Tardive dyskinesia is a neurological movement disorder that is triggered by certain medications, especially those prescribed for psychiatric or neurological conditions. Individuals with tardive dyskinesia often make involuntary movements or experience facial tics. Moreover, research studies suggest that 20% to 50% of people develop the condition while undergoing other major treatments. Knowing its symptoms and understanding the triggering causes is important for a proper diagnosis and management of the condition. What is tardive dyskinesia? Tardive literally means delayed, while dyskinesia means sudden muscle movements. There’s usually a gap between the start of the medication and the development of the symptoms. This makes it difficult to know early on whether a particular treatment will cause these side effects or work well for a patient. Who may develop the condition? While tardive dyskinesia can affect any person of any age or gender, those with certain pre-existing conditions like diabetes, HIV, and traumatic brain injury may be especially vulnerable to it. Symptoms Repetitive, uncontrolled, and writhing movements, especially of the limbs, face, and torso, are common symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. These movements may be fast or slow and can significantly affect one’s daily life. Most symptoms may appear one to six months from the start of a particular treatment, but some may take years to develop.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a kind of blood cancer in which the bone marrow produces a large number of red blood cells, causing the blood to thicken. This change in blood viscosity slows down its flow and can lead to complications like blood clots. PV is a rare condition caused by a genetic mutation. The condition develops slowly, and a patient may have it for years before they show serious symptoms and receive a diagnosis. Symptoms of PV The condition can cause a wide range of symptoms. Most of these symptoms are easily overlooked or mistaken as a sign of another condition. Knowing the key signs and symptoms is important for a timely diagnosis and treatment. Fatigue and weakness It is a hallmark symptom of PV and other cancer types. People with the condition often describe fatigue as a constant feeling of tiredness even after getting enough sleep. The symptom can significantly impact the patient’s quality of life. Headaches Another common symptom observed in PV patients is frequent headaches. They may occur in different areas in the head or vary in intensity. Dizziness As the blood thickens, its flow slows down, which can cause dizziness or lightheadedness in patients. The symptoms can also increase the risk of sudden falls, making them dangerous signs.

During an allogeneic transplant, a healthcare expert introduces hematopoietic stem cells from a donor into the host’s body. These donated stem cells eventually turn into mature blood cells. However, in some cases, the donated cells may perceive the host cells as a foreign threat, attacking the recipient’s cells as an immune response. This condition is known as graft versus host disease (GvHD) and can develop into two types, including acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD). Occurrence Healthcare professionals used to classify GvHD based on the timing of the symptom onset. Nowadays, providers diagnose specific types of GvHD based on symptoms and healthcare trials, in addition to the onset of symptoms. Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD) typically develops shortly after a transplant, usually within the first 100 days. However, the symptoms of this type may appear at a later stage. Another commonly seen type is chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD), which might develop any time following an allogeneic transplant, with a majority of the cases starting within two years. Symptoms The symptoms of aGvHD can range from mild to moderate to severe, typically affecting the skin, liver, or gastrointestinal tract (GI). Affected persons may also experience a range of symptoms, including a rash or reddened areas on the skin accompanied by itching or pain.

The prostate gland produces seminal fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm. Prostate cancer refers to cancerous growth in this gland. This condition progresses gradually and is initially confined to the prostate, but if it’s not diagnosed and treated promptly, it can start spreading. Early treatment is the best way to facilitate recovery. An intervention many oncologists recommend to curb prostate cancer growth is Nubeqa, an FDA-approved prescription remedy for non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC). Understanding non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer In this stage of prostate cancer, the cancerous cells are still confined to the prostate, which means they haven’t begun spreading to other organs. But they have stopped responding to treatments aimed at lowering testosterone levels. So, unlike early-stage prostate cancer, which requires testosterone to grow, the cancer cells in the nmCRPC stage continue growing despite external efforts to reduce these levels. If left untreated, the condition may escalate to the metastatic type, wherein cancerous cells may begin spreading to the lymph nodes, bones, etc. Treating prostate cancer at the nmCRPC stage helps increase the chances of recovery. Mechanism of action of Nubeqa This FDA-approved prescription treatment, also called darolutamide, is a type of androgen receptor inhibitor. When prescribing Nubeqa, health experts check for two main criteria.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a rare blood disorder in which people experience an increase in the production of blood cells, particularly red blood cells (RBCs). The higher level of these cells leads to the thickening of the blood. When that happens, one’s tissues or organs get damaged, putting the person at a higher risk for strokes and other complications. Doctors may prescribe FDA-approved Jakafi, besides other treatments, for adult patients with this condition. Disease symptoms and progression As polycythemia vera increases the number of blood cells, blood flow begins to slow down, putting the patient at an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and blood clot formation. Individuals might experience symptoms like ringing in the ears , skin itchiness, abdominal pain, blurred or double vision, and nose bleeds. If ignored, the condition can increase the risk of secondary complications like kidney stones, painful arthritis, and gout. These problems occur because excess blood cells raise the kidney’s uric acid levels. Other complications include stomach ulcers, which can lead to peptic ulcer disease. About Jakafi The first FDA-approved prescription treatment for individuals with polycythemia vera, Jakafi, contains an ingredient called ruxolitinib. It is a targeted treatment that doctors can prescribe to help control and manage the increased blood cell production caused by damage to the bone marrow.

Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that causes a patchy loss of skin color and premature graying of the hair on the face and scalp. It is caused by the lack of melanin in the skin, which is a pigment produced by melanocyte cells. While the condition is not considered medically dangerous, it can impact one’s self-esteem. Treatment for vitiligo largely depends on one’s age, the progression of the disease, and its effect on one’s life. Topical treatments One of the most common vitiligo treatment options doctors prescribe is a topical treatment such as a cream or an ointment to help restore lost color. OPZELURA is a prescription treatment for non-segmental vitiligo. It is an FDA-approved treatment that helps restore lost skin color due to vitiligo and can be used among those who are 12 years and older. Light therapy Phototherapy or light therapy using narrow-band ultraviolet B (UVB) light can slow down and even stop the spread of active vitiligo. This line of treatment may take one to three months to show effect, with sessions scheduled two to three times per week. Light therapy particularly helps restore the color of the face and neck. But, it may cause redness, itching, and burning, which generally subside after a few hours of the procedure.

Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition that causes the skin to lose color. When this depigmentation happens in a few patches, in only a few areas of the body, it is called localized vitiligo. When the patches develop on both sides of the body, it is called nonsegmental or generalized vitiligo. Opzelura is a treatment option that is suggested for nonsegmental vitiligo. It is a topical treatment that can promote repigmentation of the skin. How does Opzelura work? While vitiligo is not harmful to the body, the depigmentation can affect one emotionally. So, using a treatment option that can promote repigmentation can be helpful . Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is a topical treatment option available in the form of a cream. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition that does not begin on the surface of the skin but below it. In this condition, the immune system attacks melanocytes, which are the pigment-producing skin cells. Due to this, melanin, or the skin pigment, is not produced in those patches of skin, which then leads to depigmentation. An immune signal, which is known as the JAK-STAT pathway, is activated, which allows the immune system to attack the healthy pigment-producing skin cells, ultimately leading to vitiligo.