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People who experience long-term symptoms of COVID-19 are widely known as “long-haulers.” This term was born out of patients’ experiences with ongoing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and an inability to concentrate months after they’re cleared of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Key Takeaways People who experience long-term COVID symptoms are known as “long-haulers” or people with “long COVID.”Advocates and experts say that there needs to be one medically recognized name.An official, medically recognized name will help legitimize the condition, and allow for more effective research and treatment, experts say....

What Is Dilantin? Dilantin (phenytoin) belongs to a class of drugs called anticonvulsants, also known as anti-seizure or anti-epileptic drugs. This oral prescription medication is used to prevent and treat certain types of seizures (convulsions) and is available as an extended-release capsule, chewable tablet, or liquid syrup. Dilantin works by slowing down nerve impulses in the brain to control and prevent seizure activity. What Is Dilantin Used For? Dilantin is used to prevent and control certain types of seizures, specifically focal (affecting one side of the brain) and generalized (affecting both sides of the brain) seizures....

When the ears get really dry, they can become itchy, irritated, and crusty. Crusty ears can be caused by skin conditions such as eczema, which causes itchy inflammation of the skin, or seborrheic dermatitis, which causes scaly patches and red skin on the scalp. However, they could also be a result of environmental factors such as allergies or temperature fluctuations. Treatment for dry, crusty ears depends on the cause. Crusty ears are not typically a sign of a serious condition....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic, autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissues. RA most commonly affects the connective tissue surrounding joints (synovium), leading to the classic symptoms of joint swelling and stiffness. However, since RA can affect various organs of the body, a wide array of nonspecific symptoms may develop. This is especially true in the early stages of the disease, when people may experience vague and general symptoms....

Flat feet, also called pes planus, is a deformity that occurs when the arch of the foot collapses and comes into complete or near-complete contact with the ground. The condition may be congenital (occurring at the time of birth) or acquired (developing over time, most often as a result of age or injury). Diagnosis of flat feet typically involves a visual examination of the foot, supported by imaging tests. Treatments may involve over-the-counter pain medications, orthotic arch supports, foot exercises and, less commonly, surgery....

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a complication of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant caused by a genetic mismatch between the cells of the donor and the recipient. Although there is no way to predict who will develop GvHD, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of this common complication. While most risk factors are non-modifiable (you can’t change them), identifying them can help your doctor decide if a stem cell or bone marrow transplant is the most appropriate option....

The first treatments that tend to come to mind when you talk about erectile dysfunction (ED) are drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). But several nondrug options can also help improve erections either on their own or with other ED treatments. This article explores one such option, called an erectile dysfunction ring, that may be useful in people with mild ED or those in whom ED drugs are either ineffective or cannot be used....

For some eligible individuals, there are two different types of Medicare: traditional Medicare and ESRD Medicare. The former is the Medicare we all know. You are eligible based on your age and/or qualifying disability as well as citizenship and/or legal residency status. ESRD Medicare, on the other hand, has other requirements and conditions. This type of Medicare is for people of any age who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD)—that is, kidney disease that requires dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant....

Medicare and many health insurance companies pay hospitals using DRGs, or diagnostic related groupings. This means the hospital gets paid based on the admitted patient’s diagnosis and prognosis, rather than based on what it actually spent caring for the hospitalized patient. This article will explain how DRGs are determined and how this affects your medical bills. If a hospital can treat a patient while spending less money than the DRG payment for that illness, the hospital makes a profit....

Hyponatremia is when the concentration of sodium in your blood is lower than what is needed for your body to function normally. Low sodium levels can affect blood pressure, muscle contractions, and the delivery of nerve signals. Mild cases may not cause notable symptoms, but severely low levels of sodium can cause serious and even life-threatening symptoms. This is because your body will become overwhelmed with fluid, causing cells to swell and organs to malfunction....

