Posts

Broken bones are among the most common orthopedic injuries. Most everyone will experience a broken bone at some point in their life, and just about every one of these people will be frustrated by the duration of time needed for full healing of these injuries. For that reason, we are constantly seeking ways to improve fracture healing. Bone healing after a fracture is a time-consuming process and rarely can result in a lack of full healing, a problem called a nonunion....

Some Americans think melatonin is a natural sleep aid and take extremely high doses of the supplement on a nightly basis. But experts say melatonin isn’t meant to be used the same way as a sleeping pill, and overusing melatonin can come with health risks. Key Takeaways Melatonin use has drastically increased in the U.S. in recent years, and many are taking high doses of the supplement and using it as a sleeping pill....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October 2021 gave its OK for eligible individuals who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines to get booster doses. (A booster for Pfizer vaccine recipients was previously authorized.) Key Takeaways The FDA has authorized use of the Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster dose.The FDA says adults (18+) do not have to get a booster dose of the same brand of vaccine they originally received....

Giant papillary conjunctivitis, commonly referred to as GPC, is a condition in which the inner lining of the eyelid (known as the palpebral conjunctiva) becomes inflamed, and develops small bumps. These small bumps—known as papillae—often form in response to some type of chronic irritation, like wearing contact lenses. In GPC, the bumps grow and combine, forming very large bumps that sometimes resemble a cobblestone appearance. People with GPC complain of redness, whitish discharge, light sensitivity, and eye itching that is worse when they remove their contact lenses....

Hernia surgery, which is also called hernia repair or herniorrhaphy, is the repair of an abdominal or pelvic muscle defect. The defect causes organs to push through muscles, and it can lead to a visible bulge, usually around the lower abdomen or groin. It can cause pain and discomfort in some cases, and it may lead to serious complications if it’s not repaired. There are three primary approaches to this treatment—open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia surgery....

Hip osteonecrosis, also called avascular necrosis, is a problem with the blood supply to bone of the hip joint. This condition occurs when there is an interruption of the blood flow to the head of the femur (the ball, of the ball-and-socket hip joint). The lack of normal blood supply to the bone cells causes a decrease in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the bone, and the bone cells subsequently die....

Rachel Charlton-Dailey is a journalist specializing in health and disability. Their work is featured in publications such as Healthline, Huffpost, Metro UK, The Guardian, and Business Insider. Charlton-Dailey often uses her platform to spotlight issues that affect disabled people. Here, they share how virtual events can make public speaking more accessible. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many people faced a learning curve as they adapted to remote work or school. But as a disabled freelance journalist, I’d thrived under the added flexibility for just about two years....

Tympanometry can be used to identify reasons for hearing loss such as fluid in the ears (acute otitis media) or otosclerosis. Hearing loss due to fluid in the ears is one of the most common problems for children and tympanometry can be used to add an objective (quantitative) analysis of the eardrum and middle ear. Tymapnometry is performed by inserting a tool called a tympanometer into the ear canal. The tympanometer looks like an otoscope or similar to an ear thermometer, however, it delivers sound waves while a vacuum creates both positive and negative pressures within the ear canal....

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you. We’ve all known it since health warnings began appearing on cigarette packs in 1965. It’s taken us a little longer to figure out that breathing in second-hand smoke is equally unhealthy, but now we know the truth about that, too. Anybody who is regularly exposed to second-hand smoke is at risk for developing the same types of illnesses as in those who smoke, but people with cystic fibrosis (CF) have an even greater risk of complications from second-hand smoke exposure....

“You have a blood level not conducive to life.” This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Author Nkem Osian works for the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. She serves as secretary for The White Dress Project. That’s what the doctor told me after looking at my bloodwork. It was 2015, and I was 29 years old. After months of heavy menstrual bleeding, I had finally gone to the doctor to get to the bottom of my issues....

