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Severe allergic reactions to any type of vaccine are rare. Data from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimate that only 1.31 out of 1 million vaccine doses given will result in a severe allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. Key Takeaways A recent study found that most people have a low risk of developing a mild allergic reaction to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.The risk of having a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine is even smaller but is more likely in people with a history of allergic reactions....

If you have low back pain, exercise and proper posture are two courses of action that you can take to decrease your discomfort and improve your mobility. A few visits to your physical therapist can help you determine which exercises are best for you to do also teach you some things you should stop doing if you have low back pain. Sometimes, exercises that bend your back backward are best, while other times flexion, or forward bending, movements are the best way to manage your low back pain....

Even if you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, getting a booster shot is still recommended because it will help protect you against severe illness and poor outcomes if you do get sick. Key Takeaways A large study found that the protection offered by monovalent COVID-19 boosters lasts for about four to five months.Vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID disease waned less than the protection against moderate disease.It’s possible that the protection from bivalent boosters also lasts about four to five months, but more large-scale studies are needed....

Depression is characterized by a host of visible symptoms, but scientists have been trying to understand its underlying mechanisms for years. Over time, researchers have found that when there’s less of a specific protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain, patients experience more severe depression. Key Takeaways Researchers have developed a new test—the first of its kind—to accurately predict depression, based on the levels of this protein found in the brain....

Robert L. Quigley, MD, DPhil, is the Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director, Corporate Health Solutions at International SOS & MedAire. After 25 years working in surgery, critical care, and immunology, he’s using his expertise to advise on crisis management, infectious disease, and health care. Here, he shares his thoughts on how employers can navigate COVID vaccine mandates. As COVID-19 cases decline across the United States and as employees are starting to return to the workplace, many employers are now looking to recalibrate their traditional business strategies....

An intraventricular hemorrhage, also called IVH, is bleeding into the ventricles of the brain. An IVH can be mild or severe, depending on how much bleeding there is. Some babies who experience an IVH won’t have any long-term effects, while babies with extensive bleeds might have developmental delays or other lasting effects. If your baby has been diagnosed with intraventricular hemorrhage, learning as much as you can about this condition can help you to understand what is going on with your baby and how they will recover....

Many patients like to use skin patches for osteoarthritis knee pain. One such option is the Flector patch, which delivers a pain-relieving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to the sore knee for twelve hours at a time. What It Does The Flector patch is a topical formulation available as a skin patch that contains 1.3% diclofenac epolamine, an NSAID. The patch, which measures approximately 4 inches by 5.5 inches, is an alternative to the oral formulation of diclofenac (Voltaren) and the topical gel formulation (Voltaren gel)....

Dostarlimab made headlines earlier this month after news broke that every patient with a certain type of rectal cancer was put into remission after using the cancer drug in a clinical trial. Key Takeaways Dostarlimab showed promise as a rectal cancer treatment in a very small clinical trial.The drug is in a class of medications that is used to treat others forms of cancer.Doctors say that dostarlimab can likely be used to treat other forms of cancer in the future....

This story is part of a series that explores growing health trends that were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Will these trends stay or go away in the post-pandemic era? In the wake of Hulu’s release of Nine Perfect Strangers, a miniseries that features an unusual wellness getaway, spa retreats may be somewhat on trend this fall. Key Takeaways Medical spas and wellness resorts are marketing packaged treatments to COVID long-haulers....

An artificial pancreas is a medical device that is used to better control blood sugars in individuals with diabetes. It is called an artificial pancreas because it mimics some of the functions of a healthy pancreas. It is also called a closed-loop system, an automated insulin delivery system, or an autonomous system for glycemic control. Functions of the Pancreas Your pancreas is located in your abdomen near your stomach and liver, and it has an elongated shape....

