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A new study found that adults who followed high-intensity, lifestyle-based weight-loss interventions were successful at managing their weight. However, that intervention was less effective in people experiencing food insecurity. Key Takeaways Weight-loss programs that encourage lifestyle and behavioral changes can help people manage their weight and health.However, a study finds they are not as successful for people who are experiencing food insecurity.People who are food insecure often do not have access to nutritious food options that are the cornerstone of weight management programs....

Given the potential complications of the flu and that some people are at increased risk for them, you may wonder just how long the flu shot lasts and if it will offer you the complete protection that you seek. The effects of the vaccine generally only last through one flu season, which is about six months long. That’s part of the reason you need one every year. Starting two weeks after you get a flu shot, you should be protected from certain influenza viruses for the remainder of that flu season....

If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, you may not be getting enough sleep. How much sleep do adults need on an average night to feel rested? Learn how sleep needs change as we become older and whether or not you are getting enough to feel rested. Finally, consider other factors that might affect sleep quality, even if you are getting sufficient hours of shuteye in bed. Factors That Determine the Amount of Sleep You Need The amount of sleep that you need is likely determined by your genetics, your age, your overall health, the various demands during your day, and other factors....

The six minute walk test (6MWT) is a common outcome measurement tool used in physical therapy to determine your basic exercise endurance and functional fitness. It’s simple to perform, and it can help your physical therapist evaluate improvement or decline in your overall functional status during your rehabilitation program. Performing the Test The six minute walk test is simple to perform: you must simply walk at a comfortable pace for a total of six minutes....

Tarceva (erlotinib) is an oral medication drug commonly prescribed in combination with chemotherapy for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer. The drug works by targeting a protein—called the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)—that fuels cancer cell growth. Unfortunately, there can be very serious side effects of this drug, but some of the most common side effects of Tarceva include: Loss of appetiteFatigueCoughDiarrheaSkin rashScalp rash Though some of these side effects can indicate that the treatment is working, it is vital to not interpret things like the severity of the rash as an indicator of how well your body is responding....

Immune globulin, also known as IG, is a remarkable type of immunization therapy. It’s a substance that contains various antibodies collected from blood donors that can be used to protect someone from a particular disease. Since IG contains antibodies, it can help lessen the severity of a disease or even prevent it from developing. How Does IG Work? Blood is a complex, liquid-like substance made up of cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) floating in a protein-rich fluid called “plasma,” which contains important antibodies that protect against disease....

The lacrimal bones are small, flat craniofacial bones located in the eye socket. These rectangular bones consist of two surfaces, one facing the nose, the other facing the eye. Facial fractures can involve the lacrimal bone. Treatment for lacrimal fractures may simply involve rest, or reconstructive surgery may be needed, depending on the severity. Anatomy The rectangular-shaped lacrimal bones are approximately the size of a small fingernail. Forming part of the eye socket, they have four borders and two surfaces, nasal and orbital....

The Philadelphia chromosome is a specific finding in the genes of a person’s white blood cells—a finding that has implications for leukemia. It most commonly comes up in reference to “Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukemia.” More specifically, a leukemia might be called “Philadelphia-chromosome-positive (Ph+) chronic myeloid leukemia” (CML) or “Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia” (ALL). Chromosome Refresher In the nucleus of each cell, the DNA molecule is packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes....

Among the phrases that men dread to speak, “I broke my penis,” is likely near the top of the list. Fortunately, penile fractures are a relatively rare occurrence. They mostly occur in young men, and they mostly occur during intercourse. However, they can occur at other times. For example, a penile fracture can be the result of a fall or other trauma to the erect penis. In some ways, the term penile fracture is a confusing one....

Decongestants can pose a risk to people living with a thyroid disorder, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). This is because ingredients like pseudoephedrine can affect the blood vessels throughout the body. Some drugs may interact with your thyroid medication. And while there are many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available for treating nasal congestion caused by a cold or seasonal flu, some can do more harm than good....

