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There are several different causes of difficulty swallowing, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Recurring swallowing problems can lead to problems such as poor nutrition, dehydration, getting more colds, and aspiration pneumonia. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can occur when food does not pass normally from the mouth through the esophagus to the stomach. You may have a sensation of food sticking in the throat, chest pressure, “burning” after eating, or a feeling of choking....

According to a new study, certain antacids called proton pump inhibitors may help some people manage their diabetes. Key Takeaways About 10.5% of the U.S. population has diabetes.A new study shows that taking a certain type of antacid called proton pump inhibitors might help some people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.Not everyone with diabetes should take PPIs, but there are other ways that people with the condition can improve their blood sugar levels....

Flu season begins in the fall and continues through spring, with most cases reported between December and March. The best way to prevent flu infection is to receive the flu shot, but many hospice and palliative care patients find themselves uncertain about getting one. Many patients worry that the vaccine will actually give them the flu because of their already weakened immune systems, or they believe that they don’t need one since they are already ill....

The country is now distributing the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna that are authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use. Both vaccines require two doses. To help keep track of the shots, vaccination cards are being issued across the country. Key Takeaways Vaccination cards provide information about when a person was vaccinated, which vaccine was received, and when the next dose is due. Currently, there are two vaccines for COVID-19 authorized by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use....

Acne is a chronic disorder of the sebaceous glands. While sometimes it seems pimples appear overnight, the development of an acne breakout is actually an extended process that begins at the cellular level. All pimples begin as a blockage of the hair follicle, or pore. Gaining an understanding of why a blockage begins and how a pimple develops will ultimately help you in treating your acne. The Epidermis The outermost section of the skin, the part you see every day, is called the epidermis....

Thrombocytopenia is a diagnosis of having too few platelets in the blood. Someone with thrombocytopenia may not have any symptoms, but sometimes people with thrombocytopenia may experience bleeding that is difficult to stop, bruising, tiny pinpoint red spots on the skin, or blood in the urine or stool. Treating thrombocytopenia depends upon its severity and the condition that is causing it. If thrombocytopenia requires treatment, this is often done by fixing the underlying disorder....

You have been told that you need 8 hours of sleep, right? Well, that may not be completely accurate. In fact, there’s a lot more to the story. Since you are setting out to sleep better, it’s a perfect time to figure out what your goal should be. The Goal of “8 Hours” Certainly 8 hours is often touted as the “average” amount of sleep an adult needs, but it is just that, an average....

There is no medical reason to remove milia—small, white bumps that form on the face when dead skin cells get trapped under the skin. However, if you don’t like how they look, milia can be removed. This can be done by: Manual extraction by a dermatologistOver-the-counter exfoliating skincare productsTopical prescription retinoids This article explains the best and safest ways to get rid of milia if you want to. Note that these suggestions are for adults only....

Vicodin is a combination of two pain relievers; acetaminophen (commonly known by the trade name Tylenol) and hydrocodone (synthetic codeine). Vicodin is one of the most widely prescribed pain relievers in the U.S. and one of the most frequently abused. The hydrocodone and acetaminophen combination is marketed under a number of brand names, including: Vicodin Vicodin HP (300 mg acetaminophen/5 mg hydrocodone) Vicodin ES (750 mg acetaminophen/7.5 mg hydrocodone) Lortab Anexsia Zydone Lorcet Norco Vicodin is considered an effective pain reliever when used as prescribed over the short term....

A hysterectomy is a common and generally safe surgery that entails removing a woman’s uterus. The surgery has many potential benefits (e.g., relief of symptoms like pain or bleeding). You may experience various long-term changes after hysterectomy as well. These can include symptoms of menopause (if your ovaries were also removed) and changes in mood or sex drive. Rare complications that may necessitate future surgeries can also occur. Benefits of Surgery The main benefit of a hysterectomy is the treatment of the underlying health problem, such as:...

