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Switching to your spouse’s health insurance plan may save you money. Or, depending on the circumstances, you might find that it’s cheaper for to you each enroll in your own employer’s health plan. This article will help you understand the questions you should ask and the points to keep in mind when deciding whether both spouses should be on the same health plan or have separate coverage. If you and your spouse or partner are both eligible for employee health benefits, check out each company’s health insurance options during open enrollment....

Wasp sting reactions can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and life-threatening allergies. Fortunately, most of the time, wasp stings are not an emergency. Although rare, fatalities can occur from wasp stings, so it’s essential to recognize the signs of severe wasp sting reactions. This article explains wasp sting reactions, symptoms, and treatment. Possible Wasp Sting Reactions Wasp sting reactions may be localized or widespread, instant or delayed, mild or severe....

Nerve conduction velocity (NCV), also called a nerve conduction study, is a noninvasive test that measures nerve function. This test involves small electrical shocks. It can be slightly uncomfortable but not painful—and it is safe. An NCV is sometimes part of the evaluation of sensory problems, pain, and weakness of the extremities. It’s often done with an electromyography (EMG), a nerve test that involves the placement of tiny needles into the muscles....

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) and allodynia (OIA) are abnormal pain states that result from the class of painkillers called opioids. It’s something called a “paradoxical response” in which the drugs you take to relieve pain actually start causing you to be more sensitive to painful stimuli. An opioid (sometimes called an opiate or narcotic) is a type of painkiller made from a synthetic form of opium, which is derived from poppies. Hyperalgesia is amplified pain; processes in the nervous system work to increase the intensity of the pain you feel....

There are various options if you are interested in penis enlargement. These range from supplements, vacuum pumps, and traction devices to injectable fillers, surgeries, and penile implants. Whether or not penis enlargement works, and whether it is safe and worth the price, depends on which of these you use and why. For example, some people seek penis enlargement simply because they would prefer a larger penis. Others may do so because they have a medical condition that affects the shape or function of the penis....

Psoriasis affects people of all ages. If you have psoriasis, you can expect to experience changes in the way it affects your skin, scalp, and overall health as you get older. This means you’ll likely need to adjust and adapt to how you manage the condition. Psoriasis causes itching, flaking, and lesions called plaques. It’s an autoimmune disease characterized by abnormal skin cell growth. Although it’s a chronic condition, psoriasis doesn’t tend to get worse over time....

Pueraria mirifica is the scientific name for a specific species that belongs to a genus or group of plants called Pueraria. In particular, P. mirifica is a plant that’s native to Thailand. In Thailand, this herb is called kwao kruea khao. The potentially medicinal plants of the Pueraria group—like P. mirifica—have isoflavones. This group of plants is thought to work through these bioactive plant chemicals, which may have estrogen-like activity. For this reason, isoflavones are also called phytoestrogens....

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder characterized by intrusive and distressing thoughts, impulses (obsessions), and repetitive behaviors (compulsions). Although not currently an official diagnosis in the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), relationship OCD (ROCD) is a form of OCD that involves obsessions, preoccupations, doubts, and compulsive behaviors related to a relationship with another person. These types of relationship symptoms have been frequently discussed in OCD forums for several years....

What Is Reyvow? Reyvow (lasmiditan) is an oral prescription medication used to treat migraine episodes in adults. It comes in tablet form. This medication is considered a ditan, which is a drug category that works against migraines through its action as a serotonin (5-HT) 1F receptor agonist. Reyvow is classified as a Schedule V controlled substance, meaning it has the potential for abuse or dependence. What Is Reyvow Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Reyvow for the acute treatment of migraines, with or without aura, in adults....

What Is Tarceva? Tarceva (erlotinib) is a prescription oral medication used to treat lung cancer that has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic). It can also be used in combination with a chemotherapy called Gemzar (gemcitabine) to treat metastatic pancreatic cancer. Tarceva belongs to a class of medications called kinase inhibitors and works by targeting specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways. Tarceva is available in tablet form....

