Understanding the 5 Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

The symptoms you might experience often depend on the subtype of PsA you have. The five types of PsA areasymmetric,symmetric,psoriatic spondylitis,distal interphalangeal predominant, andpsoriatic arthritis mutilans. “Asymmetric” means it affects joints on only one side of the body. AsiaVision / Getty Images For example, you may experience pain in your right knee and not your left. Symptoms usually begin in one knee. Symptoms Asymmetric PsA is milder than other subtypes of PsA....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 787 words · Cameron Johnson

Understanding the ANA Blood Test (Antinuclear Antibody Test)

The ANA blood test measures a certain jot down of antibodies. Serum from the blood specimen is added to microscope slides which have commercially prepared cells on the slide surface. The second (fluorescent) antibody attaches to the serum antibodies and cells which have bound together. Dana Neely / The Image Bank / Getty Images When the slide is viewed under an ultraviolet microscope, antinuclear antibodies appear as fluorescent cells. The commonly recognized patterns include:...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 177 words · Laura Smith

Understanding the Beta Thalassemia Minor Trait

Betathalassemiaminoralso known as beta thalassemia trait or B thalassemiais a blood disorder. It lowers your bloods level ofhemoglobin, an iron-containing protein inred blood cellsthat carries oxygen throughout your body. The red blood cells in people with this condition are smaller than normal. Kemal Yildirim / Getty Images Those with this problem can go through life healthy and without symptoms. For some, though, it can lead to mildanemia, though it rarely needs treatment....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 484 words · Michele Cisneros

Understanding the Causes of an Itchy Mouth

Mouth itchiness has several possible causes, including infections and food allergies. Daisy-Daisy / Getty Images Why Is the Roof of Your Mouth Itchy? Causes of an itchy mouth include food allergies, a severe allergic reaction, and infections. Daisy-Daisy / Getty Images Food Allergies The symptom of an itchy mouth is commonly associated withfood allergies. Allergensare usually harmless substances in foods that trigger an allergic immune response in some people. Another pop in of food allergy producing an itchy mouth isoral allergy syndrome (OAS)....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 342 words · Christopher Mccullough

Understanding the Dental Exam

He/she will check each individual tooth with an instrument called the explorer. This instrument helps the dentist detect any areas of concern on each tooth. Diagnosing Problems Your dentist uses a variety of methods to help diagnose any problems you may have. Musketeer / Digital Vision / Getty Images Believe it or not, your symptoms alone can help the dentist tremendously in diagnosing a dental condition. Just remember, there is no concern too small to discuss....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 139 words · Paul Huffman

Understanding the Different Types of Anxiety Disorders

An anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that involves intense feelings of fear or worry. Different types of anxiety disorders affect millions of Americans. For example, 15 million U.S. adults experience social anxiety disorder, and 6 million experience panic disorder. Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images Anxiety disorderscan be challenging and may greatly impact daily life. Learn about the different types of anxiety disorders, their causes, treatment, coping, and more....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 580 words · Aaron Bentley

Understanding the Epidermis

The Anatomy and Function of the Skins Outermost Layer The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. The thickness of the epidermis varies depending on where on the body it is located. Penetration of the epidermis can cause infections that the body can otherwise defend against. PeopleImages / Getty Images 2018;26(2):56. doi:10.4103/tjps.TJPS_2_17 National Cancer Institute.Layers of the skin. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Aging changes in skin. American Cancer Society.What are basal and squamous cell skin cancers?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 79 words · Amber Bryant

Understanding the Hepatitis B e-Antigen (HBeAg)

What does the presence of HBeAg indicate? HBeAg stands for hepatitis B e-antigen. This antigen is a protein from thehepatitis B virusthat circulates in infected blood when the virus is actively reproducing. PixelsEffect / Getty Images If you are HBeAg positive, it means the antigen is present in your blood. The virus is actively multiplying. However, it is possible for the virus to keep replicating and for the HBeAG-negative person to require treatment....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 228 words · Bryan Smith

Understanding the Impact of HIV in Black Men

This article is part ofHealth Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)is a highly infectious virus that attacks the body’s immune system. Verywell / Danie Drankwalter This disease has destroyed Black communities, but recent data show some encouraging signs. Verywell / Danie Drankwalter The death rate for Black Americans with HIV/AIDS is nearly twice the rate of White and Latino Americans. This racial disparity has continued for decades....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 510 words · Mrs. Shannon Villarreal

Understanding the Link Between Depression and Memory Loss

There is a link between depression and short-term memory loss. Stress and anxiety can lead to poor memory. Viktoriya Skorikova / Getty Images Can Depression Cause Memory Loss? Viktoriya Skorikova / Getty Images What the Research Says Depression can make youlose memory. A 2024 study of more than 8,000 individuals examined depression and memory symptoms over the course of 16 years. It found a bidirectional relationship between depression and memory loss....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 331 words · David Cantu

Understanding the Low Sodium Diet, According to A Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Sodium is a mineral and electrolyte that your body needs for several important functions. However, many Americans consume too much, which can be detrimental to health. Jupiterimages / Getty Images What Is a Low-Sodium Diet? Jupiterimages / Getty Images A low-sodium diet is a specialty diet that limits how much sodium you consume daily. It can often help manage health issues like high blood pressure,heart disease, and kidney disease. However, many people consume more sodium than they should....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 258 words · Daniel Ware

Understanding the Medicare Part D Coverage Gap

It affects how much you will pay for your drugs over the course of the year. Those higher costs would continue until the person reached another threshold, after which the costs would decrease again. They do not include the monthly premium that you pay for the prescription drug plan. Robert Daly / Getty Images But it cannot provide benefits that arelessgenerous than the standard plan design. These medications cost about $1,300 in 2024....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 148 words · Sonia Sanders

Understanding the Onset of Postpartum Depression: When Does It Start?

Postpartum depressionis depression that occurs after giving birth. This article covers when postpartum depression starts, the early warning signs, and how to get help. FatCamera / Getty Images What Factors Influence the Onset of Postpartum Depression? FatCamera / Getty Images Postpartum depressionoccurs for a combination of reasons. Contributing factors to postpartum depression include: When Does Postpartum Depression Start? This is in light of evidence that postpartum depression can develop after the traditional six-month mark in some cases....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 351 words · Mrs. Barbara Best