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Marijuana—also known as cannabis or weed—is the most commonly used illicit recreational drug. It is often thought of as a soft drug, with proponents claiming that it is non-addictive and relatively harmless, particularly when compared with the much more available and socially acceptable drug, alcohol. Many people, though—parents especially—may worry about the common idea that marijuana is a gateway drug leading to harder and more addictive drugs. The Gateway Drug Theory The gateway drug theory states that so-called soft drugs, such as marijuana, provide an apparently safe psychoactive experience that makes naive users more open to experimenting with other, harder drugs....

Medicare will cover free COVID-19 at-home tests starting April 4, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Key Takeaways Free at-home COVID-19 tests will be made available to individuals enrolled in Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage health plans.Medicare enrollees may receive eight tests per person per month at no cost. The move comes amidst a push by the Biden administration to improve access to COVID-19 testing. Eligibility applies to anyone with Medicare Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan....

Any time an incision is made in the skin, there will be nerve damage. If you have a scar, you’ll notice that the sensation in the area of your scar is less than the sensation of the skin on either side of the scar. This is a minor nerve injury and, eventually, it becomes barely discernible. However, the nerve damage that occurs after plastic surgery can be catastrophic. Every Plastic Surgeon’s Nightmare Nerve damage is a serious complication that anyone considering plastic surgery must be aware of....

In the past, medical illnesses were often described based on their symptoms or their most obviously observable effects. You may hear family members describe their own medical conditions using terms that are no longer recognizable or in common use. A number of common medical terms have gone out of style, often in favor of more descriptive and accurate medical terms. But the “old,” often colorful names still persist, and you may even come across them if you like to read historical books or older fictional stories....

Pachymetry is a simple, painless test that quickly measures the thickness of the cornea. Why Measure Corneal Thickness? Corneal thickness as measured by pachymetry is important in the eye care field for several reasons. Pachymetry can tell healthcare providers if the cornea is swollen. Medical conditions such as Fuch’s Dystrophy can increase fluid in the cornea and cause an increase in overall thickness. Even wearing contact lenses can sometimes cause significant corneal swelling....

Prednisone is a type of drug known as a corticosteroid. It closely resembles a substance that is made by the human adrenal glands. Steroids that are made by the human body work to reduce inflammation and to regulate the intake of salt. The body produces more steroids when it is stressed, such as during an illness. This is why they are sometimes referred to as “stress hormones.” Prednisone is prescribed to treat many different types of inflammatory conditions, everything from skin rashes to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)....

QNASL is a prescription nasal spray, sold under the generic name of beclomethasone dipropionate nasal, that is used in the treatment of nasal allergies. It is a topical steroid spray that can help to improve nasal congestion and may be useful to reduce snoring and as an adjunctive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. Uses QNASL is a prescription medication that is used to treat allergic rhinitis. This condition often leads to nasal congestion, a runny nose, and difficulty breathing through the nose....

The j-pouch procedure (for which the technical name is ileal pouch anal anastomosis, or IPAA) is major surgery and will require a significant recovery time. The surgery is typically done in one, two, or three steps, with the two-step process being most common. During the recovery period after the creation of the j-pouch, a colorectal surgeon may recommend a restricted diet. This diet is necessary to prevent any problems, such as a bowel obstruction, while the bowel is still healing....

Soursop is native to Central and South America. Also know as graviola fruit, it has attracted strong interest in recent years due to its potential medicinal benefits. While some studies have shown soursop may have anticancer benefits for prostate, breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, evidence for these benefits is not yet conclusive. Although there are many options for alternative treatments for different illnesses—including cancer—it is always imperative to follow the advice of a healthcare professional....

A frozen shoulder is a very common problem that causes shoulder pain, although many patients with this condition don’t realize what the problem is, and what the best treatments are for this condition. In addition, many patients are surprised to learn about the lengthy healing process (taking anywhere from 6 months to 2 years) that can be required for relief of pain and stiffness caused by a frozen shoulder. Phase One: Freezing (6 weeks to 6 months) The freezing stage is by far the most painful phase of a frozen shoulder....