People who experience terminal restlessness, also called terminal agitation or terminal delirium, may be anxious, agitated, or show signs of cognitive decline in the days leading to death. This syndrome has many causes and treatment may not be necessary, depending on the individual. It can be distressing to watch your loved one go through this. You may wonder if there is something you should do about it. If you and your family already know and accept that your loved one is at the end of their life, responding calmly may make the transition a little easier....

A tympanoplasty is the surgical repair of a hole in the eardrum, which is known as a perforated eardrum. It is an inpatient procedure done under general anesthesia (or sometimes under local anesthesia), and takes two hours or more. Tympanoplasty is often done in children, but adults may in some cases require the procedure as well. Here’s everything you need to know before going in for your procedure. What Is Tympanoplasty?...

Sleep talking is the act of talking while sleeping. It is a parasomnia, or something that only happens during sleep. It used to be called somniloquy. When a person is talking in their sleep, their speech might be clear or garbled. They might use simple phrases or full statements. People who sleep talk don’t know they’re speaking and don’t recall what they said. Sleep talking is not a sleep disorder on its own; however, it can be a symptom of a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or sleep apnea....

An acute stroke, like most forms of stroke, starts suddenly and worsens rapidly. Some strokes may be preceded by a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a temporary stroke that resolves before causing any lasting effects. Learning more about the signs, symptoms, and prognosis of any type of stroke can prepare you in the event you or a loved one experiences this medical event for handling the situation in the moment and dealing with life afterward....

An individualized, well-thought-out activities program is at the heart of quality life for residents in nursing homes or assisted living residences. While playing bingo and watching television are the stereotyped ways to pass the time, there are many more engaging activities for older adults. Activity programs can be fun, creative, and stimulating for the mind. The benefits of activities programs on residents’ health and wellbeing are well documented. This article will suggest a few types of activities that are great ways to engage older adults....

What Is Amicar? Amicar (aminocaproic acid) is an orally prescribed prescription medication classified as an antifibrinolytic agent that is used to manage and treat acute bleeding disorders in adults 18 and older. Antifibrinolytic agents work as blood clotting agents (hemostatics) that slow the breakdown of blood clots. These hemostatics can reduce bleeding in different ways, such as sticking to the tissues where bleeding has occurred and delivering support to the hemorrhage sites....

The Amsler grid is a basic visual field test. This paper-based eye exam can easily be performed at home to monitor for disorders involving your central vision. The grid consists of 0.5 centimeters (cm) squares that form a larger square of 10 cm by 10 cm. This test evaluates 10 degrees of vision from a focal point which overall evaluates a visual acuity of 20 degrees. A Swiss ophthalmologist named Marc Amsler first developed the grid in 1947 and is currently used to detect or continue monitoring for scotoma (blind spot) or metamorphopsia (vision distortion)....

Whether you’re walking, climbing stairs, or doing your household chores, your ankle plays a key role in allowing you to go about your day. This is because this important region, which is made up of two joints in the rear of the foot (the talocrural joint and the subtalar joint), is subjected to huge amounts of force anytime you are on your feet. Over time, certain conditions can cause the smooth articular cartilage that coats the end of the bones in your talocrural joint (the tibia, fibula, and talus) to begin to thin or wear away....

Benign essential blepharospasm is a progressive neurological disorder and a type of dystonia, or abnormal muscle posture. In benign essential blepharospasm, uncontrolled muscle contractions cause the eyelids to close involuntarily. When severe, the condition can cause a person to become functionally blind. While there is no cure, several treatments are available to help manage symptoms and progression. Symptoms While the condition is not life-threatening (benign), the symptoms of benign essential blepharospasm can greatly affect a person’s quality of life....

Bilateral breast cancer is when tumors develop in both breasts of the same patient. Compared to unilateral (one side) breast cancer cases, bilateral breast cancer patients tend to be younger and the tumors smaller and of an earlier stage at diagnosis. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (1973–2014), bilateral cancers occurred in 1.4% of breast cancer patients in 1975 to 2.9% in 2014. Other data sets show the incidence range of 1%–11% of breast cancer patients, depending on how the cases are defined and the time period of surveillance....