Cynthia J. Maupin

Psoriasis is a chronic condition that can cause thick, scaly patches, or plaques, to form on the skin. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score is a measurement of the discoloration, thickness, scaling, and coverage of these plaques.

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PASI score: Definition and how to calculate The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score is a measurement of the discoloration, thickness, scaling, and coverage of the skin plaques that psoriasis can cause. Learn more here.

Hematemesis is a medical term for vomiting blood. Blood is typically bright red or has a "coffee ground" appearance. It often appears with other symptoms like abdominal pain, weakness, or tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).

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Vomiting Blood Can Be Alarming—7 Common Causes Hematemesis, or vomiting blood, often presents with a "coffee ground" appearance and can indicate various underlying medical conditions.

Genetic factors typically define a person’s s*x, but gender refers to how they identify on the inside. Some examples of gender identity types include nonbinary, cisgender, genderfluid, male, female, transgender, gender neutral, agender, and pangender.

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Types of gender identity: Types and definitions There are many types of gender identity. Learn more about their definitions, the difference between s*x and gender, and how gender exists on a spectrum here.

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a contagious skin infection caused by fungus. The condition usually causes inflamed, itchy, and scaly skin between your toes.

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How To Get Rid of Athlete's Foot You can usually get rid of athlete's foot with over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Natural remedies and lifestyle habits can also help treat and prevent it.

Chemotherapy can affect the skin’s natural barrier, causing dryness, itching, or skin discoloration. It can also increase the risk of skin and eye infections, and result in hair loss that can change a person’s facial appearance.

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Skin care during chemotherapy: Tips and product considerations Chemotherapy can cause skin changes. Learn how to care for and protect the skin during treatment.

Meningitis is a tricky disease to identify based on symptoms alone. It can come from various pathogens, affecting the severity of the disease and the symptoms you experience.

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7 Common Meningitis Symptoms A super stiff neck, severe headache, and light sensitivity can all be red flags for this serious disease, which requires emergency care.

A person may find that symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) return when they stop biologic treatment. Still, stopping may be necessary in some instances, such as before and during pregnancy, prior to surgery, and during active viral infection.

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Stopping biologics for psoriatic arthritis: Why and what happens Sometimes, a person taking biologics for psoriatic arthritis may consider stopping treatment. Learn more about the reasons why and what happens.

Pus—also known as liquor puris—is a thick white, yellow, green-colored fluid made up of dead white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria.

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Pus Is a Common Sign of an Infection, But Why Does It Happen? Pus is a thick fluid made up of dead white blood cells and bacteria that develops under your skin when you have an infection. Learn more here.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can cause symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, and stiffness. Doctors may suggest lifestyle changes or medications to manage fatigue due to AS.

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How to manage ankylosing spondylitis and fatigue Certain AS medications and lifestyle changes may improve fatigue. Learn the best changes to make and when to seek further help here.

Dehydration may sometimes lead to feelings of anxiety and other mood-related symptoms. Other signs of dehydration may include feeling thirsty, a dry mouth, and dizziness.

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Dehydration and anxiety: The link, treatment, and prevention Some research suggests a link between dehydration and feelings of anxiety. Learn about the association here and how to prevent and treat both.

Alvesco (ciclesonide) is a brand-name inhaled corticosteroid that’s prescribed for asthma in adults and certain children. As with other drugs, Alvesco can cause side effects, including headache and throat pain.

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Alvesco: Side effects and what to do about them Alvesco is a prescription drug used to treat asthma. Learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects it can cause and how to manage them.

Opill (norgestrel) is a brand-name birth control pill that’s taken to help prevent pregnancy. It’s available over the counter. As with other drugs, Opill can cause side effects, such as headache and changes in your periods.

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Opill: Side effects and how to manage them Opill is an over-the-counter drug taken to help prevent pregnancy. Learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects it can cause and how to manage them.