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Vicks VapoRub is a popular over-the-counter (OTC) medication. It’s applied to the skin to treat coughs and relieve muscle aches and pain. Both symptoms can be caused by the common cold. It’s not safe for everyone, though—especially young children. Some research has found that use in children under age 3 could cause seizures and other serious problems. This article looks at how Vicks VapoRub works for coughs and muscle aches, how to use it, who shouldn’t use it, and what side effects it can cause....

If you’re pregnant, getting that second dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is key. New research shows that pregnant women responded slower to the first vaccine dose compared to non-pregnant women. Key Takeaways Researchers found that after the first dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine, pregnant women had a lower antibody count when compared to their non-pregnant counterparts.Pregnant and lactating people are more susceptible to infections during this period because the body is making adjustments to the immune system to accommodate the growing fetus....

Comedolytic is the term used to describe a product or medication that inhibits the formation of comedones, blemishes that form when oil and skin cells become trapped in the pore. The first part, comedo-, means pore blockage or breakout. The second part, -lytic, in a nutshell, means “destruction.” So, the word comedolytic literally means the destruction of pore blockages. How Comedolytic Products Work Comedolytic products work by helping the skin to shed more effectively....

The effect of vitamin D on health and wellness is gaining more recognition. It helps build strong bones and could potentially play a role in boosting your ability to fight colds and respiratory infections. Vitamin D affects many systems in your body, and a deficiency is related to serious diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. This vitamin may also play a role in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)....

Not all infections that are associated with sex are sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are associated with sex. However, they are not generally considered to be sexually transmitted. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are certainly associated with sex. But are UTIs contagious? Are UTIs Contagious? UTIs occur more frequently in people with vaginas who are sexually active. As a result, UTIs may be more common in newly married people with vaginas or people with vaginas in the early stages of a sexual relationship....

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is advising people not to post their COVID-19 vaccination card on social media due to the private information featured including your full name, birth date, and where you received your immunization, which can make you vulnerable to identity theft and possible vaccine scams. Key Takeaways The Better Business Bureau advises against posting a picture of your vaccination card on social media to prevent identity theft and vaccine scams....

If you’re getting ready to undergo chemotherapy, a very common question is, just how painful is chemotherapy? This is a common question because of the way the media portrays cancer treatment and chemotherapy, and the language often used to describe it. Each person’s experience with chemotherapy is different. You may have side effects or discomfort, and some people may even have pain. But the anticipation of the unknown is often the most anxiety-producing, so it can help to learn what you might be able to expect....

Ganglia is the plural of the word ganglion. Ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies found throughout the body. They are part of the peripheral nervous system and carry nerve signals to and from the central nervous system. They are divided into two broad categories, the sensory ganglia and the motor ganglia (which are associated with the autonomic nervous system). Anatomy Ganglia are clusters of nerve cell bodies. Let’s take a look at their structure and location within the body....

A herniated disc (also called a bulging, ruptured, or slipped disc) is a condition where the soft material between the bones (vertebrae) of the spine compresses a nerve. The compression of nerves generates pain and other symptoms such as weakness, tingling, or numbness in the area where the nerve is affected. A herniated disc is most likely to occur in the neck (cervical) or lower back (lumbar) spine. A few reasons why a disc might herniate include trauma, deterioration, and genetic predisposition....

One of the home remedies touted for colds is mixing honey and cinnamon and taking it for three days to cure a cold, chronic cough, or sinus congestion. This may have been used for hundreds of years as a cold and flu remedy, but there isn’t any scientific evidence that this combination has such benefit. However, some studies do show that honey may help with a cough. Why It Doesn’t Work There is no cure for the common cold....

To diagnose Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), your healthcare provider may perform several different tests and procedures. The evaluation may include a physical exam, lumbar puncture, electromyography and nerve conduction studies, or blood tests. Guillain-Barré can be life-threatening and requires close attention by medical professionals, usually in a hospital setting. Here you will find how doctors determine whether a patient has Guillain-Barré syndrome. Physical Exam Beyond taking a careful history to decide whether Guillain-Barré is a possibility, the doctor will look for certain findings on a physical exam....

Washing your hands is one of the best ways to avoid sickness and prevent the transmission of germs, including the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus. Washing hands thoroughly with soap and clean water can be a crucial defense against diseases that spread easily from person-to-person, and keep you, your loved ones, and the community healthy as a result. However, handwashing is only effective when done correctly and consistently. When Should You Wash Your Hands?...

A major branch of the common carotid artery in the cervical (upper) spine, the internal carotid artery is one of a pair that run along each side of the neck and access the inside of the skull through an opening called the foramen lacerum. Once inside, this artery is closely associated with a number of important nerves and brain regions before breaking into the anterior and middle cerebral arteries. This makes it a major source of blood for the brain and parts of the head....

While fertility gradually diminishes as you age, women at midlife are still able to conceive—whether they want to or not. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, there were 840 births to women 50 years and over in 2017. In addition, the birth rate for women aged 45 and over was 0.9 births per 1,000 women, and for women aged 50 to 54 it was 0.8 births per 10,000 women....

Children are less likely to produce antibodies from a mild COVID-19 infection compared to adults who have similar symptoms and viral load, according to a new study. Key Takeaways Children with mild COVID-19 are less likely to produce antibodies than adults, despite having a similar viral load and symptoms, a new study finds.There was no significant difference in antibody levels in children with symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19.Children may have a robust initial immune response that clears the infection more quickly and nixes the need for specialized antibodies, but a lack of antibodies may leave them more vulnerable to reinfection....

A genetic predisposition and a triggering event are thought to cause certain types of arthritis. For example, researchers have determined that about 40% of people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis have a family history of the diseases involving first-degree relatives. Family studies have shown that psoriatic arthritis is 55 times more likely to develop in first-degree relatives of people with the disease compared to unrelated controls. In genetic studies, the term concordance refers to the degree of similarity in a set of twins regarding the presence or absence of a disease or trait....

Most psoriasis sufferers know that the condition can flare and improve, sometimes seemingly for no reason. The unexpected nature of the flares can be particularly frustrating, you can be doing well one minute and then poorly the next. Certainly, not all flares can be predicted. Controlling the known triggers of psoriasis in your life, however, can help prevent some of them. Stress Stress is a common trigger of psoriasis. Emotional stress can come in many forms, including issues at your job, challenges at home like divorce or raising children, and anxiety about current events....

A kidney ultrasound is a non-invasive way to take images of your right and left kidneys. Unlike an X-ray, ultrasound technology doesn’t use radiation. Instead, it uses sound waves that are undetectable by the human ears. The sound waves echo off the organs and create images that allow your healthcare provider to see the size, shape, location, and, in some instances, the blood flow to your kidneys. Because kidney ultrasounds don’t emit radiation or use contrast dye as part of the testing process, they are safe for children, pregnant women, and people who may have an allergy to dyes....

Your recovery after breast reduction surgery will affect how your breasts look over time. Knowing how to take care of your incisions, how to control your pain and when to resume your exercise and other activities will help you obtain the best possible appearance after breast reduction. Surgery Follow-Up Reduction mammaplasty, also known as breast reduction, is a surgical procedure that removes fat, glandular tissue, and skin from the breasts. It is performed under general anesthesia....

Menstrual cramps are the result of contractions of the uterus, causing aches, pain, throbbing, and spasms in the pelvic area and lower abdomen. The cramps are thought to be caused by the build-up of hormones called prostaglandins during the early part of the menstrual cycle. Menstrual cramps are often treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen). Other people find relief by placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on the lower tummy or taking a warm bath....