Lymphedema

Lymphedema is the name of a type of swelling. It happens when lymph builds up in your body's soft tissues. Lymph is a fluid that contains white blood cells that defend against germs. It can build up when the lymph system is damaged or blocked. It usually happens in the arms or legs.

Causes of lymphedema include:

• Infection
• Cancer
• Scar tissue from radiation therapy or surgical removal of lymph nodes
• Inherited conditions in which lymph nodes or vessels are absent or abnormal

Treatment can help control symptoms. It includes exercise, compression devices, skin care, and massage.

NIH: National Cancer Institute

Men's Health

Most men need to pay more attention to their health. Compared to women, men are more likely to:

• Smoke and drink
• Make unhealthy or risky choices
• Put off regular checkups and medical care

There are also health conditions that only affect men, such as prostate cancer and low testosterone. Many of the major health risks that men face - like colon cancer or heart disease - can be prevented and treated with early diagnosis. Screening tests can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. It's important to get the screening tests you need.

Nuclear Scans

What is a nuclear scan?

A nuclear scan is a type of medical imaging test that uses a small amount of radioactive material, called a radiotracer. This scan shows how organs and tissues are working, not just what they look like.

After the radiotracer is given, a special camera detects the radiation coming from inside the body. This allows your health care provider to see organ function, blood flow, or tissue activity, which can help diagnose conditions and check how well treatment is working.

Nuclear scans may be used to find disease, target certain cells, and monitor response to treatment. They are commonly used to:

• Check how organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys are working
• Find disease early, sometimes before changes can be seen on other imaging tests
• Perform bone scans
• Evaluate the thyroid
• Check how well cancer treatment is working

Before the scan, you will receive a small amount of radiotracer. This may be given as:

• An injection
• A pill or liquid to swallow
• A gas to inhale

The radiotracer travels to the part of the body being examined. How much of the tracer is absorbed can help show how well an organ or tissue is functioning.

Always tell your provider if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

You may be asked to change clothes and remove jewelry or other items that could interfere with the scan. Ask your provider if there are any special instructions before your scan.

Depending on the type of nuclear scan, you may:

• Lie on a table
• Sit in a chair
• Stand
• Walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike (for some heart scans)

You will be asked to stay as still as possible, unless movement is part of the test.

A special imaging device, such as a gamma camera, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scanner, or positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, detects radiation from the tracer and creates images.

The length of the scan depends on the type of test and the area being examined. Some scans take only minutes. Others may include waiting periods or require you to return later the same day or over several days.

Most people can return to normal activities right away. Drinking fluids may help your body clear the radiotracer.

A specialist called a radiologist reviews the images and shares the results with your provider.

Women's Health

Women have unique health issues. And some of the health issues that affect both men and women can affect women differently.

Unique issues include pregnancy, menopause, and conditions of the female organs. Women can have a healthy pregnancy by getting early and regular prenatal care. They should also get recommended breast cancer, cervical cancer, and bone density screenings.

Women and men also have many of the same health problems. But these problems can affect women differently. For example:

• Women are more likely to die following a heart attack than men
• Women are more likely to show signs of depression and anxiety than men
• The effects of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be more serious in women
• Osteoarthritis affects more women than men
• Women are more likely to have urinary tract problems

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Amyloidosis

Amyloidosis occurs when abnormal proteins called amyloids build up and form deposits. The deposits can collect in organs such as the kidney and heart. This can cause the organs to become stiff and unable to work the way they should.

There are three main types of amyloidosis:

• Primary - with no known cause
• Secondary - caused by another disease, including some types of cancer
• Familial - passed down through genes

Symptoms can vary, depending upon which organs are affected. Treatment depends on the type of amyloidosis you have. The goal is to help with symptoms and limit the production of proteins. If another disease is the cause, it needs to be treated.