Neck pain, or a sore neck, can be a regular symptom of the common cold or flu. In other instances, neck pain may be the sign of a potentially serious medical condition like meningitis. Knowing the difference can help you make the right choice if neck pain and cold symptoms co-occur. Common Causes There are numerous causes of neck pain; when associated with a cold or similar illness, a handful of factors are usually to blame....
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that treating COVID-19 patients with ivermectin early in the course of their infection does not reduce their risk of hospitalization. This is the largest study yet to show there is no benefit to using the drug, which is normally used to treat parasitic infections in humans and animals, as a COVID-19 treatment. Key Takeaways A large, randomized study of COVID-19 patients in Brazil shows that being treated with ivermectin has little or no benefit....
Migratory arthritis describes a pattern of arthritis symptoms and joint involvement. It is not a type of arthritis, per se, but the migratory pattern provides a clue to the diagnostician regarding what type of arthritis is involved and helps predict the disease course. What Is Migratory Arthritis? Simply put, migratory arthritis describes the condition when arthritis symptoms (e.g., pain, swelling, warmth, redness, and stiffness in or around a joint) travel from one joint to another joint....
The pH balance plays an important role in the chemical makeup of the human body. The term “pH” refers to whether a substance is an acid, an alkaline (also known as basic), or neutral. In the human body, the pH of bodily fluids, organs, and other components can have an influence on the biochemical reactions that support various functions, such as digestion, metabolism, and hormonal production. Keeping the body’s pH balanced allows the body to function in a state of equilibrium or homeostasis....
One of the parts of the healthcare reform law (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, sometimes called Obamacare) is a change to the way insurance companies are legally allowed to handle enrollees and potential enrollees who have pre-existing conditions. In most cases, health insurance companies will not be able to deny or cancel coverage for an enrollee on the basis of a pre-existing condition. This may be a relief to you as someone with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as you may have encountered barriers to insurance coverage in the past, especially when switching jobs or when entering into the workforce after graduating high school or college....
If you have been injured or ill and are having difficulty with normal functional mobility, you may benefit from physical therapy to help you recover fully and return to your normal activities. Your physical therapist will likely work with you to improve your range of motion (ROM) and strength and work to get you feeling better and moving better. Your PT may also work with you to improve your balance and proprioception....
It’s been more than six months since the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB 8), the most restrictive state-level abortion law in the United States, came into effect. New research shows that the law has only increased the burden on thousands of residents who’ve been forced to seek care elsewhere. Key Takeaways Texas introduced the most restrictive state abortion law in the United States in September, prohibiting abortion as early as five or six weeks and enabling people to sue abortion providers or anyone who helps someone attain an abortion after this stage....
Our Conversation Coach Can Help If you live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know all too well how exhausting it can be. Not just because of the pain, fatigue, and other challenges that can come with the condition—though those certainly take a toll—but also because of how difficult it is to talk about them with others. Because the symptoms of RA are often invisible, many of your friends or family might not have any idea what you’re going through or how they can support you—that is, unless you tell them....
In March 2013, a teenage college student with a severe nut allergy accidentally ate a cookie containing nuts. He then developed severe anaphylaxis, but his family did not use his Epi-Pen because the expiration date had already passed, and a 911 operator told them over the phone not to use it. While the teen finally did receive an Epi-Pen injection from a neighbor’s device, it was too late: the student died later that evening at a local hospital....
The straight leg raise test is done to gauge several aspects of your legs’ strength and stability. It’s most often performed to check muscle function but can be altered to look at nerve function, as well. The test is performed while you lie flat on a bed. Either you or the examiner then raises your leg, possibly with light resistance, to get an idea of the legs’ strength and functionality....
Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) is a rare, inherited disorder which causes abnormalities of the skeletal muscles. Some of the abnormalities caused by the disorder include the following: Myotonic myopathy (muscle weakness and stiffness) Bone dysplasia (when the bones do not develop normally) Joint contractures (joints become fixed in place, restricting movement) Dwarfism (short stature) SJS is mostly considered an autosomal recessive condition, meaning that an individual needs to inherit two defective genes, one from each parent, in order to develop the syndrome....
You can’t judge sunglasses by their color. At least, not when it comes to eye protection. Tints don’t reflect how well the lenses block UV (ultraviolet) light. Sunglass lenses are treated with UV-absorbing chemicals. These chemicals are usually colorless. So clear lenses would block light just as well as dark ones. But they don’t block glare. So why are so many lens colors available? This article looks at the purpose of tinted lenses and the benefits of different colors....
Topical analgesics can be a useful treatment addition for some people living with chronic pain. Here’s what you should know about the various types of topical analgesics and their effectiveness at treating chronic pain. Overview Topical analgesics are pain medications that are applied directly to the skin instead of being swallowed or injected. They may come in creams, lotions, gel or patch form. Topical pain medications work in different ways for different conditions, though they are commonly used to treat musculoskeletal pain and some types of neuropathic pain....
Melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer, develops in the cells (melanocytes) that produce melanin—the pigment that gives your skin its color. Melanoma can also form in your eyes and, rarely, in internal organs, such as your intestines. The exact cause of all melanomas isn’t clear, but exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds increases your risk of developing melanoma. Limiting your exposure to UV radiation can help reduce your risk of melanoma....
If your blood pressure reading reveals that only your systolic reading (the first number) is high but your diastolic reading (the second number) is normal, you may rightly wonder if you’ll need high blood pressure treatment. The short and simple answer is yes, although the treatment options will vary based on the underlying cause. When the disparity is extreme enough, it may no longer be referred to as “regular” high blood pressure (hypertension) but a more serious form known as isolated systolic hypertension....
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has risen consistently and dramatically since the 1990s. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2016, approximately 1 in 54 children in the United States was diagnosed with autism. In 2000, the corresponding rate was approximately 1 in 150 children. The rate is notably higher in boys (1 in 34) than in girls (1 in 144)....
If your loved one is at a hospital or a nursing care facility, whether it’s for a short-term rehab stay or for long-term care, she might feel pretty discouraged about not being home to celebrate the holidays. But just because she’s not at home doesn’t mean she can’t celebrate those special days in a very meaningful way. Here’s how you can help. Talk About It You know that phrase about the elephant in the room?...
Research has long shown that smoking during pregnancy can greatly increase the risks of birth defects.A new study analyzing the outcomes of more than 9 million participants provides further evidence of the adverse outcomes associated with tobacco use during pregnancy. Key Takeaways Researchers found that people who smoked during pregnancy were more likely to have low-weight babies, go into pre-term labor, and experience a premature rupture of membranes.The risks go beyond birth: the study suggests that neurological disorders in childhood might also be associated with cigarette smoking during pregnancy....
It seems that there are more and more options for natural and artificial sweeteners on the market. As many of my readers know, I frequent Starbucks for my caffeine fix. Usually, I drink my drip coffee black, but occasionally I will add half-and-half and one packet of sugar. The other day, I noticed that the sugar packets were nowhere to be found – instead I see small packets in various colors to include light blue, pink, and yellow....
Is Pilates a good exercise if you have osteoarthritis pain? Exercise is recommended when you have osteoarthritis, but you want to look for exercises that have a lower impact and won’t stress joints that are painful. Pilates can be a good choice. What Is Pilates? The Pilates exercise system is named after its creator, Joseph Pilates. It focuses on the core postural muscles that keep the body balanced and the spine in healthy alignment....
