What is Pus? | Treatment | Pus Color Chart

First, let’s learn a bit more about what pus is. Yes, it’s gross. Yes, it can be smelly. And yes, it’s a sign of infection. But what is it made of? And what is a pus infection?

What Is Pus?

Pus is a thick, opaque, often whitish-yellow or brownish-yellow fluid that’s formed during an inflammatory response (i.e., in reaction to an infection). It’s made up of dead white blood cells (a.k.a. macrophages and neutrophils), bacteria, and other tissue debris produced during the body’s immune response to the infection. It can also be a fungal or viral reaction.

In other words, pus is a natural byproduct of your body’s healing process. It’s akin to an error message on your computer, alerting you to the fact that there’s a bug in your system.

Remember your old friend, the pimple? Pimples form when pus gathers near or on the skin’s surface. Same goes for a pustule. An abscess is created when pus builds up in an enclosed area of tissue.

Pus can appear anywhere—on your tonsils, face, inside a joint, on the brain, or in the gastrointestinal tract, for instance.

How Do You Treat a Pus Infection?

The key to getting rid of it is to “treat the underlying infection,” says Rebecca Baxt, MD, a New Jersey-based dermatologist. Treatment will depend on the type of infection you’re fighting.

According to Dr. Baxt, the most common methods for treating pus infections include:

• Antiviral medications
• Antifungal medications
• Creating an incision in and then draining the infected area
• Oral antibiotics
• Topical anti-infection solutions

Treatment for a Pus Infection

To treat a minor pus infection—a pimple or very small skin abscess, for example—at home, try this: Apply a clean, warm towel to the pus infection. Hold for five minutes to reduce swelling and open the skin to help speed healing and encourage drainage.

(To learn more about treating an infected wound, read our post 11 Signs of an Infected Wound: Stop the Ooze Before It Starts.)

For a minor abscess, try this:

• Clean the infection with soap and water
• Rinse and pat dry with a clean towel
• Clean the abscess again with peroxide
• Remove any debris or pus with clean hands
• Apply a topical antibiotic (e.g. Neosporin) to the infected area
• Cover the area with a clean, soft gauze
• Seek medical help if your condition worsens

When to See the Doctor for Pus Infected Wound

A bigger buildup of pus, especially one that’s not easily accessible (e.g., in the mouth or under the armpit), may require a doctor or surgeon’s help. He or she will likely make an incision and drain the infected area.

Below are a few examples of doctor-worthy infections:

• Large or hard-to-reach abscesses. These may need to be surgically opened to drain it.
• Recurring ear inflammation or infections. Grommets, or small plastic tubes, may need to be inserted in the ear to aid drainage.
• Septic arthritis. A surgeon may need to drain the joint to remove infected pus before administering antibiotics.

If you have a new wound, you may need to get stitches. 

Note: If you’re noticing pus after a recent surgery, contact your doctor immediately. Do not apply antibiotic cream, alcohol or peroxide to the area. Also, seek medical help if you experience other signs of an infection, including:

• A high fever
• Swelling
• Redness around the wound
• Warmth around the wound
• Confusion
• Severe pain
• Headache
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of consciousness

What Does Pus Look Like? 

There are many different colors of pus, including whitish, yellow, green, or brown. The color is caused by the accumulation of dead neutrophils (i.e. white blood cells). In some cases, pus is accompanied by a foul smell.

According to Dr. Baxt, the colors of a pus infection could indicate what type of illness you’re suffering from. Here are a few examples of the illness related to the color of pus:

This article was originally published in 2018. It is regularly updated. 

The post Pus: An Unmistakable Sign of Infection appeared first on University Health News.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sun Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?
Are Kettle Cooked Chips Healthy?
Are Low-Salt Chips Bad for You?
Are Trans-Fat Free Chips Bad for You?
Are Baked Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?
Are Corn Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?
Are Lay’s Chips Healthy?

Are Chips Bad for You?

Sadly, the answer to the question “Are chips bad for you?” is a definitive yes. As Boston-based nutritionist Laura Hartung says, “Most chips offer little to no nutritional value and are basically fried carbs full of fat with a little added salt.” Yikes!

What’s worse is how easy it is to overeat chips. Remember that Lay’s slogan, “Bet you can’t eat just one . . .”? Oh, how true it is. We can blame science for our ability to polish off a bag in minutes. Hedonic hyperphagia is the term used to describe eating for pleasure, not hunger. It pretty much sums up every chip-eating experience.