Kidney failure occurs when 85%–90% of your kidney function is lost. When this happens, your kidneys can’t function well enough to keep you alive. The only definitive cure for permanent kidney failure is transplantation. However, until that can be done, treatments are available that can help alleviate symptoms, address complications, help you feel better, get you healthier, and allow you to live a longer life. These treatments include dialysis, diet and lifestyle factors, conservative management, and more....

Getting an early and accurate lung cancer diagnosis is important, so you can start treatment as soon as possible and see better outcomes. Unfortunately, most lung cancers aren’t diagnosed until they have advanced and spread throughout the body. Many symptoms of lung cancer are mistaken for other problems, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis. Additionally, healthcare providers might not consider checking for lung cancer if you’re not at high risk....

Lung granulomas are grain-like nodules of immune cells that form in parts of the lung where there is an infection, toxic exposure, or inflammatory condition. Granulomas often form when the immune system tries to rein in the spread of disease-causing organisms like bacteria or fungi by creating a capsule around them. Lung granulomas may or may not cause symptoms and are often found by accident when a person has a chest X-ray....

Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) is a mental health disorder that falls under the umbrella of personality disorders. It is characterized by persistent preoccupation with rule-following, perfectionism, and control. OCPD affects about 3% to 8% of the general population. Read on to learn about how OCPD presents, what causes it, and how it’s treated. Symptoms of OCPD OCPD is characterized by the presence of traits such as: Excessive devotion to workExcessive conscientiousnessInability to delegateMiserliness (reluctance to spend money)Perfectionism (setting excessively high standards for yourself and/or others)Preoccupation with detailsRigidityUnwillingness to get rid of old or useless objects A person with OCPD may display these traits in the following ways....

Prednisone is commonly used for short-term pain management of inflammatory diseases such as severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It is not a pain medication but it can help relieve your pain. Prednisone belongs to a group of drugs called synthetic glucocorticoids, also called corticosteroids or just steroids, which act to raise your body’s adrenal hormone levels and reduce inflammation. It is best used as part of your overall treatment plan alongside other drugs to manage RA pain, such as those that work to slow the progression of the disease....

Symptoms of pulmonary emboli—blockages in arteries to the lungs that are usually caused by blood clots—can vary greatly. Depending on how much of your lung is involved and the size of the blockage, you may experience some of the common signs and symptoms, such as the following: sudden shortness of breath that gets worse with exertionChest pain that may become worse when you breathe deeplyPain when you cough, eat, bend, or stoopPain that worsens with exercise but doesn’t completely go away when you restCough, which may bring up bloody mucus Other signs and symptoms, which may include the following:...

The signs and symptoms of syphilis vary based on the stage of the infection. There are four stages in all, each with distinct features. Some symptoms are “classic,” meaning clear signs of the disease, while others are non-specific and easily confused for other conditions. Because syphilis mimics symptoms of other conditions, such as canker sores, herpes, and Lyme disease, it is often referred to as the “great imitator.” This accounts for why many cases are missed until the disease is advanced and symptoms turn severe....

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also known as lupus, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues throughout the body. With lupus, a person’s overactive immune system causes inflammation that damages connective tissues, including cartilage and the lining of blood vessels. SLE is one of several types of lupus and the most common form. Here is what you need to know about SLE, including prevalence, symptoms, causes and risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and complications....

Teeth bonding, also known as dental bonding, is a cosmetic procedure to correct tooth discoloration, yellowing, staining, chipping or cracking, minor cavities, or gaps between teeth. With this approach, a specialized composite resin is used to improve the appearance of teeth, making them brighter, whiter, and more even. If you’re considering this treatment, it’s important to understand how it works, what it can and cannot fix, and how to care for bonded teeth....

There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to hormone therapy. For example, with testosterone replacement therapy, there are a lot of important questions to answer. When is it necessary? Is it safe? What are the risks, and perhaps more importantly, can the benefits outweigh the potential side effects? There are a variety of reasons why testosterone replacement therapy might be implemented on a patient. However, this hormone therapy isn’t for everyone....