Torticollis is a condition in which the neck is involuntarily in a turned or twisted position. It can affect children and adults. There are two main types of torticollis—congenital (present at birth) and acquired (often caused by trauma, infection, or a reaction to a medication). Congenital torticollis in infants is generally painless, while acquired torticollis often causes neck pain and restricted neck movements. Torticollis can be, but typically is not, a medical emergency....

Lymphopenia (also known as lymphocytopenia) is a blood disorder that involves a reduced level of white blood cells (WBC) known as lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system, serving as the body’s first-line defense against disease-causing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Lymphopenia is most often caused by infections, such as influenza or COVID-19. It typically resolves on its own once the infection has cleared. Sometimes lymphopenia is caused by an unknown origin, which may suggest a more serious underlying condition....

What Is Sundowning? Sundowning, also called sundown syndrome, is the increased anxiety and agitation that some people with dementia (and occasionally some without dementia) often display in the later afternoon and evening hours. Sundowning behaviors include restlessness, falls, calling out, crying, pacing, wandering, fearfulness, mood swings, paranoia, hallucinations and shadowing. Sundowning sometimes seems to develop suddenly as evening approaches. Your loved one may be doing fine in the afternoon and then seem to be a different person as the sun goes down....

There’s no shortage of ads promoting colon cleansing, which may have you wondering if a colon cleanse is a safe thing to try for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The ads promise all sorts of wonderful results, but are they true? Unfortunately, scientific evidence does not support the effectiveness of the procedure, and risks have been reported. It’s important to understand what colon cleanses are, and what types of colon cleanses exist, as well as their potential benefits and harms....

As the United States aims to increase early diagnosis and treatment of people with HIV, a greater focus has been placed on determining the accuracy of HIV tests in real-world settings—not only to minimize the number of false positive or negative test results, but to better identify people during the early (acute) stages of infection when the risk of transmission is especially high. In order to do this, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) conducted a review of over 21,000 HIV tests performed between the years 2003 and 2008 in some of the city’s high-prevalence populations....

You’ve been diligently using your acne treatment medication every day, but you’re still breaking out! In fact, it seems like every day you wake up to a new pimple (or three or four). What gives? Why aren’t your acne treatments working? Acne Treatments Take Four to Six Weeks to Start Working We all want our skin to clear up quickly, and we want our acne treatment to start working right away....

The low back flexion exercise is a simple way to improve your lumbar mobility and decrease your low back pain. It is a safe exercise to perform since it places minimal strain on your back and can be done while lying down. Lumbar flexion has been shown to be an effective exercise for spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and lumbar facet joint problems. Lumbar flexion exercises are also known as Williams flexion exercises....

With increasing research into what causes wrinkles and the effects of photoaging, alpha hydroxy acids have increased greatly in popularity. Alpha hydroxy acids have been used for thousands of years as a skin rejuvenating product. Cleopatra is reported to have bathed in sour milk (lactic acid) to improve her complexion. Now hydroxy acids are a common additive to numerous skin care products, including moisturizers, cleansers, toners, and masks. Overview and Types of Alpha Hydroxy Acids Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit and milk sugars....

Atelectasis is a lung condition where areas of the lung collapse. This collapse won’t allow the alveoli (air sacs) in this area of the lung to fill with oxygen, so this area of the lung no longer functions. The amount of lung affected can vary widely between individuals, a small area of one lung may be affected or large areas of both lungs may be involved. Risk Factors For Atelectasis: Age: Elderly adults have a slightly elevated risk of developing atelectasis....

Taking aspirin with another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) can raise your risk of side effects and drug interactions. If you take aspirin to help prevent a heart attack or blood clot, you may wonder if you can also treat pain with another over-the-counter NSAID like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen). However, you should not take both at the same time unless your provider tells you to. This article will go over what you should know about taking aspirin with other NSAIDs, as well as what you can do to minimize your risk of problems if you have to take more than one NSAID....