Posts

The first case of mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) was reported in the United States on May 18, 2022. On November 28, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended using the term “mpox” instead of “monkeypox” in order to avoid racist and stigmatizing language when discussing the disease. Both terms will be used for the next year as WHO phases out usage of “monkeypox.” Global cases: 71,096U.S. cases: 26,577Global deaths: 26 As of October 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 26,577 cases of mpox have been identified in the U....

Costs of living are skyrocketing all over the nation. But benefits for disabled people and older adults who are struggling financially aren’t. Key Takeaways Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides financial support to individuals with disabilities or older adults that lack resources.But the program hasn’t been updated since its inception in 1974.New legislation advocates for increasing monthly payments, along with other changes, to lift recipients out from under the federal poverty level....

As if hair loss and diarrhea weren’t enough, side effects from medications that are used during cancer treatment may cause chemo acne or rashes on the face and body. Chemo acne can range from mild to severe. But regardless of its severity, it can be a source of low self-esteem during treatment, especially since it can be trickier to conceal than other side effects like hair loss. The good news is that with your healthcare provider’s guidance, chemo acne can be managed with both over-the-counter and prescription medications....

Scientists have identified three types of primary progressive aphasia (PPA), based on the distinct symptom profiles the condition can cause. This article covers the similarities and differences between each type. What Causes PPA? PPA is caused by neurodegenerative diseases, which shrink and destroy brain tissues. The most common of these are Alzheimer’s disease and a group of brain-damaging diseases known as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). How a person is affected by neurodegenerative disease depends on which brain tissues are damaged....

Proscar (finasteride) is a medication used to treat an enlarged prostate due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). First approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992, Proscar is a 5a-reductase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. A potent androgen (male hormone), dihydrotestosterone can promote prostate growth, causing BPH. Finasteride is used to shrink the prostate gland, which helps to reduce symptoms such as increased urination, a weak or interrupted urine stream, painful urination and ejaculation, urinary retention, and incontinence....

A scapula fracture is an uncommon injury. The scapula, or shoulder blade, is a wide, flat bone that sits behind the rib cage. The scapula connects to the clavicle (collar bone) in the front of the body, and to the humerus (arm bone) at the side. Part of the scapula is lined with cartilage (the glenoid) and forms the socket of the ball-and-socket shoulder joint. Scapular fractures are rare injuries that generally occur with significant, high-energy traumatic injuries such as motor vehicle collisions or falls from a height....

Spontaneous remission of cancer is defined as the remission of cancer without any treatment, or with treatment that would not be expected to cause a tumor to decrease as much as it does. Spontaneous remission may be partial or complete and may be temporary or permanent. Also known as “St. Peregrine’s tumor,” cancer has been noted to sometimes mysteriously disappear for centuries. Peregrine Laziozi was a 13th-century priest with cancer (possibly a bone tumor of his tibia) whose cancer disappeared after he was scheduled for an amputation of the leg containing the tumor....

Antihistamines help relieve allergy symptoms. Those include runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. The common cold causes similar symptoms. So do antihistamines help with colds? Researchers have debated the answer for years. They now seem to be finding better answers, though. This article looks at what antihistamines are, what research says about them as a cold treatment, and your other options for treating a cold. What Are Antihistamines? Antihistamines are medications that help relieve allergy symptoms....

There are many different types of anemia, a condition in which there is a low number of red blood cells (RBCs) or a low hemoglobin concentration in the body. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein in the RBCs that binds to oxygen, transporting it to tissues throughout the body. Anemia can develop due to nutritional deficits, blood loss, or chronic diseases. Anemia of chronic disease is a specific type of anemia that’s associated with inflammation....

If you have diabetes, it’s vital to take special care of your feet. This is because common complications of the disease, particularly impaired blood circulation to the extremities and nerve damage (neuropathy), can cause problems ranging from calluses and fungal infections to ulcers (open sores) and tissue death. In some cases, the damage can be so severe amputation is necessary. Serious as these problems can be, preventing them is not complicated: Being vigilant and prioritizing care for your feet is the key....

