Posts

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that affects about 10% of Americans. Eczema can affect all ages, genders and races, but some people are at increased risk. The condition is slightly more common in Asians than in White or Black people. Although it can start in adulthood, 75% of people with eczema first have symptoms in childhood. Learn more about eczema, including eczema facts, figures and treatment protocols, below. Eczema Overview Eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes red, itchy patches on the skin....

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by faulty collagen (a protein in connective tissue). Connective tissue helps support the skin, muscles, ligaments, and organs of the body. People who have the defect in their connective tissue associated with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome may have symptoms which include joint hypermobility, skin which is easily stretched and bruised, and fragile tissues. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome has been classified into six types:...

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is a medicinal herb said to offer a wide range of health benefits. Although it is also referred to as “Siberian ginseng,” eleuthero does not belong to the same family as “true” ginseng, which includes Korean or Asian ginseng and American ginseng. Eleuthero is available as a dietary supplement and sometimes used in skincare products. What Is Eleuthero Used For? Eleuthero is thought to act as an adaptogen, a class of herbs that supposedly boost the body’s resistance to stress....

Heartburn is a burning pain behind your breastbone. It happens because of acid reflux, which occurs when stomach acid moves from your stomach up to your esophagus. Heartburn is often a sign of underlying conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn in pregnancy is usually caused by hormonal changes or the growth of the fetus. It affects 17% to 45% of pregnant women. It’s normal to experience it, although with the right diet and lifestyle, you can prevent heartburn during pregnancy....

In the second year of the pandemic, Americans have several options for vaccines against COVID-19: The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are safe, effective, and widely available. Key Takeaways Pharmaceutical companies intentionally color code and create visual reminders to help tell the difference between different COVID-19 dosages. Going to your local pharmacy for your vaccine may add a layer of reassurance.Verbal communication and checking among providers at pharmacies also help prevent errors when giving vaccines....

Holiday meals are what dreams are made of. From decadent cheese boards to a traditional turkey or ham, enjoying a classic meal with family and friends (or by yourself—thanks COVID-19) is a time-honored tradition that many of us look forward to. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six people (or 48 million people) gets sick with a foodborne illness annually.Taking simple steps to store, cool, and reheat your leftovers properly can help prevent a food poisoning situation over the holidays and beyond....

Liposarcoma is a type of soft tissue cancer that develops in fat cells. It most commonly forms in the legs, arms, or abdomen. This cancer typically starts in the layer of fat in the tendons, muscles, and/or nerves. In the beginning stages, the tumor typically appears as a painless, harmless lump under the skin, but as it grows, it may become large enough to put pressure on muscles, nerves, or organs nearby....

There are a number of ways to help prevent colon cancer. In addition to receiving medical tests that help detect the disease early on, you can make lifestyle changes to reduce your colon cancer risk. Natural Remedies for Colon Cancer Prevention To date, few natural remedies or alternative therapies have been found to play a significant role in colon cancer prevention. However, preliminary research suggests that the following substances may help reduce colon cancer risk to some degree....

When air leaks from your mouth while using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), you may seek a solution. You may experience dry mouth and be concerned about possible tooth decay. Should you tape your lips shut to prevent the leak? Why might taping your lips be a bad idea? Learn about the options and alternatives—including the use of a chinstrap or full-face mask—that might provide you a more comfortable experience....

Undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging scan, also known as an MRI, can often be an uncomfortable experience for many patients, especially children. This unease often leads to fidgeting which can ruin test results. Because of this, researchers have long since tried to find ways to improve the experience. Key Takeaways Getting an MRI scan done can be uncomfortable, especially for children, which sometimes hinders the accuracy of the results.To alleviate the discomfort of getting an MRI scan, researchers developed a virtual reality system to distract the patient....

