Hiccups are normally short-lived, although some cases may point to underlying health issues. Regardless, it is not common for people to die from hiccups. Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of your diaphragm. Your diaphragm is the muscular structure found between your chest and abdomen, which you use for breathing. During breathing, the diaphragm contracts to let air into your lungs and relaxes to expel the air out of your nose....
Cervical effacement happens when your cervix gets thinner, softer, and shorter to prepare for childbirth. The cervix is the long, narrow opening to the uterus. During pregnancy, it’s long and thick. As pregnancy comes to an end, and the body prepares for labor and delivery, the cervix ripens. This article describes what effacement is, what it feels like, and how to address any complications. Cervix Softening Symptoms You may not realize that you are experiencing effacement while it’s happening....
Claudication is pain and discomfort in the thighs, calves, or buttocks that occurs during movement and is relieved by rest. Caused by insufficient blood flow in the limbs, this condition is most often a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a cardiovascular disease in which the arteries of the legs and arms are constricted, affecting circulation. This article provides an overview of claudication, including its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when blood flow slows down and its platelets and plasma don’t properly mix and circulate. This causes a blood clot, in this case in a deep vein, which prevents deoxygenated blood from returning to the heart. Anyone can get DVT at any time, but there are risk factors that can increase your chances of developing this condition. For example, women who are pregnant or taking birth control are at risk of developing blood clots....
One of the most important concepts in diabetes prevention and management is understanding the elements of healthy eating. Healthy eating has been linked with longevity, increased energy, as well as healthier body weight and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. When it comes to diabetes, researchers suggest that “Nutrition therapy and regular physical activity are the cornerstones for managing A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol, and treatment for each has its own set of nutrition guidelines....
A key part of managing type 2 diabetes—or preventing prediabetes from getting worse—is sticking to a diet that makes it easy to limit carbohydrates so you can control blood glucose levels. For many years, the most recommended dietary approach for controlling diabetes was the exchange diet. In the exchange diet, foods are grouped together based on the amount of carbohydrates they contain. The diet allows you to swap one food for another that had a similar “carb count....
Diabetes is a chronic condition requiring daily management. It can become burdensome mentally, physically, socially, and financially. A diabetes diagnosis can feel lonely and isolating, especially in the beginning stages. It’s important to know that wherever you are in your diabetes journey, you are never alone. In addition to your medical team, loved ones, and friends, there are numerous diabetes support groups available. This article will help you to learn more about where to find support groups, both online and in person....
What Is FML? FML (fluorometholone) is a prescription medication used to treat eye conditions involving inflammation. FML belongs to a class of drugs called ophthalmic (eye) corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have anti-inflammatory effects, which help reduce swelling, redness, itching, and pain. FML is available as eye drops and an eye ointment. What Is FML Used For? The Food and Drug Administration approved FML to treat eye conditions that cause inflammation, such as allergies (allergic conjunctivitis), severe dry eyes from Sjögren’s syndrome, and eyelid inflammation (blepharitis)....
New research has shown that taking high doses of omega-3 supplements may increase a person’s risk of developing a type of irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (also called AFib). Key Takeaways A new meta-analysis found that people who took more than one gram of omega-3 fatty acid supplements per day had an increased risk of developing a heart rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation (AFib).AFib is not a life-threatening condition, but it can lead to heart failure or stroke....
If you have a problem that results in pain or loss of functional mobility, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist. Your therapy will be focused on helping you restore normal mobility so you can get back to the things you enjoy. Physical therapy care may be provided in a variety of different settings. Obviously, if you are hospitalized, your therapy may be provided by a physical therapist who works at the hospital....
Viruses are a type of pathogen (germs or tiny microorganism that causes disease) that cause viral infections. Most viral infections, like the common cold, are short-lived and mild. However, there are times when viruses cause more substantial, long-term harm, including complications such as cancer. Research estimates that 10% of cancer cases worldwide are caused by viruses. The majority of these affect people in developing countries. Many virus-associated cancers can take years to become symptomatic, which makes it difficult to know this percentage with certainty....
There are a number of factors that could progressively increase the frequency of migraines from episodic (fewer than 15 per month) to chronic (15 or more per month). Medication overuse is a major one, but other culprits can include obesity, depression, excessive caffeine use, snoring, and sleep disorders. For many people, progression to chronic migraine is triggered by more than just one of these factors. While challenging to determine the exact cause, evidence suggests that sticking to four healthy habits could help reduce migraine frequency to be episodic rather than chronic....
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help metabolize food and use it for energy throughout your body. This is a key biological function. A problem with insulin can have widespread effects on any or all of your tissues, organs, and systems. Insulin is critical to your overall health and survival. Problems with insulin production or function can result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugars), hyperglycemia (high blood sugars), and diabetes....
Intercostal muscle strains are the most common type of musculoskeletal chest pain. The intercostal muscles are thin muscles that attach between the ribs. During breathing, the external intercostals elevate the ribs while the internal intercostals depress the ribs and decrease the volume of the thoracic cavity within the ribcage during breathing. As with any other muscle, the intercostal muscles can become strained with sudden or repetitive force, causing pain, tightness, and difficulty with everyday activities....
Lightheadedness is the feeling of losing consciousness or fainting. If you’ve ever felt off, woozy, or like you’re about to pass out, chances are you have experienced lightheadedness. Many people experience lightheadedness at some point despite being completely healthy. Most causes of lightheadedness are not life-threatening. Common causes of lightheadedness, such as standing up too quickly, not drinking enough water, or breathing the air at a high altitude, resolve relatively quickly without treatment....
Neuroendocrine lung tumors, also known as pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas, are a spectrum of cancers that arise in neuroendocrine cells of the lungs. The majority are classified as small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), aggressive cancers that can affect neuroendocrine and other cell types. Others are carcinoid tumors, a rare and less-invasive form of cancer that only develops in neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine lung tumors are relatively uncommon, accounting for only around 2% of all lung cancers....
There are four types of neuropathy: peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal. There are many causes of neuropathy and you can also have more than one type. Neuropathy can cause paresthesias (unusual sensations), discomfort, or pain. Usually, the unpleasant sensations can be treated with medication. Sometimes, treating the underlying condition can stop the progression of neuropathy. This article will discuss the types of neuropathy, their symptoms, and treatment. Neuropathy Types Neuropathy can affect different nerves throughout the body, usually with a specific pattern of involvement....
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the body. They are used by the nervous system to help neurons, or nerve cells, communicate with one another. They also help neurons transmit signals to other target cells throughout the body. How They Work Neurons work as a sort of messaging system. They have electrical signals that get passed along their axon, which is a thin cable that connects the main part of the cell to other neurons....
A team of U.S. senators is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove a ban that prevents men who have sex with men (MSM) from donating blood. Key Takeaways A group of senators is calling on the FDA to reverse a ban on men who have sex with men from donating blood.Current rules state that men who have sex with men must wait three months from their last sexual encounter before donating blood....
People with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) can have dozens of symptoms, including severe pain that’s treatment-resistant. It often takes a combination of several medications to make us feel substantially better. Because each medication carries its own risk, and those risks can increase when taken with other drugs, it pays to know your medications well. Opiate drugs, also known as opioids or narcotics, are designed to treat pain. They’re often prescribed for chronic pain conditions, including FMS and ME/CFS....
