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If you have thyroid disease, you may have come across contradictory or confusing information about reverse T3 (rT3), also known as reverse triiodothyronine. The blood test for this thyroid hormone is controversial because, while most research does not point to a reliable way to interpret or treat abnormal results, there has been some interest in determining whether rT3 levels could be of value in understanding thyroid disease or severe medical illnesses....

Ringworm has nothing to do with actual worms. Rather, the red, ring-shaped rash, clinically known as tinea, is a fungal infection. It’s highly contagious and spreads easily. Often, all you have to do to catch ringworm is to touch someone or something that may have been infected. Sometimes you can even get a fungal infection by touching the soil. Common Causes There are more than 40 species of fungi that can cause ringworm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

Asian ladybugs (Harmonia axyridis) are generally harmless, but some people develop allergic reactions from being around them, touching them, or to their bites. The allergy symptoms reported from exposure to these bugs include allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, and hives. Causes Asian ladybugs were introduced in the United States in the early 20th century as a means of pest control. While the colorful insects are highly effective at culling aphid populations, they are ill-suited to survive cold temperatures, so they tend to move indoors when it’s cold out....

Indomethacin is a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) known by its brand name, Indocin. While this medication is not a cure, it helps relieve pain caused by arthritis, gout, tendonitis, and bursitis. It also helps reduce inflammation, swelling, and stiffness. Indomethacin is available as an immediate-release capsule, an extended-release capsule, a suppository, or a liquid. This medication can cause side effects and may interact with other over-the-counter or prescription medications....

Tendonitis and tendinopathy are not the same things. Knowing the differences will determine your treatment. Overview The tough, flexible bands of fibrous tissue throughout the body that attach muscles to bones are tendons. In sports, they can easily become irritated or inflamed from the stress of repeated movements, or an acute injury such as a missed step or impacts from falls and collisions. What Is Tendonitis? Also spelled tendinitis, tendonitis refers to an inflammation of the tendons because it is irritated and inflamed....

In situations when a pregnant person begins showing signs of preterm labor—which is any time before 37 weeks of completed pregnancy—their doctor may recommend attempting to delay the process, using a category of drugs called tocolytics. The aim of postponing labor is to give the fetus more time to fully develop in the womb, and, as a result, avoid the potential complications associated with preterm birth, including breathing difficulties and impaired vision....

Trichiasis is a common eyelash problem that causes eyelashes to grow abnormally. Instead of growing outward, a few eyelashes may grow inward toward the eye. Because eyelashes are often very coarse, trichiasis can feel like a needle poking into your eye and that often causes pain and irritation—but it can also cause damage to your eye if not resolved. Symptoms of Trichiasis Trichiasis can cause your eyelashes to rub against the conjunctiva and the cornea, causing pain and irritation....

Heteronormativity, predicated on the gender binary, is the belief that being heterosexual (which is attraction only to a different gender) is the only normal and natural sexual orientation. Since it is based on the conception that there are only two genders, heteronormativity does not accurately reflect the reality that gender exists on a spectrum and that attraction to only similar genders or to all genders exists and are normal. Having heteronormative assumptions may lead people to misgender someone (referring to someone with the wrong pronouns)....

Having low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol puts you at risk for a slew of poor health conditions, but new research has found that there may be one more to add to the list: COVID-19. Key Takeaways New research linked low levels of good HDL cholesterol to a greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19.A growing body of evidence has linked cholesterol levels to COVID-19 risk.Researchers aren’t entirely sure why this link exists, but they propose several theories....

Communicating with someone who is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can sometimes be a challenge. That’s because one of the hallmark symptoms of dementia, along with memory loss, is difficulty expressing ideas (such as in word-finding problems) or in understanding them (often called receptive communication). Here are a few tips for success when talking with someone who is living with dementia. Don’t Infantilize the Person Don’t talk down to the person or treat them like an infant....

Matthew Moore of North Carolina is now the first U.S. patient with a Carmat total artificial heart. Key Takeaways For the first time, a U.S. patient received an Aeson total artificial heart device implant.The device, made by French medical technology company Carmat, was approved by the FDA in February 2021 for a small-scale clinical trial. Total artificial heart devices like Aeson help patients manage late-stage heart failure as they wait for heart transplants....

Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the only sure way to avoid pregnancy. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk of having an unintended pregnancy by picking the birth control method that’s best for you and using it correctly and consistently. This article will go over how effective different contraceptive methods are at preventing pregnancy. How Birth Control Effectiveness Is Measured Birth control effectiveness is either measured in terms of “perfect use” or “typical use....

Flatulence is a completely normal part of digestion. Gas is the natural byproduct of the process wherein bacteria in the intestines break down sugars and polysaccharides as they enter the colon. You can also collect gas during the day as you swallow air when laughing, drinking from a straw, or chewing gum. While you should see a healthcare provider if excessive flatulence is accompanied by pain, bloating, cramping, and bloody stool, passing gas—even explosively so—is not considered a problem....

Numbness is a loss of sensation in a part of the body, most typically in the hands or feet. Numbness is often accompanied by tingling—a “pins and needles” sensation. While most of the time these symptoms are due to a transient, benign cause, they sometimes indicate a serious medical problem and need to be evaluated by a physician. What Causes Numbness? Usually, numbness is caused by irritation of, or damage to, a particular nerve, or several nerves....

Essential tremor affects about one in 20 people in the United States and becomes increasingly common as we age. While the disease process is not life-threatening, the tremor can be annoying and even debilitating to some people. Because the tremor gets worse when people try to use their hands, it can turn everyday activities, like drinking from a cup or writing a letter, into a challenge. In addition, many find the tremor to be socially embarrassing....

You may hear the words “eye transplant” used by patients, but a true eye transplant surgery is not possible. An entire eye cannot be taken from one person and transplanted into another person in order to improve vision. That does work with organ transplants and some tissues, but cannot be done with an entire eye with current medical knowledge and techniques. Currently, the only eye transplant procedure that is available is the cornea transplant, which replaces a diseased cornea with a cornea donated by a deceased donor....

When you think of lifestyle changes to protect your heart health, you may mostly think of eating healthy and exercising, but you may not think of the amount of sleep you get every night. However, there is some evidence that the amount of quality shut-eye you get at night can contribute to high cholesterol. Read on for more information about this intriguing link and changes you can make to protect your health....

In years past, women who may be at risk for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were counseled against taking an oral contraceptive pill (“the pill”) because of the effect it may have on the risk of IBD. In particular, there were some studies that showed that women who use the pill may be at increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease. The jury is still out on whether or not the pill can be a trigger for IBD or for an IBD flare-up....

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of four major ligaments in the knee that provide stability to the joint. When a patient sustains a tear to the ACL, a sensation of instability, or giving out, may develop in the injured knee. This symptom of instability tends to be particularly problematic for athletes who want to remain active in sports. Some sports are particularly difficult to continue participation in athletes who have injured their ACL....

If you’re allergic to eggs, you might be wondering: Can I still eat baked goods that contain eggs? And: If I’m allergic to eggs now, is there anything I can do to improve my chances of outgrowing the allergy? Find out the answers to these questions and more, below. The Basics About Egg Allergy What it is: An egg allergy is an IgE-mediated allergy. IgE is a natural substance (an antibody) that binds to antigens (such as egg proteins) and stimulates the immune system....