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Ear infections are the most common bacterial infection in kids, and one of the most common reasons for a pediatrician to prescribe antibiotics. Given what we now know about how the overuse of antibiotics may cause bacteria to become resistant to them, however, it makes sense for doctors to be less quick to prescribe them. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued guidelines in 2013 to help pediatricians and parents make smart decisions about when antibiotics are really necessary to treat ear infections....

Hair loss is a common side effect of some arthritis medications, including Rheumatrex, Trexall (methotrexate), Arava (leflunomide), Enbrel (etanercept), and Humira (adalimumab). While symptoms may gradually resolve with a lower dosage, there is no true treatment for medication-related hair loss other than discontinuing the drug. However, don’t stop taking your medication until you consult with your healthcare provider. How to Stop Hair Loss Associated With Medication If hair loss is affecting your appearance and self-confidence, your healthcare provider may try to lower your dosage or switch you to another medication to see if that solves the issue....

Aspergillosis is a type of fungal infection caused by Aspergillus, a common mold that lives everywhere in nature. Most of the time, Aspergillus is harmless. In fact, most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick. However, people with weakened immune systems may develop serious disease from Aspergillus infection. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment for aspergillosis. Symptoms Symptoms of aspergillosis depend on the organ system that is affected....

Qigong is a complementary therapy that is now available at several cancer centers. Studies have found that it may help people cope with some of the symptoms of cancer, such as fatigue and chemobrain. Unlike many integrative therapies, there is some early evidence that qigong may have an effect on reducing inflammation associated with cancer or cancer therapy. or increasing apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells. Learn about the potential benefits seen in early trials, possible cautions, and how you can get started....

Essential oils have been used topically and as aromatherpy for many years and are known to help several health conditions. While there isn’t research that specifically states that essential oils treat diabetes, essential oils can help with some specific symptoms that people with diabetes have. These include fatigue, stomach discomfort, and stress. Hypertension There is limited research on whether essential oils are an effective treatment for hypertension. However, researchers did share that essential oils could be used as a relaxation therapy to prevent the progression of high blood pressure....

It is possible to be mildly autistic. However, people who are diagnosed with autism generally have symptoms that interfere with their ability to lead a normal life. Though you may wonder if some of your behaviors indicate you are slightly autistic, it’s important to remember that moods and preferences are difficult to equate with major mental conditions. This article looks at whether you can be “slightly autistic,” what some typical autism behaviors are, and how they may also be found in people who do not have autism....

It’s common to feel your knee popping when you bend or straighten it. Knee popping noises can be a normal part of having aging bones. It can be also caused by problems with the knee joint or the supporting structures around the knee. If you hear or feel a popping or snapping in your knee, whether or not you have pain as well will help you narrow down the cause of the knee noises....

In recent years, almost all HIV infections occurring in U.S. children have been the result of mother to child transmission, otherwise known as perinatal transmission. However, the epidemic is slowly coming under control. In 2005, only approximately 141 children were born with HIV, which is less than one-tenth the number of infected children born each year in the peak years of the mid-1990s, and the number has only continued to decline since then....

Unfortunately, when deaf and hard of hearing people look for work, they may encounter employment discrimination. Prospective employers can discriminate, either openly or subtly. This discrimination happens because of either overt prejudice, or because of ignorance about deafness and hearing loss. For example, an employer may erroneously think that a deaf employee will need an interpreter all of the time. What Can Deaf Job Applicants Do? Some deaf job searchers may try to tailor their resumes to hide the fact they have a hearing loss....

Dilaudid (hydromorphone HCl) is a narcotic analgesic. This means that Dilaudid is chemically similar to morphine and provides pain relief. This medication is only available by prescription and is typically used in the hospital for pain after a procedure or injury. Dilaudid is made using the poppy plant and is also referred to as an opioid, as are all medications derived from poppies. Dilaudid is also sold under the names Palladone, Palladone SR, Dihydromorphinone, and Hydromorphone Hydrochloride....

Dyshidrotic eczema is a type of eczema (a group of skin disorders) that affects the hands and feet. More commonly known as dyshidrotic dermatitis or pompholyx, this skin condition causes itchy, small fluid-filled bumps on the palms of the hands, sides of the fingers, and soles of the feet. It is a common skin condition that accounts for about 5% to 20% of all hand eczema cases. While preventing the rash is not always possible, identifying and avoiding triggers can reduce the incidence....

AstraZeneca’s Evusheld is not the first monoclonal antibody treatment to earn authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use against COVID-19, but it is the first medication to be authorized specifically to prevent certain people from developing COVID in the first place. Key Takeaways A newly-authorized monoclonal antibody called Evusheld may help prevent COVID-19 in people who cannot get vaccinated. However, the new treatment is not a substitute for vaccination for anyone who can safely get a vaccine....

Fear of food is also called cibophobia. It’s a type of specific phobia, which is classified as an anxiety disorder. Having cibophobia means that you have a deep, irrational fear of food. This can be limited to certain foods or beverages, or it may include many foods. If left untreated, having a fear of food can impact your quality of life as well as your nutrition. This article will explain the symptoms and causes of cibophobia and discuss the different treatment options available....

A heart murmur is an unusual sound of blood flowing through the heart. When accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath or chest pain, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. But heart murmurs are often harmless and not related to other symptoms. This article discusses heart murmur symptoms, potential complications, and signs that you should seek medical help. Frequent Symptoms A heart murmur is an extra “swooshing” noise as blood flows through the heart....

Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a very rare lymphoma. Known clinically as “hepatosplenic γ δ T-cell lymphoma," this illness has only rarely been reported in the scientific literature, and so its true incidence is unknown. HSTCL has often been seen in younger men, though cases involving women and children have also been documented. Also, there seems to be a link to an increased risk of HSTCL in immunocompromised patients. Based on published cases, HSTCL is likely to be misdiagnosed at first, and it carries a relatively poor prognosis....

Hypospadias is a male birth defect where the opening of the urinary tract, the urethra, is not located at the tip of the penis but opens partway up. Hypospadias affects approximately one in every 200 male births in the United States with varying degrees of severity. Hypospadias is more likely to happen if a close family member has experienced the same defect. Treatment Hypospadias is corrected surgically under a general anesthetic....

Lambskin condoms, which are also known as natural condoms, are a type of external condom that is worn over the penis. Lambskin condoms protect against pregnancy by keeping sperm within the condom. They are made from the intestinal membrane of a lamb, so these external condoms are truly a natural animal product. Lambskin condoms are the oldest type of all external condoms. There are records of individuals using lambskin condoms during the early part of the Roman Empire....

Regardless of the type of neck surgery you’ll be having, putting certain measures in place before your operation will give you peace of mind as you head into your procedure. During the weeks leading up to your operation, healthy lifestyle choices can make all the difference in preparing your body for a strong recovery. Here’s what to expect as you get ready for surgery and on the day of your procedure....

Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, normally caused by infection. Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) refers to cases that are not caused by gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection. Although there are several causes of NGU, the most common is chlamydia, another sexually transmitted infection. Often, cases of NGU go undiagnosed and people receive the same treatment for chlamydia. Learn more about treatments you could expect to receive for NGU, which are based on the most recent treatment guidelines for sexually transmitted infections from the U....

Capitation is a type of a healthcare payment system in which a doctor or hospital is paid a fixed amount per patient for a prescribed period of time by an insurer or physician association. It pays the doctor, known as the primary care physician (PCP), a set amount for each enrolled patient whether a patient seeks care or not. The PCP is usually contracted with a type of health maintenance organization (HMO) known as an independent practice association (IPA) whose role it is to recruit patients....