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Editor’s note: Below you’ll find release of the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker originally published April 27, 2021. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Tracker homepage for the latest data. By Friday, April 30—President Biden’s 100th day in office—America will have administered well over 200 million COVID-19 shots. This is double the goal set by Biden in December, prior to the official authorization of any vaccines. While this is a significant achievement, the milestone comes alongside some troubling vaccination trends....

An accidental dural tear is a potential complication of spine surgery. This occurs when the thin covering over the spinal cord (called meninges) is nicked by the surgical instrument. While most dural tears are repaired and heal, in rare instances, they can lead to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, meningitis, nerve problems, and more serious conditions, as well. Types of Spine Surgery That May Cause a Dural Sac Tear Spine surgery and spinal cord surgery can cause a dural tear for a number of reasons....

Grapeseed oil is an all-natural oil extracted from grape seeds that have been leftover from winemaking. It has been touted as a natural beauty wonder with health benefits as well. Grapeseed oil has become a popular addition to many beauty products for its all-natural benefits, but can it really deliver on those promises? What Is Grapeseed Oil? Grapeseed oil is the oil that is extracted from grape seeds. It usually comes from the seeds leftover from grapes used in the winemaking process....

As summer approaches, parents are trying to find ways to keep their kids busy. Day camps and sports leagues would normally do the trick. However, with authorization for a child-safe COVID-19 vaccine still months away, parents are considering their choices more carefully. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control released COVID-19 guidance for summer camps and group activities for children.Outdoor activities and small groups should be a priority for safety.Many camps are now offering rapid COVID-19 testing to curb the spread of the virus among children and staff....

The lateral collateral ligament, or LCL, is one of the four major knee ligaments. The LCL connects the end of the thigh bone (the femur) to the top of the smaller shin bone (fibula), on the outside of the knee. The LCL helps to prevent excessive side-to-side movement of the knee joint. When the LCL is torn, the knee joint may bend too far inwards when stressed. People who injure their knee ligaments may develop sensations of instability of the knee joint....

Vaginal itching is one of many symptoms women experience when they reach menopause and during postmenopause. This is due to a condition called atrophic vaginitis (vaginal atrophy), where the vagina’s lining becomes drier and thinner from decreased estrogen levels. Other symptoms may include: Burning Spotting Pain during sexual intercourse Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Incontinence Frequent urination This article examines vaginal itching during menopause, medications and home remedies that may help alleviate the discomfort, and when to see your healthcare provider....

A medication called mirogabalin is providing hope of symptom relief with fewer side effects than current fibromyalgia (FMS) treatments offer. It’s too early to know for sure, though. Mirogabalin is an experimental drug that’s that third member of a “family” of medications that is familiar to the FMS community. Its progenitors are Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin), which has been called “son of Neurontin.” Neurontin and Lyrica are both anti-seizure drugs that also have been found effective for the pain of diabetic neuropathy....

Night terrors, or sleep terrors, are a type of sleep disturbance that mostly affects children ages 3 to 7, although some older children and adults experience them. Signs someone is experiencing a night terror include screaming, crying, moaning, elevated heart rate, panting, and other indications of fear. Though children may open their eyes, talk, and even walk around during a night terror, they do not awaken fully. It can be distressing to witness a child having a night terror but it’s important to know most children fall back fully to sleep afterward and typically do not remember it the next day....

Julia Métraux is a journalist specializing in health and disability. Her work is featured in publications such as Narratively, Huffpost, Poynter, and Business Insider. Here, she explains how some states lifting mask mandates are failing to protect the most vulnerable. Key Takeaways California is one of several states that will end some mask mandates in indoor settings. Lifting mask mandates hurts high-risk individuals.Omicron’s subvariant is believed to be very contagious, even among vaccinated people....

