Posts

Childhood obesity is a very complex disease. Children, like adults, come in different shapes and sizes. They have unique genetic makeups, caloric and nutritional needs, as well taste preferences, sensitivities, and allergies. They also may have varying access to foods, differing familial financial situations, and a wide range of caretakers. All are just some of the variables that can impact weight. The risk for childhood obesity has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, partly due to reduced physical activity and increased social isolation....

Pomegranate (Puncia granatum L) is a fruit grown in various areas of the world, including Southeast Asia and parts of the western United States. Chock-full of vitamin C, pomegranates are not only added to many entrees and desserts, but they have also been used to improve a variety of medical conditions, including diarrhea, menopause, and erectile dysfunction. Because they are also high in antioxidants and other healthy nutrients, pomegranates are also available as a supplement....

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a mood disorder that affects 3% to 8% of women in the week to two weeks before their period. More severe than premenstrual syndrome (PMS), symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, depression, and fatigue that impact daily living. The exact cause of PMDD is unclear. However, it is believed to be due to an interaction between hormone fluctuations and neurotransmitters that regulate mood. While PMDD symptoms can be debilitating, medications including hormonal birth control and antidepressants, along with therapy and lifestyle changes, can help to reduce their severity and help you have better days throughout the month....

A radial scar is a type of breast mass that can be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This mass may be benign or precancerous, and it can contain a mixture of tissue, including hyperplasia (increased number of cells), atypia (change in the cell characteristics), or cancer. A large radial scar may appear on a regular screening mammogram. These growths are named radial scars because they appear like a scar when examined microscopically, and they have ducts stemming from their central area....

Your dentist will recommend dentures as an option for replacing missing teeth or if the current state of your natural teeth is beyond restoration. Situations that result in the removal of your remaining teeth are from: Severely decayed teeth when root canal therapy is not an option Advanced periodontal disease Failed root canal treatment Broken teeth beyond repair Fractured roots Types Two main types of dentures are used, specific to the number of natural teeth the dentist is able to restore and keep in the mouth....

Although we encourage most kids to be active and play sports as part of a healthy lifestyle and to avoid childhood obesity, there are some sports that children with certain medical conditions should avoid. These medical conditions include children who have atlantoaxial instability (Down syndrome), bleeding disorders, hypertension, congenital heart disease, an enlarged spleen, poorly controlled seizures, etc. Restrictions on Contact Sports In most cases, if a child has to avoid playing sports, it ​is only contact sports that they have to avoid....

A new study has shown that a form of vitamin B3 can help protect skin cells from ultraviolet exposure (UV), the main risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancers. Key Takeaways Nicotinamide (vitamin B3) has been shown to prevent the reoccurrence of non-melanoma skin cancers.Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the leading cause of basal and squamous carcinomas.Vitamin B3 is primarily consumed through natural and fortified food sources in one’s diet. The findings of the study were announced during the 29th European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology virtual conference in October....

While it’s true that cold season is at its peak during the fall and winter, summer colds are a real thing. Colds are caused by viruses, not weather, so you can get a cold at any time of the year. There are more than 200 different viruses that cause colds. In the summer months, colds are often due to non-polio enterovirus. Summer Cold Symptoms Summer cold symptoms aren’t any different than cold symptoms that can occur at any other time of the year, but the heat and humidity of the summer months can make you feel more miserable....

Today, teenagers with high blood pressure (hypertension) are not uncommon. One in 25 children between the ages of 12 and 19 meets the diagnostic criteria for high blood pressure, while one in 10 has elevated blood pressure (previously known as prehypertension), which is a precusor. There are medications able to lower blood pressure that teens can take. But lifestyle changes are the primary focus of their treatment, mainly because obesity is a main cause....

A burner, also called a stinger, is a common injury in contact sports, especially football. Burners in football participants are extremely common, with over 50% of all athletes reporting at least one burner over the span of their career—and some with repeated episodes. Burner: What Is Happening? A burner is thought to be due to stretch and/or compression of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that’s located just outside the spinal cord at the neck....

