The gastrocolic reflex is a physiologic response in which the simple act of eating stimulates movement in the gastrointestinal tract. This is what makes you feel the urge to have a bowel movement soon after eating, especially if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This reflex is natural but is abnormally strong in those with IBS, and it has been implicated as playing a part in some of the symptoms of the condition....
A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit is a small, battery-operated device that can help with pain management. The device has leads attached to adhesive pads called electrodes. The electrodes are placed on the skin near the painful area. It delivers mild electrical impulses that can be adjusted in frequency and intensity to help modify pain signals in your body. Benefits The TENS unit is lightweight, making it easy to carry and use on the move....
If you have celiac disease and have been vaccinated against hepatitis B, it is possible that the vaccine may not be as effective for you. This is because the immune system in people with celiac disease doesn’t always respond to the vaccine in the expected way. Fortunately, re-vaccination with a booster shot will usually prompt the correct immune response and provide you ample protection against hepatitis B. Celiac Disease and Hepatitis B Vaccine When you receive the hepatitis B vaccine series, your body’s immune system is supposed to respond by producing antibodies to the hepatitis B virus....
Children with swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) have inflammation in their external ear canal. It is usually caused by water irritating the skin inside the ear, which then becomes infected with a bacteria, or more rarely, a fungus. Symptoms Ear pain is the most common symptom of swimmer’s ear. Unlike the pain of a middle ear infection (otitis media), which might follow a cold, the ear pain from swimmer’s ear is made worse by tugging on your child’s outer ear (the pinna....
It may seem wasteful to replace your CPAP supplies when the equipment looks perfectly fine, but new equipment helps keep the device clean and functioning at its best. How often should you replace your CPAP supplies may be determined in part by your insurance company, and there are some general guidelines that can be followed. Your durable medical equipment provider may keep you on schedule for the replacement of your supplies, which is very convenient....
Skepticism from the general public toward COVID-19 policies are making headlines all over the world, but health professionals are taking into account the public’s concerns. As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prepares to review Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines, public health officials are working to bolster confidence in the potential COVID-19 vaccine candidates. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released a report stating the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective....
Crutches come in various sizes, each of which are adjustable so you can get a just-right fit. Learning how to measure for crutches and adjust them properly for your height can make them easier, more comfortable, and safer to use. A physical therapist can help you pick the right crutches and fit them appropriately. If you find you need to do this yourself, read on. This article reviews crutch sizes, how to adjust your crutches, and how crutch training can help you use these assistive devices....
Inhalant use disorder, or inhalant abuse, is when a person becomes addicted to inhaling toxic fumes from everyday household substances like glue, nail polish remover, or spray paint with the goal of getting intoxicated. It can cause serious health risks like brain damage, heart problems, and even death. This article will describe the symptoms to watch for, causes of an inhalant use disorder, how diagnosis works, and what treatments are available....
TikTok has brought us some unique health-related content—remember Nyquil-marinated chicken and Pink Sauce? With cold and flu season upon us, the “immune-boosting” tips are making the rounds on social media. Key Takeaways A new TikTok trend features posters showing people how to make onion water, claiming that the drink can cure RSV and sinus infections.Experts say there’s no evidence that drinking onion water offers immune benefits and it can actually come with health risks....
If you’re watching your cholesterol levels and have dutifully switched from butter to margarine, you may have heard the rumors about it being potentially even worse for heart health. What gives? Before you throw your hands up in frustration, here is what research has to say about the healthiest spread for your dinner roll. But first, a little history on the butter-vs.-margarine debate. Butter vs. Margarine Butter, long-adored in America for the rich savory flavor it adds to almost any dish, was shown to be associated with an increased risk of heart disease due to its saturated fat content....
Natural treatments for lupus are often used alongside conventional medical treatment. They may be used to help reduce symptoms, which can include fatigue, joint pain, and hair loss. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can damage the heart, lungs, blood vessels, brain, joints, skin, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Natural lupus treatments include: Omega-3 fatty acidsAnti-inflammatory herbsDHEA supplementsMind-body therapies This article lists natural remedies for lupus and how they might help manage symptoms....
Sleep disorders in people with neck arthritis are common. In fact, sleep disturbance affects up to 10.2 million U.S. adults with arthritis, according to a 2011 study by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The study estimated that people with arthritis (or any chronic disease) are almost three times as likely to have insomnia as their healthy counterparts.* I spoke with two New York City physical therapists to find useful tips on sleeping with neck arthritis and was pleasantly surprised to find that at least one of these tips may even save you money....
If you struggle to get your teenagers to bed at a reasonable hour and fight to get them out of bed in the morning, you may be dealing with teens who have delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS). This relatively common condition can be accentuated during adolescence when the pressures of a school schedule conflict with changes in the body’s circadian rhythm among teens who are naturally night owls. Learn how DSPS affects the sleep of teenagers and how this can lead to both insomnia and morning sleepiness....
Pericarditis is a condition in which the pericardium (the protective elastic sac that encloses the heart), becomes inflamed. Often, this inflammation is relatively mild and transient. But in some cases, pericarditis can lead to severe illness and even to cardiac damage. Causes Pericarditis can be caused by a number of conditions, including infection, heart attack, autoimmune disorders, chest trauma, cancer, kidney failure, or drugs. Infections that can produce pericarditis include viral infections, bacterial infections, tuberculosis, and fungal infections....
Scientists have developed an experimental therapy that can treat adults who were recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The treatment could also potentially prevent the disease in people who are at risk. Key Takeaways A new combination drug therapy could help people with type 1 diabetes continue to make their own insulin.The treatment was effective during clinical trials and helped patients’ bodies develop their own insulin.Researchers hope the treatment may even help prevent type 1 diabetes in at-risk patients....
Soybean products aren’t limited to tofu anymore. In fact, soy is everywhere, and in many non-food products you just wouldn’t expect. Soy products are powering city buses, insulating buildings, and filling your stuffed animals. Many products marketed as “green” or “eco-friendly” use soy-based alternatives to petroleum products. There are even new plastics made from soy. If you have a soy allergy, could you be allergic to these products? Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much research done on the link between food allergies and non-food products, and the research on soybean oil has had conflicting results....
Out of all age groups, a teenager’s growing body requires the most energy. And that energy comes from calories. Teenage boys should consume 1,600 to 3,200 daily calories per day on average. Teen girls should consume 1,400 to 2,400 daily calories per day on average. Although your teenager may have no trouble coming up with ways to consume all the calories they need, the quality of food matters. Many snack foods and drinks have little or no nutritional value, resulting in empty calories....
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a condition characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs, causing an urge to move to alleviate symptoms. Sensations of restless leg syndrome occur or worsen at rest and happen mainly at night. TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a treatment that delivers a gentle electrical current through the skin and muscles and may reduce these unpleasant symptoms. This article will review the potential benefits and risks of using a TENS unit to treat restless legs syndrome....
Research has shown that there is a connection between nicotine and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, what is puzzling is that smoking seems to have opposite effects on the two main forms of IBD—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Nicotine and Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is largely referred to as a disease of non-smokers. Former smokers are at the highest risk for developing ulcerative colitis, while current smokers have the least risk....
Health experts on TikTok are touting magnesium as a key mineral that helps with sleep, muscle cramping, and bowel movement. It may also help fight depression, boost exercise performance, lower blood pressure, and prevent migraines. Key Takeaways Magnesium is a mineral that is necessary for keeping the muscles, nerves, bones and heart healthy. It’s rare for healthy people to have magnesium deficiencies, however, if you are concerned about this, you should talk with your doctor to check your magnesium levels....
