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Many types of healthcare providers are involved in diagnosing and treating celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The first step is to discuss your celiac disease symptoms and/or gluten sensitivity symptoms with your primary care provider. It’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between the conditions based on symptoms alone, so your healthcare provider may order tests to determine if you have celiac disease, and can help you decide the next steps in your care....

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is caused when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist. It is a side effect commonly associated with radiation therapy in people undergoing cancer treatment. Radiation therapy to the head and neck can directly damage the salivary glands as well as the mouth, throat, and lips. Symptoms can range from mild to debilitating and include: a dry, sticky feeling in the mouthsaliva that is thick or stringya painful, burning sensation in the mouth or tonguedifficulty chewing or swallowingchange in tastedifficulty talking In addition to the physical discomfort, dry mouth can interfere with both your dental health and ability to eat (leading to infection and/or malnutrition)....

It’s a common problem—one person in your family gets sick and illness quickly spreads to other family members. While it isn’t always possible to avoid getting sick when someone in the house is contagious, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers ways to minimize your chances and stay well. Likewise, there’s much you can do to keep your family well if you are sick. If Someone Else Is Sick The important things for keeping yourself healthy when there’s a sick person in your house are to limit your exposure to their germs and take good care of yourself....

Some common personality traits — such as ambition and rigidity — have been noted in people with Parkinson’s disease. Many experts on Parkinson’s, including spouses of those with the condition, believe that people with the condition develop certain distinctive personality traits and that these traits appear long before the onset of the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s. What Personality Traits Are Associated With Parkinson’s? Observers of people with Parkinson’s — even observers who lived more than 100 years ago — have reported that those suffering from Parkinson’s disease tend to be:...

On Sunday, November 29, President-Elect Joe Biden announced that he had injured his right foot after he fell while playing with his dog, Major, a German Shepherd rescue, the day before. Key Takeaways Joe Biden suffered minor fractures to his foot while playing with his dog.With correct treatment, the type of injury he sustained generally heals in a few months with a walking boot for support. Biden’s injury appeared to be a twisted ankle at first, but further investigation showed otherwise, CNN reported....

From pills to patches, hangover cures routinely pop up on drug store shelves and Instagram feeds alike. A recent small study suggests a new option might actually be effective: L-cysteine supplements. But because the study was so small, experts are skeptical. Key Takeaways Results from a small study suggest that taking an amino acid supplement called L-cysteine may help prevent hangover symptoms.L-cysteine can be obtained from food sources like oatmeal, pork chops, and tuna....

Clubfoot is a birth abnormality that causes the shape of a newborn baby’s feet to point down and inward. While clubfoot does not cause pain, it can cause long-term problems if left untreated, affecting the child’s ability to walk normally. However, if it is properly treated, the deformity can often be successfully treated during the first few months of life, though the child may need to wear a brace at night and during naps for a few years....

The lungs are a major organ that is part of the respiratory system, taking in fresh air and getting rid of old, stale air. This mechanism of breathing also helps to allow you to talk. By taking in fresh air, the lungs are able to help oxygenate blood to be carried around your body. This is done by inhaling the air and bringing it in toward the pulmonary capillaries, which then become oxygen-filled cells that help with respiration....

It’s typical to experience a sore throat, bad breath, and dry mouth after surgery. You may also have a hoarse voice. There are many simple ways to ease your discomfort so you can focus on resting and healing. This article explores common mouth and throat problems that may occur after surgery. It will also cover treatment options and when to reach out to your healthcare provider. What Causes Mouth and Throat Issues After Surgery?...

Ischemia is the condition in which living tissue doesn’t get oxygen and nutrients, usually due to an obstruction of the blood flow to that tissue. Tissue experiencing ischemia is called ischemic and typically functions abnormally. If ischemia persists long enough, the affected tissue dies. This is called infarction, a term most people recognize in phrases like myocardial infarction (heart attack) or brain infarction (stroke). High Blood Pressure Is a Risk Factor There are different types of ischemia and the kind you experience depends on the tissue affected....