Diagnosing COVID-19 in younger children can be tricky, given that they’re not usually able to verbalize how they feel. But a new case report suggests that parents and pediatricians should be on the lookout for a seemingly unrelated symptom: a new food aversion. Key Takeaways COVID-19 has caused food aversions in some children.A new case report detailed two different situations where this happened.Experts say you shouldn’t automatically assume your child has COVID-19 if they develop a food aversion....

Some types of viral hepatitis can be transmitted through sexual contact, in addition to being transmitted via other routes. Each type of hepatitis virus has a different risk of being transmitted through sex. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is spread easily by casual person-to-person contact and by food or water contaminated by the feces of infected people. This is called the fecal-oral route or the hand-to-mouth route. You can be infected with hepatitis A in many ways that don’t require sharing body fluids or needles....

A jammed finger is when the tip of your finger is forcefully pushed toward the hand, causing the joint to become compressed. This can cause ligaments to stretch, sprain, or tear. Also known as a sprained finger, it causes pain and swelling in one or more of your fingers or finger joints. While a jammed finger can be painful, you should be able to move it. If you are unable to wiggle it, it may be broken or dislocated and may require x-rays....

Now that you’re getting older, taking care of your skin is very important. Good skincare will help keep your skin looking and feeling healthy. It can also help with blackheads and pimples. Taking care of your skin isn’t very hard at all. Here’s an easy skincare routine that’s perfect for kids your age. It’s just three steps. Wash Your Face Acne isn’t caused by a dirty face, but sweat, dirt, oil, and makeup aren’t going to help things any....

Diabetes mellitus, or type 2 diabetes, is one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States, and it is becoming increasingly more prevalent around the world. Diabetes is associated with many health conditions, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity, but its connection to sexual dysfunction is being discussed with greater regularity. Diabetes is an established risk factor for erectile dysfunction because the disease can damage the tiny blood vessels and nerves that work together to trigger an erection....

Photoaging refers to skin damage caused by prolonged sun exposure, specifically UVA and UVB rays, and can lead to skin cancers. Most of the skin changes that occur as we age are accelerated by sun exposure. Skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The dermis contains proteins, including collagen, elastin, and other important fibers, that affect the skin’s strength and elasticity and are responsible for skin’s smooth, youthful appearance....

Healthcare provider often perform a posterior drawer test to assess the function of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)—one of the four ligaments of the knee. If your healthcare provider suspects a PCL tear, the posterior drawer test is the best test to diagnose it. The test simply involves your practitioner inspecting and manipulating your knee to assess its movement and level of resistance. Healthcare provider can also perform different versions of this test on joints like those of the shoulders and ankles....

Opioid overdose deaths have risen disproportionately in Black communities in recent years, according to a new study. Researchers say the findings highlight health disparities that have existed before the pandemic and the need for an antiracist public health approach. Key Takeaways A pre-pandemic study found a 38% increase in overdose deaths among non-Hispanic Black people between 2018 and 2019 in four states including Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Massachusetts.Researchers say an antiracist public health approach is needed to address the opioid overdose epidemic....

A rib stress fracture can affect any athlete, and they are more common with certain sports and activities including rowing (crew), baseball, backpacking, dance, and windsurfing. Stress fractures occur when bone cannot withstand the accumulated physical stress of a particular activity. Unlike acute fractures where a high-energy injury causes the bone to fail, a stress fracture is the result of a repetitive low-energy injury-causing accumulating damage to the bone. Upper extremity stress fractures, including stress injuries to the rib cage, are not common....

Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) is an illicit drug that causes sedation deep enough to render a person completely incapacitated. It is known as “the date rape drug” because it has been used to facilitate sexual assault. Rohypnol also is abused as a recreational, or “club” drug, often in conjunction with alcohol. Although Rohypnol is used for medicinal purposes in certain other countries, it is classified as a Schedule IV drug in the United States....