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The American Heart Association (AHA) has updated its cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidelines to protect healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways The American Heart Association has released new CPR guidance in response to the pandemic.The guidance recommends wearing a mask and other PPE during CPR.Experts say people should wear a mask when performing CPR outside of medical settings, too. The interim guidance was released on January 24, 2022, and advises healthcare providers to wear a respirator, like an N95 mask, along with other personal protective equipment (PPE) like a gown, gloves, and eye protection, when performing CPR on people with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19....

For most people, the hardest part of a trip to the movies is agreeing on what box-office blockbuster they want to go see. People with food allergies, though, find those decisions easy when compared with choosing movie theater snacks. More than 32 million people have some type of food allergy and it’s not always possible to bring snacks from home. Nor is it any fun just to avoid the concession counter altogether, because settling in to watch a favorite movie with popcorn and candy is part of the theater experience....

The B-cell, also called B-lymphocyte, is a type of white blood cell that plays a significant role in protecting your body from infection. Without B-cells, your body would not be as effective at fighting off a number of common bacteria and viruses; and you would lack the long-lasting “memory antibody” function that is typical after recovering from an infection or after being immunized against a specific infectious invader. Origin B-cells, like other white blood cells, arise from hematopoietic stem cells that reside within the spongy bone marrow, especially in certain bones like the hip bone and vertebrae....

The risk of HIV is much higher from men to women than from women to men due to in large part to the vulnerability of the vagina, cervix and (possibly) the uterus. Not only is there greater tissue surface area in the female reproductive tract (FRT) when compared to the penis, changes in biology can often make the mucosal tissues that line the FRT even more susceptible to infection. While the mucosal membranes of the vagina are far thicker than rectum, with around a dozen overlapping layers of epithelial tissues providing a ready barrier from infection, HIV can still gain access to the body through healthy cells....

Cervical cancer screening, which usually includes a Pap smear and/or an HPV test, is an important and necessary preventive procedure for women starting at the age of 21. A Pap test is used to detect cellular abnormalities in the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer, and an HPV test looks for the virus (human papillomavirus) that may cause these abnormalities. Cervical cancer screening has been found to reduce mortality from cervical cancer by two-thirds....

If you or your child has an ear infection or is experiencing ear pain, coping with the pain and related symptoms can be a struggle at times. It can be difficult and frustrating to see your child in pain. It may help to know that even in the case of frequent recurring ear infections, most children grow out of this condition. This is true even in the majority of extreme cases that require the surgical placement of ventilation tubes....

Cor pulmonale occurs when the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery—which carries blood from the heart to the lungs—increases and leads to the enlargement and subsequent failure of the right side of the heart. It can be a complication of several lung conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms of cor pulmonale can include fatigue, swelling, and chest pain. Cor pulmonale is a progressive condition that can rapidly worsen....

Cortisone shots for acne involve injecting a synthetic form of the hormone cortisol into large acne cysts. As an anti-inflammatory, cortisone shrinks the swollen cyst wall, helping reduce the redness, swelling, and pain of severe inflammatory acne breakouts. Cortisone acne shots work quickly. Within 24 hours, you’ll notice treated blemishes softening, shrinking, and flattening. While they may not completely disappear, they will invariably be smaller and better able to heal themselves within a week....

If you’ve ever experienced tooth sensitivity, you’re not alone. But not everyone realizes that dentin—not enamel—is what causes tooth sensitivity. Dentin is the middle layer of the tooth (between the enamel and the pulp), and makes up the majority of the tooth’s structure. In fact, dentin is what gives our teeth their color; tooth enamel (the top layer) is fairly clear! Though many people know that enamel is the hardest substance in the body, dentin is also denser and harder than bone....

Dynamic stabilization is a surgical technique designed to allow for some movement of the spine while maintaining enough stability to prevent too much movement. This type of operation is considered an alternative to lumbar fusion surgery in some situations. While dynamic stabilization surgery has become more common, it is still controversial since studies have not been able to demonstrate consistent outcomes with these techniques. Spinal Stabilization Spinal stabilization may be considered when:...

