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The donut hole, or coverage gap, has long been one of the most controversial parts of the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit, and of concern to many people who have joined a Part D drug plan. The good news is that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has closed the donut hole as of 2020, after several years of slowly shrinking it. The donut hole closed in 2019 for brand-name drugs (a year early, thanks to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018), and in 2020 for generic drugs....

A lumbar puncture (LP), which is also called a spinal tap, is a common neurological test that’s done to examine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—the protective fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. During the procedure, a needle is carefully inserted between the bones of the lumbar spine, which is in the lower back. A small amount of CSF is typically collected so it can be studied thoroughly in a lab....

In 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) as a prescription medication treatment for people with chronic migraines. Using Botox for migraine treatment has proved beneficial for patients who experience 15 or more migraines a month, but using Botox doesn’t come without risk. Read more about using Botox for migraine treatment, including its benefits, and risks, from this overview. What Is Botox? Botox is a botulinum neurotoxin, a poison that affects nerves, manufactured by a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum....

An emollient is a natural or manufactured substance used to hydrate and protect the skin. Emollients work by not only adding moisture to the skin but preventing moisture from evaporating. Used for everyday skin care, emollients are also a cornerstone of treatment for psoriasis and other skin conditions. Although it may take some experimentation to find the emollient that’s right for you, there are some insights and tips that can help guide your search....

If you’ve been taking the birth control pill and discover you are pregnant, you may wonder whether this could harm your baby or if there’s a chance that it may lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth. Most research suggests that you need not worry. Some types of birth control may cause complications, but, for the most part, using birth control pills or other hormone delivery devices (such as the Ortho Evra patch or NuvaRing) is relatively safe....

The World Health Organization (WHO) was first proposed in 1945 as a public health agency to be formed as part of the United Nations. WHO’s constitution was ratified on April 7, 1948, marking its official establishment. WHO categorizes its work into three broad areas of focus: Advocating for universal health coveragePreparing for public health emergencies and coordinating a global responseServing vulnerable populations Main Responsibilities To support its three main missions, WHO engages in a variety of technical and practical functions related to disease prevention, emergency response, and direct care delivery....

Missed periods can be a normal part of life. Some people have irregular menstrual cycles that can cause their periods to come and go. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause are other normal reasons that periods can stop. Many people turn to hormonal birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and regulate their periods so they come at regular intervals. However, it is still possible to miss periods even on birth control. There are several reasons periods may stop while on hormonal birth control, including changing forms of birth control, stress, diet changes, exercise, hormonal imbalances, and underlying health conditions....

An infant’s vision develops rapidly. In the first six months, a baby’s sight usually becomes their strongest sense, enabling them to develop important cognitive and social skills. That’s why it’s important for your pediatrician to check your child’s eyes regularly. It’s also recommended that you take your infant for a complete eye exam with a specialist within the first year, whether or not they are showing signs of vision problems....

Wolfram syndrome is a rare and serious genetic medical condition affecting several different organ systems. It leads to premature death. Among its main complications are diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, and vision and hearing symptoms. It is a progressive, neurological illness that usually begins in childhood and is estimated to affect approximately one person in 100,000. It was first described in the 1930s by Dr. Don Wolfram. Though the underlying cause of Wolfram syndrome can’t currently be treated, much can be done to manage the symptoms of the disease....

There’s no cure for most types of arthritis, but there are plenty of effective ways to live—and live well—if you have any form of the disease. Start by setting reasonable goals: reducing joint pain and other arthritis symptoms, regaining and maintaining joint function and mobility, slowing the progression of the disease. Next, determine the measures most likely to be effective for you, keeping in mind some may not yield dramatic results, but when implemented along with other tactics will contribute to bigger-picture improvements in your overall health and well-being....

In a world where the treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease are marginal at best and no miracle drugs are in sight, the focus in the fight against Alzheimer’s is on prevention. While prevention strategies like immunizations aren’t available yet, research has identified several ways that you can decrease your risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. These include preserving your cardiovascular health, avoiding smoking, and regularly exercising. While the outlook for Alzheimer’s is not what everyone would like it to be today, the potential of such prevention efforts is a definite positive....

Amethyst birth control is a low-dose, continuous combination pill that contains levonorgestrel, a progestin, as well as ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen. While it will not offer you any protection against sexually transmitted infections, it may be used to help: Prevent pregnancy Regulate periods and decrease period-related symptoms, like painful cramps Lower the chances of experiencing certain conditions Treat acne Amethyst birth control is the generic version of Lybrel. While no longer available, Lybrel was the first extended-cycle oral contraceptive designed to supply you with an active dose of hormones every day....

Anal cancer is a rare disease that is diagnosed when cancer is present in the anus, the last part of the digestive tract before leaving the body. This is the tube through which stool passes when having a bowel movement. It is separate from, though connected to, the rectum. When the cells of the tissue of the anus become abnormal and grow uncontrollably, cancer develops. This article will review how anal cancer differs from rectal cancer, as well as discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options....

Arsenic trioxide—also known as ATO, or trisenox—is an anticancer treatment for a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia known as acute promyelocytic leukemia, or APL. This leukemia subtype is also called “the M3 subtype” of acute myeloid leukemia. Results using ATO in the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with low-to-intermediate risk APL have been very favorable. These successes have also spurred scientific research investigating the potential use of ATO in many cancers other than APL, including non-leukemia malignancies such as metastatic colon cancer and the brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme....

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare genetic disorder affecting around one in 40,000 to one in 100,000 Americans. It’s caused by genetic mutations that are passed down from parent to child. A-T affects a range of body systems, including the nervous system and immune system. Personal risk factors for A-T depend on your genetics. People with A-T are also at risk for various types of cancers. Ataxia-Telangiectasia Symptoms Symptoms of A-T appear in infancy and very early childhood....

Diarrhea is defined as watery, loose stools that typically occur three or more times a day. Burning diarrhea is usually caused by skin irritation, spicy foods, or an underlying medical condition. Burning diarrhea may be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms, such as abdominal pain and rectal itching. To treat burning diarrhea, it’s important to first learn the cause. Once the cause is determined, then you can find the appropriate treatment to help relieve your symptoms....

A caffeine withdrawal headache can happen if you miss your usual morning cup of coffee or mid-afternoon cup of tea. However, compared to other types of headaches, a caffeine headache can be easy to identify and treat. This article covers the causes of caffeine withdrawal headaches and the other symptoms that can go along with one. You’ll also learn how to prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches. Headache and Other Symptoms of Caffeine Withdrawal You might get a caffeine withdrawal headache if you regularly drink two or more 6-ounce cups of coffee a day and then skip a cup or drink one later than you usually do....

You can reduce your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome by preventing repetitive strain and learning to keep your wrists in a neutral position. However, you may be more prone to carpal tunnel syndrome due to underlying health conditions, anatomic factors, or a wrist injury. Health Factors Being overweight is a major risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or above, you are at greater risk....

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. And the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is using it as an opportunity to encourage people to practice safe sun. Key Takeaways Skin cancer is the most prevalent new cancer diagnosis in the United States.Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage the skin any time of the year.Most skin damage that leads to skin cancer occurs in childhood and early adulthood, which is why parents must teach protective sun habits to kids early in life....

Duodenal mucosal resurfacing (DMR) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to resurface the upper intestine. Like bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery), it has been shown to help with diabetes, but it’s less risky than bariatric surgery. Learn more about the pros and cons of this procedure and whether it would be appropriate for you. What Is Duodenal Mucosal Resurfacing? DMR is done for people with diabetes to help them better manage the disease....