May is Arthritis Awareness Month
Arthritis is a very common condition, but it is also misunderstood. Many people think arthritis is something only older adults have, for example, and that it only causes minor aches or pains. To help clear up some of the misconceptions about arthritis, and to help spread accurate information about the condition, many doctors, medical professionals, […]
Why Do I Have to Fast Before Some Medical Imaging Tests?
When it comes to medical imaging, getting a clear, accurate image is a top priority. After all, doctors use the information they learn from these medical images to diagnose patients and create treatment plans. In some cases, doctors will require patients fast before undergoing medical imaging. A fast is a period of hours in which […]
About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Do you have belly pain, gas, cramping, and diarrhea and/or constipation that comes back again and again? You may have irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects the digestive system. Specifically, IBS affects the large intestine, also known as the colon. The large intestine is the last part of the digestive system; it is […]
March is National Colorectal Awareness Month
In February of 2020, President Clinton declared March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Every year during the month of March, healthcare professionals, organizations, people who have had colorectal cancer and their families participate in events that bring attention to this serious disease. Colorectal cancer is a disease that affects the colon, or large intestine, […]
March is National Endometriosis Month
The Endometriosis Association began the event in 1993. Today, National Endometriosis Awareness Month is a worldwide event that brings attention to this painful condition. About Endometriosis Endometriosis is a condition that affects the endometrium, which is the mucous membrane that lines the uterus, or womb. The endometrium thickens during the menstrual cycle in preparation for […]
Cancer Deaths Increase Worldwide – Early Detection Can Save Your Life
Despite advances in medical technology to detect and treat cancer, a new study shows that the number of cancer deaths increased in 2019. The researchers found that the number of cancer cases also rose. Fortunately, you can protect yourself from cancer and reduce your risk for dying from the disease with screening. Cancer is a […]
What are Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are tumors that develop in the uterus, or womb, which is the organ of the female reproductive system in which a baby grows. An estimated 70 to 80 percent of all women will develop uterine fibroids before they reach menopause. These tumors are usually benign, or non-cancerous, in women of reproductive age and […]
Understanding the Different Types of Breast Cancer
There are many types of breast cancer, and many ways to describe them. Reviewing the various terms used to describe breast cancer can help you understand its different types. Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. Medical professionals determine the type of breast cancer by looking at the specific cells in the […]
How Smoking Causes Lung Cancer
Doctors have known for years that smoking cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco causes cancer. In fact, by the time the US Surgeon General issued a warning about the dangers of smoking in 1964, there was already overwhelming evidence that smoking was deadly. In the decades since, researchers have discovered many of the ways that smoking […]
What Does My Thyroid Do?
You have probably heard of the thyroid, but do you know what this important organ does? Your thyroid is butterfly-shaped gland situated at the front of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid has two lobes, each of which is located on either side of your windpipe, or trachea. If your thyroid gland […]
