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When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the complications of your condition can be serious and even life-threatening. To safeguard your own health, it’s important to learn the signs and symptoms of these possible complications, ranging from shortness of breath and exacerbations to pulmonary hypertension and collapsed lung. To reduce your risk of developing other health issues when you have COPD, it’s also key to closely follow your healthcare provider’s plan of care....

According to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 variants of concern are not currently causing a disproportionate number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in vaccinated people in the United States. Key Takeaways According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 variants of concern are not causing a disproportionate number of infections in vaccinated people in the United States.Breakthrough cases are rare, mostly mild, and occurring at an anticipated rate....

People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing joint diseases, or arthropathies, and these conditions can potentially lead to permanent destructive changes in the joints, causing pain and limiting proper mobility needed to perform functional movements and everyday activities. What Is Diabetic Arthropathy? In patients with diabetes, decreased sensation in the joints as a result of diabetic peripheral neuropathy can cause chronic and progressive arthropathy. It occurs as a result of increased laxity of ligaments, increased range of motion of joints, instability, and repetitive microtraumas with poor healing that can damage joints over time....

Eye infections happen because of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. They can affect any part of the eye, including the eyelid. An infection can affect one eye at a time or both. It is important to see your healthcare provider if you suspect you may have an eye infection. Types Conjunctivitis Another name for conjunctivitis is pink eye. It is an eye infection that affects the inside of the eyelid and the outer layer of the eye....

The primary tests used to diagnose bladder cancer include cystoscopy, urine cytology, imaging scans like MRI and CT scans, as well as a physical examination and discussion of symptoms with a healthcare provider. For women, the diagnostic process also includes a recto-vaginal exam, and for men, diagnosis involves a rectal exam and a prostate exam. Being evaluated for bladder cancer can be stressful and overwhelming. Read on to learn more about the process and the tests used to diagnose this form of cancer....

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy and typically resolves after the baby is born. Routine screenings test for gestational diabetes during pregnancy, between 24 and 28 weeks. People at increased risk or with risk factors for type 2 diabetes may need to be tested earlier. These screenings are important because symptoms of gestational diabetes are sometimes undetectable. Yet, gestational diabetes causes high blood sugar that will harm the pregnant person and fetus if left untreated....

Shoes can help with foot problems. If they don’t fit well, though, they can also cause problems. You don’t get to try your shoes on first when you buy them online. Instead, you rely on the labeled size and not how they fit. This is why it’s a good idea to shop for shoes in person. This article provides advice on how to choose the right shoes and ensure they fit you correctly....

Are you having trouble affording health insurance? You’re not alone. Health insurance can be so expensive that many low and middle-income people can’t afford it without help. This article will explain the financial assistance that’s available for health insurance coverage, and how you can apply for it. The majority of non-retired Americans get their health insurance from an employer, and employers heavily subsidize the cost. Most older, retired Americans get their coverage through Medicare, which is also heavily subsidized....

You probably know how to unclog your ears under some circumstances, such as driving up a mountain. In some situations, though, you should leave the ear unclogging to a healthcare provider so you don’t damage the delicate structures inside your ears. This article looks at when and how to unclog ears your ears on your own, the symptoms and causes that warrant seeing a professional, and the possible treatments. When and How to Unclog Your Ears Yourself When you first notice your ears are clogged, you can try:...

President Biden announced a new COVID-19 strategy plan in his March 1 State of the Union address, including a “Test to Treat” initiative. As a part of this initiative, people will be able to get tested for COVID-19 at a pharmacy, and receive free antiviral pills on the spot if they are positive. Key Takeaways People with a variety of health conditions can decrease their chance of severe COVID-19 by getting early treatment with a COVID medication....

Tinea cruris, also known as jock itch, is a fungal infection that occurs in the groin area. While it usually affects people with penises, anyone can get jock itch. Some people with jock itch develop blisters with a fungal rash. This can make the person question if they have genital herpes, but they are unrelated conditions. In this article, we discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of jock itch, and how the condition differs from herpes....

Knee pain is quite common and can be debilitating. A lot of things can cause pain in your knee(s), including medical conditions, trauma, and injuries from putting too much pressure on the joint. The key to proper treatment is finding out what causes your knee pain. Then your healthcare provider can form the right treatment plan for you. In this article, you’ll learn about many causes of knee pain, how they’re diagnosed, and what treatment options are available....

HIV, human immunodeficiency virus, affects every community differently, and, in the United States, people of color are disproportionately affected. This is true of the Latinx community, which accounts for 24% of all new HIV infections despite representing only 18% of the U.S. population. This article is part of Health Divide: HIV, a destination in our Health Divide series. Compared to Whites in the United States, Hispanic/Latinx people are four times more likely to get HIV and two to three times more likely to die as a result of the disease....

People with diabetes often become familiar with checking their blood sugar (glucose) levels by monitoring at home and through labs ordered by their doctors. Key Takeaways Leaders in diabetes care are encouraging people with diabetes to also monitor their “time in range” (TIR)—the percentage of time that their blood glucose remains within set parameters.Some experts say that continuous glucose monitoring can guide the management of diabetes better than spot finger stick blood sugars or hemoglobin A1C....

Night sweats are more than just a nuisance; they can also signify a medical condition. Hormonal imbalances, cancers, or infections can cause night sweats. Symptoms similar to night sweats, such as hot flashes or flushing, can also indicate a health concern. If you experience night sweats, you should discuss this with your healthcare provider. There is a wide range of causes and solutions that should be explored, some of which may require immediate treatment....

A nuclear stress test is an imaging test that involves an injection of a small amount of radioactive material (tracer) into a vein to create an image of your heart. Also simply known as a stress test, it can show how well your heart is pumping and how well blood is flowing through it while you exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike. A nuclear stress test is an important tool for diagnosing or monitoring heart problems like coronary artery disease (CAD) or congestive heart failure (CHF)....

Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (PJIA) is an autoimmune disease that affects children and teens before the age of 16 and is a type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This chronic disease can cause pain and inflammation in the joints. It involves more than four joints within the first six months of the disease. JIA affects about 294,000 children in the United States, and about 25% of these cases are PJIA....

Many people with breast cancer will undergo a mastectomy (removal of one or both breasts). Recovering from breast cancer surgery is both an emotional and physical challenge. Post-operative pain and surgical drains can make getting dressed difficult. In addition, the experience of losing part of your body can cause distress, anxiety, and fear. Although post-mastectomy bras and camisoles are important for physical healing, they can also improve self-image and confidence....

Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is a unique type of radiation treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells. Proton therapy is helpful in treating breast cancer because it can more precisely target tumors than traditional radiation. It also minimizes damage to the surrounding critical organs, like the heart and the lungs. This article will describe what proton therapy is and how it may be beneficial for people with breast cancer....

Sickle cell crisis is a health complication of sickle cell disease, an inherited blood disorder. It usually causes severe pain, and it happens due to an acute blood cell reaction. Sometimes sickle cell crisis is triggered by physical stress, such as an infection, and it can also happen without a trigger. Painful episodes are treated with pain medication. Medication is also available to help prevent sickle cell crisis. Some people who have sickle cell disease experience frequent crises, and some people with the condition rarely experience them....