To prove that chips are addictive, German researchers conducted a study on rats. They fed them either chips or rat food. Their discovery: Eating potato chips activated the reward and addiction centers of the rats’ brains more than eating the rat food. The areas of the brain responsible for food intake, sleep, activity, and motion also noticed a boost in blood flow after eating chips. Problem is, the scientists aren’t sure why chips triggered the addiction and other reactions, since the rat chow was also high in fat and carbs. So, the jury’s still out on why we’re addicted to potato chips, but it’s official that we are.

Do Chips Have Any Good Qualities?

Ummm, no. “They’re crispy, crunchy, and a salty snack that tastes really, really good,” says Hartung. “But who can eat just one chip, or even the measly 13-chip serving size recommendation?”

Is It Okay to Eat Potato Chips Anyway?

Yes, says Hartung—if you’re monitoring portion sizes and eating them on occasion in addition to a healthy diet. That means you should be consuming lots of vegetables, fruit, lean protein, whole grains, and complex carbs. “If you choose to eat a couple hundred calories from chips and you’ve worked out and had a balanced day, then you can have a serving,” Hartung says. “You just shouldn’t eat an entire bag on your way home from work or before dinner. And that’s easy to do if you’re hungry.”

Healthiest Chip Options

If you’re craving chips, you’re likely after one of two things: salt and crunch. You can get both in a healthier way by choosing wisely. “Baked veggie chips or whole grain crackers are a great substitute for standard chips,” suggests Minchen. They give you the crunch you want with added nutrition. “I like Rhythm Superfood beet chips and Brad’s Veggie Chips, both of which have real veggies, not the powders. I also love Mary’s Gone crackers and pretzels for a crunchy, whole food cracker option.”

If nothing but chips will do, opt for those with few yet recognizable ingredients and no added sugar. Try one from our list included in our post 8 Healthiest Chips to Eat. Also, choose those made with healthier oils, like coconut.

The bottom line, Hartung says: “Eat with caution and don’t let these tempting, crunchy, salty chips overcrowd more nutrient-dense fruits and veggies in your diet.”

Are Sun Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?

That’s a tough one. Yes, Sun Chips provide slightly more fiber and whole grains than a regular potato chip, but many of the flavors contain added sugar. Another downside: they’re fried. “On a scale, Sun Chips would be closer to the healthy end, but there are chips [e.g., Rhythm Superfood Sea Salt Beet Chips or Brad’s Veggie Chips] that are even closer to healthy than Sun Chips,” says Lauren Minchen, a New York-based registered dietitian.

Are Kettle-Cooked Chips Healthy?

No healthier than the regular type, Minchen says. The only difference between the two is the cooking method. “Kettle-cooked chips are made in batches and dunked into the frying oil, whereas a standard potato chip is fried using a conveyer belt.” When it comes to health and nutrition values, the two are similar, she explains.

Are Low-Salt Chips Bad for You?

Just because a bag of chips is “low-salt” doesn’t mean it’s healthy. “Most chips aren’t that high in sodium to begin with, at around 110 to 140 mg per 1-ounce serving,” Hartung says. Lightly Salted Lays chips, by comparison, contain about 85 g. Plus, some people may find it more difficult to practice portion control when eating a lightly salted chip. They’ll eat more because they’ve fooled themselves into thinking it’s healthier.

Are Chips Bad for You If They’re Trans-Fat-Free?

Most likely yes, says Hartung. The chip can still contain other unhealthy vegetable or cottonseed oils that aren’t hydrogenated but still contain saturated fats. Plus, she says, “Food companies tend to market something that will divert attention away to something negative. People then think their snack is a healthier choice than it really is when they see all these claims on the label.”

Baked Chips vs. Regular Chips

No, says Hartung. Baked chips have been touted as healthy. Yes, they’re lower in fat (by about 50 percent), saturated fat (by 67 percent), and calories (by nearly 14 percent) than traditional potato chips, but baked chips contain less of the good stuff. For instance, most varieties offer a mere 4 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C as opposed to the 10 percent offered by regular chips. Another downside? They’re much higher in sodium (baked chips contain 11 percent of the daily recommended intake) than regular chips (which have 6 percent).

Finally, baked chips contain acrylamide, a cancer-causing agent, Hartung says. Although you’d be very hard pressed to eat enough acrylamide to cause cancer, the baked varieties of chips contain more of the chemical than the fried variety.

The take-home: “Choosing baked varieties may save you calories and fat, but you’ll still be chomping on more sodium and acrylamides,” Hartung says. “As an occasional treat, baked chips can be part of a healthy diet but if it’s making more than a guest appearance, you may want to reconsider.”

Are Corn Chips Healthier Than Regular Chips?

