Knowing how to read an ingredients label can save your life. Literally. As one of the most basic management techniques for a food allergy, all individuals with a food allergy must know how to read an ingredients label. What Is an Ingredients Label? An ingredient label is a listing of everything that is contained in a food product. The complete label will usually, but not always, be located near the Nutrition Facts panel....
You’ve seen it on television and in magazine ads for over-the-counter treatments for “minor arthritis pain.” Is there such a thing as minor arthritis pain? Many people believe that arthritis is minor—especially osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis tends to get a little more respect because it’s generally thought of as “crippling.” So, what is minor arthritis pain—or is minor arthritis pain a misnomer? Minor or Mild Arthritis Pain “Minor” usually implies insignificance—something that’s more an annoyance than something serious....
Fluid in the ear goes by several names, glue ear, serous otitis media, and otitis media with effusion. All of these terms mean the same thing though, the middle ear space, which is normally filled with air fills up with fluid. This condition occurs when the auditory tube becomes blocked by overgrown sinus tissue, thick mucous or just because, anatomically, it is too close to other structures. Small children are much more prone to fluid in the ear....
If you’re getting on in years, especially if you’ve sustained a back injury or two along the way, you may be prone to a condition known facet joint hypertrophy. Hypertrophy in your facet joints is related to spinal arthritis, and like spinal arthritis, it usually occurs as the effects of age, wear and tear, poor posture and/or injuries take root. Age Related Wear and Tear of Facet Joints Facet joints are synovial joints, which means they come complete with a surrounding capsule and an inner self-lubricating capacity....
Many people become confused over the definitions of a primary vs secondary or second cancer. Primary cancer is defined as the original site (organ or tissue) where cancer began. In contrast, a second or secondary cancer may be defined in a few ways; as either a new primary cancer in another region of the body or as metastasis (spread) of the original primary cancer to another region of the body....
A SLAP tear is a specific type of injury to the labrum, or labral tear, SLAP stands for superior labrum from anterior to posterior. The SLAP tear occurs at the point where one of the tendons of the biceps muscle inserts on the labrum. The injury is to a part of the shoulder joint called the labrum. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket joint, similar to the hip joint....
In a new study, researchers at Northwestern University found that COVID-19 pneumonia differs from other types of pneumonia—often lasting longer and causing more damage. Key Takeaways In a new study, researchers at Northwestern University found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, advances through the lungs over a period of days or weeks by hijacking immune cells. COVID-19 pneumonia lasts longer than many other types of pneumonia.The researchers theorize that the long duration of COVID-19 pneumonia means it can inflict greater damage on the lungs than other types of pneumonia....
A new study has found that taking a low-dose aspirin every day might increase the risk of cancer progression and spread in some people. These findings are putting the common practice of taking low-dose daily aspirin among older adults into question. Key Takeaways Taking low-dose daily aspirin is a common (and often doctor-approved) practice for older adults. A new study has found that low-dose daily aspirin might increase the risk of aggressive cancers in some people....
A diet rich in flavanol-containing foods and drinks, including tea, apples, and berries, could help lower blood pressure, according to a recent study. Key Takeaways Eating flavanol-rich foods like tea, berries, and apples can help manage hypertension, according to a new study.Relying on biomarkers in urine instead of food diaries gives a more accurate glimpse into whether there is a true relationship between the intake of these foods and health outcomes....
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located in front of each of your ears, joining your lower jaw to your skull. You can easily locate it by opening and closing your mouth and feeling for the joint with your fingers. A TMJ disorder may occur when there is a problem with the actual TMJ or with the muscles surrounding it. Besides a dull pain at the site of the joint near the ear, a TMJ disorder may trigger headache, ear pain, neck stiffness, and popping or clicking of the jaw....
An MRI defecography uses an MRI machine to gain information about the functioning of the muscles of your pelvic floor in order to understand why you might be experiencing problems with your bowel movements. This test allows your healthcare provider to better understand how your rectum and other pelvic organs are working (or working dysfunctionally) as you evacuate stool. Like all MRIs, MRI defecography uses radio waves and magnets to take pictures of the soft tissues of your internal organs....
Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by an inability to perform everyday or highly trained movements, despite having normal muscle tone and strength. This is due to problems with cognition and motor planning and is often caused by a brain disorder or damage. This article will describe different types of apraxia, symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and treatment options. Types of Apraxia There are several different forms of apraxia that cause difficulty with everyday tasks and movements....
Prior to 2013, there were five separate diagnoses that existed on the autism spectrum. One of them was called pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). It is now known as atypical autism, autistic tendencies, or autistic traits in people with the diagnosis. The five subtypes were folded into a single diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published in 2013. This includes an assessment of the severity of the disorder, as defined by a level of 1, 2, or 3....
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux is actually a lot more difficult to diagnose in children than most parents believe. Happy Spitters Many children spit up when they are newborns and infants, but most don’t necessarily have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These “happy spitters” are just a little messy and don’t have any other acid reflux symptoms, such as not gaining weight well, weight loss, difficulty eating, or choking, etc. Since they don’t have other symptoms of acid reflux and aren’t bothered by their spitting up, they don’t need any special treatment....
Broken ankles are rarely life-threatening emergencies, but there’s no doubt that they’re extremely painful. First aid can go a long way toward reducing pain and starting the treatment process. Learn to recognize a broken ankle to decide how to treat it. pain (almost always present)swellingbruisingdeformity (ankle appears misshapen)tender to touchpatient is unable to bear weight on the ankle Not all ankle injuries are fractures, but there’s no way to tell in the field without an X-ray....
If your first COVID-19 vaccine dose was Pfizer and your second dose was Moderna, what would happen? New research is investigating the risks of combining different COVID-19 shots in an attempt to answer that question. Key Takeaways Using two different COVID-19 vaccines for first and second doses is more likely to lead to side effects, according to preliminary study results.The reactions after the second dose were the same as those commonly seen after getting the same vaccine for both shots—fever, chills, fatigue, and headache....
Because enoki mushrooms currently pose a risk of listeria contamination, experts advise avoiding them during the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations. Key Takeaways Enoki mushrooms may be contaminated with listeria.Listeria can cause symptoms like diarrhea or fever. In high-risk individuals, complications can be more severe or life-threatening.Some experts recommend that all individuals avoid enoki mushrooms until the outbreak is contained. With 20 recalls since 2020, enoki mushrooms have been one of the most recalled foods over the past few years....
A number of asthma-related associations, foundations, and related groups offer scholarships specifically for students who have asthma. While having the condition is a universal requirement for such programs, each asthma scholarship has its own additional application requirements, as well as a unique monetary award and deadline. If you’re a high school or college student living with asthma, it is worth seeing if you qualify for an asthma scholarship, as it can help you pay for tuition and other costs of your higher education (such as living expenses and books)....
Inflammation is commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and other types of inflammatory arthritis. On the other hand, osteoarthritis (OA) is usually explained as “wear-and-tear” arthritis, meaning that it is related to aging and changes in the cartilage. But is it also tied to inflammation? Inflammation and Osteoarthritis There has been an evolution of thought about whether or not inflammation is what causes osteoarthritis, so much so that it is now thought to be an inflammatory disease....
Stories of people being offered the COVID-19 vaccine by pharmacy employees while just doing their shopping are proliferating on social media. Reading them, you might be tempted to loiter in the nearest CVS, RiteAid, or Walgreens waiting for your own lucky break. But public health experts strongly discourage that course of action. Should you disregard their advice, they say, you’re putting your health as well as that of others in jeopardy....
