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Latest News Regarding Your Health
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Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate the body’s sleep-wake cycle. While melatonin is safe in the short term for most adults, many wonder whether they can give melatonin to babies and children who are having trouble sleeping. Although the body produces its own melatonin, taking melatonin supplements can help provide short-term treatment of insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. It is important to note that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not regulate supplements, including melatonin, in the same way as drugs. This means that the FDA do not review whether a supplement is safe or effective before it arrives on store shelves. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that most adults can safely use melatonin for short periods. However, healthcare providers are unsure of the long-term effects of regular melatonin use. Below, learn whether any research supports the use of melatonin in babies and children. We also describe how melatonin works, associated risks, and alternative ways to encourage sleep. Share on PinterestTalk to a doctor if a baby is having difficulty sleeping. Researchers have not yet determined whether it is safe to use melatonin to treat sleep issues in babies. Newborns produce extremely low levels of melatonin, […]
Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. When a person has the hepatitis C virus (HCV) for several years, their liver can become inflamed. However, a person can live for years without even knowing that they have HCV. Once the symptoms start to show, the person usually already has liver damage, which can affect treatment and prognosis. There are two main types of HCV: acute and chronic. Around 75–85% of acute cases become chronic. The immune system clears most other cases. There are also different genotypes, or variations, of the virus. These strains of the virus have evolved over many years. A person will usually discover that they have HCV either after a blood test or because symptoms of liver damage have started to appear. The symptoms of liver damage tend to appear when a person has had chronic HCV for many years. Chronic HCV needs treatment to prevent liver damage and other complications. Liver damage and scarring can have an impact on a person’s overall prognosis and life expectancy. Keep reading to learn more about the prognosis of different forms of HCV, as well as a person’s likely life expectancy. For some people whose immune systems can […]
Many people try essential oils as a treatment for high blood pressure, or hypertension, usually by inhaling the scent or applying the oil to the skin. However, there is little evidence that essential oils can reduce blood pressure. As untreated hypertension can result in a heart attack or stroke, it is important not to rely on essential oils alone as a remedy. A doctor can recommend lifestyle changes and medications for high blood pressure. Talk to a doctor before including essential oils in a treatment plan. In this article, we list essential oils that may help people who are managing hypertension. We also describe how to use the oils safely and the risks involved. People who use essential oils for high blood pressure often recommend: Bergamot Share on PinterestA person with hypertension should talk to a doctor before including essential oils in a treatment plan. In a small study including 52 participants, researchers tested whether inhaling an oil blend containing bergamot could help reduce hypertension. The blend also included lavender and ylang-ylang. Based on their results, the team concluded that essential oils may help reduce high blood pressure. Citronella People traditionally use citronella oil as a mosquito repellent, but it […]
Depression is a condition that negatively affects how a person thinks, feels, and acts, with symptoms persisting for at least 2 consecutive weeks. In 2017, around 7.1% of all adults in the United States experienced at least one episode of major depression. This makes it one of the most common mental health conditions in the U.S. Despite this, many myths continue to surround depression. This is mostly due to outdated science and cultural, social, and medical conceptions of it. Keep reading to learn about some of the most common myths surrounding depression, why they are misleading, and the facts to know. Share on PinterestA person with depression can experience both emotional and physical symptoms. Some people discredit depression by claiming that it is not a real medical condition, and that it is some sort of choice or personality trait instead. This is not true. Depression is a well-established condition that causes both emotional and physical symptoms. In fact, around 63.8% of adults who experienced at least one episode of major depression in 2017 were severely impaired by the condition. Doctors have also linked depression to a mixture of biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Antidepressants can improve the way the brain […]
Doctors commonly prescribe metformin to help people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels. The drug increases insulin sensitivity through its effects on glucose metabolism. Share on PinterestMetformin may hold surprising benefits in the fight against age-related illness. However, although there is clear evidence of metformin’s effectiveness, scientists do not fully understand how it interacts with cells and tissues at the molecular level. Now, a new Cell Reports study has mapped metformin activity in the liver and yielded some surprising results. Using cell cultures and mice, the researchers identified numerous biochemical switches for turning various cell and molecular processes on and off. The findings shed light not only on metformin’s mechanism of glucose control, but also on a surprising number of other reactions and pathways. The researchers suggest, for instance, that the new findings could help explain recent revelations about metformin’s apparent ability to promote healthy aging. Large-scale clinical trials of metformin are already under way to test the drug’s effectiveness in extending life span and health span — that is, the proportion of a person’s life span that they spend in good health. However, the underlying biochemistry has been unclear. Teams from three research centers worked on […]
A new pilot study concludes that at-home urine tests could make prostate cancer diagnoses shorter, simpler, and possibly even more accurate. Share on PinterestThe possibility of a home urine test for prostate cancer moves one step closer. Prostate cancer is common, affecting nearly half of males over 50. However, it tends to develop slowly, and in many cases, health professionals do not consider it clinically significant. In other words, it is not likely to shorten the male’s life. This poses a real problem for medical professionals, as it becomes difficult to know who to treat and when. On the one hand, it is important not to begin treatment if someone does not need it, but on the other hand, they must make sure that someone who is likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer receives the best care. Currently, the two most common diagnostic tools are digital rectal exams and blood tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Although PSA is useful, there are issues. The National Cancer Institute provide an example: “[O]nly about 25% of men who have a prostate biopsy due to an elevated PSA level actually are found to have prostate cancer when a biopsy is done.” For this reason […]
Mammograms have, so far, had the single role of identifying potentially cancerous tumors in the breast. However, could they also help doctors identify women at risk of heart disease and heart failure? Share on PinterestSome researchers believe that mammograms could also help doctors identify women with a high risk of heart failure. Mammograms work by using low energy X-rays to “scan” breast tissue for irregularities and abnormalities that may be signs of cancer. They are the first port of call when it comes to diagnosing breast cancer in its early stages. In 2016, the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended that women aged 50–74 years — the age range in which women’s risk of breast cancer increases — should undergo breast cancer screening once every 2 years. Mammograms do not only detect potential cancerous tumors, though. As it turns out, they also show the formation of breast arterial calcifications, which are calcium buildups inside the arteries in the breast. This, at least, is the finding of recent research by Dr. Quan Minh Bui and colleagues from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Bui and team presented their findings at this year’s American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions, which took […]
Latest Sexual Health News By Amy NortonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Scientists have developed a method that might eventually allow women to take birth control pills just once a month. In lab experiments, the researchers found that their tiny drug-delivery device — contained within a gelatin-coated capsule — worked as hoped: In pigs, it remained in the stomach, slowly releasing the birth control hormone levonorgestrel for up to one month. Much work remains before it’s ready for human use. But the goal, the researchers said, is to give women an oral contraceptive option that is easier to take — and potentially be more effective. Traditional birth control pills have to be taken daily, which can be difficult. Surveys have shown that nearly half of women on “the pill” missed at least one dose in the previous three months, or took their pills at the wrong time. Imperfect use means the pill does not always work. On average, the method is 91% effective at preventing pregnancy, according to Planned Parenthood. “Certainly one of the theoretical benefits of this drug-delivery system is that it could maximize the efficacy of [birth control pills], because it doesn’t depend on daily […]
Latest Sexual Health News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It may come as no surprise to some, but new research shows that taking care of family and keeping a mate are the most important things for folks worldwide. Researchers surveyed more than 7,000 people in 27 countries about what motivates them. The study included people from a wide range of countries — Australia and Bulgaria to Thailand and Uganda — on all continents except Antarctica. “People consistently rated kin care and mate retention as the most important motivations in their lives, and we found this over and over, in all 27 countries that participated,” said study author Ahra Ko, a psychology graduate student at Arizona State University. “The findings replicated in regions with collectivistic cultures, such as Korea and China, and in regions with individualistic cultures like Europe and the U.S.,” Ko added in a university news release. Kin care is defined as caring for and supporting family members, and mate retention as maintaining long-term committed romantic or sexual relationships. Previous research has focused on attraction and mate-seeking, but Ko and her colleagues found that in this study, seeking romantic partners was rated the least important factor in […]
Latest Pregnancy News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Moms trump doctors when it comes to pregnancy advice, a new study suggests. More often than not, pregnant women rely on guidance from their mothers instead of medical experts, the researchers found. Many believe their mom’s advice is as good or even better than medical recommendations. “And often for good reason,” said study author Danielle Bessett, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Cincinnati. Bessett interviewed pregnant women and their mothers while following the younger women for their entire pregnancy. “I found that most pregnancy self-help books, best known for their month-by-month guidance on fetal development and lifestyle coaching, are also emphatic about following medical advice exclusively over what they consider the outdated advice of a mother or friend,” Bessett said. This promotes a “generational disconnect” between pregnant women and their mothers. “This advice is limited and can result in an increased level of stress and discomfort for some soon-to-be moms,” Bessett said. The link between pregnant women and their mothers during pregnancy was strongest among minorities and women with less than a college degree who had little trust in their health care providers. “It was not the […]
Latest Mental Health News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Antarctica is one of the loneliest places on Earth. Endless expanses of white give way to almost complete darkness during the long winter months. Companionship is largely limited to those who’ve joined you in these achingly cold wilds. That overwhelming isolation is so great that it appears to cause physical and functional deterioration in the human brain, a new study shows. Explorers who spent 14 months in Antarctica at Germany’s Neumayer III station experienced shrinkage in critical regions of their brains, the study found. These changes in brain structure was associated with poor performance on brain tests related to attention and spatial awareness, researchers report. “We saw volume decreases in the hippocampus, and what was surprising is that the decreases were so pronounced,” said lead researcher Alexander Stahn, an assistant professor of psychiatry with the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. “It was an average of about 7%, which is really big in terms of brain changes.” These results indicate a potential hazard for space exploration that will have to be overcome before mankind travels to Mars and farther out into the solar system, […]
Latest Infectious Disease News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It’s still not 100% safe to enjoy caesar salads: Federal health officials say more Americans have been sickened with E. coli after eating romaine lettuce thought to be grown in Salinas, Calif. Case numbers have jumped from 67 reported a week ago to 102 on Wednesday, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Twenty-three states have now reported cases, up from 19 last week. In more than half of the cases (58), illnesses have been so severe as to require hospitalization, although no deaths have yet been reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first issued a warning on Nov. 22 that consumers should avoid all romaine lettuce grown in Salinas, Calif., due to possible contamination with E. coli bacteria. That warning still stands, the agency said. The goal “is to limit exposure and help prevent additional people from becoming sick,” FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas said in an agency news release issued last month. “Our investigation has led us to farms in Salinas, California, and while the FDA is sending investigators there to look for […]
