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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory autoimmune disease that targets the joints and other parts of the body, posing physical and emotional challenges that often interfere with daily life. Many people with RA find it helpful to rely on a trusted source for support with lifestyle modifications. While research shows that providing care for someone with RA can take a toll on the caregiver’s mental health and well-being, proactively arming both parties with knowledge and tools, along with keeping an open mind, can make a big difference in successfully coping with RA....

Scientists began working to develop vaccines to prevent infection and end the pandemic very soon after the first appearance of the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. However, creating a vaccine was a massive task because researchers initially knew little about the virus. Also, at first, it wasn’t even clear if a vaccine would be possible. Since that time, researchers have made unprecedented strides. They have designed several vaccines in a much faster time frame than has ever been done before....

D-mannose is a type of sugar that can be found in certain fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, cabbage, and tomatoes. It’s also produced in the body from glucose, another form of sugar. D-mannose is also called mannose. As a dietary supplement, D-mannose is sometimes used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or bladder inflammation (cystitis) from infections. Though more research is needed, some studies suggest it could be helpful when used alongside standard treatment....

Does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) cover people with celiac disease? How about guaranteeing gluten-free food? What can and can’t the ADA do for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity? The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does plenty more than simply require businesses to provide wheelchair ramps and handicapped-accessible bathrooms. The act prevents discrimination in employment based on disability, and it also requires virtually all public facilities to be accessible to those with disabilities....

An endoscopy is a procedure that allows your healthcare provider to examine the body’s internal organs by inserting a medical tool through a natural opening in the body or through a small incision. The instrument used—called an endoscope—is a thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera, light, and sometimes a surgical tool attached to it. The camera transmits back a picture onto a screen in the exam room, giving your healthcare provider a first-hand look at what’s going on inside the body....

If you have been diagnosed with HIV, you will have more likely than not been infected with HIV-1. HIV-1 is one of two types of the virus, along with HIV-2, circulating around the world today. HIV-1 is similar to HIV-2 in that they both cause disease in the same way. They do so by entering the body and infecting a type of white blood cell—called a CD4 T cell—that is responsible for signaling the immune response....

Acute renal failure occurs when the kidneys are suddenly unable to filter wastes from the blood. It is a complication of any number of diseases or disorders, the effect of which leads to the rapid build-up of toxins and a cascade of symptoms ranging from decreased urination and fatigue to chest pains and seizures. If acute renal failure is suspected, blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound, and biopsies may be ordered to confirm and establish the level of impairment....

It’s not unusual for people with celiac disease to report having problems with their gallbladders. As it turns out, the link between celiac and gallbladder issues may not be just an anecdotal one: several studies have linked celiac disease and certain types of gallbladder disease. However, there’s some debate over whether people with celiac actually are at higher risk for the most common type of gallbladder disease: gallstones. This common and painful digestive condition does affect many people who also have celiac disease, but there isn’t much evidence indicating that people with celiac are at any higher risk for gallstones than people who don’t have celiac disease....

Telehealth appointments are an increasingly popular way to interact with medical specialists, including those that treat chronic illnesses such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis. What Is Telemedicine? Telemedicine is a broad term that encompasses the use of various forms of telecommunication—including telephone, video calls, texts, email, patient portals, and social media—for health care. There are a variety of tools available where you and your provider can see and hear each other over video or send real-time messages back and forth....

Pain management is an incredibly important topic for surgery patients. Prior to surgery, patients are often concerned that their pain needs will not be met and they will suffer needlessly after their procedure. Post-surgery pain management must find a common ground between the safety of the patient and reducing pain to a reasonable and tolerable level during recovery. The process is often the responsibility of the surgeon. Their expertise and experience in performing specific procedures guide them in properly providing pain medication that is adequate for the typical patient....

There are plenty of ways an object could get stuck in your ear, and in fact, things often get lodged in there. Because a foreign body in the ear can cause significant ear pain, knowing how to treat it can provide relief. An object lodged in the ear is something that especially impacts children. That’s because curious kids often place things like rocks, pebbles, beads, or even food in their orifices, including their ears....

Americans can now order their fourth round of free at-home COVID tests from a government website called COVIDTests.gov. This time, each household will receive four tests. Key Takeaways Families can now order free at-home COVID tests online.There are other options to get tested beyond using an at-home test.Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to prevent severe illness and hospitalizations. While the free test program was suspended in September due to lack of funds from Congress, the renewed effort is part of the Biden Administration’s plan to stave off winter COVID cases that may stem from indoor holiday gatherings....

Staying healthy involves many different day-to-day habits. Avoiding infections is an important aspect of preventing both the short-term inconvenience of being sick, the long-term complications, and reducing the risk of spreading infections to others who might be especially vulnerable to severe illness. With the worldwide attention of the COVID-19 risks and prevention, more people are taking steps to avoid the spread of infections—and the results benefit everyone. There are several simple and effective ways to reduce your risk of transmittable infections no matter the type....

Roughly 57% of people in the United States have never gotten infected with COVID-19, according to the estimates from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) seroprevalence (testing for antibodies in blood) survey. Researchers are now taking a closer look at the “never COVID” cohort as well, or people who may be immune due to past infection, vaccines, or a combination of both. Key Takeaways Antibody tests can be useful to confirm a prior COVID-19 infection, but this method is not completely reliable or accurate....

The choice to have children or not is one of the most important decisions many people will make in life. There are a host of aspects to think about when it comes to pregnancy and birth, and chief among these is how your choices will affect your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). One of the most vital factors in giving the best possible chance for a healthy pregnancy and baby in people with vaginas with IBD is the state of the disease when conception takes place....

Arthritis of the knee joint is one of the most common causes of knee pain. Different types of arthritis can affect the knee joint, and the treatment varies depending on the specific condition that is causing the symptoms. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of knee arthritis. It is characterized by progressive wearing away of the cartilage in the joint. As the protective cartilage is worn away, bone is exposed, the knee becomes swollen, and activities become increasingly painful....

Prediabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels are higher than average but not high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. While prediabetes can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes, you can prevent or delay its onset by making lifestyle changes, such as exercising and adopting a well-balanced diet. This article discusses foods to avoid and add to your diet to lower your blood sugar (glucose) and reduce your risk of developing diabetes....

Breast ptosis or sagging of the breast can occur with age, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and weight loss. A breast lift (mastopexy) surgery is a cosmetic procedure that raises and restores a youthful appearance of the breast. This is accomplished by removing excess skin and tightening, reshaping, and supporting breast tissue. There are several different incision patterns and techniques used in breast lift surgery. Each technique is suited to different types of patients and desired results....

Nervousness is a feeling of fear, worry, or apprehension. Feeling nervous on occasion is normal and even beneficial. While nervousness is usually temporary and specific to a situation, it can also be a symptom of an anxiety disorder. With anxiety disorders, the nervousness is excessive or persistent, and can affect a person’s ability to function in daily life. Read on to learn more about nervousness, its symptoms, causes, and when it needs to be addressed....

While far more common in people with diabetes, hypoglycemia—or blood sugar below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)—can occur in people who don’t have the disease, too. Non-diabetic hypoglycemia can be caused by a variety of factors, including medications, alcohol use, medical conditions, low levels of certain hormones, or insulin overproduction. This rare condition is usually diagnosed based on symptoms, blood sugar levels, and how your symptoms respond when you eat sugar....