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An ecological analysis is a way for scientists to look at large-scale impacts of time-specific interventions on population health. In these types of studies, researchers examine the health of a population before and after some time-specific event or intervention. For example, ecological analyses are often performed on data collected before and after the introduction of a national vaccination program. They can also be performed after a major natural disaster to see if there were any public health consequences....

Piercings around the eyes are riskier than other sites because of the area’s sensitivity. Some eye area piercings are more dangerous than others, and complications can extend to the eye itself and possibly affect vision. Getting a piercing can be a way to adorn your body nonpermanently. As long as you visit a safe, reputable piercing studio, most body piercings shouldn’t produce ill-effects. With proper aftercare, most types of piercings elsewhere on the body will heal and not cause long-term damage or scarring....

Valium is an effective benzodiazepine used for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle spasms. However, this brand-name drug can be costly and is not always covered by health insurance. Diazepam, the generic version of Valium, may be an option for people seeking a more affordable option. And aside from its lower cost, generic Valium has been found to have similar effectiveness. Formulation Both Valium and its generic are available in tablets containing 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, or 10 mg of the active ingredient diazepam....

A hip fracture, more common in older people, can reduce a person’s ability to live independently and possibly shorten their life as well. If you are older and have a hip fracture, reduced mobility can lead to bed sores, blood clots in the legs or lungs, and the loss of muscle mass (which increases the risk of falls and re-injury). A hip fracture is also associated with a higher mortality (death) rate in older adults compared to those who do not suffer a break....

There are many potential ways to evaluate sleep, and one of the least intrusive, actigraphy monitoring, can be used to assess sleep at home with a device called an actigraph. What is actigraphy? How do fitness trackers like the FitBit, Up band, Nike Fuel band, and Apple Watch use this technology to track your movements and behaviors? Can these devices accurately detect sleep-wake patterns? Discover the answer and how these data may be used to help you to sleep better....

After Anne*, a 28-year-old who lives in Los Angeles, sustained a traumatic brain injury three years ago, she lived with severe brain fog and exhaustion on a day-to-day basis. Three to four months after her injury, a psychiatrist prescribed her methylphenidate—a central nervous system stimulant typically used to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—to help her manage her symptoms. Key Takeaways Traumatic brain injuries can be extremely disruptive to people’s lives....

If you have thyroid disease, then chances are good that you also have persistent xerostomia (dry mouth). In fact, while there are many causes of dry mouth, one study found that about half of people who are diagnosed with xerostomia have thyroid disease. To compound matters, treatment for thyroid disease can also trigger xerostomia. Dry mouth is not life-threatening, but it can make swallowing difficult, cause bad breath, and even lead to complications like cavities and oral infections....

Excessive gas and bloating can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. It is normal to pass gas several times per day, but excessive gas, especially when it is associated with a feeling of fullness and discomfort, can be an unnecessary distraction for you. Most of the time, gas and bloating are not caused by any serious medical condition, and you can make some changes to reduce your symptoms—even if they are caused by a medical problem....

Mandibular retrognathia is the condition of having a visibly recessed chin and overbite. It is a common condition that can affect more than just a person’s self-image. In some cases, it can lead to: Jaw misalignment Eating pain Orthodontic problems Sleep disorders Some people might remember when in 1983 the comedian and actress Carol Burnett underwent jaw surgery to correct her visibly recessed chin, which she considered problematic. Retrognathia Symptoms Retrognathia is when the lower jaw (mandible) is set back from the upper jaw (maxilla)....

Lead poisoning is the accumulation of lead in the body which usually develops over the course of months or years. While lead poisoning is common in the developing world and causes over 500,000 deaths annually, it can also affect American households as well (as evidenced by the 2016 crisis in Flint, Michigan in which over 100,000 people were exposed to lead-tainted water). Lead is a naturally occurring metal with no benefit to the body....

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, is truly a disease of symptoms. Its attacks on the body’s immune system can affect everything from the skin and joints to internal organs. Complications from SLE affecting the heart are common in lupus patients. Lupus can trigger inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium). When it does, the condition is called myocarditis, and occasionally lupus myocarditis. Myocarditis and Lupus Typically myocarditis is considered uncommon, and the result of any number of viral infections, though some bacterial and parasitic infections can lead to myocarditis....

The opioid epidemic affects people of all ages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 130 Americans die from an opioid overdose every day. While drugs like heroin and illicitly-manufactured fentanyl account for the majority of cases, 32% of deaths were attributable to prescription opioids like methadone, hydrocodone, and oxycodone in 2018. Interestingly, deaths from opioid overdose for disabled Medicare beneficiaries increased from 57% in 2012 to 78% in 2016....

The prefrontal cortex is an important part of your brain. It is at the front of the frontal lobe, which is immediately behind the forehead. It affects your behavior, personality, and ability to plan. This article will explain more about the anatomy, location, and function of the prefrontal cortex. Anatomy The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is connected to many other parts of the brain and is able to send and receive information....

Though words can never fully express how much someone means to us, language can still provide comfort, solace, hope, and even inspiration following the death of a loved one. Proverbs and folk sayings about death, grief, and mourning from a variety of cultural traditions can sometimes speak the words you are unable to express yourself. Proverbs and sayings may be especially helpful after the loss of a loved one. They can comfort those who are mourning alone or help you as you write a eulogy or pen a condolence letter....

The American Headache Society has a handy mnemonic device for remembering headache warning signs — reasons to call your healthcare provider right away. All you have to do is remember the mnemonic “SNOOP.” S: Systemic Symptoms This refers to any symptoms, in addition to your headache, that affect the body as a whole. Some systemic symptoms include fevers, muscle pain, and weight loss. This “S” can also refer to secondary risk factors, like HIV or cancer....

A new study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain found a link between a person’s weight and how likely they are to get migraine headaches. Key Takeaways A new study found a link between underweight and overweight body mass indexes (BMIs) with the risk of getting migraine headaches.The study did not find a significant link between BMI and the risk for other types of headaches.Researchers have a few ideas about how BMI and migraines could be related, but they still have a lot to learn about the connection....

Teeth grinding, medically known as bruxism, affects at least 15% of children and teens and about 8% of adults. Teeth grinding is associated with stress or anxiety, but sometimes it happens for no obvious reason. Some people who grind their teeth, especially at night, don’t even realize they’re doing it. Yet grinding your teeth can lead to dental problems, headache, earache, insomnia, and depression. Continue reading to learn more about grinding your teeth, the symptoms of teeth grinding and how to stop....

Napping can be a great way to refresh your mind and body, increase productivity, and enhance your creativity. Napping puts the body in a relaxed state, which counteracts the effects of daily stress. But effective napping is as much an art as it is a science. Not just any mid-day nap provides the health benefits you constantly hear about. Naps and the Stages of Sleep Not all sleep is created equal....

If you often find that one minute you are exercising and enjoying your workout, and the next minute you run out of steam, you may not be fueling your body with the right nutrients pre-workout. Key Takeaways TikTok users are eating Rice Krispies Treats for an added boost of energy before a workout. Experts say these snacks can actually work to give you the carbohydrates you need to be energized during exercise....

Trans fat is a type of fat that has been strongly associated with an elevated risk of stroke, heart disease, and cancer. We all know that fatty foods are bad for you, but it has become clear that not every type of fat in your diet is equal. Artificially produced trans fats, in fact, don’t add any clear benefit to your health at all. If you are interested in getting healthy or staying healthy, it is definitely worth your while to know what trans fats are and learn how you can avoid them....