Albinism is a group of inherited disorders characterized by a lack of pigment in a person’s skin, eyes, and hair. People with an albinism, otherwise known as congenital hypopigmentary disorders, have very pale complexions and are highly sensitive to sun exposure; they also tend to have eye problems. There are many types of albinism, none of which affect life expectancy. The symptoms of albinism usually can be handled easily. These disorders are very rare and tend to affect men and women equally....

Uber is being sued by the Justice Department (DOJ) after it was discovered that disabled people were being disproportionately affected by extra “wait time” fees. Key Takeaways The Department of Justice (DOJ) is suing Uber over the ride-hailing app’s “wait time” fees policy.Prosecutors claim that the policy discriminates against disabled people who need extra time to get to a vehicle.Uber claims that the average wait time fee is only 60 cents, but that amount easily adds up for disabled people....

Botulinum toxin is commonly known as botox. Botox is one of the brand names of a substance used for an injectable procedure popularized for the reduction of the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles. There are a number of botulinum toxin products made by different manufacturers. These are injectable solutions made with botulinum toxin for the temporary control of wrinkles. But the use of botulinum toxin injections for cosmetic benefits is relatively new....

Full of calcium, dairy products are a staple in many balanced diets. Dairy products can also be high in saturated fat, which could increase your cholesterol levels if you consume too much of it in your diet. If you wish to include dairy products in your diet—or just the taste of them—there are ways to do so without adding extra fat. If you’re following a diet to lower your cholesterol, these tips will help you enjoy the taste of dairy products in your diet without significantly increasing your cholesterol and triglyceride levels....

A medication formulary is a list of prescription medications that are preferred by your health plan. If you have private insurance or government coverage for your prescriptions, familiarizing yourself with your payer’s medication formulary can save you time and money. A formulary is comprised of prescription drugs, and it typically includes generic and brand name drugs as well. Whether your payer is a private insurance company, Medicare, Tricare, Medicaid or another program, they maintain a list of drugs they will pay for, and they rank them on their formulary based on which they prefer you use....

Have you ever heard the phrase, “breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth?” This phrase is actually based on science. When you breathe in through your nose, many things happen including humidification of the air. Humidification occurs as the air travels across 3 to 4 conchae. The conchae are also called turbinates. The conchae are shell-shaped bony structures on the opposite side of your nasal septum, which separates the left and right sides of your nose....

This year marks the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The physical and emotional effects have lingered for many of the people who were at ground zero on the day of the attacks as well as those who arrived at the site in the days of search, rescue, and cleanup that followed. Key Takeaways Researchers found that those who were first at the scene on 9/11 are more likely to develop lung conditions than the people who arrived days later....

There are several viruses that can cause a cold, and adenovirus is one of the most common ones. Likewise, there are many different types of the adenovirus itself. While most result in colds that are relatively mild and only last for about a week, illness stemming from one type—adenovirus 14—is far more concerning. Adenovirus 14 is unusual because it causes even young, healthy people to become seriously ill, and, in a few cases, die....

A partial or total loss of smell—called anosmia—can happen for many reasons—including having COVID-19. Loss of smell can also affect your sense of taste. In fact, the two senses are so closely connected that people who are losing their sense of smell often mistakenly believe they are losing their sense of taste. A loss of smell is most often temporary, depending on the cause. Anosmia Causes Many conditions can temporarily or permanently cause anosmia....

Fractures that occur in the foot are common injuries seen in young athletes, middle-aged weekend warriors, and elderly patients alike. While the cause of the fracture may differ, these injuries can be seen in just about any age group. An avulsion fracture of the fifth metatarsal, also called a “pseudo-Jones fracture,” is the most common type of fifth metatarsal fracture. The fifth metatarsal is the bone that runs from the midfoot to the base of the small toe on the outside of the foot....