Article
Featured Articles
Read our latest stories on the people and scientific innovations making a difference in patients’ lives.
Lupus and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
There was a time when women were told that pregnancy was impossible if they had lupus. While all lupus pregnancies are still considered high risk, advances in medical technology and in our understanding of the disease have made it possible for women with lupus to have successful pregnancies. But there are a few things to keep in mind. Remember, lupus is an autoimmune disease. When a person has an autoimmune disease, his or her body’s immune system can’t tell the difference between harmful...
Facts About Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of chronic inflammatory arthritis that can occur in about 3 of every 10 people who have psoriasis. It may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in a person’s joints as well as skin symptoms. The underlying inflammation involved in PsA can affect the entire body. Without treatment, PsA may cause permanent joint and tissue damage. PsA is an autoimmune disease. Normally, our body’s immune system protects us from harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. But...
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Over 5 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that causes widespread muscle tenderness and fatigue. Still, it is a disorder that’s rarely talked about. In fact, some people with chronic pain or soreness can spend years seeing doctor after doctor before finally being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Part of the problem is that the symptoms of the condition can’t be seen and are difficult to describe. These symptoms also tend to come and go and sometimes are...
Low Back Pain and What You Can Do About It
If there’s one medical condition that many of us might have in common, it’s low back pain. Here are some facts that highlight just how widespread low back pain is: It affects 8 out of every 10 adults at some point in their life. It affects men and women equally. In 2010, it caused more disability globally than any other medical condition. It is the most common cause of job-related disability and one of the main reasons why people miss days of work. In 2013, nearly 3 out of every 10 adults...
Answers to Common Questions About Anesthesia
At some point in our lives, we might undergo some form of medical procedure that requires anesthesia. While you may know that anesthesia is a medical treatment used to prevent people from feeling pain during surgery, you may have questions about the different types of anesthesia, how they work, and their overall safety profile. The information below can answer some of those questions. What are the different types of anesthesia and when are they used? There are 3 main types of anesthesia: local...
Facts About Colorectal Cancer
What is colorectal cancer?Colorectal cancer (CRC) starts in the colon or rectum. It is sometimes called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer starts. Generally, if it starts in the last several inches of the large intestine (close to the anus), it is rectal cancer. They are often grouped together because they are similar in terms of how they appear, how they’re monitored by healthcare providers, and how they’re treated.How does CRC develop?Most CRCs start as a growth...
Cold vs Allergies: Which Is It?
You find yourself coughing, sneezing, and with a runny nose. At first you may think it’s a cold, but how do you know it’s not a seasonal allergy? Colds and seasonal allergies are both common, and they share some of the same symptoms. But they are very different conditions. What’s the difference? Colds and seasonal allergies both affect the respiratory system (i.e., nose, throat, lungs), but beyond that they are very different. The common cold is caused by viruses. Most people with a cold...
Family Planning for Women With a Chronic Illness
If you’re among the growing number of women with a chronic illness who want to start a family, you may be worried about how your condition may impact your pregnancy, your baby, and your health. It’s normal to ask yourself questions such as: Will my baby be okay? What will happen to me if my healthcare provider needs to adjust or even stop some of my medicines? Am I strong enough physically to raise a baby? Whether you have a gastrointestinal condition, diabetes, arthritis, or one of a number of...
The Facts About Osteoarthritis
Often called "wear and tear" arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the U.S. It is caused by aging and wear and tear on a joint, resulting in the breakdown of cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is slippery tissue between the ends of the bones in a joint. It absorbs the shock of movement by preventing the bones from rubbing together. But as the cartilage breaks down, the bones begin to rub against each other. Over time, this can cause permanent damage to the...
Breast Cancer Isn’t Just a Woman’s Disease
When most people think of breast cancer, the chances are they don’t think about men. Most information and many of the images about breast cancer are geared toward women. Though breast cancer in men is rare (the chance of a man getting breast cancer in his lifetime is less than 1%), the numbers remind us that breast cancer does happen in men. It is estimated that in 2019: About 2,670 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the US. About 500 men will die from breast cancer in the US. In...
Breast Cancer in Men: Michael’s Story
In 2007, Michael Kovarik and his doctor discovered a lump near his left nipple, which was beginning to invert. Michael proceeded with the necessary follow-up as his doctor ordered a series of tests. When he heard the words breast cancer, Michael didn’t have the faintest idea that men could be affected by it. His immediate thought: it’s a woman’s disease. Dealing with his breast cancer diagnosis Michael was hesitant about sharing his diagnosis at first. “It took me a while to overcome my own...
Understanding Genetic Testing
How much do you really know about health problems that may run in your family? Are there any that may affect you now or in the future? Or that may affect your children? Genetic testing can help people and their healthcare providers make more informed health care decisions. But there are some potential limitations of genetic testing to be aware of, too. Read on to learn more. The background: What are genes/chromosomes? Genes are found in chromosomes, which are located inside cells. Genes are...
Media Resources & Contact Information
Anyone may view our press releases, press statements, and press kits. However, to ensure that customers, investors, and others receive the appropriate attention, Pfizer Media Contacts may only respond to calls and emails from professional journalists.