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Oxycodone is a short-acting opioid, or narcotic, that is sometimes prescribed for migraine relief. Learn more about oxycodone, including how it’s administered, the serious risks associated with it, and potential side effects. Administration Oxycodone can be administered alone, in combination with aspirin, or in combination with Tylenol (acetaminophen). Risks When oxycodone is used for a long time or in large doses, it may become habit-forming causing mental or physical dependence. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medication....

It’s no secret that ultra-processed foods like sugary snacks and candy aren’t the best addition to a healthy diet. But, according to new research, eating larger amounts of ultra-processed food isn’t just a bad habit. It may also put you at a greater risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Key Takeaways New research finds that eating ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Compared with eating less than one serving of ultra-processed food per day, the researchers found that people who ate five or more servings per day were at an 82% higher risk of IBD....

You’ve had acne for a while now, or maybe you just started breaking out. Whichever it is, you’re super tired of acne and you really want to see a dermatologist…now! It’s time to ask your parents about seeing a dermatologist for acne. Not sure how to bring up the subject? Here are some ideas to open those lines of communication. Pick a Good Time to Approach Them Your parents want to help you when you have a problem, and they want you to turn to them when you need help....

Dry January is an opportunity for people to avoid or cut back on alcohol for 31 days in a row. This story is part of a sober series that explores what sober curiosity means and how you can practice mindful drinking in your personal life. Read the rest of the stories here. Avoiding alcohol for a month may not seem like enough time to make a difference in your health. But research has shown that a short-term break from alcohol can improve blood pressure and insulin resistance....

Your baby’s eye color at birth will likely change by their first birthday. Their basic eye color—blue, brown, green, or hazel—should be evident by about 9 months old. However, eye color can continue to shift and refine until around age 6. A newborn’s eye color is based on genetics. Genes trigger the production and distribution of pigments. A precise combination and concentration of pigments make up a person’s eye color....

Alternative treatments, including yoga, have been studied as possible ways to control asthma—with mixed results. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects approximately 10 percent of the population. Asthma symptoms typically include shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. Triggers may include airborne allergens (pollen, mold, animal dander, and dust mite), viral infections (the common cold), inhaled irritants (cigarette smoke and diesel exhaust), exercise, cold/dry air, and stress/emotions....

Aging is something we all do but understand very little about. Sure, it’s easy to make a list of all the changes that come with age—memory loss, wrinkles, and lean muscle loss—but no one really understands what aging is, why it happens, and whether we can actually slow or stop it. What Is Aging? Think of aging as “that which happens to our bodies over time.” This definition encompasses the multiple processes that the human body goes through as it ages (as opposed to the signs of aging, such as gray hair and wrinkles)....

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a fast-growing and aggressive type of thyroid cancer. Also known as undifferentiated thyroid cancer, the disease involves the rapid division of cancer cells that don’t or barely resemble or act like normal thyroid cells. Anaplastic cancers can grow as quickly as several weeks and can cause severe compression of the structures in the neck, interfering with breathing, swallowing, and speaking. It can also metastasize (spread) rapidly throughout the body....

According to guidelines from the American Heart Association, a normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg (pronounced “120 over 80”). There can be a fair amount of variation in this reading, depending on a person’s overall health and other physical characteristics. Even how a person is feeling at the moment their blood pressure is read can affect the reading. For example, nervousness can temporarily cause the heart to beat faster and it can also cause blood pressure to increase....

It is not unusual to experience pain after surgery. Considering that surgery involves cutting through bodily tissues, it seems normal that you would experience some degree of pain or discomfort after a procedure. Unfortunately, for some patients, postoperative pain does not go away after healing. For these people, ​chronic postoperative pain becomes a way of life. There are a number of physical reasons why a person’s postoperative pain might become chronic, including nerve damage, scar tissue formation, tissue damage during surgery, and post-surgical complications, such as inflammation....

Allergy drops, or sublingual immunotherapy, are becoming increasingly available in the United States as an alternative to allergy shots for the treatment of allergies. This therapy has been used safely and effectively in Europe for many years but has not become popular in the United States until recently. Allergy drops are not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore are considered an experimental therapy. However, given the wealth of medical studies showing the safety and efficacy of allergy drops for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic asthma, many allergists in the United States are offering this form of immunotherapy....

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple variants of the virus have developed, including the B.1.351 variant—which was initially discovered in South Africa in December 2020. Where Beta Has Spread The B.1.351 variant, which is also known as the Beta variant, has now spread to at least 115 countries worldwide, including the United States....

Some COVID-19 patients have experienced a recurrence of symptoms after their initial recovery. Reports have attributed these rebound cases to Paxlovid, one of the most common antiviral treatments for COVID-19. Key Takeaways A preprint study found that 27% of the participants saw rebound COVID-19 symptoms even without taking antivirals like Paxlovid.Viral rebound may occur if the viral levels briefly fell below the detection limit or if the virus re-emerged after remaining in a reservoir....

While many planned Fourth of July firework demonstrations across the country may be cancelled due to COVID-19, doctors are still bracing for a surge in firework-related injuries this holiday weekend. Key Takeaways Almost half of Americans plan to buy fireworks for the Fourth of July, an Orlando Health survey shows.Some respondents cite cancellation of public displays as the reason for their purchase.Firework-related injuries can range from burns and burst eardrums to lacerations and amputations....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted emergency use authorization for a new rapid saliva test that could help diagnose COVID-19 in three hours. The test, created by researchers at Yale University, may help alleviate the strain on diagnostic resources in labs across the country. But doctors are concerned about its accuracy. Key Takeaways The FDA has granted emergency use authorization to a new rapid saliva test for COVID-19.The test can help diagnose the virus in three hours....

If you’re breaking out, you might be taking a good hard look at your diet. You might have heard that greasy foods can contribute to breakouts. While there is some truth to that, and it’s a good idea to avoid greasy food, the relationship between diet and acne is more complicated than that. This article will explain the links between greasy food and acne, and provide suggestions about how to manage your diet when it comes to acne....

A wave of COVID-19 infections is ripping through China as the country eases up on its “zero-COVID” policy under the pressure of protests against strict lockdowns. Key Takeaways China is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases after relaxing its strict infection control policies.Experts forecast high rates of hospitalization and death within China, but the wave likely won’t impact case rates in the U.S.As in the U.S., Omicron subvariants are driving COVID cases in China....

Reading your at-home pregnancy test result can be tricky. How can you tell whether that subtle, extra line is a positive result—or something else? An evaporation line (or evap line) typically appears like a faded streak, while a faint positive test result looks like a lighter blue or pink line, depending on the test dye color. This article provides an overview of home pregnancy test results. Differences Between Evaporation Lines vs....

Functional residual capacity (FRC) is the volume of air left in your lungs after a normal, passive exhalation. This test is used to evaluate your lung function, and you may need to have your FRC measured before lung surgery or if you have a lung disease such as emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Calculation of your FRC is a bit complicated, because this number reflects the air remaining inside your lungs, which cannot be directly measured....

Knee replacement surgery is a treatment for severe knee arthritis. Most patients understand that knee replacements can wear out over time, but exactly how long is a knee replacement supposed to last? Knee replacements eventually wear out. Because the knee replacement implants are made of metal and plastic, over time, these materials begin to wear, just like the rubber on your car tires. While knee replacements are designed to last a long time, they will not last forever....