Studies show that people who have recovered from COVID-19 are at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers are still trying to understand how and why this might be. Here is what is known and what you can do to reduce your risk. Long-Term Health Effects of COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 infection, has been linked to all sorts of long-term health issues—even after mild cases of infection....
Posterior ankle impingement syndrome (PAIS) is a condition that causes deep pain in the back of the ankle when the foot is pointed downward (plantar flexed). This problem typically arises when a piece of excess bone, a muscle, or a ligament pinches against another anatomical structure in the hindfoot. Depending on the severity, PAIS can significantly limit ankle range of motion and make certain athletic movements like rising up on your toes or pushing off your foot very painful....
A health insurance denial happens when your health insurance company refuses to pay for something. If this happens after you’ve had the medical service and a claim has been submitted, it’s called a claim denial. Insurers also sometimes state ahead of time that they won’t pay for a particular service, during the pre-authorization process; this is known as a pre-authorization—or prior authorization—denial. In both cases, you can appeal and may be able to get your insurer to reverse their decision and agree to pay for at least part of the service you need....
What Is Spiriva? Spiriva (tiotropium) is an inhalable drug in the class known as anticholinergics. It is most commonly prescribed to manage and treat lung disorders, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Spiriva is a long-acting anticholinergic agent. Generally, anticholinergic agents block special proteins throughout the body known as receptors. Specifically, they target nicotinic or muscarinic receptors. A chemical in your body called acetylcholine can activate the receptors and cause constriction of your bronchioles....
You may be able to take supplements to lower your cholesterol levels. Common ones include niacin, fiber, and artichoke leaf. These and other supplements have varying degrees of support from medical science. When your levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (“bad cholesterol”) are high, it increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. You’ll likely be prescribed medicine and told about lifestyle changes that can help, but you may want to take supplements, as well....
Imagine that a patient is given a pill and told that it will help ease their pain. In actuality, the pill contains no medicine—it’s only a sugar pill. You might expect the patient not to see improvements because they weren’t given treatment. However, sometimes, people who take these “fake” pills or shots do feel better. Key Takeaways The placebo effect is a phenomenon that happens when people experience an effect from a treatment that they think contains active medicinal properties but actually does not....
Thoracentesis is a medical procedure to remove some fluid between the lungs and the chest wall. The name derives from the Greek words thorax (“chest”) and centesis (“puncture”). It is used to help diagnose and treat medical conditions causing this fluid buildup, called a “pleural effusion.” Thoracentesis is also known by the term “thoracocentesis.” Purpose of Thoracentesis Normally, only a very small amount of fluid should be between the outside of the lung and the chest wall, between the two membranes (pleura) that cover the lungs....
Tinea versicolor, also known as pityriasis versicolor, is a superficial fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of yeast that occurs naturally on the skin. The rash that develops is characterized by distinct patches of discolored skin and mild itching that can be effectively treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal products, although it can take some time for skin color to return to normal. Tinea versicolor is most common in teenagers and young adults but isn’t contagious....
Hives, known medically as urticaria, are red, itchy bumps that appear on the skin. They often go away on their own but sometimes require medications to provide relief as they can be very uncomfortable. Additionally, hives can be long-term or chronic, coming and going for months or even years. This article will provide an overview of topical treatments for hives, including how they are applied, possible side effects, and more....
An itchy urethra in assigned males and a milky discharge from the penis are a couple of the symptoms associated with urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra. Common causes include sexually transmitted infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, as well as non-specified reasons, such as rough fabric or soap irritation. Diagnosis involves a physical exam and various lab tests. Treatment will vary based on the specific cause, but may include prescription and over-the-counter medications....
In 2013, just before the bulk of the Affordable Care Act was implemented, 14.5% of Americans were uninsured. But in Hawaii, the uninsured rate stood at just 6.7%. Five years later, it had dropped a little, to less than 5%. This is still well below the national average, which stood at 8.9% as of 2018. But why was it so low even pre-ACA? Hawaii was well ahead of its time on health care, implementing a comprehensive reform law decades before the ACA....
Natural remedies for endometriosis may help you manage the condition, either alongside conventional treatments or instead of them. In endometriosis, the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the organ. These growths are known as implants or lesions, and they can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms. Lesions often attach to the: Fallopian tubesOvariesPelvic lining They can also spread beyond the pelvic area. This article looks at 12 natural treatments for endometriosis, including home remedies like dietary changes and therapies such as massage and acupuncture....
There are many factors involved in learning how to stop binge eating. Treatment for binge eating disorder (BED) usually involves psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and medications, and the support of a healthcare team is important to your success. The lifestyle changes you make in addition to the treatment you receive are critical. Left unaddressed, binge eating can lead to obesity, which is associated with other serious health problems including type 2 diabetes and heart disease....
For being such a common skin problem, acne itself can be very complex, from its causes to treatment. You’ve probably also noticed that everyone’s acne is different. That’s because there are different types and stages of acne. Acne will even be different at different life periods. Knowing about your acne type, stage, and severity will help you determine the best, most customized treatment for your skin. Determining Your Acne Severity There isn’t a universal way to classify acne severity....
People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), an inflammatory arthritic disorder affecting the spine, usually have compromised or weakened immune systems due to the medications that treat it. Though these medications help reduce or control symptoms, they can also increase your risk of becoming infected with or seriously ill from certain viruses or bacteria, such as COVID-19. This article investigates the risk and dangers of contracting COVID-19 with ankylosing spondylitis and how the vaccine can help....
Arteriosclerosis is a group of vascular diseases that involve the thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. Once popularly described as the “hardening of arteries.” the condition causes the progressive restriction of blood flow to organs and tissues. Arteriosclerosis (arterio- meaning artery and -sclerosis meaning hardening) occurs when abnormalities known as lesions form in the innermost layer of the arterial wall, called the intima. Over time, the lesions start to fill with cellular waste, causing the walls to harden, thicken, and stiffen....
Athlete’s foot is a form of fungal infection that begins between the toes but can spread to the rest of the feet. It most commonly develops when a person has damp or sweaty feet for an extended period, causing an itchy, scaly rash. Various treatment options are available for athlete’s foot, including prescription medications and home remedies. This article discusses treatment options for athlete’s foot. Symptoms While the most notable symptom of athlete’s foot is a scaly and itchy rash, other symptoms can develop, including:...
Bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery) is most often associated with the treatment of obesity, but it is increasingly being recommended for managing diabetes. Many people are able to achieve remission from their diabetes after a gastric bypass or a sleeve gastrectomy. This surgery may be recommended for people with diabetes even when not also diagnosed with obesity. This article will address the use of bariatric surgery as a treatment for diabetes....
Pain tells the body that something is wrong. It is an involuntary response from the nervous system. This means the brain will automatically sense pain and work to stop it from harming the body. Pain comes in the form of a prick, tingle, sting, burn, or ache. It can be felt in one area or all over. It can occur once and be gone (acute) or it can be constant (chronic)....
Chamomile (Matricaria recuita) is a flowering plant in the daisy (Asteraceae) family. Native to Europe and Western Asia, it’s now found around the world. The herb smells slightly like an apple, which may explain its name—chamomile is Greek for Earth apple. There are two different chamomile plants: German chamomile and Roman chamomile. German chamomile, which is considered the more potent variety and the type most widely used for medicinal purposes, is the plant discussed here....