Ovarian cysts can happen for a variety of reasons. They commonly develop due to ovulation or certain health conditions, like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ovarian cysts can also form due to abnormal cell growth, pregnancy, or, in rare cases, ovarian cancer. This article provides an overview of ovarian cysts’ most common causes and lifestyle risk factors. Common Causes Several types of ovarian cysts can develop as a result of different causes, which include ovulation, pregnancy, PCOS, and more....

Healthcare disparities due to race are a common problem seen in America. Across the board, people of color tend to have worse health outcomes when they become ill or injured. The COVID-19 healthcare pandemic has seen a disproportionate number of Black citizens become infected and severely ill. People of color suffer worse outcomes from cardiovascular disease and diabetes management. For physical therapy (PT) patients, that’s no different. Racial Differences in Physical Therapy Outcomes Research indicates that, in some cases, Black Americans suffer from worse rehabilitation outcomes when compared to white, non-Hispanic counterparts....

Getting in your daily workout may not only keep your body healthy but your brain thriving too. New research finds that one year of regular moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise may be able to improve your memory and mental skills. Key Takeaways A new study finds that one year of regular moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise may be able to improve your memory and mental skills.These findings suggest that aerobic exercise training that improves blood flow in the brain may help treat or slow forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease....

The FDA approved the use of risperidone or Risperdal orally disintegrating tablets for “the symptomatic treatment of irritability in autistic children and adolescents.” As the first FDA-approved drug treatment for behaviors associated with autism, this is likely exciting news for parents. But since Risperdal has already been used off-label for many years to treat children with autism, ADHD, and children who are bipolar, it is not exactly a breakthrough. Still, it is reassuring to know that using Risperdal is safe and effective, according to the FDA, to treat irritability and behavior problems associated with autism, including:...

Previous COVID-19 infection does not seem to impact a woman’s chance of success with assisted reproductive technology, according to new research. The study is small but helps ease some concerns about the virus’ impact on fertility. Key Takeaways A new, small study found that a woman’s ovarian reserve was the same or similar after having COVID-19.These findings help ease concerns that COVID-19 could possibly impact a woman’s egg count.Experts say the results are promising for couples interested in conceiving after COVID-19....

Arthri-D3 is a dietary supplement that has been promoted heavily on TV infomercials as a means of relieving arthritis pain. Both the infomercial and Arthri-D3 website state that it is “a revolutionary formula that combines one of the highest grades of glucosamine with key plant extracts.” Active Ingredients The key ingredient in Arthri-D3 is N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG), a form of glucosamine that is produced naturally in the body. For dietary supplements like Arthri-D3, the form used is derived from crustacean shells....

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that plays an important role in the body. It is found in cells and helps produce hormones, like estrogen. Your liver produces enough cholesterol for the body to function effectively, but certain foods—primarily animal products, like eggs, dairy, and meat—also contain cholesterol. There are two types of lipoprotein that carry cholesterol to and from cells: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is considered the “good” cholesterol because a healthy level may protect you from cardiovascular disease....

Stage 0 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), also known as carcinoma in situ, is the earliest stage at which lung cancer can be detected. It is limited to a single, small, non-invasive growth in the lung. In most cases, stage 0 lung cancer should be curable, typically with surgical removal or laser therapy. That said, even NSCLC in this early stage is a risk factor for developing a second primary cancer....

Hepatitis B is a serious condition that affects the liver. However, it can also have an effect on your eyes and vision. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common cause of liver cancer. The virus infects liver cells, eventually causing liver failure. HBV is transmitted through sexual contact, needle sharing, blood transfusion, and the passage from mother to child during birth. One can also develop non-infectious hepatitis from excessive alcohol or medication use....

Scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this week that it will not be possible to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 through vaccination this year. Key Takeaways Health officials from the WHO do not think the world can achieve herd immunity to COVID-19 this year.Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population is immune to an infectious disease, either through vaccination or having a prior illness.Experts say estimating the number of people who need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity from COVID-19 is tricky....