Posts

Soluble fiber and insoluble fiber are the two types of fiber. Both are important for health, but each performs a different role within your body. Soluble fiber helps you slow down digestion and control cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and helps you keep your bowel movements regular. This article discusses the differences between soluble and insoluble fiber, their respective health benefits and food sources, and how much fiber you should include in your diet each day....

As the earliest stage of disease, stage 1 lung cancer generally has the most promising outlook. Current statistics suggest that anywhere from 70% to 92% of people with stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can expect to live at least five years following their diagnosis. Many patients live for far longer given newer and more effective therapies. There are variables that can increase or decrease life expectancy in any stage of lung cancer....

What Is Steglatro? Steglatro (ertugliflozin) is an oral prescription medication used along with proper diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Steglatro belongs to a class of medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Steglatro works in the kidneys to help remove excess sugar from the bloodstream. It causes your body to eliminate the extra sugar when you urinate. This medication comes as a tablet that you take by mouth....

Diabetes mellitus, also known simply as diabetes, is a serious medical condition that involves high blood sugar levels. Steroid-induced diabetes is just what it sounds like—diabetes brought on by taking steroid medications. These medications treat other medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, but can have side effects that interfere with how the body responds to insulin and regulates glucose. This can bring on diabetes or make diabetes worse in people who already have it....

The majority of Medicare beneficiaries rely on Part D for their prescription drug coverage. However, many people, especially those who have cancer and certain rheumatologic conditions, rely on Part B medications for treatment. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has put forth a policy that changes how these medications are covered starting on January 1, 2021. Will you be affected? Coverage for Part B Drugs Part B drug coverage is not all-inclusive....

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, experts had warned of an antibiotic resistance crisis due to an overuse of antibiotics in treating infections and in agriculture. Key Takeaways The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a surge in antibiotic-resistant infections and deaths in hospitals, the CDC reported. Antibiotic resistance occurs because bacteria can constantly evolve and fight off drugs or medications used to kill them. When they mutate, some bacteria can multiply and become resistant along the way....

Face washes, pimple patches, even tooth paste as a spot treatment—many of us have tried it all when it comes to attempting to get rid of pimples. Key Takeaways A viral video on TikTok suggests swapping out your facial wash for a dandruff shampoo like Head & Shoulders can help clear acne.Dermatologists say dandruff shampoo can be effective as a facial cleanser for people who have fungal acne because it contains zinc pyrithione and selenium sulfide, which are ingredients known to fight fungal overgrowth....

What Is Trileptal? Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) is a prescription oral anti-epilepsy drug (AED), also referred to as an anticonvulsant, used to prevent seizures in adults and children ages 2 and older with certain types of epilepsy. It is also used off-label for treating neuropathic pain, bipolar disorder, and other conditions. This medication interacts with ion channels, which generally facilitate nerve cell activity in the brain and the nerves throughout the body. Oxcarbazepine stabilizes neuronal activity and prevents the overfiring of neurons, stopping the spread of seizure activity....

Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is one of two types of vitamin D. It differs from the other type, called vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), by both its molecular structure and sources. Vitamin D3 is found in certain foods such as fish, beef liver, eggs, and cheese. It can also be produced in the skin following exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. In addition, vitamin D3 is available as a dietary supplement where it is used for general health or for the treatment or prevention of vitamin D deficiency....

Having a 2-month old is an exciting time full of developmental milestones. Your baby may be starting to coo, smile, and notice their hands. Regular wellness checks are important to ensure your infant is on track with their health, growth, and development. Babies are usually scheduled to receive vaccinations at their 2-month wellness check. This article discusses recommended vaccinations, possible side effects, and how to comfort infants during and after their appointment....

Advair Diskus is an inhaled prescription drug intended to be used regularly to treat some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and/or asthma. It contains a combination of two different drugs to help you breathe better: fluticasone propionate, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-lasting beta-agonist. Together, they improve symptoms by reducing inflammation and swelling, as well as relaxing and widening your airways. Uses Advair Diskus is intended to be a long-acting maintenance medication that prevents breathing difficulties from progressing for some people with COPD and/or asthma....

What Is Aemcolo? Aemcolo (rifamycin) is an antibiotic prescription medication used to treat travelers’ diarrhea caused by certain types of bacteria. Rifamycin binds to bacterial RNA polymerase to stop the growth of diarrhea-causing bacteria. It is a semisynthetic derivative of rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. Aemcolo is available as an extended-release tablet to take by mouth. What Is Aemcolo Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Aemcolo to treat travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E....

An alkaline phosphatase (ALP) blood test assesses a group of enzymes found in several parts of the body. Elevations in ALP may indicate a problem with the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, bones, or some other organ systems. Purpose of Test The ALP test technically measures the activity of a group of related enzymes (alkaline phosphatases). ALP can be used as a type of medical marker of certain potential medical problems....

Amla oil is derived from the amla fruit, also called Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis L.), which is known for its use in Ayurveda medicine. Amla oil is made by drying the fruit and soaking it in a base oil such as mineral oil. It is grown in tropical and subtropical countries like India, China, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Amla oil is said to boost hair growth and prevent hair loss....

The nasal bones are two oblong halves that meet to form the bridge of your nose. The nasofrontal suture, which is a rigid fibrous joint that connects the two halves of the nasal bones, forms the thickest part of the nose. The nasal bones along with the frontal processes of the maxilla make up one of three nasal vaults, known as the bony vault. Because this area of your nose is the thickest, it is used to support other structures of the nose like your nasal septum....

There are millions of types of fungi, including yeasts and molds. While these fungi occur naturally in many places—and some within our bodies—they rarely cause severe disease. Some conditions that weaken the immune system might make you more susceptible to these kinds of infections and require treatment using antifungal medications. There are several types of antifungal medications, and this article will explore the different varieties, when they might be used, and what to expect while taking them....

Vaccines may or may not be required by schools or employers depending on the specific vaccine and what the state and local laws are in your area. In some places, proof of vaccination is required for all children entering the public school system. Your employer may also require you to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or influenza. There is a lot of confusion—even among doctors—about whether certain vaccines are recommended or mandated....

The characteristic symptoms of asthma—wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and shortness of breath—are caused by the sudden tightening of the bronchi (airways) and the production of too much mucus in the lungs. Besides these symptoms, asthma can cause significant changes in the lungs over the short term and long term. This can make symptoms become more frequent and severe. Learning to read the signs, therefore, is the first step to avoiding the complications of asthma and maintaining your respiratory health....

Beta-blockers are a type of medication used in the treatment of heart disease and hypertension (high blood pressure). Your medical team may be cautious about prescribing beta-blockers for you if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you have asthma or COPD, you might have an increased risk of experiencing harmful side effects from beta-blockers, such as shortness of breath or an exacerbation of other respiratory symptoms....

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, share overlapping symptoms, yet they are two different mental health conditions. BPD is a disorder that involves a longstanding pattern of mood instability, relationship struggles, and issues with self-image that interferes with life. ADHD is a condition that is present since childhood; it involves symptoms relating to excessive attention challenges, excessive hyperactivity, or both, which can also lead to impulsivity....