Just a few decades ago, aspirin was a widely used medication both for pain and fever reduction. It was given to everyone from babies to the elderly. However, today it is not recommended for children at all. Unfortunately, some people aren’t aware of the current recommendations and continue to give aspirin to their kids or grandkids when they have a fever or pain. So why aren’t kids supposed to take it now?...
You can look up your pantry items on a new database, called TrueFood, to check and compare the nutritional composition and degree of processing in food products. Key Takeaways Scientists created a new online database to help users compare the level of processing across 50,000 food items in the U.S. food supply.Studies show that consuming “ultra-processed” foods can increase the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.The team behind the new database hopes it can help consumers understand what they eat and make more informed food choices....
Many researchers agree that heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking increase the risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that is a risk factor for stroke. But scientists have not established the effect of moderate drinking on this type of cardiac arrhythmia. An analysis of the current research compared the findings of studies examining the effects of alcohol consumption and the risks of developing atrial fibrillation. The authors concluded that there is a relationship between alcohol consumption and atrial fibrillation, but that the link isn’t straightforward....
Insomnia after head trauma and brain injury is a common long-term complaint. Insomnia can interfere with recovery in a variety of ways. Not sleeping well at night results in fatigue throughout the day. This, in turn, makes concentrating more difficult and increases the strain required to remain alerted and engaged. Fatigue can also affect memory, which is already a problem for many head trauma sufferers. Fatigue secondary to insomnia reduces the amount of energy available to engage in social activities....
If you have been diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, you have already been through quite a lot. You have likely experienced some disturbing (possibly life-threatening) symptoms; you have probably been rushed through diagnostic testing; and, once the diagnosis was made, you were probably immediately placed on therapy. The Road to Recovery Recovering from pulmonary embolism will take some work, both on your healthcare provider’s part and on yours. Now that your condition has been stabilized, it is time for you take stock of what has happened, why it might have happened, what you can do to help yourself recover fully, and what you should do to prevent a recurrent pulmonary embolism....
People who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), may have special concerns regarding the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes, COVID-19. These risks relate to medications, prior surgery, or immunosuppression. However, IBD itself is not currently thought to be a risk factor for COVID-19. The international IBD community, through the International Organization for the Study of IBD (IOIBD) and other non-profit organizations, is sharing knowledge and experience, and guidelines are emerging regarding COVID-19 precautions, treatments, and vaccination for people with IBD....
Studies from China suggest that chest radiographs (X-rays) and chest computed tomography (CT) scans can help diagnose the disease. Both can reveal abnormalities indicative of lung disease, including COVID-19. X-ray A chest X-ray (radiograph) is the most commonly ordered imaging study for patients with respiratory complaints. In a patient’s early stages of COVID-19, a chest X-ray may be read as normal. In patients with severe disease, X-ray readings may resemble pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)....
Babies require daily dental hygiene care in order to prevent mouth irritation and tooth decay. When you take the time to develop good brushing and flossing habits from an early age, it will make this often monotonous task part of their daily routine; for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. The Beginnings of Oral Health Care Dental hygiene should begin shortly after a child is born. After every feeding, a clean, warm washcloth should be used to gently cleanse the inside of the mouth....
The digestive system is composed of organs that work together in order to convert food, supplying basic nutrients needed by the body, into energy. Essentially, the digestive system is a long tube that’s open on either end. Food enters at one end, then passes through a long tube inside the body called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, along which nutrients the body can use are absorbed. The residue that is not used by the body is excreted from the other end....
Diuretics, also known as “water pills,” are a common, inexpensive, and effective medication used to treat high blood pressure. They work by causing the kidneys to increase the amount of salt and water excreted from the body. This means you will urinate more than you usually do. Over time, this increased excretion causes plasma volume to decrease, which reduces the volume of the liquid contained within the arteries. This decreased volume, in turn, reduces the amount of “pushing” caused by the blood on the artery walls, leading to a decrease in blood pressure....
Eczema can affect any part of the body, including in and around the ears. Ear eczema can present some challenges as well as a few unique symptoms and complications. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of ear eczema. Causes Ear eczema, like other types of atopic dermatitis, is caused by an overreaction by the immune system to irritants or allergens. This overreaction can result in inflammation of the skin....
Glucosamine is a natural substance that plays an important role in the formation and repair of healthy cartilage. It is a popular dietary supplement that’s often taken in combination with chondroitin sulfate. Glucosamine is usually made from the shells of shellfish, such as shrimp and crab, and some believe taking the supplement may trigger a reaction in those with a true shellfish allergy. However, this is a controversial topic. Glucosamine as a Dietary Supplement Glucosamine is available to purchase by itself, in combination with chondroitin sulfate, or in combination with several other compounds as a nutritional supplement....
Drug use is a significant risk factor for strokes, and it is often associated with strokes in young people who do not have the usual health problems that contribute to a stroke. But not all drugs have the same impact on the overall risk for stroke, and different drugs affect the body differently. Some drugs can cause a stroke by directly harming blood vessels in the brain while others directly cause a stroke by impairing other organs in the body—such as the heart, the kidneys, or the liver....
There are two types of fiber: soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. While both of these are important to include in your diet, studies have shown that one type of fiber can also help to lower your cholesterol. We have already known some of the other health benefits that fiber has to offer. It helps with normal bowel function and it adds bulk to foods to make you feel fuller. However, there is evidence of another essential benefit that fiber may have is that it can improve your heart health....
Have you ever noticed that when you are having trouble breathing, you become increasingly anxious, which makes you start to panic, which in turn causes you to become even more short of breath? This sequence is known as the dyspnea cycle, which is incredibly common in COPD. Dyspnea, more commonly known as shortness of breath, can be described as the sensation of having the urge to breathe which results from a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream....
There is currently no cure for xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), a genetic condition in which DNA damaged by ultraviolet (UV) light does not get repaired. For those with this condition, ways to handle this disorder range from stringent prevention of UV exposure to skin cancer removal and treatment of related eye and neurological abnormalities. This article will discuss the home and lifestyle remedies, over-the-counter treatments, prescription medications, and specialist-driven procedures that are used to treat and manage xeroderma pigmentosum....
With internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO), proper side-to-side eye movement can become impaired. This is an eye movement disorder that affects the cranial nerve fibers that usually work together to allow the eyes to gaze in the same direction. In cases of internuclear ophthalmoplegia, while it’s still possible to move the eyes up and down, one or both eyes become unable to turn inward. When just one eye is affected, it can shake and appear to gaze straight ahead while the other turns sideways as it normally would....
As I sat in my office in December of 2019, I received a phone call from my dermatologist. She had just completed a last-minute biopsy on me two days prior. I wasn’t prepared for the news I was about to receive. This article is part of our series looking at how Black Americans navigate the healthcare system. According to our exclusive survey, one in three Black Americans report having experienced racism while seeking medical care....
Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) is an inflammatory neurological disorder. It causes significant issues with motor skills, eye movements, behavior, language disturbances, and sleep problems. It often comes on very suddenly and it can be chronic; if you have been diagnosed with OMS, some symptoms can last throughout your life. Its name describes its symptoms: opsoclonus is jiggling eye movements and myoclonus means involuntary muscle twitching. It is also known as “Kinsbourne syndrome” or “dancing-eyes-dancing-feet....
If you’re still working on kickstarting your New Year’s resolutions, chances are you’ll stick to them longer with the help of a healthy planner or journal. Planners can help to set goals, track habits, and monitor anything from meal plans to mental health, all while helping to keep track of your day-to-day life. The best planner for reaching your health goals is going to be one that adapts to your needs without being overly complicated or time-consuming to use....
