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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new guidance this week for developers of vaccines, diagnostic tests, and medications specifically aimed at coronavirus variants. Key Takeaways The FDA has been working with companies on evaluating new and updated vaccines, diagnostic tests, and treatments for COVID-19 variants.This week, the FDA released guidance documents for companies on how to test those products. Current vaccines appear to be effective against severe disease and deaths from COVID-19 and people should be vaccinated when it is their turn....

As the global COVID-19 pandemic approaches the one-year mark, conversations about social isolation and mental health are only growing. In the U.S., winter is approaching, and long summer days of sunshine have given way to colder, and darker evenings. Key Takeaways Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) occurs during the winter and is often referred to as the winter blues. The condition can cause feelings of sadness for people living in colder climates who endure long, dark winters....

Over the years, mindfulness has continually grown in popularity and millions of people have learned to apply it in their lives. The practice has emerged as the go-to universal tool to reduce stress and increase well being. It’s accessible to anyone, anywhere. Key Takeaways Mindfulness is a mental state of being that refers to being fully present in the moment while also paying attention to how one experiences that moment.It has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way of increasing well being and reducing stress levels....

The semispinalis muscle group, consisting of three muscles, is the most superficial of your deep intrinsic back muscles. The deep layer of muscles is called the transversospinalis group. The semispinalis muscles work to extend your head, neck, and upper back. They also laterally flex your head and neck towards the ipsilateral (same side) of your body and turn your head, neck, and upper back towards the opposite side of your body....

Having a good listener in your life may help build cognitive resilience, the ability to function better against aging and adverse effects on the brain, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Having a supportive listener in your life helps preserve cognitive function as you age.Supportive listening appears to build greater cognitive resilience than other forms of social support such as love and emotional support.Experts recommend building a network of friends who are good listeners in your 40s and 50s....

COVID-19 typically has an incubation period of two to 14 days before symptoms appear. But a new study published JAMA Network Open found that the incubation period for COVID-19 has gradually decreased as the virus evolved. Key Takeaways A recent study found that the incubation periods of COVID-19 have become shorter with each new variant.Changes in incubation periods may influence contact tracing guidelines and recommendations for quarantine and isolation.Experts say a shorter incubation period might mean that the virus can spread much quicker in a community....

HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast and then spreads, or metastasizes, into other areas of the body, such as the lungs, liver, bones, or brain. HER2-positive means the cancer cells have more than a normal amount of HER2 proteins on the outside of the cells. These proteins signal the cells to continue to grow.This article will review the possible symptoms of HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer....

The NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is a standardized scoring tool used by healthcare provider and other healthcare professionals to measure and record the level of impairment caused by a stroke. If you have overheard your stroke team discussing your NIHSS or the NIHSS of your loved one, you might have some questions about the meaning behind your score. What Is a Stroke? A stroke is a serious health condition that occurs when blood flow to the brain is either restricted or interrupted....

Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) is a type of mechanical ventilation that can be used at home to assist with taking a full breath and maintaining adequate oxygen supply in the body, especially while sleeping. If you have a health condition that causes you to have trouble breathing, such as sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), your healthcare provider may recommend noninvasive ventilation to help support your lung function....

Traveling with oxygen by car or other forms of transportation may seem intimidating. With a little planning, however, it can be easy, and safely, done. Before you begin to plan any kind of travel with oxygen, you’ll first need to get clearance from your physician for travel. You’ll want to have his support and expertise to help with your travel plans. You may also need him to sign a letter for the airline, train, bus or cruise line you’ll be traveling with....

All children have different amounts of earwax, also known as cerumen. It can be helpful to understand the symptoms of excessive earwax so you can watch for them in your child. While there are ways to safely clean your child’s ears, there are times when it’s best to see their pediatrician for additional help. This article explores the purpose of your child’s earwax, signs of buildup, the best earwax removal methods for children and babies, earwax prevention, and when to seek help from a pediatrician....

Often used in yoga and for sports training, a wobble board (also called a balance board) can be an excellent tool for rehabilitation from a bad ankle sprain. Ankle sprains are injuries to the ligaments that surround the joint. When the ligaments are damaged, patients may complain that the ankle hurts and feels unstable. How a Wobble Board Helps Wobble boards work to rehab an injured ankle in several ways:...

In May 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the disease-modifying therapy Zinbryta (daclizumab) for treating relapsing-remitting MS. However, in March of 2018, the manufacturers Biogen and Abbvie announced they were voluntarily withdrawing it from the market worldwide because of growing safety concerns. Zinbryta was an injected medication that was given underneath the skin (subcutaneously) every four weeks. It’s believed to have worked by blocking the binding site on interleukin-2 (IL-2)—a molecule in the immune system that activates your T-cells (what attack the myelin sheaths in your brain and spinal cord)....

Healthcare workers, a group particularly vulnerable to the pandemic, were among the first eligible group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. While headlines have pointed at unexpected vaccine hesitancy in this group, among physicians who work directly with patients, vaccine acceptance rates are over 70%—significantly higher than the percentage of the general public who plans to get vaccinated. Michael Crowley, a physical therapist working at a hospital in Massachusetts, is among those who have received the vaccine....

Undiagnosed celiac disease definitely can cause you to skip one or more periods. This is a condition known to healthcare providers as amenorrhea, where you’re not pregnant and there’s no reason (such as menopause) that you shouldn’t be having your period. Technically, you have amenorrhea if you’ve missed three periods or more in a row (and you’re not pregnant or in menopause, of course). Medical studies have shown that women with celiac disease are much more prone to this problem than women without the condition....

A dog in Paris contracted mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) from its owners earlier this month, prompting pet owners to question whether their furry companions could be at risk too. Key Takeaways Humans can spread mpox to pets, but health experts say it’s rare.Researchers have reported a human-to-dog case of mpox in Paris, but there are no other recorded incidents in the U.S. at this time. Symptoms of mpox in pets include lack of appetite, fever, fatigue, coughing, bloating, and/or skin rash....

Connective tissue connects, supports, binds, and separates organs and tissues, forming a framework to support body tissues and organs, for structural and metabolic purposes. In connective tissue, cells are few and dispersed — they are not in close contact, as in epithelial tissue. Most connective tissues are vascularized (except cartilage). The extracellular spaces (space outside of cells) in connective tissue are referred to as the extracellular matrix. Connective tissue, therefore, is made up of cells and extracellular matrix....

Knee replacement surgery is the last-resort treatment for patients with severe knee arthritis. A new type of knee replacement that has received attention from healthcare professionals is called a “custom knee replacement.” Standard Knee Replacement Surgery A knee replacement implant has three basic parts, called components. The tibial component of the knee replacement sits on top of the shin bone. The femoral component fits on the end of the thigh bone....

Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are tasks that need to be accomplished on a regular basis to function. Examples of ADLs include bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mouth care and toileting. What Impact Does Dementia Have on ADLs? Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia often make performing ADLs difficult. Tasks may be done halfway, poorly or not at all. For example, while some people with dementia appear as if there’s nothing wrong with them, others look disheveled and may wear dirty, mismatching clothes....

It’s perfectly normal to experience mild cramps during your period, and the good news is that these cramps can usually be eased with simple therapies, like a heating pad or an over-the-counter pain reliever. However, some women’s menstrual cramps may not feel better with these basic remedies. If this is the case for you, making an appointment with your healthcare provider is important. This way you can get the pain relief you deserve and you may also have a diagnostic evaluation if there’s a concern that you could have an underlying problem....