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From statins like Lipitor (atorvastatin) to PCSK9 inhibitors like Repatha (evolocumab) to niacin and beyond, several kinds of medications are regularly prescribed to treat high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Which is most appropriate for you depends on several factors, but it’s likely your healthcare provider will want you to begin taking prescription medication if diet and exercise are not enough to lower your levels, or if your risk for cardiovascular disease is particularly elevated....

If you have neck pain, perhaps you have felt those awful knots that reside in the upper trapezius and levator scapula muscles. The muscles make up the part of your shoulder where your neck and shoulder meet. These pesky trigger points can cause pain, tension, and muscular spasm in your neck and shoulders. There are many proposed treatments for releasing trigger points in your upper trapezius and levator scapula muscles. Massage and trigger point release are often used....

Respite care can make a difference in helping you take care of your loved one who has cancer. If you are a caregiver, you may be experiencing stress or feel overwhelmed at times. You may also have little time for yourself — missing out on important appointments and neglecting your social life. Successful caregiving has to be a balance between providing care and also caring for yourself. While it may feel like there is no time for you and your needs, it doesn’t have to be that way....

Snapping hip syndrome is a condition that is characterized by a snapping sensation, and often an audible ‘popping’ noise, when the hip is flexed and extended. There are several causes for snapping hip syndrome, most commonly due to tendons catching on a bony prominence and “snapping” when the hip is moved. Snapping Hip Syndrome Symptoms Many people with snapping hip syndrome feel as though the ball of their ball-and-socket hip joint is coming out of position, a so-called hip subluxation....

Snoezelen therapy provides sensory stimulation using light, sound, scents, and music to have both relaxing and activating effects that promote well-being. It is believed to be helpful for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, autism and other developmental disorders, and brain injuries. Snoezelen therapy was developed in the Netherlands in the 1970s by institutions caring for people with severe disabilities. The word “snoezelen” (pronounced SNOO-zeh-lehn) is a contraction for the Dutch words for sniffing out or exploring (snuffelen) and dozing (doezelen)....

One of the great hopes for stem cell regeneration therapy is the potential to grow healthy organs from scratch. Among these organs is the thyroid, with the goal being to re-grow thyroid tissue in those who have had it removed due to thyroid cancer and people who were born without a fully developed gland. While science is advancing—research has expanded from laboratory and animal experiments to investigations on human thyroid cells in test tubes—the use of stem cell therapy for this purpose in humans just isn’t there yet....

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease affecting the heart muscle (or myocardium), most often caused by infections, immune diseases, or toxins. This inflammation reduces the ability of the heart muscle to contract normally. In severe cases, myocarditis can produce permanent heart damage, in particular, dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure. Symptoms of Myocarditis The symptoms caused by myocarditis can vary tremendously in severity. Some people with this condition have symptoms that are barely noticeable, while others suffer severely....

The Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) is an outcome measurement tool used by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals to measure overall independence during specific functional tasks. It is most often used in acute hospitals and subacute rehabilitation settings, although it can be used anywhere for patients who have functional mobility impairments. Parts of the FIM The FIM is composed of 18 specific tasks that are commonly assessed and treated by physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, and other rehabilitation professionals....

TURP Syndrome, or TUR syndrome, is an uncommon but serious complication of a specific type of prostate surgery. There are multiple types of prostate surgeries, but the transurethral resection of prostate surgery (TURP), is one of the most common and the one most closely associated with TUR syndrome. TURP syndrome has decreased in occurrence significantly with advancements in how the procedure is performed. During the procedure, a constant stream of sterile irrigation solution is used to allow the surgeon to see the prostate during the procedure....

Water exercise (also called aquatic exercise, pool therapy, or hydrotherapy) can include aerobic or endurance activities, stretching and strengthening exercises, and range-of-motion exercises performed in warm water. According to Johns Hopkins University, a good temperature range for most pool exercise is 82 F to 86 F. Therapeutic pools, usually heated from 92 F to 98 F, are appropriate for gentle range-of-motion exercise. Why Is Water Exercise Better Than Land Exercise? The buoyancy of water supports the body’s weight....

