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Do you sometimes have muscles that tighten up and won’t relax no matter what you do? That’s called a muscle spasm, and a lot of people with fibromyalgia have this problem. In fact, some researchers consider it a major source of our pain. Spasms are different from muscle twitches, which are brief and usually painless. When a muscle spasms, it clenches tight and stays that way. Spasms can be painful for anyone, and they’re worse for those with fibromyalgia because of a symptom called hyperalgesia, which is the name for the way our nervous systems amplify pain signals....

Lisinopril cough is a common side effect of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor called Lisinopril. The medication is used to treat high blood pressure. Drugs like Lisinopril are important treatments for heart failure and coronary artery disease, but they can cause side effects. One of the more common side effects of ACE inhibitors is a persistent dry cough. This article will go over what causes Lisinopril cough, as well as when you should see your provider if you have side effects when taking ACE inhibitors....

An mRNA vaccine from Moderna can effectively prevent severe illness from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults 60 years and older, the company reported this week. Key Takeaways Moderna shared promising data from a phase 3 clinical trial of its RSV vaccine for adults ages 60 and older this week.The respiratory virus can cause particularly severe disease in babies and older adults.Several other companies are developing RSV vaccines, some of which are expected to be approved later this year....

On January 20, Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, began her first day on the job as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by asking for “a comprehensive review of all existing guidance related to COVID-19.” Key Takeaways The new CDC director, Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, is calling for a review of all the agency’s COVID-19 guidance.As she assumes her new role, Walensky plans to make the CDC more accessible and transparent....

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of over-the-counter (OTC) sleep medications to help relieve occasional sleeplessness in people ages 12 and older. There are dozens of nighttime sleep aids available on the shelves of pharmacies and supermarkets. Ingredients You’ll Find in OTC Nighttime Sleep Aids Most OTC products that are sold as nighttime sleep aids contain an antihistamine such as doxylamine (brand names Nighttime Sleep Aid, Unisom Sleeptabs) or diphenhydramine (brand names Benadryl, Compoz, Nytol, and Sominex)....

Paratracheal lymph nodes run along the sides of your trachea (windpipe) in the neck. These are the lymph nodes that often become swollen when you’re sick with a sore throat or cold. Lymph nodes are an important part of your body’s immune system, and when they’re sore or swollen, this may signal a serious condition, including cancer. The Role of the Lymph System The human body has an elaborate system of vessels and nodes that move a fluid called lymph to the tissues in the body....

The main symptom of post-nasal drip is the feeling of having phlegm in the back of your throat. There are several different conditions that can result in the same symptom, and determining the cause is the best way to make sure you receive the best treatment. There are many causes of post-nasal drip, or phlegm in the throat. They include: Allergic rhinitis (hayfever)Non-allergic rhinitis (vasomotor rhinitis)SinusitisOveruse of nasal sprays such as AfrinHormonal causes such as pregnancy or hypothyroidism Despite the variety of causes, the symptoms are similar (e....

Group homes for the disabled are an alternative to institutional care. They may be a privately run for-profit business, a nonprofit facility, or run by the government. Privately run group homes do not have government oversight unless they receive government funding. A nonprofit or government-run facility must adhere to certain rules and regulations, which can determine to whom they may provide services. Each facility is different, depending upon state and local regulations, and the options available will vary....

An olecranon fracture is a break of the bone that forms the point in the back of your elbow. This olecranon bone is actually the end of the ulna, and it is the attachment of the powerful triceps muscle of the arm. The triceps muscle straightens your elbow, and an olecranon fracture can impair your ability to straighten your elbow joint. Common causes of olecranon fractures include: Falling directly on the back of the elbow Avulsion fracture (the triceps muscle pulling off a fragment of bone from the elbow) Stress fractures, most commonly seen in athletes, including baseball pitchers Symptoms of Olecranon Fracture After an injury, an olecranon fracture can cause pain of the elbow or difficulty moving the elbow....

Hyperventilation syndrome is a nonmedical cause of shortness of breath. It is very scary but not life-threatening. It can be hard to tell hyperventilation syndrome apart from other causes of shortness of breath. If there is any doubt about the cause of difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. Causes of Hyperventilation Syndrome The term hyperventilation syndrome is a shortened version of the more descriptive “psychogenic hyperventilation syndrome,” which indicates a psychosomatic cause for breathing too deep and/or too fast....