Latest Heart News (HealthDay News) — Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, says the American Stroke Association. The association mentions these warning signs: Face drooping. Is the person’s smile uneven or lopsided? Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Speech. Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Additional symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness, confusion, trouble seeing, difficulty walking and severe headache. Call 9-1-1 immediately if someone shows any of these symptoms. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Stroke Causes, Symptoms, and Recovery See Slideshow
Latest Heart News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — When Trenton Cary was 11 months old, mom Valerie could tell he didn’t feel well, so she scheduled a doctor’s appointment. But she quickly realized it couldn’t wait. She and her husband, David, rushed their son to an emergency room – in the nick of time. “He just stopped breathing in the ER,” David said. Over the next few days, Trenton needed help breathing. At one point, he went into cardiac arrest, and “we lost him for nine minutes,” his father said. Trenton’s heart was enlarged and not pumping well because of a condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy. His heart was failing. Doctors warned Trenton only had about two weeks to live, unless he could get a heart transplant. “He’s holding on by a string,” a nurse told David. Trenton went on the transplant list in March 1995 at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas. Doctors found a match within three days. As Trenton was wheeled out of surgery, David and Valerie gazed at him and said, “Look at those lips!” They were so red, now that his blood flow was vastly improved. David found out, in an indirect […]
Latest HIV News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new program to provide free HIV prevention drugs to people who can’t afford them because they don’t have health insurance was announced Tuesday by the U.S. government. Use of these daily drugs — called PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) — significantly reduces the risk that a person who is HIV-free will contract the AIDS-causing virus through sex or injection drug use, the Associated Press reported. However only about 18% of the 1.2 million Americans who might benefit from the medications got a prescription last year, according to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar. Without insurance, the drugs can cost a person up to $2,000 a month, the AP reported. Expanding access to PrEP is an important part of the federal government’s aim of ending the nation’s HIV epidemic by 2030. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW A Timeline of the HIV/AIDS Pandemic See Slideshow
Pictures of the 7 Most Effective Exercises to Do at the Gym or Home (and Tips to Improve Form) See how to properly perform seven exercises including squats, lunges, crunches, and the bend-over row. Good technique is a must for effective and safe workouts. Read more: Pictures of the 7 Most Effective Exercises to Do at the Gym or Home (and Tips to Improve Form)
Latest Exercise & Fitness News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cold, wet winter weather doesn’t have to put the kibosh on your running. Just follow some basic advice to help you maintain your exercise program safely. Before you head outside, check the forecast for temperature, wind and moisture. This is key in planning a safe winter workout, said Julie Ruane, a nurse practitioner in the sports medicine division at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. “Wind chill extremes can make exercising outdoors unsafe,” Ruane said in a medical center news release. Here she shares some other tips for running through the winter: Do a proper muscle warmup. “When it’s cold, your muscles are tighter, less flexible and at a higher risk for injury,” Ruane said. Muscles lose heat and contract in cold, which can reduce the range of motion in your joints, making the muscles work harder. To counter the cold, do a longer warmup than usual, Ruane said. “Be sure to stretch and cool down again at the end of a workout,” she said. “When a muscle is warm, it has better blood flow and stretches more easily.” Dress for the cold. “There is a happy […]
What are the most common causes of the stomach flu (gastroenteritis)? Viral causes of stomach flu The most prevalent cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S. and the world is Norovirus. It causes about 50%-70% of viral gastroenteritis cases, while Rotavirus, Astrovirus, Adenovirus, and Sapovirus strains cause most of the other viral gastroenteritis infections. Norovirus also was listed as the leading cause of gastroenteritis in children under 5 years old according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Bacterial causes of stomach flu Bacterial causes of gastroenteritis that occur worldwide are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter Aeromonas, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains of bacteria. Other bacteria like Clostridium, Vibrio, Campylobacter, and Yersinia spp can cause outbreaks occasionally. Occasionally, some bacterial causes of gastroenteritis (for example, Salmonella and , certain E. coli strains) may produce hemorrhagic or bloody diarrhea. Parasitic causes of stomach flu Parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba infections can cause gastroenteritis and occasionally, other parasites have outbreaks such as the Cyclospora outbreak that occurred in 2012 to 2013 in the U.S. Other causes of stomach flu There are many other less frequent causes of gastroenteritis such as food allergies (eosinophilic gastroenteritis), antibiotics, and toxins. Gastroenteritis symptoms are […]
REFERENCES: “Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. 2015. <https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/irritable-bowel-syndrome-0>. Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. “IBS and IBD: Two Very Different Disorders.” Published June 2012.<http://www.ccfa.org/resources/ibs-and-ibd-two-very.html> Dalton, Christine B., and Douglas A. Drossman. “The Use of Antidepressants in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other Functional GI Disorders.” UNC Center for Functional GI & Motility Disorders. <https://www.med.unc.edu/ibs/files/educational-gi-handouts/IBS%20and%20Antidepressants.pdf>. El-Salhy, M. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Diagnosis and Pathogenesis.” World J Gastroenterol 18.37 Oct. 7, 2012: 5151-5163. Lehrer, J., MD. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” Medscape. Updated Oct 10, 2016.<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/180389-overview> International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. About IBS. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” Updated: Fe 23, 2015.<https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/Pages/eating-diet-nutrition.aspx> National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).”<https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/Pages/overview.aspx> National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” February 2015.<https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/eating-diet-nutrition> Novak, K. A Serologic Test for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Other News from ACG. Gastroenterology. Oct 21, 2013. Owens, D.M., et al. “The Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Long-Term Prognosis and the Physician-Patient Interaction.” Ann Intern Med. 122.2 Jan. 1995: 107-112. Pimentel, M., et al. Development and Validation of a Biomarker for Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Human Subjects. Published: May […]
Latest Depression News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Vaping, already linked to lung damage, may also have harmful psychological effects, a new study suggests. The researchers found a strong association between vaping and depression in a study of nearly 900,000 U.S. adults. The apparent culprit: nicotine. “There is a potential risk between e-cigarette use and depression,” said lead researcher Dr. Olufunmilayo Obisesan. She is a postdoctoral fellow at the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, in Baltimore. “E-cigarettes are not as harmless as people once thought they were,” Obisesan added. Prior studies have found an association between tobacco cigarettes and major depression and suicidal behavior, she noted. “Because e-cigarettes contain nicotine, there could also be an association with depression,” Obisesan said. She was quick to point out that this study can’t prove vaping causes depression. It might be that depressed people are more likely to use electronic cigarettes in the first place, she suggested. The researchers found that current e-cigarette users were about twice as likely to have been diagnosed with depression as people who had never used e-cigarettes. And former users were about 60% more likely to have had depression. […]
Latest Cancer News By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Daily low-dose aspirin might reduce your risk of dying from cancer, particularly if you’ve packed on a few extra pounds, researchers say. Taking aspirin three or more times a week is associated with a lower risk of cancer death as well as death for any reason, a new study reports. Aspirin’s protective effect appears particularly pronounced among people who are overweight — those with a body mass index of 25 to 29.9, the results show. Low-dose aspirin reduced overall cancer death risk by 15% and all-cause death by 19% among more than 146,000 people who participated in a cancer screening trial conducted between 1993 and 2008, the study authors said. Overweight folks also experienced a marked decline in their risk of death from gastrointestinal cancer (28%) and colon cancer (34%). “Our primary focus was really on colorectal cancer deaths, since there’s a lot of evidence to suggest that aspirin use may lower risk of gastrointestinal deaths,” said lead researcher Holli Loomans-Kropp, a cancer prevention fellow with the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The study results support the standing recommendation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), […]
Latest Cancer News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Could permanent hair dyes and chemical straighteners raise a woman’s risk of breast cancer? A new study suggests they could. Researchers analyzed data from nearly 47,000 U.S. women, followed for an average of more than eight years as part of the federally funded Sisters Study. All of the women had a sister who’d been diagnosed with breast cancer, but they didn’t have breast cancer themselves at the start of the study. Although it wasn’t able to prove cause and effect, the study found that women who regularly used permanent hair dye in the year prior to enrolling in the study were 9% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who didn’t use hair dye. The risk was notably higher among black women. Their use of permanent dyes every five to eight weeks or more was associated with a 60% increased risk of breast cancer, compared with an 8% increased risk for white women, the researchers found. There was little to no increase in breast cancer risk among women who used semi-permanent or temporary hair dyes, however. The study also found that women who used chemical hair straighteners at least […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cross-country skiing may be good for your brain, a new study suggests. Previous research found that participants of the Vasaloppet, a popular long-distance, cross-country skiing race in Sweden, have a lower risk of heart attack, but potential brain benefits have been unclear. This new research compared the brain health of about 200,000 who took part in the Vasaloppet between 1989 and 2010 and a control group from the general population. Compared with the control group, 50% fewer skiers developed vascular dementia over two decades, the study found. (Vascular dementia is caused by a series of small strokes.) However, the skiers’ risk of Alzheimer’s disease was not lower — a finding that contradicts other studies showing that physical activity may modify Alzheimer’s risk. Researchers said 233 skiers developed dementia, including 40 with vascular dementia and 86 with Alzheimer’s. In the general population, 319 developed dementia, including 72 with vascular dementia and 95 with Alzheimer’s. “As brain researchers, we have had the unique opportunity to analyze an exceptionally large group of very physically active people over two decades, and we have unraveled some interesting results,” said research team leader Tomas Deierborg, an […]
Blood pressure refers to how forcefully blood is flowing through blood vessels. Certain factors can cause blood pressure to rise and fall, but healthy blood pressure stays within a normal range. A person’s blood pressure tends to dip slightly after eating, but certain foods can cause blood pressure to rise. In some people, this elevation exceeds the normal range. The medical name for high blood pressure is hypertension. Hypertension can lead to health issues such as heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes. People who experience hypertension may need to make changes to their diet. Keep reading for more information about how eating can alter blood pressure. We also describe which foods to eat or avoid when trying to control hypertension. Share on PinterestA person may experience fluctuations in blood pressure after eating. When a person measures their blood pressure, the monitor will display two numbers. The upper number represents systolic blood pressure — pressure when the heart is contracting. The bottom number represents diastolic blood pressure, which occurs when the heart muscles relax. Normal blood pressure readings are under 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Readings between 120/80 mm Hg and 139/89 mm Hg indicate that a person has prehypertension. […]