Fibrosarcoma produces excess collagen in places that it shouldn’t throughout the body. Therefore, symptoms are often nonspecific and can be felt anywhere in the body. It arises from fibroblast cells, the cells responsible for producing the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. This type of cancer is most commonly found in middle-aged adults and primarily occurs in the long bones of the thigh, upper arm bone, or jaw, although tumors can arise nearly anywhere in the body....

Parents of young children know all too well that small objects and pieces of food can easily get lodged in the throat. This can cause choking, which closes off the airway. Big kids and adults are also at risk of choking. The Heimlich maneuver is a tool used to help someone who is choking. This article explains how to tell if someone is choking and how to help them based on their age....

While vigilance is a necessity in the world of food allergies, it’s not uncommon to forget or simply not know, the hidden dangers lurking in common, everyday food and non-food products. Here are some items to be leery of (and avoid) if you have a food allergy. Sunscreens and Lotions Watch out for tree nut oils and extracts like almond extract and shea nut butter included in these products. While these are unlikely to cause a major reaction, it may be wise to skirt around them and use alternative products....

Have you ever been asked to take a computerized visual field test? You may not be familiar with the formal name of the test, but you probably remember taking it. The test requires the patient to look into a machine, hold their head still, and detect a series of flashing lights without moving their eyes. The patient is instructed to tap a button whenever a flash of light is detected....

With multiple sclerosis (MS), your immune system misguidedly attacks the protective coating—called the myelin sheath—of nerve cells in your brain and spinal cord. It is unknown as to why one person’s immune system goes awry and launches these nervous system attacks and another person’s immune system does not. That said, scientific evidence suggests that both genetics and some sort of environmental trigger play a role in MS pathogenesis. In other words, in order for MS to develop, a genetically vulnerable person must be exposed to something in their environment....

Sexually transmitted diseases aren’t just a problem of the young. Older people can suffer from them, too. In fact, there are several reasons why older adults may actually be in more danger from STDs than their younger counterparts, including: Lack of regular screening for sexual problems can increase the risk of a disease going unnoticed for years, leading to serious complications. After menopause, women’s vaginal tissues thin and natural lubrication decreases....

Muscle strains and lumbar sprains are the most common causes of low back pain. A low back muscle strain occurs when the muscles of the back are abnormally stretched too far. A lumbar sprain occurs when the ligaments, the tough bands of tissue that hold bones together, are torn from their attachments. Differentiating a strain from a sprain can be difficult, as both injuries will have similar symptoms. Many doctors refer to both injuries as a category called “musculoligamentous injuries” of the lumbar spine....

Myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy—also called muscle hypertrophy syndrome—is a rare genetic disorder that causes significantly increased muscle size and decreased body fat. Up to double the amount of muscle mass can develop in people with the condition. Their strength can be normal or above average. This article discusses myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Symptoms of Myostatin-Related Muscle Hypertrophy The main symptom of myostatin-related muscle hypertrophy is the presence of enlarged muscles, particularly in the thighs, calves, and upper arms....

Neuroblastoma is caused by the mutation of immature nerve cells. While experts aren’t exactly sure what causes these nerve cells to mutate, studies have shown that the corruption of certain genes or inherited risk factors can increase the chance of diagnosis. For example, changes to the ALK gene, or a family history of neuroblastoma, have been identified as reasons why a person may develop cancer. In greater detail, this article will review some of the known risk factors associated with neuroblastoma....

Not only is it normal to have one testicle that is bigger than the other, it’s also common to have one that hangs a bit lower. However, asymmetrical testicles that develop suddenly and are accompanied by pain and other symptoms are cause for concern. This article describes the anatomy of testicles and why they may differ in size. It also covers the various conditions that can adversely affect testicles, how to perform a testicular self-exam, and when it is time to see a healthcare provider....