Not really. “Corn chips [are] a somewhat neutral food, depending on your goal,” Minchen says. “Processed corn chips, like Fritos or Tostitos, contain processed ingredients and artificial flavors. However, a 100 percent whole grain corn chip can provide more fiber and vitamins from the whole grain ingredient than a processed corn chip.” That said, it’s best to get these whole grains from healthy whole foods.

Are Lay’s Chips Healthy?

Processed foods like Lay’s chips should be relegated to the once-in-a-while category. Like other junk foods, these chips contain refined ingredients and processed oils, Minchen says. They also lack good stuff like fiber and essential nutrients.

Minchen’s advice: “It’s not the end of the world to enjoy some [chips] every so often, but they should not be a part of your regular diet.”

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Why Do People Pick Scabs?

Many of us feel pleasure and satisfaction when “picking scabs, bumps, blemishes or even healthy skin,” says Emily Ricketts, clinical specialist in the department of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA. But why do people enjoy picking scabs? It could be a result of “deficits in the areas of the brain related to reward processing,” she says.

According to a study in the American Journal of Psychiatry, picking scabs usually begins as an unconscious activity but becomes more conscious and prominent over time. When this behavior becomes compulsive, it’s termed excoriation (a.k.a. skin picking) disorder, which is classified as an “obsessive-compulsive and related disorder” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5).

“This psychiatric condition refers to repeated picking, squeezing, digging and/or scratching at the skin, with resultant skin damage,” Ricketts explains. Those who suffer from excoriation may also have trouble stopping or decreasing their scab picking and may feel shame, guilt, anxiety or depression surrounding their condition. Some may avoid or feel uncomfortable in social situations, have difficulty with relationships (i.e. with friends and family) and may struggle to focus at school, work or home.

Skin picking disorder can occur at multiple times in a person’s life—during childhood, adolescence or between the ages of 30 and 45, found researchers from the University of Chicago. Triggers, which differ for everyone who is compulsively picking scabs, can include: stress, anxiety, boredom, fatigue, anger, or the feel or look of a bump or blemish.

Is It Bad to Pick Scabs?

Remember what your mom told you—don’t pop a pimple or it will leave a scar. She was right. Not only can picking scabs lead to scarring, but it can cause a host of other, more serious problems. Researchers of a study published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology claim “when such behaviors [e.g. picking scabs] occur at a high frequency or intensity, they can produce physical and/or psychosocial problems.”

Other negative outcomes of scab picking include, “bleeding, sores, and infections, which may require medical treatment (e.g., bandages, stitches, antibiotics, skin grafts) or result in hospitalization,” says Ricketts.

How to Stop Picking Scabs

If your scab picking habit is extreme (i.e. it’s causing serious physical and psychological effects), it’s time to seek help from a professional. In addition, the following are a few successful treatment options:

1. Cover up.

Since many scab pickers are triggered by looking at their skin, Ricketts suggests reducing the time spent in front of a mirror, keeping skin covered with long sleeves or pants and using Band-Aids to protect the scab from both infection and your picking habit.

2. See a dermatologist. 

Determine the source of your scabs so you can treat and prevent them, suggests Ricketts. “For instance, scabs on the face may be partially related to picking at acne. Treating the acne may help to reduce the tactile and visual triggers to pick.”

3. Keep your hands busy.

Some people are sparked to pick scabs by feeling alone, worried, stressed or bored. Ricketts suggests using a fidget object when you’re feeling emotional, or spending time with others to take your mind off worries and avoid loneliness.

4. Manage your emotions. 

Certain feelings (i.e. stress, anger, sadness, boredom, and anxiety) can lead to picking scabs. Seek help to deal with these emotions before they cause you to pick.

5. Try behavioral therapy. 

Therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help people identify the triggers (i.e. situations or emotions) for their picking and teach them to find ways to avoid picking during these moments. These therapies are also helpful at “increasing awareness of picking and using a behavior that is physically incompatible with picking,” says Ricketts.

6. Medicate. 

“There is also some research support for the therapeutic benefits of medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and N-acetyl cysteine,” Ricketts adds.

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We’ve all been there (some of us more times than we’d like to admit). Ice cream is so creamy, and cold, and comforting. And delicious. It’s literally irresistible once you’ve downed that first spoonful. Yes, ice cream’s full of sugar and it’s high in fat, but you push those nutritional caveats aside as it’s melting in your mouth.

Is ice cream bad for you? Is it possible to enjoy it, at least now and then, guilt-free? Yes and yes.

Why Is Ice Cream Bad for You?

Its calories, sugar, and fat help answer the question “Is ice cream bad for you?”

Warning: This section may be depressing for those of us who hanker for a tub of mint chocolate chip at the end (or beginning or middle) of the day. That said, it’s important to know what we’re putting in our bodies, so here’s the ugly truth about our favorite creamy escape.