Kids under the age of 16 are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine in the United States. On Monday, May 10, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in kids ages 12 through 15. Key Takeaways The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is now authorized for use in adolescents ages 12 through 15.This age group will receive the same vaccine dose as those 16 and older, who were already authorized to receive Pfizer’s vaccine....

When a vaccine to protect against the most common forms of human papillomavirus (HPV) was first released, it was largely marketed for preteen girls. A growing body of evidence has shown that boys can benefit from the vaccine. Now, new research has found that the shot is also safe for boys. Key Takeaways The HPV vaccine can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers in both men and women.Recent research found that males and females experience similar side effects—and benefits—of the HPV vaccine....

Soy is a product that comes from soybean, a legume that is prevalent in East Asia. It is found in many foods including milk, tofu, and processed foods like breads and cereals. Soy is most commonly eaten as a plant protein as it has all the amino acids that act as the building blocks of protein. It’s also considered a good source of calcium, fiber, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and polyunsaturated fats like omega-3 and omega-6....

A new research study out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) has discovered a sperm biomarker that can help couples predict their chances of getting pregnant. Key Takeaways Men with increased levels of a newly-identified biomarker in their semen have a lower probability of getting their partners pregnant.Research findings could help improve pregnancy planning and treatment interventions for couples struggling with infertility. The single-measure biomarker measures the level of mtDNAcn, an inherited mitochondrial DNA genetic code, in semen....

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the stabilizing force in your knee. A common injury in athletes, an ACL tear or injury doesn’t always require surgery to repair. When it does, the process can be quite extensive. Keep reading to find out if you should have ACL surgery and why. Diagnosis Related to ACL Surgery The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is an important ligament in your knee. This ligament provides stability to the knee....

When lymph nodes increase in size, they are called enlarged lymph nodes. When enlarged nodes can be felt by the healthcare provider (in areas like the neck, armpits, and groin), they are called palpable lymph nodes. Lymph nodes contain white blood cells (WBCs), especially the WBCs known as lymphocytes. Different types of lymphocytes grow and mature inside a lymph node, and these immune cells help the body fight infections. Lymph nodes are connected to each other by lymph channels called the lymphatics—small tubes (like blood vessels)—through which lymph fluid, as well as proteins and other substances, moves from one part of the body to another....

Just as their name indicates, premolars are located just before the molars in the human mouth. These teeth are also known as bicuspids. The premolars are considered transitional teeth, as they work to guide food from the cuspids near the front of the mouth back to the molars near the rear of the mouth for chewing. The Basics Human beings typically have eight total premolars. There are two premolars in each of the four dental quadrants of the mouth....

A massive cloud of dust will slowly make its way to the United States this week. Dubbed the Saharan dust plume, this thick layer of atmospheric dust s blowing from the Sahara Desert and being transported west by the wind. It’s expected to hit the southeastern portion of the U.S. by Wednesday, June 24. Key Takeaways The Saharan dust plume will bring dry, dusty desert air to parts of the Southeastern U....

Unintentional weight loss without dieting or exercise can be a pleasant surprise. However, unexplained weight loss could be the first warning sign of a serious health issue including thyroid disorders, diabetes, and cancer. This is especially true for those experiencing loss of more than five percent of body weight over the course of six to 12 months. Weight loss occurs among people with cancer and can be the first sign of the disease....

Pollen allergies (also called hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis) can put a damper on a beautiful spring day. If you have allergies, the change of seasons may usher in congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and sinus pressure. While grass is the most common cause of hay fever, many people are also allergic to tree pollen. From March to May, trees produce powdery pollen. When it blows around, that pollen can cause allergy symptoms to rev up....

Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening condition in which the heart is not providing enough blood flow to the body. Symptoms of cardiogenic shock include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, decreased urination, and confusion. This serious condition needs to be treated quickly for the best chance of survival. This article discusses the causes, treatment, and prognosis of cardiogenic shock. What Is Shock? Shock is a state of very low blood pressure that affects the blood supply of the organs....