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Whiplash injuries occur when a forceful impact (commonly from behind) causes the head and neck to snap forward and back in an abrupt, violent motion. It is commonly seen in car accidents, and some contact sports, such as football, can lead to whiplash injuries. Causes Whiplash, also called cervical hyperextension injury or flexion-extension neck injury, refers to an injury to the soft tissues of the neck including the ligaments, tendons, and muscles....

Zantac (ranitidine) is an over-the-counter drug most commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Ranitidine is also used to treat other conditions which involve an excess of stomach acid and can prevent the occurrence of stomach and intestinal ulcers. Ranitidine is a drug in the class of histamine-2 blockers and can be taken as a syrup or pill. April 1, 2020 Update: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of all medications containing the ingredient ranitidine, known by the brand name Zantac....

Zicam Cold Remedy is a homeopathic remedy. Some people think it can make the symptoms of the common cold get better faster. Zicam products are sold over-the-counter (OTC). Zinc is the active ingredient in Zicam Cold Remedy products that you take by mouth (oral). Some evidence suggests that zinc may shorten colds. The original zinc Zicam nasal sprays were recalled because they had serious side effects. The active ingredients in the new nasal Zicam products are plant-based....

If people with dementia shared their thoughts and feelings with us, these 10 things might be some of the many things they’d point out. 1. They’d Like a Little Respect People with Alzheimer’s or another dementia aren’t children. They’re adults who had jobs, families, and responsibilities. They may have been very accomplished in their field. They are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers. 2. They’re Not Deaf Yes, you may need to slow down the amount of information you provide at once or use a few other strategies to effectively communicate....

It sounds too strange to be true, but it is actually possible for people to begin to act their dreams out. This can manifest in bizarre and astonishing ways. Though typically episodic, when dream enactment occurs it can cause serious harm to the afflicted person or a bed partner. These behaviors are most commonly associated with REM behavior disorder (RBD). Interestingly, these unusual episodes may predict the later development of other neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and even Parkinson’s disease....

Dry, chapped hands can make cold months tough to bear, and many people find it’s a bigger problem as they get older. While lots of creams and lotions boast “extreme” or “ultimate” hydrating powers, certain ingredients in moisturizers are more effective than others when it comes to healing finger cracks and other symptoms of chapped skin. What to Look For When buying a moisturizer, seek out products that contain ingredients known to soothe dry skin....

Did your healthcare provider tell you that you have irritable bowel syndrome, but you don’t have the kind of crippling pain you hear others say they have with IBS? You may wonder if it’s possible to have IBS and not have pain. The answer may lie with your healthcare provider using older criteria for IBS where discomfort was listed rather than pain. Pain as a Criteria for IBS Diagnosis Technically, to receive a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), your symptoms must meet specific criteria established by the Rome Foundation....

A dominant eye test can tell you which of your eyes is the dominant one. Your dominant eye is the eye that sends slightly more information to your brain. It tends to be the eye that gets the most use. You may notice this preference when you use a camera, microscope, or telescope. It is also referred to as “ocular dominance.” This article discusses how to find your dominant eye and when eye dominance can make a difference....

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a rare disorder in which white blood cells known a eosinophils build up in the body, causing inflammation in different areas including the muscles, skin, and lungs. Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome can cause symptoms like itchy rash, fatigue, and joint pain, but also serious complications like irregular heartbeat and memory issues. It can even be fatal. There is no test for EMS, so it may be misdiagnosed as a condition with similar symptoms such as fibromyalgia or lupus....

Gum disease, or periodontal disease, is a disorder that involves the periodontium (oral soft tissue and bone support structures of your teeth). When you have good oral hygiene and health, typically your gums will snugly hug each tooth, providing support along with the bones of the jaw. When you develop gum disease, your gums will pull away from your teeth. As gum disease worsens, you risk your teeth falling out as the gums and bones that support your teeth become damaged....

Jess Scolieri, 37, is reinventing herself as she battles long COVID. Key Takeaways Exercising can aggravate symptoms such as fatigue and lightheadedness in long COVID patients.A recent study found that long COVID patients carry an SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein in cells that are mobilized by exercise, which tricks the body into thinking it has worked out more than usual.Former athletes with long COVID are learning to slow down and pace themselves to manage their condition....

Biological age, also called physiological age, is a measure of how well or poorly your body is functioning relative to your actual calendar age. For example, you may have a calendar age, or chronological age, of 65, but because of a healthy and active lifestyle—for example, by avoiding longevity threats like tobacco and obesity—your body is physiologically more similar to someone with a chronological age of 55. Your biological age would, therefore, be 55....

Prescription sunglasses are sunglasses with your own corrective prescription built into the lenses. Prescription sunglasses are great if you have a refractive error; they can protect your eyes from the sun and glare while enabling you to see clearly. Prescription sunglasses are available for almost all corrective prescriptions, with several options including bifocals and progressive lenses. Many people enjoy the convenience of clear vision with the luxury of shade from the bright sun....

Depending on the severity of a burn, which is based on depth and size, you might need to see a doctor or call 911. Regardless of the severity of the injury, follow these steps to immediately treat a burn: Flush the burned area with cool running water for several minutesCall 911 for a severe burn (see below to learn if your burn is severe)Apply a burn ointment or spray for painTake ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief if necessary Cool the Burn Stop the burning process by running the burn under cool water for at least five minutes....

Viral culture is a method that doctors use to grow and detect any viruses that may be present in an STD testing sample or other biological sample. For example, it could be used to grow herpes virus from a herpes sore. Viral culture is slightly more involved than bacterial culture. This is because, unlike bacteria, viruses cannot replicate on their own. A bacterial culture simply involves incubating the sample in an appropriate media (solution) where the bacteria can grow....

There are certain times of day or night when the body signals that it is hungry. Most people think about what they want to eat and let their taste buds lead them to their desired food; others have dietary restrictions. The feeling of being hungry comes from movements in your stomach signaling to the body that it is hungry. When this happens, it is generally the body letting you know that it wants and needs nutrients....

When genetic testing became commonly accessible via at-home tests or affordable in-office tests, many assumed that the results would change our understanding of our potential health issues in the future. This has proven true for some diagnoses like cancer, but when it comes to heart disease, it seems that a physician’s assessment is more valuable. Key Takeaways A new study suggests regular checkups are better indicators of heart health than genetic tests....

Dysphagia, a disorder that causes difficulty with chewing and swallowing food, affects a significant number of stroke patients, especially in the first two weeks following a stroke. In some cases, a stroke can damage the area of the brain responsible for swallowing. While many stroke survivors regain swallowing function quickly, this does not always happen. Dysphagia can cause serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, and malnutrition, and may occasionally lead to death....

Knee creaking can be a sign that you’ll eventually develop osteoarthritis (OA), but not always. Frequent, loud creaking is a better indicator of joint issues than occasional creaking, which many people experience from time to time without concern. Early treatment of OA can help slow or stop its progression, so it’s important to mention persistent noisy knees to your healthcare provider. This article looks at creaking knees, what the evidence says about their cause, and what you can do to improve your joint health and reduce creakiness....

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are especially likely to have a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in which breathing is interrupted by an intrusion in the back of the throat that shuts off the airway. This may be due to several factors, including joint abnormalities and immune-system features associated with both conditions. Fatigue is recognized as a huge problem for those living with rheumatoid arthritis. Identifying and treating OSA (and other sleep disorders) may help alleviate that symptom and make people with RA more functional....