The BRAT diet is an eating plan that pediatricians used to recommend for babies and children with stomach issues like the stomach flu and diarrhea. “BRAT” stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These foods are low in protein, fat, and fiber, which makes them easier to digest. The BRAT diet may be helpful for the short term, but healthcare providers no longer recommend it for sick children, since it lacks many important nutrients....
You may never have heard of “metabolic syndrome,” but here’s why you should care about this odd-sounding medical condition: having it means you’re at higher risk for serious problems like heart disease and diabetes. Researchers have looked into whether there’s a connection between metabolic syndrome and celiac disease with mixed results, although one study indicates that going gluten-free raises your risk of metabolic syndrome. So yes, if that study is borne out by future research, this could be pretty important....
In August 2022, the Biden administration announced that people with outstanding federal student loans could get up to $10,000 of their debt forgiven, or up to $20,000 if they had received a Pell Grant (for low-income borrowers). The student loan forgiveness is available to individuals with income under $125,000, and couples with income under $250,000. That might make you wonder: Could something similar ever be done for medical debt? There is ongoing debate about how and when the government should step in to help people with their debts, and it’s a fraught topic, both politically and socially....
Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory disease that primarily affects the skin and muscles (myopathy) but may also affect other organs of the body. Research suggests that dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells. The defining symptom is a skin rash that develops or appears at the same time as muscle weakness. While it can occur in people of any age, dermatomyositis typically affects adults in their late 40s to early 60s and is more prevalent among women than men....
Diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a subtype of IBS in which a person experiences frequent episodes of diarrhea with accompanying abdominal pain. Like IBS, IBS-D is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGD) in that there is no visible disease, inflammation, or injury to account for its symptoms. Estimates suggest that about one-third of people with IBS experience diarrhea as the predominant symptom. Symptoms of IBS-D As opposed to the other IBS subtypes, people who have IBS-D typically experience:...
When the pandemic first started, you needed to quarantine yourself for 14 days if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19. With more than 182 million Americans now vaccinated against the virus, there are questions about whether quarantine standards will change. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that it is not necessary for vaccinated people to quarantine after being exposed to someone with COVID-19 unless they have symptoms....
Essential oils are believed to help a number of ailments, including insomnia, indigestion, swollen joints, muscle pain, headache, anxiety, depression, and respiratory problems. Essential oils are thought to alleviate some symptoms of thyroid conditions, but more research is needed. What Are Essential Oils? Essential oils are concentrated extracts that come from different parts of plants. This can include the: BarkSeedsRootsLeavesTwigs To extract oils, parts of a plant are either distilled, steamed, or mechanically processed....
Eye floaters, also called vitreous floaters, are shapes that appear in your line of vision. They can look like dots, squiggly lines, threads, or other shapes. Eye floaters can develop as a normal part of aging. They are caused by small strands from the vitreous gel-like fluid in the eye that clump together and cause you to “see” the effects of the clump in the back of your eye. Eye Floater Symptoms Symptoms of eye floaters include:...
If you have sleep apnea treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), you may wonder how to get through airport security when you travel with your CPAP machine. It is important that you use your CPAP every night, even when away on business or vacation. With a few simple steps getting through security will be a breeze. Discover some helpful tips to travel with CPAP machines. Travel Tips When Flying First, do not check your CPAP machine as baggage....
A hemangioblastoma is a slow-growing, noncancerous tumor that occurs in the brain, spinal cord, or occasionally the retina. Although hemangioblastomas are benign and grow gradually, they can become symptomatic and cause health issues over time. Hemangioblastomas are relatively uncommon, accounting for 2% of all brain tumors and 2% to 10% of spinal cord tumors. Recurrent hemangioblastomas may signal that a patient has von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). VHL is a hereditary gene mutation that causes hemangioblastomas, cysts, and other tumors to grow....
Absence seizures are treated with prescription antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that are taken every day to prevent seizures from occurring. Depakote (valproic acid), Lamictal (lamotrigine), and Zarontin (ethosuximide) are the AEDs most commonly prescribed for absence seizures. If you or your child has absence seizures and other types of seizures, additional AEDs are also usually necessary for treating other seizure types. Lifestyle strategies, such as getting enough rest and not skipping meals, are important because these factors can trigger seizure episodes....
When you are first diagnosed with breast cancer, you probably have no idea how the disease will change your life—just that it will. You are likely to be presented with challenges you hadn’t anticipated, which can be taxing both physically and mentally. While everyone experiences cancer differently, there are some changes that are nearly universal. Knowing what to expect at the onset may make it easier to cope as you go through breast cancer treatment....
You can stop bleeding with just your hands, but it’s significantly easier and better for the patient if you have gauze, too. Getting blood to stop flowing out of a leak in the system is important for the body to respond to injuries and avoid shock. We get small irritations and minor leaks all the time, and the body has to stop that leak to allow time for the injury to heal....
Myelofibrosis, also known as agnogenic myeloid metaplasia, is a rare and potentially serious disease of the bone marrow. It causes the marrow to develop fibrous tissue, which leads the marrow to produce abnormal blood cells. This can cause problems with cell counts and other serious complications, some of which can be fatal. This disorder affects both men and women. It can occur at any age but usually is diagnosed in people between 50 and 70 years old....
The posterior communicating artery (PCOM) is a part of a group of arteries in the brain known as the circle of Willis. The artery connects the internal carotid and the posterior cerebral arteries. Its role is to provide blood supply to the brain. The posterior communicating artery is a location where aneurysms can potentially occur. Anatomy The circle of Willis is a band of arteries at the base of the brain that connects the major arterial systems to the brain....
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty, liposculpture, suction lipectomy, or lipo, is a minimally invasive cosmetic surgical procedure that removes excess fat from a localized area of the body with a thin, hollow tube known as a cannula. Liposuction is not a substitute for losing weight and exercising. It is not effective in eliminating cellulite or tightening loose and sagging skin. The cannula is inserted through incisions made in areas of the body and is moved to loosen excess fat and suction it using a vacuum or a cannula-attached syringe....
Normal blood pressure is around 120 over 80 (commonly written as 120/80). But that doesn’t mean anything above or below that number isn’t healthy. In fact, healthy blood pressure is generally considered to fall within a range of blood pressure readings. In particular, right after you’ve got your heart rate up with physical activity or exercise, you’re likely not going to be looking at a perfect 120/80 blood pressure reading....
People who get vaccinated against COVID-19 develop strong protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the disease. But they can still get infected and have what is called a breakthrough case. Key Takeaways It’s difficult to compare COVID-19 immunity from natural infection and vaccination, but getting vaccinated is a much safer option.Individuals who had breakthrough cases should still get booster doses if they are recommended for it, experts say. If you get a breakthrough infection will you need a booster shot down the line?...
Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat influenza (flu). It has been shown to shorten the duration of the flu if taken as soon as symptoms appear. This article explains when you might need to take Tamiflu and how to take it safely. It reviews possible risks and side effects of the medication. Who Can Take It Tamiflu is approved for use in adults as well as children aged 2 weeks and older....
There’s a difference between calling 911 on a mobile phone and calling from a landline. The difference has to do with how the calls are routed and how they’re tracked. If you know what to expect, you’re more likely to get the help you need when you need it. In most parts of the United States, when you call 911 from a landline, emergency responders can find you—even if you don’t know where you are or you can’t speak....
