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Almost half of all Americans develop high blood pressure—or hypertension—during their lifetime. Some people have this problem without realizing it, and others experience serious complications. In this article, you will learn how high blood pressure is defined, its causes and risk factors, as well as treatment options and possible complications. High Blood Pressure Overview High blood pressure is characterized by repeated blood pressure measurements of 130/80 mm/Hg (millimeters of mercury) and above....

People living with HIV commonly have elevated cholesterol and triglycerides levels, which is caused not only by the virus itself but by the very drugs meant to treat the disease. Other factors may also contribute to these conditions, known, respectively, as hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. What Is Cholesterol? Cholesterol is defined by the American Heart Association as a waxy substance in a person’s bloodstream that is derived from both a person’s liver and certain foods—especially red meats and full-fat dairy products....

The anterior segment of the eye comprises the anterior chamber, the cornea, and the iris. More than half of the HIV-infected population is likely to develop a complication of the anterior segment ranging in severity from dry eyes to viral infections that can potentially cause blindness. HIV-Associated Eye Infections The HIV-associated infection most likely to present in the anterior segment include: Iridocyclitis, an inflammation of the iris Keratitis, an infection of the cornea Microsporidiosis, a fungal infection infrequently affecting the cornea Iridocyclitis is the inflammation of the iris, which can be associated with a number of opportunistic infections (OIs), including cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), toxoplasmosis, tuberculosis, and varicella zoster virus (VZV)....

Resistant starch is a part of our diet that has been receiving attention recently in the research world. Let’s take a look at what resistant starch is, what role it may play in our overall health, and whether it is a friend or foe to a person who has Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What Is Resistant Starch? Resistant starch “resists” digestion and absorption in the stomach and small intestine. This means that it arrives in your large intestine in an intact state....

Swimming pools might help you survive the summer heat wave. But some pools make for the perfect breeding ground for parasites and bacteria that can lead to diarrhea, rashes, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections. Key Takeaways Swimming pools can be contaminated with germs and parasites that cause watery diarrhea.Cryptosporidium, a parasite with a hard outer shell, is extremely resistant to chlorine and it can live in the pool for more than 10 days....

Did you find a pill on the floor and aren’t sure what it is? Maybe you just picked up your new prescription from the pharmacist and want to confirm it’s the right drug. There are some simple ways to identify pills, tablets, and capsules and it can all be done safely online. Every Pill Is Unique Unless the drug is a good counterfeit, the identification process is very straightforward. By law, every pill, tablet, or capsule approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must look unique from all others....

“Human metapneumovirus” (hMPV) sounds like a mysterious new virus, but you’re probably more familiar with it than you realize. It’s one of the hundreds of viruses that cause upper and lower respiratory infections associated with the common cold. Like other respiratory infections, it typically causes mild upper respiratory symptoms like cough, congestion, runny nose, and fever. But it may progress to a lower respiratory infection such as bronchitis (affecting the airways) or pneumonia (affecting the lungs)....

Ingrown toenails are a common foot condition. It happens when a toenail’s edge grows into the skin, causing redness, swelling, and pain. If left untreated, an ingrown toenail can become infected and cause serious issues. There are several causes and risk factors for developing an ingrown toenail. The two most common causes are wearing shoes that are too tight and cutting toenails too short or with rounded edges. This article will cover common causes and risk factors of ingrown toenails....

Joint function is an important aspect of a musculoskeletal physical examination. Joint function can be impaired by chronic or acute injuries and by diseases, such as arthritis. What is joint function? Joints and Joint Function Defined A joint is defined as the juncture where bones and muscles come together, facilitating movement and stability. Contraction of muscles crossing the joint can stabilize it or cause it to move. Normal joint function is defined as a joint’s ability to move throughout its range of motion and bear weight....

A lateral release is a surgical procedure on the knee used to realign the kneecap (patella). The lateral release is performed as an arthroscopic knee surgery and can be performed as an outpatient. The usual reason to perform a lateral release is to correct a partially dislocated (subluxated) kneecap that is causing pain. Conditions Treated The kneecap moves up and down in a groove on the end of the thigh bone as the knee bends....

