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Dysphonia is difficulty speaking due to a reduced control of the muscles of your lips, mouth, tongue, throat, and/or vocal cords. In multiple sclerosis (MS), dysphonia often means trouble controlling the volume of speech, meaning speaking too softly to be heard or more loudly than is appropriate. Other examples of dysphonia include hoarseness, raspy speech, or a change in pitch when you try to talk. Dysphonia Is One Form of Dysarthria If you have MS or know someone who has it, you may be aware that there are many ways this disease can affect the ability to speak clearly....

A single nasal swab can now be used to detect COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). And you can administer the test yourself at home. Key Takeaways A new test you take at home and mail to a lab can let you and your doctor know if you have COVID-19, the flu, or RSV.This combination test can help people get the appropriate treatment faster.Experts say that while the test is helpful, even faster results are important....

Arthritis commonly affects the joints of our fingers. When is finger joint replacement an option? Finger joints are important for many activities, and severe arthritis of the hands and fingers can cause significant disability. Arthritis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of a joint, a point in your body where two bones connect and movement takes place. The most common types of arthritis to occur in the hands are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis....

Fragrance sensitivity is when your airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents. While the term is sometimes used synonymously with a fragrance allergy, a fragrance sensitivity doesn’t involve a whole-body immune response. Instead, it suggests that some component of the fragrance is irritating to your airways and eyes. With a fragrance sensitivity, symptoms like sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes develop in response to scents like perfumes, flowers, incense, and cigarette smoke....

A recent study found that fully vaccinated individuals have a lower risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC)—also known as long COVID—after infection. Key Takeaways A recent study found that vaccinated individuals are less likely to develop long COVID after COVID-19 infection compared to unvaccinated individuals.Booster shots will likely reduce the risk of long COVID as well.The best way to prevent long COVID is to avoid COVID-19 infection by wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and maintaining social distance....

“When it comes time to purchase dental insurance, you may wonder what options are available. There are basically two types of dental insurance plans: direct reimbursement and traditional dental plans. What is Direct Reimbursement? A direct reimbursement plan is a dental insurance plan that is usually entirely funded by your employer and allows you to choose any dentist without the hassle of networks. With a direct reimbursement plan, you are reimbursed for money spent on dental work, which is not limited to specific treatments....

MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a popular supplement among people with chronic pain. Its main benefit is as an anti-inflammatory that offers some relief to people with arthritis and other types of inflammatory, muscle, or joint pain. It’s also believed to protect cartilage. MSM is also believed to counter oxidative stress and improve antioxidant capacity. It’s under investigation as a cancer treatment, as well. It passes readily through the blood-brain barrier and is distributed throughout the brain....

Choosing the best soap for your face can be confusing. Should you pick a bar soap or a liquid soap? A foaming solution or a non-foaming solution? Or should you go with a facial cloth? Not too long ago, the only choices that you had in terms of facial cleansers were bar soaps and cold creams. Now, entire store aisles are devoted to various facial-cleansing options. These tips may help you figure out which kind of soap is best for your face....

Sugar-free candy has some pros and cons when it comes to your health. The truth is that candy, whether sugar-free or regular, is still candy. If you’re trying to lose weight, you can eat sugar-free candy on a diet, but overindulging may sabotage your efforts. For people with diabetes, the carbohydrate impact of many sugar-free candies may come as a surprise. And some sugar substitutes can have unpleasant effects, as well....

If you take metformin for type 2 diabetes, you may wonder if it’s safe to continue using it while transitioning to menopause. While metformin for type 2 diabetes is safe during this transition, there are some particular benefits and side effects to consider. This article will help you determine whether or not taking metformin while transitioning to menopause is right for you. It discusses how metformin can impact your hormones and why this matters during menopause....

Pseudoarthrosis is a term used to describe what happens when a spinal fusion is unsuccessful. Spinal fusion is a type of back surgery given for a variety of problems including but not limited to scoliosis curve correction, disc problems, and/or instability in the spine (which can be due to an infection or tumor). The ultimate goal of a spinal fusion is to reduce pain and improve function. For spinal stenosis and/or radiculopathy, the goal is also to decompress, or make room for, nerves and/or the spinal cord as they pass through spaces in the spinal column....

One of the two main arteries of the forearm, the radial artery runs from the cubital fossa at the elbow to the carpal region of the hand to form the palmar arch, where it links up with the ulnar artery. It delivers blood to the elbow joint, lateral forearm muscles, radial nerve, the carpal bones and joints, thumb as well as the lateral side of the index finger. Anatomy The terminal branch of the brachial artery of the upper arm, the radial artery runs beneath the brachioradialis (a major muscle of the forearm) from the cubital fossa just past the elbow through the carpal region of the wrist, before ending at the palmar arch of the hand....

Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is a type of psychotherapy that targets irrational, self-defeating thoughts that lead to emotional stress, self-sabotage, and unhealthy life outcomes. These thoughts are challenged and then replaced with logical, reality-based thinking that helps with self-empowerment and a more positive approach to life. REBT also emphasizes self-acceptance regardless of personal accomplishments or status. This article covers the techniques and benefits of REBT along with its effectiveness....

If you have hypertension, or high blood pressure, your healthcare provider will almost certainly recommend you reduce the amount of salt (sodium chloride) consumed in your diet. A low-salt diet can play an important role in reducing your blood pressure—a leading preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Salt Sensitivity Some people can eat a diet very high in sodium without any meaningful change in blood pressure levels. Others eating that same diet may end up with high blood pressure....

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic often used to treat bacterial infections in children, but the medication is in short supply. Key Takeaways Amoxicillin is one of the most commonly used antibiotics, especially for children, and there’s a shortage of the drug because of supply chain issues and manufacturing delays.The shortage may result in delays when it comes to getting appropriate treatment.There are possible alternatives to amoxicillin, but a healthcare provider should evaluate the best option based on the specific illness, the age of the patient, and more....

Condoms are made of several different materials, such as lambskin, latex, polyurethane, or other synthetic materials such as AT-10 resin and polyisoprene. Additional additives can cause unexpected reactions to either one or both partners, and there is often little way of knowing what you are being exposed to even after reading the product label. To this end, here are some of the ingredients most commonly found in popular condom brands....

Verywell Health: How does stress impact heart disease risk? This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Meet the Expert Jessica Shepherd MD, MBA, FACOG is a board-certified OB-GYN and the Chief Medical Officer for Verywell Health. She is the founder and CEO of Sanctum Med + Wellness, a wellness concierge practice, and is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas....

Bladder training is a behavioral treatment that may be effective in eliminating bedwetting (or enuresis) among children. Bladder training seeks to increase the capacity of the bladder and the strength of the muscles used to retain urine in children and reduce the chance of accidents overnight. Learn how bladder training can be an effective bedwetting treatment in kids who still have problems. What Is Bladder Training for Bedwetting? Bladder training involves a program of increasing the capacity of the bladder through a combination of awareness and muscle strengthening exercises....

As a parent, it’s never easy to see your child unwell. Mild breathing changes or problems can commonly occur due to a minor cold or allergies, and they may just be something that will improve with time. But some breathing problems in children —such as wheezing and chest retraction—can be a sign of something more significant that warrants a doctor’s attention and, perhaps, emergency medical care. The signs of more serious breathing problems can be both obvious and subtle....

If you have diabetes, you can enjoy fruit like pineapple in moderation. Fruit naturally has sugar and carbohydrates in it that can impact blood sugar. However, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid it. Fruits like pineapple are good for people with diabetes as they are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. You just need to be mindful of portions if you want to include it in your diet. This article will go over what to know about including fruit like pineapple in your diet if you have diabetes....