Ice cream has a pretty substantial downside. Between those high sugar and fat contents and an ingredient that can cause potentially fatal gastrointestinal issues, this sweet treat should be enjoyed only in moderation. With that in mind, here are the details behind the bad news.

1. Calories

Just a half-cup serving (105 grams) of Ben & Jerry’s Caramel Chocolate Cheesecake Ice Cream Truffles contains 300 calories. How about a whole pint, which contains four servings (which we all know is easy to wolf down)? That would be a whopping 1,200 calories. Since you should be aiming for 2,000 to 2,500 total calories a day, that’s more than half of your daily intake.

2. Fat

That same Ben & Jerry’s ice cream contains 19 g of fat in a single half-cup serving, and 10 g of that is saturated (the “bad” kind, which raises our levels of LDL cholesterol). The American Heart Association recommends we limit our fat levels and cut back on saturated fat, making sure it doesn’t exceed more than 5 to 6 percent of our total calories—that’s about 16 g of saturated fat daily for someone on a 2,000-calorie diet. So one serving of our chosen sample exceeds that total.

3. Sugar

Nothing good comes from sugar, except for taste. It rapidly boosts our glucose levels, causes us to absorb fewer vitamins and minerals, and can leach calcium from our bones. Plus, diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis are all made worse by sugar consumption. The American Heart Association recommends a daily limit of 24 g of added sugar for women and 36 g for men. One serving of ice cream contains about 23 g of sugar. (To learn more about sugar’s downsides, read our post Why Is Sugar Bad for You?)

4. Carbohydrates

Ice cream is high in carbs, which can be stored as fat if we don’t work them off right away. Consuming too many carbs can also wreak havoc on our glucose levels, putting us at a higher risk of diabetes.

5. Trehalose

This artificial sugar acts as both a sweetener and texturizing agent, claims Dr. Francis Collins of the National Institutes of Health. It also “depresses the freezing point of food,” he says in a blog on the NIH site, making it a useful addition to ice cream. Problem is, trehalose has been linked to a rise in potentially fatal infections from Clostridium difficile (C diff), a common bacterium found in our guts. According to Collins, some store-bought ice creams contain trehalose concentrations of up to 11 percent.

6. Listeria

A bacteria that can cause serious illness, especially in those with weakened immune systems, listeria has been found in ice cream products at a rising rate.

Benefits of Eating Ice Cream

All of the above factors provide compelling reasons to swear off ice cream. After all, a smart diet is key to staying fit and healthy. But if the thought of forever banishing this cold treat from your menu seems harsh, we have a loophole or two that may enable you to indulge without (much) guilt. It’s important to be realistic, after all—although we’ll still preach “moderation.”

First, consider that eating ice cream can make you happy (no shocker here). The act of indulging in this treat can increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter sometimes referred to as the “feel-good hormone.” It’s thought that the carbs have something to do with this process.

Another bonus: “Although ice cream is calorically dense, it does offer some nutritional value,” says Laura Hartung, a Boston-based registered dietitian and nutritionist.

• Ice cream contains calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which help maintain healthy blood pressure levels. As we all know, calcium is also essential to strong teeth and bones.
• A half-cup serving of ice cream also boasts 5 g to 9 g of protein, which can help us feel full for longer while boosting energy levels.
• Other nutrients found in our fave frozen treat include vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus.

Let’s be honest—we’re not going to break the nutritional bank by downing a pint of Chunky Monkey, but it’s enough to make you forget, momentarily, the question “Is ice cream bad for you?”

Eating ice cream can also improve our calcium absorption. In a small study, Dutch researchers offered 16 volunteers two types of calcium-fortified ice cream and milk with breakfast (sign me up for the next study, please!). Their goal was to determine whether fortifying ice cream would help increase a person’s absorption of calcium. Their findings: Calcium was as easily absorbed from the ice cream as it was from the milk. In other words, as the researchers wrote, “Ice cream may be a good vehicle for delivery of calcium.” Woo-hoo!

Can I Still Eat It?

So can we ever eat ice cream guilt-free? “Yes, of course,” says Hartung. “Half a cup of ice cream can be worked into a healthy day of eating. Enjoy with friends. Focus on ice cream’s sweet, rich flavors and amazing sensory properties.”

As with everything, though, moderation and portion control are key. While some may be able to absorb that half-cup into an overall balanced diet, those of us who struggle to put down the spoon may need to limit this dessert to once or twice a week. “One serving, one pint, one day of eating ice cream isn’t going to ruin you,” Hartung says. “It’s what you’re doing on a regular basis [that matters].”

