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Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit experienced by children. An estimated three million children in the United States have hearing loss. Hearing loss, especially when it occurs early in a child’s life, can greatly affect speech and language development. Approximately 1.3 million American children under the age of 3 have hearing loss. Even temporary or treatable forms of hearing loss, such as fluid in the ears, can cause delays if they are experienced by a child who is in learning to understand language and to speak....

If you have concerns about scarlet fever but aren’t sure how to get a diagnosis, a trip to your healthcare provider can help. There are simple tests that a healthcare professional can do, such as a strep test or a culture, along with an examination, to determine if your symptoms are caused by scarlet fever or something else. Self-Checks/At-Home Testing Scarlet fever is the presence of a rash on the body when you have an infection with Group A streptococcus bacteria causing a sore throat....

Weight loss or weight gain are not typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). While you might want to place the blame on IBS, it’s not the condition itself that is causing your fluctuations in weight. IBS is a condition that impacts your gastrointestinal system, causing pain and bowel symptoms like constipation or diarrhea. In people with the condition, weight changes may have to do with diet choices and stress about whether foods will cause a flare....

New York City on Thursday began offering the mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) vaccine to certain people who are at high risk for the illness based on their sexual activity. Key Takeaways New York City is the first city in the U.S. to offer mpox vaccinations to people beyond those who have been exposed to the virus.Currently, only certain men who have sex with men meet the eligibility criteria for the vaccine....

Prescription opioid use during pregnancy could lead to misuse, addiction, and even overdose. A 2020 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that around 6.6% of pregnant people used opioids during their pregnancy. Key Takeaways A secret shopper study from Vanderbilt University found that female callers who said they were pregnant had more difficulty accessing treatment for opioid use disorder.Facilities that treat opioid use disorder may not be equipped to help pregnant people who struggle with this addiction....

If you see a spotted lanternfly, squish or stomp it. That has been the advice of agriculture departments across the northeastern United States as this invasive insect species threatens crops and trees. Key Takeaways Spotted lanternflies don’t bite humans or animals, but they can have devastating effects on agriculture and forestry.In states where the species have been identified, officials are encouraging people to kill these bugs whenever they see one. Spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) don’t hurt humans or animals....

Sweet potatoes are one of the most nutritious vegetables grown in the subtropical and tropical areas of the world. But just because they hold nutritional value doesn’t mean they are always a good choice for people with diabetes. While people with diabetes don’t need to steer clear of sweet potato altogether, it’s important to keep in mind the amount, type, preparation, seasoning, and accompanying side dishes when eating sweet potato....

Doing you have trouble staying warm because of fibromyalgia (FMS) or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)? Do you dread the cold? Temperature sensitivity is a common symptom of these conditions. When cold temperatures are a problem for you, it can make the winter months a real battle—and make overly air-conditioned spaces difficult, too, which makes it a year-long problem. With a little planning, though, you may be able to alleviate the worst of what the cold does to you....

Are seeds a staple in your diet? If not, they should be. Consumption of seeds is on the rise thanks in part to the recent popularity of chia and hemp seeds. And with good reason—seeds are a nutrient powerhouse. Packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals, seeds are a superfood that is friendly for people who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seeds contain very few carbohydrates, so they don’t spike your insulin levels....

There’s no question that regular physical activity is essential for people who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Consistent exercise helps with weight management, improves mood, can help with fertility, and lowers disease risk, along with numerous other health benefits. Sometimes, people with PCOS avoid exercising or trying new activities out of fear. Perhaps they feel their size limits them from doing certain exercises or they feel too out of shape. Body image issues can hold people back as some don’t want to be seen exercising....

Transgender surgery is also called gender affirmation surgery or gender confirmation surgery. It requires long-term care, but how much care a person needs depends on their overall health and the type of surgery they had. People also need to make some lifestyle adjustments while they are healing from gender-affirming surgery. Here is an overview of what might be included in long-term care after transgender surgery. Benefits of Surgery Transgender surgery has both physical and psychological benefits....

There’s increasing evidence to suggest that low levels of vitamin D may play a role in thyroid disorders. For instance, research has suggested a possible link between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune thyroid disorders, namely Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and Grave’s disease, characterized by an overactive thyroid. In one study, 72% of subjects with autoimmune thyroid disease were deficient in vitamin D, whereas just under 31% of healthy subjects had low levels of vitamin D....

Occupational therapy (OT) treatment begins with an evaluation. Your occupational therapist will likely have a set flow to the OT evaluation process, but knowing what to expect can help you advocate for what you want to get out of the therapy process. Evaluations are a uniquely skilled process. They are performed by occupational therapists versus certified occupational therapy assistants. The length of an OT evaluation can range anywhere from 20 minutes (in a setting such as a hospital) to several hours (such as in an outpatient pediatric setting....

Other brand names: phenobarbital, hyoscyamine sulfate, atropine sulfate, scopolamine hydrobromide tablet Donnatal is a type of drug called an anticholinergic and is actually a combination of two drugs: belladonna and phenobarbital. It is used to relax the muscles in the bladder and the intestines as well as to reduce stomach acid. It’s also important to know that phenobarbital is a mild sedative. The Habit-Forming Potential of Donnatal Phenobarbital can be habit-forming....

If your child has just been diagnosed with severe food allergies, you’re likely to be concerned about foods other children may bring into the classroom, potentially risking an allergic reaction if the foods are shared. Many schools have policies regarding allergies, especially tree nut and peanut allergies. While a great many parents will pay attention to those rules, others may be less aware of the impact of food allergies if their child doesn’t have one....

A recent study found that nearly one in five people in the United States had medical debt in collections as of June 2020, reflecting healthcare bills accrued prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The mean amount of the debt was $429. Key Takeaways In June 2020, 17.8% of individuals in the U.S. had medical debt in collections. The burden of debt was highest among people living in low-income communities and in the South....

Jurairat J. Molina, MD Dr. Molina is a board-certified allergist who has been practicing in the field of allergy and clinical immunology for the past two decades. She owns her own medical practice, Corpus Christi Allergy Associates in Corpus Christi, Texas. Previously, she was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch- Galveston. Her specialties include treatment of severe persistent asthma, chronic idiopathic urticaria, chronic rhinosinusitis, and allergic dermatological conditions, including eczema and psoriasis....

A Brazilian butt lift (gluteoplasty) has two parts: retrieving the fat that will be transplanted into your buttocks (harvesting) and injecting that fat to create a fuller, more contoured backside (grafting). Both parts are done during one surgery, and the areas of extraction and placement are discussed and planned ahead of time during pre-procedure consultations. Before the Surgery When you arrive for your surgery, you will check-in, turning in any forms you were asked to fill out ahead of time....

Peanut allergies are a growing problem among school-age children, and schools are struggling to cope with balancing the safety of children with peanut allergies with the freedom of non-allergic children. So what is really necessary to clean up peanut residue for children with peanut allergies, and how far do schools really need to go? Luckily, research shows the most effective ways to clean up peanut proteins from surfaces, hands, and mouths, and sheds light on the potential for allergic reactions from airborne particles of peanut protein....

Congenital amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (CAMT) is one of a larger group of inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, such as Fanconi anemia or dyskeratosis congenita. Although the term is a mouthful, it is best understood by looking at each word in its name. Congenital means that a person was born with the condition. Thrombocytopenia is the medical term for a low platelet count. Finally, amegakaryocytic describes the reason for the thrombocytopenia. Platelets are made in the bone marrow by megakaryocytes....