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Kaleidoscopes may be a favorite childhood toy, yet experiencing shapes and colors in your line of sight with no explanation can be scary. Kaleidoscope vision is characterized by images that are disjointed, blurry, and brightly colored. They appear as if you’re looking through a kaleidoscope or broken glass, and can last for an hour or more. Most often, kaleidoscope vision is a symptom of ocular migraine or migraine with aura. It can all be associated with several conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and diabetes....

You’re not the first person to be late paying your health insurance premium, and you won’t be the last. However, since there are repercussions for being late, you need to understand what to expect if your premium is late. This article will explain what the rules are, how they apply to your situation, and what happens if you’re late paying your ​Obamacare health insurance premium. When you get your health insurance through an Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange, the handling of past-due health insurance premiums will depend on two primary factors:...

Medicare and Medicaid both provide healthcare coverage via government programs, but they have some important differences. This article will explain how the two programs differ, including the populations they cover, the way they’re administered and funded, and the benefits they provide to enrollees. Essentially, Medicare is for people who are at least age 65 or have a disability, while Medicaid is for people with low incomes. Some people are eligible for both....

What Is Norco? Norco (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) is a combination analgesic (pain reliever) that contains two different medications: hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen (APAP). While the brand name “Norco” is no longer available, its generic version is available as a tablet. Hydrocodone bitartrate is an opioid analgesic that works by attaching to opioid receptors (binding sites). APAP, on the other hand, is a non-opioid pain reliever. It’s thought to work by activating (waking up) a system in the body that blocks pain signals....

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes decreased bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue, which increases the risk of fractures. It is considered a silent disease, meaning there are no other symptoms until a fracture occurs. The increased risk of fractures with osteoporosis can make you more susceptible to chronic pain and disability. This article discusses the types of fractures that are most common with osteoporosis and how to prevent them....

A retinal tear can lead to fluid and blood collecting in the eye, which can cause the development of symptoms such as several new floaters and loss of vision if the tear leads to a retinal detachment. The retina plays a vital role in vision. Damage to the retina can cause vision loss and even permanent blindness. The retina is the thin layer of tissue that lines the back of the eye on the inside....

Sarsaparilla is an herbal remedy used to ease arthritis, fight infections, relieve skin problems, and may even help treat cancer. Also known as Smilax glabra, the supplement is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and phenolic acids—beneficial plant compounds with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-aging properties.A woody, tropical vine in the Smilacaceae family originating in Asia, sarsaparilla comes in several different forms known by the botanical name Smilax. It’s also common to refer to sarsaparilla by the name of the country where it’s found (e....

There are more than 80 different types of sleep disorders. Sometimes, it’s helpful, from a psychological and medical standpoint, to look at the long list of established sleep issues that may affect you. Diagnosis lists like this exist so that billers can apply the appropriate medical codes for billing and health insurance purposes. But these codes may also help you understand the problem that is disturbing your ability to get a restful night’s sleep....

There are many different ways to smoke, including vaping and nicotine or marijuana cigarettes. Research indicates that smoking can have severe health implications. Smoking is associated with a higher risk of certain cancers, such as cancer in the lungs, throat, mouth, cervix, pancreas, and bladder. It also increases the risk of cardiovascular problems and premature death. Healthcare professionals advise against smoking because of the toll it can take on the human body....

Strawberry legs descibes a dotted or pitted appearance on the skin of the legs. It can happen for a variety of reasons. The tiny black bumps, which resemble the seeds on a strawberry, are skin pores and hair follicles clogged with dirt, bacteria, or oil. Fortunately, they are usually harmless and you can get rid of strawberry legs with a few tweaks to your shower regimen and shaving routine. This article will explain the symptoms of strawberry legs, as well as the potential causes....

Arthritis is a condition that primarily affects the bones and joints due to inflammation. Foods that cause inflammation may make arthritis symptoms worse. Sugar is one of these inflammation-causing foods that should be limited or avoided. This article will go over what you should know about sugar and arthritis. You will learn what research says about whether sugar makes arthritis symptoms worse or if sugar causes inflammation that can lead to arthritic pain....

Arthritis is a common cause of pain, inflammation, and stiffness around the hip joints, where the pelvis and legs meet. There are several different types of hip arthritis, and many factors can contribute to the various types, including genetics. Hip arthritis symptoms commonly include pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited mobility. The specific symptoms for the different hip arthritis conditions can sometimes overlap, which is why it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis....

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. At times, it is passed on by nonsexual intimate contact, such as kissing or food handling, as well. Sexually active people between the ages 20 and 35 are most at risk of getting syphilis. People who have syphilis can be unaware of carrying the infection since it can take weeks for symptoms to appear. Syphilis symptoms develop in four stages: primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary....

Tardive dyskinesia symptoms include involuntary movements involving the mouth, tongue, or face. The movements resulting from this condition are not physically painful or harmful to a person’s health. Still, they can cause emotional distress and may be noticeable to others. The symptoms of tardive dyskinesia can occur at any time and with varying frequency. Rarely, the condition can lead to severe complications, including impaired breathing. Tardive dyskinesia affects around 500,000 people in the United States....

Pneumonia is a type of lung infection that can range in severity. Symptoms include cough, fever, chills, and trouble breathing. They may be very mild or can be highly severe, requiring hospitalization. Viruses, fungi, and bacteria can all cause pneumonia, including viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). If you think you may have symptoms of pneumonia, you may also be worried that you have COVID-19....

While we have yet to unlock the secrets of why testicular cancer occurs, scientists believe that a combination of genetic, physiological, and environmental factors is involved. In recent years, no less than 19 chromosomal mutations have been linked to testicular cancers. Younger age, race, an undescended testicle, and testicular development problems are also commonly associated with the disease. Other risk factors—including horseback riding, competition cycling, smoking, weight, and vasectomy—have long been presumed to either cause or contribute to testicular cancer but are not proven to have any association with the condition....

An occipital lobe stroke happens in the back of the brain. This part of our brain helps us recognize what we see. Thet means strokes in the occipital lobe can cause vision changes. Occipital lobe strokes are not common. Strokes in the frontal, parietal, or temporal lobes happen more often. Strokes almost always affect only one side of the brain. Occipital lobe strokes can happen in one or both occipital lobes....

A healthcare provider is a person or entity that provides medical care or treatment. Healthcare providers include doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives, radiologists, labs, hospitals, urgent care clinics, medical supply companies, and other professionals, facilities, and businesses that provide such services. The term “healthcare provider” is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to a health insurance company. An insurer does not deliver care, but rather pays the person, company, or that does (assuming the service is covered and you’ve met your cost-sharing responsibilities)....

Brain mapping sounds like something taken straight out of science fiction. One can imagine a miniaturized explorer meticulously documenting her discoveries as she traverses the surface, including the valleys and ridgelines, of the brain. In reality, brain mapping might help us to better understand discrete regions of the brain and lead us to discoveries that relieve serious disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, and traumatic brain injuries. That is the goal of the BRAIN Initiative Mapping Project....

Leg weakness has many causes. Some of them are serious. But most can be treated. Leg weakness is often a medical emergency that requires prompt medical attention, especially sudden weakness. A quick diagnosis often leads to more effective treatment. This article explores several reasons for leg weakness and how to tell one from another. Stroke A stroke is also called a cerebrovascular accident (CVA). It causes brain damage by interrupting blood flow to a region of the brain....