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Proper storage of insulin is vital for making sure it is effective for managing diabetes. As with many medications, insulin can be affected by changes in temperature, sunlight, and other environmental factors. It’s important to take certain precautions to protect the quality of your insulin so that it can properly do its job. How to Store Insulin Unopened insulin should always be stored in the refrigerator and is good until the expiration date on the bottle....

The kitchen is both the worst and best place to get a cut. Worst because the uncooked food is nearly always covered in bacteria. Best because soap and water are nearby. If you cut yourself during food preparation, infection is your worst enemy. Luckily, soap and water are all you need to clean a wound, even one covered in bacteria. This article explains how to identify an emergency and treat non-emergency kitchen cuts....

Acne of any type can be upsetting, but severe acne is particularly distressing. Severe acne (sometimes called cystic acne) is inflamed, often painful, and can happen on both the face and the body. It’s particularly important to start treatment soon because severe forms of acne can often cause scarring. Another annoyance: this type of acne can be tough to treat. But, with the right medications and some perseverance, you can see a huge improvement in your acne....

The terms “in vivo” and “in vitro” describe different types of scientific research. “In vivo” means research done on a living organism, while “in vitro” means research done in a laboratory dish or test tube. Both types of studies are used by medical researchers developing drugs or studying diseases. Each type has benefits and drawbacks. In Vivo vs. In Vitro: Definitions In vitro: The term in vitro comes from the Latin “in glass....

Celiac disease is definitely diagnosed in girls and women more often than in boys and men. In fact, there’s a huge difference in the number of females and males who have the condition: several studies have found that it’s twice as likely in girls and women. It’s not clear why this is. Some researchers have speculated that women are more likely than men to seek help from a doctor for medical issues (men may tend to tough them out, especially young adult men)....

The causes of schizophrenia are multifactorial and actively researched, but existing research indicates that there are genetic risk factors for schizophrenia. The heritability of schizophrenia has been found to range between 60% to 80%. However, just because a relative has schizophrenia does not mean you will develop it. Read on to learn more about how a combination of genetic and environmental factors can interact to make a person more likely to develop this psychiatric condition....

It may seem surprising that your allergies could have anything to do with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Both conditions, however, are caused by similar immune responses. This may be helpful to know if you’re having trouble managing your hay fever symptoms. It might even be a good idea to get evaluated for a thyroid condition. This article discusses hay fever and its relationship to AITD. It also discusses symptoms and treatment considerations....

A recent study suggests that hearing aids could be a useful tool for improving cognition and even delaying dementia. Key Takeaways Hearing loss is a known risk factor for dementia, but it’s one that can possibly be changed.A new study suggests that hearing aids could be a powerful tool for improving cognition and even delaying dementia.In the United States, hearing aids are now available over the counter (OTC). The meta-analysis of more than 31 studies that included 137,484 participants found that using a hearing aid or cochlear implants was linked to a 19% decrease in long-term cognitive decline and a 3% increase in short-term cognitive test scores....

Posterolateral rotatory instability can occur due to damage to the structures that support the outside of the knee joint, described as the posterolateral corner. These structures are critical to preventing symptoms of knee instability. An injury of the knee ligaments can affect the structures of the posterolateral corner. These structures include the lateral collateral ligament, the popliteus tendon, and the knee joint capsule. They can be injured when the knee sustains ligament damage—including ACL tears and PCL tears....

Skinny jeans may seem sexy to some, but looking svelte might come at a steep price. Specifically, a 35-year-old woman almost needed surgery on her lower legs on account of body damage sustained while wearing a pair of tight jeans. In a June 2015 issue of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, researchers present the case of a young woman clad in a pair of skinny jeans who was helping a family member move....

Pyuria is a condition that occurs when excess white blood cells are present in the urine. Pyuria Symptoms With pyuria, you can have visible changes in the urine, which may appear cloudy or thick or look like pus. Sometimes these are the only symptoms. Pyuria is often an indication of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI can cause urinary frequency, burning with urination, and urinary urgency (a sense that you absolutely have to go)....

Sodium bicarbonate may sound like something you’ve never heard of, but chances are there is some sitting in your kitchen cupboard right now. Otherwise known as baking soda, the chemical compound is a salt made of a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion. Baking soda is often found as a fine powder substance, despite the fact that it is actually a crystalline solid. It is considered a monosodium (only containing one atom of sodium) and has a slight alkaline value....

A hair follicle is a stocking-like structure that contains cells and connective tissue and surrounds the root of a hair. It exists within the dermis and the epidermis, the two top layers of the skin. For a helpful visual, think of the hair follicle as a vase and the hair as the stem of a flower. The structure of hair follicles is simple and straightforward, but its functions and its growth cycle are quite complex....

The trapezium bone is one of eight small bones which make up the wrist joint. The trapezium is the last bone in the row of wrist bones, located beneath the thumb joint. The trapezium bone along with the base of the thumb joint forms what is called a carpometacarpal joint, also known as a CMC joint. Due to the location of the trapezium below the thumb joint, the trapezium plays a role in both the stability and the movement of the thumb....

Most of the time frontal headaches are caused by migraines or tension headaches. Rarely, they are secondary headaches, meaning they are caused by another underlying medical condition. In this case, there are often other clues, besides a headache, that helps the doctor make the diagnosis. Here are examples of secondary headaches that can cause frontal head pain. Giant Cell Arteritis Giant cell arteritis or GCA is a large and medium blood vessel vasculitis....

Tangier disease, also known as familial alpha lipoprotein deficiency, is an extremely rare, inherited condition that was first described in a child on Tangier Island, an island located off of the coast of Virginia. People who have this condition have very low HDL cholesterol levels due to a mutation in a gene called ABCA1. This gene helps to make a protein that helps get rid of excess cholesterol from inside the cell....

Nasal polyps are soft growths that appear inside your nose. They are noncancerous but can be difficult to treat. Medications and surgery are the most common treatment options. However, nasal polyps can grow back. Finding the right healthcare provider to help you is important. Primary Care Physician The first healthcare provider you will probably see is your primary care physician. You should be able to make a regular appointment to see them to discuss your symptoms....

If there’s one issue that’s shared by all young children with autism, it’s difficulty with ordinary play skills. Little ones with autism may line up or stack toys, play by themselves and resist interaction with their peers, or simply spin, rock or otherwise spend time in their own world. It’s this self-absorption that makes it so hard for autistic children to learn from imitation, socialize with other children, or connect with the adults in their lives....

Ziana is a prescription acne treatment that’s used to treat mild to severe acne. It’s an alcohol-free, water-based gel that you apply directly to the skin, over the entire area where you’re breaking out. Ziana is a combination acne treatment. This means it’s actually a combination of two medications—the antibiotic clindamycin and the topical retinoid tretinoin. (You probably know tretinoin by its more common brand name, Retin-A.) It’s only available by prescription, so you’ll have to see a healthcare provider to get this medication....

Uterine fibroids are growths in the muscular walls of the uterus that anyone of childbearing age can experience. But not everyone who experiences fibroids will develop symptoms or complications—at least not right away. As a result, diagnosis is sometimes delayed. This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Fibroids are benign, which means they are not cancerous. However, they can grow, leading to several potential problems over time....