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One of the hallmarks of a COVID-19 infection is the loss of the sense of smell (anosmia). It is the main neurological symptom of COVID, affecting about 90% of patients with the virus. Experts say that loss of smell might be a better predictor of COVID infection than other symptoms of the illness. Key Takeaways The loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) is a common symptom of COVID-19—in fact, it happens more often than fever or respiratory symptoms....

Exploratory laparotomy, also known as a celiotomy or “ex lap,” is performed by a general or trauma surgeon in a hospital under general anesthesia. The surgery involves making a large abdominal incision in order to “explore” the abdominal cavity and potentially treat (during the same operation) various abdominal pathologies. Diagnoses Related to Exploratory Laparotomy The purpose of an exploratory laparotomy is to examine abdominal and pelvic organs and tissues. While this operation is most commonly performed emergently in trauma situations, it may also be used to determine the source of a patient’s abdominal or pelvic pain....

You’ve probably heard that the flu shot is recommended if you have asthma. But, are people with asthma more likely to experience flu vaccine side effects? Asthma and Flu Vaccines In general, people with asthma should get the flu vaccine, unless there is a reason not to, such as a history of Guillain Barre syndrome. For many years, there was also concern that people with egg allergies should not get the flu shot, but that no longer is the case....

Among the many forms of patient advocacy is the ability to help patients make their way successfully through the healthcare system. These system experts may be known as health advocates, health navigators, patient advocates, or patient navigators. There are many aspects to getting quality medical care. There is the medical care itself, such as diagnosis and treatment. There is the billing and payment aspect, which follows all medical care. And there is one aspect of good health care that is sometimes not recognized until it presents its challenges: navigating one’s way through the system....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) kills more than 120,000 Americans each year and is predominantly associated with cigarette smoking. COPD affects around 5% of the U.S. population and can take one of two common forms of the disease: emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis can be difficult to tell apart since each causes the restriction of breathing as well as symptoms of fatigue, wheezing, and excessive mucus production. Some people can experience both conditions at once, particularly in later-stage COPD....

Hip pain is a common problem, and it can be confusing because there are many causes, including a hyperextended hip, arthritis, or a fracture. It is important that you seek medical attention for your hip pain so the cause of your symptoms can be identified and appropriate treatment can be directed at the underlying problem. Common Causes Arthritis: Arthritis is among the most frequent causes of hip pain, and there are many treatments available....

Invisalign is an orthodontic system used to straighten your teeth using a series of clear retainers, also known as aligners, rather than the traditional brackets, bands, and archwires that are traditionally used in orthodontics. There are several factors that one may want to consider before determining whether or not Invisalign treatment is right for them. These factors include: The Cost The cost of orthodontics is generally considered to be very expensive....

As we enter the second winter season of the COVID-19 pandemic, it can still be confusing trying to tell the difference between winter allergies and COVID symptoms. The rise of the Omicron variant has only made the situation more complex. Key Takeaways Some allergy and COVID-19 symptoms can overlap.The key difference between the two is the severity of the symptoms.A viral infection will typically cause fever, chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath which are not associated with allergies....

Do you know what free radicals are? You may have heard that they can damage your skin and have an aging effect on your body. But is that true? Here’s what you should know about the free radical theory of aging and what the most recent research has to say about its legitimacy. What Are Free Radicals? Free radicals are a byproduct of normal cell function. When cells create energy, they also produce unstable oxygen molecules....

While migraines and breast cancer are vastly unique medical conditions, there is one major factor that links them together—the female sex hormone estrogen. Here’s a look at the relationship between the two as well as what the research says so far about whether or not having migraines lowers your risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer and Estrogen Breast cancer occurs when mutated cancer cells grow uncontrollably, usually in the ducts and lobules of the breast tissue....

When mold fungus spores reach the air, they can cause a variety of allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and coughing. While there are many different types of molds, one common indoor mold is Penicillium, which can cause nasal allergies and asthma in certain people. If you’ve been diagnosed with a Penicillium mold allergy, you might be wondering if that means you could have a penicillin allergy or food allergies too....

A myofascial trigger point, which is a tender knot in the upper back, neck, or shoulder, can be the culprit behind tension headaches. While there are many different causes of tension headaches, a myofascial trigger point has specific treatments to help alleviate your pain. This article will explain how to recognize myofascial trigger points, their link to headaches, how they develop, and how you can get treatment and prevent them from coming back....

Before 2006, Medicare did not cover prescription medications, at least not most of them. A limited number of medications were offered under Medicare Part B, but otherwise, you had to pay for your medications out-of-pocket. That all changed when President George W. Bush passed the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) in 2003. The law created what we now know of as Medicare Part D, an optional part of Medicare that provides prescription drug coverage....

The patellar tendon connects the kneecap (the patella) to the shinbone. This is part of the “extensor mechanism” of the knee. Together with the kneecap, quadriceps tendon, and the quadriceps muscle, these structures allow you to straighten your knee and provide strength for a kicking motion. The patellar tendon, like other tendons, is made of tough, fibrous bands of tissue. The tendon is surrounded by a vascular tissue lining that provides nutrition to the tendon....

Prodromal labor is when contractions start during the third trimester of pregnancy but stop before active labor begins. It’s also called “false labor” or “prelabor." The contractions can feel like real labor but don’t get stronger or make the cervix dilate. Prodromal labor is different from Braxton Hicks contractions. Prodromal labor begins in the month leading up to your estimated due date, tends to follow a pattern, and can be uncomfortable....

Renovascular hypertension is a type of secondary hypertension caused by abnormal changes in the regular blood flow to the kidneys. While renovascular hypertension is sometimes discovered right away in patients who are known to have kidney problems, it is more commonly diagnosed after a period of observation and testing. Because of how the kidneys work, renovascular hypertension usually gets worse if it isn’t treated. Causes Medium-sized arteries called the renal arteries supply the kidneys with a constant flow of blood that must be filtered and returned to the body’s normal circulation....

On January 14, 2009, the FDA approved Savella (milnacipran HCl) for the management of fibromyalgia. Savella is classified as a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor. The drug has been used for several years in Europe and Asia to treat depression. What Is a Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Dual Reuptake Inhibitor? As a selective serotonin and norepinephrine dual reuptake inhibitor, also known as SSNRI, Savella increases norepinephrine and serotonin activity in the brain....

Shingles (varicella-zoster) and chickenpox (varicella) are infectious diseases that are both caused by the same virus called the herpes-zoster virus (HZV). Although some symptoms of chickenpox and shingles are similar, they are not considered the same illness. Chickenpox is typically a childhood disease that is usually less severe than shingles. When a child gets chickenpox, the body fights off the symptoms of the virus, but the virus does not completely go away; it goes into the base of a nerve and stays there in a dormant stage for life....

Thalassemia is a disorder of hemoglobin that causes a hemolytic anemia. Hemolysis is a term to describe the destruction of red blood cells. In adults, hemoglobin is made of four chains—two alpha chains and two beta chains. In thalassemia you are unable to make either alpha or beta chains in adequate amounts, making your bone marrow unable to make red blood cells properly. The red blood cells are also destroyed....

The window period can sort of be thought of as an STD test waiting period. After you are exposed to a disease and become infected, you won’t test positive right away. Instead, there is generally a length of time before you will test positive for the disease. That period is known as the window period or the STD testing window. It’s different from the incubation period, which is the time that passes between being exposed to a disease and starting to experience symptoms....