Anxiety and high blood pressure can sometimes go hand in hand. Anxiety may lead to high blood pressure, and high blood pressure may trigger feelings of anxiety. Doctors characterize anxiety as feelings of intense worry or fear. It causes many physical symptoms, including increased heart rate and shallow breathing. Periods of anxiety may also temporarily increase blood pressure. Meanwhile, having long-term high blood pressure — which doctors refer to as hypertension — can cause people to feel anxious about their health and future. Keep reading to learn more about the link between anxiety and high blood pressure, as well as how to treat both conditions. Share on PinterestBlood pressure may increase during a period of anxiety. Anxiety causes the release of stress hormones in the body. These hormones trigger an increase in the heart rate and a narrowing of the blood vessels. Both of these changes cause blood pressure to rise, sometimes dramatically. Doctors believe that anxiety is the reason behind white coat hypertension — a phenomenon in which some individuals consistently have higher blood pressure readings at the doctor’s office than at home. Anxiety-induced increases in blood pressure are temporary and will subside once the anxiety lessens. Regularly having […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a supplement that has been available for several decades. People take it for various reasons, including to help treat medical issues ranging from psychological disorders to chronic lung conditions and to improve athletic performance. Doctors believe that NAC may stimulate the synthesis of glutathione — a compound that helps fight free radicals, unstable atoms that can cause inflammation and damage. Keep reading to learn how NAC may benefit the body. We also describe risks, including side effects, associated with the supplement. Researchers have investigated the potential for NAC to help treat a wide variety of health issues. Some research indicates that NAC supplementation may help in the following ways. Treating psychiatric conditions Share on PinterestNAC may help manage symptoms of bipolar disorder. Increasing the amount of NAC in the body may boost levels of some neurotransmitters, and this may improve a person’s mental function. According to a 2011 review, NAC may also help alleviate symptoms of various psychiatric conditions, including: While research into NAC as a means of relieving psychiatric symptoms may be promising, most doctors would not […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, is a naturally occurring chemical that exists in almost every cell of the human body. CoQ10 carries out several vital roles, including promoting energy production and neutralizing harmful particles called free radicals. A deficiency in CoQ10 can adversely affect a person’s health. People can get CoQ10 through foods and supplements. In this article, we discuss the benefits, side effects, and recommended dosages of CoQ10. Share on PinterestNuts are one of the foods that contain CoQ10.CoQ10 is an essential nutrient present in almost every cell of the human body. The following foods also contain CoQ10: CoQ10 plays a vital role in energy production and DNA replication and repair. It also acts as an antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals. Several factors can lower CoQ10 levels in the body. These include: aging taking statins, which are cholesterol-lowering medications genetic mutations that affect the production of CoQ10 disorders of the mitochondria, which are the parts of the cell that generate energy CoQ10 deficiency is associated with numerous diseases, including: For the body to use CoQ10, it must convert it from its […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. A fig is a soft fruit with a thin skin that can be either green or purple. The flesh of a fig is typically red, and the entirety of the fruit is edible. People have used figs to help treat health conditions related to the endocrine, reproductive, and respiratory systems, as well as the digestive tract. This article explores the benefits and risks associated with fig consumption. It also discusses the nutritional content of both fresh and dried figs. Share on PinterestFigs may reduce stomach pain in a person with constipation.Practitioners of Indian systems of medicine have long used figs to treat conditions affecting the following bodily systems: Some researchers believe that figs have the following properties: antioxidant anticancer anti-inflammatory fat-lowering cell-protective These properties may be responsible for the therapeutic effects of figs. The sections below discuss these potential benefits in more detail: Diabetes and glucose control The World Health Organization (WHO) have suggested that people can use traditional plants to help treat diabetes. Researchers have noted the fig’s liver-protecting and glucose-lowering effects. Research on this subject is very limited. However, […]
An infant’s poop changes color and consistency during their first few days, weeks, and months of life, and a wide range of colors is normal. Below, learn to recognize unhealthy baby poop and what changes to expect as a baby grows. In infants, age, diet, and health are the main reasons for changes in stool color. The poop of newborns is almost black, while older infants tend to have yellow or brown poop. Breastfeeding and formula-feeding can also influence the color of a baby’s stools. Red or white poop can indicate a health problem. Otherwise, a wide range of colors is to be expected. Anyone who suspects that a baby has diarrhea or constipation should seek medical advice. Various factors can cause changes in the color of a baby’s stools. Common colors and their causes include: Black In newborns younger than 1 week, black is a healthy color for stool. After this time, however, it could indicate a health problem. During the first 24 hours of life, a newborn will pass meconium. This is thick, black stool. It is made up of cells, amniotic fluid, bile, and mucus ingested while in the womb. Meconium is sterile, so it usually does […]
Neck tension refers to neck pain that develops when the muscles in the neck cannot relax, which can lead to soreness, muscle spasms, and headaches. It has numerous possible causes, ranging from joint problems to inflamed nerves. Depending on the underlying cause, people can experience different types of neck tension and pain, which distinct symptoms can accompany. Research suggests that as many as 71% of adults around the world will experience neck pain at some point in their lifetime. Continue reading this article to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of neck tension. Share on PinterestPoor posture is a common cause of tension in the neck. The brain sends electrical signals, or nerve impulses, to trigger muscle movement. Muscles can either contract or relax, depending on the message that they receive from the brain. Muscle tension occurs when a muscle stays contracted despite receiving signals from the brain that tell it to relax. If a muscle remains contracted for too long, it can cause pain. People can develop neck tension for numerous reasons. Common causes of neck tension include: Poor posture Poor posture can affect the neck muscles. People who find themselves hunching over their computer or slouching […]
Many people who have a Pap smear notice light bleeding, or spotting, for a couple of days after the test. In most cases, this is not a cause for concern, and it usually goes away without intervention. This symptom may occur because the Pap smear can irritate the blood vessels of the cervix, which causes light bleeding. Very rarely, prolonged or heavy bleeding may occur after a Pap smear. Heavy bleeding may sometimes happen because a person’s monthly period coincides with the timing of the test. However, when a period is not the cause, heavy bleeding after a Pap smear could signal an infection or another health issue. In this article, we examine the causes of bleeding after a Pap smear and the other possible side effects of this test. We also explain when a person should contact their doctor for advice. In the majority of cases, there is no underlying health issue responsible for bleeding after a Pap smear. Therefore, people who experience temporary light bleeding with no other symptoms do not generally need to worry. The most likely causes of bleeding after a Pap smear include: Cervical irritation Share on PinterestLight bleeding, or spotting, is common after a […]
Chest pain or discomfort is a common symptom of a heart attack in both men and women. Anyone who experiences chest pain or discomfort that lasts for several minutes or recurs should seek emergency medical help. In some cases, pain or discomfort may be due to other causes, such as heartburn, reflux, a lung-related issue, or another problem affecting the heart. Although some possible causes of chest pain are less serious, a woman should seek help immediately as this symptom may indicate a medical emergency. In this article, we provide more information on the typical female signs and symptoms of a heart attack and discuss other possible causes of chest pain. Share on PinterestA person should seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms of a heart attack. According to the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 male deaths and 1 in 5 female deaths are due to heart disease. Heart disease refers to several conditions that affect this organ, including heart attack. Men and women tend to show different signs of a heart attack. Women are less likely than males to feel an overwhelming amount of pressure in their chest. Instead, they are more likely […]
Recent advances in brain scanning may bring welcome news to people with depression. Two new types of MRI appear able to spot distinct brain characteristics of the condition. Share on PinterestNew MRI scans may reveal previously unknown differences in the brains of people with depression. The researchers say that their findings deepen knowledge about how depression affects the brain and should lead to better treatments. One of the new types of MRI reveals differences in the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and the other highlights differences in the brain’s complex network of connections. Scientists recently used the novel MRI technologies in people with or without major depressive disorder (MDD). Presentations on the findings are featuring this week at RSNA 2019, the 105th annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, which is taking place in Chicago, IL. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects more than 264 million people worldwide. Depression and the BBB Depression is more than the feelings of sadness that most people experience in day-to-day life. It can be a serious health condition, especially when symptoms persist. The most severe forms of depression can lead to suicide. Loss of interest in daily activities, feelings of hopelessness, […]
Scientists recently trialed a method that uses anthrax to attack bladder cancer. The approach was successful in experiments using both human and animal tissue. They hope that in the future, it might serve to treat a range of cancers. Share on PinterestScientists are repurposing anthrax to fight bladder cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 74,000 people develop bladder cancer each year in the United States, and close to 17,000 die of the disease. Additionally, bladder cancer often returns following its removal, making repeat treatments a common feature of the disease. Standard treatments for bladder cancer are invasive and time consuming. The person undergoing treatment must sit for at least 2 hours with a bladder full of cancer-killing compounds. For this procedure, doctors most commonly use the drugs mitomycin C and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG). Side effects, which include urinary symptoms, fever, an inflammatory response, and cystitis, are common. To add to these issues, BCG is currently in short supply. It is clear that we need better treatment options for this type of cancer. Researchers from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, are looking in unlikely places for a solution. Currently, they are investigating the use […]
Researchers studying a group of dolphins in the Bahamas have made an intriguing discovery: Most of the group had a right-side bias, much in the way that most humans are right-handed. Share on PinterestMost dolphins, like humans, appear to have a right-side bias. Dolphins are cetaceans: water-dwelling mammals. Currently, scientists recognize at least 40 species of dolphin, some of which live in seas or oceans and some of which make freshwater bodies their homes. These cetaceans have caught the interest of the public and zoologists alike, as their playfulness, complex social networks and behaviors, and display of what may be different emotions all hint at a high level of intelligence. These and other features have led some researchers to compare them to humans. New observations — reported by a team of investigators affiliated with the Dolphin Communication Project, in Port St. Lucie, FL, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Hunter College, in New York — now suggest that dolphins may resemble humans in yet another way. In a study paper that appears in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the researchers note that, according to their observations over 6 years, most dolphins may have a right-side bias, much in the […]
Latest Sexual Health News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A small, preliminary study suggests that a brain area called the hypothalamus appears to be about 6% smaller in women who use birth control pills. But exactly what that means isn’t yet clear. In this study, women on the pill had statistically significant increases in anger. Researchers also found a possible link with depression symptoms. The good news: They didn’t see any difference in women’s mental performance. And women who use the Pill shouldn’t search for other forms of birth control based on these findings, researchers said. “There isn’t enough data here for anyone to worry,” said study author Dr. Michael Lipton. “There’s more than a 50-year history of birth control pills. We’re not advising any changes (in your contraception) based on this preliminary finding.” Still, he added, there may be clinical consequences that this study was too small to find. Lipton is associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, in New York City. Located at the base of the brain, the hypothalamus produces hormones. It also helps regulate essential body functions like temperature, sleep and heart […]