Definition: The preoperative phase is the time period between the decision to have surgery and the beginning of the surgical procedure. During the Preoperative Phase The preoperative phase can range from minutes to months. For a patient who has been diagnosed with a critical illness that must be corrected with surgery, the time from diagnosis to surgery may be measured in minutes. Those types of situations are usually caused by a traumatic injury or massive bleeding....

Scales occur when the outermost layer of the epidermis becomes dry and flaky and peels. The excess of dead skin cells results in the appearance of scaly skin. Scales can be very thin and fine, as with pityriasis rosea, or thick, as with psoriasis. Scaling skin is also referred to as peeling skin, flaking skin, dropping of scales, and desquamation. On visible parts of the body, like the face, hands, and feet, scaling skin can be particularly embarrassing....

Federal health agencies currently only recommend COVID-19 booster shots for certain individuals. However, in the past week California, Colorado, New Mexico, and New York have all expanded eligibility for booster shots to all adults. Key Takeaways Four states have made booster shots available to all adults, bypassing federal guidance.Booster shots might not be needed for all adults, therefore it’s important to carefully review data and determine whether expanding booster eligibility is necessary....

Tennessee on Tuesday became the latest state to limit access to COVID-19 vaccines in public schools. The Tennessee Department of Health will stop outreach about vaccines for all diseases, including COVID-19, Tennessean reported. Authorities are also moving to ban vaccination drives on school premises. Key Takeaways Reports this week say Tennessee will prohibit its Department of Health from promoting vaccinations for all diseases and will end COVID-19 vaccination clinics on school property....

A bilateral knee replacement surgery is when both knees are replaced with artificial joints during a single procedure. People with severe arthritis in both knees often consider this procedure because it can restore a normal, balanced gait. Sometimes when one knee joint is replaced, it can be difficult to attain completely normal leg function without ultimately having the other knee fixed. For this reason, it is not uncommon for people to find out they need both knees replaced....

Viral arthritis is an acute form of arthritis caused by a viral infection. According to a 2016 review in the journal Clinical Medicine, about 1% of acute arthritis cases are associated with a viral infection. Unlike osteoarthritis, in which symptoms are persistent, viral arthritis tends to come and go within a short span of time with no lasting after-effects. Many viruses have been linked to viral arthritis. Treatments are generally directed at alleviating joint pain and inflammation....

Cholesterol is an important component of cardiovascular health. But many people don’t know what their cholesterol levels are, how to get them checked, or even why they matter. Key Takeaways Cholesterol is linked to serious health complications.Getting tested can inform you of potential cardiovascular health risks.Health officials recommend starting testing for cholesterol at age 20. “It’s not necessarily an urgent test, but it should be done,” Sanjiv Patel, MD, board-certified interventional cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, told Verywell....

News footage these last few weeks has focused on healthcare workers getting the COVID-19 shot in the arm of their choice. But just who is doing the vaccinating? Key Takeaways COVID-19 vaccines are being administered by a variety of healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physicians assistants, and pharmacy technicians. Each of these professionals receives training on how to administer the vaccine and how to manage very rare side effects of the vaccines....

States and businesses are racing to reopen before summer arrives. While Americans are getting used to the idea of returning to public life, demand for the COVID-19 vaccines continues to stall. Key Themes From Our Survey Acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine has plateaued and skepticism holds steady.Most people are both excited and nervous about returning to public events.Hesitant parents are the next hurdle to reaching herd immunity. The Verywell Health Vaccine Sentiment Tracker shows that overall acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine has plateaued after steadily climbing since the beginning of the year....

Adderall, which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy, is in short supply. Key Takeaways The FDA declared a nationwide shortage of immediate-release Adderall last week.While Adderall shortages are not uncommon, an increase in ADHD diagnoses in recent years may have contributed to increased demand for the treatment.Several generic versions and extended-release formulas are still available. Experts say you can ask pharmacists to partially fill your order, or try a generic brand in the meantime....