That said, if eating ice cream causes you to binge or leads you to suffer from guilt or depression, it may be healthier to opt for a different treat.

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This article was originally published in 2018. It is regularly updated. 

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Any damage to the skin that causes a break in the skin can lead to a wound infection. Generally, a wound will heal on its own. Things start to get complicated when germs enter the picture. That benign wound can turn into an infected cut once germs (i.e. bacteria) enter the sensitive tissue beneath the skin. Things can start to go south as quickly as two or three days after contact with the germ. The once uninfected wound will slowly become more painful, warm, swollen, red and pus-filled.

Signs of an Infected Wound

At first, an infected wound may appear red and swollen. When touched, it will likely feel hot and tender. As the infection worsens, the redness and swelling will spread and become more painful. Still not sure if you’re suffering from an infected cut? Here are 11 symptoms to look out for, says Dr. Meghan Feely, media expert for the American Academy of Dermatology and a board-certified dermatologist based in New York and New Jersey:

1. Reddened skin around the wound
2. Watery-looking fluid collecting in the wound
3. Warm skin around the wound
4. Tenderness on and around the wound
5. Honey-colored crusting
6. Blisters
7. Sores
8. Thick yellow, green or brown pus escaping from the wound that smells strong, pungent, foul or musty
9. Enlarged lymph nodes
10. Fever
11. Red steaks around the wound

How to Treat an Infected Wound

First, clean the wound (regular soap and water is fine or alcohol wipes if you’re away from a sink). Then remove any dirt, splinters or other debris from the cut. If the cut seems minor, and only shows a little red around its sides, add some antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin), and cover with a bandage until it scabs over.

See your doctor if you notice the following:

• Signs of an infected wound (e.g. increased redness, pus, swelling, heat, and fever)
• A large, deep cut
• Debris inside the wound
• Unstoppable bleeding
• A cut resulting from an animal or human bite

Your doctor may take a culture to identify the organism to blame for your infection and will determine proper treatment for your infected wound. For instance, the “physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic as well as an oral antibiotic, based on your clinical presentation” Feely says.

If you are not up to date on your tetanus vaccination, your doctor may give you a tetanus shot to prevent the rare but serious complication of tetanus. If a wound infection spreads to your blood, you may develop a serious complication called sepsis. Sepsis requires intensive care treatment and possibly life support in a hospital.

Should You Cover an Infected Wound?

Yes. “In general, keep the site clean and covered,” Feely says. Not only will this help protect the wound from getting dirty (and therefore exposed to further bacteria), but it will also help to keep the medication on the infected cut. Make sure the dressing (i.e. a bandage or gauze) doesn’t stick to the cut. Depending on the location and severity of your infected cut, “your physician will discuss how frequently to change the dressing,” she explains.

Another risk of infection is picking scabs. Keeping your wound covered will help prevent you from picking at your cut or catching it on something that will pull off the scab.

Side Effects of an Infected Wound

Never ignore an infected cut, says Feely. In addition to more common unpleasant side-effects such as pain, redness, fever and swelling, an untreated infection could lead to cellulitis, a common bacterial infection of the skin that can spread to deeper tissues. “The infection, if left untreated, may spread from the skin to the lymphatics and bloodstream,” which could turn into a severe infection called sepsis and turn fatal, she warns.

In addition to these conditions, the following complications can also arise from an infected wound:

• Abscess (a painful, pus- and bacteria-filled mass)
• Death of tissue surrounding the infected cut (this could include muscle, connective tissue and bones)

When to See a Doctor for an Infected Cut

Once you’ve noted the tell-tale signs of an infected cut, see a doctor urgently, recommends Feely. You’ll likely need treatment with oral or topical antibiotics to prevent the spread of infection.

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This article was originally published in 2018. It is regularly updated. 

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What Causes Lymph Nodes to Swell?

Swollen lymph nodes can appear for a variety of reasons. Luckily, only a few of these include serious medical conditions. Most often, they are caused by a bacteria or virus (i.e. a common cold). “For most patients, the main reasons for swollen lymph nodes [a.k.a. lymphadenopathy] are benign and self-limited,” says Dr. Steven T. Benaderet, M.D. Family Medicine and Regional Medical Director of the Northeast Medical Group in Westport, CT. “They are most commonly associated with routine infections like the flu, viral stomach infections, or skin infections. Less commonly they can be associated auto-immune illnesses, medications or cancers [i.e. lymphoma].”