Latest Senior Health News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many older Americans take a variety of prescription drugs, yet new research suggests that combining various medications is not always wise. Taking lots of different drugs for different conditions is called “polypharmacy,” and a team of researchers set out to find how doctors take this into account in their prescribing. To address this, providers discuss “deprescribing” — working with patients to cut down on unnecessary or redundant medications. Drugs to treat high blood pressure, to thin blood and lower cholesterol are some of the most prescribed drugs in the United States, the researchers noted. Although these medications save lives, they can cause serious reactions when mixed with other drugs. To look at prescribing habits, researchers led by Dr. Parag Goyal from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and Dr. Timothy Anderson from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, quizzed 750 geriatricians, general internists and cardiologists. They got responses from 12% to 26% of these doctors. Over 80% of the doctors who responded said that they recently considered not prescribing a cardiovascular medication and cited adverse side effects as the most common reason. Often doctors are reluctant to […]
Latest Prevention & Wellness News (HealthDay News) — American ginseng is an herb that people take by mouth as a stimulant, to reduce stress, or to boost the immune system, says MedlinePlus. American ginseng has different medicinal effects from the Siberian and Asian varieties. Here’s what MedlinePlus says about American ginseng: Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW Surprising Reasons for Weight Gain See Slideshow
Latest Prevention & Wellness News By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Electric scooters are everywhere, offering city-dwelling Americans a quick way to get about town. But new research warns that hopping on one might land you in the hospital with a broken wrist or worse. “E-scooters carry a unique set of risks,” cautioned study author Dr. Mohsin Mukhtar, a resident radiologist with the Indiana University School of Medicine. He pointed out that these scooters have a narrow platform, require coordination to maneuver, and can travel up to 15 to 20 miles an hour. They also ramp up speed quickly, Mukhtar noted, as opposed to bicycles “which require physical effort to get up to speed.” Earlier this year, a study out of the University of California, San Diego, noted that the advent of rentable e-scooters in the United States only dates back to 2017. That investigation revealed that more than 65 cities feature some sort of e-scooter system, and that many injuries involve the use of alcohol or drugs. But to get a handle on exactly what kind of trouble e-scooters users can get into, Mukhtar’s team pored over the records of 36 patients who had […]
Latest Pregnancy News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Though fetuses spend nine months in a dark womb, they may detect light by the second trimester, a new study in mice suggests. That’s when light-sensing cells develop in the retina, and it may set up the day-night rhythms that the infant will follow, the researchers said. These cells talk with each other and the brain, giving the retina greater light sensitivity than once believed. These connections may enhance behavior and brain development, the findings suggest. Besides fine-tuning the internal clock’s day-night cycle, the interaction of these cells and the brain may also make pupils constrict in bright light. Some of these retina cells also connect the perihabenula, which regulates mood, and the amygdala, which deals with emotions, the researchers noted. “Given the variety of these ganglion cells and that they project to many different parts of the brain, it makes me wonder whether they play a role in how the retina connects up to the brain,” said researcher Marla Feller, a University of California, Berkeley, professor of molecular and cell biology. “Maybe not for visual circuits, but for non-vision behaviors. Not only the pupillary light reflex and circadian rhythms, […]
Latest Pregnancy News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Poorly controlled asthma during pregnancy puts mothers and their babies at increased risk for serious complications, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed more than 100,000 pregnancies in more than 58,000 women with asthma in Canada. Compared to those whose asthma was well-controlled, women who had severe asthma symptoms during pregnancy were 17% more likely to have high blood pressure and about 30% more likely to develop a serious condition called preeclampsia. Babies born to women who had asthma attacks during pregnancy were 14% more likely to have a low birth weight; 14% more likely to be premature; and 21% more likely to have a abnormality such as a heart defect or cleft lip. Children born to mothers who had severe asthma symptoms during pregnancy had 23% higher odds of asthma and a 12% higher odds of pneumonia by age 5, according to the study published recently in the European Respiratory Journal. The findings are important because up to 40% of women with asthma cut back or stop taking asthma medication during pregnancy because they’re afraid it will harm the unborn baby, according to the researchers. “Asthma is the most common […]
Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a sign that suggests medical marijuana is being used for more than medicinal purposes, a new study finds young adults who are heavy pot users are more likely to seek medical marijuana cards. In fact, they were more likely to do so than those with physical or mental health conditions who could benefit from the drug. “It seems that more frequent use of marijuana, and not the physical and mental health problems that one ostensibly seeks a medical marijuana card to address, is what drives acquisition of a medical marijuana card,” said study author Eric Pedersen, from RAND Corp. in Santa Monica, Calif. The study included 264 people in California who were aged 18 to 20 between 2015 and 2017, when medical marijuana was legal in the state, but before recreational marijuana became legal in January 2018. All of them had used marijuana at least once in the past month at the beginning of the study, but none had a medical marijuana card that would permit them to buy, possess and use marijuana. At the start of the study and one year later, the participants were asked about […]
Pictures of the 7 Most Effective Exercises to Do at the Gym or Home (and Tips to Improve Form) See how to properly perform seven exercises including squats, lunges, crunches, and the bend-over row. Good technique is a must for effective and safe workouts. Read more: Pictures of the 7 Most Effective Exercises to Do at the Gym or Home (and Tips to Improve Form)
Latest Infectious Disease News WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Possible listeria contamination has triggered the recall of ready-to-eat sushi, salads and spring rolls made by Fuji Food Products and sold at major retailers in 31 U.S. states. The recalled products are sold at locations including Trader Joe’s, 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Food Lion, Hannaford, Giant Eagle, Porky Products, Bozzuto’s, Supreme Lobster and Superior Foods, CBS News reported. The recalled products are packed in plastic trays with clear lids. Consumers who bought the products should throw them away, Fuji said. Consumers with questions can call (888) 667-1504. Operations at a Fuji plant in Brockton, Mass., have been suspended as an investigation is conducted, according to the company, CBS News reported. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious, and sometimes fatal, infections in children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day. See Answer
Latest HIV News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Too few Americans are getting tested or treated for HIV, a new government report shows. “The time is now to end HIV in America. We have the right tools, the right data and the right leadership to get this done,” said Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Those living with HIV are our best teachers. They are key to helping us reach people where they are so that we can better diagnose and link patients to care,” he added in an agency news release. The CDC Vital Signs report, released Tuesday, found that in 2017 about 154,000 people with HIV did not know they had the AIDS-causing virus and didn’t receive HIV treatment to stay healthy, control the virus and avoid transmitting HIV to others. Young people aged 13 to 24 were less likely to know their HIV status than those 25 and older. Only two-thirds (63%) of people who knew they had HIV had the virus under control through effective treatment. Young people and black Americans were least likely to have the virus under control, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease […]
Latest Cholesterol News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rising levels of cholesterol among young adults is strongly tied to long-term odds for the number one killer, heart disease, a new study finds. The new global study involved data on more than 400,000 people from 38 different trials. Their health was tracked for an average of more than 13 years, but some were followed for up to 43 years. The researchers looked especially at the effect of blood levels of all forms of cholesterol except “good” HDL cholesterol. Reporting Dec. 3 in The Lancet, the investigators found that, regardless of age, higher levels of this “non-HDL” cholesterol were tied to raised odds for heart disease, as well as fatalities due to heart disease. The effect was especially pronounced in people who were young when their cholesterol levels began to rise — probably because their cardiovascular systems were then taxed by cholesterol for many years to come. For example, among men younger than 45, the risk of having a fatal or nonfatal heart disease or stroke by the age of 75 was just 12% for those with low non-HDL cholesterol. But the risk rose to 43% for those with high […]
What is Simponi (golimumab)? How does it work (mechanism of action)? Golimumab is an injectable synthetic (man-made) protein that binds to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) in the body and blocks the effects of TNFα in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis. As a result, the inflammation caused by these diseases and its consequences are reduced. Adalimumab (Humira), certolizumab (Cimzia) and etanercept (Enbrel) are two other injectable drugs that block TNFα. Inflammation is the body’s reaction to injury and is a necessary process for the repair of injury. TNF is a protein that the body produces when there is inflammation. TNF promotes inflammation and the signs of inflammation, which, in the case of arthritis, include fever as well as pain, tenderness, and swelling of joints. The unchecked inflammation of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis as well as ankylosing spondylitis eventually leads to destruction of the joints. Golimumab binds to TNF in the body and thereby blocks the effects of TNF. As a result, inflammation and its inflammatory consequences in joints are reduced, and the progressive destruction of the joints is slowed or prevented. The FDA approved golimumab in April 2009. Simponi and Simponi Aria are the brand names for […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Braces are a type of orthodontic treatment that orthodontists use to help correct overcrowded or crooked teeth. Braces can also help correct an overbite. People who are getting braces soon or are considering them may wonder whether they hurt. According to the American Dental Association, abnormal bites become apparent between the ages of 6 and 12 years, when children get their adult teeth. Orthodontic treatment typically begins between the ages of 8 and 14 years. In some cases, an adult may consider getting braces. Although everyone is different, most people experience some pain for a few days when they first get braces and after brace tightening. However, others may experience only mild discomfort that goes away within a few hours. Keep reading for more information on whether braces hurt and what to expect while they are on the teeth. Each person will have a different experience with braces, but the following should provide a general idea of what to expect at each stage of the treatment process. Getting braces Share on PinterestThe experience of wearing braces differs among individuals. Some people […]
There are many possible causes of a bruised face, which can be very painful. Some people with a bruised face may also feel self-conscious, especially at work or school. Most bruises heal on their own. However, a few treatments and remedies may speed the healing process. Keep reading to learn more about how to help a bruised face heal. Share on PinterestA cold compress can help reduce swelling and inflammation. Research on whether it is possible to speed up the healing process of bruises has produced mixed findings. A 2013 study compared the following popular treatment methods: laser therapy bruise serum cold compresses hydrogen peroxide The researchers found that none of the treatments led to statistically significant differences in healing time or the appearance of the bruise compared with a placebo. However, other studies have indicated that certain treatment methods may speed healing. It may be helpful to experiment with several treatment strategies. People can try the following: RICE Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) is a standard way of treating a wide variety of injuries. A person can rest the injury by protecting it and avoiding irritation. Doing this can be difficult when the bruise is on the face, […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Many people have tried using toothpaste as a spot treatment for pesky blemishes, but it could do more harm than good. This particular home remedy has no scientific support, and it is difficult to pinpoint its exact origins. Toothpaste might seem to be an effective spot treatment because it contains drying agents and antibacterial compounds. However, the ingredients in toothpaste may have more risks than benefits when it comes to skin care. Read this article to learn more about the risks of using toothpaste as a treatment for pimples. We also provide some ideas for alternative remedies and treatments. Share on PinterestThe ingredients in some toothpastes may be harsh on the skin. Historically, toothpaste contained an antibacterial agent called triclosan. However, in 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned triclosan as an ingredient in antiseptic washes after finding evidence to suggest that it can decrease thyroid hormone levels and potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance. As of early 2019, commercially available toothpaste no longer contains triclosan. Toothpaste contains many ingredients that benefit dental health, such as: glycerin sorbitol calcium carbonate sodium […]
