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Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a well-known antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes, as well as colds, dry coughs, insomnia, and motion sickness. While typically mild, the side effects of Benadryl may be more intense for some people—making using the drug undesirable, especially during the day, or even unsafe. General Side Effects Sold over-the-counter without a prescription since 1946, Benadryl now comes as a tablet, rapid-dissolving tablet or strip, capsule, liquid capsule, powder, and liquid....

A team of researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that patients with COVID-19 who are taking fluvoxamine might be less likely to need hospitalization and supplemental oxygen. Key Takeaways New research shows that fluvoxamine, a drug typically prescribed for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), might help COVID-19 patients.While the study is ongoing, the initial findings look promising. The medication might help prevent respiratory complications in some patients with COVID-19....

Editor’s note: Below you’ll find the release of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker originally published Feb. 9, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker homepage for the latest data. In spite of the limited vaccine supply it has to work with, the U.S. is starting to find its groove when it comes to getting COVID-19 shots into arms. As of February 9, almost 72% of the doses delivered by the government have been administered, up from 65% last week....

A decongestant is a medication that clears up congestion. Congestion is another name for a stuffy head or nose. Most over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants contain either pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. When you feel stuffy, it’s natural to expect a decongestant to help. But it might not always be the right choice. This article will walk you through the types of decongestants and how they work. It will also help you understand the risks and side effects of using decongestants....

Diverticulitis is either uncomplicated or complicated. In cases of uncomplicated diverticulitis, it may go away within a week without treatment. If it progresses or worsens, medication becomes necessary to address the symptoms and treat the condition. The class of medication that treats more severe cases of diverticulitis is antibiotics. In many cases, this will require the use of combination antibiotics. The two most common regimens are metronidazole with fluoroquinolone or amoxicillin-clavulanate....

If you’re wondering if you have postconcussive syndrome (PCS), you’re in good company. Many people have questions about postconcussive syndrome, including experts in traumatic brain injury (TBI). And many physicians struggle to agree on even an exact definition of postconcussive syndrome. Because of this, research on the subject has been muddy and sometimes conflicting. Symptoms In general, the most commonly accepted definition is that postconcussive syndrome consists of someone having suffered from mild TBI and then goes on to suffer from the following:...

As we learn more about the role of nutrition in health and disease, are there any diet tips for food groups that have been beneficial for those living with Parkinson’s disease? Diet, Nutrition, and Parkinson’s Disease In the past, it was thought that a special diet was unnecessary in the early stages of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and that all was needed was eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. As we learn more about the mechanisms in the brain involved with Parkinson’s disease and the role certain nutrients may play, it becomes apparent that taking a good look at your diet may be a good idea even early on after diagnosis....

Tonsillar hypertrophy, a condition in which the tonsils are enlarged, is more common in children than adults. Large tonsils usually don’t cause symptoms, or only cause minimal symptoms. But they can cause health problems, including snoring and sleep apnea—which can affect daytime behavior and long-term growth in children. If you have any concerns about your child’s tonsils, their healthcare provider can assess whether enlarged tonsils could be causing adverse health effects and whether your child needs treatment....

A new study found that getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night in middle age is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. Experts say that good sleep hygiene practices can help people get better sleep—and more of it. Key Takeaways According to a new study, inadequate sleep in middle age is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.People in their 50s and 60s who got six or fewer hours of sleep a night experienced a 30% greater risk of developing dementia than people who got more sleep....

Hashimoto’s disease is the most common thyroid disorder in the United States. Around 14 million Americans are affected. It is an autoimmune disease that involves inflammation of the thyroid gland. This happens when the immune system attacks healthy cells. Learn important facts and statistics you should know about Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s Disease Overview Hashimoto’s disease occurs when your immune system attacks healthy cells in the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation. It most commonly causes an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), but in some rare cases, can cause an overactive thyroid....

HAART is the acronym for “highly active antiretroviral therapy,” a term coined in the late 1990s to describe the effectiveness of combination drug therapies used to treat HIV. The term is less commonly used today given that modern antiretrovirals are more than just “highly active” but able to afford people with HIV near-normal life expectancy and prolonged, disease-free health. Even so, HAART remains a seminal turning point in the HIV pandemic and the foundation on which modern antiretroviral therapies are built....

Tummy tucks, which are performed to remove excess skin and fat from the abdomen, as well as to tighten the underlying muscles, are becoming more popular. Nearly 130,000 tummy tucks (aka abdominoplasties) were performed in 2017, up 2 percent from 2016, according to statistics from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It’s now one of the top five cosmetic surgical procedures. As more people go under the knife to improve the contours of their midsection, it’s more important than ever to know as much as possible about how to initially care for your incision and abdomen following surgery....

Our Conversation Coach Can Help Spotting cancer early through recommended cancer screenings can make a huge difference in treatment options and outcomes—but not everyone is eager to get screened. Some might not want to spend the time or money, while others might be afraid of the experience or what it could reveal. If you have a loved one who is reluctant to get screened for cancer, talking with them about it can be tough....

While childhood vaccinations have been the subject of much debate in recent years, most informed health professionals will tell you they are vital to a child’s good health and development. Current guidelines in the United States suggest that children receive around 14 different vaccines by the time they reach 4 years of age. This includes their yearly flu vaccine and all of the other single and multi-dose vaccines in the childhood immunization schedule....

An unseasonable heat wave and intensified drought in the West Coast have ushered in what appears to be an already extreme wildfire season. With wildfire smoke traveling thousands of miles to New York City, severe air pollution is no longer a regional problem. Key Takeaways Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have detrimental and far-reaching health effects.Some face coverings that are effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19 like surgical masks and fabric masks may not trap harmful particles found in wildfire smoke....

End-stage wet respirations, more commonly referred to as the “death rattle,” can occur at the very end of life when a patient is going through the dying process. The death rattle is a symptom that can prove very distressing to a dying patient’s family members, friends, and loved ones, even if it’s not necessarily distressing to the patient him or herself. If you are caring for a dying loved one, it’s important that you are able to recognize the death rattle, understand what causes it, and know some practical tips to help treat it....

Deficiency of immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most common primary immunodeficiency. It is characterized by very low to absent levels of IgA in the bloodstream. This can result in frequent infections that involve mucous membranes, such as in the ears, sinuses, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract—but more often, people are asymptomatic. People with IgA deficiency are at a slightly higher risk for other conditions, including certain autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, allergic diseases, and worsening forms of immunodeficiency....

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a type of therapy in which a mixture of antibodies (immunoglobulins)—defensive proteins produced by your body in response to a disease—is injected into a vein over the course of several days with the aim of improving your immune function. IVIG is believed to help treat multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological diseases by stimulating certain parts of the immune system and suppressing others. However, no one knows for certain how it works....

Lidocaine is a medicine that blocks pain signals. While it has benefit for some conditions and medical procedures that cause pain, it can have toxic effects throughout the body if too much is used. Though uncommon, a lidocaine overdose can occur if a healthcare provider injects too much or if your skin absorbs more of the drug than is safe while using a pain patch. Symptoms ranging from dizziness and blurred vision to paranoia, seizures, and slowed heart rate can occur....

Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted disease that used to be thought of as affecting people in the developing world. Unfortunately, it is now on the rise worldwide. There was an initial outbreak in men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Netherlands in 2003. After that, LGV started to be found in isolated groups of MSM across western Europe, North America, and Australia. LGV is closely associated with HIV infection....