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Salt (or sodium) is what makes a side of fries or briny olives so tasty. However, enjoying too many salty snacks can have health risks. Data has shown that for every 1 gram increase in daily sodium intake, a person’s cardiovascular disease risk goes up by 6%. Key Takeaways Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. A new study found that women who ate a high-sodium diet got heart health benefits from upping their intake of potassium-rich foods, especially when it came to blood pressure....

Most people don’t close the toilet lid before they flush, especially in a public restroom. Key Takeaways Toilet flushing can potentially transport bacteria and viruses through airborne particles.There’s no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through toilet flushing, but diseases can spread through the fecal-oral route.Researchers said maintaining hand hygiene is the best way to protect yourself from bathroom pathogens. A new study found that the power of toilet flush can transport potentially infectious bacteria and viruses through airborne particles....

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that develops when streptococcal A infections, such as strep throat, scarlet fever, and cellulitis, aren’t properly treated. Streptococcus bacteria are believed to trick your immune system into attacking healthy tissues in your body, the result of which is rampant inflammation that causes numerous symptoms. Rheumatic fever most often affects children, typically between ages 5 and 15, since strep infections are most common in this age group....

A splenectomy—the surgical removal of your spleen—can be a fairly simple procedure, but it is still a major surgery that involves the removal of one of your abdominal organs. How you prepare for surgery will depend a bit on what kind of surgery you are having—open or minimally invasive. Keep reading to find out what you need to do to prepare. Location A splenectomy can be done as an open procedure called a laparotomy, or as a minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery....

There appears to be a slight increase in stroke incidence as well as worse stroke outcomes during cold months of the year in comparison to warm months. The reasons for this bump in stroke incidence in the winter months are not completely clear, but researchers have pointed to some potential factors that may explain this somewhat surprising observation. Seasonal Stroke Research studies from countries as diverse as Finland, Australia, the United States, Germany, Taiwan, China, and Iran have all reported that strokes happen more often in the colder months than in the warmer months....

Almost a quarter of all females experience uterine polyps, an overgrowth of tissue in the endometrium. While many people experience abnormal uterine bleeding, the fact is that uterine polyps are often asymptomatic. Uterine polyps, also called endometrial polyps, are usually small, bulb-shaped masses of endometrial tissue attached to the uterus by a stalk. They are soft, as opposed to uterine fibroids, which can grow much bigger and are made of hard muscle....

No matter which type of asthma doctor takes care of your child with asthma, your asthma doctor will work with you to diagnose and develop and prescribe a cost-effective treatment for your child’s asthma. Your asthma doctor will not only provide recommendations for specific medications, but he will also provide recommendations on how to handle an asthma attack, avoid your child’s asthma triggers, and develop an asthma action plan. Your asthma doctor and staff will also show you and your child how to appropriately use your child’s asthma devices like an inhaler or peak flow meter....

No doubt your texts and email inboxes are filled with pharmacy and physicians’ office notices that flu shots are now available. But timing when to get your flu shot this flu season can be a little tricky. Key Takeaways Just about everyone 6 months and older should get a flu shot. It’s best to get your flu shot before flu cases begin rising in your area.While October and November are often optimal months for the flu shot, it’s not too late to get it mid-winter if you didn’t get it already....

When someone has an autoimmune disease, their immune system mistakenly attacks their own healthy cells and tissues. But unlike when a healthy immune system attacks something that can cause harm—like a virus—theirs never calls off the attack. While acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is another type of immune system malfunction, in this case, a person’s immune system is weakened or ineffective. What Is AIDS? Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes a person’s body to attack the cells they need to fight off infection, making them more vulnerable to other infections and diseases....

Aspartame was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and considered safe in 1981. Since then, there have been conflicting reports of aspartame’s safety, including concern over its link to cancer. While the FDA maintains that approved artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, do not cause cancer, studies on rats raised new concerns over the years while others seem to assure its safety. What Is Aspartame? Aspartame is a low-calorie artificial sweetener that can be used in place of sugar to sweeten:...

Tears are essential for your eye health and vision. They wash away dust and particles that get in the eyes, and they keep the eyes moist. In some cases, however, the eyes overproduce tears, resulting in discomfort or an embarrassing teary-eyed appearance. Causes of Watery Eyes While infection, irritation, allergies, and other causes of watery eyes are common, one of the most common causes of watery eyes and tearing is dry eyes....

There is a perception that learning sign language is hard, and, in a way, it is both true and not true. It depends largely on what type of sign language you are trying to learn. Challenges in Conversational Sign Language If you are trying to learn sign language for conversational purposes, it’s actually not all that difficult. As with any language, it simply takes time but becomes more intuitive as you engage with others on a one-on-one basis....

A corneal ulcer is an erosion or open sore on the surface of the cornea. The cornea is the transparent area at the front part of the eye that serves as a window through which we see. It also refracts light and offers protection to other parts of the eye. If the cornea becomes inflamed due to infection or injury, an ulcer may develop. A corneal ulcer is a serious condition that must be treated promptly to avoid lasting vision problems....

Acne facials are marketed as a treatment that can help clear blackheads and blocked pores. Though there isn’t strong evidence that they are effective for everyone, some people may find them helpful. This article looks at acne facials, when they should be used, how they are done, and what to expect when you get one. What to Expect There isn’t a clear answer about whether acne facials are effective. How well they work for you will depend on variables like the severity of your acne, your home skincare routine, and how often you get the treatment....

Many people wonder if they are a candidate for physical therapy or if physical therapy can help their ailment. For physical therapists, however, this is an easy question to answer: Most people can benefit from physical therapy, whether their condition varies from a simple ankle sprain to a complex neurological disorder. You may benefit from physical therapy even if you are not injured. Physical therapists, as movement experts, can help you prevent injury or illness....

Strokes are active, progressive illnesses. They come on suddenly and evolve dramatically over the first few hours. Over the following days, the injury and disability from a stroke usually reach a maximum peak and then stabilize. The suddenness of the brain injury and the resulting neurological deficits can be shocking. This article discusses the recovery period from a stroke and what effects to expect. Healing After a Stroke The damage of a stroke is fast and aggressive....

Indocin (indomethacin) is a prescription drug indicated for arthritis and overuse injuries that cause pain and swelling, such as tendonitis and bursitis. You usually take it by mouth as a capsule or an oral suspension, but it also comes in a suppository form. It helps treat swelling, stiffness, and pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It’s part of the class of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While it’s an effective treatment option for many types of painful conditions, it may interact with certain medications, causing potentially harmful reactions....

Difficulty falling or staying asleep, cardinal symptoms of insomnia, may respond to relaxation and biofeedback techniques. Before turning to sleeping pills, explore whether these methods might help you to sleep better. What is the best method for relaxation? How does biofeedback work? To answer these questions, let’s review an excerpt from UpToDate — a trusted electronic medical reference used by healthcare providers and patients alike. Then, read on for additional information about what all of this means for you....

It is estimated that two to four percent of the population has some degree of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). You can safely exercise if you have this condition, and it is beneficial for you to get regular exercise. You can talk to your doctor if you want specific guidance about how much and what types of exercises you should start with. The mitral valve is located in the heart’s left ventricle between the upper and lower chambers....

If you’re allergic to peanuts, which are a legume, you probably don’t need to avoid most other legumes such as soybeans, peas, and beans. However, your allergist may advise you differently depending on your individual test results and family medical history. In addition, there’s one legume—lupin—that you most likely should avoid, since there’s a higher likelihood of a reaction to lupin in people who are allergic to peanuts. Are Peanuts Nuts?...