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Ibuprofen is a popular over the counter pain reliever and fever reducer. It is available for children and adults and can be used for a wide variety of illnesses and conditions. If you have never taken ibuprofen before or you aren’t sure if it’s right for your problem right now, you’ll get the basics on this common drug here. Active Ingredient Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). In the United States, ibuprofen is sold over the counter as brand-name medications Advil and Motrin, as well as multiple generic and store brands....

This story is part of a series that explores growing health trends that were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Will these trends stay or go away in the post-pandemic era? The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an undeniable toll on many people’s mental health around the world. Key Takeaways Inaccessibility of in-person mental health care left many searching for alternative ways to ease their mind during the pandemic.Guided meditation apps and videos emerged as a valuable tool to help people cope with stress and anxiety....

Infectious mononucleosis (mono) is highly contagious and is often caused by a herpes virus known as the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Less commonly, it can also be caused by other viruses like the cytomegalovirus (CMV). While mono can be transmitted through sexual contact, it is not strictly a sexually transmitted disease. Popularly known as the “kissing disease,” mono can also be spread through saliva, sharing drinks and utensils, and other forms of close contact....

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and abnormal sleep breathing commonly go together. Sleep apnea is considered a possible cause or contributing factor for FMS, and FMS may increase your risk of sleep apnea. Any sleep disorder can make FMS symptoms worse, so treating sleep disorders is often a big help in managing the condition.Sleep apnea is one of the more serious sleep disorders because it can lead to life-threatening conditions. Sleep Apnea Overview People with sleep apnea frequently stop breathing while asleep....

The loss of appetite is common when undergoing cancer treatment, particularly if you get a common side effect called oral mucositis that causes mouth sores. To ensure proper nutrition to help you heal, you need to find non-irritating foods that you can eat even if you have mouth sores. This article explains why mouth sores occur in people undergoing cancer treatment. It also lists the types of food you can and cannot eat—as well as the way to eat—to better cope with treatment-induced oral mucositis....

One of COVID-19’s hallmark symptoms is the loss of sense of smell. But just how many people experience this side effect? Researchers are trying to answer that question. Key Takeaways New research finds that a large number of people have lost their sense of smell from COVID-19.Scientists estimate that up to 1.6 million people are struggling with this side effect.Doctors urge people to get vaccinated against the virus. The research, which was published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, analyzed data from daily new cases of COVID-19 from The COVID Tracking Project....

Neuropathy from chemotherapy can be a very annoying symptom, both due to the symptoms it causes and the effect it can have on your quality of life. It may also interfere with treatment, resulting in a need to lower the dose of a medication or discontinue chemotherapy altogether. Neuropathy currently affects about one-third to one-half of people going through chemotherapy and is becoming more common. That said, the incidence of neuropathy among people with cancer is underdiagnosed....

Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is a synthetic form of oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that causes the uterus to contract. It is given through an intravenous (IV) line to induce (start) or augment (speed up) contractions during labor. This article will discuss Pitocin, including its purpose, risks, and complications. Purpose Pitocin (oxytocin injection) is given intravenously as a method of labor induction, typically at least 39 weeks into pregnancy. You may be given medication first to “ripen” your cervix (the lower part of the uterus) and prepare you for labor....

Pouchitis is a condition that occurs in some people who have had a surgery known as ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA), which is commonly called a j-pouch. When the j-pouch becomes inflamed and causes symptoms of diarrhea (sometimes bloody), an urgent need to pass stool, incontinence, and pain or discomfort while passing stool, it is called pouchitis. Not everyone who has a j-pouch gets pouchitis, but some people get it periodically, and a few get it frequently enough that it might be labeled “chronic....

Pseudobulbar affect, or PBA, is a syndrome characterized by outbursts of crying or laughter that are inappropriate or exaggerated within the person’s social setting. This syndrome can occur in patients with MS and significantly affect their lives, causing feelings of anxiety, embarrassment, and social isolation. The disorder is becoming more widely recognized, however, and effective treatment is available. The variability of terms used to describe this syndrome has created some confusion among people who suffer from it, as well as within the medical field....

