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Certain foods may be helpful for boosting the immune system and preventing colds and the flu. Here’s a look at five types of nutrients that your immune system needs to perform and which foods to find them in. Vitamin C An essential nutrient, vitamin C acts as an antioxidant. There’s some evidence that vitamin C may be particularly helpful in boosting the immune systems of people under major stress. To increase your vitamin C intake, add these foods to your diet:...

Alcohol does not independently cause lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, chronic alcohol exposure can be harmful to your lungs, worsening your condition and compounding the respiratory damage done by toxins like cigarette smoke. While this is not the most common health complication of drinking, alcohol consumption—even moderate amounts—can impair your breathing abilities, especially if you have lung disease. If you have COPD or another pulmonary concern, examining your alcohol habits is a worthy part of your overall management strategy....

Chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux (GER), may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Acid reflux occurs when the contents of your stomach come back up into the esophagus. This causes the esophageal lining to burn, and over time can result in severe damage to the organ. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an acetic acid with other substances, such as lactic, citric, and malic acids, as well as bacteria....

Cortisone injections are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that reduces the inflammatory response of many painful conditions. Cortisone is effective for different types of arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis, among other conditions. Uses Cortisone can be used for a variety of orthopedic and rheumatological problems. The medication works by decreasing inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications can be taken orally, but doing so distributes the medication in very small doses throughout the entire body....

The Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is a fat transfer operation that’s used to graft fat through liposuction and inject it to contour the body. It can take up to six months before your swelling fully subsides after the procedure. Once you’ve completed your surgery and the initial recovery phases, it’s time to enjoy your full results. Keeping up with your healthcare provider’s appointments and recommendations post-BBL will guarantee the best outcome from your procedure for years to come....

A dietary recommendation released by the American Heart Association (AHA) in the late 1960s noted that individuals should be consuming no more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol each day. It also specifically recommended against consuming more than three eggs per week due to their high cholesterol content. The recommendation had a significant impact on dietary patterns. People consumed fewer eggs and, as a result, were missing out on the nutritional benefits this food provides....

As a licensed aesthetician, I always start off my skin care classes by telling my students I want to hear all of their most burning acne treatment questions. Invariably, at this point, someone asks, “Is it true that urine clears acne?” After the requisite display of shock and disgust from the rest of the class, everyone cheerfully gives their take on how best to apply pee to the face. Because, apparently, there are many variations of this routine....

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, sometimes called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs) are bacterial or viral infections that are usually spread through sexual contact. When it comes to STI transmission, some sex acts, like kissing, are considered to be lower risk than others. But kissing isn’t completely risk free. This article will explain everything you need to know about STIs and kissing, including the types of STIs that can be transmitted, diagnostic procedures, prevention, and more....

Does colon cancer hurt? Worrying that something is going to cause you pain is a completely normal reaction to learning that you have colon cancer. Unfortunately, the answer is not as straightforward as the question. Every person is an individual, which means that what you experience during treatment and recovery may not be the same as what I would experience. Cancer Pain Sources Cancer pain comes in many different forms, but the most important thing to remember is not every person fighting cancer has pain....

Many people rely on websites where patients can review their physicians to help them choose a doctor or assess their current provider, but the information on these sites can be misleading. A systematic literature review from the University of Buffalo found that many physician-rating websites (PRWs) include inaccurate information and data quality issues. Key Takeaways Physician rating websites can help you find a doctor, but there are data quality issues associated with these sites that can be misleading....

Depending on where you live, you might have to travel near or far for cancer treatment. Appointments that require air travel can get really expensive really quickly, even if you’re only going such a distance for treatment a few times a year. Luckily, there are flight assistance programs that provide free plane tickets for cancer patients, helping to ease the additional worry of travel costs. Several organizations help with flights by coordinating their network of volunteer pilots or snagging seats on commercial or corporate jets for free or at a reduced cost....

In addition to the core symptoms of eczema, the condition can also cause eczema complications, including eczema infection, eczema scars, an eczema sore, skin infections, pigment changes, bacterial dermatitis, and eczema herpeticum. This article will provide you with information on eczema complications. We’ll cover common complications and provide information on when to seek help. General Complications of Eczema Eczema is a chronic skin condition that is associated with common symptoms like itching and discomfort....

Genetic testing for Hemophilia A is widely available and includes carrier testing, direct DNA mutation testing, linkage testing, and prenatal testing. Affecting more than 20,000 Americans, hemophilia is a bleeding disorder caused by a genetic defect where the body is unable to produce one of the factors crucial for clotting. Thus, when a blood vessel is injured, uncontrolled bleeding occurs. There are two main types of hemophilia. Type A is due to a factor VIII deficiency while type B is due to a factor IX deficiency....

The main purpose of hip replacement surgery (a.k.a. hip arthroplasty) is to restore the integrity of the ball-and-socket joint between the thigh bone and pelvis, typically in patients with hip arthritis. The goals of this are to reduce persistent hip pain and/or disability that can occur when the hip is compromised. Diagnoses Related to Hip Replacement Surgery The most common diagnosis for patients undergoing hip replacement surgery is osteoarthritis (OA). OA develops when the smooth cartilage that normally cushions the hip joint deteriorates....

The pharmaceutical drug zolpidem - sold under the brand names of Ambien, Ambien CR, and Intermezzo - is a commonly prescribed hypnotic medication used to initiate sleep and to treat insomnia. What are the common side effects and dosage of Ambien? Learn about this medicine and important safety precautions and whether it is right for you to relieve difficulty sleeping. Uses Ambien is a hypnotic drug that has direct effects on the central nervous system, specifically the brain....

The initial symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be triggered by an upsetting event, but the effects may linger for months or even years. The effects of PTSD on sleep may be profound and range from insomnia to nightmares. What is PTSD? How does PTSD affect sleep? Learn about this condition and some of the treatment options. What Is PTSD? Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological condition that begins after a traumatic event and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted re-experiences of the event....

High-functioning autism (HFA) can be tricky to explain to others, as symptoms may not be as obvious as it is in children on the more severe end of the autism spectrum. All people with autism have problems with social communication and also tend to engage in repetitive, restricted behaviors. Those with HFA—formerly known as Asperger’s syndrome, and sometimes known as “mild autism”—tend to be intelligent and capable as well. Hence, it may not always be obvious to people in your child’s life that they aren’t neurotypical....

Although the long-awaited COVID-19 vaccines are here, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the demand will most likely exceed the current supply. On December 11, 2020, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), made a recommendation to the CDC that people who live in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, should be prioritized in the vaccine rollout. Key Takeaways A federal advisory panel has recommended that long-term care residents be prioritized to receive the COVID-19 vaccine....

Lupus is one of those mysterious diseases that doctors haven’t quite pinned down. No one knows for sure how or why it occurs. However, most experts believe lupus is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors—that is, things you can and cannot control. It won’t be until the science catches up with the disease that we will truly understand its roots. In the meantime, we can look at contributors believed to factor into lupus as scientists understand them now....

Surgery is one of the options that is sometimes considered for the treatment of a meniscus tear. A meniscal tear is an injury of the meniscus—a strong, supportive, and flexible tissue in your knee, and it can often be treated non-operatively. Non-surgical treatments for meniscus tear may include: Physical therapy Strengthening exercises Anti-inflammatory medications Cortisone injections Why Meniscus Repair Surgery Is Needed Surgical treatments include meniscectomy (partial or complete removal of the meniscus) or a repair of the tear....