Leg swelling might not sound serious, but it can be a sign of something called chronic venous insufficiency. This is a condition where the veins in the legs struggle to send blood back to the heart. It's pretty common, especially in adults over 70. The problem starts when the tiny valves in the veins stop working right. These valves usually help push blood upward, b...
Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common side effect of cancer treatment. It can be tough on patients, affecting their self-esteem and how they see themselves. The best way to handle this is by planning ahead and tailoring the approach to each person's needs. For those going through chemotherapy, especially with certain drugs like taxanes or anthracyclines, cooling the s...
Lung cancer is a major killer, claiming many lives each year. One of the scariest things that can happen is when lung cancer spreads to the brain. This is called brain metastasis, or BM for short. It's a big problem for people with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. BM makes life really hard for patients and their families. It's tough ...
Sleep apnea is a serious issue that many people face. It's when breathing stops and starts while you sleep. This can lead to poor sleep quality and other health problems. But don't worry, there are ways to manage it. First, it's important to know the signs. Snoring loudly, feeling tired during the day, and waking up with a dry mouth are common clues. If you notice t...
Extreme hunger, or hyperphagia, is a big problem for people with rare brain conditions affecting the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway. This pathway is like a traffic cop in the brain, helping to control how much energy the body uses. When it's not working right, people can feel hungry all the time, which can cause serious problems. Living with hyperphagia is t...
Triple-negative breast cancer is a type of cancer. It is particularly aggressive. It can spread to the brain. This is a big worry for patients. Brain tumors from this cancer are called brain metastases. Doctors are always looking for better ways to treat these tumors. They want to help patients live longer and better lives. In recent years, there has been a lot of r...
Bile duct cancers are a tough bunch to beat. They are tricky because they come in different forms and are hard to treat. For a long time, doctors have used a combo of gemcitabine and cisplatin to help patients feel better, even if it couldn't cure them. This was the go-to treatment for over ten years. But now, things are changing. Two big studies, TOPAZ-1 and KEYNOTE...
The thymus, a small organ in the chest, can sometimes be the starting point for a rare type of cancer. These tumors, known as thymic epithelial tumors, are quite uncommon, affecting only about 0. 13 out of every 100, 000 people each year. Because they are so rare, the usual treatments have been developed based on small-scale studies. If the tumor is found early and c...
Brain blockages are a big deal. They are a major cause of strokes around the globe. Doctors are still figuring out the best ways to handle these blockages. A recent gathering of experts shared their thoughts on how to manage these issues. They all agreed that changing lifestyles and using medicines are key steps. If these don't work, then more invasive treatments mig...
Prostate cancer is a significant health issue for men in the United States. It's the most common cancer among men, after skin cancer. The good news is that it can often be managed successfully. This is especially true if it's caught early. However, the story changes when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, like the bones. This is what has happened in the c...