The lymphatic system is a network of organs and tissues that helps support immunity. The lymph nodes are tiny, kidney-shaped structures that act as filters within this system. Their role is to trap and kill viruses and bacteria before these pathogens can return to the bloodstream. Lymph nodes exist in different areas of the body, including the neck, or “cervical,” region. Nodes in this area are called “cervical lymph nodes.” Sometimes, the cervical lymph nodes may swell. This article outlines the potential causes of this swelling, as well as information on treatment options and when to see a doctor. Share on PinterestAn infection is a possible cause of swollen cervical lymph nodes. Cervical lymph nodes are located in the sides and back of the neck. These glands are usually very small. However, when a lymph node is greater than 1 centimeter in diameter, it is enlarged. The cervical lymph nodes sit deep inside the neck. For this reason, most people without medical training are unable to feel them, even when they are swollen. However, a doctor may be able to feel one or more bumps beneath the skin when examining the neck region. In some cases, a person with swollen […]
A person with high blood pressure, heart disease, or other heart issues should take care when selecting cold and flu medication. Certain medications, particularly ones with decongestants in them, can raise a person’s blood pressure. Keep reading for more information on cold medications for people with high blood pressure, including safety concerns, and alternative treatment options. Share on PinterestA person with hypertension or heart disease should talk to their doctor about the most suitable cold medication. Some cold and flu medications can elevate a person’s blood pressure. For most people, this is not a major cause for concern. They are unlikely to experience any harm if they take the medications for a short duration while sick. However, people with high blood pressure, or hypertension, should be cautious when selecting cold medications. Certain cold medications can cause blood pressure to rise to a dangerously high level. Some can interfere with the effectiveness of drugs people are taking to treat hypertension or heart disease. Some drugs that can be problematic for people with hypertension or heart disease include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs that help alleviate inflammation and pain. The NSAIDs ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin are popular choices for easing the […]
A certain amount of hair loss is normal in both males and females. On average, a person loses between 50 and 100 hairs a day. The hair sheds as part of its natural cycle, which means that seeing hairs in the shower or on a hairbrush is not usually a cause for concern. A person who notices large chunks of hair falling out or bald spots may wish to see a doctor or dermatologist, however. This excessive shedding may be due to stress or another health issue. It is important to note that shedding is not the same as permanent hair loss. The hair should return to its previous thickness following the resolution of the underlying cause. Learn more about how much hair loss is normal in this article. Share on PinterestHair shedding is part of the body’s natural renewal cycle. Hair falls out every day as part of the body’s natural renewal cycle. The American Academy of Dermatology note that it is normal for a person to lose about 50–100 hairs each day. Each hair follicle goes through a cycle that includes a growth stage (anagen) and a rest stage (telogen) before the hair falls out. This cycle repeats […]
Alcohol intoxication refers to a temporary condition that occurs when a person drinks an excess of alcohol at one time. Alcohol intoxication causes physical and behavioral symptoms that range from mild to severe. Severe alcohol intoxication — or alcohol poisoning — is a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical attention. Although people can safely consume alcohol without experiencing immediate adverse health effects, long term alcohol consumption can jeopardize overall health. The Department of Health and Human Services classifies alcohol as a carcinogen, a substance that plays a role in causing cancer. The medical community has linked alcohol with numerous types of cancer, such as cancers of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus. Keep reading to learn more about alcohol intoxication, including its causes, symptoms, and treatments. Share on PinterestOver time, alcohol can cause damage throughout the body. Alcohol intoxication occurs when a person drinks an excess of alcohol in one period. A standard serving of alcohol in the United States is 0.6 fluid ounces (fl oz) or 14 grams (g) of pure alcohol. This translates to the following single servings of standard alcoholic drinks: 12 fl oz of beer with a 5% alcohol content 5 fl oz of wine with a […]
Kevin Love has achieved a lot in 31 years. He’s a five-time National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star. He won an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. He’s also a basketball world champion and a U.S. Olympic gold medalist. But he has experienced challenges. He lives with depression and anxiety and has suffered from panic attacks. He even had one during an NBA game. Recently, he opened up about his mental health and shared his story with the public. By speaking out about his own experiences, he has sparked a movement to raise awareness about mental health—especially for men and athletes. He talked to NIH MedlinePlus magazine about his journey. Your panic attack during an NBA game was a turning point for you. Can you tell us about that? It’s a really scary thing to feel something happening to your body and have no idea what’s going on. Especially in the middle of an NBA game in front of thousands of people. In that moment, my heart was racing. I couldn’t catch my breath. I thought I was having a heart attack. Even after it was over, I didn’t know that I had had a panic attack. I thought […]
A new study suggests that some readings from routine blood tests could help identify people at higher risk of disease and death related to disease. Doctors currently use the readings as markers of immune condition and inflammation. Share on PinterestNew research singles out blood markers that could identify people at risk of disease and premature death. The study investigators analyzed 12 years of data from 31,178 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). They found that those with low levels of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, were more likely to die from heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and influenza. The analysis showed that the link between low lymphocytes — a condition called lymphopenia — and higher risk of disease and death did not vary with age or other common risk factors. However, the predictive power of the low lymphocyte count increased when the scientists added two other measures of blood abnormality: one relating to inflammation and the other to the ability to maintain a supply of red blood cells. The research is the work of teams from the University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, in Ohio, and other institutions. They report their […]
When 46-year-old Kevin Delano was in his early teens, he knew he was different. He was depressed. He constantly had racing thoughts in his head. Kevin describes his depression or “down cycles” as wearing a heavy piece of clothing. “It’s as if you’re wearing a big, woolen cape that’s been soaked in water,” Kevin says. “It’s warm, heavy, and holds you down.” “I think a lot of men think that if they tell someone they have a mental health issue, it’s a sign of weakness.” – Kevin Delano Kevin experienced “up cycles” too. He would feel excited about new ideas and reaching goals. But then he would spiral down into a depression again. Kevin didn’t know it yet, but he was experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes intense highs and lows, along with anxiety, irritability, and often a loss of touch with reality. Kevin says in addition to the ups and downs, he always had voices in his head that would tell him that he was worthless or that no one cared about him. “I couldn’t get my mind to quiet down,” Kevin says. At age 16, Kevin attempted suicide. For more […]
William Parham, Ph.D., was recently named the National Basketball Players Association’s (NBPA) first director of mental health and wellness. He is leading an effort to provide players more access to mental health professionals and self-management tools. He shared his vision with NIH MedlinePlus magazine. What is the goal of this new initiative? My goal is to change the narrative. There is a misguided belief among a lot of people that if you start talking about a person’s personal challenges, it will open up “Pandora’s box” and compromise performance. The opposite is true. Addressing issues can improve performance. You can reach untapped potential. How do you hope to accomplish this? We will provide a directory of mental health practitioners in each city where there is an NBA team that can help players seeking mental health assistance. We are also developing a mental health literacy campaign. This will encourage athletes to better understand how to manage their mental health. Part of this will be a series of podcasts that share real stories of athletes who have successfully managed their mental health and wellness. We want to put positive modeling in front of players. “When athletes talk about real issues and show that […]
New research finds that brushing the teeth three or more times a day significantly reduces the risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Share on PinterestBrushing your teeth three times or more a day may significantly protect the heart. The bacteria in our mouths may hold the key to many facets of our health. Researchers have found intriguing clues about pancreatic and esophageal cancer risk in mouth bacteria, and some studies have linked poor oral hygiene with respiratory problems. Mounting evidence is also strengthening the link between oral health and cardiovascular health. For instance, some studies have found oral bacteria in the blood clots of people receiving emergency treatment for stroke, and experts have linked severe gum disease with a significantly higher risk of hypertension. Conversely, destroying “friendly” oral bacteria that help maintain a healthy and balanced oral microbiome could disrupt blood pressure levels and also lead to hypertension. Maintaining good oral health, therefore, seems to be key to cardiovascular health. Now, a new study that appears in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests that regular toothbrushing may keep heart failure and atrial fibrillation (A-fib) — a type of arrhythmia — at bay. Dr. Tae-Jin Song of Ewha Womans […]
New research distinguishes between two similar variants of the human herpesvirus 6 and finds that one variant significantly increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Share on PinterestScientists have linked the Epstein-Barr virus (depicted here) with MS. MS is an autoimmune condition that affects around 400,000 people in the United States and 2.5 million people worldwide. The condition affects the central nervous system, “tricking” the immune system into attacking the protective myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve cells. The medical community has not yet identified the cause of MS. Many health professionals believe that genetic predisposition plays a role, with environmental factors such as smoking and viral infections potentially triggering MS risk genes. Of all the viruses that may play a role in the development of MS, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) — which causes mononucleosis — has received the most attention from researchers. EBV, also known as human herpesvirus 4, is part of the herpesvirus family. A significant number of epidemiological studies have pointed to EBV infection, as well as a number of other environmental factors, as potential causes of MS. In addition, recent research has suggested that EBV can activate risk genes for other autoimmune conditions, such as […]
New research finds that over a period of 17 years, people in the United States increased their use of natural psychoactive substances, believing them to be safe. This has led to many reports of adverse symptoms in adults and children alike. Share on PinterestKratom and other natural psychoactive substances may need tighter regulations. People have been using natural psychoactive substances for hundrends, or even thousands, of years in traditional medicine and as a part of spiritual practices. Because these substances come from sources such as plants and mushrooms, many people believe them to be safe to use. However, because they interfere with biological processes in the central nervous system, they can be a threat to human health. These interferences can also cause euphoria and altered states of consciousness. For these reasons, many people are now using natural psychoactive substances for recreational purposes. New research has studied trends in the number of people in the United States who reported adverse reactions as a result of exposure to psychoactive substances during 2000–2017. The Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, OH, collaborated with the Ohio State University College of Medicine, also in Columbus, […]
Latest Travel Health News TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Got travel plans abroad? Spending just a short time in a highly polluted city can harm your health, researchers warn. “It’s widely known that long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with increased cardiovascular disease. But it was unknown whether a short-term visit to a location with severe air pollution could have any significant impact,” study lead author Dr. Jesus Araujo said in a University of California, Los Angeles news release. Araujo is a professor of medicine and director of environmental cardiology at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine. The study included 26 nonsmoking healthy adults from Los Angeles who spent 10 weeks in Beijing during the summers of 2014 and 2015. Their average age was about 24. Participants were divided into two groups. Blood samples were taken from the first group after eight weeks in Beijing and from the second group after six weeks in the Chinese capital city. Both groups had significant negative health changes during their time in Beijing. These included higher levels of oxidized fats that increased heart inflammation, and a change in enzyme function, which is associated with heart disease. The researchers also found […]
