During the exam, a long, flexible tube with a camera attached to it is inserted into the rectum to allow a doctor to look at the inside of the colon. If necessary, the scope can also be used to remove polyps or other tissues, according to Mayo Clinic. After your initial diagnosis, you’ll need colonoscopies approximately every 1 to 3 years to monitor, treat, and manage the disease, says Jessica Philpott, MD, PhD, a gastroenterologist at the inflammatory bowel disease center at Cleveland Clinic....

The actual number of people with EPI is unknown, because it often goes undiagnosed. It is prevalent in people with certain conditions, though, according to StatPearls: About 60 to 90 percent of people with chronic pancreatitis develop EPI within 10 to 12 years after diagnosis.Approximately 66 to 92 percent of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer develop EPI.Between 14 and 74 percent of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have EPI....

In some cases, however, having been exposed to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the main virus responsible for causing mono, can lead to long-term complications and symptoms that persist and, in some cases, even become worse. (3) EBV is a herpesvirus, and it remains in the body once you get it. Typically, it stays completely dormant, or if you do get mono, it stays dormant after causing the initial case of mono....

When these words were uttered in 1972 at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in Dallas, the medical group still considered homosexuality to be a mental illness. The man who stood up and made this proclamation did so wearing a Richard Nixon mask and oversized suit to protect his identity — that’s how dangerous the admission felt. The short but shocking speech, given by Dr. John Fryer, then known only as Dr....

While you can usually count on places like transportation hubs, historical sites, hotel lobbies, museums and galleries, and department stores to have public restrooms, there will be times when finding a bathroom won’t be easy. Here are some tips for how to find and properly use toilets around the world. Use Apps to Locate a Restroom Fast If the going gets tough when you’re out and about, restroom apps like these can help you find relief fast....

A new report from doctors in China has found that regular tea consumption is linked to more healthy years of life and a longer life span. Individuals who drank tea more than three times a week cut their risk of heart disease and stroke by 20 percent compared with those who didn’t regularly drink tea or never consumed it, according to the study, which was published this week in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology....

Bloating, gas, indigestion, or other gastrointestinal issuesAchy jointsFatigueHeadachesBrain fogFrequent colds or immune system issuesMood swings, anxiety, or depression Additionally, an elimination diet can help improve symptoms of other medical conditions that may be triggered by food reactions. Some of these include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal disorders IBS is a common gut disorder that causes unpleasant issues like diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, gas, and constipation.Research shows elimination diets may help reduce these symptoms in some people with IBS....

An endoscopy is a procedure that’s performed to look inside the body at a specific organ. The procedure is used to detect a range of conditions and diseases. Your doctor will insert an endoscope into your body through an entryway (mouth, anus, vagina, nose, or urethra) or through an incision. What Is an Endoscope? Endoscopies are done with an endoscope. Endoscopes come in different shapes and lengths, each designed to look at different parts of the body....

And unfortunately, skimping on this essential nutrient could be harmful to your overall health. Not only does fiber help keep you regular, but it also can help ward off heart disease, reduce blood sugar levels, and prevent weight gain. Perhaps that’s why people who consume higher amounts of fiber are less likely to develop heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases, according to a study published in 2009 in the journal Nutrition Reviews....

Flu can cause immediate complications, including pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. Studies over the past decade show that even after the worst of the coughing, fever and aches have passed, people are at increased risk for heart attacks and strokes in the two to four weeks after recovering from flu, said William Schaffner, MD, the medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee....

There’s a reason meal-subscription services are a hot topic these days — Americans are busy and stressed. Between work demands and family responsibilities, meal planning and preparation, the thought of sitting down together at the family table can seem almost quaint. As one of these overscheduled, stressed people, I’ve found meal delivery services to be a welcome helper. Freshly is one of many meal-subscription services that offer families like mine a convenient, no-stress solution to getting healthy dinners on the table....

She now takes individual sessions with Christine Wilson, RN, a certified master trainer at Gyrotonic San Luis Obispo in California. During sessions, Wilson moves Jud’s body in ways she’s no longer able to do on her own. According to Jud, it reminds her of the “normal” motions she used to be able to perform, which, she says, gives her an overall feeling of well-being. It opens her joints, stretches her muscles, and eases her spasticity....

Itchiness This may be felt on the scalp, neck, or ears. Itching is often a sign of an allergic reaction to louse saliva or feces, per the Mayo Clinic. (2) (Of note: For folks dealing with their first infestation, itching may not occur until two to six weeks after the outbreak begins.) Trouble Sleeping Lice are more active in the dark, so those with an infestation may experience issues falling asleep thanks to this uptick in movement....

“It’s all good news,” says Robert Quigley, MD, DPhil, a Philadelphia-based immunologist who specializes in infectious diseases and is the senior vice president and global medical director of International SOS. There’s no reason why people with hepatitis C shouldn’t get the vaccine, he says. Here, we answer a handful of the questions you may have about the COVID-19 vaccines if you or a loved one has this liver infection....

The most common types of hernias involve the abdominal wall, and you can usually see or feel a bulge under your skin where your intestine or other tissue has pushed through weakened muscle. Even minor hernias can cause intense discomfort or pain, especially when you’re straining — such as during physical activity, when you lift a heavy object, or if you have a difficult bowel movement. Usually, it’s possible to push a hernia back inside the muscle layer it was sticking through — even if it doesn’t stay put....

Of course, some veggies are easier to love than others. Though I was well into adulthood before I ever tried them, beets were love at first bite for me. But I haven’t felt that way about some of the other vegetables that were new to me as an adult. You still won’t find plain cooked cabbage or okra on my plate, for example. As a mom, I know all too well the importance of having my kids try fruits and vegetables prepared different ways....

“It was around fifth grade when I started to hide it and cover it up,” says Alisha. “It affected how I viewed myself, how I felt about myself, my quality of life, and my willingness to participate in events or activities.” This overwhelming feeling of anxiety showed up time and time again for Alisha. If she was invited to a pool party, would she wear a swimsuit and get stares and questions from the other kids, or go fully dressed and risk being made fun of because of that?...

Colon cancer and rectal cancer, typically grouped together as colorectal cancer because they are both diseases of the large intestine, affect approximately 1 in 20 Americans. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the United States (excluding skin cancers) and the second most common cause of cancer-related death, after lung cancer. The National Cancer Institute estimates that around 140,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year....

And if you’re spending more time indoors during cold weather, you might notice an increase in allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, common indoor allergens (that might trigger symptoms in winter) include: (1) Animal Dander It’s the dander (dead skin flakes), not the hair of household pets such as cats and dogs, that can cause acute or chronic allergic reactions in people....

That’s where social media can play a big role — it provides a platform to connect with others living with Crohn’s. Instagram is especially helpful. The visual nature of the platform allows people to share their personal experiences while exchanging recipes, advice, and inspiring photos and stories. From meal prep ideas to inspiring ostomy selfies to fitness stars living with the disease, here’s a list of Crohn’s-related accounts to follow on Instagram....