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“When I went to my ob-gyn for a regular checkup, I mentioned it and they said, ‘Your body is going through a lot right now, I wouldn’t worry about it.’ I thought that made sense; it was my first baby, and I didn’t know exactly what to expect,” says Spill. But her symptoms continued postpartum, and Spill knew it wasn’t normal. When she went for a second checkup, she brought up her concerns again, and, once again, she was told not to worry....

Plenty of data suggests exercise is part of the equation, too. There’s a lot going on when we exercise — we allow more oxygen to reach our brain and bloodstream, our core body temperature heats up, and there’s a redistribution of our blood flow. Researchers suspect these conditions are great for the bacteria in our microbiomes to flourish, though the exact mechanisms are still unknown, says Taylor Valentino, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, where he studies the relationship between muscle development and the microbiome....

“As a medical doctor, I wish I could prescribe friendships for everyone,” says Kelli Harding, MD, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City. But before we get into the many ways a strong social network promotes health and well-being, it’s important to point out that not all relationships are equal. Just like you can make unhealthy choices around diet and exercise, you can certainly make unhealthy choices when it comes to the friendships and relationships you spend time on....

Pulmonary hypertension affects the heart and lungs. The condition often has a profound impact on quality of life. What’s more, some of the drugs used to treat pulmonary hypertension require special prescribing privileges, monitoring, equipment, and handling. A primary care physician is often the first person you see for symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. “Most people will have symptoms such as shortness of breath, whether it’s with exertion or rest,” says pulmonary hypertension expert Samuel A....

1. Chlamydia Is Common, But Many People Don’t Realize They Have It About 1.7 million chlamydia infections were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2017, but the real number is likely higher because chlamydia is considered an underreported infection. “The number of reported cases is substantially lower than the true estimated incidence,” says Bradley Stoner, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine at the Washington University School of Medicine in St....

If you’ve had AS for a while, you’re probably well acquainted with terms to describe the basic disease process, as well as spinal anatomy in general. Here we’ll focus on different manifestations of the disease, as well as symptoms and complications that can develop outside the spinal region. Here are 11 key vocabulary terms that everyone with AS should know. Syndesmophytes These are bony growths that can develop inside the ligaments connecting your vertebrae....

Wellness tourism looks different for each individual. Some travelers might sign up for a yoga and meditation retreat, stay at a hot springs or spa resort, camp and hike to connect with nature, or even create a DIY itinerary with healthy activities to enhance a preplanned business or family trip. Others might plan a staycation where they find a local Airbnb or hotel to simply get away from their usual environment and rest up for a few days....

Research has shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has not only affected people’s physical health, but it’s come with a heavy psychological toll as well. In a study published in July 2020 in Globalization and Health, experts found that COVID-19 has been directly responsible for increased stress, anxiety, and depression in people and communities around the world. As we continue to navigate a sea of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, one possible way to help quell persistent stress is meditation....

What’s more, “Some people [with HS] are frustrated with traditional treatments. They may be tired of taking antibiotics or other medications, or they’re concerned about long-term side effects,” says Rita O. Pichardo, MD, a dermatologist at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who runs a clinic for HS patients. For that reason, many turn to alternative therapies to help manage the condition. In fact, according to research published in January 2020 in JAMA Dermatology, this is the case for around 84 percent of people who have HS....

At least 2.7 million people in the United States have ankylosing spondylitis and related forms of arthritis (axial spondyloarthritis), based on data collected in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2010 and published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. The disease can be severe, causing the spine to fuse into a fixed, hunched position, but it can also be less dramatic. Some people with ankylosing spondylitis experience only intermittent periods of mild back pain throughout their life....

“MS has many faces, and it affects people in very different ways,” says Glenn B. Pfeffer, MD, the director of the foot and ankle surgery program at Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics in Los Angeles. “There are as many different shoes for people with MS as there are variations of MS.” The three biggest concerns related to footwear for MS are sensory issues, balance issues, and motor weakness, Dr. Pfeffer says. “How one is most affected in any of those areas will affect the shoes,” he says....

But don’t throw in the towel on eating healthy with Crohn’s disease just yet: Some nutrient-dense superfoods are easier on your digestive tract than others. You just have to know which ones to try and have the patience to sample one at a time. “Much like if you were testing a particular food for an allergy, we recommend trying only one new food (or reintroducing a food) at a time,” says Kelly O’Connor, LDN, CDE, a registered dietitian at the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health in Belaire, Maryland....

Technically, your BMI is used “as a good — though rough — indicator of how much fat mass you’re likely to have,” says Patrick M. O’Neil, PhD, the director of the weight management center at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and a professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. You can calculate your BMI by dividing your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared, and then multiplying that number by 703....

Most people know that the virus is commonly spread through sexual contact and intravenous drug use. But what other behaviors are — and are not — risk factors? HIV: How It’s Transmitted HIV is spread through certain body fluids, such as blood, semen (including pre-seminal fluid), rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services AIDS.gov website. The virus can be transmitted when these fluids in an infected person come into contact with mucous membranes in the rectum, vagina, penis, or mouth of another person....

It’s a dilemma my patients often mention. Depression, after all, alters the brain’s chemistry in a way that reduces a person’s energy level, lowers motivation, reduces the ability to sustain attention, and heightens the perception of pain. It may increase irritability or anxiety, making it hard for people to engage in social activities. Depression has even been shown to shrink the hippocampus, a key part of the brain that plays a vital role in memory and learning....

Alopecia Hair loss on some or all areas of the body. It’s often a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation. Anemia A condition in which the body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Antiemetic Medication that helps control or prevent nausea and vomiting. Ascites An accumulation of fluid in the abdomen that can cause swelling and bloating. Benign biopsy A biopsy result showing the tissue in question is not cancerous....

The recipe below features heart-healthy olive oil, fiber-rich berries, and antioxidant-packed dark chocolate, plus a flourless base that will appeal to gluten-free chocolate fiends. Espresso powder is optional but recommended because this ingredient makes chocolate taste even more chocolaty. Even without espresso powder, you’ll find the flavor of this treat is rich, and enjoying a small portion can help satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard on calories should weight loss be one of your goals....

The most common skin condition in the United States, acne doesn’t discriminate based on age. Around 50 million Americans deal with some form of acne each year — a number that includes tweens and teens, as well as adults well over 40, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. While it’s less likely for an adult to have lasting, full-blown breakouts, acne is still very common, says Christine C. Kim, MD, a medical and cosmetic dermatologist in Los Angeles....

Is Hummus Good for You? Hummus can be a smart addition to any healthy diet. As well as being a good source of protein and fiber, as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) notes, hummus is vegetarian- and vegan-friendly. It is also an easy way to add more legumes to your day, especially for those who don’t love the texture of beans on their own. Plus, hummus is versatile: The dip can be paired with fresh veggie sticks or used in place of salad dressing for a relatively low-calorie and well-balanced snack or meal that’s packed with nutrients....

10 Percent of Respondents Had Thoughts of Suicide and Disrupted Sleep Related to Rheumatic Disease Presented on June 14, a survey published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases by the Danish Rheumatism Association investigated over 900 people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and found that: 10 percent had thoughts of suicide in the previous four weeks.The pain caused 58 percent to feel that life is unmanageable.69 percent reported poor sleep made their pain symptoms worse....