Latest Senior Health News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Romance was absolutely the last thing Gloria Duncan and Al Cappiello had on their minds when they became nursing home residents. “When I got here, I felt almost like my life was over. I was a very active, social person. I was almost devastated,” Gloria said. But then she met Al, who asked Gloria to be his date at the “Seniors’ Senior Prom.” Al said he had noticed Gloria in an exercise class, but was a bit too nervous to ask her out then. He said his nerves don’t usually get the best of him. “It only happens when someone is very nice and very pretty,” he said. Al finally worked up the nerve to ask Gloria to the prom. “She gave me a little hard way to go, but then said yes, and we had a pretty good time,” he said. “This was the last thing I expected. I didn’t expect to meet anyone. I came here figuring, ‘It’s the last stop.’ But I feel so lucky now. Gloria is beautiful inside and out,” Al said. Gloria added, “We found out we had a […]
Latest Pregnancy News By E.J. MundellHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Rising temperatures might help trigger premature birth, a new study finds, suggesting that global warming could deliver more “preemie” babies. Looking at 20 years of data on heat waves and birth timing across the United States, researchers “estimate that an average of 25,000 infants per year were born earlier as a result of heat exposure.” Taken another way, the research suggests that each year, American women lose a total 150,000 “gestational days” due to excess heat — days that could otherwise have been used bringing baby to a healthy term delivery. “These findings are important given the emerging evidence that early-life health has a lasting effect on health and cognitive outcomes” for children, said study co-authors Alan Barreca, of the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at University of California, Los Angeles, and Jessamyn Schaller of Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. One ob-gyn unconnected to the new study believes the findings don’t bode well for a warming planet. “Climate change has caused increase in the exposure of pregnant women to extremes of heat, especially in the warmer climates and in areas with an inability to […]
What is autism? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects a person’s behavior and impairs the ability to communicate and interact with others. Symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can range from mild to severe. The cause is unknown. Autism spectrum disorder refers to several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately, including: Autistic disorder Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) Asperger syndrome What are the early signs and symptoms of autism in infants and babies? Some children may show symptoms of autism disorder in infancy, but many do not show any signs until 24 months of age (2 years) or later. Some signs and symptoms that an infant or baby may have an autism spectrum disorder include: Lack of eye contact Not responding to his or her name or to familiar voices No back-and-forth gestures, such as reaching, pointing, waving, or showing Does not make noises to get attention Does not initiate cuddling or respond to attempts to do so Absence of visually following objects or gestures Does not imitate facial expressions or movements Lack of interest in playing with other children Does not share interest or enjoyment in activities Seems not to notice if others […]
Latest Neurology News MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A variant of a common herpes virus may play a role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), Swedish researchers say. They analyzed the blood of about 8,700 MS patients and a control group of more than 7,200 people without MS. They were looking for antibodies against proteins of two variants (A and B) of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), which has been linked with MS. MS patients were 55% more likely to have antibodies against the HHV-6A protein than the control group. The researchers also looked a sub-group of almost 500 people who did not have MS. The risk of developing MS more than doubled for those who’d had a HHV-6A infection. The younger they were when the virus was found in their blood, the greater their future MS risk. The findings suggest that HHV-6A may play a role in the development of MS, according to the authors of the study published Nov. 26 in the journal Frontiers in Immunology. MS is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing weakness, movement problems and tremors. Its cause is unclear, but one theory is that a virus tricks the […]
Latest Neurology News MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Some Parkinson’s patients who have a deep brain stimulation device implanted to control their symptoms have reported an odd side effect — they lost the ability to swim. Researchers report on the cases of nine patients who were still good swimmers even after they were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. After they had deep brain stimulation surgery, their Parkinson’s symptoms improved, but they lost their swimming skills. One patient was a 69-year-old man who’d been a good swimmer and only found out he could no longer swim when he jumped into a lake. He said he would have drowned if he hadn’t been rescued by a family member. Three of the nine patients were able to swim again after they turned off their deep brain stimulation devices. However, they turned them on again because their Parkinson’s symptoms worsened. The study was published online Nov. 27 in the journal Neurology. “Until more research is done to determine why some people with deep brain stimulation can no longer swim, it is crucial that people be told now of the potential risk of drowning and the need for a carefully supervised assessment of their […]
Latest Neurology News MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High school athletes who suffer repeated concussions may be at heightened risk for suicide, University of Texas researchers report. Data on more than 13,000 high school students revealed that those who had had a concussion in the past year (15%) were more likely to have feelings of depression, suicidal thoughts, and to have planned or attempted suicide. About 36% of those with concussion said they felt sad or hopeless, compared with 31% of teens overall. Also, 21% had thoughts of suicide, compared with 17% of all teens. Boys were twice as likely to have attempted suicide and three times more likely to have been treated for doing so than those without a recent concussion, the researchers found. Girls with a history of concussions were more likely to feel sad or hopeless, have suicidal thoughts, and to have planned or attempted suicide, according to the study. They were also twice as likely to have been treated for a suicide attempt, compared with girls who did not have a concussion in the last year. “If there is any concern that a child may have suffered a concussion, it is critical to seek […]
Latest Migraine News By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, Dec. 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Headache and migraine patients, take note: medical marijuana may help ease your pain. The findings follow an analysis of data collected by a Canadian phone app that gathered feedback offered by 1,300 headache sufferers and nearly 700 migraine sufferers who used marijuana to treat their head pain. “We found that self-reported headache and migraine severity were reduced by nearly 50% from before to after cannabis use,” said study author Carrie Cuttler. She is an assistant professor in the department of psychology at Washington State University in Pullman, Wash. But a lot of unanswered questions remain. For one, it’s not clear if pot was any better at cutting down headache pain than conventional medicine. “We didn’t directly compare cannabis to conventional treatments,” said Cuttler, “so we don’t know if it is more or less effective.” Also, the jury remains out as to what particular compound might be causing the reductions. The team found that when it came to head pain control, it didn’t matter how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD) was in a particular batch of pot. THC and CBD are the most commonly studied ingredients […]
Latest Healthy Kids News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Fifteen million kids attend high school in the United States, and around 1 in 18 goes armed with a gun, a new study finds. That’s nearly 1 million teens taking a potentially deadly weapon to school. But researchers say universal background checks can put a dent in those numbers. While gun-toting teens were found in every state, 83% were in states that did not have universal background checks, the research team found. Why do so many teens feel they must have a gun? The answer may be fear. “After accounting for student demographics as well as state laws and characteristics, we found that high school students who reported feeling threatened were over four times more likely to carry a gun than students who did not report being threatened,” said lead researcher Teresa Maria Bell. Also, boys were more likely to be armed than girls, she said. The study of nearly 180,000 high school students determined that a combination of federal and state regulations was most effective in keeping guns out of school backpacks: In states that had the U.S. National Instant Criminal Background Check System […]
Latest Heart News MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — By screening for breast cancer, mammography has helped save hundreds of thousands of lives. Using the test to also screen for heart disease might someday help save many thousands more. Though expert guidelines vary, generally women are advised to have a mammogram every year or two starting at age 40 or 50. Nearly 40 million mammograms have been performed in the U.S. during the past year, government figures show. The prospect of leveraging a test that already is so widely administered, without additional cost or radiation exposure, is tantalizing to researchers hoping to find a new way to fight heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death among U.S. women. Besides revealing masses that may be tumors, digital mammography – a technique in which low-dose X-ray images are captured and enhanced using computer technology – can reveal buildup of calcium in the arteries in the breast. About 13% of women are estimated to have this buildup, called breast arterial calcification, or BAC, including about 10% of women in their 40s and around half of women in their 80s. Early studies so far have found BAC’s presence appears to […]
What is upper endoscopy? Endoscopy is a procedure in which a camera is inserted into an orifice or surgical incision to explore for abnormalities or cancers, or perform minimally invasive surgery. Upper endoscopy is a procedure that enables the examiner (usually a gastroenterologist) to examine the esophagus (swallowing tube), stomach, and duodenum (first portion of small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube called the upper endoscope with a camera on the tip through which the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be viewed using a TV monitor. How do I prepare for endoscopy? To accomplish a safe and complete examination, the stomach should be empty. The patient will most likely be asked to have nothing to eat or drink for six hours or more prior to the procedure. Prior to scheduling the procedure, the patient should inform his or her physician of any medications being taken, any allergies, and all known health problems. This information will help the doctor determine whether the patient may need antibiotics prior to the procedure, and what potential medications should not be used during the exam because of the patient’s allergies. The information will provide the individual scheduling the procedure an opportunity to […]
Latest Diabetes News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — New government research delivers some concerning news for U.S. teens — almost 1 in 5 has prediabetes. Young adults fared even worse — 1 in 4 of those aged 19 to 34 have prediabetes, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found. A person with prediabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels. The levels aren’t yet high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. But often, people who have prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. “Prediabetes is very prevalent among adolescents and young adults. We want people to know that this is a serious health condition that raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke,” said study author Linda Andes, a statistician with the CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. The good news? “Prediabetes can be reversed,” she said. “This can be a wake-up call to motivate people into action — eating a healthier diet, getting more physical activity and losing weight.” The researchers used data from nationally representative nutrition surveys that included almost 6,000 teens and young adults. Blood sugar levels were assessed with three different testing […]
Latest Cold and Flu News As far as trendy diets go, the ketogenic or ‘keto’ diet is the latest fad, but results of a new study suggest it may help fight the flu. Researchers at Yale University found that mice that were fed a ketogenic diet were able to ward off the flu virus better than mice that were fed a diet high in carbohydrates. The results are published in the Nov. 15 issue of the journal, Science Immunology. Mice consuming the ketogenic diet were more likely to survive a serious strain of influenza and lost less weight than mice eating the high-carbohydrate diet. The scientists discovered that the ketogenic diet stimulates a subgroup of T cells (gamma delta T cells) in the lungs, which increases mucus production and traps flu virus particles, according to the study results. The diet also improved the barrier function of the mice’s lungs, so they were less sensitive to infection. What Is a Ketogenic Diet? “The ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet that drastically restricts carbohydrates. It produces a reaction in the body that is similar to the fasting state,” according to Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, of MedicineNet. The diet is sometimes used to […]
