How Adjuvant Analgesics Are Used to Treat Chronic Pain

You might be prescribed an adjuvant analgesic in addition to otherpain medicationsor on its own. They also have a role in treating cancer pain. Unlike many other non-opioid analgesics, adjuvant analgesics are not available over the counter. SDI Productions / Getty Images Better sleep can, in turn, help lower pain levels. Anticonvulsants Anticonvulsants can also be used to treat chronic pain. Anticonvulsants work by not allowing certain types of nerve transmissions....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 317 words · Kevin Ward

How Afrin Works and How to Use It

It can also be used to stopnosebleeds. This signals your blood vessels to constrict, which reduces inflammation. Afrin starts to work quickly. Verywell / Joules Garcia After using it, you should start to feel the effects within five to 10 minutes. Nasal congestion is primarily due to mucosal inflammation. Itchiness and sneezing are also common. What Is Oxymetazoline? Oxymetazoline, the active ingredient in Afrin, belongs to a class of drugs calledvasoconstrictors....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 310 words · Michael Robinson

How Alcohol Affects Lung Cancer Risk and Outcomes

alcoholism) is an independent risk factor of lung cancer, especiallysquamous cell lung carcinoma. Alcohol as a Carcinogen Alcohol does more than just hurt the liver. This includesmalignanciessuch asliver cancer,colon cancer,rectal cancer, breast cancer, andhead and neck cancers. Moreover, of the studies that did exist, most were relatively small and often came to contradictory conclusions. The link betweenlung cancerandalcoholconsumption has long been considered controversial. This is not all that unusual a finding given that similar patterns are seen with other types of cancers....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 272 words · Matthew Sanchez

How Alkaline Phosphatase Relates to Prostate Cancer

The bones and liver are two parts of the body that can make a great deal of alkaline phosphatase. How much alkaline phosphatase you have can be measured with a simple blood test. However, an elevated level of this enzyme does not automatically mean someone has cancer. Hero Images / Getty Images The bones of the pelvis and spine are some of the most common areas prostate cancer spreads to....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 157 words · Mary Pope

How Alzheimer's Disease Is Diagnosed

Self-Checks/At-Home Testing Try not to jump to conclusions about the first sign offorgetfulness. Keep track of symptomsover the course of a few months. Consider asking a trusted family member or friend for input as well. Haydenbird / Getty Images Bring the list of symptoms andany questionsyou can think of to your practitioner. The onlineSelf-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE)can be downloaded and taken at home. Any at-home screening test should be followed up with an assessment by a medical professional....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 314 words · William Quinn

How Aminosalicylates Reduce Autoimmune Inflammation

These medications are chemically related to aspirin. Verywell / Daniel Fishel What Does 5-ASA Medication Treat? Ulcerative colitis is one form of IBD. Verywell / Daniel Fishel The 5-ASA is used to treat the ulcers and inflammation in the colon that is because of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting the joints and other tissues. Sulfasalazine might be used to treat mild to moderate Crohns disease that is in the colon....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 673 words · Joshua Vance

How Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Is Diagnosed

Diagnosingamyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) is not straightforward. There is no single test to confirm ALS. It affects basic voluntary movements, such as walking, talking, and chewing. funky-data / Getty Images Over time, the brain can no longer initiate or control movement. The muscles of the bodyatrophy, or waste away, causing more severe symptoms. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing There is no way to test for ALS at home. However, knowing the symptoms can help you recognize when you should to talk to a healthcare provider....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 347 words · John Petersen

How an Anxiety Disorder Is Treated

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes excessive worry accompanied by other symptoms. It is one of theanxiety disorders. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment options that can help you manage this condition. Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee They all specialize in treating anxiety disorders. Common prescription medications for GAD are antidepressants and antianxiety medications such as benzodiazepines. You should also contact your prescriber, as abruptly stopping a medication like duloxetinecan be dangerous....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 506 words · Keith Klein

How an Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) Test Works

This is a simple test that does not cause side effects. Your EIA can help in diagnosing the cause of your symptoms and is used to guide your therapy. The color change occurs as the result of a chemical reaction described as an enzyme-antibody reaction. vitapix / Getty Images This article covers the EIA test, what it’s used for, and how it works. It also lets you know what to expect during the test and how the results are interpreted....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 564 words · Whitney Gentry

How an Erectile Dysfunction Ring Can Help Erectile Dysfunction

But several nondrug options can also help improveerectionseither on their own or with other ED treatments. The article also lists the possible risks of ED rings and the people who should not use them. Marco Verch / Flickr Creative Commons license 2.0 generic What Is an Erectile Dysfunction Ring? Marco Verch / Flickr Creative Commons license 2.0 generic By doing so, both the quality and duration of an erection can be improved....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 434 words · Charles Fox

How an Osteophyte (Bone Spur) Develops

Anosteophyteis a bony outgrowth or bone spur that develops slowly over time in and around joints. Bone spurs often do not cause symptoms. Also Known As ChooChin/Getty Images What Causes Osteophytes? ChooChin/Getty Images How osteophytes form and what makes them form is not totally understood. Osteophytes tend to develop in areas ofcartilage lossbut can also occur in the absence of any cartilage damage. Osteophytes typically develop in joints that are wearing down....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 238 words · Marc Chandler

How and When to Use Boric Acid Eye Wash

A boric acid eye wash can be effective for flushing eyes exposed to grit or other foreign objects. it’s possible for you to also use it to ease dry, irritated, orburning eyes. Boric acid eye washes are available over the counter at concentrations of 1% or less. What Is Boric Acid Eye Wash? It is widely used in over-the-counter (OTC)antisepticsandastringents. If in doubt, speak with your healthcare provider or a pharmacist....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 269 words · Tammy Howard

How Angioedema Is Treated

Treatment for angioedema depends on the cause. This article discusses treatment options for angioedema. It covers lifestyle changes, over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs, surgeries, and complementary treatments. Verywell There are also many people who have spontaneous angioedema, meaning no external trigger is associated with the episode. Sometimes an allergy test can help in identifying the substance that is causing your reaction. Be sure not to spend more than a few minutes in cold water....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 421 words · Amy Newman