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To ease a nagging headache or a sore back, many people take Advil or another brand of ibuprofen. While it’s often effective for easing pain and inflammation and generally well-tolerated, Advil, and similar medications like Motrin, are associated with a number of possible side effects. Some of these are very serious, such as an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and stomach bleeding. By learning about the benefits and potential dangers of taking Advil, you will have an idea of whether it is likely to be safe and effective for you....

What Is Baxdela? Baxdela (delafloxacin) is a prescription-only medication used to treat skin infections caused by bacteria and bacterial community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Baxdela belongs to a class of medications known as fluoroquinolone antibiotics. It works by blocking the activity of specific proteins needed for bacteria growth. Baxdela should only be prescribed for infections caused by the bacteria that Baxdela can effectively treat. This helps to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria....

Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar (a sweet watery plant substance), and bee saliva (spit) packed into the hive. Bee pollen has roughly 250 substances, which are thought to work together. This article discusses what you should know about bee pollen—its potential uses, side effects, and interactions. Uses of Bee Pollen Like many natural medications, people may use bee pollen for various reasons, such as to improve athletic performance....

At the beginning of her illness, Jocelyn Francis started experiencing flu-like symptoms, shakes, tremors, chronic fatigue, and brain fog. Key Takeaways Patients diagnosed with Lyme disease have a 28% higher rate of mental disorders, according to new research.As a condition, it can cause various different cognitive and psychological side-effects in the long run.Researchers hope these results will encourage both patients and doctors to keep an eye out for psychiatric symptoms resulting from the disease, particularly the first year after diagnosis....

What Is Briviact? Briviact (brivaracetam) is an antiepilepsy medication used to prevent seizures classified as partial-onset. Partial-onset seizures affect the nerve cells in one part of the brain. Brivaracetam is a derivative of a class of drugs called racetams. It has a strong tendency to bind to the synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain’s nerve cells, which may help it prevent seizures by modifying nerve signals. SV2A is a membrane protein that regulates nerve and neurotransmitter activity to prevent the excess electrical activity of seizures....

Chronic hypertension is a condition of longstanding elevated blood pressure. Blood pressure is the pressure that blood places on your arteries as it circulates in your body. Your heart must work against this pressure to pump blood. Known as the “silent killer,” high blood pressure does not usually cause symptoms but can lurk undetected for many years while causing damage to your heart and other organs. Read on to learn more about chronic hypertension and its causes, diagnosis, and potential negative affects on the body....

Cognitive impairment is the loss of certain mental functions including learning, memory, perception, and problem-solving. While the term tends to be associated with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, it is not always so severe or debilitating with other diseases, like multiple sclerosis (MS). With MS, the signs may be so subtle in the beginning that people don’t notice them. At other times, they may be aware of the mental glitches, but chalk them up to everything from getting older to simply being tired....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized a booster dose for everyone 5 years and older who completed their initial COVID-19 vaccine series. All three vaccines—Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson—have been authorized for boosters as of November 2021. Key Takeaways COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are now authorized for everyone 5 years and older in the U.S.Adults who meet eligibility criteria can choose any of the three authorized booster shots, although the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred....

It’s January 2019 in rural Vermont. Snow covers the ground as the temperature drops. Janet*, a former nurse and Vermont native, is pinned down in the snow by her abuser. He kicks her, leaving her in the snow with only her pajamas, and locks her out of the house. It is 28 degrees outside. While Janet has spent the last year removing herself from this situation, for women in abusive relationships living in rural areas, this is their reality....

Endometrial hyperplasia is a precancerous condition in which the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, becomes unusually thick due to a hormonal imbalance. Endometrial hyperplasia may lead to various symptoms, such as heavy menstrual periods, spotting, and post-menopausal bleeding. While risk factors vary, some conditions that cause too much of the hormone estrogen can lead to endometrial hyperplasia. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment may involve observation, managing certain risk factors, medication, and surgery....

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Not everyone with genital herpes will have symptoms. Some people may get sores and flu-like symptoms if they have genital herpes. In people with a vagina, genital herpes can also cause an unusual discharge. Learn more about genital herpes discharge, other symptoms of genital herpes, outbreak triggers, when to see a healthcare provider, and treatment options. Genital Herpes Discharge Genital herpes does not cause symptoms in everyone with the infection....

Neutrophils and lymphocytes are types of white blood cells that play a critical role in protecting the body from infections, among other roles. White blood cells are a key component of the body’s response to physical stress, and they coordinate the process known as inflammation. Counting the number of neutrophils and dividing by the number of lymphocytes, a ratio termed the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), is one way to measure inflammation within the body....

Headaches occur when there is pain in the head, face, or neck, which can be sharp, dull, or throbbing. Constipation occurs when a person has not had a bowel movement for more than three days. People with headaches may experience constipation at the same time. While both are common disorders on their own, studies do indicate they may occur together. Experiencing these two conditions simultaneously can indicate that another issue may be occurring....

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, health insurers in the U.S. have to cover certain preventive health care without requiring you to pay a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. That rule applies to all non-grandfathered major medical plans in both the individual/family and employer-sponsored markets. This article will explain how the preventive care rules work, what services are covered, and what you need to be aware of in terms of potential costs when you go to the doctor for a check-up....

Radiation therapists specialize in administering high doses of radiation to treat cancerous growths in patients. The radiation, which is delivered via various methods and in various forms, helps to damage or destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapists work in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and cancer treatment centers. Radiation therapists work as part of the cancer treatment team, which also includes an oncologist (a physician specializing in the treatment of cancer), nurses, medical imaging professionals, and more....

Stigma is negative ideas or attitudes toward a certain group. This can lead to discrimination, the action of treating one group differently than others. Self-stigma is when you have negative ideas or attitudes about yourself. Stigma can happen for a variety of reasons, including health conditions like mental illnesses, HIV, and even COVID-19. We often think of stigma as a judgment from other people, but sometimes we can internalize the feelings of others or society at large....

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are oral diabetes medications that make your body more sensitive to insulin. They can be used alone or with other medications to help you control your blood sugar. While they are often effective, especially when first-line diabetes treatments aren’t helping, there are downsides and contraindications to discuss with your healthcare provider. This article covers how thiazolidinediones work, their side effects, and contraindications. What Are Thiazolidinediones? Thiazolidinediones belong to a class of drugs known as heterocyclic compounds....

Ventricular dyssynchrony is a condition in which the ventricles (the lower two chambers) of the heart fail to beat in a coordinated manner. This condition can cause blood to become stuck in the heart and not effectively move to the rest of the body. There are many diagnostic tests and treatments available for people living with ventricular dyssynchrony. This article focuses on the types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatments of ventricular dyssynchrony....

Vision problems—such as diminished vision, double vision, and blurred vision—are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), while a visual field cut is rare. This is because the disease often affects the optic nerves and the part of the brain responsible for eye movement, and less often the areas of the brain responsible for vision. Visual changes can be the first sign of MS and may linger for longer than other effects of the disease....

Vitamin C is legendary in the skin care world. In fact, some say it is the holy grail for all things skin-related, and for good reason. This incredible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory nutrient is known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, and reduce signs of aging. You can get vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, but that’s not the only way to enjoy its benefits for skin health—it’s widely used in cosmetic products....