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The streaming era has changed everything about the way people view television. You no longer have to wait for a new episode of your favorite show because many entertainment companies are releasing entire seasons and series of shows at once. This has lead to a new concept called binge-watching. But as great as all these options might sound, health experts warn that because people are replacing time once spent exercising, socializing, and sleeping, they are increasing their risk for many serious health conditions, including cardiovascular disease (heart disease), depression, sleep problems, and behavioral addictions....

There are a wide variety of cortisone or steroid creams available over the counter, which can give the impression that these products are good for any dermatological use. But you should exercise caution, especially if you’re looking to apply these creams to your face. Do not use topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone cream, on your face every day or even regularly. In fact, consider talking to your healthcare provider and getting a prescription medication that’s safe for the face before using steroids on delicate facial skin at all....

Carbon dioxide (CO2) blood tests evaluate the presence of the gas in your blood. If your CO2 levels rise too high or fall too low, the test results may be an indication that you have a health condition that needs diagnosis and treatment. Your body produces CO2 gas as a byproduct. It’s carried by the bloodstream to your lungs, primarily in a bicarbonate (HCO3) form, and then exhaled out while breathing....

A finger typically turns purple when blood is not circulating well to the hand. Blood is bright red when it is moving the proper amount of oxygen through the body. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, blood turns dark and color changes—including a change to a purple tone—follow. There are a few reasons why this may happen, as well as additional reasons your finger could turn purple. This article talks about some of the more common health conditions that can cause a purple finger....

What Is Cequa? Cequa (cyclosporine 0.09%) is a treatment option for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes). As a calcineurin inhibitor, cyclosporine is thought to work by suppressing the immune system (the body’s defense system) to relieve eye inflammation (swelling). Eye inflammation is thought to block tear production in people with dry eyes. As an eye medication for dry eyes, cyclosporine is available by prescription as a Cequa (cyclosporine 0.09%) solution and Restasis (0....

More than 14,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, with incident rates dropping more than 50% since the 1970s thanks to an increase in early screening. Depending on the cervical cancer stage, the five-year survival rate is about 66%. The leading cause of cervical cancer is the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection (STI). However, many women with HPV may not have cervical cancer, but certain factors, like smoking and HIV infection, increase the risk of developing cervical cancer....

Access to healthcare is not equal in the United States, which is true for adults and children living with asthma. Black, Latinx, and Indigenous people bear the highest burden of asthma in the U.S. and higher rates of asthma death. Black communities are at especially high risk due to unequal access to health care, structural racism, and a historic distrust in the health care system. This article is part of Health Divide: Asthma in People of Color, a destination in our Health Divide series....

As of February 4, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports there have been 102,447,438 cases of COVID-19 in the United States. The COVID tracker updates weekly. The data reflects what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting each week. States do not all report data in the same way or with the same frequency. For the most current information about COVID where you live, check your state’s public health department website....

While many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are incurable, there are four that are completely curable: syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. Each is effectively treated with one or more doses of an antibiotic drug, taken either by mouth or given by injection. Despite effective treatments, it is estimated that 374 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis occur worldwide every year. In the United States alone. over 12 million new cases of these four infections were reported in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

Dizziness is feeling faint, light-headed, or unsteady. People say they “feel dizzy” to describe a variety of different sensations. If you feel like you or the room you are in are spinning, you are experiencing vertigo. Feeling imbalanced or as if you are leaning to one side is known as disequilibrium. You may experience other symptoms when you feel dizzy, such as sweating. Dizziness and sweating are often caused by an illness or condition that resolves on its own or is easily treated....

Psoriasis is a lifelong skin condition that never goes away. Though it typically cycles between periods of worsening symptoms (flares) and improvement (remission), the underlying disease process is always there and prone to triggering. Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune response. Psoriasis treatments can help keep that in check and reduce itchy skin plaques in a few weeks or months, but they cannot cure this chronic disease. If left untreated, psoriasis will worsen, flares will be longer and more frequent, and complications may occur....

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 30 million Americans. While osteoarthritis more commonly occurs at an older age, more than half of Americans affected by osteoarthritis are under the age of 65. Early-onset osteoarthritis can occur at any age under 50 years old more likely to occur in people with certain risk factors. This article discusses the symptoms and causes of osteoarthritis, as well as treatment options and how to cope with the condition....

Smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. From radon to air pollution to wood smoke and more, many things that may be in your environment are known to increase the risk of the disease too. As with smoking, many of these environmental causes of lung cancer can be avoided or reduced once you’re aware of them—especially those that may be in your home or workplace. Radon Exposure to radon in the home is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States as well as the leading cause in non-smokers....

Nicole Villegas was just 32 years old when she set out on a mountain bike ride through a dense forest. She found herself in the emergency room by the end of the day. Key Takeaways A new study shows that during days of extreme heat, people under the age of 64 are at a higher risk of visiting the emergency department than adults over the age of 75.Extreme heat is set to become more intense and more frequent due to climate change....

HIV rash occurs when the body’s immune system reacts to an acute HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection, usually two to four weeks after exposure but can appear as early as a few days after exposure. Syphilis rash is a symptom of secondary syphilis, meaning it appears if syphilis isn’t treated after the first symptoms appear. However, a rash may be the first symptom of syphilis a person notices. This is because the initial symptom (an often painless ulcer) can go unnoticed, especially if it’s in a location that’s harder to see....

Whether you’re newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism or have been living with an underactive thyroid for years, there are a number of things you can do to feel and live well despite your disease. Some of these proactive strategies include being aware of your mental health, reaching out to loved ones for support, engaging in healthy lifestyle habits, and forming an effective, understanding partnership with your thyroid healthcare provider. Emotional Managing a lifelong condition like hypothyroidism is no easy feat, so it’s normal to find yourself experiencing a range of emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness....

Impulse control disorders (ICD) are a group of mental health disorders that involve problems with self-control. People with ICDs fail to resist the impulse to behave in harmful ways, often without thought of the consequences. These urges typically involve disruptive behaviors—such as stealing, cheating, lying, risk-taking, rule breaking, and violence—that violate the rights, well-being, and/or safety of others. There are several different types of impulse control disorders. This article will discuss the five main types of impulse control disorders, as well as causes, symptoms, and how to treat them....

Iron deficiency occurs when the body’s iron stores are too low. This interferes with the body’s ability to produce hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells that enables them to transport oxygen. Iron deficiency causes include blood loss, a lack of iron in your diet, or certain medical conditions. Severe, untreated, or prolonged iron deficiency changes red blood cell (RBC) quantity, size, and function, a condition known as iron deficiency anemia....

Pain in your hip may be scary, but cancer is only one reason you may feel this pain. Common reasons for sharp, burning, or aching pain can be conditions like arthritis and bursitis, injuries, or severe causes like joint infections or fractures. Knowing the signs of hip cancer can help you determine when to see your healthcare provider and what to expect. This article looks at types and symptoms of hip cancer, how it’s diagnosed and treated, and what else could be causing your hip pain....

Joint stiffness occurs when your joints lack the mobility to move smoothly through their full range of motion. When you have stiff joints, it can be difficult and sometimes painful to move parts of your body. Joint stiffness also often occurs alongside muscle tightness, which further limits your range of motion and flexibility. This article will discuss joint stiffness symptoms, causes, and treatments as well as when to see a healthcare provider....