The progestin-only birth control pill, traditionally known as the minipill, is a type of oral contraceptive (birth control pill). Each progestin-only pill contains a small amount of progestin (which is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone). These pills do not have any estrogen. Uses The traditional progestin-only birth control pills mainly prevent pregnancy by changing the consistency of your cervical mucus. The progestin thickens your mucus, and this makes it much harder for sperm to get through....

When Whitney Schulte received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine in January, she got a few stares. Schulte was 25 weeks pregnant at the time, and there was mixed messaging around how the COVID-19 vaccines could affect her and her unborn baby. Key Takeaways The CDC recommends that pregnant people get vaccinated against COVID-19 based on new safety data.Experts say the vaccine will not harm a pregnant person or unborn baby....

The risk of having shingles goes up with age, and people with compromised immune systems are more likely to be diagnosed with it. There is currently one vaccine that can help prevent shingles in the United States. This article discusses what you need to know about Shingrix, the shingles vaccine. What to Know About Shingrix The Shingrix vaccine strongly protects against shingles and PHN and has been proven to be more than 90% effective....

As states lifted COVID-19 restrictions at the start of the summer, airports became busy and travel soared. But now, with outbreaks cropping up nationwide, and shifting mask guidance, many Americans are rethinking those plans they made a few months ago. Key Takeaways When weighing the COVID-19 risk of your trip, consider your vaccination status, the travel destination’s current infection rates, and the activities you plan to do once you’re there.If you decide to carry on with your travel plans, it’s best that you get vaccinated beforehand, wear a well-fitting mask, and stick to outdoor activities as much as possible....

Orencia (abatacept) is used to treat autoimmune diseases. Orencia is primarily employed to reduce pain and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. It’s also used for psoriatic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Orencia is available in powder form, which can be taken intravenously when mixed with a solution, and in liquid form, which is also taken intravenously or given through an injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection). The medication works by preventing antigen-presenting cells from binding to T-cells, inhibiting the overactivity of the immune system....

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS)-related immobility, your lack of physical activity puts you at high risk for developing problems like pressure sores, stiff muscles and joints, and bone weakness. These issues can cause serious medical complications, such as infections and injuries, but there are steps you can take to help prevent them and early signs that can indicate that they might be developing. Pressure Sores Pressure sores (also called bed sores, pressure injuries, or pressure ulcers) are areas of frail or raw skin that develop after sitting or lying in one position for a prolonged period of time....

Approximately 334,000 COVID-19 cases across the country are attributable to meatpacking plants, leading to $11.2 billion in economic damage, new research finds. Key Takeaways About 334,000 COVID-19 cases can be attributed to meatpacking plants, which caused an estimated $11.2 billion in economic damage, according to a new study.Beef- and pork-processing plants had higher transmission rates compared to chicken plants.Researchers hope their study will inform worker safety and will lead to better investment in sick pay for meatpacking workers....

A new study from the University of Calgary suggests that a main treatment for severe COVID-19 patients may only help male patients by altering the function of immune cells, but it has little benefit for female patients. Key Takeaways A new study examines how a steroid called dexamethasone works to help patients who’ve developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) from COVID-19.Researchers found that it helps male patients by altering the function of immune cells, but has little to no benefit for female patients due to differences in immune responses....

Connexin 26 mutations are the most common cause of congenital sensorineural hearing losses. Connexin 26 is actually a protein found in the gap junction beta 2 (GJB2) gene. This protein is needed to allow cells to communicate with each other. If there is not enough Connexin 26 protein, the potassium levels in the inner ear become too high and damage hearing. Everyone has two copies of this gene, but if each birth parent has a flawed copy of the GJB2/Connexin 26 gene, the baby may be born with a hearing loss....

Do you know your period is coming because you can’t put down that bag of potato chips or close that box of donuts? Do you have strong food cravings along with mood changes in the second half, or luteal phase, of your menstrual cycle? If you do, then you surely would agree that there is a strong connection between your mood and food. But what you might not realize is that your brain is craving certain foods for their ability to calm anxiety or soothe depression, both of which can accompany your period....