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Opioids are often prescribed to help with pain after surgery, but a new study suggests they may not always be necessary. In some situations, Advil and other over-the-counter medications might be even better. Key Takeaways Opioids are commonly prescribed to control pain after surgery.New research finds NSAIDs, like aspirin and ibuprofen, may be more effective than opioids.Doctors say NSAIDs aren’t necessarily better in all post-surgical situations. The study, which was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 40 randomized controlled trials of more than 5,100 adults and their pain after surgery....

A nevus is a benign (noncancerous) melanocytic tumor, more commonly called a mole. Nevi (the plural of nevus) are not usually present at birth but begin to appear in children and teenagers. Most moles will never cause any problems, but a person who has 50 or more moles is more likely to develop melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. What Is Skin Cancer? Skin cancer—the abnormal growth of skin cells—most often develops on skin exposed to the sun....

Among the treatments for back pain associated with spine compression fracture, kyphoplasty is an effective minimally-invasive surgery that works by repairing collapsed vertebrae. Because it doesn’t require large incisions, recovery from kyphoplasty surgery is relatively quick. Typically, you can drive and go back to (most) work two days afterward and can return to strenuous exercise at four to six weeks. However, treatment doesn’t end with surgery; it takes attention and lifestyle adjustments to ensure back problems don’t come back....

If the scar is negatively affecting your level of self-confidence, you may be wondering whether you should try using the over-the-counter topical cream Mederma. This product lists its active ingredient as Allium cepa, or onion extract. Read on for a Mederma scar cream review. Mederma’s Effect on Scars If you have a scar on some part of your skin—such as an acne scar, a surgery scar, a burn scar, or a scar from a cut—you might feel embarrassed by it....

While it may be easy to decide that you want to donate blood, if you have multiple sclerosis (MS), you may wonder if it’s permitted and safe. While the American Red Cross, an organization that stores and transports blood for disaster relief, does not list MS as an exclusion, there are times when donating when you have this neurological disease is not advised. Depending on which type of MS you have, you may times when you feel better or worse....

A comfortable office chair has armrests you can adjust to the height that helps you avoid tension in your shoulders, neck or arms. When the armrests on your office chair are properly adjusted, your arms will be close to your side, your shoulders will likely relax more, and each of your forearms will be supported equally. All well and good, you say. But there are so many gizmos on that chair!...

Stress is something everybody experiences throughout life. It is how the body and brain react to any need or demand that it sees as a challenge or obstacle. However, it is not necessarily a negative, as some people see short-term stress as motivating, as with an exam or job interview. In one study that also examined an association with social media use, the Pew Research Center used the Perceived Stress Scale to evaluate the stress levels of American adults....

Pulling out your eyelashes can be a symptom of various conditions, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or trichotillomania. You may find the urge to pull out your hair overwhelming, and once the hair is pulled out, you feel relief. In this sense, it’s a compulsion. Your eyelashes help keep dirt and dust out of your eyes, so not having eyelashes makes the eye vulnerable to possible complications. Pulling out the eyelashes can also lead to irritation and infection, so getting help is important....

A revision knee replacement surgery is a procedure that is performed to replace a knee implant that is no longer functioning properly. Knee replacement implants are designed to last a long time, but they do not last forever, and there are a number of problems that can occur necessitating a repeat surgery to replace the implant. Revision knee replacement is a major surgery because performing a replacement surgery can be much more complicated the second (or third, or fourth) time in the joint....

Penicillins and cephalosporins are both antibiotics that are structurally similar to each other. As a result, people who have a history of penicillin allergy often ask whether they can take a cephalosporin. Before answering this question, though, it’s important to first determine whether or not a person is truly allergic to penicillin—a common misconception that can affect care and treatment options. Penicillin: A Beta-Lactam Antibiotic Penicillin is perhaps the most well-known member of a group of antibiotics called beta-lactams....

Scabies spreads through close contact. It can affect anyone but is most common among people living in close quarters, like dorms, nursing homes, or prisons. Prescription skin cream is the first-line treatment for scabies. It is applied at night and rinsed off in the morning. While this treatment is necessary to kill scabies, home remedies can help control and prevent their spread. This article explains home remedies for scabies that can help you feel better soon....

Obstructive sleep apnea surgery, like any surgery, is performed when there is a clear goal. The most common purposes of sleep apnea surgery are to: Reduce or eliminate obstructive sleep apneaImprove the ability to tolerate positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy or alternatives like an oral appliance mouthpiece For those who are interested in obstructive sleep apnea surgery, it is important to understand the factors that relate to the diagnosis and procedure selection....

Stiff person syndrome (SPS), also called Moersch-Woltmann syndrome, is a rare nervous system disorder that causes muscle stiffness and spasms. Though the cause isn’t known, research suggests that SPS is also an autoimmune disorder, and people with it often have other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, or thyroiditis as well. Stiff person syndrome affects females more often than males. It most often begins between the ages of 30 and 60 but can also appear in children and older adults....

Taking glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for one year or longer is associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Glucosamine and chondroitin are popular supplement choices for joint pain relief and joint health, although data to support this relationship is conflicting.Taking these supplements has been linked to improved mortality in multiple studies.Including these supplements in an overall healthy diet may help you experience positive outcomes....

Intense social distancing measures—like lockdowns and school and business closures—have been widely used in the United States in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers are now examining whether there are less socially and economically disruptive ways to combat a possible resurgence. Key Takeaways Experts say that to prepare for a resurgence of COVID-19—and future pandemics—we need to find alternatives to intense social distancing measures.A new study examining different public health strategies found that combining methods like face masks and social distancing can slow the spread of the virus....

Donating bone marrow can have side effects and risks, but in general, it is considered a very safe process. Still, the question about whether to expect pain and what the procedure entails is an important one to ask. This article looks at the risks and side effects of bone marrow donation. It also covers what you can expect when you’ve chosen to donate your bone marrow and stem cells to someone who is coping with cancer or another related condition....

Osteoarthritis of the shoulder can affect the two joints in the shoulder area—the acromioclavicular joint and the glenohumeral joint. if you have persistent shoulder pain, it could be caused by osteoarthritis— early diagnosis and treatment help you manage your symptoms. Causes The shoulder is considered the most movable joint in the body, but because of its range of motion, it’s also less stable than other joints. To remain stable, the shoulder is supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments....

Hair loss with chemotherapy (chemo) varies based on the type of chemotherapy drug or the combination of drugs used, the dosage, and the type of cancer you have. Your healthcare team can help you determine if you are at risk of hair loss with your treatment, but it can vary from person to person, even when taking the same drug. This article covers the chemo hair loss timeline, how to care for your hair and prepare for hair loss, how to care for your scalp after hair loss, and what it’s like when hair grows back....

Wrist tendonitis is irritation and inflammation of the tendons at the wrist joint. It can be caused by overuse and repetitive movements like texting, playing video games, or writing. Treatment for wrist tendonitis can include rest, icing, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), hand therapy, and cortisone injections. This article gives you an overview of wrist tendonitis, including what it is and who’s most likely to get it. You’ll learn the symptoms and causes of wrist tendonitis and how it’s diagnosed and treated....

Sleep-onset insomnia is one of the two types of behavioral insomnia of childhood. It occurs when a parent’s absence at bedtime causes a child to have difficulty falling asleep. This condition often occurs in infants and younger children around bedtime or after awakenings during the night. Causes As with adults, a child’s ability to fall asleep sleep may be based on conditions present in their sleep environment. These may include lighting, noise, and temperature....