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP)—formerly called bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia, or BOOP—is a rare interstitial lung disease that affects the distal lung branches (bronchioles) and lung sacs (alveoli). It is a form of pneumonia in which the bronchioles (small airways), the alveoli (tiny air-exchange sacs), and the walls of the small bronchi become inflamed. In addition to the cryptogenic form, secondary organizing pneumonia can be seen in association with connective tissue diseases, a variety of drugs, malignancy, and other interstitial pneumonias, but the exact incidence (rate of new cases in a specific population over a certain period of time) and prevalence (number of cases in a specific population over a certain period of time) of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) are unknown....

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), also known as conscious sedation or twilight sleep, is a type of sedation that is administered through an IV to make a patient sleepy and calm during a procedure. The patient is typically awake, but groggy, and are able to follow instructions as needed. This type of sedation is used for outpatient procedures, such as a colonoscopy, where the patient is expected to go home after the anesthesia has completely worn off....

Yips are involuntary wrist muscle spasms that strike athletes. They’re often associated with golf or baseball, but athletes who play bowling, darts, cricket, and other sports can also experience yips. Researchers believe that yips are caused by psychological factors and muscle dystonia, a condition that causes muscles to contract involuntarily. This article will provide more information on yips, including causes, diagnosis, and what might help if you experience yips. Types of Yips Yips are commonly associated with muscle spasms....

Medicare is a complex subject for even the savviest consumer, but for chronically underserved populations, it’s a veritable labyrinth. To help, Zing Health was founded in 2019 by two African American physicians, Eric E. Whitaker, MD, MPH, and Kenneth Alleyne, MD. Their mission? Providing collaborative, community-based managed Medicare Advantage plans to historically underserved populations. This article is part of our series looking at how Black Americans navigate the healthcare system. According to our exclusive survey, one in three Black Americans report having experienced racism while seeking medical care....

The diagnosis is in, and it’s dementia. Maybe you knew this was coming. Or perhaps it completely surprised you. Either way, it may still be hard to hear this news. While you may have some in-the-moment thoughts, it is not uncommon for people with newly-diagnosed dementia to develop questions about the condition only after they have gone home and started processing the information. To help you along, here’s a list of questions you may want to bring with you to your next healthcare provider’s visit to ensure you get all the information you need....

If you have allergies, you may need to take extra precautions while camping, as many outdoor activities can worsen allergy symptoms. You can develop respiratory symptoms or skin reactions from hiking, swimming, and just sitting around the campfire. Mold allergies can act up when you are exposed to outdoor mold, and insect allergies, like fire ant allergies, can cause a reaction too. Learn about the different types of allergies that can be exacerbated when camping and how to prevent them....

Angina is chest pain, discomfort, or pressure when an area of the heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying problem, such as coronary heart disease. In the United States, one in 25 adults has been diagnosed with angina by a healthcare professional. Different medications, procedures, or lifestyle approaches can help control angina. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for people with angina....

President Joe Biden on Thursday announced new vaccination incentives and mandates, stressing the need to depoliticize vaccinations and avoid moving backward in the course of the pandemic. Key Takeaways On Thursday, President Joe Biden announced new vaccination incentives and mandates geared at ending the pandemic.These include paid leave for employees who need to help their family members get vaccinated, and mandatory vaccinations or COVID-19 testing for federal workers.While experts say this is a step in the right direction, they question whether these policies will be effective without requiring proof of vaccination....

There are a number of surgeries the fall under colorectal surgery, and they are all very involved procedures that require an inpatient stay and a lot of pre-surgical preparation. Find out what you need to know to prepare for colorectal surgery. Location Colorectal surgery is an inpatient procedure that will take place in a hospital. Plan on spending several days at the hospital, and possibly some additional time in a nursing or rehabilitation facility....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that makes it difficult for you to breathe. COPD treatments, including supplemental oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP), may cause side effects including irritation, dryness, and cracking of the nose. Several home remedies and over-the-counter medications can help re-moisturize your nasal passages and prevent uncomfortable nasal dryness. Symptoms The medical term for nasal dryness is rhinitis sicca....