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Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are central nervous system depressants, or tranquilizers. They slow down brain activity, relax muscles, calm jittery nerves, and induce sleepiness. Short-term use of benzodiazepines can treat anxiety, insomnia, panic disorder, social phobias, and seizures. However, long-term use can lead to prescription drug addiction or misuse. Combining BZDs with other substances, such as alcohol or opioids, is dangerous. All benzodiazepines come with black box warnings (the Food and Drug Administration’s strictest drug warning) to improve safe use....

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee that you are generally advised to avoid before bedtime as it can keep you awake. However, there are some who endorse the use of coffee for a so-called “caffeine nap.” According to research conducted in the 1990s, drinking a cup of coffee after a midday nap can increase concentration, performance skills, and cognition compared to taking a nap without the coffee. Given that as many as one in three adults experience regular daytime sleepiness, might the benefits of a nap combined with the benefits of caffeine actually be a viable solution?...

As a caregiver or care partner to a loved one with Parkinson’s disease, it is common to feel powerless, vulnerable, or even frightened at times by the disease. This is normal, as Parkinson’s disease causes a broad array of symptoms that affects all aspects of a person’s life, including how they move, think, interact, sleep, and express emotion. With the right resources and preparation, you and your loved one can face the challenges....

Chronic urticaria is the medical term for long-term hives, or red, itchy welts on the skin, lasting six weeks or longer. This condition affects about 1% of people in the United States (U.S.). Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), also known as chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), is the medical term for long-term hives when the cause of hives is unknown. Learn about chronic urticaria, its symptoms, causes, and how to prevent it....

Clavicle fractures, or broken collarbones, are typically treated without surgery. There is some evidence, though, to suggest that clavicle fractures may heal faster and more predictably when surgical repair is done. There are reasons for either treatment approach. Most fractures of the clavicle heal well with rest and a sling, but specific features about the break—and your overall health—may mean surgery is warranted. This article explains the rationale behind a decision to treat clavicle fractures with surgery, as well as when it should be avoided....

Antibiotics are some of the most prescribed medications in pediatrics, a branch of medicine that specializes in the care of those under the age of 18. However, they can come with side effects that range from unpleasant to life threatening. This article explains the side effects of antibiotics that are prescribed to children. It will also suggest ways to avoid some of these side effects. What Are Common Side Effects of Antibiotics in Children?...

Cradle cap (infantile seborrheic dermatitis) and eczema (atopic dermatitis) are conditions known for dry, flaky skin. Though they’re closely related, these are distinct conditions. Cradle cap, seen in infants, typically resolves within a few months and affects the scalp; it doesn’t tend to cause discomfort or other symptoms. In contrast, eczema can affect people of any age (though it’s primarily seen in infants and children under 6 or 7) and can be chronic, causing itchiness, burning, or redness on the skin....

Soaking in Dead Sea salts may help ease psoriasis symptoms like pain, redness, and itching. Dead Sea salts contain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and calcium that can improve skin, hair, and nail health and appearance. Several studies support a connection between Dead Sea salt and benefits for psoriasis and other conditions like arthritis. However, more research is needed to support any treatment claims. Here’s what you need to know about Dead Sea salts for psoriasis, why they’re so popular, and how to use Dead Sea salts effectively and safely....

When you want to provide feedback or complaints to your healthcare provider, you’ll want to prepare carefully to make sure that your feedback achieves the results that you want. Complaining about any service, including medical care, requires strong communication skills, assertiveness, and the ability to see things from the other person’s perspective. Problems You Might Not Want to Complain About Before you provide feedback, give some thought to whether your complaint has any possibility of being resolved, or whether it was a problem that couldn’t be helped at the time....

Dystonia and dyskinesia are movement problems that commonly occur in Parkinson’s disease (PD). You may experience one or both of them, particularly in late-stage PD. Dystonia is muscle stiffening caused by PD, while dyskinesia is a type of muscle twisting caused by some PD medications. Dystonia and dyskinesia can both cause distress, and they are distinguished from each other based on their visible features. They can be managed with medication or surgery, typically with a moderate improvement of symptoms....

Eclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy that presents with seizures. It is a progression of preeclampsia, a pregnancy condition characterized by high blood pressure and abnormal amounts of protein in the urine. However, some pregnant people do not show any signs of preeclampsia before having a seizure. Eclampsia may occur during pregnancy (most commonly in the third trimester), labor, or in the days after giving birth. The treatment for preeclampsia and eclampsia is the delivery of the fetus, but a medication called magnesium sulfate reduces the risk of seizures in women with preeclampsia with severe features or eclampsia....

Fine-motor skills are movements that require coordination of the fingers, hands, and wrists to complete everyday tasks. Fine-motor skills require manual dexterity and start to develop in babies and young children, improving over time with maturity. This article reviews examples of fine-motor skills, the typical timeline of their development, and ways to improve them. Examples of Fine-Motor Skills Fine-motor skills are used every day to complete self-care tasks, activities of daily living (ADLs), and school and work-related duties....

Most of the serious illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) results from pneumonia, which in some cases can rapidly deteriorate to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). But doctors now recognize that in many patients COVID-19 becomes a systemic illness, and is not limited to causing pulmonary problems. Other organ systems that may be affected by COVID-19 include the vascular tree, the kidneys, the central nervous system, the skin—and the heart....

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that causes disease by damaging the immune system. When the damage is severe and the body’s immune defenses are compromised, a person is said to have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV therapy protects the immune system by controlling the virus and preventing disease progression. This article takes a comprehensive look at HIV/AIDS, including the symptoms, causes, stages of infection, and modes of transmission. It also explains how HIV is diagnosed, treated, and prevented, and what to expect if you test positive for HIV....

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to develop and maintain a penile erection for satisfactory sexual intercourse or activity. It is the most commonly reported sex problem in people with a penis, affecting at least 18 million people in the United States. It is also called erectile disorder. The symptoms of ED may be exacerbated by age due to natural declines in testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that influences the sex drive, among other functions....

While there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), there are numerous disease-modifying therapies, lifestyle modifications, and experimental treatments aimed at adequately managing the disease. Over the last few decades, one such experimental treatment known as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been at the forefront of progressive MS research. HSCT attempts to reset the immune system to slow or stop MS from progressing, at least temporarily. But it’s only available in clinical trials and not everyone with MS is eligible for it....

Infectious colitis is a contagious illness caused by an infection in the colon, or large intestine. It can be from a virus such as norovirus, a bacterium like Salmonella, or a parasite, and it usually comes from contaminated food or water. Infectious colitis is usually a short-term condition that just involves at-home symptom management. However, antibiotics are sometimes needed to clear up bacterial infections. This article looks at types of infectious colitis, its symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and treated, your outlook after infection, and how to prevent infectious colitis....

What Is Inlyta? Inlyta (axitinib) is an orally administered prescription medication that is used to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC), also known as renal cell cancer. RCC begins in the cells of the kidneys. Inlyta treats RCC that has spread to other areas of the body (metastasized). This medication is approved for adults aged 18 and older. It is either used alone or in combination with other cancer-fighting medications. Inlyta is administered in the form of a tablet that is taken by mouth....

Intestinal ischemia is a serious condition caused by insufficient blood flow to part of the intestine. Whether it affects the small or large intestine, the chief symptom is pain. The pain may be severe and sudden, or it may be a milder and intermittent pain that usually occurs after meals. If the intestinal blood supply becomes sufficiently compromised, Intestinal ischemia can lead to intestinal rupture, sepsis (severe infection), and death. For this reason, it is important for intestinal ischemia to be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible....

Magnesium oxide is a magnesium salt form. While most people get magnesium from food, sometimes supplementation is needed. It is one of a few types of magnesium supplements and is also an ingredient in some over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Magnesium oxide is most commonly used in treating low magnesium levels and constipation. It has also been studied for its effects on blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and migraines. Available without a prescription, magnesium oxide is generally safe, although it may cause stomach aches and diarrhea in some....