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What Is Nexium? Nexium (esomeprazole) is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) available to people with stomach acid-related conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition to treating GERD in adults and children, Nexium can help prevent stomach ulcers caused by medications, infection, and other causes. Esomeprazole comes in delayed-release capsules, delayed-release granules, tablet form, and powder for oral suspension. Nexium is available as a prescription medication. However, you can buy Nexium 24HR over the counter (OTC) in a lower dosage form to treat frequent heartburn (two or more days a week)....

What Is Niacor? Niacor (niacin) is an orally administered prescription medication that is used to lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), known as “bad cholesterol”, in the blood along with triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) by restricting the build-up of lipids (fat cells). Niacor works by blocking how your liver makes cholesterol, as cholesterol can stick to the walls of your arteries and narrow or block them....

If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), then you know how the varied symptoms associated with the disease can affect your ability to function well. Multiple sclerosis may have a profound effect on your ability to sit up, walk, and navigate stairs safely. The symptoms can limit your daily work and recreational activities. Physical therapy for MS may be a useful modality of care, as it may help you maintain strength, flexibility, balance, and overall functional mobility....

Posterior cortical atrophy, also called Benson’s syndrome, is a neurodegenerative disorder of the brain that produces a number of visual symptoms. Loss of visual skills is the predominant effect of this condition. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, the effects can be frustrating. Because the visual changes of Benson’s syndrome are complicated, it may take a while for your medical team to reach the right diagnosis....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks your joints and skin. It affects up to 30% of people with psoriasis, an inflammatory skin condition. Because PsA causes chronic inflammation, it can lead to gradual bone erosion. Bone erosion refers to bony defects that develop from excessive local bone resorption (breakdown) and inadequate bone formation. Bone erosion is typically caused by erosive arthritis conditions like PsA and rheumatoid arthritis (RA)....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and entheses (the connective tissue between bone and tendons or ligaments). Common symptoms of PsA are joint pain, swelling, and morning stiffness. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), PsA affects up to 30% of people with the autoimmune skin condition psoriasis. Both PsA and psoriasis are autoimmune diseases, conditions where the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues....

Psychotic depression is a subtype of major depressive disorder (MDD). It is also referred to as MDD with psychotic features. Psychotic depression symptoms are the same as those of MDD, such as feeling sad, listlessness, and having sleep problems, but they also include symptoms of psychosis. The hallmark symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment of psychotic depression. Definition of Psychosis Psychosis is not a condition in and of itself, but rather a symptom or an experience....

Emotional abuse, sometimes called psychological abuse, is a pattern of behaviors where one person subjects another person to nonphysical acts that harm another person’s overall ability to function and their mental well-being. Emotional abuse has many forms, and while it’s not always easy to identify, it can have serious and lasting effects. Although emotional abuse does not correspond to the trauma criteria required for a formal diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it can still lead to significant mental and physical consequences....

If you have heart failure, it is important for you to know what kinds of symptoms you can experience. By paying close attention to your symptoms, you can help your healthcare provider optimize your therapy, both to keep your symptoms at bay and to reduce your chances of having some of the more serious complications of heart failure. Most symptoms caused by heart failure can be divided into three general categories: Symptoms due to fluid overload and congestionSymptoms due to reduced cardiac pumpingSymptoms due to cardiac arrhythmias Fluid Overload and Lung Congestion Fluid overload and lung congestion are unfortunately frequent in people with heart failure and are the most frequent reasons people with heart failure develop symptoms....

Intramuscular (IM) injections are shots delivered to a large muscle. The shot can be given by a healthcare provider or self-administered to any one of four injection sites on the body. IM injections are used for people of all ages, including infants. Some IM injection sites may be preferred over others, depending on the age of the recipient, the type of medication used, the dose, the intramuscular needle size, and whether the shot is being given to yourself or by someone else....

Some states—like those in the Southwest and across the Great Plains—are leading the nation when it comes to COVID-19 vaccine dose administration, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. Key Takeaways Indian Health Services (IHS) receives COVID-19 vaccine allocation separately from state allocation in most cases.Some IHS areas are outpacing states when it comes to vaccine rollout in the regions they serve.IHS attributes its success to autonomy from state eligibility requirements, good communication and messaging, and eliminating barriers to vaccine access....

Vaginal pimples and other bumps can often appear around the outer part of the female genitalia (the vulva). They can be caused by ingrown hairs, infected hair follicles, cysts, some sexually transmitted infections, and other health conditions. Some vaginal bumps can be treated with home remedies and good hygiene practices, while others may need medical treatment. This article discusses the various causes of vaginal bumps, including vaginal pimples, and how they’re diagnosed, treated, and prevented....

Water births, especially at-home water births, have become increasingly more popular over the past few decades. Water delivery is when at least a portion of labor happens in a tub of warm water. The information about the safety and benefits of water labor and delivery is still limited. This article discusses what happens during a water birth and the potential benefits and risks of a water delivery. Stages of a Labor With a Water Delivery There are three different stages of labor:...

A mono rash is typically a red, blotchy rash that appears on the chest and back of people with mononucleosis, an infectious disease most often caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). A rash may occur because of mono itself or in response to medications used to treat it. A mono rash can vary from one person to the next, both in its appearance and accompanying symptoms. The rashes may be raised or flat, widespread or localized, or itchy or non-itchy....

Situational depression isn’t a formal diagnosis found in the DSM-5 (the latest tool for diagnosing mental disorders, also called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: Fifth Edition). It’s a term that describes depression that occurs in response to a specific event. Another name for situational depression is adjustment disorder with depressed mood. This article discusses what is meant by situational depression. It also covers the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and ways to cope....

Yerba maté is an herbal tea that has been touted for a number of health benefits but has also been linked to an elevated risk of cancer. Commonly used in South America, the tea has been hitting the shelves of health food stores in the United States and other countries where it is marketed as a supplement to improve energy levels and assist in weight loss. Despite having antioxidant properties, population studies have demonstrated increased rates of esophageal, head and neck, bladder, and some other cancers among users of the tea....

Regular exercise is a vital aspect of type 1 diabetes management. It can help improve insulin sensitivity, control blood glucose (blood sugar), and provide other benefits specific to ongoing diabetes care as well as to overall health. At the same time, physical activity can pose certain challenges to someone with type 1 diabetes: Without careful planning around meals and snacks, it can lead to dangerous dips in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) both during a workout and afterwards....

Acupuncture involves inserting very thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body. This traditional Chinese medicine practice originated thousands of years ago and is based on the premise that inserting these needles into points on the body restores the flow of qi—the body’s energy—to promote healing, reduce pain, and encourage relaxation. Acupuncture is thought to be helpful in addressing a variety of health conditions, including knee pain caused by arthritis or injury....

Thyroid hormone plays an essential role in regulating metabolism, and a deficiency can disrupt many body functions, including heart rate, metabolism, and body temperature. Thyroid hormone replacement is an effective treatment that helps restore and balance thyroid hormone levels. If left untreated, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can progressively slow body functions and lead to health issues, including heart disease, weight gain, joint and muscle pain, and depression. Myxedema is the most advanced form of hypothyroidism....

The American Medical Association (AMA), which is the nation’s largest association of doctors, has formally recognized racism as a public health threat. On November 16, the organization announced a new policy outlining its intention to work on alleviating the health effects of racism. Key Takeaways The American Medical Association (AMA) announced a new policy acknowledging the effect of racism on public health—pledging to take action.The organization is calling for increased medical education on racism, support for research and policy development, and a pledge to work on preventing bias in new health technology....