Latest Chronic Pain News (HealthDay News) — Knee pain is common, especially in highly active people, says the Cedars-Sinai hospital system. Women, people with a high body mass index and the elderly are at a greater risk of knee pain. Cedars-Sinai mentions these common causes: Overuse of the knee. Inflammation in tissues around the knee. Misalignment of the kneecap. Damage to ligaments, nerves or bone in the area. Injury. To diagnose the reasons for your knee pain, your doctor will perform an exam to test the knee’s range of motion, strength and areas of soreness. Sometimes, an X-ray or MRI may be needed to determine the cause of pain. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION Medically speaking, the term “myalgia” refers to what type of pain? See Answer
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Neem oil is an extract of the neem tree. Some practitioners of traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine use neem oil to treat conditions ranging from ulcers to fungal infections. This type of oil contains several compounds, including fatty acids and antioxidants, that can benefit the skin. Below, find out about the uses and potential benefits of neem oil, as well as the risks. We also provide tips for using neem oil on the skin. Share on PinterestThe use of neem oil is common in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.Neem oil derives from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree. These trees grow mainly in the Indian subcontinent. Neem oil is rich in fatty acids, such as palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids, which help support healthy skin. The oil is, therefore, a popular ingredient in skin care products. The leaf of the plant also provides health benefits. The leaves contain plant compounds called flavonoids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) note that neem oil contains azadirachtin, a natural pesticide. Researchers have only […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. Female hair loss can happen for a variety of reasons, such as genetics, changing hormone levels, or as part of the natural aging process. There are various treatment options for female hair loss, including topical medications, such as Rogaine. Other options include light therapy, hormone therapy, or in some cases, hair transplants. Eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help keep hair healthy. Share on PinterestA variety of issues can cause female hair loss.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Minoxidil to treat hair loss. Sold under the name Rogaine, as well as other generic brands, people can purchase topical Minoxidil over-the-counter (OTC). Minoxidil is safe for both males and females, and people report a high satisfaction rate after using it. Minoxidil stimulates growth in the hairs and may increase their growth cycle. It can cause hairs to thicken and reduce the appearance of patchiness or a widening hair parting. Minoxidil treatments are available in two concentrations: the 2% solution requires twice daily application for the best results, while the 5% solution or foam requires daily use. […]
Pubic hair loss is not harmful to a person’s physical health, but it may cause psychological distress. Some people may also feel concerned about the underlying cause of pubic hair loss. This article lists the potential causes of pubic hair loss. We also outline the various treatment options available and provide information on when to see a doctor. The following are some potential causes of pubic hair loss. 1. Excessive hair removal Share on PinterestA person may experience psychological distress if they lose pubic hair. Frequently removing hair might permanently damage the hair follicles. Hair removal methods that could lead to general pubic hair loss include: waxing shaving electrolysis As a result, a person who excessively removes hair from the pubic region may experience reduced or delayed hair growth in that area. 2. Hormonal changes Hormones are chemical messengers that control many functions in the body, including hair growth. During puberty, an increase in hormones called androgens triggers the growth of pubic hair. As a person ages, their body begins to produce fewer androgens. This may result in pubic hair loss. 3. Frontal fibrosing alopecia Alopecia is a blanket term for conditions that cause hair loss. A type of alopecia […]
Blood pressure is the force of a person’s blood pushing against their artery walls. A person’s blood pressure can become too low or too high. When it becomes too high, it can lead to potential health complications. Often, people do not experience symptoms of high blood pressure, or hypertension. This means that it is important for people to get their blood pressure checked regularly, particularly if they are older or have a history of heart complications. High blood pressure can also lead to other complications, such as: This article explains everything that a person needs to know about blood pressure readings and what they mean. Share on PinterestA person may experience health complications if their blood pressure is too high. A blood pressure measurement involves two numbers that indicate the amount of pressure the blood is exerting against the arteries’ walls. Systolic: This is the first number. This indicates the amount of pressure that the blood exerts against the artery walls as the heart contracts. Diastolic: This is the second number. This shows the amount of pressure that the blood exerts against the artery walls as the heart relaxes. Both numbers are equally significant because they provide insight into a […]
Penile melanosis is a rare condition that causes discolored areas of skin on the head and shaft of the penis. These patches are dark brown and may be slightly or significantly darker than the surrounding skin on the penis. Penile melanosis does not cause any other symptoms. The condition is not infectious or contagious, and there is no way to pass it on to other people. However, the exact cause is still unknown. Penile melanosis is generally harmless and does not require treatment. Some people may choose to have cosmetic procedures to remove the spots, though. In this article, learn more about penile melanosis, including the causes, associated conditions, and treatment options. Share on PinterestDoctors do not know what causes penile melanosis. Penile melanosis refers to patches of brown or dark brown skin on the penis. These spots are typically large and flat, with each one appearing alone. Melanin is one of the main pigments in the skin, and people with more melanin have a darker skin tone. Melanosis refers to a buildup of melanin. Penile melanosis may also involve other pigment compounds in the skin, such as: hemosiderin lipofuscin ferrous sulfate As these pigment compounds build up, they can […]
The majority of people can donate blood. However, those who use nicotine products, cannabis products, or both may wonder whether or not they can donate blood. Hospitals and health clinics use donated blood to treat various medical conditions. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of blood donations collected around the world per year exceeds 117.4 million. Blood donations can help with: Read on to learn more about how different ways of using cigarettes, cannabis, and other drugs can affect a person’s ability to donate blood. Share on PinterestA person can usually still give blood if they smoke. If a person smokes cigarettes or vapes, it does not disqualify them from donating blood. However, both tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain harmful chemicals that may affect a person’s blood. The American Lung Association claim that a burning cigarette produces more than 7,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, ammonia, and arsenic. Several of these chemicals are toxic, and 69 of them can cause cancer. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes may contain the following harmful substances: propylene glycol, which is present in paint solvents, antifreeze, and some foods (as an additive) acetaldehyde, which is a toxic product of ethanol alcohol […]
If you buy something through a link on this page, we may earn a small commission. How this works. In its purest form, water has a pH of 7, which is at the exact center of the pH scale. Particles in the water can change the pH of the water, and most water for use has a pH of somewhere between 6.5 and 8.5. There are some important things to understand about the pH scale and how it relates to water. For instance, it is possible that drinking alkaline drinks may offer some health benefits. Keep reading to learn more about the pH of water. Share on PinterestThe pH of water may vary depending on the particles in the liquid.In chemistry, pH is a measurement of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a water-based solution. A lower pH means that there are more hydrogen ions in the liquid, whereas a higher pH indicates fewer hydrogen ions in the liquid. In simple terms, pH is a scale from 1 to 14 that measures the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid. In the middle of the scale is pure distilled water, with a neutral pH of 7. Anything with a pH below […]
The inability to get human blood stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), to self-renew in the laboratory is holding back progress in treating leukemia and other blood diseases. Share on PinterestScientists have found a way to boost the ability of blood stem cells to renew themselves. Now, a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) suggests that the answer may lie in a particular protein — the activation of which can greatly expand HSCs in culture. The UCLA team found that a protein called MLLT3 is a key regulator of HSC function. The protein is present at high levels in the HSCs of human fetuses, newborns, and adults. However, cultured HSCs have low levels of MLLT3. In a recent Nature paper, the researchers report how manipulating the gene responsible for making the protein led to a “more than 12-fold expansion of transplantable” HSCs. The senior author of the study paper is Hanna K. A. Mikkola, a professor of molecular, cell, and developmental biology at UCLA. She has been studying HSCs for more than 20 years. “Although we’ve learned a lot about the biology of these cells over the years,” says Mikkola, “one key challenge has remained: […]
More and more studies are emphasizing the importance of green spaces for longevity. New research adds an important nuance to the mounting evidence — the shape of these parks also plays an important part in staving off mortality risk. Share on Pinterest Medical News Today have just reported on the most comprehensive analysis to date of the link between green spaces and mortality. A review of nine longitudinal studies covering seven countries, 8 million people, and up to 22 years of follow-up concluded that green urban spaces could definitively boost longevity for the residents surrounding them. Other benefits of living next to green spaces include better mental health, potentially healthier compositions of the gut bacteria, and fewer unhealthful cravings. But, when it comes to staving off premature mortality, does the shape of the parks matter? This is the question that Huaquing Wang, an urban and regional sciences doctoral researcher at Texas A&M University, set out to answer together with Lou Tassinary, a professor of visualization at the same institution. “Nearly all studies investigating the effects of natural environments on human health are focused on the amount of a community’s green space,” say the researchers, explaining the motivation for their study. […]
Results of a new study in mice suggest that the body may be able to defeat the influenza virus if a person has the right sort of diet — a ketogenic, or keto, diet. Share on PinterestNew research suggests that the ketogenic diet may help combat the flu virus. Infection with the influenza virus, better known as the flu, has accounted for 12,000–61,000 deaths every year since 2010 in the United States, with an annual economic burden of $87.1 billion. The introduction of the flu vaccine has greatly improved infection and morbidity rates. However, there is still currently no cure for the illness. Healthcare professionals and scientists alike are continuing the search for novel therapeutics to combat the flu, yet the key may lie within the body’s own immune system. Moreover, it may be activated by the keto diet. Following the keto diet involves eating foods that are high in fat and low in carbohydrates. Meals tend to consist of a variety of meat, fish, poultry, and non-starchy vegetables. According to the findings of a new study, appearing in the journal Science Immunology, when mice fed a keto diet were injected with the flu virus, their survival rates were much […]
Latest Sexual Health News FRIDAY, Nov. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — “Sexting” may sound salacious, but it isn’t always about sex, a new study shows. In fact, two-thirds of adults who send these sexually oriented text messages don’t have sex in mind at all, the Texas Tech University researchers report. Some sexting is about foreplay for sex later on. Sexting is also used for reassurance about the relationship. And sometimes it’s done to score points for something like a dinner date down the road, said report assistant professor Joseph Currin and doctoral student Kassidy Cox. The duo are from the department of psychological sciences at Texas Tech. They used data gathered online from 160 people aged 18 to 69 for the study. They looked specifically at the sexting motivations, relationship attachments and sexual behaviors. “It was intriguing that two-thirds of the individuals who engaged in sexting did so for nonsexual purposes,” Cox said in a school news release. “This may actually be demonstrating some individuals engage in sexting, but would prefer not to, but do so as a means to either gain affirmation about their relationship, relieve anxiety or get something tangible — nonsexual — in return.” These three motivations […]
