Teeth whitening has become so popular that it seems like everyone is doing it. If you want to obtain a bright and white smile, teeth whiteninmay be just what you are looking for . Not only is teeth whitening effective, but it can also drastically change your smile and improve your self-esteem at the same time. The peroxide ingredient in most teeth whitening products is what actually bleaches the enamel and makes your teeth whiter....
Diverticular disease is a common condition that is characterized by the presence of pouches in the wall of the colon, called diverticula. In most cases, diverticula do not cause any symptoms, but sometimes they can become inflamed and/or infected, which causes a condition called diverticulitis. While about half of people over the age of 60 have diverticula in their colon, only about 10% to 25% of those individuals go on to develop diverticulitis....
When you are in pain, what’s so bad about a little comfort food? Well, nothing, as long as you eat it in moderation. Problems arise, however, when you overindulge in junk food. How do you know what to eat if you have chronic pain? Let’s start with what not to eat. What You Should Not Eat Today, most Americans consume more calories than they actually need. Many of the foods you choose may also be high in unfavorable ingredients, such as saturated fats, sugar, and salt....
An enchondroma is a benign tumor found inside of bone.The typical scenario is that a patient had an x-ray for an injury to a joint, commonly the shoulder, knee, or ankle. While the joint looks normal, an abnormality is seen inside the bone. Often these are completely unrelated to the cause of pain, and one of the most common reasons is an enchondroma. Benign Bone Tumors When a patient hears they have a tumor, this can cause anxiety and fear; many patients are initially worried they have cancer....
In a draft recommendation statement, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is recommending that healthcare providers do not prescribe combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to prevent chronic conditions in post-menopausal people or estrogen-only HRT in people who have had their uterus removed. Key Takeaways Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is used to treat the symptoms of menopause.Some healthcare providers will also prescribe HRT to help prevent chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes in people who have gone through menopause....
Normal, healthy-looking urine is a light yellow color. If you look into the toilet and see green pee, you’ll probably be concerned or at least wonder why your pee is green. Most often, green pee is caused by coloring in food or drink. Medication can also color your urine green. In rare cases, green-colored urine can indicate something more serious, like an infection or medical conditions such as liver trouble....
Influenza, or the flu, causes illness every year, usually between late fall and early spring in the Northern Hemisphere. There are many strains of the influenza virus, only some of which cause illness in humans. Other strains cause illness in other species such as pigs (swine), birds, dogs, and even bats. H1N1 swine flu is a type of pandemic influenza that began circulating and caused a worldwide outbreak in 2009. It is caused by a specific strain of the influenza virus....
A breast cancer screening test that lets you avoid the pain of a yearly mammogram sounds great—but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and researchers say the HALO Breast Pap test isn’t the right alternative. It’s no longer on the market after the FDA issued serious warnings about the ramifications of relying on this type of technology for breast cancer diagnosis. The test itself was considered safe; however, if it makes women think they can skip their annual mammograms, it could mean cancer is diagnosed later than it could’ve been....
Ask any registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) what their favorite go-to snack recommendation is and they will most likely answer: nuts. Loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, nuts make a satisfying snack or meal addition at any time of the day. They’re also rich in plant sterols and fat, particularly the heart-healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs) proven to lower cholesterol. Research suggests that the health benefits of nuts for those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) extend beyond that of heart health to balancing hormones and reducing insulin....
Numerous STDs are not only dangerous in and of themselves. Many STDs can also increase the risk of becoming infected with other STDs, including HIV. HIV-positive individuals with STDs are also more infectious. They are three to five times more likely than individuals without STDs to transmit HIV during sexual activity. How Do STDs Increase HIV Risk? STDs increase a person’s risk of acquiring HIV in one of two ways....
Medical providers and healthcare organizations must now give patients electronic access to their health records under new federal rules that went into effect on Oct. 6. Key Takeaways Under new federal rules from the 21st Century Cures Act, healthcare organizations must give patients access to their health records in an electronic format. Experts say this will benefit patients because it will give them information that can help them make informed decisions about their care....
Joint replacement infections are a very dangerous surgical complications after knee and hip replacement. In these cases, bacteria can adhere to the implant itself, which makes the infection difficult to treat. Even if caught early, joint replacement infections sometimes require the implant to be removed or replaced—a serious and complex surgery that can take months to recover from. These infections are rare, occurring in 1% to 2% of patients. But given that joint replacement surgery has become one of the world’s most common elective procedures, this means that thousands of people are affected each year....
Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and interstitial cystitis (IC) – a painful bladder condition – frequently occur together. IC is more common in women, and women with IC are significantly more likely to develop fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Having IC alone can impose a lot of restrictions on your lifestyle and, like fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS), it’s linked to depression. Also like FMS and ME/CFS, IC can be difficult to diagnose, treat and manage....
Johnson & Johnson on Wednesday reported that its booster shot could increase immunity nine-fold based on the company’s new interim data. Key Takeaways Johnson & Johnson reports a second dose of its COVID-19 vaccine could increase antibody levels nine-fold based on new interim data. The FDA has yet to authorize a Johnson & Johnson booster.Experts say a Johnson & Johnson booster could help reach vulnerable populations who initially did not have access to the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines....
There is increasing legalization of the use of marijuana within the United States and across the world. As such, it is important to understand the research supporting the role of cannabis as a sleep aid. It may help to treat insomnia and to ease nightmares associated with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There may be potential side effects, however, and its usefulness requires an assessment of the costs and benefits....
Moderna is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to add more doses to each COVID-19 vaccine vial, increasing the volume from 10 to 15 doses per vial. Key Takeaways Moderna is in conversation with the FDA to add five more doses to each COVID-19 vaccine vial, which could increase the number of people who can be vaccinated at each site each day. Even if Moderna gets the OK to add doses to vials, the increased supply is not expected for a few months....
Sleep apnea (also known as obstructive sleep apnea or OSA) is a sleep disorder occurring in about 25% of men and nearly 10% of women. Sleep apnea describes when a person stops and starts breathing again throughout the night because their upper airway becomes blocked during sleep. Having a narrow airway can increase the risk of sleep apnea. This ongoing breathing disruption means you get less oxygen while you sleep as well as worse sleep overall....
A new study indicates that soil pollution might be contributing to the rising rates of antibiotic resistance. While the problem has long been attributed to the overuse of antibiotics, recent research suggests that heavy metals could also be a threat. Key Takeaways Researchers from the University of Georgia found that soils containing heavy metals had a higher level of bacteria with antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs).Antibiotic resistance is a global public health concern that leads to higher healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and increased mortality....
BLAM! CRASH! When such a loud and disturbing noise occurs surrounding sleep, you might think you are dreaming even though you are awake. You might even think a gunshot or car crash has occurred outside your bedroom and get up to check it out. Sudden loud noises around sleep transitions may also occur as part of a condition called exploding head syndrome. What is exploding head syndrome? Learn about the most common symptoms, the causes and why it occurs, and consider effective treatments if it is bothersome....
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the hands. Osteoarthritis of the hand most commonly affects three parts of the hand: the base of the thumb, the joints closest to the fingertips, and the middle joints of the fingers. In order to manage your symptoms effectively, early diagnosis and treatment are essential. Causes Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, meaning that the cartilage covering the ends of the bones that form a joint gradually deteriorates....
