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Some people may experience side effects to a life-saving medication called epinephrine. However, it is unlikely that you can be “allergic” to epinephrine. Epinephrine use in the case of allergic reaction affecting the airway has and will continue to save many lives. There is no absolute contraindication to using epinephrine in suspected cases of acute anaphylaxis. What Is Epinephrine? Another name for epinephrine is adrenaline and it is a hormone that is produced by your adrenal glands....

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many compounds (called cannabinoids) found in the marijuana plant Cannabis sativa. CBD is known for its relaxing and pain-soothing effects. CBD is non-psychoactive, so it does not give you the classic mind-altering euphoria or “high” felt from using marijuana—that effect comes from the cannabinoid called THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). While the research is still very early, experts speculate that CBD may play a role in treating cancer, specifically by slowing tumor growth and inducing the death of cancer cells....

May is Healthy Vision Month, an annual observance created to encourage all Americans to prioritize their eye health. Keeping your eyes healthy doesn’t just mean taking steps to prevent vision conditions like macular degeneration or cataracts—it also supports other aspects of your overall health. For example, research has shown that people who have conditions affecting their vision are more likely to have other health conditions than people with healthy vision....

If you have an upcoming cortisone injection, or shot, to help with pain and swelling due to inflammation, you may wonder if it will hurt. You may also want to know if there’s anything you can do to make this procedure more comfortable. Cortisone is a powerful medication that may be injected directly into the area of your body experiencing discomfort. These shots may be helpful for a variety of short or long-term conditions that impact the bones, joints, or muscles....

Could junk food really cause inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? There has been a 114% rise in cases of IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) resulting in hospital admission amongst young people in the United Kingdom over the years between 2003 and 2014. The steep rise has caused speculation as to what could be behind it, and if there is something in the environment that is contributing to the development of these diseases....

Entomophobia is an irrational and persistent fear of bugs. Those with a fear of insects may go to great lengths to avoid them, or they will experience significant distress when encountering an insect. Learn more about the causes and treatment of entomophobia and how this condition affects those diagnosed with it. Definition An irrational fear of insects is formally known as entomophobia, although it is sometimes also called insectophobia. An intense fear of insects may interfere with your daily life, as this condition can cause feelings of anxiety or panic when you are near an insect or think a bug may be present....

Studies are finding that physical activity is linked with a lower risk of developing lung cancer, as well as many other cancers. With lung cancer, the benefit doesn’t seem to be isolated to any one group of people. Men and women, smokers, former smokers, and never smokers, all benefit from exercise. Best of all, the exercise level needed to make a difference does not require hours a day or a pricey health club membership....

If you have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, there are a few things you should know—and do—before you go in for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test. It’s unlikely that you’ll need an MRI for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome unless your particular set of symptoms is similar to that of a neurological illness that requires evaluation with an MRI. You may also need an MRI at some point to diagnose an injury or a different illness....

Brain swelling, referred to as cerebral edema, is one of the immediate short-term dangers of stroke. Large strokes, in particular, may cause significant swelling that can rapidly worsen, leading to serious consequences including severe brain damage, a permanent state of unresponsiveness, or even death. How a Stroke Causes Brain Edema When a stroke occurs, the interruption of blood flow to the brain causes a series of events that lead to brain injury....

Depression is common after receiving a herpes diagnosis. People may initially experience feelings of embarrassment, guilt, anger, sadness, and shame after learning they have herpes. Once those emotions settle, depression and anxiety may seep in and be hard to shake. People with herpes may be worried about what this incurable sexually transmitted infection (STI) means in terms of relationships and having kids. Others may be overcome with anxiety about having to disclose their status to not only current sexual partners but future ones as well....

The hepatitis B virus is transmitted when blood, semen, or another bodily fluid from an infected person enters the body of another individual. The virus is extremely infectious—50 to 100 times more so than HIV. The hepatitis B virus causes hepatitis B, a form of liver infection. There are many ways the virus can be transmitted, including the following. Sexual Contact Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected is the single most common way hepatitis B is transmitted in the U....

If you have a family member who is expecting a baby, it’s important to be prepared in case the baby decides to come before anyone is ready. While it’s important to remember that chance favors the prepared, know that delivering your baby in a birth center or hospital is still the safest way to go. Do not use the information presented here as a substitute for getting proper prenatal care or arranging for delivery at an appropriate facility or with trained healthcare professionals....

Corticobasal degeneration (CBD), also known as corticobasal ganglionic degeneration, is a rare, progressive neurological disorder. In CBD, brain cells atrophy (shrink) and die, and tau protein deposits build up in the brain and interfere with functioning. CBD is considered to be a type of frontotemporal dementia. Symptoms of CBD CBD shares several symptoms with Parkinson’s disease. Early symptoms include slow or clumsy movements, tremors or shakiness, muscle weakness, and stiffness. Often, the person with CBD initially has symptoms only on one side of the body....

Lewy body dementia is widely considered the second most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease. Learning about its symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment can help you better understand what to expect if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Overview Lewy body dementia refers to a type of dementia associated with abnormal protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies. These deposits affect how the brain functions....

The three nationwide credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—said they will change the way they report medical debt on consumers’ credit history starting in July. Key Takeaways Three major credit reporting agencies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—are removing most medical debt from credit reports starting in July.The change may provide relief to Americans who are dealing with financial consequences from incurring medical debts.Experts applaud the change, but say changes from credit reporting agencies alone are not enough to alleviate healthcare costs....

So you had you a total knee replacement and have been through post-operative rehabilitation in the hospital. You may have even had physical therapy at home. What’s next? Well, in order to maximize your functional mobility after total knee replacement, you may want to consider outpatient physical therapy. If you are able to leave your house after total knee replacement surgery, your healthcare providerr may refer you to outpatient physical therapy....

Despite advances in the prevention and treatment of HIV, the shadow of HIV stigma still looms large, affecting many of those of living with the disease. So profound is the fear of the stigmatization that it often seems to fly in the face of public awareness. To some, it is far easier to avoid HIV testing, for example, than to risk exposing oneself to discrimination or disapproval. Attempting to minimize these fears, or even rationalize them, fails to take into account the complex dynamics that both trigger and perpetuate stigma....

Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) is a rare skin condition that’s hard to treat. It involves eruptions of sores called pustules on the palms of your hands or the soles of your feet. Pustules are blisters filled with a cloudy liquid. They can be itchy, painful, and cause a burning sensation. Some cases are severe enough to be debilitating. This article walks you through the symptoms and causes of PPP, plus how it’s diagnosed and treated....

Panniculitis is a catch-all term used to describe inflammation of the fatty layer underneath the skin’s surface. It causes inflamed lumps and plaques (broad, raised areas) on the skin which range in size from several millimeters to several inches across. In the majority of cases, these lumps are painful. Humans have three main layers of skin: the epidermis, the dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is the uppermost layer of skin, the layer we see every day....

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) occurs when someone develops sores or ulcers in their stomach or upper small intestine. Ulcers affect some 4 million Americans. Ulcers develop when the mucosal lining is broken down by excessive acid. This increased risk of acid damage may be produced due to a bacterial infection or other causes such as genetics, over-the-counter pain medications like NSAIDs, alcohol use, or smoking. In this article, you’ll learn about what causes peptic ulcer disease, how common it is, who gets peptic ulcers, and what you need to know about screening and outcome....