Blurred Lines The phrase “the seven-year itch” was made popular by the classic movie starring Marilyn Monroe. But the real seven-year itch—scabies—is anything but romantic! Scabies are parasites that feed and breed under human skin. They are uncomfortably itchy, cause unsightly grey lines on the skin, which can be difficult …

Lower back pain is extremely common, especially in adults between the ages of 30 and 50, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). Discomfort in the lower back can be chronic or ongoing, or a sudden and brief condition known as acute pain. Causes of lower …

Vaginal dryness is an uncomfortable and often painful condition that occurs naturally during and after menopause. Menopause causes estrogen levels to decline, which causes the dryness. Beyond menopause, certain medications and immune disorders can also cause vaginal dryness. Your doctor can help you determine the right treatment for this condition, …

Kidney cancer isn’t as common as breast or lung cancer. For most people, the chance of getting kidney cancer in their lifetime is less than two percent, according to the American Cancer Society. Your risk increases if you smoke, are obese, or have been exposed to chemicals such as asbestos …

Alopecia areata is a disease that causes hair to fall out in small patches. Alopecia areata rarely causes total hair loss, however it can prevent hair from growing back. The condition is not life threatening, does not cause pain or illness, and hair loss can stop just as suddenly as …

Certain forms of arthritis have similar symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and psoriatic arthritis can all cause joint pain, inflammation, and a feeling of warmth in your joints. So how can you tell them apart? There are some symptoms of psoriatic arthritis which set it apart from the others. Swelling Joint …

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (moniliasis) is a yeast or fungal infection of the vulva and vagina. The most common causative organism is Candida albicans. Two other pathogens sometimes involved in this infection are Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis. What Causes Candidiasis? Candidiasis occurs when the normal number of microorganisms that reside in …

Before defining dense breast tissue, it’s important to understand the structures of the breast. The main function of breasts is to make milk for breastfeeding a baby. The raised area on the outside is the nipple. Surrounding the nipple is darker colored skin called the areola. The inside is made …

Arthritis in the Knee There are three different types of arthritis that can occur in your knees. The most common type is osteoarthritis, a progressive disease that slowly wears away joint cartilage. This type of arthritis is most likely to strike after middle age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease …

What Is a Brain Tumor? A brain tumor is a collection (or mass) of abnormal cells in the brain. The skull is very rigid and the brain is enclosed, so any growth inside such a restricted space can cause problems. Brain tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign). When …

What Is Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is an infection that affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can only be transmitted through blood. This means there is nothing you can eat or not eat that will help prevent hepatitis C. A 2006 study published …