Surgery doesn’t come cheap, and you will want to know how (or if) Medicare is going to pay for it long before you go under the knife. Some surgeries will automatically be covered by Medicare Part A but others will be covered by Medicare Part B. The difference could add up to thousands more in out-of-pocket expenses. Preparing for Surgery There are several things you need to think about before having surgery....
Love addiction, or pathological love, is a controversial term for when a person becomes unhealthily attached to romantic love. Love addiction is associated with codependency or insecure attachment. While not an “official” diagnosis, it may be considered part of a larger addictive behavioral pattern. This article discusses the signs and symptoms of love addiction, accessible ways to start treatment, and some self-soothing and coping strategies. Love Addiction Meaning Love addiction is characterized by obsession, compulsive behaviors, anxiety, and negative life consequences as a result of romantic interest....
Medicaid is a government-run program that provides health coverage to Americans with low income (note that Medicaid and Medicare are two very different programs). The Medicaid program is jointly funded and run by the federal government and the state governments. Although the federal government sets various minimum standards, states have the flexibility to set their own eligibility rules and benefits. This has resulted in a Medicaid coverage gap in some states....
Medicare was designed to be an affordable healthcare option for older adults and people with qualifying disabilities. That does not mean it can’t get expensive at times. Part of the problem lies in costs that are not always transparent, especially when it comes to who provides that service and where you get it. This article will show you where to look for hidden fees and how to protect yourself from unwanted bills when you are on Medicare....
Ibuprofen and Mobic (meloxicam) are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat inflammation and pain. Brand names for ibuprofen are Advil and Motrin. Mobic is available by prescription only, while ibuprofen can be found over-the-counter (OTC) Your healthcare provider might recommend Mobic or ibuprofen to treat arthritis pain and inflammation. These drugs work in similar ways, but they also have differences in their strength (meloxicam is a stronger anti-inflammatory), their dosage, and more....
Noonan syndrome is a condition that produces a characteristic physical appearance as well as physiological changes that impact the body’s function in several ways. Designated as a rare disease, it is estimated that this condition affects approximately 1 out of 1000 to 2500 people. Noonan Syndrome is not associated with any particular geographic region or ethnic group. While Noonan syndrome is not life-threatening, if you have the condition you may experience associated illnesses, including heart disease, bleeding disorders, and some types of cancer at some point during your lifetime....
Going through menopause can increase a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis. A main reason for the increased risk is reduced estrogen, which can cause bone loss. Estrogen generally protects your bones, but when you reach menopause, your estrogen levels drop. That drop can lead to bone loss, and left untreated, bone loss can eventually lead to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Keep reading to learn about the link between osteoporosis and menopause....
Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid cancer. This cancer type affects the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of the neck (right below your Adam’s apple). The thyroid is comprised of two main types of cells—follicular cells and c-cells. Follicular cells make and store thyroid hormones—papillary thyroid cancer starts within these cells. This cancer progresses slowly and tends to affect only one lobe of the thyroid gland....
Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs that inflames the air sacs, sometimes filling them with fluid or pus. It can be caused by a number of different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, as well as by aspirating (inhaling) a foreign object. Pneumonia affects millions of people every year, particularly children under age 5 and adults over age 65, as well as people who are hospitalized or who have chronic illnesses or immunosuppression....
What Is Qbrexza? Qbrexza (glycopyrronium tosylate) is a topical prescription drug used to reduce excessive underarm sweating. Healthcare providers can prescribe it to adults and children 9 years or older. Specific molecules in the body trigger sweating. Too much triggering of these molecules can cause excessive sweating in some people, especially in the armpits. Qbrexza belongs to a class of drugs called anticholinergics. It works by blocking communication to the sweat glands, which helps to reduce sweating....
Breast implants have been associated with health issues, including immune disorders and cancer. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that in addition to the standard risk of surgical complications and implant rupture, breast implants are also associated with breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), which is a type of cancer and with systemic symptoms that are described as breast implant illness (BII). This article discusses the health issues that have been associated with silicone breast implants....
Spinal cord compression—also called cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)— is caused by any condition that puts pressure on the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves running down the middle of the back. It sends send messages back and forth from the brain to muscles and soft tissues. As the spinal cord travels down the back, it is protected by the vertebral column, which is a stack of bones that hold the body upright....
The Watchman procedure is a surgery in which a small device is permanently implanted into the heart to close the left atrial appendage (LAA) in order to prevent blood clots from escaping. Also called a left atrial appendage closure, it is done to reduce the risk of stroke in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (Afib) and is an alternative to long-term use of blood thinners. What Is the Watchman Procedure? Watchman is a device that is about the size of a quarter....
Xywav (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates) is a brand name prescription drug. The Food and Drug Administration approved it to treat narcolepsy symptoms in adults ages 7 and older and idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) in adults. Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder that causes overwhelming daytime sleepiness, interrupted sleep, and cataplexy—sudden, brief episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis that occur while a person is awake. IH is a neurologic disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness despite a person getting a full night’s sleep....
Acne mechanica is a form of acne that anyone can get, but it’s especially common in athletes, students, and soldiers. This type of acne is triggered by excess heat, pressure, friction, or rubbing of the skin, often at the shoulders or the inner thighs. Acne mechanica differs from other types of acne and isn’t related to a hormonal cause. It does, however, respond to many of the same treatments and will often resolve with at-home remedies and prevention....
Cafe-au-lait spots (CALS) are brown spots on the skin. They are a type of birthmark, meaning part of the skin has a different color from the rest. These spots are often present at birth but may appear or become more visible with age. Having a few of these spots is common and harmless. Multiple (especially more than six) cafe-au-lait spots could indicate a genetic disorder. This article reviews cafe-au-lait spots, what they look like, associated conditions, when to see a healthcare provider, diagnosis, and treatment....
As you may well know, living with type 2 diabetes often means cutting out or cutting back on foods and beverages that can affect sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. But alcohol doesn’t necessarily have to be one of them. In fact, some evidence shows that many people with type 2 diabetes can safely enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages. And believe it or not, moderate drinking may even bring about some benefits....
Congestive heart failure (CHF) happens when the heart becomes weak and can’t pump blood effectively to meet the demands of your body. It’s a chronic condition that worsens over time, and there are four stages of the disease. These stages range from “high risk of developing heart failure” to “advanced heart failure.” As your CHF gets worse, your heart muscle pumps less blood to your organs and you progress through the stages....
Though seizures are the main symptom of all types of epilepsy, the full scope of epilepsy symptoms and signs varies. Common symptoms include muscle jerking and contractions, brief loss of consciousness or awareness, weakness, anxiety, and staring. However, the specific symptoms you have depend on your type of epilepsy. Even though there are many different types of seizures, yours will typically be similar each time they occur. Frequent Symptoms If you have epilepsy, you may experience a variety of symptoms before, during, or after a seizure....
What Is Evista? Evista (raloxifene) is an oral medication used to prevent and treat a bone condition called osteoporosis in postmenopausal people. It is also used to reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal people at high risk. Evista is a selective estrogen receptor modulator. These medications chemically resemble the hormone estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors in different parts of the body. Estrogen receptors are found in tissues like the uterus, breast, or bone....
