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On October 2, 1996, Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He was treated and soon after returned to the upper echelons of professional cycling, winning the Tour of France a record seven consecutive times. His story became an inspiration for many people faced with cancer, and the yellow wristbands he wore became synonymous with hope. Armstrong may have fallen from grace following his doping confession, but he continues to be a figure of hope for many with cancer....

Sometimes people know that they should go get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) test but have no idea how to get tested for STDs. Other times, someone will go to their healthcare provider to request a straightforward STD test, only to be told that the test they want doesn’t exist. Arranging for an STD test isn’t always easy. That’s why it’s a good idea to know your STD testing options. If you want to get screened for STDs, here are a few good ways to find the tests you need....

Sleep apnea is a common condition but the most common treatment, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), is not for everyone. If you have struggled to tolerate CPAP, you may be seeking alternative treatment options. There are a variety of possible therapies to consider, and one of them is the Winx Sleep Therapy System. What is Winx therapy? How does Winx treat sleep apnea? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using Winx?...

Certain natural remedies may help protect against tooth decay, a common health problem that occurs when acids in plaque eat away at teeth and create cavities. Although no alternative treatment should be used in place of standard oral hygiene practices, there’s some evidence that natural remedies may fight plaque and help prevent tooth decay. 3 Natural Remedies to Fight Plaque and Help Prevent Tooth Decay Plaque formation begins when bacteria naturally present in the mouth convert food into acids....

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a mental health condition that causes excessive worry accompanied by other symptoms. It is one of the anxiety disorders. Your healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment options that can help you manage this condition. Although you may start the process by seeing a primary care physician, your practitioner may refer you to a psychologist, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or other mental health professional for treatment....

The basilic vein runs from the palm of the hand and up your arm on the side of the ulna (a long bone that extends from your elbow to your finger) and the pinky finger. The basilic vein is considered superficial because it’s near the surface of your skin. It’s often visible in the inner arm. This vein’s job is to drain blood out of the hand and arm on its way back to the heart....

When we hear “cocoa,” many of us think of decadent chocolate bars and warm drinks topped with fluffy marshmallows. However, cocoa is much more than an ingredient in our favorite treats; it actually has a long history of medicinal uses. Part of what makes it special is that cocoa is rich in flavanols. Key Takeaways Cocoa flavanols are natural compounds found in cocoa beans. Consuming flavanol-rich foods has been linked to positive health outcomes....

Heparin, a common blood-thinning medication, is being increasingly used to treat patients with COVID-19. There is evidence that it can prevent some of the damaging effects of COVID-19 illness and even stop COVID-19 from attaching to cells in the body, perhaps as effectively as the drug remdesivir. Key Takeaways Heparin is an anticoagulant, a type of medication used to slow the formation of blood clots.New research shows heparin prevents COVID-19 from attaching to host cells in the body and may limit the spread of the virus....

Editor’s note: Below you’ll find release of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker originally published March 9, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker homepage for the latest data. A third COVID-19 vaccine has entered the scene. Over the past week, Johnson & Johnson’s recently-authorized vaccine has made an impact on the total number of doses available to Americans—even if the rate of people actually getting vaccinated hasn’t changed much. The federal government delivered nearly 20 million vaccine doses to the states between last Monday and Monday, March 8—the largest week over week increase we’ve seen yet....

Cupid’s bow is one of several facial features which have been given Greek or Roman names. The cupid’s bow is the curve in the middle of the upper lip. This is because in classical art, Cupid—the son of Venus in Roman mythology—is often portrayed as having a bow and quiver. The upper lip curves were labeled as the cupid’s bow because the shape was believed to look similar to the classic depictions of Cupid’s weapon of choice....

Understanding your asthma severity has implications for your asthma control. Severity is linked to the asthma treatment and monitoring your healthcare provider will recommend. Without measuring your asthma regularly, you will have difficulty knowing if interventions are improving your asthma or if your asthma is worsening. As a result, asthma may be limiting your day-to-day activities and you might not even realize it. By reviewing the table below, you can classify your asthma severity based on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) guidelines as either:...

The phenomenon of the dialysis disequilibrium syndrome often happens after a kidney failure patient has just been initiated on dialysis (although this is not necessarily the case and it can happen later as well). As fluid and toxins are removed from the body with dialysis, physiological changes which can induce a number of neurological symptoms begin to occur. The symptoms can vary from mild ones like headache to the most severe forms where patients can develop coma, or even death....

Trying to stay healthy after contracting COVID-19 is one hurdle, but managing it with a chronic disease can be especially challenging. Based on what is known about COVID-19, adults living with an underlying medical condition are at heightened risk for severe illness, especially people living with diabetes. As a result, experts are emphasizing people with diabetes should make every effort to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways People with diabetes are at increased risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19....

Athlete’s foot (also known as tinea pedis) is a common fungal infection involving the skin of the feet. The fungus thrives in warm, damp environments, such as the floors of locker rooms, health clubs, showers, and around swimming pools and can be spread by stepping on surfaces that are contaminated with the fungus. Home Remedies Here are several home remedies that are sometimes said to help athlete’s foot: Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot...

Alzheimer’s disease is known for its effects on memory, word-finding, communication, and behavior. But what about a physical ability and functioning, such as walking? Or the use of the arms? Does Alzheimer’s affect the body as well as the brain? Early Stages In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, physical ability remains largely intact. It’s not uncommon for people with early dementia to walk for more than a mile at a time and appear to have completely normal functioning....

The Ebola virus is a serious health concern. Ebola can be very dangerous and can affect the eyes. A study of an Ebola survivor shows how the virus can remain alive inside the eye for more than two months after treatment and recovery. What Is Ebola? The Ebola virus is part of a family of viruses that cause hemorrhagic fever. Hemorrhagic fever means that a person becomes very ill and bleeds inside and outside the body....

Been to the skincare aisle lately looking for an acne cleanser? Then you’ve seen the overwhelming choices. But don’t worry. With a little know-how, you can choose the right acne cleanser for you. Choose a Form of Cleanser You Like Best Foaming or non-foaming? Bar or liquid? This really comes down to personal preference. All types of cleansers work equally well, so choose the one you’re most comfortable with. As a general rule, non-foaming cleansers or cleansing lotions tend to be less drying than foaming cleansers....

If you have episodic migraine headache—a subtype of migraine headache disorder defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) as fewer than 15 headache days per month, with or without aura—prevention is key to managing your condition. Avoiding triggers, managing stress, and committing to other healthy lifestyle habits are important, but many with episodic migraines also need to take medications—prophylactic drugs that help prevent migraine attacks. Currently, only one class of drugs that was developed for the sole purpose of preventing migraine headaches is available....

Immunity from Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should last for at least a year, the company told investors at the J.P. Morgan Healthcare conference on Monday. Key Takeaways Moderna’s chief science officer announced that the company believes it’s mRNA vaccine will provide immunity for at least a year.The drugmaker says it is on track to deliver at least 600 million doses of the vaccine in 2021.Moderna says it is well suited to deal with new COVID-19 variants as they arise....

Booster shots will play a key role in bolstering immunity against the Omicron variant, Pfizer-BioNTech said in a press release today. Two shots of the company’s COVID-19 vaccine may not be sufficient to protect against infection with the variant, but a third dose could boost virus-fighting antibody levels enough to stop the virus. Key Takeaways Neutralizing antibody levels drop significantly in people with two doses of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine when infected with the Omicron variant, per a study from the company....