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At some point in time, all of us will have had problems falling asleep. For some people living with HIV, other factors can seriously compound sleeping issues. Whether it be the effects of certain HIV drugs or conditions like night sweats that can sometimes occur, the inability to fall asleep can often chip away at a person’s general sense of well-being. A lack of quality sleep can result in periods of fatigue during the day, making it difficult to work, go to school, or even carry on day-to-day activities....

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects the digestive tract, but it can also affect other parts of the body as well. People with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may also be at risk for developing liver problems. Some of the liver problems that are associated with IBD are primary sclerosing cholangitis, autoimmune hepatitis, and primary biliary cirrhosis. What Is the Liver? The liver, which is the largest organ in the body, provides several important functions without which the body can not survive....

A 2018 survey found that 83% of Americans have pierced ears. The other common sites for piercing include eyebrows, genitals, lips, navel, nipples, nose, and tongue. Because ear piercing is so commonly performed, there are many standards in place to help minimize complications, however, there are some dangers of getting your ears pierced. Potential Risks While ear piercings are very common, it does involve some serious risks. The most common (albeit all are relatively infrequent) include:...

The easy-to-use smart appliance works equally well on hardwood, tile, and stone floors, clearing everything from sticky spills to muddy footprints in minutes. The machine’s intelligent mapping technology is programmable, so you can schedule cleaning routes and establish no-go zones. If you’re buying it for someone who is not tech-savvy, setting it up for them will be a quick and straightforward process. The Braava Jet M6 makes a great gift, and since it’s on sale for 34% off now (that’s $150 off)—the lowest price it’s been in over a year—there’s no need to wait for Black Friday to buy it....

The thymus is a lymphatic system organ located in the chest, behind the sternum (breastbone). The thymus plays an important role in the immune system by creating lymphocytes called T cells. These cells find and destroy pathogens like bacteria circulating in the bloodstream. Although the thymus is sometimes called a gland, it is not structured like a gland. Also, it should not be confused with the thyroid gland, which is located in the neck....

Tinnitus is ringing in the ear, though describe it more as a whistling, crackling, humming, or roaring sound. Typically, only you can hear it, and it happens despite there being no external sound present when it occurs. There are several conditions that can cause this symptom, including some kinds of hearing loss, prolonged exposure to loud noises, muscle spasms within the ear, neurological disorders, and other concerns. Tinnitus Types and Causes There are two main types of tinnitus—subjective tinnitus (more common) and objective tinnitus (less common)....

Transient nocturnal desaturation is when your oxygen concentration (the level of oxygen that your blood is carrying) temporarily becomes lower than usual while you are asleep at night. This is a serious problem that is commonly associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Though transient nocturnal desaturation does not typically cause immediate symptoms, it can have harmful effects on your health over time. You may need a sleep study to identify the condition, and nighttime therapeutic oxygen is usually prescribed to help with symptoms....

There are treatments for strained muscles, and patience is the key to healing. A muscle strain, also called a pulled muscle, occurs when a muscle is stretched too far. Microscopic tears can occur within the muscle fibers. This type of injury usually causes mild to severe pain, and other symptoms, like bruising and immobility, can develop too. Common muscle strains include pulled hamstrings, groin strains, pulled abdominal muscles, and calf strains....

The federal nutrition waivers have allowed schools to provide free meals to every student during the pandemic. However, these waivers are set to expire on June 30, and many students are at risk of going hungry. Key Takeaways The pandemic-era universal free lunch program might be coming to an end once the federal child nutrition COVID-19 waivers expire on June 30.These waivers have allowed schools and summer programs to offer free meal pick-ups and deliveries to students....

Motion sickness is frequently called travel sickness, car sickness, and even seasickness, as it commonly occurs in people who are riding on a boat. The truth is that any form of motion can trigger this illness, including being on a swing and novelty rides at the carnival. If you’ve never experienced motion sickness, you are very lucky. According to the Centers for Disease Control, all of us will eventually experience the illness if we are subjected to enough motion (although it takes more motion for some than others)....