Other causes include:

• Ear infection
• Gonorrhea
• HIV
• Mononucleosis
• Skin infection
• Strep throat
• Stress
• Syphilis
• Tooth infection

Even less common causes of swollen lymph nodes are:

• Cancers
• Cat scratch fever
• Hodgkin’s disease
• Leukemia
• Lupus
• Measles
• Mouth sores
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tonsillitis
• Toxoplasmosis
• Tuberculosis

Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes

In addition to swelling, which can be anywhere from pea to kidney-sized, other symptoms associated with swollen lymph nodes include tenderness and/or pain in that area. If their cause is an infection, symptoms could also include:

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Congestion
• Coughing
• Night sweats

Treatment

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause of swelling. Most often, Benaderet says, “lymph node swelling resolves spontaneously in time with no specific treatment required.” A warm compress may be all that’s needed to help relieve your symptoms. Sometimes, however, they may require other types of treatment, which will differ depending on their cause. These include:

• Antibiotics (e.g. for an infection)
• Discontinuing medication (drugs that prevent malaria and the anti-seizure medication, phenytoin, can cause lymph nodes to swell)
• Radiation or chemotherapy for cancer treatment
• Seeing a specialist for a biopsy
• Treating a diagnosed auto-immune disease

Swollen Lymph Nodes Can Be a Sign of a Bigger Health Issue

A single swollen lymph node, or those that are concentrated in one area can often be blamed on a localized problem such as an infection, says Benaderet. The good news: these typically resolve on their own. Swollen lymph nodes that crop up in multiple places on the body, or a swollen lymph node that is associated with systemic (i.e. whole body) symptoms, however, can indicate a more serious health problem such as cancer or an immune disease.

Those who suffer from a more serious infection (i.e. HIV) or an immune disease such as lupus may experience swelling in multiple lymph nodes at different locations throughout the body.

Those with a tumor will likely notice a quickly growing, hard, and unmovable node. Swollen lymph nodes that aren’t treated can lead to an abscess (an infected, pus-filled node that may need to be drained) or sepsis (a potentially fatal infection in the bloodstream).

When to See a Doctor

As soon as you find a swollen lymph node, book in to see your primary care doctor, suggests Benaderet. For most, finding them can be alarming, but often, “a thorough medical history and examination can figure out why a lymph node has become an issue,” he says. At that first visit, your doctor can often diagnose the cause of your condition and offer treatment. As mentioned earlier, a swollen lymph node is most commonly associated with a minor infection, so once this clears up, it will likely disappear.

Sometimes, however, a person may suffer from worrisome symptoms which require further testing. “Systemic symptoms like fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss may necessitate further testing of your lymph nodes, including tests like an ultrasound, cat scan, or even lymph node biopsy to help discover a cause of your lymphadenopathy,” Benaderet says. Other warning signs include:

• Lymph nodes that last for more than two weeks
• Lymph nodes that are hard and unmovable
• Lymph nodes that have appeared for no reason (i.e. you’re not suffering from an underlying infection)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Trouble breathing

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Those who suffer from anxiety disorders experience a greater risk of developing numerous health conditions with severe symptoms, including heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome.

Being Anxious Can Lead to Dementia

A study of 13,000 people in their 40s to 80s found those who suffered from symptoms of anxiety and depression had a 20 percent higher chance of developing dementia than those who didn’t suffer from these illnesses. This risk increased to 70 percent for people who were diagnosed with depression later in life, as noted in Archives of General Psychiatry (May 2012).

Asthma May Cause Anxiety—and Vice Versa

A study of more than 45,000 people found that asthma was a major risk factor for anxiety. Researchers also discovered that being anxious can cause asthma, according to Journal of Affective Disorders (January 1, 2016).   Other research reported in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (November, 2015) found that 36.9 percent of asthmatics participating in a study also had anxiety.   The take-home: Both illnesses may be to blame for each other. It’s not surprising, really. As any asthmatic knows, struggling to breathe (or the thought of struggling to breathe) can cause stress, worry, and panic.

Anxiety Can Hurt Your Heart

Being anxious also can affect your cardiovascular  health. Feelings of anxiety can increase heart rate and boost blood pressure, among other symptoms that can have an impact on the heart.

It’s not shocking, then, that numerous studies have found a link between anxiety and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. One such study, as reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in September 2013, examined Vietnam- era veterans and found that those who suffered from PTSD were more than twice as likely to suffer from coronary heart disease than those who didn’t have the disorder.

Another study of postmenopausal women found that those with a history of a full-blown panic attack were four times more likely to develop heart disease. They also were at a three times greater risk of having a stroke.

This isn’t to say that a panic attack can cause a heart attack; it just means that women who suffer panic attacks are at a higher risk, according to study results published in Archives of General Psychiatry (October 2007).