Soup is a delicious dish that can be served on almost any occasion. It’s also versatile—it can be consumed as a light appetizer or as a nutrient-dense main dish. Although many ingredients qualify as delicious additions to a soup, some of these ingredients are not good to include if you are following a cholesterol-lowering diet. Knowing which ingredients can add saturated fat, sugar, and calories to your soup can make the difference between a cholesterol-friendly dish and one that can adversely affect your cholesterol levels and heart health....

Babies commonly have acid reflux, but most don’t require treatment like medication. If they spit up after feedings but are gaining weight, sleeping well and aren’t fussy, they’re likely fine. However, some infants who make a mess after feedings do need intervention. Several acid reflux treatments are available for these babies. Lifestyle Changes One of the first lifestyle changes that parents should make is to protect their clothing and furniture from the spit-up....

Recovering from surgery is greatly dependent upon the type of surgery you will be having. An outpatient procedure, such as hand surgery, will have a far different recovery period than an invasive inpatient procedure like heart bypass surgery. Let’s focus on recovery from an inpatient procedure. Recovery From Anesthesia You may need a few hours in the post-anesthesia care unit until the anesthesia wears off. During most recoveries, the patient will wake, breathing on his own, while being monitored closely for any complications from surgery....

For the vast majority of headache evaluations, imaging of the brain will not be ordered. A healthcare provider can simply diagnose a headache disorder or a migraine based on a person’s medical history, symptoms, and physical examination. But in some instances, imaging of the brain (for example, an MRI of the brain or a CT scan of the brain) is needed to evaluate for serious, sometimes life-threatening, causes of a headache....

What should you do if someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia talks about committing suicide? How should you react? What questions should you ask? What action should you take? Knowing the Risk Factors According to a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, data from the Department of Veteran Affairs was examined and it was determined that an increased suicide risk in people over the age of 60 was associated with the following:...

Swallowing pills is a skill that most kids learn around 10 years of age, but some still aren’t able to even as teenagers. A fear of choking or simply worrying that pills are too big to swallow keeps many from trying. This presents challenges for treating common health conditions. While some medications can easily be crushed and mixed into food and drinks, that’s not possible in all cases. For example, some ADHD medications are extended-release formulas that need to be swallowed whole to ensure their safety and effectiveness....

Daley Quinn is a beauty, health, and lifestyle journalist with extensive experience reviewing health and wellness products and services. Here, she shares the sleep aids that are helping her get some rest amid the stress of COVID-19. Between the kids back in school, a monumental election coming up, and, of course, a global pandemic, it’s safe to say that 2020 has been one incredibly stressful year. With lots of stress usually comes a lot less sleep—some sleep neurologists have dubbed 2020’s sleeplessness the year of “COVID-Somnia....

A bilateral (double) mastectomy is the surgical removal of both breasts to treat or prevent breast cancer. In some cases, it is a necessary procedure—such as when an advanced cancer is found in both breasts simultaneously. In other cases, a woman may choose to have both breasts removed at the same time even though it is not considered medically necessary. Reasons for Choosing a Bilateral Mastectomy There are some cases where a bilateral mastectomy is the only option for effective breast cancer treatment....

Viruses are intracellular parasites that co-opt cell machinery to reproduce. During reproduction, viruses destroy cells and go on to infect other cells. During the 1950s, while researching possible treatments for cancer, scientists discovered chemical compounds that could inhibit viral DNA replication. During the 1980s and 1990s, after HIV became a problem, antiviral medications experienced a renaissance. Today, antiviral medications are used to treat many diseases. In order to be effective, antiviral medications must target either viral entry or exit or screw with the virus while it’s inside a cell....

Have you ever felt that your ears were blocked so that you couldn’t hear? Have you ever had popping or clicking in your ears or experienced trouble keeping your balance? These are just some of the symptoms associated with auditory tube dysfunction (also known as eustachian tube dysfunction). It can be caused by any number of conditions but is most associated with either an accumulation of mucus or an imbalance of air pressure in the middle ear....