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According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), criminal organizations and drug traffickers are using emojis to buy and sell counterfeit pills and other illegal drugs on social media and e-commerce platforms like Snapchat and Facebook. Key Takeaways Drug dealers, drug traffickers, and teenagers have been using emojis to buy and sell counterfeit pills and other illegal drugs on social media and e-commerce platforms.The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has created an online guide called the “Emoji Drug Code” to raise awareness and educate people about the new language of drug deals....

The mesothelium is the layer of tissues (epithelium) that surrounds the organs of the chest (pleura and pericardium), abdominal cavity (peritoneum and mesentery), and pelvis (including the tunica vaginalis that surrounds the testes). It functions to protect internal structures and aid in movement and breathing. A number of medical problems may involve these membranes such as pleural and pericardial effusions, adhesions, and a type of cancer known as mesothelioma. Structure Mesothelial cells begin as the mesoderm during development (the lungs derive from endoderm) and apparently play an important part in the development of the lung....

Myoflex cream is an over-the-counter topical pain reliever for minor aches and pains from different conditions, including arthritis. It contains trolamine salicylate, a salicylate that inhibits cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes responsible for generating pro-inflammatory factors. Myoflex cream can also be used for inflammation and pain associated with injuries like sprains and fractures, as well as backaches. Ingredients It’s essential to know the ingredients in any medication you’re putting in or on your body....

Narcotic bowel syndrome (NBS) is a condition in which a person experiences increased abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms stemming from the intake of narcotic opioid medications. Such narcotic use does not have to be long term, as the syndrome can develop after just a couple of weeks of use. In NBS, the increase in pain does not diminish in spite of increasing doses of the narcotic pain-relieving medication. Such increased doses end up serving only to increase subsequent pain....

If you have knee pain, your healthcare provider may refer you to physical therapy. There your physical therapist will use various treatments and exercises to help decrease your pain and improve your overall functional mobility. If your knee pain is caused by knee osteoarthritis, you may be having difficulty bending and straightening your knee, and your knee may feel swollen from time to time. This stiffness and swelling may prevent you from walking normally....

Low cost and rapid relief are two key benefits of Prednisone, a corticosteroid used to treat asthma, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and several other conditions. But the list of Prednisone side effects is long, and it’s important to be aware of them before and while taking the drug. Prednisone side effects are common and can include insomnia, abnormal hair growth, fatigue, thinning of the skin, constipation, and more. While some are manageable, others can be intolerable or even permanent....

In many cases, people with asthma can keep their condition under control or minimize acute symptoms with quick-relief medications. There are times, however, when a person may experience severe, even life-threatening, symptoms which require urgent care. Respiratory distress is a state where severe breathing restriction and a reduction in oxygen intake triggers both a physical and psychological response. A person will not only feel anxiety and panic, but that anxiety and panic can also further fuel sensations of choking or suffocation....

Tattoos and sun are definitely not a match made in heaven! If you have a tattoo, you’ve probably heard the whole tattoo care spiel, which includes sun protection. And sun safety is no joke, especially if you’re inked. Sun exposure can cause serious damage to the skin throughout a lifetime, including premature aging and even skin cancer. The sun can cause tattoo ink to fade, making your ink look old and washed out....

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs; it is very common. The condition can be caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungi. The symptoms and severity of pneumonia can vary greatly, depending on many factors such as the underlying cause as well as a person’s age and general health. Pneumonia is considered airborne. This means it can be spread by coughing or sneezing; it can also be spread by breathing in infected airborne nasal or throat secretions....

Many women enjoy the convenience of using NuvaRing. This hormonal contraceptive is an effective method of birth control that you only need to insert once a month. But, as with any birth control method, how well NuvaRing works at preventing pregnancy directly relies on you using it properly. So, if you use NuvaRing (or plan to), it is important that you know how to use it correctly and what to do in case your NuvaRing falls out or if you forgot to take it out....

Yellow fever is a potentially deadly disease caused by a type of virus called a Flavivirus. People generally come in contact with this virus through mosquito bites, and it’s most common in Africa, Central America, and South America. However, outbreaks can happen anywhere in the world. They’re especially likely in areas with a large mosquito population. Not everyone who’s bitten by an infected mosquito will get sick, though. Only some groups of people are more likely to contract a severe form of the illness....

A reflex is an involuntary movement to a stimulus. It is a relatively simple (but critical) way your body relays information that never reaches conscious awareness. Most of us take a lot of what the body does for us for granted, and that’s a good thing. It would be extremely difficult to have to plan and actively execute every tiny movement we make. As you read this, subtle readjustments are constantly being made between the muscles of your spine and torso to keep you in balance....

ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is, by any measure, the most popular and widely used autism therapy. ABA can be used to teach appropriate behaviors or skills, and it’s often provided to autistic children through no-cost early intervention and school programs. While it’s not a terribly complex process, it can seem that way because ABA therapists often use special terms to describe what they’re doing. Once you know the terms, you’ll find it easy to understand what they’re doing and how they’re doing it....

Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that may help relieve some conditions associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Studies suggest that it can help ease your period pain. Research also shows that fish oil can reduce triglycerides and reducing insulin resistance. Fish oil may be specifically helpful for women with PCOS because of the increased risk of heart disease and elevated triglyceride levels that exist in people with this condition....

More than 31 million Americans have eczema. Although hormonal birth control is known to trigger skin rashes, there is little research on how it affects eczema. Studies have shown that there might be an increased risk of eczema with hormonal birth control use. This article looks at hormonal birth control and eczema, hormonal rashes, and treatment options. Birth Control, Eczema, and Skin Issues Although eczema isn’t an autoimmune disease, when the immune system is overactive, it can trigger inflammation and eczema flare-ups....

Cannabis sativa, more commonly known as the marijuana plant, has a long history in medicine. In fact, there is written evidence of the medical use of cannabis in China dating more than 5,000 years ago. It was recommended for a variety of ailments ranging from diarrhea and hemorrhoids to nausea and chest congestion, and also used as an aphrodisiac, pain reliever, and anesthetic. As our knowledge of the human body and disease grows, so does our understanding of these ancient medicines....

Anemia is simply defined as a lack of red blood cells (hemoglobin). As red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body, the lack of hemoglobin can lead to lethargy, weakness, breathing problems, heart dysfunction, and other complications. In premature babies, the complications can be far greater, resulting in developmental problems and a failure to thrive in more severe cases. Causes It is not uncommon for newborns to have mild anemia....

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a form of touch therapy that has been used for treatment and prevention of migraines, as well as several other chronic pain conditions. The technique was developed in the 1970s by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic practitioner and co-founder of the Upledger Institute in Florida. CST is a non-invasive technique in which a practitioner lightly touches the spine, skull, and pelvis under the presumption that it can manipulate and regulate the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and aid in what Upledger refers to as “primary respiration....

Americans pay much more for their medications than do people in other countries, a problem that has been discussed and debated, and that is expected to continue. A new report has found that prices in the United States average 2.56 times prices in 32 other countries. Key Takeaways Americans pay more than two and a half times the prices for medications overall compared to other countries. For brand-name drugs, Americans pay almost three and a half times what the same drugs sell for elsewhere....

Gluteal sets are easy exercises that help improve muscular contractions and strengthen the gluteal muscles of the hip. Strong gluteal muscles help in hip extension as well as stabilization of the joint. These exercises are very beneficial for patients who have had knee or hip replacement surgery as well as after lower extremity fractures. Any time you are immobile and confined to bed—like in the hospital—is a good time to consider doing gluteal sets....