Tendinitis and bursitis are two relatively common conditions that involve inflammation of the soft tissue around muscles and bones, most often in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle. So closely are these conditions related that people will often use the terms interchangeably. That would suggest that something like, say, rotator cuff tendonitis is pretty much the same thing as shoulder bursitis, but that’s clearly not the case. Or is it?...

COPD is a chronic lung disease characterized by a predisposition to recurrent COPD exacerbations, some of which are complicated by lung infections. However, the exact role of bacterial, viral, or other infections in COPD is not always clear. Antibiotics are prescription medications used to treat bacterial infections in the body. Bacterial infections often require treatment because they may not resolve on their own. These medications can be beneficial for treating and preventing infections associated with COPD, but they can cause side effects....

Given the buzz about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar, people ask whether it’s helpful for irritable bowel syndrome. Home remedies like ACV tend not to get research funding like pharmaceutical medications do. This makes it difficult to come to any type of firm conclusion. Purported Health Benefits of ACV Please note that all of these claims about the value of ACV lack scientific backing: Acts as a skin tonicDetoxifies the bodyEases sore throatsElevates moodEradicates candidaGets rid of bad breathHelps with constipationHelps with diarrheaImproves digestionMakes your hair shinyPromotes weight lossSoothes sunburnsPuts the body in an alkaline stateReduces heartburnWhitens your teeth ACV and Digestion ACV enjoys a fairly popular reputation for enhancing digestion....

If you suffer from arthritic knee pain, researchers have found that taking daily turmeric supplements may reduce your discomfort. Key Takeaways Osteoarthritis of the knee can be painful, and some traditional treatment is associated with negative side effects.A new study shows taking 1,000 mg of turmeric daily for 12 weeks may provide relief.Turmeric contains many beneficial properties. Introducing the plant into your diet may be useful for your overall health. In a study published on September 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers evaluated 70 people who suffered from knee osteoarthritis....

Bowed legs can occur in all age groups and has several distinct causes. In some people bow legs are a problem that requires treatment, in others, it may be a normal part of development. Causes of Bowed Legs There are a number of different causes of bowed legs. Normal Development As a child develops, different parts of the body grow at a different rate. As a result, skeletal alignment can change causing some unusual appearance of the extremities at specific ages....

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a type of healthcare provider who is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). A CNS has a master’s degree or doctoral degree in nursing. For more than 60 years in the U.S., clinical nurse specialists have provided care in a variety of settings. This article will explain more about what a clinical nurse specialist does, their background, and why to see one. What Does a Clinical Nurse Specialist Do?...

Undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) and mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) are conditions that have some similarities to other systemic autoimmune or connective tissue diseases, but there are distinctions that make them different. When the criteria for named autoimmune diseases are not met, the condition is defined as UCTD. There are 5 named autoimmune connective tissue diseases. They are classified based on a combination of symptoms, physical exam findings, and antibody testing....

Throughout the past year, surges in COVID-19 cases have frequently overwhelmed hospital systems across the country. Now, those healthcare workers at the frontlines are among the first eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines. Physicians display some of the highest rates of vaccine acceptance, with 70% willing to get vaccinated. Vincent Ganapini, a physician and gastroenterology fellow working at a hospital in New Jersey, received his first dose of the Moderna vaccine on December 29 and his second on January 22....

“In order for man to succeed in life, God provided two means, education and physical activity. Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise can save it and preserve it.” –Plato, 400 B.C. Need a good reason to take the stairs? Here are six of them. 1. Stair Climbing Burns More Calories Than Jogging Yes, it’s true: studies have shown that stair climbing, which is considered vigorous-intensity physical activity, burns more calories per minute than slower-paced jogging....

For those who suffer from the ill effects of sleep disorders, many diagnostic tests are available that may lead to a better understanding of what the problem may be. Let’s discuss the options. Overnight Oximetry Overnight oximetry is one of the simplest and, generally, earliest sleep studies that may be conducted. It involves the use of a probe (similar to a clothespin) that is worn on the finger or earlobe which continuously measures oxygen levels and heart rate....