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Following an FDA authorization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a second mRNA booster for people 50 and older and those who are immunocompromised. The eligible groups can get either a Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 booster at least fourth months after their first booster dose. Key Takeaways Federal health agencies greenlit a second booster of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for people 50 and older or people who are immunocompromised....

Last week, President Joe Biden said the COVID-19 pandemic is “over” during an appearance on 60 Minutes. Without citing concrete evidence to back up this sweeping statement, Biden conceded that the U.S. still has “a problem with COVID,” but that it has entered the endemic phase. Key Takeaways President Joe Biden recently said the pandemic is over, but health experts said transmission levels, deaths, and low vaccine uptake prove otherwise.Experts say politicians should ultimately heed recommendations from public health officials before making such sweeping statements....

Whether you’re getting a mastectomy to treat a breast cancer diagnosis or in an effort to prevent breast cancer from developing should you have a family history or a BRCA mutation, the day scheduled for mastectomy surgery will be generally the same. The only difference will be what kind of mastectomy you and your healthcare provider have decided on. The types include simple (or total) mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy, partial mastectomy, or nipple-sparing mastectomy....

Menstrual cramps (also called dysmenorrhea, or menstrual pain) are throbbing, aching, or dull pains in the abdomen or lower back in the days leading up to and during the monthly menstrual period. Dysmenorrhea has several risk factors, both lifestyle factors that can be modified and those that can’t. Menstrual cramps are one of the most common complaints when it comes to dealing with periods. Research published in Epidemiologic Reviews found that in a series of 15 published studies there was a wide range of prevalence of dysmenorrhea between 16% and 91%, while 2% to 29% of people studied reported severe menstrual cramps....

Nasal congestion is not just a symptom of the common cold, but it’s often what causes much of the unpleasantness that comes with it. People often complain of a stuffy or runny nose, which is the result of nasal inflammation and mucus production resulting from the illness. Luckily, while your cold runs its course, you have a number of treatment options for finding relief. Symptoms Congestion is a symptom and not an illness itself, but it can lead to:...

New guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine may be stored in standard pharmaceutical freezers for up to two weeks. Key Takeaways The FDA is allowing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at normal freezer temperatures instead of in ultra-cold freezers.Rural areas and smaller vaccination sites will now have easier access to the Pfizer vaccine. Pfizer’s vaccine, which was the first shot to be approved to prevent COVID-19 in the United States, was previously thought to need ultra-cold freezers to keep the vaccine between 112 degrees below zero and 76 degrees below zero....

Perspiration is the body’s natural response whenever it’s overheated, emotionally or physically stressed, or affected by a disease-causing agent such as HIV. In some people, this can occur spontaneously and without apparent reason (a condition called hyperhidrosis). In others, it occurs specifically and profusely at night. This is something we call “night sweats,” or, more specifically, sleep hyperhidrosis. What Are Night Sweats? Night sweats frequently occur in people living with HIV, most often in later stages of untreated disease (when the CD4 count is below 200 cells/milliliter)....

An open fracture is an injury that occurs when a broken bone is exposed through the skin. The bone could actually protrude out of the skin, or the skin and soft-tissue could be severely injured, exposing the fracture. Often called a compound fracture, an open fracture is treated differently than a closed fracture. Open fractures can heal slowly, and if complicated by an infection, serious problems with bone healing, systemic infection, or persistent problems with surrounding tissue can occur....

Many of us have experienced a “stomach bug” at some point. The typical symptoms of fever, vomiting, and diarrhea tend to clear up within a matter of days. Unfortunately, for some people, that return to health does not always happen as expected. In some cases, these symptoms can linger in the wake of an acute gastrointestinal (GI) infection. When these more chronic symptoms develop, they are termed post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS (IBS-PI)....