What are treatments and medications for cystic acne? Over-the-counter (OTC) medications, usually containing salicylic acid and/or benzoyl peroxide, and topical prescription medications have much less a role in the treatment of severe cystic acne than they do in milder acne. Topical acne medications like azelaic acid (Finacea, Azelex), dapsone (Aczone), benzoyl peroxide (BPO) combined with clindamycin (BenzaClin, Duac), BPO and erythromycin (Benzamycin), or BPO and adapalene (Epiduo), would generally not be effective until the deeper cystic acne component is under sustained control. Likewise, the clindamycin/tretinoin combinations like Ziana or Veltin may have more utility in maintenance once the worst of the cystic acne is controlled than in gaining initial control of moderate to severe acne. The same applies to topical antibiotics without benzoyl peroxide such as clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindamax). Other topical antibiotics such as mupirocin (Bactroban), bacitracin and topical sulfacetamide/sulfa drugs (Rosanil) have no role in the management of acute cystic acne. Topical retinoids such as tretinoin (Retin-A, Retin-A Micro) and adapalene (Differin) may still be used for any remaining pimples and also for their long-term beneficial effects in scar renovation. Topical tazarotene (Tazorac) may be more effective in the treatment of severe acne but also much more irritating. Topical […]
Latest Migraine News SATURDAY, Nov. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The holiday season can give you real headaches, but you can take action to prevent them, an expert says. To reduce stress, make plans well in advance and know your limits, advised Dr. Bing Liao, a neurologist at Houston Methodist. “The nature of the holiday season already increases stress levels, so finding small ways to reduce schedule stress can help ward off a headache,” Liao said in a hospital news release. “This can mean planning well in advance to avoid the hassle of making last minute travel plans, or deciding not to attend a party at the end of a long day.” Be sure you have an adequate supply or a refill of your prescription medications before the holidays, she advised. Missing doses or cutting back could trigger a headache or even serious side effects. “Don’t binge anything during the holidays — food, alcohol, or television,” Liao said. “We all know how a hangover can affect the brain, but most don’t realize that overeating can also trigger a headache. And having the next day off from work doesn’t mean you should stay up late watching holiday movies. The brain needs […]
Latest Mental Health News SUNDAY, Dec. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Bad dreams can help people react better to frightening situations when they’re awake, a finding that could lead to dream-based therapies for anxiety, Swiss researchers say. They analyzed the dreams of 18 people and pinpointed which brain areas were activated when participants experienced fear in their dreams. “For the first time, we’ve identified the neural correlates of fear when we dream and have observed that similar regions are activated when experiencing fear in both sleep and wakeful states,” said Lampros Perogamvros, a researcher in the Sleep and Cognition Laboratory at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. His team also found that after the volunteers woke up from a bad dream, brain areas that control emotions responded to frightening situations much more effectively, according to the study published recently in the journal Human Brain Mapping. “We identified two brain regions implicated in the induction of fear experienced during the dream: the insula and the cingulate cortex,” Perogamvros said in a university news release. When a person is awake, the insula automatically activates when someone feels afraid, while the cingulate cortex assists in motor and behavioral reactions to threats. In further […]
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Latest Menopause News (HealthDay News) –The menopausal transition is a 7- to 14-year period when women have symptoms like hot flashes and changes in monthly cycles. Typically, the transition occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, says the U.S. National Institute on Aging. During this time, hormone production by the ovaries will vary. Because of this, bones become less dense and women may gain weight more easily. If you are experiencing symptoms associated with the menopausal transition, a doctor can determine if you’re entering that phase of your life. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. QUESTION If menopause occurs in a woman younger than ___ years, it is considered to be premature. See Answer
Latest Healthy Kids News (HealthDay News) — Nightmares are scary, disturbing dreams that are especially common in children. Episodes are usually short, but they can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night and make sleeping difficult, says Mayo Clinic. If nightmares are a problem for you or your child, Mayo Clinic suggests: Establish a relaxing routine before bedtime. Be patient and reassuring with your child. Talk about the dream. Remember that nightmares aren’t real. Imagine a happy ending for the nightmare instead. Provide comfort measures like a favorite blanket. Use a night light if needed. Consider stress-relief activities or seeking professional help. Copyright © 2019 HealthDay. All rights reserved. SLIDESHOW 17 Everyday Ways to Ease Depression See Slideshow
Latest Heart News WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Millions of Americans have the potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. Now, research suggests that being obese might undercut the effectiveness of certain drugs meant to treat AFib. The new study followed more than 300 patients listed in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s AFib Registry. Researchers found that a class of medicines called sodium channel blockers, which are often used to treat AFib, were less effective in obese patients. In fact, the recurrence rate for the heart arrhythmia was 30% for obese patients taking sodium channel blockers, compared with 6% for non-obese patients. That could be bad news for many patients, since obesity is a big risk factor for AFib, said a team led by Dr. Dawood Darbar, head of cardiology at the university’s College of Medicine. Still, obese patients may have a viable option: Darbar’s team found that another class of drugs, called potassium channel blockers, worked better in obese patients. “This is the first time anyone has shown that there is a differential response to anti-arrhythmic drugs for AFib,” Darbar said in a university news release. “As 50% of the patients in our AFib Registry […]
Latest Diabetes News By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Christina Herrera was 44 years old when she felt the symptoms of a heart attack. “I was sweating, having heart palpitations and out of breath,” the high school teacher said. “My school nurse said, ‘I have to call an ambulance for you,’ and I said I’d go later. I had to get back to my class. She said, ‘You have to go now.’” It’s a good thing Herrera listened to her. Doctors couldn’t initially find anything wrong with her heart, but they suggested a heart catheterization. That’s a procedure where a thin tube is threaded through the blood vessels going to the heart. It allows doctors to see and sometimes treat narrowed blood vessels. In Herrera’s case, the doctors discovered three blockages. So the teacher who just wanted to go back to class ended up having triple bypass surgery. The Diabetes-Heart Disease Connection Herrera’s heart troubles didn’t come out of the blue. Her mother and father died from diabetes-related heart conditions, and her sister Jessica was only 35 when she died from diabetes-related heart complications. Herrera had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, but not yet full-blown type […]
What is trigger finger? Trigger finger can cause any digits of the hand to lock when opening or closing. Trigger finger is a “snapping” or “locking” condition of any of the digits of the hand when opening or closing. Stenosing tenosynovitis is the medical term for trigger finger. What causes trigger finger? Local swelling from inflammation or scarring of the tendon sheath (tenosynovium) around the flexor tendons causes trigger finger. These tendons normally pull the affected digit inward toward the palm (flexion). When they are inflamed, they tend to catch where they normally slide through the tendon sheath. What are risk factors for trigger finger? Usually, trigger finger occurs as an isolated condition because of repetitive trauma. Activities such as gardening, pruning, and clipping, etc., are risk factors for trigger finger. Sometimes, trigger finger is an associated condition resulting from an underlying illness or medical condition that causes inflammation of tissues of the hand, such as rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, data presented at the 2005 American College of Rheumatology national meeting suggested that a majority of patients with rheumatoid arthritis have inflammation around the tendons of the palm of the hand that could develop into trigger finger. Trigger finger most […]
Latest Alzheimer’s News By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter MONDAY, Dec. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Playing cards and board games like chess, bingo and Scrabble might be the mental workout you need to keep your wits as you age, Scottish researchers suggest. People in their 70s who regularly play board games score higher on tests of memory and thinking skills than those who don’t. And 70-somethings who step up their game-playing are more likely to maintain thinking skills as they age, researchers say. “Playing board, card and word games may protect people from cognitive decline, but this study wasn’t an intervention, so we can’t say that for sure,” said lead researcher Drew Altschul, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. “But it, at very least, is fun, inexpensive, and it certainly won’t hurt you.” He doesn’t think it’s the social aspect of these activities that provides this brain-protective effect, but rather the challenge of the games themselves. Unlike reading, writing, taking classes, visiting museums, libraries or friends and relatives, games appear to more actively engage abilities like memory, thinking speed and reasoning, Altschul said. “So, this fits with what we call the ‘use it or lose it’ theory, that […]
A new study shows that pulses of minimally invasive ultrasound waves improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s disease by immediately and significantly reducing tremors. Share on PinterestA new technique may help reduce tremors in Parkinson’s disease. The study involved a minimally invasive procedure that offers significant benefits over some other treatments that carry higher risks. Dr. Federico Bruno, a radiologist in the Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences at the University of L’Aquila in Italy, led the research. The procedure uses a technology called magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) that works by focusing sound energy beams to eradicate a small part of the thalamus in the brain. Although a procedure called deep brain stimulation has been successful in some people, it carries potential risks, such as bleeding and infections. Deep brain stimulation requires a surgical procedure, which involves a surgeon implanting a small electrode into the brain. The implant connects with a pacemaker-like device in the chest. MRgFUS does not require an incision and has far fewer inherent risks. The device works by relieving tremors on the opposite side of the body to the treatment point. For example, tremors on the right side of the […]
The tendency to have an enhanced response to negative facial expressions is common in people with depression. The findings of a new study show that treatment can reduce this bias. Share on PinterestPeople with depression are prone to negative thinking, but this may only be temporary, a new study suggests. People with depression can be highly sensitive to negative events. Past studies have found that these individuals can recollect negative words and identify sad facial expressions more accurately than those not living with depression. These findings fall into the emotional information processing category. A new study, appearing in Biological Psychology, has investigated whether a similar pattern occurs in a different form of information processing. Automatic information processing refers to cognitive processes that occur with little effort or attention from the person. For example, walking or driving a car. Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, wanted to see whether the negative bias in emotional information processing happened automatically and whether the findings changed over time. “It is important to study the automatic processing phase because the brain constantly encodes stimuli that are outside of the conscious attention,” says doctoral student Elisa Ruohonen. Following the methods of earlier studies, the researchers […]
Cancer treatments can save lives, but they also often cause a range of side effects. A recent patient survey in the United States has revealed how people feel about these effects and the information gaps that currently exist. Share on PinterestA new patient survey reveals the information needs of people receiving cancer treatment. About one-third of people in the U.S. will develop cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are the three main types of treatment. Each can come with a range of side effects, which vary from person to person. Some people may experience few or only mild effects, while others may find them debilitating. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy tend to have more side effects because they affect healthy cells as well as cancerous ones. People undergoing these treatments commonly report fatigue, along with hair loss. Other potential side effects include nausea and vomiting, changes in appetite and mood, and sleep problems. Chemotherapy can, in some cases, result in long-term heart or nerve damage or fertility issues. Radiation therapy may also affect the skin, leading to sore, dry, or itchy patches. Patients’ desire for more information Few statistics exist to estimate what percentage of […]
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Almost one in three people will develop shingles in their lifetime. There are roughly one million cases reported in the United States annually. Even though you may be living a healthy lifestyle, you could still be at risk.
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