pregnant women 15 to 44 years of age drank alcohol in the past month. About 3% admitted to binge drinking during pregnancy. ("Binge drinking" in women is defined as four or more "hard alcohol" drinks consumed...
Eye Allergy Symptoms, Home Remedies & Treatments
Facts you should know about eye allergies Most allergic eye conditions are more irritating than dangerous. Allergic or vernal keratoconjunctivitis may result in scarring of the cornea and vision problems. Itchy, watery eyes are probably allergic eyes. Topical antihistamine/decongestant preparations are effective and safe for mildly itchy, puffy, red eyes. Patanol, a topical mast-cell stabilizer, is a safe, highly effective,...
Cystocele: Get facts on Symptoms, Surgery and Repair
Cystocele facts* *Cystocele (Fallen Bladder) Facts by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOE A cystocele occurs when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina weakens and allows the bladder to droop into the vagina. Symptoms of a cystocele include urine leakage and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Causes of cystocele include muscle straining during childbirth, straining from heavy lifting,...