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Demerol (meperidine) is a narcotic, or opioid, a pain medication that has been around for quite some time. It was once used frequently in hospital settings to treat moderate to severe pain and is still sometimes used prior to or during a surgical procedure to enhance the effects of anesthesia. However, the duration of Demerol’s pain-relieving effects is shorter than that of other narcotics, and its production of toxic metabolites make it an inferior medication for pain control....

The memory impairment screen (MIS) is a brief screening tool to assess memory. It is often used as a preliminary test, along with other screening tools, to evaluate the cognition of someone who seems to display some possible impairment in their ability to think and recall. The MIS is one of three tools recommended for use in the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit by the Alzheimer’s Association. The other two are the GPCOG and the Mini-Cog....

Colchicine is a prescription medication available under the brand name Colcrys or in generic form. Colchicine is a preferred treatment for gouty arthritis and is derived from the dried seeds of Colchicum autumnale (also known as the autumn crocus or meadow saffron) . Indications for Using Colchicine The use of C. autumnale alkaloids for the treatment of gout dates back to 1810. The medicinal value of colchicum was reported back in the first century A....

A biopsy is a process of taking a sample of living tissue for examination under a microscope. Many different types of tissue can be biopsied, including skin, bone, organs and other soft tissues. This is typically done to diagnose disease. Who Examines Biopsies? A pathologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing disease by examining samples of bodily fluids and tissues. A pathologist has completed medical school and additional years of residency during which specialized training is completed in order to learn to process and interpret samples....

A new analysis of research shows that your blood type may play a role in your risk of having an ischemic stroke. However, the additional risk is very small and is not on par with other risk factors such as high blood pressure or diabetes that raise your risk of stroke a lot more. Key Features A new meta-analysis of research shows that your blood type might have a very small effect on your risk for a stroke....

In the two weeks since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave emergency use authorization to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 through 11, nearly one million children have under 12 have gotten vaccinated according to White House estimates. Key Takeaways The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now available for all children ages five and up.Many parents are eager to secure vaccine appointments for their children.Parents are getting their kids vaccinated to protect them as well as loved ones from severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization....

Afrin is sold over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant in the form of a nasal spray. Its generic name is oxymetazoline nasal. Afrin is sprayed in the nostrils to give temporary relief from nasal congestion caused by allergies or colds. This article will go over how Afrin works, some of the common side effects of Afrin, and why using too much Afrin or using it for a long time can lead to rebound congestion....

Tonsils are a collection of lymphatic tissue in the mouth that help to fight infection. Unfortunately, these infection-fighting glands are not immune to becoming infected themselves. For this example, we will use a child with strep throat. The tonsils do their part to help combat the infection and may become enlarged as they do this work. They can also become infected with strep. While this infection of the tonsils is far more common in children, it can become a problem for any age group....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the Pfizer and Moderna booster vaccines for everyone aged 18 and above. Shortly after the FDA authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on the same recommendation. Key Takeaways All U.S. adults are now eligible for booster vaccines. While Johnson & Johnson boosters were already FDA-authorized for all adults, Pfizer and Moderna are now authorized, too.Some states had already started offering booster shots for all residents 18 and older before the FDA authorization....

The brachial artery is one of the most important sources of blood to the arm and hand ( in addition to the axillary and subclavian arteries) and is an essential component of the circulatory system. It is the continuation of the subclavian and axillary arteries, and is found in the arm between the teres major muscle and the elbow. Anatomy The brachial artery is the main artery of the arm. It’s a continuation of the axillary artery....

As a registered dietitian nutritionist who counsels women with polycystic ovary syndrome regularly, one of the most common questions I get from women is about carbohydrates. So many women with PCOS fear carbohydrates. While it is important to monitor your type and amount of carbohydrates, there is no reason to fear them as they offer important nutrients for PCOS. Here’s what to know. What Are Carbohydrates? Carbohydrates are made up of groups of molecules, known as saccharides....

Lymphoma of the colon and rectum is a less common form of colorectal cancer and one that is associated with a significant absence of symptoms. Lymphomas can develop in other parts of the body outside of the lymphatic system because lymphoid tissue can be found throughout the body. As such, 40 percent of lymphomas occur outside of the lymphatic system, most often in the gastrointestinal tract. One of the manifestations is colorectal lymphoma....

Studies are showing that a combination of chronic stress and high cholesterol could lead to heart disease if not quickly addressed. For years, doctors have lectured that cutting stress has a positive impact on overall health. Now, growing research is proving that they are correct. Recurrent or daily stress can indeed affect cholesterol and eventually lead to heart disease. The Fight or Flight Response in Stress For all its unpleasant sensations, from sweaty palms to a pounding heart, fear is the body’s way of protecting itself against danger....

People who have genetic high cholesterol, heart disease, or both conditions were more prone to heart attacks after being infected with COVID-19, according to a new study. Key Takeaways A new study finds that people who have genetic high cholesterol, heart disease, or both conditions were more prone to heart attacks after being infected with COVID-19.People with genetic high cholesterol have a high risk of developing heart disease.Doctors think the increased risk for a heart attack when infected with COVID-19 may be linked to inflammation in the body caused by the virus....

Alcohol drinks are frequently cited in medical news, both for their benefits as well as for the harm that alcohol misuse and addiction causes. So, what do those reports say about your mind on alcohol? Does alcohol impact the functioning of your brain? Does it affect your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? In a word, yes. But how? The answer depends on several factors, but two of the more researched factors include the amount of alcohol consumed and whether someone is an APOE ε4 gene carrier....

Epithelial basement membrane dystrophy (EBMD), also known as anterior basement membrane disease or map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, is a common condition that affects the cornea of the eye (the clear, dome-shaped structure in the front part of the eye that a contact lens is placed on). The condition usually affects people over 30 years of age. EBMD is sometimes silent, leaving those affected unaware of their condition. Some people with the disease have subtle corneal irritation that is short-lived, while others may have chronic symptoms that seem to act up every day....

The last remaining COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment, bebtelovimab, is no longer authorized for emergency use in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration announced last week. Key Takeaways The monoclonal antibody bebtelovimab is no longer authorized as a treatment for COVID-19, the FDA said.Bebtelovimab does not appear to hold up against the dominant Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1.The FDA decision removes the last available monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19 from the market, leaving immunocompromised individuals more vulnerable heading into the winter season....

It’s normal to feel nervous about visiting your healthcare provider from time to time. But for people with iatrophobia, a type of anxiety disorder, their extreme fear of doctors is overwhelming and interferes with their ability to get regular health care. Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of iatrophobia. What Is Fear of Doctors? Iatrophobia is a fear of doctors and/or medical tests. It’s a type of phobia known as a specific phobia, which is an acute and irrational fear of a particular object or situation....

People often hear about the fear of failure, but people may also experience a fear of success. This may sound contradictory, since much of society prizes success. Careers and many other areas of life can depend on successes of various types, so a fear of success is unusual. Success, though, often brings change and more and different responsibilities. This can be anxiety-provoking and scary. It can also make a person more visible, which not everyone enjoys....

Getting enough fiber in your diet is one of the essential tactics that most thyroid patients need to follow as part of a successful weight loss program. Health Benefits of Fiber Fiber has so many benefits for everyone, but especially for people with an underactive thyroid—hypothyroidism—who are trying to lose weight. Fiber helps with constipation. People with hypothyroidism often have slowed digestion, and chronic constipation is a common complaint, even when an underactive thyroid is being treated....