Podiatry: What Is This Speciality of Medicine?

Podiatryis a branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating foot and ankle conditions. Podiatrists are the experts in keeping feet and ankles healthy. A referral to a podiatrist might be necessary if you are experiencing persistent foot or ankle problems. Carlos Andres / Getty Images They have extensive training, specifically in the care of feet and ankles. Podiatrists can treat various issues by prescribing shoe inserts calledorthotics, physical therapy, or medications....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 475 words · Brian Terry

Poison Ivy Rash: What It Looks Like and How To Prevent It

The rash due to poison ivy looks like red blotches or streaks. There may also be clusters of tiny blisters. The rash can be very itchy. Ed Reschke / Getty Images Medically, the rash is known as Rhus dermatitis. This article provides pictures of a poison ivy rash to help you identify it. Ed Reschke / Getty Images What Do Poison Ivy and Its Relatives Look Like? Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 302 words · Hector Harris

Polarized Sunglasses: Meaning and Advantages

Despite what some people think, polarized lenses do not protect againstultraviolet (UV) lightfrom the sun. However, it’s possible for you to get polarized sunglasses with UV protection. Polarized sunglasses arent necessarily better than non-polarized sunglasses. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin While they can be helpful for some activities, they may not be the best choice in other situations. What Do Polarized Sunglasses Do? Glare is caused when light hits a reflective horizontal surface, causing light beams to be scattered horizontally....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 303 words · Jordan Murphy DDS

Polyarthritis, Inflammatory Arthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis

While they are related, they don’t mean the same thing. The word “polyarthropathy” literally means “disease in many joints.” It’s used in the same context as “polyarthritis” (inflammation in many joints). Verywell / Hugo Lin Conditions that can cause polyarthropathy include: Treatments and the prognosis for polyarthropathy depend on the condition causing it. From Acute Illness Polyarthritis isn’t only tied to chronic illnesses. It also can be a transient symptom of a passing illness such asrheumatic fever....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 311 words · Daniel Perry

Polyisoprene Condoms for People With Latex Allergies

There’s a good reason for thatpolyisoprene is the synthetic form of latex. Most people with latex allergies are not allergic to latex itself. Instead, they’re allergic to one or more of the plant proteins that contaminate it. CatLane / Getty Images Polyisoprene condoms don’t contain those proteins, making them a great alternative to latex condoms. Plus, they are FDA-approved to prevent pregnancy andsexually transmitted infections(STIs). This article discusses polyisoprene condoms and why they are a good option for people with latex allergies....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 329 words · Mike Strickland

Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes White Blood Cells

PMNs are also known as granulocytes. They play a central role in the innate immune system. In normal conditions, the most common PMN by far is the neutrophil. Istockphoto.com / toeytoey2530 This article explains PMN’s origin, function, and abnormalities. What Does ‘Polymorphonuclear’ Mean? The nuclei of PMNs have two or three lobes with deep divisions. PMNs are also called granulocytes or granular leukocytes because they contain and release granules. The contents of granules vary by cell bang out....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 594 words · David Robbins

Polyneuropathy: Everything You Need to Know

Treatments can include medication to prevent nerve damage, physical therapy, and pain medications. Phynart Studio / Getty Images Polyneuropathy Types Polyneuropathies are either acute or chronic. Acute polyneuropathies develop over the course of days or weeks and can cause serious health risks. Phynart Studio / Getty Images Sometimes, demyelination can be reversible because the body naturally regenerates myelin. Nerve damage is not reversible because nerves do not heal. Generally, peripheral nerve demyelination occurs before nerve damage, but this is not always the case....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 620 words · Megan Benson

Polypectomy for Colon Polyps: Procedure Overview

The procedure is more accurately referred to as acolonic polypectomy. The aim of a polypectomy is to determine whether an abnormal growth is cancerous,precancerous, or non-cancerous. The removal of any polyp by either means is still considered a polypectomy. SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI / Getty Images Polypectomies are performed by gastroenterologists who are specially trained in various techniques to remove them. Not all polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy. Risks and Contraindications A polypectomy may cause bleeding, infection, orbowel perforation....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 539 words · Stephanie Reese

Polyphenols Benefits and Foods to Eat

Polyphenolsare plant compounds that are largely beneficial to your health. Polyphenols act as antioxidants in the body. This means they help protect the body and neutralizefree radicalsthat cause damage to cells. Verywell / Joules Garcia They make up over half of the currently known polyphenols. The six different types of flavonoids are: Flavonoids account for 60% of dietary polyphenols. Avenanthramides are found in oats and are believed to help with LDL (low-density lipoprotein or bad)cholesterol....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 436 words · Kim Garcia

Polyunsaturated Fat vs. Monounsaturated Fat: What's the Difference?

The difference between them starts on a molecular level. The body makes monounsaturated fats and gets them from your diet (e.g., avocado, olive oil). What Are Unsaturated Fats? cerealfoods / Getty Images Unsaturated fats are considered healthy fats. Because of their structure, theyre usually liquid at room temperature. Saturated fats are typically solid at room temperature. Thats because research has found that replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats can decrease the risk of heart disease....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 321 words · Austin Bradford

Pomegranate Benefits: Why You Should Add This Superfruit to Your Diet

Pomegranates may offer health benefits because they contain powerfulantioxidantsand nutrients. The seeds are juicy, crunchy, and slightly tart in flavor. They can be eaten on their own or added to yogurts, salads, bowls, or other dishes. AzmanL / Getty Images Heart Health Pomegranates are thought to boostheart healthby lowering inflammation. Another study found that people with heart disease who drank pomegranate juice reduced the frequency and severity ofchest pain. They also had lower levels of specific markers that indicate better heart health....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 466 words · Austin Werner

Poop Color Chart: What Different Stool Colors Mean

The color of your poop (stool) can provide clues about diseases or conditions affecting the digestive tract. Based on the initial findings, agastroenterologistcan order tests to help diagnose the exact cause. The color is the result of a pigment calledbilirubinthis created when the liver breaks down red blood cells. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health Healthy stools can range from a light or medium brown to a dark brown....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 309 words · Krista Smith MD

Pores: Why We Have Them, Role in Acne, How to Reduce Them, and More

By releasing sweat, pores help regulate your body temperature. They are also essential for keeping yourskin healthy and hydrated. Each pore contains a hair follicle andsebaceousglandthat produces sebum. PeopleImage.com / Digital Vision / Getty Images Learning to keep your pores clean with proper skin care can help reduce acne. When that’s not enough,acne medicationcan help. This article explains what pores are and how they contribute to acne. The skins natural oil, calledsebum, helps keep the skin supple, moisturized, and healthy....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 228 words · Michelle Brown