While autumn brings to mind images of crisp weather, changing leaves, and high school football games, for some, it is the time to prepare for the onset of the dreaded fall allergy season. While people tend to associate seasonal allergies with spring (and things like tree pollen), there are those who only suffer during the autumn months. For these people, the chief culprits are not trees but common grasses and weeds, particularly ragweed....
If you have asthma, there might be times when you need to use a rescue inhaler or puffer, also called short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs). They’re prescribed to be used at the first sign of asthma symptoms, like trouble breathing, shortness of breath, or wheezing. Key Takeaways Rescue inhaler overuse is a problem for many people with asthma.Using three or more rescue inhaler canisters in a year can make asthma symptoms worse, according to a recent study....
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday established a new office to address the burden climate change places on public health, particularly on vulnerable groups. Key Takeaways The Biden administration established the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity (OCCHE), the first office of its kind at the national level.Authorities said people who are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will be the same groups struggling with the health impacts of climate change....
Ostomy surgery is difficult to contemplate, but it improves the lives of many people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other conditions, and in fact, saves lives as well. An ileostomy or a colostomy requires special care after surgery. There are many types of ostomy products on the market today, and every person with an ostomy will probably use a different combination to get the right fit and to protect against leaks....
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can sometimes involve hirsutism, which is excessive body hair due to higher levels of circulating testosterone. Fortunately, there are many different options for removing extra body hair. Some methods are permanent, while others must be repeated frequently, or even daily. Many hair removal methods are uncomfortable, though pain is a very subjective experience. It may take some time to figure out what your level of comfort is with the various methods of hair removal....
The specialized blood vessels known as arterioles may be small in stature, but they play a big role in heart health. As you might suspect, they’re related to arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart and to the body’s tissues. As you move down through the arterial network, these vessels get smaller and smaller like the branches of a tree. When arteries have decreased in size to less than 300 micrometers or one-hundredth of an inch, they’re referred to as arterioles....
If you were one of the selected few to receive the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you’re probably wondering how safe it is to be around others, especially those who have not yet been vaccinated. Key Takeaways The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna studies show that both vaccines are safe and effective.Because the duration of immunity from COVID-19 is unknown, medical experts advise that the public remain vigilant after receiving the vaccine by exercising safety protocols and precautions....
Choosing glasses that make you look younger may seem like less of a priority than, say, comfort or budget. Maybe so. But since you may be wearing your glasses a lot, if not all day, it’s important that you feel your best in the ones you end up with—and that includes being satisfied with what you see in the mirror when you put them on. If you feel like your eyewear makes you look older than you’d like, consider the shape, color, size, and style of eyeglasses the next time you go shopping....
Chordomas are malignant but slow-growing bone tumors that can occur along the spine or lower portion of the skull. Most commonly, they appear on the lower back or base of the skull. Chordomas grow from the remnants of embryonic tissue that help form the spine during prenatal development. When these cells remain after birth, they can develop into tumors, which can metastasize and become aggressive. This article will provide an overview of chordomas and their causes, as well as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options....
Perhaps it came on gradually or you got sick and your system just never got better. All you know is that something seems to be terribly wrong with your digestive system. You have been to the practitioner, taken a bunch of tests, and were told that you have IBS. Your healthcare provider may have prescribed a medication, but all you know is that your life is still being turned upside down by your bowels....
If the fear of a potential flu and COVID-19 “twindemic” has been on your mind since the start of flu season, you may be able to breathe a little easier. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza rates are shockingly low this season, much to the relief of hospitals already overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients. Key Takeaways Flu rates are significantly lower this year compared to previous years....
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped organ in the front of your neck. It’s caused by a malfunction of the thyroid gland, leading to the overproduction of thyroid hormones. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism in the United States. Common therapeutic options include antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine therapy, and thyroidectomy (the removal of the thyroid). Some complementary and alternative medicines have also been known to help alleviate symptoms of this condition....
Depending on the cause and how advanced the disease is, hepatitis typically is diagnosed with some combination of blood work, imaging tests, and liver biopsy. If viral hepatitis is suspected, blood tests are run to detect the presence of a specific hepatitis virus or for antibodies produced by the immune system to fight that virus. Blood tests to look for signs of liver damage may also be used to diagnose viral hepatitis, as well as the non-viral types....
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of many viruses that causes an upper respiratory illness with symptoms of the common cold. You can experience symptoms regardless of age or sex, but hMPV is most likely to affect young children, infants, and older adults. This article will take a closer look at facts about human metapneumovirus, including information about mortality and other statistics. Human Metapneumovirus Overview Human metapneumovirus is a contagious virus that causes common cold symptoms, including a runny nose, coughing, and mild fever....
Your best friend says you should stop wearing all makeup until your skin clears up. Your mother suggests that your makeup is the cause of your breakouts. You can’t stand the thought of going out without makeup on. So, what’s the truth? Is it okay to wear makeup when you have acne, or should you leave your skin bare to prevent acne? Wearing Makeup Is Okay, Even If You Have Acne Wearing makeup doesn’t have to work against your goals of clear skin....
Myringosclerosis and tympanosclerosis are similar conditions that affect the middle ear, causing the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to appear bright white. The whiteness is due to accumulated calcium deposits. The difference between myringosclerosis and tympanosclerosis is that in myringosclerosis, the calcium only deposits on the eardrum, and in tympanosclerosis, calcium deposits appear on the eardrum and the middle ear structures. This article explains the symptoms, causes, and treatment of myringosclerosis and tympanosclerosis....
Polyhydramnios is a condition where there is excess amniotic fluid in the womb. Most cases won’t cause any serious problems for you or your baby. If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with polyhydramnios you can expect a few extra checkups throughout your pregnancy to monitor for any signs of complications. But usually polyhydramnios isn’t a cause for concern, and some mild cases may even completely resolve on their own. Symptoms of Polyhydramnios In most cases, there are no symptoms or only mild symptoms with polyhydramnios....
Shoulder pain is a common side effect of a vaccine. Usually, it gets better fairly quickly and causes no long-term problems. However, some people develop a rare problem called shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). This article will go over why SIRVA happens and what you can do to prevent it if you’re getting vaccinated. What Is SIRVA? It’s common to feel some pain in your arm after you have a shot....
Low back pain has many different causes, including issues related to the sacroiliac (SI) joints. These two joints are located on either side of your lower back between the sacrum—a triangle-shaped bone that sits beneath the lumbar spine and above the tailbone—and the pelvic bones. SI joints, like any other, can become irritated, dysfunctional (move too much or not enough), or injured, all of which can lead to pain. Your sacroiliac joints act as shock absorbers, decreasing stress on the pelvis and spine....
On September 1, 2021, one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country went into effect, called S.B. 8, in Texas. Since the inception of the law, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act, abortion clinics have had to turn away people seeking an abortion after six weeks. Key Takeaways A new law passed in Texas banned abortions after six weeks. Now, every abortion clinic in Texas will have to reject people seeking an abortion after this time period....
