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Cyclobenzaprine is a muscle relaxer that is available in generic form as well as under the brand names Flexeril and Amrix. It’s considered a second-line treatment for fibromyalgia. This drug is a derivative of tricyclic antidepressants, which are commonly prescribed for this condition, and has similar, mild effects. Cyclobenzaprine isn’t approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for fibromyalgia, but it is frequently prescribed off-label for it. Cyclobenzaprine relaxes your muscles by acting on your central nervous system....

Bell’s palsy is believed to be related to nerve damage and can be treated with medication or alternative approaches. Most cases will go away on their own, but treatment may help temporary paralysis of the facial muscles resolve faster. Symptoms Bell’s palsy symptoms typically appear suddenly and reach their peak about 48 hours after they start. In most cases, only one side of the face becomes paralyzed. The condition may vary in severity, from mild muscle weakness to complete paralysis....

Healthcare workers have widely criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s decision to shorten its recommended isolation period from 10 days to five days for people infected with COVID-19. Key Takeaways The CDC shortened its isolation guidance for people with COVID-19 to five days without requiring an additional test.Healthcare workers criticized the agency’s decision, saying that it jeopardizes the safety of both the workers and patients.Experts say that Omicron appears to be contagious for a shorter amount of time than previous variants, which could be reason for the agency’s change....

Palmar erythema is a skin condition in which the palms of the hands develop a red rash. The rash is usually not itchy or painful. Palmar erythema may occur on its own, or it may occur secondarily to a more serious underlying disease. It is not harmful by itself, although it may be a warning sign of an underlying condition. In this article, learn more about palmar erythema and its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

There is no good evidence that one type of diet is superior to another for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Some research shows women with PCOS can benefit from following a low-carbohydrate or low-glycemic index (GI) diet, which can aid in managing weight loss and reducing the risk of diabetes. However, another study showed that a high protein/low carb diet and a low protein/high carb diet were equally effective for weight loss, improvement in insulin resistance and menstrual cycles in women with PCOS....

A root canal is a dental procedure to fix a tooth that cannot be filled or restored any other way. If the tooth is severely decayed into the nerve of the tooth and / or abscessed, root canal treatment is usually the only option to save the tooth. Your regular dentist might do the root canal, but he / she may send you to an endodontist. What’s Involved in a Root Canal?...

Most people who use whiten their teeth experience few or no side effects and are satisfied with the results. However, some people may encounter one or more side effects associated with teeth whitening. Tooth sensitivity and soft tissue irritation are two common ones. Side effects of teeth whitening may vary depending on whether you are doing an at-home treatment or get a professional one. They may also depend on the whitening agent, which can include:...

Insomnia can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. However, whether insomnia causes these conditions or is merely associated with them is unclear. Insomnia affects 10% to 15% of people in the general population. But nearly 44% of people who have heart problems report frequent insomnia, making this one of the most common symptoms of heart failure. The Link Between Insomnia and Heart Failure Risk Insomnia is defined as difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, or waking too early in the morning (or all three)....

The composition of the average human man can be broken down into a series of specific physical measurements and statistics—some of which might surprise you. For example, an average man’s head is about 7% of his body weight. That means the average man with a weight of 172 pounds has a head that weighs more than 12 pounds! By identifying these standard stats and measures, some health issues can be more easily identified when a specific measure skews outside of these averages; however, also being averages, variations do not necessarily mean there is a health issue....

More and more chemotherapy drugs, pills, or liquids that are taken by mouth (orally) are being developed each year. For leukemia or lymphoma patients, some of these drugs may include Gleevec (imatinib), Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), Venclexta (venetoclax), and Imbruvica (ibrutinib). In most cases, taking oral chemotherapy is a welcome change for patients. It is often less expensive, in the case of older drugs (though newer drugs can be quite a bit more expensive), and may be just as effective....

Work simplification describes the making of daily tasks easier in order to reduce strain or to decrease the amount energy required to complete an activity. Occupational therapists often combine energy conservation and work simplification techniques for people with chronic pain conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia. Work simplification techniques range from low-tech (such as using no-scrub cleaners) to high-tech (such as using voice recognition software for typing). Some other examples include:...

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an uncommon type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). It arises from T-cells, which is the type of white blood cell that is responsible for protecting the body from infections. It may be abbreviated ATCL and was formerly called angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. What Does Angioimmunoblastic Mean? The term angio refers to blood vessels. This lymphoma has certain unusual features including an increase in the number of small abnormal blood vessels in the body parts that are affected....

Ankle sprains are a common sports injury that can cause pain and swelling of the joint. In the vast majority of patients, non-surgical treatments will alleviate pain and restore function to the joint. However, there are some situations where surgery may be necessary to stabilize the ankle joint to allow a return to full activities for the patient. Indications for Surgery After Ankle Sprain In general, there are two situations where surgery may be considered....

A severe headache that comes on suddenly can be a sign of a stroke, though there are other possible causes as well. Regardless, most causes of these so-called thunderclap headaches can be serious. If you experience one, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room at once. This is true whether this is your only symptom or you have others. For example, a stroke-related headache may be accompanied by dizziness, slurred speech, and blurred vision....

Atonic colon (pronounced ay-TAW-nik KOH-lun) occurs when there is a lack of normal muscle tone or strength in the colon. Also, known as lazy colon or colon stasis, it may result in chronic constipation. When your intestines are backed up, as in constipation, it slows the rate in which your stomach can empty, which in turn may cause heartburn. Atonic colon is essentially a “vicious circle” phenomena. Constipation can lead to reduced bowel activity, which in turn can lead to a worsening of constipation, and so on....

Stroke affects nearly 800,000 Americans each year. It is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. A basilar artery stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. This can happen if the vessel becomes blocked (an ischemic stroke) or ruptured (hemorrhagic stroke). The basilar artery is located at the base of the brain, where the two vertebral arteries come together. It serves as the main blood supply to the back of the brain, where the occipital lobes, cerebellum, and brainstem are located....

Acrylic nails are a popular type of artificial nail used to add glamour, length, and strength to natural nails. If you’ve heard rumors that acrylic nails could be linked to cancer, you might be worried about the potential for fingernail cancer or skin cancer under your nail after getting a manicure. However, the potential link between acrylic nails and cancer is far more complicated than that. It’s the exposure to a combination of chemicals used in the manicuring process and ultraviolet (UV) light sometimes used to cure or dry nails that could increase the risk of developing cancer of the nose, throat, skin, blood, or lymphatic system....

Research has shown that eating a nutritious diet can help reduce your risk of getting coronary artery disease (CAD). If you already have CAD, you may wonder what type of diet would support your heart health. Which foods should you choose (or avoid) if you’ve had a myocardial infarction (heart attack), stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or angina? Until recently, research on diet and CAD wasn’t that strong. Therefore, the dietary recommendations for people with CAD have not always been clear....

Dogs can be wonderful pets and companions for children with autism. Dogs provide the kind of unconditional companionship and friendship that can help a child with autism build social skills and confidence. There is no one breed of dog that will bond best with an autistic child, but no matter what breed you choose, you’ll need to consider your child’s sensitivities and family dynamics before bringing home a new “member of the family....

When an individual has diabetes, some symptoms can affect their overall health. These can come from the condition itself, other health issues, and the side effects of certain medications. Dizziness is one symptom that diabetics may experience. This can be due to low blood sugar, high blood sugar, low blood pressure, retinopathy, vestibular disorder, medication side effects, or dehydration. Why Diabetics May Experience Dizziness There are many reasons why diabetics may experience dizziness, including:...