A pressure sore, also known as a bed sore or pressure ulcer, is an injury to the skin that occurs when blood flow to the area is disrupted due to sitting or lying in one position for a long time. The beginning signs of a pressure sore may include discomfort and changes in skin color and temperature, and recognizing them early on—and making adjustments to prevent them from worsening—can help you avoid pain and complications....
If your child has severe food allergies, you may want to consider working with your child’s school to make sure the school has a comprehensive plan to handle those allergies. These types of plans are called 504 plans, and they’re created collaboratively by parents and school authorities to address disabled students’ needs in the school system. 504 plans are named for the part of a 1973 federal law that requires school districts to accommodate students with disabilities....
Sacroiliitis is simply inflammation of the sacroiliac (SI) joint, found in your hip bone. This can lead to symptoms of pain in the lower back and buttocks. Sacroiliitis can be caused by a number of different medical conditions, including some types of inflammatory back pain. The presence or absence of chronic sarcoiliitis is a key clue in diagnosing inflammatory back pain and is often seen in axial spondyloarthritis and other rheumatic and non rheumatic disorders....
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that causes compression of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots. Resulting pain and numbness (in the hands, arms, legs, and/or feet) can vary depending on the region where the compression is occurring. The most common cause of spinal stenosis is “wear and tear arthritis” (called osteoarthritis), though there are other possibilities, including bulging discs. Spinal Stenosis Types and Symptoms Your spinal canal runs through each vertebra and contains and protects the spinal cord and the lumbar nerve roots....
If clothes catch fire it can spread very quickly, engulfing the victim in flames. Certain types of clothing, especially synthetic fabrics, may melt and stick to skin. The best way to reduce injury from the flames is to extinguish the burning fabric as quickly as possible. 3 Lifesaving Steps When Your Clothes Are on Fire To put out burning clothing, take these three steps: Stop: Don’t run or wave your arms....
A new study has found that the severity of an initial COVID-19 infection does not necessarily predict what later complications or long-lasting symptoms a person may experience. Key Takeaways A new study shows the severity of coronavirus is not necessarily a prediction of long-lasting symptoms or complications a person may experience as a result of the virus.Experts say this research points at the importance of continuing to understand which patients will develop long-term health issues as a result of COVID-19....
The words “syndrome” and “disease” are often used interchangeably, but they have some important differences. The classification, though, has no bearing on whether they’re real illnesses or how serious they are. It’s simply a matter of how well they’re understood. This article examines the differences between a syndrome and a disease and provides examples of both. What Is a Syndrome? The definition of a syndrome is pretty straightforward: A collection of signs and symptoms known to frequently appear together that suggest the presence of a disease or an increased chance of developing one In typical medical usage, a syndrome often doesn’t have an understood cause, course, or underlying process....
The differences between a stroke and a seizure can be confusing. Both conditions involve the brain, may be characterized by problems controlling physical movements, are not uncommon, and involve unexpected brain episodes or “attacks.” They also each have a few different names, which can add to the difficulty. If you are not sure whether you or someone for whom you’re a caregiver has had a seizure or a stroke, here are ways to understand some of the differences so that you will know what to expect....
A seasonal allergy is an allergic reaction to a trigger that is typically only present for parts of the year, such as spring or fall. This type of allergy refers to a pollen allergy, such as trees, weeds, and grasses. Perennial allergies, on the other hand, are usually present year-round and include allergens such as pet dander and house dust mite. Molds can be a seasonal or perennial allergy trigger....
Maintaining a healthy work-from-home routine can seem daunting when you have to be at your computer most of the day. At least—that’s what I thought. However, I realized I don’t have to sit still in a chair just because I work from home. And even on the days I am stuck at my desk, I can still get plenty of physical activity with the right equipment. When I started working from home full-time, I knew I wanted to stay active because regular exercise improves brain health, reduces disease risk, strengthens bones and muscles, helps manage weight, and more....
Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is now a national public health emergency, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared on Thursday. The designation gives officials more power to address the outbreak. Under a public health emergency, federal agencies gain more flexibility to coordinate a containment strategy. This includes accessing emergency funds to develop tests, vaccines, and drugs, and to hire workers to manage the outbreak. “We’re prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus,” Becerra said at a press briefing....
When you or your child has a fever, you may wonder when you should see a healthcare provider. Most fevers resolve on their own, but there are times when a fever is more concerning. For example, a newborn with a fever higher than 100.4°F (38°C) needs to be seen by a healthcare provider right away. This article discusses when to see a healthcare provider for a fever in adults and children....
Many conditions can make it hard for you to swallow. In general, swallowing difficulties—also called dysphagia—fall into distinct categories based on the part of the swallowing process that has been disrupted. This is because swallowing involves the brain, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, and many other structures of the body and physiological processes. Swallowing Difficulties Difficulty swallowing may manifest in several different ways, including: Feeling like there’s a lump in your throat or chest Choking and/or coughing while you’re trying to swallow Experiencing pain when swallowing Having a sore throat Suffering heartburn Getting food stuck in your throat Having a weakened voice (laryngitis) If you are having a hard time swallowing, you should see a doctor right away to avoid complications like aspiration (inhaling food into your lungs) and pneumonia, and to reduce your risk of choking....
Eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is good for your general nutrition, but can they also help cut your risk of arthritis? There have been a number of studies that suggest a whole-food, plant-based diet could reduce the risk of inflammatory forms of arthritis. Further research may eventually lead to drugs based on the substances found in antioxidant-rich foods. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that you enjoy colorful fruits and vegetables, and the more the better....
Blood tests are generally not used for diagnosing the cause of back pain, but in some cases, they are—particularly if your healthcare provider suspects an infection or inflammatory arthritis. When trying to find the reason for your back pain, your healthcare provider will likely take a medical history, do a physical exam, and possibly order some diagnostic tests. While some feel an over-reliance on diagnostic tests exists in our society; such tests generally do not in and of themselves definitely diagnose spine pain....
The cause of multiple sclerosis (MS) has remained elusive over the years. Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI), the theory that problems with blood and lymphatic drainage from the brain and spinal cord cause multiple sclerosis (MS), is one that has gained worldwide attention. However, CCSVI and the procedure used to correct it are highly controversial. The Theory of CCSVI Dr. Paolo Zamboni of Ferrara, Italy and his team suggest that blockages and narrowing of some of the veins that drain blood from the brain and spinal cord back to the heart can lead to the nerve damage seen in MS....
While it’s often reversible, delirium is not something that can be casually dismissed, especially when it develops in an older adult. Symptoms include confusion, memory loss, decreased ability to communicate, and a change in alertness. Multiple studies have researched the effects of delirium on people. These include: According to a study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry, the presence of delirium for hospital patients in intensive care units is associated with longer hospital stays and a higher rate of death....
One reason that IUD use has been discouraged in nulliparous women has to do with concern over the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility. This is based on the presumption that women or teens who have not had children and are not married may have had several sexual partners, putting them at a higher risk for a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Additionally, IUD research in the 1970s and 1980s was confusing and misleading....
In the United States, macular degeneration is the leading cause of vision loss in people ages 50 years and older. The macula is the central part of the retina that allows fine details to be seen. People affected by macular degeneration have loss of central vision. Fine details will be difficult to see, regardless of distance. Peripheral, or side, vision typically remains normal. Imagine looking at an analog clock. A person with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can see the numbers around the clock face but cannot see the hands on the clock due to the loss of central vision....
In this day and age, physicians and patients alike turn to modern medical technology for combating all types of diseases and afflictions. The approach to the treatment of infectious diseases is no different, with many patients demanding prescriptions of antibiotics with the mildest of symptoms. Unfortunately, misuse of antibiotics has to lead to an increased emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of microbes, by which infection can have devastating and sometimes fatal consequences....
