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Turmeric is a bright yellow spice that’s frequently found in curry-spice blends. The root, related to ginger, is popular in Indian, Thai and Moroccan cuisines, and it’s also long been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Health Benefits Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which research suggests may offer several health benefits that could help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Up until now, though, no studies have examined it specifically for these conditions....

Using crutches may seem simple enough, but that’s not necessarily the case—especially if you’re unaware of some tips you should follow to get around both comfortably and safely. For example, your crutches need to be the correct size. And there are specific ways you should get up from a chair or climb stairs when using crutches. This article will help you to know how to size crutches and check them over before use....

It is often easy to tell when a child is overweight. Figuring out his body mass index can help make the diagnosis more official, but you often don’t need to go that far. Instead, for most overweight kids, you can just use the more old-fashioned pinch an inch or two inches of body fat to know that your child is overweight. The hard part is knowing how to help your overweight child....

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Word of the Week: Intravenous How to say it: Intravenous (in-tra-vee-nuss) What it means: In a vein. Where it comes from: From Latin, “intra” = inside and “venous” = vein. Where you might see or hear it: If you are in the hospital and need medicine, you might get an “IV” put in your arm. “IV” stands for “intravenous....

In March, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized a second COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for certain individuals who got their first booster dose more than four months prior, which includes: Key Takeaways It’s best to get your second booster shot right away, especially for high-risk individuals.You can choose to delay the second booster shot if you’ve recently recovered from COVID-19, but it’s not necessary.Second booster shots remain effective against COVID-19....

Many women don’t become aware they have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) until they are trying to get pregnant in their 20s or 30s. As a result, the diagnosis may come as a surprise, and many women wonder why it wasn’t discovered earlier in life. Unfortunately, symptoms of PCOS are often ignored as something else or go undetected entirely, making diagnosis challenging. This article discusses the factors that prevent early detection of PCOS....

Wrist arthritis is a common cause of wrist pain, and it becomes more and more common as we age. Wrist arthritis occurs when the normally smooth cartilage of the wrist joints are worn away, exposing the bony surfaces. The wrist joint can become stiff, swollen, and painful. Wrist arthritis is most common in elderly people, but it can sometimes affect younger people too. Signs and Symptoms Wrist arthritis commonly leads to the following symptoms:...

Drinking alcohol can trigger flares of gout. As little as one alcoholic beverage in a 24-hour period can cause a gout flare, and the risk increases the more drinks you have daily. Gout (also called gouty arthritis) is caused by hyperuricemia, a condition marked by an excess amount of uric acid in the blood. Alcohol can increase uric acid levels in the body, resulting in gout flares. Gout symptoms include sudden and severe joint pain (especially in the fingers and toes), swelling, stiffness, and a mild fever....

When working to manage your arthritis, you may consider natural remedies either as an alternative to traditional treatments or as a complement to them. Arnica is one that has gotten a lot of arthritis patients’ attention because of its purported anti-inflammatory properties. While natural, arnica carries serious side effects if dosed orally and is reserved for topical use. What Is Arnica? Arnica, short for Arnica montana, is a perennial plant found in the mountainous areas of Europe and North America that produces yellow-orange daisy-like flowers....

Young children learn through play. Typically, developing children use play to build physical and social skills, to try on different personalities and characters, and to forge friendships. Autistic children, however, may play in very different ways. They are more likely to play alone, and their play is often repetitive, with no particular goal in mind. Left to themselves, some autistic children often stay stuck in a rut, unable to explore their own abilities or interests....

Psychotherapy can be very effective in treating a wide range of problems, whether they be physical, emotional or behavioral. One particular type of psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been shown to be effective in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What Is CBT? CBT is a research-based, active therapeutic approach. In CBT, the therapist and patient work as a team in setting treatment goals, assigning homework, evaluating the effectiveness of techniques, and determining when to stop treatment....

Eating a daily cup of blueberries may offer important health benefits to men with type 2 diabetes, according to a study published earlier this year. Key Takeaways Data suggests eating blueberries daily for eight weeks may result in improved outcomes for diabetic patients, like improved A1C and triglyceride levels.These outcomes may be due to the anthocyanin content of the blueberries, suggesting this fruit can be a healthy part of a diabetes diet....

Fibroblasts are specialized cells in the body essential for the structure of tissues. They produce proteins that make up the components of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which serves as a scaffolding for other cells. This makes fibroblasts important components of connective tissue, the fibrous material that holds organs and tissues in place. These cells serve several important functions in every organ system and body part. Dermal fibroblasts (those in the skin) are essential for wound healing, while other fibroblasts are involved in inflammation, tissue growth and repair, regulating the heartbeat, and more....

In those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), swollen lymph nodes are not only a common occurrence, but one that can occur at any stage of infection. Lymph nodes on the side of the neck, under the jaw, or in the armpits or groin are most often involved. Any type of infection can cause swollen lymph nodes, also known as lymphadenopathy. But in some cases of HIV, the swelling can be extremely painful and the nodes can get as large as a walnut....

Ear infections are common in children. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by the time they are three years old, and ear infections are the most common reason for childhood doctor’s visits. Common signs of ear infections in children include: Ear pain (an older child may complain of an earache, while younger children may cry, be fussy, or tug at their ears) Fever Trouble sleeping Trouble hearing or responding to sounds Clumsiness/problems with balance Fluid draining from the ear Because of concerns surrounding antibiotic resistance, many doctors are avoiding prescribing antibiotics for ear infections unless absolutely necessary....

You wash your face religiously with a gentle cleanser and keep the number of products you use on your skin to a bare minimum. In fact, you could be the poster child for perfect anti-acne skincare. And yet you can’t quite seem to keep blemishes at bay. What could you be doing wrong? In all likelihood, you’re doing nothing wrong. It could be that your breakouts aren’t the result of your lifestyle, but rather a product of your genetic makeup....

If you have hypotension (low blood pressure), your healthcare provider will evaluate you using a combination of a physical examination, an investigation of your medical history, and a number of medical tests such as electrocardiogram, blood tests, echocardiogram, stress test, and tilt table test. These tests often help identify the cause of hypotension, and your doctor will consider your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination when selecting which of these tests you may need....

You’ll find three things in this Medicare HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) code lookup: a description of each HCPCS code, the Relative Value Amount (RVU) and the Geographic Practice Cost (GPCI). When putting together, they become the Physician Fee Schedule. What a Relative Value Amount (RVU) Is Each HCPCS code is given a value – an amount of money Medicare will pay a hospital or a healthcare provider for that service as an average....

Males make up less than 1% of cases of breast cancer, and the disease is as serious for males as it is for females. Surgery is the treatment of choice for early-stage breast cancer for both males and females, and there are some differences in the type of surgery, the options for reconstruction, and adjuvant therapies (treatments used in addition to surgery), such as chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapy. Surgery Lumpectomy, which can be an option for some females who have breast cancer, is not a usual option for males....

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by healthcare providers to protect themselves from injury or infection during an emergency. PPE is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s official Standard Precautions (also known as Universal Precautions) healthcare providers must take when they risk exposure to: BloodBodily fluids (except sweat)Broken skinMucous membranes Lay rescuers should follow their professional counterparts by stocking first aid kits with PPE they can use when assisting victims in an emergency....