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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that primarily affects the joints of the hands, wrists, and knees, but any joint in the body can be affected. For some people, RA can damage other body systems, including the skin, eyes, heart, and blood vessels. RA is an autoimmune disease, which means it results from the immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues. It is characterized by damaging inflammation. Left untreated, RA can cause bone erosion and joint deformity....

A year ago, if you were feeling sick, you might go to urgent care or your primary care physician. Since the beginning of the pandemic, however, it’s much more common to pick up your smartphone and chat about your symptoms with a doctor or nurse via telehealth. Key Takeaways With telehealth, pricing transparency and access to care address a largely unmet need. Consistency of care can be a challenge with telehealth....

What Is Aplenzin? Aplenzin (bupropion) is an orally administered medication used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD) and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in adults 18 and older. Aplenzin is in a class of antidepressant drugs called norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), which are drugs used primarily to treat depression. Aplenzin has a novel antidepressant mechanism that works by dual inhibition of norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake, restoring their natural balance in the brain....

Campylobacter is one of the most common sources of food poisoning in the United States, resulting in over one million cases of illness each year. Infections with the bacteria can lead to diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues, as well as some uncommon (but potentially serious) complications like blood infections and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. People become infected by eating or drinking things that have been contaminated with the bacteria—primarily raw or undercooked chicken....

Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) does not prevent or cure cancer, but some research suggests it may help boost the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. Baking soda is an alkaline mineral that is effective at neutralizing acidity. Cancer cells flourish in acidic environments, and some believe it may help neutralize acidity in the body to help fight against cancer. You should never stop or replace your doctor-prescribed treatments with baking soda or other complementary or alternative treatments....

Whether you are a parent, loved one, or a care professional, caregiving for someone with muscular dystrophy requires tremendous physical, mental, and emotional stamina, as well as education about the disease and all it can entail. Do your best to prepare yourself for what you may encounter. Arm yourself with information that can help you provide the best assistance to the person in your life with MD. Tap into resources that can lend you a hand on your caregiving journey....

A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study shows that people who’d previously been infected with COVID-19 (unvaccinated and vaccinated) were better protected against the Delta variant compared to those who were just vaccinated alone—suggesting natural immunity was more effective against that particular variant. Key Takeaways Prior infection to COVID-19 provides some protection against Delta variant.Getting vaccinated and having a prior infection provided the highest defense against Delta.Health experts say getting a COVID-19 booster shot can provide some immunity against Omicron and potential new variants....

After noticing some flashes of lights in your eye, you’re a little concerned and wonder just what this could be. Such flashes, also known as photopsia, can be a symptom of different conditions, including a retinal detachment, where the light-sensitive retina pulls away from the back of the eye or a retinal tear. While an occasional flash is not anything to be unduly concerned about, if this is persistent or if you notice what looks like jagged lightning strikes or shooting stars, you should seek medical attention since this may be a serious threat to your vision....

Granulocytes are a family of specialized white blood cells produced in the bone marrow that include neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. Low granulocyte levels, also known as granulocytopenia, occur when the levels of one or all of these cell lines fall below normal limits. Granulocytopenia puts you at risk for bacterial, viral, or fungal infection and should be treated promptly. When granulocyte levels are extremely low, you have a more severe disorder known as agranulocytosis....

Children ages 12 to 15 are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, the FDA broadened its age eligibility requirements for receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to include this age group. Key Takeaways Since becoming eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, more than 600,000 children ages 12 to 15 have received the shot.Many parents continue to express hesitancy about getting their child vaccinated.Experts recommend speaking with a trusted pediatrician, pharmacist, or another health professional to make the best decision about whether to get vaccinated....

Getting a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can be a jarring experience, but learning about the condition and setting realistic treatment goals with your healthcare provider can brighten your outlook. Ultimately the goal of treatment is blood glucose control, symptom management, and reducing your risk of medical complications. Managing type 2 diabetes requires a commitment to a well-designed treatment plan. This article discusses how to work with a healthcare provider to develop a treatment plan....

The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are incurable, chronic illnesses that include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and indeterminate colitis. IBD affects the digestive system, causing inflammation which results in symptoms such as fatigue abdominal pain, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and in some cases, blood in the stool. Many people who live with IBD find a treatment that helps stop the inflammation and the symptoms. However, for some, the disease can turn out to be quite severe and difficult to treat....

There are two types of eczema: extrinsic and intrinsic. Intrinsic eczema is characterized by normal immune system antibody levels and is not caused by an allergen, while extrinsic eczema is associated with high levels of antibodies and allergies. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for intrinsic eczema. What Is Intrinsic Eczema? Atopic dermatitis is often marked by high levels of a specific antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE)....

Iris implant surgery is a procedure in which a prosthetic iris replaces one that failed to develop normally or an iris that was damaged following an injury. The surgery can also be done for purely cosmetic reasons, meaning to change an eye color. However, the use of artificial iris implants for non-medical purposes is considered risky and has not been approved the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—at least not yet....

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people see their primary care doctor. It is very rarely a sign of cancer. Back pain is usually caused by other problems, such as: Injury Overuse Spinal problems like disc degeneration, arthritis, or stenosis Back pain is unlikely to be a sign of cancer. Still, there are some types of cancer that can cause back pain as an early symptom. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize symptoms that might point to cancer....

Most people with lead poisoning don’t present any symptoms at all, resulting in the vast majority of cases going undiagnosed. It’s not until a dangerous amount of lead has built up in the body that many of the signs and symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and pain begin to appear. Learn what to look for. Frequent Symptoms Because lead poisoning builds up over time, symptoms are often not as immediate or as recognizable as you would get with an infectious disease like a cold or the flu....

What Is Midodrine? Midodrine is an orally administered prescription oral medication used to treat orthostatic hypotension, or the sudden fall of blood pressure when standing after sitting or lying down. Orthostatic refers to an upright posture, also known as postural hypotension. Midodrine is classified as a sympathomimetic (an alpha-1 adrenergic agonist) and is approved for adults 18 and older. Alpha-adrenergic agonists are medications used to treat hypertension among other cardiovascular issues, such as septic shock, hypotension, and cardiopulmonary (sudden loss of heart function) arrest....

Mucus in stool is normal, but it’s not usually visible to the naked eye. When it is—you may notice stringy clear, white, or yellow goop in the toilet or clinging to your poop—it could be a sign of a health concern that needs treatment. Possible causes of mucus in your stool include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and other digestive disorders. Bacterial infections, bowel obstructions, and anal tears (fissures) also can cause it....

If you or a loved one is admitted to a skilled nursing facility (SNF), there is a good chance you will quickly become acquainted with the rehabilitation department, among which is occupational therapy. Overview Many people arrive at an SNF because they no longer require the level of care given at a hospital but are unable to go home. You may still need daily access to skilled nursing services (such as monitoring the healing of a wound or assistance with medication), daily rehabilitation services, or some combination of both....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been associated with anger, but the connection is complicated. Thus, while people with OCD may be more likely to have anger episodes, it is not that people with OCD are necessarily more aggressive or angry. This article talks about the link between OCD and anger, the underlying causes of anger episodes in people with OCD, and how to manage anger with consideration of those underlying causes....