COVID-19 has had wide-ranging impacts on nearly all aspects of life, creating other kinds of dire public health issues in its wake. One of the biggest is the youth mental health crisis. Key Takeaways Young people in the United States were experiencing a mental health crisis before the pandemic hit. COVID-19 has greatly exacerbated this problem, creating a dire situation for youths across the country.Parents and caregivers can take a number of steps to support the young people in their lives and help curb this crisis....

Your resting heart rate can reveal a lot about you. Ask any runner, and they’ll tell you that they keep tabs on their resting heart rate to figure out things like how well they’re responding to training and whether they may be coming down with a cold. Knowing how your ticker ticks can provide you with valuable information, but don’t feel pressured to compare yourself to others. Heart rate— resting or otherwise—varies from person to person....

Intravenous (IV) therapy, or IV infusion, is a way to give a person medicine or fluids directly into a vein. It requires using a needle or catheter (tube) that is inserted into the vein. IV therapy can be used to treat many different medical conditions. Conditions Treated You may need IV therapy for different conditions, such as: Dehydration (loss of body fluids without adequate replacement) Malnutrition (nutrient deficiencies) Drug or alcohol dependence Cancer (to administer chemotherapy) Autoimmune disorders (conditions in which the immune system mistaken attacks the body’s own tissues) Infections and other diseases Process You usually get IV therapy in a clinical setting, including: HospitalsInfusion centersPhysician’s officesOutpatient clinicsUrgent care clinics You may be able to have IV therapy at home....

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects between 4% and 20% of women of childbearing age. The condition is characterized by higher than normal levels of testosterone, which creates an imbalance of female sex hormones. PCOS is the most common cause of ovulatory infertility. Infrequent, irregular periods (known as oligomenorrhea) and the absence of periods (amenorrhea) are common symptoms of PCOS. However, many things can cause irregular periods, and PCOS is only one of them....

There are more than 100 different sleeping and waking disorders, and it is easy to confuse them. Sleep deprivation often occurs with sleeping disorders. If you cannot sleep for more than four to five hours per night (or less), you may have sleep deprivation. In addition, regular sleep interruptions from things like night terrors or “sleep starts” can also lead to sleep deprivation. If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, your sleep deprivation may be caused by insomnia....

Rachel Charlton-Dailey (she/they) is a journalist specializing in health and disability. Her work is featured in publications such as Healthline, Huffpost, Metro UK, The Guardian, and Business Insider. Charlton-Dailey often uses their platform to spotlight issues that affect disabled people. Here, they explain how something like activism can be exclusionary. Last week, the world’s attention has turned toward the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). Leaders, representatives, and climate activists from 120 countries are in Glasgow, Scotland, for the annual summit....

While there is no set course in the way that HIV progresses from one person to the next, there are strains (variants) that are associated with rapid progression. These variants result from genetic mutations that typically develop initially within a specific region, oftentimes spreading beyond that region to become a predominant—if not the predominant—strain. In a study published in 2015, one such variant was reported to have been isolated in Cuba, which is known to develop into AIDS within three years of initial infection—making it arguably the most aggressive strain identified to date....

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is a root used in herbal medicine. Both Native American healers and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have utilized it. Research suggests it may boost energy, stimulate the immune system, and lower blood sugars. This article will look at the evidence for possible health benefits, side effects, and how to buy, prepare, and store American ginseng. What Is American Ginseng Used For? The overall evidence for American ginseng’s potential health benefits is limited....

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune form of arthritis that causes joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness, most often affecting the lumbar spine of the lower back and sacroiliac joints. Joint stiffness with ankylosing spondylitis typically worsens with lack of movement, especially upon waking in the morning. This article will discuss how ankylosing spondylitis causes morning stiffness and ways to treat your symptoms. What Is Morning Stiffness? Morning stiffness is the joint stiffness that occurs when you wake up in the morning....

Are you concerned because you’ve been leaking urine, urinating more frequently than usual, or experiencing other symptoms of urinary incontinence? You shouldn’t feel ashamed, nor should you worry that you’re overreacting. Reduced bladder control can seriously hinder your ability to live your life without restraint, and may also be an indicator of a more serious, underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or kidney disease. What can you do about it?...