What Does Fibromyalgia Feel Like?

If anything sounds familiar, speak to your healthcare provider. What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood medical condition that is classified as acentral sensitization disorder. Ghislain & Marie David de Lossy/Getty Images The more information your provider has, the sooner they will be able to render a diagnosis. To this end, be patient and keep an open mind when speaking with your provider. However, the condition presents differently in each individual and you may not experience this....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 83 words · Samantha Adams MD

What Does Folliculitis Decalvans Look Like?

Folliculitisdelcavans is a rarechronicailment that often affects the scalp. It is an inflammatory problem that destroys hair follicles, leaving scars that result inalopecia (hair loss). This problem usually appears as red, swollen, and scaly patches on your scalp. Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023. Symptoms can range from mild to extreme pain. There is no cure, but symptoms can be reduced. Treatment varies by person and often includes oralantibioticsand topical treatments that control symptoms and prevent further hair loss....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 699 words · Zachary Mclean

What Does Gastroparesis Feel Like?

It often occurs in people withtype 1 diabetesortype 2 diabetes. This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of gastroparesis. It also covers how the condition is diagnosed and potential treatment options. VOISIN / PHANIE / Getty Images What Causes Gastroparesis? Gastroparesis happens when nerves in the stomach are damaged or stop working. The vagus nerve controls the movement of food through the digestive tract. Bezoars can be dangerous if they block the passage of food into the small intestine....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 402 words · Miranda Shaw

What Does Genital Herpes Look Like on Males?

The condition is a common STI that infects about 600,000 people in the United States every year. Sores on the genitals are usually the first sign of a genital herpes outbreak. These sores can look different depending on your skin tone. Jacoblund / Getty Images The blisters can scab over after breaking, and healing can take about a week. Complete healing of an outbreak can take up to four weeks....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Jason Myers

What Does Gonorrhea Look Like?

Pictures of gonorrhea can help you to know what it looks like. Later symptoms can include pain or a burning sensation during sex or urination (when you pee). If you have concerns, talk with your healthcare provider about diagnosis and treatment. Science Picture Co/Collection Mix: Subjects/Getty Images Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. Discharge Dischargeis the most notable visual sign of gonorrhea. The discharge can be watery, creamy, or green in color if you have a vagina....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 309 words · Lisa Thomas

What Does Healthy Sperm Look Like?

The taste, smell, color, and consistency of semen can vary from one person to the next. Semen can also change from oneejaculationto the next. Most of the time, these changes are normal, but some may indicate a medical concern. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health Foul-smelling semen, pinkish or greenish semen, or abnormal semen volumes should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. The fluids are populated withspermatozoa(sperm cells) that can fertilize an egg....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 249 words · Tara Gutierrez

What Does Heteronormative Mean?

Having heteronormative assumptions may lead people to misgender someone (referring to someone with the wrong pronouns). By assuming that someone is straight, youre erasing theirsexual identity. Being bisexual or pansexual means someone is attracted to allgenders. AleksandarNakic/ GettyImages Erasing people who identify with these orientations is harmful and hurtful. Within heteronormativity are the prejudices oftransphobiaandhomophobia. Think of gender reveal parties. Not everyone identifies as the gender associated with their assigned sex at birth, however....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 290 words · Eric Rose

What Does It Matter If You Have High Cholesterol?

High cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms, so it may be tempting to ignore. Fortunately, diet, exercise, andmedicationshelp lower cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of these serious health problems. Cholesterol is a sticky, waxy substance that circulates in the blood. mapodile/Getty Images Your body has a few different types of cholesterol. Ruptured plaques may block blood flow in the coronary arteries causing a heart attack. Cholesterol of 250: Is That High?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 276 words · Gary Williams

What Does It Mean If Care Is 'Excluded From the Deductible'?

To clarify, “full price” means after the internet-negotiated discount is applied. So the specifics vary from one state to another. And “covered” just means that your health plan’s benefits apply. Caiaimage / Sam Edwards / Getty Images Some health plans are creative with how they design their coverage. You’ve got a $3,000 deductible and a $4,000 out-of-pocket maximum. And the specialist’s web link-negotiated rate with your health insurance company is $165....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 159 words · David Olson

What Does It Mean if You Don't Get Morning Wood?

It’s also known as nocturnal peniletumescence(NPT) or sleep-related erection. This article covers the causes of morning wood and reasons why it may become less frequent. It also describes how it can be affected by erectile dysfunction and other conditions. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Research studies sometimes don’t use the terminology in this way. What Causes Morning Wood? Erections start happening spontaneously as you enter puberty. They increase in frequency as you get older....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 290 words · Kyle Greene

What Does It Mean to Be HIV-Positive?

Being HIV-positive means that there is evidence of thehuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)in your body. AnHIV-positive statusis only confirmed after two HIV tests have been done. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions. Once HIV enters the body, it introduces an antigen called p24. This is a viral protein that prompts the immune system to activate white blood cells....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 857 words · Michelle Fernandez

What Does It Mean to Be Legally Blind?

It describes how people with low vision are tested and diagnosed. Low vision is a visual acuity of 20/40 or worse while wearing corrective lenses. A visual field of 180 degrees is considered normal. CentralITAlliance / iStock / Getty Images A severely limited visual field sometimes is calledtunnel vision. It makes it nearly impossible to drive safely. The leading reasons: age-related conditions such ascataracts, glaucoma, andmacular degeneration. What Is It Like to Be Legally Blind?...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 451 words · Jordan Turner

What Does It Mean to Binge?

Binge eating disorder (BED) is a throw in ofeating disorder. BED is the most common eating disorder in the United States. This article will discuss the symptoms, risk factors, and complications of binge eating disorder. Verywell / Theresa Chiechi Verywell / Theresa Chiechi What Is Binge Eating Disorder? Binge eating disorder is a severe but treatable condition that involves recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food. Episodes of overeating that are classified as binge eating can significantly and negatively impact your health and well-being....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 291 words · Steven Lee