Posts

School vaccine policies can change from time to time, especially when a new vaccine makes a debut. This happened when the chickenpox booster shot was introduced in 2006 and when new vaccines for DTaP and meningococcal meningitis were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. The approval of a vaccine by the FDA doesn’t mean that it will automatically be added to the list of vaccines required for school (or covered by insurance, for that matter)....

Mold is a microscopic fungus that thrives in damp, dark environments. It can grow on any surface (e.g., food, indoor plants, walls, floors, or fabric) under the right conditions—moisture and high humidity, plus some form of nutrient. Mold also is a common indoor trigger for asthma symptoms, among them: Chest tightness Chronic cough Shortness of breath Wheezing If you have asthma and you’re sensitive to mold, reducing your exposure to it should be an effective way to stave off asthma symptoms....

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has reported that from March to May 2020, skin cancer diagnoses in the United States dropped by an average of 46% compared to the same time in 2019. Key Takeaways Dermatologists are concerned that delays in skin cancer diagnosis during the spring of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to advanced-stage melanoma and other skin cancer diagnoses later this year.If caught early, skin cancer is generally treatable—which is why screening is important....

The term double-jointed is an inaccurate way of saying that someone has hypermobility of their joints. Double-jointed would imply that the individual has more joints than normal or that their joints have a twice-normal motion – neither of these is true. The truth is that people who are called “double-jointed” have joints with more mobility than normal. In some individuals, this is normal. In others, there is an underlying medical reason for the joint laxity....

Drooling, also called sialorrhea, is saliva draining outside of the mouth. Drooling is common in several disorders related to the ears, nose, and throat, as well as certain neurological disorders. For infants and toddlers, drooling is a sign of teething and is nothing to be concerned about, but it’s important to be aware of the various conditions that are associated with drooling. In some rare cases, drooling is a sign of a life-threatening illness....

Higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, and whole grain foods may help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to two studies published in the British Medical Journal on July 8. Key Takeaways As little as an additional quarter cup of fruits or vegetables a day can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.Daily intake of whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and cereal showed a protective effect. Diabetes affects approximately 10% of the U....

Google announced a new vaccine finder initiative on January 25 that will allow users in certain states to find local COVID-19 vaccination sites with the help of Google maps and search. The initiative hopes to increase access to information about vaccination site locations, eligibility requirements, whether sites include drive-throughs, and whether appointments or referrals are required. Key Takeaways Google searches for “vaccines near me” have increased five-fold since the beginning of the year....

Hemiplegic migraines are a rare form of migraine that causes temporary motor problems, including weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia). These symptoms are a form of migraine aura—known as “motor aura”—and occur with typical manifestations, such as changes in vision, speech, or sensation. Because hemiplegic migraine symptoms are similar to symptoms of a stroke, it is critical to identify and treat these migraines as quickly as possible. Symptoms A person undergoing a hemiplegic migraine attack may initially experience a visual aura followed by a sensory aura, and lastly, a motor aura....

While the association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer is not as strong with other risk factors, there is a definite link. In fact, the more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing the disease—and having a more aggressive type of breast cancer. There are not many effective methods of reducing your breast cancer risk, and cutting back on alcohol is one of the important ways to decrease your chances of developing the disease, especially if you are at high risk for breast cancer....

Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), is a build-up of pressure in the skull. Whether it’s caused by swelling, bleeding, a tumor, or some other problem, ICP can lead to compression of brain tissue and cause permanent damage. That’s why it’s considered a neurological emergency that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. How will you know if someone has ICP? The key symptoms are blurry vision, headache, and changes in thinking that generally are worse when she’s lying down....

Excessive sweat and odor are two foot problems that usually occur together. While it is normal for feet to sweat, as it’s a way in which your body regulates temperature and prevents you from overheating, the excess moisture from sweating plus the heat inside a shoe create the perfect environment for bacteria and fungi to grow—the culprits behind that dreaded odor. Also, the more feet sweat, the worse foot, and shoe odor tend to be....

Diabetes raises your risk of catching a cold or the flu because it weakens your immune system. And when you’re sick, it’s harder to keep blood sugars under control. While your body fights the illness, it releases hormones that increase blood sugars and interfere with insulin’s blood-glucose-lowering effects. The last thing you need is for cold and flu medications to make your blood-sugar levels even higher. This article looks at the cold and flu medications that are safe and those you should avoid....

Your gynecologist may already have tested your vaginal pH many times. This allows your healthcare provider to determine the acidity or alkalinity of your vaginal secretions. Why is this information important for them to know, and why should you learn it, too? The Goals of Testing You may want to test your vaginal pH if you are experiencing unusual vaginal symptoms, such as itching, burning, a foul vaginal odor, or abnormal vaginal discharge....

As Mohs surgery is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, there’s little you typically have to do to prepare for the surgery. But this article will cover how to get ready, including where to go, what to bring, and whether you can eat and drink or take medications before the procedure. Location Mohs surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. It is recommended that you find a surgeon specially trained in the Mohs procedure, so your choice of location may be limited by availability and preference of the surgeon....

Rachel Charlton-Dailey (she/they) is an award-winning journalist specializing in health and disability. Their work is featured in publications such as Healthline, Huffpost, Metro UK, The Guardian, and Business Insider. Charlton-Dailey often uses their platform to spotlight issues that affect disabled people. Here, they explain how the idea of “returning to normal” is both unsafe and unfair to disabled people. As we near the second anniversary of the pandemic, the virus is still rapidly spreading....

Paradoxical sleep is a lay term for the rapid eye movement (REM) phase of sleep. It applies to a sleep state, an experience of insomnia characterized by sleep state misperception, and even a behavioral treatment for insomnia. Get the facts on this stage of sleep and the sleep disorder known as paradoxical insomnia. Also, learn how paradoxical intention works to treat insomnia. What Defines Paradoxical Sleep? Also known as REM sleep or dreaming sleep, paradoxical sleep is a distinct stage of sleep with intense brain activity in the forebrain and midbrain....

Allergic reactions to vaccines are not common, but they are possible. To be on the safe side, when you get in line to receive your COVID-19 vaccine, you will be asked if you are allergic to any ingredients in the shot. While the ingredients in vaccines are safe, it is possible that someone might have sensitivities that could make them more likely to have an allergic reaction. Key Takeaways Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polysorbate are additives in the COVID-19 vaccines....

Most people are familiar with the time-honored “funeral flush” used to dispose of a child’s dead goldfish via the toilet, but what laws govern the removal or disposal of larger pets? There are legal realities you should consider following the death of your beloved pet dog, cat, bird, snake, gerbil, hamster, or any other furry, finned, or feathered non-human companion. These include whether it’s legal to bury a dead pet in your backyard or on some other property you legally own....

Sugar is associated with increased inflammation. One form of sugar called fructose, primarily found naturally in fruit, honey, and high-fructose corn syrup, can contribute to a form of arthritis called gout. People with gout go through periods of flare-ups, which usually affect one joint at a time. Symptoms of a gout flare-up include redness, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness in the affected area. This article examines the relationship between sugar and gout....

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, commonly known as LEEP, is a procedure that’s done to treat persistent, low-grade and high-grade cervical dysplasia, which is an abnormal condition of the cervix. If left untreated, dysplasia can lead to precancer or cancer. LEEP uses an electrically charged wire loop to remove cervical tissue. It’s done under local anesthesia and is normally performed on an outpatient basis in a hospital or in the healthcare provider’s office....