Identifying and Treating Flat Warts

Flat warts (verruca plana) are small, slightly raised bumps that appear in clusters. However, the viral strains transmitted through sexual contact are not the same as those responsible for warts. Flat warts are typically light brown and most common in children but can also develop in adults. Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023. They often appear where adults shave and on children’s cheeks and foreheads. This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 436 words · Evelyn Mcfarland

Identifying Cysts Through Pictures

Are you experiencing an unsettling bump beneath your skin and suspect it might be a cyst? If so, you are in the right place. They typically appear as round, fluid-filled sacs beneath the skin’s surface. CasarsaGuru / Getty Images Cysts can vary in size, ranging from pea-sized to larger masses. Cysts often present on the skin’s surface as raised bumps with a smooth or slightly uneven texture. Fortunately, most cysts are benign (non-cancerous)....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 278 words · William Morgan

Identifying Early Arthritis in Fingers

These symptoms tend to develop slowly and worsen over time. You may notice that the symptoms are worse in the morning. This article covers the signs and symptoms of early arthritis in the fingers. Verywell / Cindy Chung These lumps are actuallybone spursaround the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis often causes similar symptoms. However, rheumatoid arthritis can actually cause deformities in the hands. Inflammation in the joints can cause finger joints to become crooked and bend away from the thumb....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 276 words · Marissa Martin

Identifying Types of Eye Mucus and their Causes

Eye discharge consists of different substances made by the body, like oils and dead skin cells. Sometimes, you could remove eye discharge by rubbing your finger in the corner of your eye. Other times, your eyelids may seem glued shut by the gunk stuck to your lashes. Illustration by Emily Roberts for Verywell Health You may need to see a healthcare provider for treatment. There are several types of conjunctivitis, so accurate diagnosis is important....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 522 words · Rita Hess

If Aspartame Is a 'Possible Carcinogen,' Can You Still Drink Diet Coke?

The decision was based on limited evidence, and doesnt change the recommended acceptable daily intake levels for aspartame. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener used in many low-calorie products like Diet Coke and sugar-free Jell-O. Aspartame isnow listed in Group 2Balongside things like gasoline, lead, and whole-leaf aloe vera extract. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images For current consumers of diet drinks, this news isnt cause for major alarm....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 212 words · Kevin Nguyen

If You Drank More During the Pandemic, Scaling Back Now Can Help Your Health

The pandemic changed all that. Health Risks of Increased Drinking The uptick in alcohol use has health implications. Alcohol Trends During Year 1 of the Pandemic Alcohol consumption increased 14% from 2019 to 2020. Researchers wrote that there was a 41% increase in heavy drinking among women during the same time period. The risk of damage to your health increases with each drink of alcohol consumed, Grossman said. As people realized the pandemic was causing them to drink more, many reevaluated their relationship with alcohol....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 285 words · Mallory Baldwin

If You Get a Lot of UTIs, Improving Your Gut Health Could Help

Uropathogens, especially bacteria likeE. colifrom the digestive tract, cause UTIs. colicounts as bad bacteria. A boy and the sea / Getty Images An imbalance of good and bad bacteria, however, can cause inflammation throughout the body. Inflammation affects your immune system and can increase susceptibility to UTIs, Inoyatov said. Can You Prevent UTIs By Supporting Gut Health? Your stool is filled withE. Mark Ellerkmann, MD, director of the Urogynecology Center at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, told Verywell....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 206 words · Christopher Wilson

If You Hate Intense Workouts, Zone 2 Training Is a More Enjoyable Way to Stay Fit

Marco VDM / Getty Images Hardcore training is out. Easy workout is in. This can be challenging for competitive athletes who may find it difficult to slow down. Marco VDM / Getty Images What Is Zone 2 Training? Zone 5, the highest, is 90100% of maximum heart rate and includes workouts like HIIT. A strong aerobic base allows you to train longer and recover faster, he added. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 246 words · Mrs. Laura Lewis DDS

If You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Supplements Can Help Boost Energy

mihailomilovanovic / Getty Images How Much Vitamin B12 Do You Need? As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label. Can You Tell If You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency? mihailomilovanovic / Getty Images Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause infertility in people of any sex. These signs include pale skin, a rapid heart rate, and decreased hand and foot sensations. This key in of anemia causes vitamin B12 deficiency....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 262 words · Michael Rosales

If You Were Born After 1965, Your Cells Might Be Aging Faster

How Do Scientists Measure Biological Age? These methods measure changes in DNA methylation, which affects gene expression, to determine cellular aging more accurately. Can You Reverse Cellular Aging? Photo Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health; Getty Images Home testing kits using epigenetic clocks are now available on the market. Your epigenetic age, or your DNA methylation, is changeable. People always ask, Is there going to be a supplement? More research is needed to understand how cellular aging is linked to health conditions....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 117 words · Jeffery Barrett

If You're Healthy, Daily Fish Oil Supplements Might Come With a Risk

MirageC / Getty Images Key Takeaways Fish oil supplements may not always benefit everyone. The general consensus has been that taking OTC fish oils is not harmful and may be beneficial. For patients with heart failure, fish oil supplements can reduce inflammation and improve heart function. MirageC / Getty Images “This may be due to the anticoagulant and/or anti-inflammatory effects of fish oils, Sanchez Shields said. Overall, it seems more research needs to be done in this area to fully understand these results....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 185 words · Calvin Brooks

If Your Daily Walk Isn't Curing Your COVID-19 Depression, You're Not Alone

But a more sedentary lifestyle can have detrimental effects on our health and minds. A recent study links decreased exercise during the pandemic to increased depression in college students. When March 2020 forced people indoors, they saw a near-doubling of depression scoresfrom 32% to 61%. FilippoBacci / Getty Images “It went down to about 4,600 during the pandemic, so we saw a huge decrease.” For free at-home exercise videos, you’re free to check outYouTubefor a variety of options....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 383 words · Kelly Dunn

Ileus: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Surgery During abdominal surgery, anesthetics and painkillers are often used to manage discomfort. After surgery, ileus is normal and patients are monitored closely to ensure that it resolves. Parkinsons disease is a neurological disorder and may affect the nerves that control peristalsis, causing an ileus. supersizer / Getty Images Symptoms Most ileus symptoms occur in the digestive system. When material and gas arent passed, they build up and that can cause bloating and distention....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 374 words · Stephanie Flores