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Eating breakfast before 8:30 a.m. may help reduce risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, according to a new study. Key Takeaways New data shows that those who eat breakfast before 8:30 a.m. may experience a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetesEating breakfast early in the day can result in improved insulin resistance and better blood sugar control.There are other steps you can take to reduce your diabetes risk like regularly exercising and limiting your concentrated sweets....

The word exanthem means a skin eruption that bursts forth or blooms. It is typically used to describe a rash that is widespread over the body, symmetric, and red with macules or papules, but without scales. Exanthems are usually caused by viral or bacterial infections. They can also be caused by drugs, toxins, or autoimmune diseases. The rash may or may not be itchy. Exanthems caused by viruses or bacteria often are part of systemic illness with fever, malaise, and headache....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted an emergency use authorization this week for the first self-administered at-home test kit for COVID-19. Key Takeaways The FDA authorized the first at-home test kit for COVID-19.Results are available in as little as 30 minutes.Experts say it’s a good next step in expanding testing. The $50 test, which is called the Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit, is designed to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19....

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) is the maximum amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second. It is used to describe the degree of airway obstruction caused by asthma, as measured with pulmonary function testing, using spirometry. FEV1 is calculated by converting the spirometer reading to a percentage of what would be predicted as normal based on standardization that’s calculated for your height, age, gender, and race....

It’s possible to develop a headache after Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) injections into the facial muscles. Usually mild and brief, about 1% of these headaches are severe, debilitating, and longer-lasting. This side effect may strike as soon as hours after treatment. Headaches after Botox may come as a surprise since chronic migraine prevention is one of the reasons for the treatment. Well-known for its cosmetic use in smoothing out facial wrinkles, Botox is also used therapeutically to provide relief from health conditions such as blepharospasm (eyelid twitching), spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness), and overactive bladder....

If you’ve embarked on the orthodontic journey known as Invisalign, then you’ve been given a series of clear aligners that will guide your teeth to perfection. The aligners look like retainers (which are used after orthodontic treatment is completed to retain the position of teeth). The Invisalign aligners literally align the teeth. Properly caring for Invisalign aligners is important in order to obtain the best results and avoid costly replacement aligners....

Polio may be spreading among people who are not vaccinated against the disease in the United Kingdom. Last month, the U.K. Heath Security Agency said a sewage plant in London repeatedly found traces of poliovirus in routine sewage sample testing from February through May. Key Takeaways Polio has been detected in wastewater in the U.K.The type of polio detected is “vaccine-derived.”“Vaccine-derived” polio is only possible through the live attenuated oral polio vaccine, which is not used in most parts of the world....

Magnets implanted behind a person’s eyes can treat nystagmus, a condition that causes involuntary eye movements. Nystagmus affects nearly one in 400 people, resulting in rhythmic, flickering of the eyes, commonly referred to as “dancing eyes.” The case study, published in Ophthalmology, is the first to use an implant to control involuntary eye movement. A New Treatment for Nystagmus Researchers from UCL and the University of Oxford describe the study as the first successful use of an implant known as an oculomotor prosthesis....

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, also known as PMDD, is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Women with PMDD experience severe hormonal imbalances leading to frequent and more drastic mood swings, along with significantly worsened physiological symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome. Women with a family history of PMDD or increasingly difficult PMS are at a higher risk of developing PMDD, along with women who have a family history of mood disorders....

Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) is a stress management technique that was developed by American physician Edmund Jacobson in the 1920s. This technique involves tightening and relaxing muscles throughout the body, following a specific sequence. PMR can be performed by itself, or as part of other mind-body practices, such as yoga and meditation. This article discusses progressive muscle relaxation, the benefits, and how to do it. What Is Progressive Muscle Relaxation? Progressive muscle relaxation involves alternately between contracting and relaxing your muscles throughout the body, in a specific order....

A Texas man recently contracted monkeypox, a rare infectious disease that has not been seen in the United States since 2003. Key Takeaways A Texas resident has been infected with monkeypox, a virus similar to smallpox, after coming home from Nigeria. More than 200 people who came into contact with the patient are being monitored by the CDC. The U.S. will unlikely see a monkeypox outbreak and this single case should not be cause for concern, health experts say....

The appendix is a small tube at the end of the large intestine. Its function is not entirely known, but it’s suspected that it acts as part of the immune system, a “holding tank” for good gut bacteria. A person doesn’t need their appendix to be healthy; however, if it becomes swollen and inflamed, it becomes appendicitis. If it ruptures, it can be life-threatening. Read on to learn how to recognize the symptoms of a ruptured appendix, what to do if you think you might have one, and how it’s treated....

A corneal abrasion is a painful cut or scratch on the surface of the cornea, the front part of the eye. Corneal abrasions are usually a result of trauma to the surface of the eye. Although the cornea consists of five layers, a corneal abrasion usually only affects the top layer, known as the epithelium. Symptoms If you have a corneal abrasion, you’ll probably be in a great deal of pain....

Tea tree oil (TTO), also known as melaleuca oil, is a popular essential oil that has the longest history of medicinal uses. Its known antimicrobial and antifungal properties may be helpful in treating yeast infections at home. In fact, tea tree oil has shown to be promising in fighting the funguses that cause yeast infections, including Candida albicans, the strain that accounts for 85% to 90% of cases of vaginal yeast infections....

In most areas of the United States, you are limited to one of two choices when it comes to Medicare coverage: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) or Medicare Advantage (Part C), not both. What happens when there are limited Medicare Advantage options in your area? In that case, you can turn to a Medicare Cost Plan. Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage Original Medicare has the advantage of offering a nationwide network of providers, but it may not cover all the services you need....

People who take metformin to treat insulin resistance caused by type 2 diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be at risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency, research has shown. Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause serious and sometimes permanent neurological damage, as well as bone marrow production issues with subsequent anemia. This is why levels of this nutrient must be monitored in anyone taking metformin. This drug is available as a generic product as well as under the brand names Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, and Riomet....

If you have COVID-19, the current guideline is to isolate yourself for at least five days to avoid infecting other people. Key Takeaways Experts say that interacting with other infected people will unlikely make your COVID-19 infection longer or worse.But this doesn’t mean that you should fill up your social calendar while you’re trying to recover from the virus.You should still try to isolate alone or only with your household members to limit the risk of spreading the virus....

Blueberry muffins, blueberry smoothies, blueberry pancakes—this delicious fruit seems to have gradually snuck into a lot of our favorite foods. And this is not necessarily a bad thing. Blueberries are chock-full of nutrients. There are several varieties of blueberries, each containing varying amounts of healthy chemicals, such as anthocyanins, polyphenols, vitamins, and phytosterols. Best known for their antioxidant properties, blueberries have also studied in the treatment of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, infections, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease—all with mixed results....

Depth perception is an integral part of everyday life, and it’s needed when determining distance and how quickly an object is moving towards you. Whether you are crossing the street or passing another car, depth perception keeps you at a safe distance. If you have trouble perceiving distance, a depth perception test, which can be conducted at home and in an optometrist’s office, can determine how both of your eyes together to see in three dimensions....

Produced naturally by the adrenal glands, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a steroid hormone converted by the body into testosterone and other sex hormones. This is the basis for why some support the use of supplement forms of DHEA for men looking to increase their testosterone levels. However, there’s little scientific support for this. Several small studies suggest that DHEA may help stimulate testosterone production and offer a range of benefits, but a similar number of studies have reported the opposite....