Psittacosis is an infectious disease that primarily affects birds, but it can also spread to humans. People with pet birds or who work around birds are more likely to contract this infection than others. While it’s relatively rare, some experts suggest that infection rates are higher than documented. This is because not everyone seeks treatment since symptoms are sometimes mild or some people don’t show signs at all. This overview article looks at the basics of psittacosis, including symptoms, causes, and treatments....

Yoga poses for back pain include the side angle. Side angle pose may help stretch key core muscles such as the oblique abdominals as well as several others. Adding side angle pose to your yoga practice will likely challenge your balance. Plus, it’s known for giving a great spine lengthening experience. Regular performance of side angle, along with other yoga poses may help you reverse years of poor posture habits....

The classic triad of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) refers to a cluster of symptoms that commonly occur with the syndrome. These three symptoms are hirsutism, anovulation, and obesity. The Classic Triad The classic triad is not a complete indicator for PCOS. Just because you only have two, one, or none of these symptoms does not mean you don’t have PCOS. You can still have a diagnosis of PCOS without these features, but it is helpful for you to know that they may occur....

Desde el inicio de la distribución de las nuevas vacunas contra el COVID-19, los adultos mayores han tenido prioridad para recibir la vacuna, al ser una población en riesgo a desarrollar síntomas severos de COVID-19. Ahora, más del 72% de los adultos mayores de 65 años en los Estados Unidos han recibido su primera dosis de la vacuna contra el COVID-19 y el 49% están completamente vacunados. Entre ellos se encuentra María Josefa Gutiérrez, una residente de Miami, Florida de 73 años, quien recibió su primera dosis de la vacuna Pfizer el 23 de febrero....

The stomach flu, known as infectious gastroenteritis, is a common condition that usually includes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. While referred to as a “flu,” it is not related to the influenza virus and is most often caused by norovirus or rotavirus. Stomach viruses like these are very common in children. They are highly contagious and can quickly spread through concentrated environments like schools or daycare centers. This article will describe the common symptoms of stomach viruses in children, treatments, and when to take your child to see a healthcare professional....

The decision to have mitral stenosis surgery is a tricky one, and it has to be carefully individualized. If you and your healthcare provider have decided that it’s time for a procedure, you’ll be weighing three basic options for the surgical treatment of your mitral stenosis: From most to least often recommended, these are: percutaneous mitral balloon valvotomy (PMBV)mitral commissurotomymitral valve replacement Not all of these approaches are suitable for everyone who has mitral stenosis....

Sepsis is a serious systemic response to an infection. Basically, the entire body is experiencing an inflammation response. “Blood poisoning” or “septicemia” are terms that are also used by some to refer to sepsis, although they really mean that is an infection in the bloodstream, while “sepsis” describes the response to that infection. Sepsis is an extremely dangerous condition, requiring urgent medical attention. What Are the Symptoms of Sepsis? The first clue that someone might have sepsis is if they have a known or suspected infection....

A closed fracture is a broken bone that does not penetrate the skin. This is an important distinction because when a broken bone penetrates the skin (an open fracture) there is a need for urgent treatment, and an operation is often required to clean the area of the fracture. Furthermore, because of the risk of infection, there are more often problems associated with healing when a fracture is open to the skin....

Who was the face behind the name of Hodgkin lymphoma? Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866) was a British pathologist who first described this disease in the early 1800s. Thomas Hodgkin was one of the most prominent British pathologists of his time, lecturing and curating the pathology museum at Guy’s Hospital Medical School in London. He performed hundreds of autopsies and cataloged thousands of specimens. He also brought the first stethoscope to Guy’s Hospital after being instructed in how it was used by René Laennec in Paris....

Researchers from the University of Missouri have found a link between the flu shot and COVID-19 symptoms in children. Key Takeaways New research links the seasonal flu shot to a lowered risk of COVID-19 symptoms and severe complications in children.The CDC currently says that the flu shot does not protect against COVID-19.Doctors stress that more research is needed before conclusions are drawn. For the January study, which was published in the journal Cureus, they analyzed data from more than 900 children who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between February and August 2020....