The sternum is a long, flat bone that protects the underlying muscles, organs, and important arteries within the chest. This includes the lungs, heart, and stomach, along with all of their intricate blood vessels, muscles, and cartilage. The sternum also acts as a joining structure to the upper ribs on either side of the body. This bone is sometimes cracked during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as part of the sternum is located directly above the heart....

Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) may be more than a nuisance to people who are chronic sufferers. They can affect a person’s ability to function and significantly decrease their quality of life. While oral medications can alleviate many of these symptoms, they can often cause unwanted side effects ranging from drowsiness to weight gain. As a result, many people to turn to nasal sprays for allergy relief. The drugs come in various formulations with differing mechanisms of action, including:...

Aphasia refers to a difficulty understanding language or speaking. It a common complication of stroke. In general terms, aphasia is a disturbance in the production, processing, or understanding of language due to brain damage, most commonly from a stroke. For stroke survivors living with aphasia, treatment is an important aspect of life after a stroke. There are several treatment approaches for the different types of aphasia. General Principles Several principles of therapy have been shown in small studies to improve the outcome of therapy....

Most newer continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel machines now come with a heated humidifier that is either fully integrated into the device or easily attached. You may wonder if you have to use the humidifier with your CPAP. Learn about the benefits of using a humidifier and whether it is something that you can simply do without. The Purpose of the CPAP Humidifier Many people find benefit in using their CPAP’s humidifier....

Seeing yourself through a critical eye can be beneficial. But what happens when you see yourself too critically? While fleeting negative thoughts are normal, prolonged negative feelings about yourself can lead to conditions like body dysmorphia. Key Takeaways Virtual reality is being explored as a means for treating different mental and physical conditions.VR allows healthcare professionals to manipulate virtual worlds as means of helping and treating patients.This type of therapy is not yet ready for at-home, unsupervised use....

A hiccup is an annoying spasm that happen when your diaphragm suddenly contracts. The diaphragm is a muscle in your chest that is responsible for helping your lungs expand and contract. When it suddenly moves unexpectedly, that’s when you experience hiccups. The sudden movement of the diaphragm causes vocal cords to close suddenly, which is what causes the familiar “hic” noise. If you experience hiccups, you’re not alone. Everyone—from infants to the elderly—experience occasional hiccups....

Advanced Parkinson’s disease (APD) is a late stage of Parkinson’s disease that is marked by limited mobility. Medications are used to control Parkinson’s in early stages. When these medications lose their ability to work effectively and symptoms progress, physicians classify it as advanced Parkinson’s disease. APD usually occurs after 10 years of living with Parkinson’s, but can occur much later. Patients in this stage may require a wheelchair or other assistive devices, and they have a higher risk of falling, dementia, and other cognitive problems....

Australian Dream pain relief arthritis cream is an over-the-counter (OTC) product for people with minor aches and pain associated with arthritis or an athletic lifestyle. The Australian Dream cream gets absorbed into the skin and increases blood vessels’ size to temporarily promote circulation. The active ingredient in the cream is histamine dihydrochloride. It is an FDA-approved active ingredient for use in topical pain relievers to alleviate aches and pains associated with arthritis....

If you have a painful bump on the outside of your foot just below the little toe, you probably have a bunionette. A bunionette is a prominence of the fifth metatarsal bone where it meets the bone of the little toe; it is often associated with the little toe tuning inward. Bunionettes are similar to bunions, which are protrusions that occur on the inside of the foot below the big toe....

Choroideremia is a rare inherited disorder that causes progressive vision loss, ultimately leading to complete blindness. Choroideremia mainly affects males due to its X-linked etiology. The condition is also known by the names choroidal sclerosis and progressive tapetochoroidal dystrophy. Choroideremia affects about one in 50,000 to 100,000 people and accounts for around 4% of blindness. Because its symptoms are very similar to other eye disorders, the condition is thought to be underdiagnosed....