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Sex among residents in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities is still a taboo subject. Yet it happens. A lot! About 40% of people between ages 65 and 80 are sexually active, according to a survey from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP and the University of Michigan. For older people with dementia living in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), the issue becomes more complex. Staff often struggle to balance residents’ rights with their duty of care, and negative attitudes towards older people’s sexuality can lead to residents’ sexual expression being overlooked, ignored, or even discouraged....

Very few programs exist to teach young people with autism about sex and sexuality, and because people with autism are often unaware of social cues and peer expectations, clear, direct education is often critical. Teaching About Staying Safe From Sexual Abuse Says Dr. Peter Gerhardt, an expert in adults with autism and the Director of the Organization for Autism Research, “Autistic children and teens need to know they should lock the bathroom stall, and they need to learn how to do it....

Early treatment for shingles (herpes zoster) includes antiviral medications that can shorten the duration and lessen the severity of symptoms. It’s important to seek medical attention at the first sign of symptoms to help with shingles pain. This article addresses how to manage shingles. Pain During Shingles Shingles pain may be experienced in the area where the blisters will soon surface (before any visible rash is present). A person often experiences a pins and needles sensation, or a painful, itchy feeling at this stage of the disease called the prodromal phase....

Many people were sad when Oral-B Brush-Ups were discontinued in 2007. These textured teeth wipes were individually wrapped, sugar-free, and very convenient for cleaning your teeth while traveling or away from home during the day. Unfortunately, Oral-B doesn’t make a similar product, but there are a few comparable alternatives. These include Azdent Deep Cleaning Teeth Wipes and My Dentist’s Choice Tooth Tissues. This article explains the benefits of teeth wipes and why they aren’t a replacement for a toothbrush....

For people with thyroid eye disease, a new FDA-approved injectable drug known as Tepezza (teprotumumab) has become the first nonsurgical treatment for this condition. This medication can interrupt activity that could otherwise lead to the bulging of eyes associated with Graves’ disease. Tepezza, which functions as an insulin-like growth factor receptor inhibitor, has the distinction of being the first in this class of drugs. This medication is delivered through an IV at an outpatient infusion center....

Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by steady pulling from tight hairstyles. Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss. Pulling hair back into ponytails, braids, or other hairstyles can damage the hair follicles and cause hairs to fall out of your head. Hair loss can have emotional impacts and affect your quality of life. The rates of traction alopecia have not been well researched. This type of hair loss has been described in people of all races....

Robitussin Cough and Cold is an over the counter cough suppressant, expectorant, and nasal decongestant. This multi-symptom medication helps relieve cough and cold symptoms. Active Ingredients (in each 5 ml tablespoon): Dextromethorphan HBr 10 mg (cough suppressant)Guaifenesin 100 mg (expectorant)Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg (nasal decongestant) Uses for Robitussin Cough and Cold CF: Temporary relief of cough due to throat irritation from:Common ColdFluInhaled Irritants Side Effects of Robitussin Cough and Cold CF Most medicines can cause some side effects....

Cold and flu season is upon us, which for some means loading up on “immunity-boosting” supplements and remedies. While some people take supplements by the handful during this time of the year, nutrition experts tend to only keep a few key options in their medicine cabinet during the chillier months. Key Takeaways Not all “immune-boosting” supplements will help keep you healthy during cold and flu season.The dietitians we spoke with only take certain supplements for immune support, and some are only taken once a cold or the flu sets in....

An ablation is a medical procedure that removes a layer of tissue. In some cases, ablation destroys problem tissues. In others, it encourages tissue regrowth. Ablation can be done with surgery or with less invasive techniques, such as laser treatment. It is used to treat a variety of medical conditions, from nearsightedness to certain heart issues. It can also be used to address certain cosmetic concerns, such as uneven skin texture....

A bland diet consists of foods that are low in fiber and fat. Foods that are both low in fiber and fat are easier for your body to digest and are often referred to as low-residue or soft diets. Bland diets can be helpful during some medical conditions, as the foods are relatively non-irritating to the tissue in your mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines. Bland diets are not a dieting method for weight loss....

A carbuncle is a red, painful cluster of furuncles (boils) that forms under the skin when hair follicles become infected with bacteria. The bacterium that most often causes carbuncles, and the boils from which they form, is Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus). However, there has been an increase in the incidence of carbuncles caused by MRSA, staph bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Risk factors for carbuncles vary widely, from health factors such as being overweight or having diabetes to lifestyle practices such as using injectable drugs....

Nearly 14% of youth aged between 12 and 17 in the United States reported at least one major depressive episode in the past year, according to Mental Health America. Key Takeaways In a decades-long study, researchers found that depression onset in the first two decades of life predicts poorer well-being in adulthood.Those who reported chronic symptoms (as opposed to isolated episodes) and who first developed depression in adolescence were most likely to struggle in adulthood....

After getting a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, it’s normal to feel a variety of emotions. It’s important for you to deal with these feelings and to recognize them for what they are — the stages of grief. You’ll likely have to grieve for your old life in order to make the best progress at managing your new one. In her book On Death and Dying, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identifies five stages of grief that a patient goes through after learning of a terminal prognosis....

If you may need surgery, be prepared for blood and imagining tests to be done before and after your procedure. Tests are done prior to your procedure for numerous reasons: to determine if you truly need surgery, to make sure you are healthy enough to tolerate surgery and to see if there are any unforeseen problems that may be present. Blood work before surgery also gives you time to optimize your health, for example, if your blood tests show that your blood clots too slowly, medication can be given or dosages changed to make sure your blood clots appropriately during surgery....

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a form of lupus that mainly affects your skin. DLE is different from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the most common form of lupus, which can affect any part of the body. Discoid lupus is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the skin. If you have discoid lupus, you may develop chronic inflammatory sores on your face, ears, scalp, and other areas of the body....

When insurance won’t pay for hearing aids or won’t pay the full cost of a cochlear implant and family income is too low to purchase hearing aids or an implant outright, what are you to do? One can turn to a variety of resources for help. There is no guarantee, though, that you will receive the help needed. Government and Schools There are governmental sources that may pay for hearing aids for those who qualify....

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), it’s likely your doctor will prescribe a drug called a TNF inhibitor to help treat your symptoms. Enbrel (etanercept), Humira (adalimumab), and Remicade (infliximab) are three such medications. Although they belong to the same class of drugs, there are significant differences between Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. In this article you’ll learn how these drugs work and how they compare in terms of how they’re given, how well they work, and what they cost....

Colostomy gas is different from regular flatulent emissions (farts). While you may be able to control a regular fart with rectal sphincter control, you cannot control when your colostomy releases gas. Nobody wants to release noisy gas or odors at the wrong time. This fear can cause anxiety, apprehension, and even an avoidance of social situations. In time, you may become more attuned to the feel of your colostomy and feel when you are about to pass stool or gas, although you still will not be able to stop it....

Ingrown toenails are common in children. Older children and teens often get an ingrown toenail either because they wear tight-fitting shoes that put pressure on their toenail or they trim their toenails too short, especially on the sides. These improperly trimmed toenails can then grow under the nailfold instead of continuing to grow out like they are supposed to. Symptoms The most common symptoms of an ingrown toenail include: painswellingdrainage of puserythema (redness) Complications Left untreated or undetected, an ingrown toenail can infect the underlying bone and lead to a serious bone infection....

Research suggests that Iberogast, an over-the-counter herbal formulation, may ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. It may also be used to help with symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD), like indigestion and abdominal pain. Iberogast has been in use for over fifty years. It can be thought of as a “blend of bitters,” harkening back to a time when bitters were used extensively as digestive aids....