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Tailbone pain, technically called coccygodynia, can result from a fall or other trauma onto the very bottom part of your spine. Such trauma can bruise the periosteum (connective tissue that surrounds the bone), causing pain. Falls onto the tail bone can also fracture the bone, dislocate it (at the sacrococcygeal joint, which is the place where the coccyx and the sacrum come together,) or both. Whatever the outcome of the trauma, getting pain relief for an injured tail bone can be difficult....

Thousands of Americans are reaping the benefits of remote work, but their home state may affect their lifestyle and wellbeing. Key Takeaways California, Arizona, and Florida were ranked as the best states for health and wellness by a recent survey.The scoring metrics were based on access to national parks, interest in health practices, and health data from the CDC. According to a recent survey, California, Arizona, and Florida were ranked as the best states for health and wellness, while Alabama, Oklahoma, and Louisiana had the lowest wellness scores....

Toe walking is a specific type of gait often seen in young children learning to walk. Normal gait involves a specific sequence of events. These events are separated into two phases: stance phase and swing phase. The stance phase is the part of the gait cycle when the foot touches the ground. Stance phase begins with a heel strike, landing your heel on the ground, and then rolling your foot forward, and then coming up on your toes to push off....

During pregnancy, you may notice a sudden flare-up of acne breakouts, even if your skin has been relatively clear for years. And for some people, pregnancy can cause acne to develop for the first time—ever. It’s annoying, but know that changes in the skin are very common during pregnancy. Whether or not you decide to treat acne during your pregnancy depends on your skin, your situation, and your obstetrician’s advice. It definitely can be done—it just needs to be done with special care....

The vastus medialis (vastus medialis oblique, or VMO) is a teardrop-shaped muscle that helps move the knee joint and stabilize the kneecap. It is one of the four quadriceps muscles in the front of your upper thigh. Injury to the vastus medialis can cause knee pain and difficulty walking, running, or managing stairs. This article discusses the anatomy and function of the vastus medialis, as well as conditions associated with it....

The percentage of Americans who get an annual influenza vaccine has stayed at around 50% for years. While most people can get a flu shot—from the youngest to the oldest—new research is showing that kids may get a special boost from it. Key Takeaways New data show that young children get broad protection from annual flu vaccines.As kids grow up, however, the protection they get from the shots against other strains of the flu virus is not as consistent....

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition believed to be related to the neurologic system, one that exhibits a variety of symptoms. If you have been diagnosed or have signs and symptoms pointing to fibromyalgia, there are 10 basic facts you should know about the condition. It’s Primarily Characterized by Widespread Muscle Pain and Tenderness Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Symptoms can be similar to joint diseases, by the underlying disease process is not....

Whether you’re vaccinated against COVID-19 or not, spring allergy symptoms could be adding some heightened anxiety this year. That’s because some symptoms of spring allergies are similar to symptoms of COVID-19. Key Takeaways While upper respiratory symptoms can be signs of COVID-19 or allergies, fever and gastrointestinal symptoms are unique to COVID, and itchy eyes and sneezing are unique to allergies. If you have any uncertainty or your seasonal allergy symptoms seem different this year, get tested and/or seek a doctor’s evaluation....

Broken hands are painful, but not life-threatening. If the break is bad enough, there could be a loss of function or even a loss of part or all of the hand. So, a serious injury to the hand isn’t going to kill you, but it shouldn’t go untreated. Symptoms of a Broken Hand The symptoms of a broken hand are similar to those of other broken bones and include: Pain or tenderness Swelling Discoloration Deformity Inability to move (not required for a break—just because a hand can move doesn’t mean it’s not broken) Causes There are many situations that can lead to a broken hand, but most broken hands come from three distinct mechanisms of injury:...

Yes, it’s true: When you eat one of the three gluten grains—wheat, barley, or rye—the gluten protein passes through your digestive system and appears in your milk. Medical studies have actually confirmed this. In the first study, researchers fed 53 women a total of 20 grams of gluten (the equivalent of about six-and-a-half slices of wheat bread) and then analyzed samples of their breast milk. They found gluten in 54 out of 80 samples, and levels of gluten were highest in the samples taken between two and four hours after the women ate the gluten....

