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Bronchitis, also known as a chest cold, occurs when the airways of the lungs become swollen and start producing mucus. These airways are known as the bronchi, and they are responsible for carrying air to the lungs. Common bronchitis symptoms include persistent cough, chest soreness, and fatigue. Acute bronchitis is often caused by an infection. It usually comes on quickly and resolves after a week or so. Chronic bronchitis is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease that develops over time....

You might have seen friends taking pictures of their newly shorn hair and mentioning an organization called Locks of Love. This organization accepts donations of human hair to create hairpieces for children who have lost their hair because of cancer treatments and other medical causes. Read on to learn more about the guidelines for donating and receiving hair and some answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Locks of Love....

Hearing loss happens for various reasons and can vary in severity. Some people have hearing loss from birth, while others may experience it later in life. You might have hearing loss due to aging, improper headphone use, or exposure to loud noises through recreation or your occupation. There are two main categories of hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. The first type, sensorineural, happens when the inner ear or auditory nerve becomes damaged....

Ibuprofen is not linked to any harmful effects in people who test positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, new research shows. Key Takeaways More studies are needed to draw a firm conclusion, but new research says there’s not enough evidence to tell people to avoid ibuprofen if they contract COVID-19.During the beginning of the pandemic, the World Health Organization advised COVID-19 patients against taking ibuprofen, but quickly changed its stance....

In addition to the expected challenges of adolescence, teenagers with type 1 diabetes must also contend with the impact of fluctuating hormones on glucose levels. What’s more, some teens may feel checking their blood sugar is a hassle, an inconvenience, or makes them feel different from their peers, and so they may not do it consistently—or at all. For these reasons, it’s no wonder up to 70% of adolescents who have diabetes do not have optimal control of their disease....

Myositis ossificans is an uncommon condition in which bone forms deep within a muscle after an injury. This condition can occur in a young athlete after a traumatic injury, and sometimes it develops as a result of repetitive injury to the muscle. Most commonly found in the thigh, and sometimes in the forearm, myositis ossificans often affects athletes such as football or soccer players. It’s not entirely clear how myositis ossificans forms....

Although it’s not precisely known what causes Ocular melanoma, there are predisposing factors that can raise the risk. Ocular melanoma affects about 2,500 adults in the United States each year. The three layers of the eye are the sclera (the white covering), the uvea (the middle layer), and the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye). Most often, ocular melanoma develops in the uvea. Ocular melanoma starts in the cells of the eye that produce melanin, the pigment that gives the eye its color....

One of the first things you hear after learning you have high cholesterol or triglycerides is that you should follow a lipid-lowering diet. What does that mean and how can you change what you eat to help lower your cholesterol? There are many different types of low-cholesterol diets out there. These include the TLC Diet, My Plate, and the Mediterranean diet, but there really isn’t a specific guideline to follow. Yet, each of these is designed for the same purpose: keep your cholesterol and triglyceride levels in a healthy range....

A gingival retraction cord is a specific tool or instrument that dentists use, typically during the preparation of the teeth during the common dental crown procedure, and also during the similarly common dental bridge procedure. During the process, the gingival retraction cord is inserted gently below the gum line and into the gingival sulcus, and around the specific tooth that has been prepared for the crown or bridge. The gingival sulcus is the natural space found between the tooth and the gum tissue that surrounds the tooth....

Thyroid eye disease is caused by an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) that occurs because of Graves’ disease. You may also see thyroid eye disease called Graves’ eye disease, Graves’ orbitopathy, and Graves’ ophthalmopathy. It is likely that a combination of different genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors are responsible for someone developing thyroid eye disease. Common Causes Thyroid eye disease happens because of Graves’ disease, which causes hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means your immune system attacks your own body....

Hearing aids are complicated electronic devices; think of them as wearable computers. There are many different reasons why a hearing aid doesn’t work; let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons. Your Hearing Loss Has Changed Some patients go to their doctors with hearing aids they think “don’t work,” only to find their hearing loss is worse due to having scheduled tests. Hearing aids no longer provide enough volume to make speech sounds clear when hearing worsens....

Many people are choosing to steer clear of in-person medical care due to COVID-19, and they’re missing routine vaccinations as a result. But doctors stress the importance of making sure your vaccines are up to date—especially during a pandemic. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic is causing many people to fall behind on their vaccinations.It’s important for both young children and adults to stay up to date on their vaccinations.A pneumonia vaccine, while not a COVID-19 preventative, is recommended by the World Health Organization....

Your belly button (navel) marks where your umbilical cord detached from the placenta (the organ that nourishes a fetus inside the womb) before you were born. If you notice belly button discharge, chances are you have an infection. But other things, such as cysts and poor hygiene, can also cause your belly button to leak fluid. This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment for belly button discharge. Signs of Belly Button Discharge If your belly button is leaking fluid, you may experience the following:...

Staying active as you age can help relieve chronic pain, reduce stress, and maintain your quality of life. Key Takeaways Women tend to age more quickly than men because of menopause, hormonal changes, and biological differences. Combining strength training with regular exercise is crucial for maintaining muscle mass as you age. Simple practices, such as warming up and stretching before and after your workout, can help reduce the risk of injuries....

It’s Not Just About Your Periods Yes, irregular and absent periods are a classic hallmark feature of PCOS but its only one part of the condition. PCOS is a syndrome. This means it easily overlaps and intersects with other areas of the body. While PCOS does cause reproductive problems and can affect ovulation, it’s also associated with metabolic issues. Women with PCOS are at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease....

At the heart of acute myeloid leukemia is a DNA mutation in a stem cell in the bone marrow. This is where red and white blood cells, as well as platelets, are made. The disordered white blood cells, which would normally fight infections, are too immature to do so. As the number of cells with the mutation increases, they crowd out healthy blood cells, causing levels of these to fall. The symptoms that arise from leukemia tend to be linked to this drop in healthy blood cells and platelets....

Many kids take allergy medicines, such as Allegra, Clarinex, Claritin, Singulair, and Zyrtec, etc., and unfortunately, they sometimes continue to have allergy symptoms. What do you do next? In addition to making sure that your child’s symptoms are really due to allergies and not from recurrent colds or sinus infections, there are some steps you can take to get your child some relief. Strict Avoidance of Allergy Triggers Although it can be difficult if your child has multiple allergies or if she is allergic to things outside, like trees and grasses, avoidance of triggers can often be helpful....

Most of us know we should have an annual checkup, but do we actually do it? If we have one every year, do we actually know if it is complete? And do we understand the tests and examinations we are having done? Most of us will answer “no” to at least one of those questions. However, there is no excuse for not having a thorough yearly exam. Medicare now covers many of the tests that should be done during your annual checkup....

An antidiarrheal is a drug that is used to slow down or stop diarrhea (loose stools). Over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications are found in most drug stores or pharmacies, and some anti-diarrhea medications are available only by prescription. Antidiarrheals are used for acute, non-life-threatening situations, such as viral gastroenteritis. In most cases of diarrhea, taking an antidiarrheal medication will not treat the underlying cause (such as an infection or inflammation), but may help with the discomfort that comes from having watery bowel movements....

The majority of hypertensive patients preparing for surgery will continue to take their blood pressure medication on the day of the procedure and throughout their hospital stay, according to information from the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). In fact, the AAOS says your healthcare provider will probably check your blood pressure a few days before your scheduled surgery so she can adjust your dosage if your reading is lower or higher than a previous one....