Lactose Intolerance

This is known aslactose intolerance. Lactose is the natural sugar in milk and dairy foods. Your small intestine produces anenzymecalled lactase to break this sugar down for digestion. Lactose Intolerance Symptoms Worldwide, upwards of 70% of adults are lactose intolerant. Causes of Lactose Intolerance Your body stops making lactase by age 5. From there, levels of this enzyme decrease. For some, a naturally occurring bacteria called lactic acid bacteria can take over for the missing lactase....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 504 words · Erin Jarvis

Lacunar Strokes Types and Symptoms

Lacunar strokes arestrokescaused by the occlusion of a small branch of a larger blood vessel. The symptoms fall within one of the following five categories. Doctors use the technical term “pure motor paresis” to describe pure motor strokes. Rafe Swan / Getty Images “Paresis” is muscle weakness. The word “hemiparesis” means a weakness of one full side of the body. If a person has only upper limb weakness, it would not be hemiparesis....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 195 words · Derek Simmons

Lap-Band Surgery vs. Gastric Sleeve: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More

Lap-band surgeryand gastric sleeve surgery are two different types ofweight loss surgery, also known asbariatric surgery. They are options for treatingobesityto help avoid additional health complications. How Does It Work? JazzIRT / Getty Images This includes medical conditions such as high blood pressure,sleep apnea, and throw in 2 diabetes. Ideally, this will make you feel full after eating smaller amounts of food than usual. BMI is a dated, flawed measure....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 411 words · Melissa Brown

Laparoscopic Surgery: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery? Laparoscopic procedures are surgeries that require incisions. A laparoscope is placed into the surgical incisions to project the body’s structures on a screen. They generally include a camera, a light source, and surgical tools. You will need pain control during laparoscopic surgery, usually withgeneral anesthesia. Laparoscopic surgery is a jot down of minimally invasive surgery for abdominal and pelvic procedures. Minimally invasive surgeries in other areas of the body are not described as laparoscopic....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 798 words · Terry Frye

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): A Guide to Silent Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux(LPR), otherwise known as silent reflux, is a form of acid reflux. Theesophagus(food tube) has special rings of muscle (sphincters) at the top and the bottom. Treatment usually involves acid-reducing medications as well as lifestyle and dietary changes. NicolasMcComber / Getty Images There will also be a physical exam, usually by looking inside the throat in the office. The throat exam might show inflammation or other damage to the tissues....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 707 words · Rebecca Mcneil

Laser Cataract Surgery vs. Traditional: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects

This must then be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). Traditionally, these cuts are made by hand by the ophthalmologist. But with the laser-assisted approach, the cuts are made by a laser. Luis Alvarez / Getty Images What Is a Laser? Laser stands for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. A rig produces light at a specific wavelength and amplifies it. The light beam produced is coherent, meaning the peaks and valleys of the light waves are lined up....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 575 words · Melissa Chapman

Laser Therapy: What You Should Know

Laser therapy is a tool that physicians and surgeons can use to treat a variety of conditions. “Laser” stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” It uses intense beams of light to remove tissue. Laser therapy can have many uses in medical and cosmetic procedures. What Is Laser Therapy? There are multiple types of lasers that can be used, including: Ordinary light has many different wavelengths. Cancer Treatment Several types of cancer can be treated with laser therapy....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 457 words · Joe Hernandez

Laser Treatment for Toenail Fungus

Laser therapy is a treatment fortoenail fungus infection (onychomycosis). Fungal infections of the nails usually require several laser treatment sessions before they get better. It may take three to 18 months of consistent treatment for laser therapy to be effective for toenail fungus. 4FR / E+ / Getty Images This article will cover what you should know about using laser treatments for toenail fungus. With laser therapy, most people see noticeable improvement and there is a high cure rate....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 560 words · Sarah Gardner

LASIK Eye Surgery: Recovery

After LASIK eye surgery, it’s important to follow-up with your eye surgeon as advised. Typically, you will have a check-up appointment within 24 to 48 hours after your surgery. During this appointment, your healthcare provider will examine your eyes and test your vision. Westend61 / Getty Images Your follow-up appointments are critical to your full recovery and vision. They must not be neglected. Eye discomfort or itching/burning usually only lasts for around five hours after surgery....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 289 words · Stephanie Roberts

Latarjet Surgery for the Shoulder

A Surgery to Prevent Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation Shoulder dislocationsare common injuries, especially in young, active people. Latarjet surgery can be done to prevent repeated dislocations. Some people develop suchsevere instability of the ball-and-socket shoulder jointthat dislocations can occur with simple activities or while sleeping. BSIP/UIG / Getty Images Each time the shoulder dislocates, further damage can occur to the joint. During that initial dislocation, or with subsequent dislocations, additional damage to other structures can occur....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 439 words · Parker Shelton

Late-Night Cravings? 16 Foods to Eat Without Sabotaging Your Diet

Research found that your snack’s quality and portion size matter more than the timing. Nutrient-rich snacks under 340 calories are not associated with an increased health risk. High-calorie, low-nutrient snacks before bedtime may raise the risk of chronic diseases like cancer or diabetes. nito100 / Getty Images Nuts Nutsare rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Greek Yogurt With Berries Low-fat, plainGreek yogurtis low in calories yet high in protein....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 678 words · Natalie Jackson

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Tear

The LCL helps to prevent excessive side-to-side movement of theknee joint. When the LCL is torn, the knee joint may bend too far inwards when stressed. People who injure their knee ligaments may develop sensations of instability of the knee joint. PhotoAlto / Sandro Di Carlo Darsa / PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections / Getty Images Instability is the symptom of the knee wanting to buckle or give-out. The LCL is torn when the knee bends inwards excessively, and the LCL is stretched too far....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 151 words · Julie Jackson

Lateral Malleolus Fracture Symptoms and Treatment

Alateral malleolus fractureis a break in the bone on the outside of your ankle joint. Most are stable ankle fractures, meaning that the ankle joint remains aligned and able to move normally. These types of fractures don’t require surgery. Verywell / Cindy Chung This article describes the symptoms of a lateral malleolus fracture, including how it is diagnosed and treated. What Are the Symptoms of a Lateral Malleolus Fracture? An impact during a car crash can also cause an ankle fracture....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 396 words · Jonathan Rogers