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Federal regulators on Thursday authorized and recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 booster shot for 16- and 17-year-olds. Key Takeaways Americans as young as 16 are now eligible for a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine six months after the second dose.The decision comes as health officials prepare for a winter surge in cases driven by the Delta and Omicron variants.Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are not yet authorized for people younger than 18....

The occasional case of heartburn is often brought on after eating a spicy meal or drinking alcohol, among other things, and can be treated. Having heartburn once in a while is nothing to worry about. However, if it happens more frequently, and especially at night, it can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux. This article will talk about heartburn symptoms, causes, typical foods and drinks that trigger heartburn, as well as foods to relieve this uncomfortable feeling....

When you start getting your period, you’re likely to have an endless stream of questions about everything from the amount of flow (what’s normal and what’s not) to the best types of protection (pads or tampons or something else). Here are basic answers to some of the most common questions about menstruation during the early years. Keep in mind that it never hurts to talk to a parent, caregiver, family friend, or a doctor about anything regarding your period that concerns you....

Arsenic poisoning is a type of heavy metal poisoning. Arsenic is a metalloid element found naturally in the environment. Poisoning occurs when a person ingests too much arsenic. This can happen through the contamination of food and water. You can also be exposed to arsenic in the air in the form of a gas. Because arsenic has no odor or taste, it is impossible to detect. However, arsenic poisoning symptoms may be a clue that someone has been exposed....

A study published last month suggests drinking wine may reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Sound too good to be true? It is, experts tell Verywell. Key Takeaways Experts are questioning a recent study that suggests drinking red wine, white wine, and champagne appears to reduce COVID risk, while drinking beer and hard cider increases the risk.Researchers did not consider whether study participants practiced any COVID protective measures, like vaccination or mask wearing....

Experts estimate that at least 50% of people living with dementia experience daily pain, and research suggests that in those who have chronic pain, cognitive decline is likely to progress more quickly. Causes of Pain There are two ways that dementia can cause or worsen pain: Neurological changes associated with the underlying disease can affect pain centers in the brain.Cognitive decline may make a person unable to communicate their pain. In the latter case, the pain can stem from a separate health condition that may go un- or undertreated....

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a frequently recommended treatment for fibromyalgia (FMS). It’s also one of the better-researched non-drug treatments for this condition. CBT is a psychological treatment, but it’s used to treat an array of non-psychological ailments. However, FMS patients sometimes mistakenly believe that the recommendation of CBT means that their illness is considered psychological, or “not real.” In truth, a growing body of evidence shows that CBT is effective at helping you learn to manage your illness more effectively, and may even result in physiological changes in your brain....

On September 9, the Department of Justice sued the state of Texas over a new law that bans abortions after six weeks. Now, on Tuesday, the department asked a federal judge to grant a temporary restraining order, which would prevent Texas from enforcing the law. Key Takeaways On Tuesday, the Justice Department asked a federal judge to grant a temporary restraining order against Texas’ abortion ban, which would prevent the state from enforcing the law....

Treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) involves using many approaches simultaneously in an effort to manage your disease and symptoms. Some dietary supplements—specifically, biotin, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids—have shown promise as potentially beneficial in MS because of the role they may play in promoting myelin sheath repair and reducing inflammation. While supplements may be a sensible addition, they are not a substitute for your current MS therapies. In addition, they can potentially pose a danger of toxicity and interact with MS disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) or your other medications....

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common type. The other two types are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and restrictive cardiomyopathy. In dilated cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle is weakened and unable to contract normally. To compensate, the muscle “stretches,” causing the heart to dilate. This dilation is especially prominent in the left ventricle, one of the four chambers in your heart. This article looks at the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy....

An exploratory laparotomy may be the end of your treatment journey or just the beginning. Depending on what is found, it may be possible to treat your condition during the surgery or you might need to have additional procedures or treatments. This article covers the benefits of an exploratory laparotomy, what follow-up treatments may be needed afterward, and tips to help with your long-term recovery. Benefits of Surgery The main benefit of an exploratory laparotomy is the potential diagnosis of a medical condition that cannot otherwise be found through less-invasive studies, such as imaging or laboratory tests....

For some people, cicadas may be a pesky nuisance during summer’s warmer months. And for others, they may make for a tasty treat, full of nutritional value. But if you have a seafood allergy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautions you to steer clear. Key Takeaways Cicadas, like other bugs, are edible and offer some nutritional benefits.If you’re allergic to seafood, you should avoid eating cicadas and other bugs, as eating them may trigger a reaction....

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) (also called portosystemic encephalopathy) is a condition where liver disease affects brain functioning. HE often occurs in people who have diagnoses such as hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. It can also develop as a result of liver cancer. As liver disease progresses, the toxins that a healthy liver should be removing from the blood instead travel to the brain and impact its ability to function normally, think clearly, and remember information....

Do you enjoy pistachio nuts? They can be part of a healthy diet, and studies are finding they may have beneficial effects on cholesterol and metabolic syndrome. Pistachio nuts are seed fruit of the pistachio tree (Pistacia vera) and a close relative of cashews. This tree is native primarily to the Middle East, especially Turkey and Iran. Although the shells naturally have a light brown color, processors sometimes dye the outer shell red or green....

Itchy lungs is a term used to describe an unpleasant sensation in the chest. Sometimes referred to as a tickle or scratchy feeling, itchy lungs are a symptom that is bothersome and often caused by lung irritants. Lung irritants can come from the environment, a medical condition, or physical stress. Determining what irritates the lungs and removing that irritant may help reduce or eliminate the itching sensation. This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and treatments of itchy lungs....

Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by inhaling a type of fungus spores into the lungs. The fungus, known as histoplasma capsulatum, is found throughout the world in soil and in bird or bat droppings. Histoplasmosis is aersolized into the air by disturbing soil during farming or construction activities or when working with animals like chickens and cleaning their coops. Although most cases of histoplasmosis are mild and require no treatment, people with weakened immune systems may develop more serious cases of the disease....

Experiencing a normal period every month can be challenging for some women. But there are changes to your menstrual cycle that should be evaluated by your healthcare provider. Normal menstruation results from a series of complex processes that must occur precisely each month. From your first period until you reach menopause a normal menstrual cycle comes every 21 to 35 days and lasts for no more than seven days. Once you establish regular cycles, which can take several years after menstruation begins, you will be able to recognize changes in your cycle....

Shoulder exercises can be useful in the treatment of many of the common causes of shoulder pain. These exercises are also part of the usual rehabilitation after shoulder surgery. Shoulder exercises should be performed under the direction of a healthcare provider to ensure safety and proper muscle movements. After surgery, it’s important not to do any exercises that would overly stress the healing shoulder. When to Rehab Shoulder rehabilitation focuses on two important aspects of shoulder motion: flexibility and strength....

Food allergies are common in adults and kids. Approximately 8% of children and 10% of adults in the United States are allergic to at least one food. This article will give an overview of soy allergies. You will learn what happens if someone is allergic to soy, as well as whether it’s possible to outgrow the allergy or develop allergies to other foods. The most common food allergies in kids are eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, and soy....

While swallowing is considered an effortless, reflexive action, it’s actually quite a complicated and coordinated maneuver involving many muscles and nerves. As a result, neurological conditions characterized by damage to the brain, spinal cord or nerves can often result in difficulties swallowing, called dysphagia. Neurological Causes The most common neurological conditions associated with dysphagia include: Stroke Head trauma Multiple sclerosis Cerebral palsy Dementia Tumors of the brain or spinal cord Cervical spine injury Motor neuron disease Myopathy Depending on the specific neurological condition, a person may experience dysphagia for unique reasons....