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When the pandemic first began last year, experts believed children and young adults were less likely to contract COVID-19. But based on a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it seems that this assurance may be changing. Key Takeaways While a CDC report shows COVID-19 cases are increasing among children and young adults, case counts are lowest for preschool and elementary school children....

Milk allergy is a common condition, particularly among children. Reactions range from difficulty breathing, wheezing, and throat tightness to urticaria and/or vomiting. Avoiding milk—and all products or ingredients made with milk compounds like casein—is essential if you suffer from this allergy. That’s why manufacturers must include milk and milk ingredients on their product labels, as outlined in the Food Allergy Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). The following voluntary statements indicate that food may be contaminated with milk:...

The world’s first approved COVID-19 antiviral pill, molnupiravir, was authorized last week for use in the United Kingdom. Key Takeaways The United Kingdom authorized the first COVID-19 antiviral pill.The developers of the drug molnupiravir agreed to allow other drug manufacturers to produce the pill.The agreement helps increase accessibility to the drug in low- and middle-income countries. Early data shows that the antiviral pill, developed by Merck & Co. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death by 50%....

In a press briefing on Tuesday, January 12, outgoing Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar put forward new recommendations for getting more Americans vaccinated sooner against COVID-19. Key Takeaways Anyone 65 and older is now eligible to get the vaccine People younger than 65 who have a documented health issue that increases their risk from COVID-19 are also now eligible. The timeline for second doses of the currently available vaccines—21 days after the first for the Pfizer vaccine; 28 days after the first for the Moderna vaccine—remain the same....

Treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC or AdCC), a rare type of cancer that affects glandular tissue, is determined by your medical care team based on several factors. Treatment typically includes surgical removal of the cancerous tissues along with some form of additional therapy, usually radiation therapy. This article discusses common treatments for ACC as well as important post-treatment therapies and follow-up. Surgeries and Specialist-Driven Procedures Removing the tumor is the best method of treatment, so long as it’s safe to do so and the expected outcome is positive....

Cigarette smoking affects all parts of the body, including the digestive system. This is especially damaging because the digestive system processes food into substances that are needed for the body to function properly. As of Dec. 20, 2019, the new legal age limit is 21 years old for purchasing cigarettes, cigars, or any other tobacco products in the U.S. In particular, people with Crohn’s disease (one form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD) run the risk of their disease getting worse when they smoke....

When was the last time you had a medical test—anything from a blood test or a mammogram to a computerized tomography (CT) scan—and you didn’t hear back from the healthcare provider’s office with your medical test results? Or maybe your practitioner told you they would call if there were a problem. Since you didn’t hear from them, you erroneously assumed everything was OK. Calling only for problems has been the practice of many medical professionals for many years....

Trying various skin products and suggestions for how to shrink your pores probably won’t get you too far. Pore size is largely determined by genetics, meaning you’re stuck with what you have. There’s certainly no medical need to shrink your pores. In fact, since they allow lubricating oil to reach the surface of your skin, shrinking your pores wouldn’t be a good idea even if it was possible. But if the appearance of large or otherwise noticeable pores bothers you, there are ways you can make them less noticeable....

Surgical treatment has been used as a strategy for migraine prevention. While it may work for some people, surgery is not the right treatment for everyone, and there are no reliable criteria to predict whether you will have a good response to such a procedure. That said, there is some evidence suggesting that surgery may be beneficial for people with intractable or refractory migraines (those that do not improve with medical or alternative treatment)....

Menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, typically feel like a dull pain in the lower abdomen before or during menstrual periods. The pain sometimes radiates to the low back or thigh area. Other symptoms may include nausea, loose stools, sweating, and dizziness. There are two types of menstrual cramps: primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary dysmenorrhea, which usually starts within several years after your first menstrual period, involves no physical abnormality....

Neuroforaminal stenosis is one of two types of spinal stenosis. The other is central canal stenosis. Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of one or more spaces in the spinal column. In neuroforaminal stenosis, the narrowing occurs in the spaces where spinal nerves exit the spinal column. In central canal stenosis, the narrowing occurs in the spinal canal, the hollow space in the center of the spinal column where the spinal cord is located....

Rectal cuff inflammation (sometimes called cuffitis) is inflammation in the part of the rectum that is left after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) surgery, which is more commonly known as j-pouch surgery. IPAA surgery is typically done to treat ulcerative colitis, though it may also be done for other conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Inflammation in the rectal cuff can occur in up to 50% of cases after IPAA surgery....

The right ventricle is one of the two lower chambers of the heart. It receives deoxygenated blood (blood in which oxygen has been removed) from the body and then pumps this blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. Right ventricular hypertrophy, also known as right ventricular enlargement, is a thickening of the heart’s right lower chamber wall when there is pressure overload due to lung disease. As the muscle thickens, it becomes more difficult for the heart to pump blood to the lungs....

Changes to your anal area or bowel habits can be scary or frustrating and cause worry about anal cancer. Knowing the signs and symptoms of anal cancer can help you be aware of your body and let you know when to contact your healthcare provider. This article will go into the symptoms of anal cancer and the complications of the disease. What Is Anal Cancer? Anal cancer is the uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells lining the anus....

A bunion is a deformity of the big toe. People with a bunion have a toe that points outward, as well as a bump on the inner side of the foot. As the bunion becomes more prominent, pain can develop. Learn what causes bunions and what can be done if you have a bunion. Bunion Causes Bunions are a common problem that can cause foot pain and difficulty wearing shoes. They are seen most commonly in women and become more common as people get older....

The hole or opening that is located in the center of the iris of the eye. The pupil controls the amount of light that enters the eye. Pupil size is controlled by the dilator and sphincter muscles of the iris. Why We Have Pupils The pupil controls how much light is let into the eye. It is very similar to a camera aperture which allows more light in for more exposure....

The transverse abdominal (TA) muscle is the deepest of the 6 abdominal muscles. It extends between the ribs and the pelvis, wrapping around the trunk from front to back. The fibers of this muscle run horizontally, just like a back support belt might be worn. In this way, along with providing postural support, the transverse abdominal muscle helps to contain and support the organs located inside the trunk. Origin The transverse abdominal muscle originates in several places....

Eye allergies, which cause itching, are a common symptom of hay fever. Most allergic eye conditions are bothersome but benign. However, vernal keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjunctivitis are two allergic eye conditions that can lead to vision loss through corneal scarring. Therefore, treating itchy eyes is very important. Non-Medicine Treatments Itchy eyes can often be treated without the use of medicines. This involves the use of cold compresses placed on the eyes, such as with an ice pack wrapped in a soft towel, and placed over the closed eyes....

Congenital hypothyroidism refers to a deficiency or lack of thyroid hormone that is present at birth. Genetic defects or maternal iodine deficiency can result in problems with thyroid gland development or with thyroid hormone production, giving rise to the condition. Usually, newborn screening tests identify congenital hypothyroidism. While babies do not typically have signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism at birth, there may be recognizable clues that parents can look for....

Humectants are ingredients found in lotions and cleansers that hydrate the skin by attracting water molecules like a magnet. Chemically speaking, humectants are hygroscopic substances that form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. This bonding helps moisturize the skin by drawing water from the lower cell layers. How Humectants Work Humectants work by pulling water from the dermis (the second layer of skin) to the epidermis (the top layer of skin). This process increases the level of moisture in the stratum corneum, the layer of dead cells that comprise the outermost crust of the epidermis....