If you’re thinking about stopping hormonal birth control, you should know that you can quit safely at any time. However, you should also expect a return of some symptoms, such as acne, cramping, and menstrual bleeding. Read on to learn about the process and potential side effects of stopping birth control. Why Would I Stop Taking Hormonal Birth Control? There are many reasons why a person might discontinue the use of hormonal birth control, including:...

Will our current and emerging vaccines still be effective for new variants of the coronavirus? That was a key question for Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to President Biden, during his first press briefing of the Biden Administration on January 21. Key Takeaways Anthony Fauci, MD, addressed the effectiveness of existing COVID-19 vaccines on new coronavirus variants at a White House press briefing this week....

Haglund’s deformity is a bony bump where your Achilles tendon attaches at the back of your heel bone. Because of its prominence, the bump is subject to the effects of constant friction. This causes redness and irritation, and can cause skin thickening, pain, swelling, and increased skin lines. Haglund’s deformity usually develops due to shoes rubbing up against the heel. Abnormalities in foot function, position, or a genetic predisposition may also contribute to the condition....

With increased awareness of the serious impact of head trauma over the past few years, a frequent question is whether head trauma can cause strokes. Many well-known athletes have spoken about traumatic brain injury (TBI) and how it has affected their lives years after discontinuing sports. Research in traumatic brain injury has also pointed to an association between TBI and stroke. Traumatic Brain Injury Traumatic brain injury can cause brain damage....

A veneer is a thin shield of porcelain that is used to cover the front surface of a tooth. Veneers are designed as a permanent way to change or enhance the look of stained, chipped, broken, or undesired teeth. To get a veneer, you’ll very likely need to see your dentist at least two times. Here is what you can expect during a typical veneer preparation and installation procedure. The First of Many Impressions Similar to most restorative dental procedures, impressions of your teeth are taken before, during, and in some cases after the final placement of the veneers....

Stimulant laxatives are preparations used to ease constipation by inducing a bowel movement. Available over-the-counter (OTC), they appear on the surface to be an easy answer to the problem of constipation. You may wonder whether they are safe or if you can use them on a long-term basis. In order to make an informed decision for yourself, it’s important to learn a few facts. Common OTC Stimulant Laxatives A visit to your local drugstore will show you that there are many different brands of stimulant laxatives available....

Hyperpathia, hyperalgesia, and allodynia are three manifestations of central sensitization, a condition in which a higher than necessary degree of activity is triggered in the central nervous system. Generally, this activity is triggered by nocioception or the nervous system’s normal response to painful stimuli. Comprised of the brain and spinal cord, the job of the central nervous system is to take information in from the outside, for example, hot or cold sensations, or sensations about the position your body is in, process it and then issue a movement response to it....

When you have shingles, you can pass on the virus and give chickenpox to someone who has never had it before. You won’t directly give them shingles, but if they get chickenpox they will be at risk of getting shingles later in life. This article discusses how shingles can spread. How You Catch the Varicella-Zoster Virus Shingles is not contagious. You can’t catch shingles from someone. However, a person with shingles can pass along VZV to people who have never contracted chickenpox....

Kartagener syndrome is a very rare hereditary disorder that is caused by defects in the genes. It is autosomal recessive, meaning that it only occurs if both parents carry the gene. Kartagener syndrome affects approximately 30,000 people, including all genders. It is known for its two main abnormalities — primary ciliary dyskinesia and situs inversus. Ciliary Dyskinesia The human respiratory tract includes the nose, sinuses, middle ear, eustachian tubes, throat, and breathing tubes (trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles)....

Medicare isn’t available to most people until age 65, but if you have a long-term disability or have been diagnosed with certain diseases, Medicare is available at any age. According to Kaiser Family Foundation data, 14% of all Medicare beneficiaries are under age 65. As of April 2021, 63.3 million Americans were enrolled in Medicare. So roughly 9 million of those beneficiaries are under age 65 and eligible for Medicare because of a disability, as opposed to age....