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A keloid is an abnormal scar that may also be itchy, painful, and spreads beyond the original borders of the skin injury. There are many ways to treat keloids, but if you know you are likely to form keloids, the most effective strategy is to prevent keloid formation in the first place. How to Prevent Keloid Formation You can prevent keloid formation by avoiding skin injuries like: This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing....

The ZOE COVID Symptom Study in the United Kingdom has been tracking reports of COVID-19 cases and symptoms for scientific research. A few months ago, the data from the study suggested that the most common symptom of COVID was either a runny nose or a headache. Key Takeaways Data from the ZOE COVID Symptom Study suggests that a sore throat is now the most common symptom reported by people infected with the Omicron subvariant BA....

In the midst of what many doctors fear is another wave of infection, scientists are finding new ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. A recent study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University found alcohol-free hand sanitizers work just as well at disinfecting against COVID-19 as alcohol-based products. Key Takeaways With supplies of alcohol-based hand sanitizers hard to find in stores, a recent study finds alcohol is not necessary to disinfect surfaces....

A reader wrote in to describe experiencing side effects after switching from a name brand high blood pressure drug to a generic version. Patients should know that this is a real phenomenon, and is not “in your head.” Though rare, I have seen patients who had no problems with a name brand drug develop certain side effects when switched to generic versions. These side effects were all mild things like a headache and upset stomach and usually went away in a short period of time....

Have you ever seen the effects of a child visiting someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia? If you have, you know that the effect that children have is significant, especially for older adults who are living with dementia. It’s not uncommon to witness a child enter the facility and see a dramatic change in the engagement levels of persons with dementia. Suddenly, “Sarah the resident” is smiling, leaning toward the child and talking to her....

On October 9, the U.S. government released an update to its National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB), which aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and subsequent infections. There are more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections—and 35,000 deaths—in the U.S. each year. Key Takeaways The U.S. government released an update to its National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB), which aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and subsequent infections.The update calls for more integration between government entities....

Can a tennis ball actually prevent you from snoring? Learn how a properly utilized tennis ball may keep you off your back and prevent snoring and even positional sleep apnea. The Role of Position in Snoring and Sleep Apnea Inevitably, breathing becomes more disturbed when we sleep on our backs. This position allows gravity to shift the tongue and tissues of the soft palate into our airway. This will obstruct the airflow from our nose or mouth to our lungs....

The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in the U.S. continues to increase, bringing with it a hope that we may soon return to pre-pandemic activities and normalcy. Key Takeaways Currently, it’s not recommended that you greet people with a handshake, hug, or kiss, even if you’re fully vaccinated.Experts say we may need to reach herd immunity before these can be considered safe again. If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, it’s understandable to wonder when you can do everyday habits again, like shaking hands or giving someone a kiss on the cheek....

Long-term care after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery involves strengthening your leg with physical therapy and learning how to avoid reinjury. Benefits of Surgery Initial management of an ACL tear is focused on reducing pain and swelling with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). Pre-operative physical therapy is usually started in the week after the initial injury to help restore the knee joint’s range of motion. During ACL surgery, the torn ligament is typically replaced by a soft tissue graft....

Kellogg, the maker of Pop-Tarts, is facing a class-action lawsuit over its allegedly misleading food labeling of strawberry Pop-Tarts. Key Takeaways A lawsuit filed against Kellogg’s alleged that strawberry Pop-Tarts contain fewer strawberries than expected because of misleading labeling and marketing.The lawsuit claimed that Pop-Tarts took advantage of customers who were willing to pay more for healthy ingredients.Pop-Tarts are just one of the many food products that have been sued recently over their labeling....

If you’ve injured your neck or back on the job, you’ve likely experienced a musculoskeletal disorder (MSK). A work-related MSK is defined as a problem that occurs at work—even if it takes a while to develop—that affects your nerves, muscles, and/or tendons. MSDs are one of the biggest contributors to lost employee work time. According to OSHA, which is the Occupational Safety and Health Agency of the U.S. federal government, just over one-third of workplace injuries that took place in 2015 were MSDs....

You may wonder why clinicians advocate for an early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. After all, might that just result in a longer time for people to experience feelings of hopelessness and grief? If there was nothing that could be done in response to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, many might advocate for delaying diagnosis for as long as possible. However, there are actually many reasons to see your physician earlier, rather than later, if you or your loved one is experiencing symptoms of early stage dementia....

Medical experts find that it’s generally OK to kneel after a partial or full knee replacement. Though it may not be comfortable, it should not cause harm. Ultimately, getting the green light from your healthcare provider will depend on your age, the type of surgery you had, the reason it was done, and the degree of pain you experience. This article presents research on kneeling after knee replacement, what you can expect after your surgery, and how to ensure the best long-term outcomes....

HIV testing in infants and toddlers (age 18 months or less) varies significantly from how adults are tested. Rather than testing for HIV antibodies (the protein produced by the immune system in the presence of HIV), doctors will instead test for the actual presence of HIV using what is called a qualitative viral assay. This differs from quantitative viral assay (a.k.a the “viral load’) used to measure HIV in a person’s blood....

A hospice home health aide, also commonly referred to as an HHA, is trained to provide personal care to patients in their own home environment. Home health aides may be hired privately by patients or their families or provided directly by a home health or hospice agency. Home health aides from hospice and home health agencies may visit patients one to three days a week to provide thorough care. They interact with the patient and perform some variation of the above services during such visits....

Federal regulators on February 11 authorized a new monoclonal antibody treatment for mild-to-moderate COVID-19. Key Takeaways Lilly’s monoclonal antibody treatment, called bebtelovimab, received FDA emergency use authorization for mild-to-moderate COVID.The drug appears to be effective against Omicron and other variants of concern.The FDA said the drug should be administered only when other treatment options aren’t accessible or clinically appropriate. The drug, bebtelovimab, is authorized for people 12 years and older who test positive for COVID-19 and are at high risk of hospitalization or death....

Blood glucose testing is a way of monitoring the levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. It’s a key aspect of managing diabetes: Done regularly, it can indicate how well insulin supplements, medication, lifestyle changes, and other aspects of diabetes care are working to keep your glucose levels from spiking too high (hyperglycemia) or dipping too low (hypoglycemia). Either situation can cause damage to your body over many years, leading to potentially serious complications....

During the holiday season, or during weddings, graduations, or other occasions where more alcohol than usual is often consumed, it is not uncommon for otherwise healthy young people to develop episodes of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation that occurs after such celebrations is a condition commonly known as “holiday heart.” Atrial Fibrillation and Holiday Heart Atrial fibrillation is a fairly common heart rhythm disturbance that often produces significant symptoms, especially easy fatiguability and palpitations....

For Black Americans and other people of color, accessing mental healthcare can be a challenge. As experts shine a light on barriers to access during July’s Minority Mental Health Month, they’re hopeful the rise of mental health apps can help. Key Takeaways People of color often struggle to access mental healthcare.Teletherapy and mental health apps can break down some barriers to mental health access by connecting users with therapists, meditations, and other mental health resources....

Hyperekplexia (HPX), as defined by the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD), is a hereditary neurological disorder. The condition is considered rare. HPX may occur in utero or newborns and infants. Both children and adults can be affected by the disorder as well. HPX may be known as other names, including: Familial startle diseaseHereditary hyperekplexiaStartle syndromeStiff-baby syndrome People with HPX demonstrate a magnified startle response to loud sounds or other surprising stimuli....