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Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines are now limited to only a select group of people, according to an announcement made by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine is now only authorized for people 18 and over whom Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate and to those who would not get a COVID-19 vaccine otherwise. Key Takeaways The FDA recently limited its use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine....

The term “flurona” is circulating the internet after doctors in Israel diagnosed a patient with both influenza and COVID-19 last week. Key Takeaways The informal term “flurona” has been used to describe a rare coinfection of COVID-19 and influenza.The U.S. is recording high case rates for both respiratory illnesses, increasing the likelihood of coinfections.Lab studies indicate coinfections can cause more severe disease, though each person’s outcomes will depend on their individual health profile....

If you or your child has asthma, you may be wondering if acupuncture could be a useful treatment for improving asthma severity and asthma symptoms. This therapeutic approach may seem especially appealing to you because, unlike medication, acupuncture isn’t known for having side effects. Let’s take a look. What Is Acupuncture? According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing....

American Sign Language (ASL) classifiers show where someone or something is moving, where it is, and its appearance (e.g., size and shape). In sign language, an ASL classifier serves the same purpose as a pronoun in English. First, the word must be used, then the ASL classifier can be used to represent the word. Examples There are many ASL classifiers, involving handshapes that represent numbers and letters. Classifiers are referred to as “CL” followed by the classifier, such as, “CL:F....

Benzamycin is a prescription topical acne treatment that combines 5% benzoyl peroxide with 3% erythromycin. It is used to treat mild to moderate acne vulgaris. Benzoyl peroxide and topical antibiotics are effective acne treatments on their own. When they’re combined in Benzamycin, you get a powerhouse acne treatment that can be more effective than either ingredient on its own. Generic forms of Benzamycin are available as well. How Benzamycin Works Benzoyl peroxide seems to have the greatest effect on inflammatory acne breakouts, such as papules and pustules....

Borderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that is characterized by a pattern of unstable mood, self-image, and behavior. People who have borderline personality disorder often have difficulty in maintaining relationships and are prone to impulsive actions. People with borderline personality disorder can quickly change interests and values. Most things are viewed in extremes of being all good or all bad. The condition can be misdiagnosed as another mood disorder because some of the patterns are similar—such as impulsive behavior and intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety....

Chest percussion is a form of physical therapy used frequently in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, to help clear the airways from mucus. It involves a therapist or loved one clapping on your chest or back to help loosen the thick mucus in your lungs so you can cough it up. Chest percussion can be done with a cupped hand or it can be performed using electronic devices or other instruments that vibrate your chest....

You’ve always touched your face with your hands and never given it a second thought. That is until your friend told you that touching your face with your hands causes pimples, and if you stopped doing it, your acne would go away. Could it really be that easy to clear your skin? Simply Touching Your Face Isn’t Causing Your Acne Touching your face with your hands isn’t helpful for your acne but simply not touching your face anymore isn’t going to make acne go away....

With Omicron still surging, it’s important to double down on COVID-19 protection methods. In certain scenarios, this may involve double masking: wearing one mask on top of another. Key Takeaways Double masking can help to prevent the spread of Omicron—if done safely.Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask blocks the transmission of cough particles 30% better than wearing either of those masks alone.A second mask should not be worn over an N95....

Elavil (amitriptyline) and other drugs with amitriptyline as the active ingredient are usually given for depression and other mental disorders. It is also prescribed off-label for chronic back pain after conservative treatment has been tried. Possible Side Effects Because Elavil is an antidepressant, side effects may include unanticipated changes in your mental status. During clinical trial testing of the drug, for example, some of the participants (20 to 60 years old) started to have suicidal thoughts....

Typically sold under the brand names Proscar and Propecia, Finasteride is a medication usually used to treat benign prostate growths and male pattern baldness in men. Sometimes finasteride is prescribed as an anti-androgenic compound for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are exhibiting unwanted male-pattern hair growth on their face, chest, or back (hirsutism). How Finasteride Affects PCOS Symptoms Finasteride works by blocking androgens, which are a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity....

Combative Behavior is a term often used to describe physical aggression in people with dementia. Combativeness can include hitting, pushing, kicking, spitting, and grabbing. What Causes the Combative Behavior The most common trigger is the provision of care. Because of memory loss and confusion, people with dementia might not understand why you’re trying to help them and begin to display challenging behaviors At times, a catastrophic reaction might sometimes be the trigger for combative behavior....

The lingual artery supplies blood to the tongue and oral cavity. This portion of the external carotid artery branches out to supply blood to surrounding tissues. Anatomy Here’s an overview of the lingual artery’s anatomy, including its structure, location, and anatomical variations. Structure Collagen fibers make up the outer layer of arteries. Elastic fiber and smooth muscle make up the middle layers. The endothelium is the inner layer of the artery....

Prebiotics are specialized plant fibers that stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. They mainly consist of fiber or complex carbohydrates that your body cannot digest. You can find prebiotics in foods like garlic and asparagus, as well as prebiotic supplements. By stimulating the growth of bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, prebiotics may help improve digestion, ease constipation, increase mineral absorption, regulate cholesterol, and strengthen the immune system....

Of the two general approaches used to treat atrial fibrillation, the approach that aims to restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm (the rhythm control approach) on its face seems more desirable. However, because this approach can carry substantial risk and is often not completely effective. It is not right for everyone. The rhythm-control approach includes two general steps: restoring and then maintaining a normal heart rhythm. Cardioversion: Restoring Normal Heart Rhythm If you are in atrial fibrillation, your healthcare provider can attempt to restore your normal heart rhythm by using antiarrhythmic drugs or electrical cardioversion....

SAM-e is one of the more popular supplements for fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). Its full name is S-adenosyl methionine and it’s a substance that’s made naturally in your body. Its job is to regulate key functions in your cells. It’s also important in the production of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, and research suggests that the activity of these brain chemicals is sluggish in FMS and ME/CFS....

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise due to the current surge of the Omicron variant, people are testing more frequently to avoid inadvertently transmitting the virus to others. However, many say that at-home rapid tests are not detecting the Omicron variant well enough, leading to false-negative test results. Key Takeaways Anecdotal reports claim that swabbing both the throat and the nose improves the accuracy of at-home rapid at-home COVID-19 tests.However, many U....

Not using your continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for one night isn’t likely to lead to any serious consequences. However, there are still risks associated with doing so. While you may experience some continuing benefits for a while from previous CPAP use, consistent use is better for your overall health. It prevents or reduces serious concerns associated with sleep apnea, such as heart disease and high blood pressure. This article discusses what happens if you don’t use your CPAP machine, including potential outcomes and risks....

In the past, those who wanted to eat more plant-based proteins leaned on unprocessed choices like lentils, soybeans, and nuts. But now, the options have grown from a soy patty to meatless hot dogs, “chicken” nuggets, and tofurkey. Items like Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger are the solution for people who crave a burger but don’t want to eat too much meat. Key Takeaways Meat-like plant-based burgers are becoming a popular option in many households....

Fish has multiple health benefits, and one of the main benefits being its rich supply of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the heart-healthy benefits of fish are mainly in the oil. So how can you get those important health benefits if you’re allergic to fish? The American Heart Association recommends regular consumption of two types of omega-3 fatty acids—DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)—that are found in particularly high concentrations in fatty fish like herring, trout, and sardines....