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The middle stages of Alzheimer’s can also be referred to as mid-stage dementia, moderate Alzheimer’s, moderately severe cognitive decline or severe cognitive decline (according to the model of Barry Reisberg, M.D). Each stage of Alzheimer’s has its own challenges, and the middle stage is no exception. There are differences between how people will progress through Alzheimer’s, but symptoms generally follow a similar route. Here are some of the possible changes you might see as you or your loved one moves through the middle stages of Alzheimer’s....

The chikungunya virus is a mosquito-borne illness that has been identified in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and the Caribbean Islands. As of early 2021, it has also spread throughout most of the Americas. Symptoms The most common symptoms of infection with the chikungunya virus are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include: HeadacheMuscle painJoint swellingRash The symptoms of chikungunya are also similar to those of dengue fever—another mosquito-borne illness that is common in many of the same parts of the world where chikungunya outbreaks have occurred....

A rotator cuff tear is a common injury at the shoulder joint. However, not every rotator cuff tear causes problems that require surgery to address. There is no question that some rotator cuff tears require invasive treatments. For some people, relief of pain and restoration of function will require something to be done about the damage to the rotator cuff. However, there are a variety of ways to treat rotator cuff tears....

A severed finger is a serious injury that can significantly change how you use your hands. Always seek emergency medical care for a severed finger. If you have a finger or thumb that’s been cut off, surgeons may try to reattach it. However, not all amputated digits can be reattached. You’ll need an immediate evaluation to determine the right treatment for your injury. This article explains what to do if you have a severed finger....

Since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended the inclusion of Omicron BA.4/BA.5 components for reformulated COVID-19 booster shots, the Biden administration has been busy securing enough vaccine doses for deployment in September. Key Takeaways Bivalent COVID boosters are expected to have wide eligibility and be recommended for everyone.The Biden administration has already secured more than 170 million doses of updated vaccine candidates from Pfizer and Moderna.Rollout will begin after Labor Day....

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 38.7% of fully vaccinated Americans have now gotten either their COVID-19 booster or third vaccine dose. Although the current vaccines remain effective against the Omicron variant, that protection wanes over time, emphasizing the need for fully vaccinated individuals to get their booster shots. Key Takeaways People with COVID-19 can get their booster shot when their isolation period ends.Booster doses increase your protection against the Omicron variant....

The decision of when to withdraw life support or whether to begin life-sustaining treatments for your loved one is complicated with ethical issues and strong emotions. People are faced with the decision to withhold or withdraw life support every day—but it’s never easy. Life-sustaining treatment, also known as life support, is any treatment intended to prolong life without curing or reversing the underlying medical condition. This can include mechanical ventilation, artificial nutrition, hydration, kidney dialysis, chemotherapy, and antibiotics....

Nothing is worse than seeing a small child sneezing, coughing, and trying to breathe with a stuffed up nose. Even if it’s clear all they have is a common cold, as a parent or caregiver you’ll want to do all you can to help them feel better and ensure they get better as quickly as possible. Relieve a Fever Children are more likely to run a fever with a cold than adults are, which means having a temperature of 100....

Developing type 2 diabetes can be a result of both genetics and lifestyle factors. While it is true that having a family history of diabetes increases a person’s diabetes risk, it has remained unclear whether positive lifestyle practices can truly “override” these chances. Key Takeaways Both genetic and lifestyle factors play a role in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.New data shows that low diet quality and increased genetic diabetes risk are independently associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes....

Norvasc (amlodipine besylate) is a type of medication known as a calcium channel blocker. This class of medication contains compounds that relax blood vessels and decrease blood pressure. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood throughout the body. As important as Norvasc is in treating hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (heart-related chest pain), it can cause side effects. One of the most common is the swelling of the ankles caused by the accumulation of fluids in tissues....

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare bone disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the bones. While CRMO is treatable, it may slow down childhood bone growth and lead to permanent bone deformities in both adults and children. There is conflicting evidence about the true prevalence of CRMO because little is known about it, and researchers believe a great number of people with the condition are likely undiagnosed. What researchers do know is that CRMO affects both adults and children, although symptoms often begin in childhood....

Contact tracing, contact tracking, or partner notification, is a technique used by governments to try to limit the spread of diseases. When a person is diagnosed with a trackable disease, such as an STD, he or she is asked for the names of any person they might have gotten it from or given it to. For STDs, this is usually any individual whom they’ve have had sex with since their last negative test....

There is so much confusing information out there about which type of Christmas tree is better for your health and the environment, especially if you happen to be allergic to Christmas trees or pine trees. Should you get a real tree or an artificial tree? What about an eco-friendly alternative Christmas? Would a live tree in a pot that you’d plant following Christmas actually be the best choice? The truth is, there are pros and cons to all these alternatives....

Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis, commonly referred to as DISH, is a disease characterized by calcification (deposition of calcium) and ossification (formation of bone) in soft tissues, primarily entheses and ligaments. First identified and described by Forestier and Rotes-Querol in 1950, the disease was then called “senile ankylosing hyperostosis.” It has also been referred to as Forestier’s disease. In DISH, the axial skeleton is typically involved, especially the thoracic spine. But, when researchers realized that the disease was not limited to the spine and that it could affect peripheral joints, they re-named it Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis....

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition that was formerly known as multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder. This condition causes a person to have multiple distinct identities. It typically develops from significant childhood abuse, traumatic events, or overwhelming experiences. This article discusses triggers that can cause “switching” between identities, or alters, in people with DID. What Is Switching? People with dissociative identity disorder have at least two distinctly different identities, but some believe as many as 100 can emerge....

We’d all like an elixir that makes us live a long, healthy life. And if that elixir were red wine…all the better! However (of course there’s a however), although red wine might have some potential health benefits, it’s far from being a cure-all. While red wine is more closely linked to health benefits than other types of alcohol, experts suggest that it should still be consumed with caution. In an effort to understand the “French Paradox’” (why French people can indulge in fatty foods but not develop heart disease), red wine came into focus in 1991 on an episode of “60 Minutes....

If you have high levels of bad cholesterol, you might be familiar with studies suggesting that blood donation may lower your levels. Although blood donation is helpful for supplying blood for emergencies and medical procedures to individuals who need it, it can be surprising to hear that donating your blood regularly may have a beneficial effect on your health. But are these studies evidence enough that you should become a regular blood donor?...

Fentanyl is a pain medication frequently used after surgery. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid analgesic, a pain medication similar to morphine but approximately 100 times stronger. It is a controlled substance and requires a prescription from your healthcare provider. Fentanyl is also commonly known as fentanyl citrate, Sublimaze, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, and Matrifen. How Is It Given? Fentanyl is available in a variety of forms. In the hospital, Fentanyl is most commonly given as an IV injection or an IV drip....

The elemental diet is a medical liquid diet used to help people recover from certain health problems, like Crohn’s disease or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). The diet gets its name from the fact that nutrients are introduced into the body in as close to their elemental form as possible. This makes it easier to digest and absorb nutrients when recovering from specific conditions. Several commercial formulations are available as options for people who need to be on the elemental diet....

Anthophobia is an extreme fear (phobia) of flowers (“anthos” in Greek). People can experience fear of all flowers or a specific type of flower. They may also experience fear of the whole plant or parts of the plant. For example, a person may be afraid of all roses or they may be afraid of rose stems or petals. This extreme fear falls under the category of an anxiety disorder. This article will explain how diagnosis works, why someone may have a fear of flowers, what symptoms are associated with this specific phobia, and what treatment options may be helpful....