When I am under great stress, my blood pressure sometimes shoots up to 200/120 for a short time but then quickly goes down to 120/80 or lower and stays there. One doctor told me that spikes like these are normal and not to worry about them. Another told me this isn?t normal or healthy. Who is right?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat inside liver cells. It is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes, but other factors may influence who develops the condition.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
I have varicose veins and would like to get rid of them. Could that lead to venous insufficiency?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
The American Academy of Neurology has issued updated treatment guidelines for essential tremor, deeming some medications ineffective and suggesting surgical procedures for severe cases.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Two women with very limited vision appeared to improve after treatment with embryonic stem cells, researchers report. These cells are removed from human embryos. They can grow into many types of cells. Both women had some vision but were legally blind. Both had macular degeneration. This disease causes loss of central vision. One woman had the common “dry” form. The other woman had a rarer type. Each woman was injected in one eye with embryonic stem cells. Four months later, they showed some improvement in eye tests. For example, both could read more letters on vision charts. Doctors said the treatment appeared to be safe. The women had no signs of rejection or abnormal growths. The journal Lancet published the study online January 23. The Associated Press wrote about it.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
I have bald spots all over my head, and am losing hair at an alarming rate. My fingernails have waves and lines in them. What could cause these problems?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Dr. Julie Silver discusses her book You can Heal Yourself, which offers research-based advice on healing physically and emotionally after surgery or a serious medical issue.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
My husband had an MRI to rule out any abnormal causes for benign positional vertigo. They discovered a mass on his parotid gland that it is most likely benign. Does a parotid mass always need to be removed? Or can it be watched to see how it progresses?
Content restricted. Requires subscription
A new report calls for more research to find the best ways for parents and other caregivers to fight obesity in children. The American Heart Association issued the statement. It reviewed studies that took different approaches. Some of these have been linked to better results. They include changing behaviors as a family, setting clear goals, keeping track of progress and keeping healthy foods in the home. About 17% of the studies found that kids lost more weight when parents were involved in treatment. Some studies also found that a role for parents also helped kids to keep weight off longer. But in other studies family involvement did not make a difference. The study authors said research has not focused enough on the roles of culture, family relationships and parenting styles, among other things. The journal Circulation published the study.
Content restricted. Requires subscription
Analysis of clinical trials supports the belief that men with ED who treat their cardiovascular risk factors will also experience improved erectile function.
Content restricted. Requires subscription