If your child has knee pain, he or she may have a condition known as Osgood-Schlatter disease. The condition is sometimes considered “knee growing pains,” and it affects children typically between the ages of 10 and 15 years. If you suspect your child has Osgood-Schlatter disease, what are the things that you should do first to get started on treatment? By understanding the first things you should do, you can make sure you get the proper treatment–at the proper time–for your child’s Osgood-Schlatter disease....

If you are evaluated by a sleep specialist, he or she may recommend that you record your sleep patterns with a sleep log or sleep diary. But how exactly is a sleep log used to diagnose sleep problems? Learn how to use a sleep log template to diagnose insomnia, recognize poor sleep habits, and even identify circadian rhythm disorders. What Is a Sleep Log or Sleep Diary? A sleep log or sleep diary is a paper or electronic record that is used to track your sleep patterns over an extended period of time....

Relief of allergic rhinitis often requires a scheduled medication regimen to prevent allergy symptoms like a runny, itchy nose, and congestion. Your healthcare provider may prescribe Flonase (fluticasone propionate) nasal spray or azelastine nasal spray for this purpose. Although effective on their own, some may find that they need the added benefit of using these medications together. It is generally considered safe to use both Flonase and azelastine for the treatment of your allergic rhinitis....

Vitamin B12 is used by the body for several different purposes. Our bodies need vitamin B12 to function properly and especially to make more red blood cells. Some of the things vitamin B12 does include: regulating metabolismmaintenance of the central nervous systemcreation of red blood cells What Is Vitamin B12? Vitamin B12 is one of the water-soluble vitamins and is excreted in urine if it is not used by the body....

If you spend time in a healthcare facility, you may hear the term “ADL” used by staff. ADL is medical shorthand for “Activities of Daily Living.” Learning this shorthand and what it entails can help you advocate that your basic needs are addressed in a medical situation. By definition, ADLs are the essential tasks that each person needs to perform, on a regular basis, to sustain basic survival and well-being. The term helps healthcare professionals quickly communicate the level of assistance an individual might need or how their health is impacting their day-to-day life....

FODMAPs are a group of carbohydrates found in common foods identified as contributing to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Researchers have found that when people with IBS follow a diet low in FODMAPs, many experience significant symptom relief. What Does FODMAP Stand for? The term FODMAP is an acronym coined by a group of researchers at Monash University in Australia as a way to refer to these particular carbohydrates:...

You’ve probably heard of Botox before, but you may not know exactly what it is. Botox Cosmetic is a purified and safe form of botulinum toxin A, produced by a microbe and causes botulism. When injected, Botox will temporarily paralyze the facial muscles preventing them from creating deep wrinkles, crow’s feet, and furrows in the skin. This article will go over what Botox Cosmetic is, how it works, and how it is used for cosmetic purposes....

Once the original strain of coronavirus started mutating, commonly used names for the variants were based on where they were first identified—U.K., Brazil, India, and South Africa—even though they were also given scientific names, like B.1.1.7. Key Takeaways The World Health Organization has renamed coronavirus variants using the Greek alphabet.The WHO hopes that this change will help combat the stigma and discrimination associated with geography-based names.Experts say this name change is good and will encourage people to refrain from associating a virus or pathogen with the place it was first identified....

Drinking too much alcohol can lead to a hangover the next day. While the threshold of what is considered to be “too much alcohol” varies from person to person, there are steps that you can take to lessen the potential for symptoms related to alcohol over-consumption, such as fatigue, nausea, and headaches. Key Takeaways Hangovers happen if you drink more alcohol than your body can tolerate. The symptoms include fatigue, poor sleep, nausea, headache, and excessive thirst....

Though widespread use of antidepressants has helped millions manage depressive symptoms with success, new research suggests these drugs are not associated with improved quality of life in the long run. Key Takeaways While antidepressants often help people with depressive disorder manage their symptoms, new research shows that the use of these drugs is not associated with improved quality of life in the long term.Experts say antidepressants are meant to reduce the symptoms of depression, but that does not necessarily mean a patient will suddenly have a happier, more fulfilling life....