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Chronic bronchitis is one of the two main types of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD). The other is emphysema. Most people with COPD have symptoms of both conditions. In chronic bronchitis, swollen airways and excessive mucus production cause a chronic cough and difficulty breathing. Many people hear the persistent cough associated with chronic bronchitis and wonder if it is contagious. Over 16 million people have been diagnosed with COPD in the United States....

Prescription drug abuse is the fastest-growing drug problem in the United States. The most commonly abused drugs are central nervous system depressants, stimulants, and opioids. Several causes and risk factors are associated with prescription drug abuse, including those at the individual level, such as mental health issues and a history of substance abuse, and those at the environmental level, such as peers who misuse prescription drugs. This article provides an overview of the common causes of prescription drug abuse, including risk factors driving the problem....

Protozoa are a group of 65,000 (or possibly more) single-cell organisms. They are part of what’s called the eukarya domain and include the cells that make up humans, animals, plants, fungi, and parasites. Most humans will “host” a protozoa in or on their body at some point in their life. While not all protozoans found in the environment are dangerous, some cause diseases like malaria and giardia, both of which can lead to diarrhea....

One of the many symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is bleeding. Blood in or on the stool can be frightening. While it can be a sign of an emergency, it’s sometimes part of an IBD flare-up. IBD is a term for two gastrointestinal conditions with chronic inflammation—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. With either condition, blood might appear in or on the stool. Some people may pass no stool at all at times and just pass blood....

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, or a group of conditions that impact the body’s ability to control blood sugar, you may find yourself searching for a good diabetic diet meal plan. Individuals with diabetes need to manage and control their intake of carbohydrates, or a nutrient broken down into blood sugar. Doing so not only helps to control blood sugars but can also reduce the risk of serious health issues like heart conditions....

Officials in San Francisco recently announced that they will be easing mask requirements in the city for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The eased restrictions will remain in effect as long as case counts and hospitalizations rates remain stable or decline. Key Takeaways San Francisco officials are easing masking requirements for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new policy will begin on October 15, and continue as long as COVID case counts remain low....

When a reaction stays with one area of the body, it’s known as a localized reaction. When inflammation spreads from a localized area of one organ (like the skin) to other organ systems in the body, it’s known as a systemic reaction. The inflammation can be from toxins, allergies or infections. Anaphylaxis (Allergies) Anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction related to allergies. It occurs when an allergic reaction moves from a single organ system (most commonly the integumentary system, which is the skin) to include at least one other system....

You’ve been using Retin-A (tretinoin) to treat your acne. Now your skin is dry and peeling. And it almost looks worse than the acne itself. Peeling, flaky skin is common with any topical retinoid like Retin-A. This side effect tends to be worst during the first few weeks of use. But don’t ditch your treatment. This article leads you step-by-step through how to reduce the side effects and help your skin look and feel better....

If you’ve ever eaten Eastern Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine, there’s a good chance that you have encountered turmeric. Turmeric is a yellow colored powder that is often used as a food-coloring agent and as a spice in a variety of foods. It belongs to the ginger family and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to treat inflammation, infections, and various gastrointestinal ailments. Health Benefits The medicinal properties of turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, have been recognized for centuries....

Last week, the Biden administration announced that they will be purchasing half a billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and donating them to 92 low- and lower-middle-income countries and the African Union. Key Takeaways The United States government will purchase 500 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and donate them to low- and lower-middle-income countries.This donation won’t affect vaccine availability in the U.S., experts say.While this is the largest-ever purchase and donation of vaccines by a single country, more efforts are needed to get the globe vaccinated....

The COVID-19 pandemic led to more telehealth visits and an avalanche of online communication requests from patients using popular online portals such as MyChart. Many patients have enjoyed the convenient free messaging tool, but it hasn’t been so great for providers. Now, many healthcare institutions are starting to charge for the time spent answering patient emails. Key Takeaways Many healthcare systems are now charging patients for using MyChart to communicate with providers....

Cataracts are a cloudy space in the lens of your eye. More than half of Americans age 80 or older have developed a cataract. Cataracts can cause blurry vision and can make reading, driving, and participating in other activities challenging. While some risk factors for cataracts are out of your control (like your family history) there are some dietary and lifestyle changes that you can make to reduce your risk....

Nowadays, you can see a variety of skincare products at the drugstore or department store making all sorts of anti-aging claims. As you peruse the aisles, you may find you’re more confused than ever about what to put on your skin. Do any of these products work? With concerns like wrinkles, sun damage, and dry or dull skin, which ingredients should you choose? While no product will stop the hands of time, some may actually help slow it down....

Having a loose toenail or fingernail can be a troubling symptom, especially if you don’t know what caused it. Usually, getting a loose nail is a gradual process that only impacts part of the nail. However, in certain cases, like if there’s been trauma to the nail, the entire nail can come loose rather quickly. This article explores the reasons why a nail may detach from the nail bed. It will also cover what to do if your nail is loose and what treatment options are available....

Mental health is integral to overall health. According to one study, approximately 43 million Americans live with a diagnosable mental health condition. What’s more, many individuals with mental health conditions cannot afford care and don’t have health insurance to offset the cost. Community mental health was born out of a need for better ways to treat people living with serious mental health conditions. State and federal funding is allocated to local mental health services to provide care to underserved and lower-income communities....

Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) is a form of the hormone DHEA that tends to be slightly elevated in people with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). If your healthcare provider suspects or is monitoring your PCOS, they may order a blood test to measure your levels. The amount of DHEAS in your blood can help your provider evaluate PCOS and rule out other medical conditions that have similar symptoms. Changes In DHEAS Levels DHEAS is secreted by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant circulating steroid hormone in humans....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a letter on Monday it would issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) of a COVID-19 neutralizing antibody treatment made by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. Key Takeaways The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) of a coronavirus antibody treatment made by Eli Lilly. The antibody cocktail is called bamlanivimab and has been authorized for use in recently diagnosed, high-risk patients 12 years and older....

You may have heard all about colon cleansing, good bacteria, and bad bacteria, but what are gut flora? Gut flora is the slang term given to both good and bad bacteria that live inside your digestive tract. The type and amount of bacteria present depend on their location in your body (small intestine versus colon). As the storage house for stool, your colon is filled with hundreds of different types of bacteria, which have specific jobs to do....

Itchy muscles are common, particularly during physical activity. This sensation—also called “pruritus”—is often felt under the skin and isn’t always relieved by scratching. In some cases, itchy muscles can also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. This article discusses various causes of itchy muscles and how to treat this symptom. What Causes Itchy Muscles? Itchy muscles can occur with exercise, as a symptom of a medical condition, or from other causes, such as side effects of medication....

There are many reasons you can experience a loss of appetite, clinically referred to as anorexia. Cancer or other chronic diseases, aging, and mental health conditions may cause anorexia. It can also be the side effect of certain medications and cancer treatments. Lack of nutrition due to anorexia causes weight loss, fatigue, and weakness and can become fatal. If you’re having trouble eating or feel nauseated for a day or more, call your provider or consider emergency help....