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Inflammation is one of the most common causes of pain, but is it linked to the pain of fibromyalgia? The role of inflammation in this condition has been the topic of research and debate for decades. In fact, the condition used to be called “fibrositis,” which means “fibrous-tissue inflammation.” Over time, however, an apparent lack of inflammation led the medical community to see fibromyalgia (“fibrous-tissue and muscle pain”) as a more accurate term....

For months, mental health experts have talked about how the stress of living through a global pandemic can impact your mental well-being. Now, new research has shown it can have physical repercussions, too. Key Takeaways High blood pressure became more common during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.Experts say a range of factors, including stress and a change in lifestyle habits, likely contributed to the rise.High blood pressure can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes....

If you have Down syndrome or are a caregiver for someone with Down syndrome, you may already be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. In some states, people with Down syndrome have been prioritized to receive vaccines due to their high risk for a severe case of COVID-19. Key Takeaways While people with Down syndrome are not universally eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine at this time, some states are prioritizing them....

A phlebotomist is a person responsible for drawing blood from patients for lab tests, transfusions, or donation. Phlebotomists are trained to collect blood via venipuncture (when a needle is used to draw blood from a vein), finger pricks, or in the case of infants, heel pricks. Phlebotomists typically work in hospitals, medical offices, clinics, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donation centers. Though other medical personnel, such as nurses or medical assistants, might draw blood, phlebotomists specialize in doing so....

To most scientists, life is all about reproduction. On a biological level, organisms like humans, fungi, plants, and bacteria can be thought of as elaborate protein-based ways for bits of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to copy themselves more effectively. In fact, the drive to reproduce even extends outside of living organisms. Viruses are an example of a strange limbo between the living and nonliving. In a way, a virus is little more than a reproductive machine....

Researchers at the UNC School of Medicine have discovered that making certain modifications to face masks can increase protection even more. Key Takeaways Researchers have studied various face mask modifications to see which offers the best protection.Modifications can greatly improve the efficiency of a face mask.One of the best modifications is tying ear loops and tucking in the pleats of a face mask. Studies have already shown that when two people wear face masks, they have a greatly reduced risk of contracting COVID-19....

One common condition we don’t usually think about when we assess our risk of cardiovascular disease is restless leg syndrome. This may be an oversight since it turns out that there is indeed an association between restless leg syndrome and heart disease. Overview Restless leg syndrome is a fairly common condition that affects people when they are trying to rest. People who have this condition experience a sort of discomfort in the legs when they are falling asleep, that compels them to move their legs around incessantly in order to seek relief....

If you’re newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you may be wondering how severe the disease will become and what you can expect moving forward. It’s common to be curious and even anxious about your prognosis and what factors affect how quickly symptoms will get worse. A lot of people in your position ask: Will I face a mild or aggressive disease course?Will pain become unbearable?Is disability inevitable?Will I be able to work and take care of my family?...

The superior thyroid artery is a major blood vessel in your circulatory system that supplies oxygenated blood to the thyroid gland and larynx (voice box). The thyroid is in the front of your neck and produces an array of hormones vital to many bodily functions. The larynx is situated above the thyroid gland and is crucial for speech. You have two superior thyroid arteries—one on either side with generally symmetrical courses....

The wrist joint is the junction of the two forearm bones (the radius and ulna), and the group of 8 small bones at the base of the hand (the carpal bones). Like other joints in the body, the wrist can develop arthritis, causing joint pain and swelling. Different types of arthritis can affect the wrist joint, including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment of wrist arthritis most often begins with simple treatments, and when these fail to provide relief, there may be surgical options....

Swimming is an excellent physical activity for people with diabetes. It’s fun, and as a cardiovascular workout, swimming has numerous benefits that make it well-suited for managing diabetes. Aside from access to a pool, it requires little else by way of equipment, and if you’re already a decent swimmer, you should be able to jump right in after getting the green light from your healthcare provider. If you don’t know how to swim, you can take lessons or participate in water exercise classes that don’t require special skills....

When people with Alzheimer’s or another kind of dementia fall, it’s important that we spend time to determine the root cause for that fall. This process is called root cause analysis. Root cause analysis means to dig deep and attempt to determine the underlying cause of the fall. Once we identify that root cause, we can then figure out an appropriate intervention that hopefully reduces that chance that this person will fall again....

Unsaturated fat is part of a heart-healthy diet and may lower your “bad” cholesterol. Foods high in unsaturated fat include: AvocadosOlivesNuts and seedsFatty fishSome oilsDark chocolate This article looks at the differences between unsaturated fats and saturated fats, how they affect your health, and what foods you should be eating. The Benefits of Unsaturated Fat Fat often gets a bad rap. Saturated fats and trans fats are unhealthy and deserve their reputation—they can raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad cholesterol”), which can clog your arteries and lead to heart attack and stroke....

When you’re deaf or hard of hearing you can often find yourself wondering what it would be like to be able to hear. Yet, there are also times when you’re glad to be deaf! Think of all the arguments you’re missing out on. You also don’t have to listen to all the noises of a busy city or that thunderstorm that wakes people up at night. Sure, there are obstacles to being deaf, but when it’s a reality we have to look on the bright side, too....

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a household staple used primarily in baking and cleaning. However, some people use baking soda for health-related conditions, like soothing mouth sores, heartburn, and brushing teeth. Research supports using baking soda paste to clean and whiten teeth, but the taste and texture of baking soda can be off-putting. As an alternative, dental products that contain baking soda are widely available. This article discusses the pros and cons of brushing your teeth with baking soda....

Usually, healthcare providers try to limit polypharmacy, or your exposure to excess or redundant medications. Thus, if you present with a sore throat that needs antibiotics, you’ll receive a prescription for one type of antibiotic, not a prescription for several types of antibiotics. But does this guidance apply to over-the-counter pain medications, too? Risks of Polypharmacy Polypharmacy is problematic for a number of reasons: The more medications that you take, the greater the risk of adverse effects or drug-drug interactions....

Sick of nose swabbing for COVID-19? Soon, you might be able to test for the virus by just talking to your phone. Key Takeaways Researchers are evaluating a new COVID test that would detect the virus based on voice and sound.The test listens to how a person composes a sentence, in addition to their coughing and breathing sounds, to determine if they are COVID-19 negative or positive.The test is still under study and is not available to the public, but may represent a breakthrough in virus detection....

Many patients will continue to produce urine even after starting dialysis. Making urine doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need dialysis, however. The decision to initiate and maintain dialysis is based on multiple factors including lab tests and the patient’s symptoms and not necessarily on the volume of urine one makes. This article discusses urine production after starting dialysis, what it means, and how it is related to renal health. Urine Production After Starting Dialysis Unless your kidneys have completely shut down and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) has gone down to absolute zero, you will probably still make urine after you start dialysis....

If you have shoulder pain, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist to help determine the cause of your pain and to restore normal mobility around your shoulder joint. Your PT can assess your condition and teach you the right things to do to get your shoulder moving again. There are many causes of shoulder pain. If weakness is found in your shoulder and rotator cuff muscles, your physical therapist may use specific exercises to help improve the strength and muscular function of these muscles....

Full-spectrum CBD is a substance that contains all of the extracts naturally found in the cannabis plant, including very small amounts of THC, the psychoactive ingredient associated with the marijuana “high.” It’s recently been popularized for its potential to help alleviate a variety of health conditions—like pain, anxiety, inflammation, and epilepsy—but more research is needed to fully back up all of the claims about its benefits. What It Is Before exploring full-spectrum CBD, it’s helpful to understand what CBD is to begin with....