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Tension headaches and migraines are fairly common, and most people who experience them try over-the-counter (OTC) medications before talking to their healthcare provider about prescription options. It is a good idea to try these less powerful options first, as non-prescription medications often relieve the symptoms of migraines and other types of headaches with fewer side effects than prescription-strength drugs. Another benefit of over-the-counter medications, of course, is that you can get them whenever you need them....

A punch biopsy is a procedure used to obtain a tissue sample from the body. Punch biopsies are often used to diagnose skin cancer. A small sample of skin is taken and then analyzed under a microscope in a lab. Punch biopsies may also be used to diagnose cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, or conditions that could lead to cancer. This article will describe what to expect during a punch biopsy, as well as the risks and recovery process....

Severe congenital neutropenia describes a condition in which an individual is born with severe neutropenia (defined as a neutrophil count of less than 500 cells per microliter, and often less than 200). One specific form is called Kostmann Syndrome, a rare condition affecting an estimated 1–2 per million individuals. Symptoms Symptoms of congenital neutropenia generally start shortly after birth. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight bacterial infections....

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a group of drugs whose purpose it is to reduce stomach acid. They have been used to treat a wide of gastric acid-related illnesses for more than 30 years and are known to be safe and effective—so much so that they’ve largely supplanted H2 blockers as the drug of choice. This is not to say that PPIs aren’t without their challenges or limitations. While most of the side effects are mild and manageable, there are a number of adverse events which can occur with long-term use or overuse....

Tamiflu is a prescription antiviral medication that can be used to treat an influenza infection (also known as the flu) in children and adults if their symptoms have started within the last day or two. It can also be used to prevent the flu in children, teens, and adults who have been exposed to the influenza virus. What Tamiflu Is Used for: Tamiflu is FDA-approved to treat the flu in adults and children....

On the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the southwestern section of the Caucasus region is a partially recognized state known as Abkhazia (or the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia). Living in the Caucasus mountains in this region is the Abkhasia, a society of people known for their incredible longevity and lifespans. This relatively small group of people have long had a reputation for extremely long and healthy lives. In fact, in the 1960s and 1970s, claims were made for lifespans of 150 years and marriages at age 110!...

Even when it is mild and happens only occasionally, acid reflux is unpleasant. But when reflux gets frequent and involves heartburn, it becomes a risk factor for cancers of the esophagus and larynx, a new study suggests. Key Takeaways A prospective study has found that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be associated with as much as 17% of cases of two types of cancer of the esophagus and larynx.GERD is already a known risk factor for esophageal adenocarcinoma, the most common type of esophageal cancer in the United States, but smoking and excessive alcohol use are bigger risk factors....

TikTok’s latest trend encourages people to put their lawn care leftovers to good use. Instead of tossing their dandelion weeds into the trash, people on the social media app are using them as an ingredient in teas, syrups, and more. Key Takeaways People on TikTok are including dandelions in their teas, dishes, and syrups for potential health benefits.Dandelions are rich in nutrients and can be a part of a healthy lifestyle....

You’ve been struggling to get your acne cleared up and now you feel like you’re at an impasse. You’re not sure if you should stay the course and keep doing what you’re doing or break down and make an appointment with a dermatologist. How do you know when it’s time for you to move on to a prescription acne medication? Here are five signs you need a prescription medication to get your acne under control....

High cholesterol is a condition that often sneaks up on us. There are usually no symptoms associated with it, yet it could contribute to cardiovascular disease if you ignore it. High cholesterol can develop either from something wrong with the way cholesterol is being made in your body, certain things you are doing in your everyday life, or a combination of both. The liver is the main organ of the body that makes cholesterol....

The term avidity refers to how strongly an antibody binds to its antigen. The immune system makes antibodies in response to infection with a pathogen or certain other forms of physical insults. However, making antibodies is not a single-step process. Sometimes, the initial antibody response does not allow the body to quickly eliminate an infection. In these cases, the body will continue to develop additional antibodies against the bacteria or virus that is causing the infection....

Recent studies have shown that statin drugs may significantly increase the risk of developing cataracts. Researchers at the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas conducted a study that included 6,972 pairs of statin users and non-statin users. They found that the development of cataract was 27% higher in statin users. Researchers pointed out that the study is not conclusive and by no means shows a cause and effect relationship. However, researchers stated that statin use does appear to be associated with increased risk for developing a cataract....

Once it’s time for cast removal, a healthcare provider uses a cast saw to cut through the plaster or fiberglass the cast is made of. It may seem scary to have this tool so close to your skin, but cast removal is safe when done by a qualified healthcare provider. This article explains how a cast saw works, how safe cast removal is, and what you can do to make the process go as smooth as possible....

Sleepwalking is a common condition that occurs in children, but what underlies this behavior? You may wonder not only about the causes of sleepwalking but whether it requires treatment and how best to stop it. Discover facts about the symptoms, causes, and best treatment options of sleepwalking in children. What Is Sleepwalking? Sleepwalking is the purposeful movement of walking that occurs in a sleep-like state. It is sometimes called somnambulism. Sleepwalking is one of the parasomnias, which is a class of sleep disorders that include abnormal movements and behaviors that occur during sleep....

Childhood dementia refers to progressive brain damage caused by certain rare genetic disorders. Children with childhood dementia are born with the underlying condition; it is not contagious. Symptoms of childhood dementia may include confusion, loss of memory, or the inability to communicate. The symptoms are progressive, meaning they get worse over time. Symptoms may progress quickly or slowly depending on the cause. This article will provide an overview of childhood dementia, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment options....

Fibromyalgia can affect everything, including your hair. Sometimes the illness itself causes changes in our bodies that may result in hair loss, while other times our symptoms are responsible. This isn’t an area that’s been researched, which is understandable—it’s not one of our worst symptoms by any stretch, and it also doesn’t appear to be one of the more common ones. Because of the lack of research, we have to rely on trial and error and the experiences of others with this illness to learn about our hair-related problems....

Although having a heat rash is common, it is likely not as common as many parents believe, who tend to call any red rash their kids have when it is hot outside a heat rash. Learning to distinguish heat rash from other common skin rashes (see below) can be helpful so that you can properly treat and prevent this common rash. As the name implies, heat rash is triggered in certain children when they become overheated, either because they are overdressed or because it is simply too hot outside....

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), also known as Hunter syndrome, is an inherited disorder which causes a deficiency of the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S). I2S is involved in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates called mucopolysaccharides. Without enough I2S, partially broken-down mucopolysaccharides accumulate in the organs and tissues of the body and become toxic. Hunter syndrome is an X-linked disorder, meaning that it is transmitted on the X chromosome from a mother to her children....

New research from the Cleveland Clinic identified a link between COVID-19 and cases of “broken heart syndrome.” The study, published in published in JAMA Network Open on July 9, found a significant rise in cases in the U.S. after March 1. Key Takeaways Cases of broken heart syndrome are increasing in some hospitals.The rise in cases correlates with the pandemic’s timeline.Researchers say the stress of coronavirus—not coronavirus itself—may be the cause....

Kikuchi disease, also called histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis or Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, is a disease that affects the lymph nodes, causing lymph node inflammation. The exact cause of the disease is not yet known, although some researchers have suggested it is an infection or autoimmune disorder. The most widely accepted theory by experts is that Kikuchi disease is the result of one or more unidentified agents triggering a self-limited autoimmune process. These agents are thought to include infections, chemical, plastic, and neoplastic (abnormal tissue growth) agents....