A colon biopsy is a diagnostic procedure that includes the removal and examination of a tissue sample from the colon. It is usually used to determine whether any of the tissue cells are cancerous or precancerous, and is sometimes done during a diagnostic process for inflammatory bowel diseases. Getting sent for a colon biopsy does not mean that you have cancer. It simply means that your healthcare provider thinks that the information the biopsy can provide would help determine the cause of any symptoms....

The online obsession with eating raw meat seems to continue despite clear warnings from food safety experts. TikTok influencers like Liver King and Pauly Long have been posting videos of themselves eating raw steak, salmon, liver, ground ribeye, and even bull testicles. Key Takeaways Some TikTok influencers promote eating raw meat and seafood.Raw meat and seafood are also included in some cultural diets.Food safety experts warn that consuming raw meat and seafood poses the risk of developing a foodborne illness....

We need amino acids to provide our bodies with the building blocks to make proteins, enzymes, and other important compounds. Key Takeaways New data suggests that eating a lot of sulfur-containing amino acids is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, early death due to heart disease, and all-cause mortality in both men and women.Many people eat more meat than what is recommended, which might be contributing to their heart disease risk....

If you type the term “CPR” into any internet search engine, you’ll likely find a number of websites promising online CPR certification. For a small fee, they’ll let you print out an official-looking card proclaiming you are certified in the basics of CPR. This may save you time, but the reality is that there is really no way to effectively learn CPR with an online course alone. You can learn the facts, but a skill like CPR—or any basic life support (BLS)—requires hands-on training....

Though quite a few rare genetic disorders and toxic exposures are known to cause autism (or autism-like symptoms), most cases are considered idiopathic, meaning they are without a known cause. A person’s biology, surroundings, and other factors may be at play—likely collectively. One postulated cause that has been disproven? Vaccinations. Known Causes Some researchers have found differences between brains of those with autism and others. People with autism seem to have larger brains and they also seem to process information differently....

Reports released from Pfizer and Moderna show that seven COVID-19 vaccine trial participants experienced a type of facial paralysis, called Bell’s palsy, in the weeks after vaccination. This rare side effect, in tandem with three reports of severe allergic reactions, has raised some alarm about the safety of the new vaccines. Key Takeaways 7 cases of Bell’s palsy, a type of facial paralysis, were reported by Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine trial participants....

When you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to treat sleep apnea, there’s a potential risk of infection, including sinus infections and pneumonia. Thankfully this risk is extremely low. And there are many proven benefits of using CPAP to treat sleep apnea, which include improved blood pressure, reduced daytime sleepiness, and better mood, cognitive function, and quality of life. With proper cleaning steps on a regular basis and the use of filters, distilled water in a heated humidifier, and heated tubing, you can reduce your chances of getting sick....

Catathrenia is a rare disorder that causes you to groan while you sleep. The sounds associated with catathrenia are often described as long moaning, humming, or cracking while breathing out. Also known as nighttime groaning, this condition falls under the category of parasomnias, or disruptive sleep disorders. The cause is not well-understood, but research suggests catathrenia may be associated with an underlying breathing problem during sleep. This article explains what catathrenia is, how it’s diagnosed, and ways to treat it....

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a condition in which cancer cells only grow inside the ducts of the breast. It is often referred to as a precancerous (stage 0) condition or an early stage breast cancer. In situ is a Latin phrase meaning “in place;” in this instance, it means the abnormal cells are contained in this part of the breast, not spread to other tissue. DCIS does not always progress to invasive cancer, where the cells invade breast tissue outside the duct....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has revised an emergency use authorization for the monoclonal antibody treatment REGEN-COV to include people at high risk for severe forms of COVID-19 who have had a known exposure to the virus. Key Takeaways The FDA has authorized REGEN-COV to help prevent severe COVID-19 in high-risk people who have been exposed to the virus.The treatment can be delivered via IV infusion or injection.Only those over the age of 12 who are at least 88 pounds can use the treatment....