Intraventricular hemorrhage, or IVH, is a complication of premature birth that can be very serious. In IVH, the fragile blood vessels in a preemie’s brain start to break or leak, causing bleeding in the ventricles of the brain. IVH can be mild or severe, depending on how much bleeding is present. Mild cases may not have any lasting effects, but severe IVH can cause lifelong physical or mental impairment, and can even be fatal....

A rapid at-home test that detects antibody levels against the COVID-19 virus could be useful in gauging immune status, especially for people who are immunocompromised. Key Takeaways A rapid at-home test for COVID-19 antibodies can help people check their level of protection against the virus.However, health authorities do not recommend using antibody tests to assess COVID immunity or to determine if vaccination is needed. Having COVID-19 antibodies doesn’t mean that you’re immune to reinfection....

Preventing and reducing the symptoms of perimenopause is easier than you might think when you have a clear picture of your monthly cycle and symptoms. Buy a journal, or use a calendar to record your symptoms throughout the month. Write down any symptoms you experience such as hot flashes, night sweats, and changes in your mood. Be sure to note when your period, or any bleeding, occurs and whether your period is heavy, normal, or light....

In a recent survey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that many people have the misconception that using tap water with certain medical devices is safe. The survey results led the CDC to reiterate that tap water is not sterile, and it can lead to infection from waterborne pathogens. Key Takeaways Tap water is unsafe for use in medical devices that use water that is inhaled or comes into contact with eye or nasal membranes because they can cause harmful infections....

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard test for diagnosing and monitoring the progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). Some types of MRI require the use of a substance called gadolinium-based contrast dye (GBCD). This substance, which is administered through a vein during the test, causes active MS lesions to “light up.” This can be helpful in evaluating MS, but it’s important to know that the dye has certain side effects and risks....

Doctors and health experts used to warn people to limit their intake of shrimp, scallops, and other shellfish because they were believed to be too high in cholesterol. That advice has changed. Now they know dietary cholesterol, like that in shellfish, has little or no effect on blood cholesterol for most people. Your blood cholesterol is more influenced by the mix of fats and carbohydrates you eat. Shellfish, in fact, are excellent choices for a low-cholesterol diet....

The symptoms experienced by those living with arthritis in the back (spinal arthritis) can be debilitating and interfere with day-to-day life. While physical challenges such as pain, loss of mobility, and fatigue are a part of spinal arthritis, you may also experience emotional challenges such as anger, sadness, or changes in your social life. Fortunately, a diagnosis of spinal arthritis doesn’t have to mean spending your days isolated and in pain....

Searching for an over-the-counter medication for your back or neck pain? Tylenol, or acetaminophen, may be a possibility. Here are a few of the basics. Acetaminophen, the Active Ingredient The active ingredient in Tylenol is acetaminophen. Categorized as an analgesic, acetaminophen is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain and reduce fever. Acetaminophen is found in many other pain medications besides Tylenol, including Excedrin, Vanquish, and Aspirin-Free Anacin. Acetaminophen is also available in generic form, as well as in combination with other drugs....

Telehealth—a broad term that encompasses a variety of methods of virtual healthcare delivery—offers the opportunity to remotely consult with a healthcare professional. There are many times telehealth visits are appropriate, including visits for leukemia. When to Use Telehealth for Leukemia Telehealth visits for leukemia can be a convenient option for a visit with your cancer team. These appointments may be with various members of the team, including an oncologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant....

No matter what type of sleeper you are, your sleep position can affect how you digest food. While you’re sleeping, your brain and body continue to work by digesting the food and drinks you consumed throughout the day. Both the foods you eat and your sleep position can affect the quality of sleep you’re getting and the speed of digestion. This article reviews ways to improve digestion by sleeping in the best position....

Stress. There is no avoiding it completely. It is a part of everyday life. Just when you think it is gone, it is back again. It is the way the mind and body react to tension and pressure. Too much stress can increase pain, can make a person prone to illnesses, and can make it more difficult for people with arthritis to cope with the added burdens imposed by their disease....