Corticosteroids, or steroids, are essential in treating multiple myeloma (MM). They help other drugs fight cancer cells and reduce swelling. Small amounts can be combined with injection therapies to prevent allergic reactions and control nausea and vomiting. Sometimes steroids are used alone to trea
Osteoporosis makes bones weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. Fortunately, there are simple ways to help prevent and manage this condition. First, ensure you get enough calcium and vitamin D, which are crucial for bone health. Eat calcium-rich foods like dairy products, leafy greens,
The alkaline diet may support health by limiting processed foods and promoting more whole foods. However, it doesn’t help fight disease by affecting your body’s pH levels. The alkaline diet is based on the idea that replacing acid-forming foods with alkaline foods can improve your health. Proponents
Women with epilepsy face different issues than men. The two primary sex hormones in women's bodies, estrogen and progesterone, can affect the frequency and intensity of seizures. Estrogen is an excitatory hormone that increases electrical activity in brain cells, while progesterone is an inhibitory
If you've recently had a fracture because of osteoporosis, you may be desperate to get back to your normal life. Although osteoporosis does not affect the rate at which bones heal, most fractures heal within 6 to 12 weeks. During this time, you may spend most of your time at home. Learning how to ge
A hip fracture is a break in the top quarter of the thighbone, usually treated with surgery. Each year about 300,000 Americans, most of them over age 65, suffer hip fractures. It happens more often to women than men because they fall more often and are more likely to have osteoporosis, a disease tha
Middle-aged and older adults need regular vaccinations and screening tests to stay healthy. People aged 50 and older should get the Shingrix shingles vaccine, even if they have previously received Zostavax. It is also important to get a flu shot every year, and those over 65 can opt for the Fluzone
Crohn's disease is an immune system disorder that mainly affects the gut but can also cause inflammation elsewhere in the body. This can lead to a variety of additional health problems. Here are some conditions associated with Crohn's disease. People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may also ha
Hormone therapy is used to treat breast cancer that has hormone receptors for estrogen (ER-positive) or progesterone (PR-positive). It works by blocking these hormones, which can slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Common hormone therapy drugs include tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors like ana
Birth control methods like the pill, patch, ring, IUD, implant, shot, condoms, diaphragm, and sponge each have their own risks and benefits. The pill and other hormonal methods can prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation and thickening cervical mucus. However, they may increase the risk of blood clo