Already struggling with a medical condition? Being anxious can make your symptoms even more pronounced. Here are a few of the conditions made worse by anxiety:

• Depression and other mental health disorders
• Substance abuse
• Sleep difficulties
• Digestive and bowel problems
• Headaches
• Chronic pain
• Social isolation
• Problems functioning in school, work, and life in general
• Quality of life
• Risk of suicide

For more information about managing stress, purchase Managing Stress and Anxiety at www.UniversityHealthNews.com.

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With neuroplasticity, the brain may be rewired to reverse the process that contributes to this chronic pain. Graded motor imagery—visual images—is being used to change the brain’s perception of pain after prolonged pain stimuli. The approach shows promising results in cases of complex regional-pain syndrome, phantom-limb, and chronic back pain.

Change Your Mindset

Think of pain as your body’s alarm system. Sometimes it’s vital for survival, signaling danger. Other times, the alarm keeps sounding after the danger has long passed. Understanding why you have pain may decrease your anxiety and your pain. Education establishes a foundation for managing chronic discomfort. Train your brain to relax by using techniques such as breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and tai chi. By relieving stress, these activities reduce pain.

Be Positive and Realistic

People who anticipate the worst-case scenario have lower levels of pain tolerance than those with a more positive outlook. Pain is like an unwanted house guest. It will stay for as long as you allow it. In other words, dwelling on your discomfort makes it worse.

Decreasing the expectation of pain can reduce both the pain-related brain activity and the perception of pain intensity. People who accept the existence of chronic pain are more likely to have increased emotional, social, and physical function.

Acknowledge pain as a challenge and do something to manage it effectively.

Fear Makes It Worse

Anticipating pain can be as bad as experiencing it. Your brain expects pain, which disables your body’s ability to regulate discomfort.

Feeling sorry for yourself just worsens things, throwing the gate wide open and transmitting all pain signals to the brain. A positive state of mind—combined with education about the nature of pain and the use of distraction and stress management techniques—helps close the gate, thereby decreasing the intensity of pain signals.

Anticipation and fear of pain may affect your expectations from pain medications or other treatments. Multiple studies have shown that, for some people, placebos are as effective in reducing pain as a prescription medication.

Optimistic Relief

Change your negative attitude toward pain and you’ll notice positive results. Most pain-sufferers feel better once they are satisfied that their pain has been thoroughly evaluated and any disabling medical conditions ruled out.

Moving toward a positive attitude is especially important to avoid secondary problems, such as depression. Chronic pain can affect some people so severely that they need assistance to learn alternative coping mechanisms.

A 2017 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that self-hypnosis/self-care and psychoeducation/physical therapy were associated with greater control and lower disability related to chronic pain.

Pain sensitivity can differ significantly among individuals. Some people can function well when they perceive their pain to be high, while others are unable to do anything, despite having a relatively low pain sensation. The experience of pain can even vary within the same individual.

Brain Scans Can Show Pain

Brain scans can allow researchers to see pain in the brain, measure its intensity, and determine whether a drug is relieving discomfort. The brain’s gray matter contains nerve cells and processes information. People with less gray matter record higher pain-intensity ratings than individuals with more gray matter.

Researchers found evidence that those who practice yoga have more gray matter than those who don’t, and that people with depression have reduced gray matter. The mind-body relationship is real.

Attitude is Hereditary

Attitudes and behavior regarding acute and chronic pain may be passed down from generation to generation. That means if your family members dwell on their pain, so might you. According to a November 2015 study in the journal PAIN, children of one or both parents who have chronic pain are more likely to suffer from it at some point.

To learn more about chronic pain, purchase Managing Your Pain from University Health News.

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Some people, because of non-modifiable (unchangeable) risk factors, have a high chance of developing CAD despite their best efforts to stay healthy. However, no matter your age, race, gender, and family history, there are things you can do to reduce or, better yet, eliminate modifiable risk factors. These include:

Smoking. Nothing good comes from smoking. Need proof? Smokers are two to three times more likely than nonsmokers to develop CAD, and they develop the disease about 10 years earlier. And smokers are two to four times more likely to die suddenly from a heart attack. Research also shows that stroke survivors who smoke are at a greater risk for a heart attack. Now for the good news: Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, even if you quit after age 60. (Note: Merely cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke won’t have the same effect; it’s best to cut all ties with nicotine.)

Unfavorable Levels of Cholesterol and Triglycerides. Cholesterol and triglycerides are fat-soluble substances necessary for normal cellular functions. Excess amounts, however, mean bad news for your heart. In addition to contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, higher levels of LDL cholesterol or triglycerides and lower levels of HDL cholesterol can elevate your risk of developing CAD. These factors also can boost your chances of having a heart attack or developing aortic valve disease.

