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If you have Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia, you may be worried about how to best maintain your independence. This is a common concern especially for those who are adjusting to a new diagnosis, but there are a number of simple things you can do that will help as your memory becomes less reliable. Using memory prompting strategies early on can develop patterns of behavior that can maximize your independence, as well as your confidence....

A fun thing to do with the sign language alphabet is to make up an “ABC story.” ABC stories use each letter of the sign alphabet to represent something. For example, the “A” handshape can be used to “knock” on a door. It’s a common assignment in ASL classes and one that you can have a lot of fun with. The Value of ABC Stories ABC stories are also called “A-to-Z stories....

Acne (acne vulgaris) is a common skin condition that occurs when your pores become clogged with oil and dead skin cells, resulting in bumps known as pimples. There are several forms of acne, and the breakouts can range from mild to severe. It’s estimated that roughly 50 million people in the United States have acne. This article provides an overview of important facts and statistics you should know about acne....

Cholangitis is an infection of the bile ducts. Acute cholangitis may cause symptoms of fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain. The condition is sometimes called ascending cholangitis. Acute cholangitis is a serious illness that requires treatment. It is vital that people with this type of infection get diagnosed and treated promptly in order to avoid more serious complications. The prognosis for cholangitis has improved in recent years and most people recover with treatment....

Generally speaking, aphasia is a partial or total loss of words, resulting in problems communicating with others. If this sounds like a distressing condition, you’re right. In fact, in a study asking almost 70,000 long-term care residents with 60 diseases about how greatly 15 health-related factors affected their quality of life, aphasia was found to have the greatest negative impact—even more than either cancer or Alzheimer’s disease. Fortunately, while possible, aphasia in multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare....

Bowen’s disease often presents as a red patch of skin that may be scaly. Some people may have more than one patch. Patches typically grow slowly and may be the only symptom of Bowen’s disease. In a small number of cases, it can progress to more invasive forms of skin cancer. The disease only impacts the very outer layer of the skin, and the patches are not typically painful. Many people with Bowen’s disease have no other symptoms....

A buckle fracture is a common injury in children. Kids have softer, more flexible bones than adults do. With a buckle fracture, one side of the bone “buckles” on itself and does not affect the other side of the bone. This is also called an incomplete fracture. Falling on an outstretched hand is a common way that kids get buckle fractures. For example, if a child gets thrown off their bike or trips while running and breaks the fall with their hand, the force of landing on it can cause a buckle fracture....

Last week, more than 29,000 cartons of ice cream were recalled in China due to ice cream boxes contaminated with COVID-19. These reports have sounded some alarms on whether COVID-19 could be contracted through food. Key Takeaways According to the CDC, there is no evidence that suggests that COVID-19 can be spread through the handling or consumption of food.Because COVID-19 is an enveloped virus, the virus will die outside of the body, making the transmission of COVID-19 through food highly unlikely....

Itching is one of the peculiar symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma. About 10 to 25% of individuals suffering from Hodgkin disease suffer from an intense itch. In some, the itching starts before the diagnosis of lymphoma is made. It is often felt as a burning sensation occurring on a particular area of skin, frequently on the lower legs. Causes The cause of this itch is not definitely known. It is believed that some blood cells release chemicals near the nerves of the skin and irritates these nerves....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a new study showing that people who are pregnant are at a higher risk for severe illness and death from COVID-19. Key Takeaways Although the overall risk to pregnant people remains small, new research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shown that pregnant people with COVID-19 are more likely to be admitted to the ICU and need a ventilator....

What is the death rattle? If you are caring for a loved one in the last days of life, you may be upset after hearing about the death rattle that may one day come. Or you may hear alarming breath sounds now and wonder if this is the end. Let’s talk about what the death rattle means. This article explains how the death rattle affects loved ones, why the dying person isn’t frightened by it, and things you can do to try and make it better....

A jersey finger is an injury to one of the finger tendons. Typically, an athlete will sustain a jersey finger injury while participating in games such as football or rugby which involve tackling. Often times, when a player grabs an opponent’s jersey, the tendon can get ripped when the opponent yanks away the jersey from the player’s grip. While a jersey finger can occur in non-athletic activities, it is most commonly seen in full-contact sports....

After reportedly testing positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, October 1, President Donald Trump received a variety of medications, including an antibody cocktail manufactured by biotechnology company Regeneron. Key Takeaways Regeneron is the name of the company that has developed an antibody cocktail that is aimed at treating COVID-19.The antibody cocktail is not yet available to the general public. Though previously reported, Regeneron does not include stem cells.While there have been promising results, it is still too soon to know whether or not Regeneron will be approved to treat COVID-19....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a second monoclonal antibody therapy to treat patients with COVID-19. The agency granted an emergency use authorization (EUA) to the drugs bamlanivimab and etesevimab used together for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in individuals aged 12 and older, who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19. Key Takeaways The FDA has authorized a combination of bamlanivimab and etesevimab to treat COVID-19 in patients who are at high risk of developing complications....

For years, it’s been widely known that female doctors tend to make less money than their male counterparts, but now, according to a new study, it’s becoming clear the reason behind that pay gap isn’t because they work fewer hours. Key Takeaways A new study finds female primary care physicians (PCPs) spend more time with their patients than male doctors, which is contributing to the gender pay gap among physicians. Some female PCPs were not surprised by the study’s results, which found women doctors spend an extra 2....

Keeping track of your periods is a good idea. After all, you don’t want to be caught unprepared when your menstrual flow begins. But did you realize keeping track of your periods can also give you important information about your health? Why Track Your Menstrual Cycle Tracking helps both you and your healthcare provider see patterns that may develop during your menstrual cycles which may indicate a possible menstrual cycle disorder....

It is no surprise to many people who have gastrointestinal disorders such as frequent heartburn, indigestion, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that their condition negatively impacts the quality and duration of their sleep. Sleep could be affected by symptoms of fever, pain, discomfort, or even frequent trips to the bathroom. Why Sleep Is Important in IBD Amidst the complications and related conditions associated with gastrointestinal disorders, sleep may be overlooked, and often is....

You might not expect much overlap between professional athletes and yarn crafts. But Tom Daley, a diver who competed for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, was seen regularly knitting while he waited for others to complete their dives. Key Takeaways In an Olympics where mental health was a subtext, gold-medal-winning diver Tom Daley controlled his stress by knitting between his competitions.Knitting and crocheting have been shown to have significant psychological and social benefits....

Knee anatomy involves more than just muscles and bones. Ligaments, tendons, and cartilage work together to connect the thigh bone, shin bone, and knee cap and allow the leg to bend back and forth like a hinge. The largest joint in the body, the knee is also one of the most easily injured. Problems with any part of the knee’s anatomy can result in knee pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking....

Arthritis is a common problem of the lumbar spine (the five bones that make up the lower back). While lumbar spine arthritis is most commonly seen in older people, it can also affect heavy laborers, people who are obese, or anyone who has had a previous spinal injury. Lumbar spine arthritis typically occurs in the joints that connect the spinal segments called vertebrae. Each vertebra is connected in three places. In front of the spinal cord, the vertebrae are separated by a cushion-like spinal disc....