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The treatment for meningitis is based on the cause and the severity of inflammation. Treatment is focused on reducing swelling and inflammation around the brain and on maintaining your physical comfort as you recover. The treatment will also include antibiotics if your meningitis is caused by a bacterial infection, and antivirals for some specific types of viral infections. Keep in mind that vaccines are among the most effective ways to prevent infectious meningitis....

Increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and balancing glutamate, brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, may help alleviate symptoms of fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Glutamate stimulates the brain, while GABA calms it down, and both can be out of balance in people with these conditions. When glutamate is too high and GABA levels are too low, as is the case with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, symptoms like hyperalgesia, anxiety, restlessness, brain fog, insomnia, mental exhaustion, and low energy can occur or worsen....

When it comes to arthritis pain, some people prefer ice, others prefer heat, and some choose to alternate these. Each of these approaches may help ease the symptoms of arthritis. Arthritis is a group of diseases characterized by joint inflammation. These include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and osteoarthritis, which is the most common type of arthritis and is a known as wear-and-tear arthritis. Arthritis affects about 1 in 4 adults in the United States....

There is light at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic tunnel thanks to the two U.S. authorized COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Still, while the vaccines are currently being rolled out, about 27% of Americans say that they are reluctant to get vaccinated. Key Takeaways During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot. Doing so will help keep you from getting sick and reduce the current strain on healthcare systems....

Insulin resistance is when your body does not respond to insulin as it should. It is also known as impaired glucose tolerance. Insulin helps your cells use the sugar glucose for energy. When your body is resistant to insulin, glucose can build up in your blood, causing high blood sugar. Insulin resistance can progress to prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. If left untreated, long-term complications may develop, which include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and vascular disease....

What Is Jublia? Jublia (efinaconazole) is an antifungal drug used to treat onychomycosis (fungal infections of the toenails). It belongs to a drug class called azole antifungals. Jublia is a clear and colorless to pale yellow topical liquid. It works by stopping the growth of specific types of fungus that can cause toenail infection. Hence, causing the death of the fungus. What Is Jublia Used For? Jublia (efinaconazole) is a 10% topical solution used to treat onychomycosis (fungal infections of the toenails)....

What Is Lomotil? Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) is a prescription (Rx) drug used to treat diarrhea in people 13 years or older. It belongs to a drug class called antidiarrheals and works by slowing the function of the bowel. Lomotil contains two ingredients: diphenoxylate and atropine. The body converts diphenoxylate into an active chemical called difenoxine. Difenoxine attaches to receptors on the gut wall, inhibiting peristalsis. Peristalsis is involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation....

Cozaar (losartan potassium, also known as losartan), is a commonly used oral medication for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) and complications of other diseases affected by high blood pressure. It is not a cure for the condition, simply a way to manage it. Researchers are also looking into its possible uses to treat complications of COVID-19, although its effectiveness is not yet known. Cozaar (losartan) belongs to a class of medications known as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)....

If you’ve lost your health insurance and you’re looking for a replacement health plan, you may be alarmed to learn that your state’s health insurance exchange (and off-exchange market, where you buy coverage directly from an insurer instead of through the exchange) limits plan purchases to an annual open enrollment period (November 1 to January 15 in most states). But what happens if you’re losing your health insurance and have months to go before the next open enrollment period?...

Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone in the brain that influences sleeping and waking. The body produces melatonin on its own, but it can also be manufactured and sold as a sleep aid. Melatonin can impact the sleep-wake cycle (or circadian rhythm) and conception. This article will cover the effects of melatonin, the relationship between melatonin and reproductive hormones, and how melatonin affects birth control. Sleep Effects of Melatonin The pineal gland in the brain produces melatonin....

There are many challenges that marriages and devoted partnerships can face over the years. And while you or your partner being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) may not be the most difficult, the disease will likely have some impact on your relationship. While MS can be disruptive and emotionally draining for both of you, you can certainly grow closer to each other and learn how to support one another while living with this condition....

Mucinous breast cancer, also called colloid breast cancer, is a rare kind of invasive ductal breast cancer. Like other types of invasive ductal cancer, it starts in a milk duct of the breast and spreads to nearby healthy tissues. With mucinous carcinoma, the jelly-like tumor is made of abnormal cells floating in pools of mucin, a key ingredient in the slippery compound called mucus. Most mucinous carcinomas of the breast are estrogen- and progesterone-receptor positive....

Common symptoms of multiple myeloma may include bone pain (in the back or ribs), fever, extreme weakness, and fatigue. A diagnosis of any type of cancer can be overwhelming, but learning about the signs, symptoms, and complications can help people with myeloma know what to expect. Symptoms The specific symptoms of multiple myeloma, including the age of onset and the rate of its progression, vary from person to person. Some people do not have symptoms at all in the early stage of the disease....

Diarrhea can be unpleasant and worrisome at any time of day. Waking at night with symptoms of diarrhea, however, can make these feelings and frustrations worse, as it disrupts your sleep. Diarrhea is a condition in which you have urgent, loose, or watery stools. Nocturnal diarrhea is when you experience these symptoms at night, often awakening you from your sleep. Nocturnal diarrhea can have many causes and can last from a day or two to more than a month, depending on the cause....

Pearly penile papules (PPP) are common, harmless bumps that develop around the base of the head of the penis. Also known as hirsutoid papillomas or hirsuties papillaris genitalis, these bumps are normal and thought to affect as many as 48% of people with penises. As per their name, PPPs are tiny bumps (papules) on the penis that often have a slightly pearlescent sheen. They can also be flesh-colored or have a pinkish or yellowish hue....

What Is Promethazine DM? Promethazine DM (dextromethorphan and promethazine) is a combination cough syrup that treats common cold and allergy symptoms. It has two active ingredients: Dextromethorphan and promethazine. Warning Promethazine DM should not be used in children under two years of age due to the potential for causing very slow breathing, which can be fatal (i.e., fatal respiratory depression). Dextromethorphan is a non-narcotic cough suppressant (antitussive) that stops coughs and doesn’t contain narcotics that can be addictive....

Severe combined immunodeficiencies are a group of closely related genetic diseases that severely impair the immune system. They are sometimes called “SCID” (pronounced “skid”). If unrecognized and untreated, SCIDs are potentially fatal. SCIDs are rare, affecting roughly one infant in 58,000. Over 200 different forms of SCID have been identified. In the 1970s and 80s, the term “bubble boy disease” became popularized due to a famous child with a SCID who lived for most of his shortened life in a plastic bubble (to protect him from microorganisms)....

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, is an inflammation of the air spaces around your nose and eyes, including the paranasal cavities. When sinus drainage is blocked, the sinuses fill with mucus, and this can cause a sensation of pain and pressure. Acute sinus infections often start with inflammation from allergies or viral infection (such as a cold) and sometimes develop into a bacterial infection. Chronic sinus infections are usually due to ongoing inflammation....

Birth control pills are one of the most common causes of spotting between menstrual periods. This spotting is also known as breakthrough bleeding. If it occurs, it typically happens when an oral contraceptive is either started or switched. Most cases of breakthrough bleeding are not reason for concern. But it’s important to keep track of spotting that is heavy or frequent. This may be a sign of a more serious health concern....

Breast cancer is a complicated condition that often requires care from several different providers. Telehealth services can help save time and allow you to receive some of your care at home. Telehealth services include virtual appointments, patient portal communications, and online education. These services are becoming more common in breast cancer care, especially in light of the need to socially distance due to COVID-19. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers’ offices are taking special precautions to allow for safe in-person care....