Since the development of plaque buildup in your arteries is a gradual process, everyone should have a cholesterol check at age 20 and every five years thereafter. Those with a family history of heart disease should have a full cholesterol profile test yearly starting at age 20 to delineate levels of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. New research suggests we should be aiming for lower cholesterol levels than originally thought.

High Blood Pressure. It’s called “the silent killer” for good reason: High blood pressure doesn’t always make itself known and can lead to death if left untreated. Having uncontrolled hypertension more than doubles the risk of heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, hypertension (blood pressure higher than 130/80 millimeters of mercury, [mmHg]) is found in 51 percent of people with CAD, 69 percent of people who have a first heart attack, 77 percent of people who have a first stroke, and 74 percent of people with heart failure. Nearly 75 million Americans suffer from high blood pressure—nearly one in three adults.

If everyone with hypertension could maintain normal blood pressure and LDL and HDL levels, the number of coronary events in the United States would drop by 75 percent. Instead, only half of those with high blood pressure have their condition under control.

Diabetes. Having diabetes doubles or triples the risk of a heart attack. Plus, having type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes, being overweight, and having high blood pressure and cholesterol are three of the most major risk factors for CAD.

Obesity. A person is considered obese when he tips the scales at 20 percent or more than the recommended weight on a standard height-weight table. At this point, many regular bodily functions become strained, leaving an obese person twice as likely to have high blood pressure and diabetes. The higher your body mass index (BMI), the greater your risk of heart attack at a younger age.

Being Sedentary. Everyone knows that exercise is essential to good heart health. Being active strengthens the heart muscles, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and helps control weight. Not surprisingly, couch potatoes are almost two times more likely to have a heart attack.

Environment. Pollution is bad for your heart, especially if it’s in the form of particulate matter (for example vehicle exhaust, or smoke from burning wood). Colder weather also may wreak havoc on your health. Research suggests that cool temperatures may increase blood vessel constriction and raise blood pressure. Other research found that a heat wave or cold snap lasting two or more days could lead to premature death from a heart attack. The dramatic temperature change likely triggers differences in blood pressure, blood thickness, cholesterol, and heart rate.

To learn more about heart health and coronary artery disease, purchase Managing CAD from University Health News.

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Determining which type of stress you’re experiencing can help you manage, deal with, and minimize your symptoms.

Acute Stress

The most common form of stress is known as acute stress, which can last anywhere from mere minutes to hours, and is often beneficial to our health and productivity.

Acute stress can feel exciting, even thrilling; picture yourself 6 feet off the ground after leaving a ski jump. It can help save your life, releasing the adrenaline you need to brake quickly to avoid a collision. Or it can improve your job performance by keeping you focused, alert, and energetic, giving you the boost you need to finish a report before the deadline.

Sure, acute stress can be annoying, but in general, as soon as the stress resolves, so too do its symptoms. However, in more severe cases (e.g., a significant trauma), acute stress can lead to more serious mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Short-term stress activates our body’s defenses even before there is an injury or infection, says Firdaus Dhabhar, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University. This allows our immune systems to temporarily abandon other regions to protect the area in greatest need—for instance, the site of asurgery, vaccination, or cancer therapy.
Within minutes of encountering a threat, our immune cells leave what Dhabhar terms their “barracks” (the spleen) and enter the “boulevards” (blood vessels) in their journey to the potential “battlefield” (the skin), as noted in the September 2012 issue of Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress is frequently experienced by people who take on too much and struggle with organization. These “over-committers” are constantly bombarded with acute stress. They’re always in a hurry and worry constantly.

Ever heard of the Type A personality? Identified in the 1950s by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and R. H. Rosenman,

Type As are typically workaholics. They are competitive perfectionists who are quick to anger, often hostile, and unable to share their emotions.

Type As also are prone to episodic acute stress. They can become angry and irritable and often allow negative thoughts to take over their minds. The result? Highly stressed individuals who find it difficult to relax.

Chronic Stress

This long-term condition impacts both physical and psychological health. For some, the source is a life filled with constant stressors. For others, enduring stress may stem from a traumatic event in childhood; still more may be triggered by a person’s overall view of the world as a stressful place, or his inability to deal with the pressures he faces each day. And some people deal with chronic stress that comes from difficult situations, whether it’s parents of autistic children or a veteran dealing with the after-effects of war experience.

Chronic stress becomes a familiar feeling to many who suffer from it. For some, the added pressure even may begin to feel normal. In time, though, this type of stress can leave lasting negative consequences such as, anxiety, depression, heart attack, autoimmune diseases, upper respiratory infections, stroke, suicide, and cancer.

For more information about managing stress, purchase Managing Stress and Anxiety at www.UniversityHealthNews.com.

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