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What Is Pitocin? Pitocin (oxytocin) is an injectable medicine in the oxytocic agent drug class. An oxytocic agent is any drug that can speed up the process of childbirth. While oxytocin is a hormone that the body naturally produces, Pitocin has several uses during birth, pregnancy, or after delivery. Production of oxytocin starts in the area of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the bridge between the nervous system and the endocrine system, the body system that creates all of the hormones that the body needs....

The signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may include frequent urination, urgency, or a need to urinate during the night. Men may also notice that they have difficulty starting to urinate as well as a decreased force of urination. Less common symptoms can include finding blood in the urine or semen, or the sudden onset of erectile dysfunction. Symptoms may also occur due to complications of prostate cancer, such as back and hip pain if cancer spreads to bones....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It is marked by periods of worsening symptoms, known as flare-ups. Some people with RA also have problems with other parts of their body, including their eyes, lungs, and skin, and more general symptoms, such as fatigue and fever. RA is also an autoimmune disease—a condition in which the immune system, which usually fights off invading substances like bacteria, viruses, and toxins, starts to attack its own healthy tissues....

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe brain disorder that affects how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. People with schizophrenia often have a hard time distinguishing between reality and fantasy, expressing and managing their emotions, and making decisions. Symptoms usually start to appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. There is currently no cure for schizophrenia. However, medications and other treatments can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life....

Thalassemia is a hereditary disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the component of red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body. There are many types of thalassemia. Symptoms can range from none at all to severe anemia that requires frequent blood transfusions. At this time, scientists are just beginning to learn how a diagnosis of thalassemia may affect the risk of COVID-19, potential complications, and how the pandemic may affect treatment, but preliminary research has revealed some trends....

What Is Uloric? Uloric (febuxostat) is an antigout pill only available as a prescription. It helps manage elevated uric acid levels in adults for whom allopurinol, another antigout medication, is not an appropriate treatment. Your body makes uric acid from purines, a chemical compound that can also be found in foods. In people with gout, their body produces too much uric acid from purines. Too much uric acid causes sudden severe pains and swelling....

Vitrakvi (larotrectinib) is a cancer drug that received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated approval for use with advanced solid tumors in children or adults with NTRK fusion proteins. It has been found to have both a high response rate and long-lasting benefits for many. Unlike many cancer medications that are designed for use with specific types of cancer, Vitrakvi may work across many different types. Roughly 1 percent of solid tumors (but up to 60 percent of some tumors in children) contain a genetic change known as a neutrophin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion....

It’s a common problem for people who live with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—a gastroenterologist prescribes a drug, but the insurance company refuses to cover it. This is often called a denial of service. A denial of service can be appealed but it requires that the patient and/or their physician take action to do so. This article will explain why denials may occur and what physicians and patients can do to appeal the decision....

What Is Xenleta? Xenleta (lefamulin) is a prescription antibiotic drug used to treat adults with community-acquired bacterial pneumonia (CABP). CABP means that you were infected with bacterial pneumonia in a community setting rather than a hospital or other healthcare facility. Xenleta is in a drug class called pleuromutilin antibiotics. It works by slowing the growth of bacteria or killing bacteria. Xenleta is available as an oral tablet that is taken by mouth....

Earlier this month, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they are developing a COVID-19 booster shot in case a third shot may be needed to boost immunity about six to 12 months after full vaccination. Key Takeaways Earlier this month, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that they are developing a COVID-19 booster shot.Experts say there is no evidence just yet that booster shots are needed at this time.But booster shots might be needed in the future, especially for vulnerable populations like older adults....

Androgen insensitivity is an umbrella term for a number of genetic conditions where the body does not respond appropriately to testosterone and other androgens. There are multiple causes of androgen insensitivity syndromes (AIS). However, these conditions can broadly be divided into partial androgen insensitivity syndromes (PAIS) and complete androgen insensitivity syndromes (CAIS). With partial androgen insensitivity, the body has limited sensitivity to androgens. With complete androgen insensitivity, the body can’t respond to androgens at all....

Artificial sweeteners offer a solution for people who have a sweet tooth and don’t want the excess calories of refined sugar or other natural sweeteners like honey, dates, and maple syrup. But do artificial sweeteners pose a health risk? What Are Artificial Sweeteners? Low-calorie sweeteners, which include artificial sweeteners and non-nutritive sweeteners, are used in beverages, foods, candy, toothpaste, and some medications. They contain few calories or none at all....

Miranda Erlanson, 28, was a healthy and energetic middle school teacher, volleyball coach, wife, and stepmom to three before she contracted COVID-19 in March of 2020. Key Takeaways Between 10 and 30% of individuals who are infected with COVID-19 will go on to develop long COVID complications. Even a mild case of COVID-19 can, in some cases, make you quite sick for a long time.Researchers hope that current clinical trials will help them better understand the cause of long COVID and provide better treatment options....

Parahydroxybenzoates, or parabens, are man-made chemicals that prevent mold and bacteria growth. They are used to preserve cosmetics, medicines, foods, drinks, and personal care items. This makes them last longer. The use of parabens became quite controversial after being found in the cells of breast cancers patients. Early research showed parabens affect hormone function. This can cause changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, thyroid, and immune function. The risk of allergies, obesity, and infertility has also been associated with the use of parabens....

Fibromyalgia (FM) may be an autoimmune disease, where your immune system attacks healthy cells by mistake. For years, the evidence seemed to point away from that. This issue is still far from decided, but opinion may be swaying back toward autoimmunity. Some research suggests FM may be an autoimmune disease involving neuroinflammation, an inflammatory response within the brain and spinal cord, and small-fiber neuropathy, which is weakness and pain from nerve damage....

Whether your child has been newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes or has had it for some time, figuring out how foods affect their blood sugar is an ongoing process. Although there is no one-size-fits-all to meal planning, certain food combinations may have more favorable blood sugar effects. This can be particularly important if your child is school-age and receiving insulin at school when you are not around. There are some key concepts you want to consider when planning lunch....

The type and amount of supportive care a loved one with shingles will need can vary from one person to another. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your loved one might need help with a range of tasks, including following their treatment plan, managing symptoms, reducing stress, and seeking social support. Medical Support Based on the circumstances and severity of the condition, your work as a caregiver might begin even before your loved one is diagnosed with shingles and may be needed long after the rash disappears....

The idea of losing your vision can be scary. After all, you rely on your vision every day. In the U.S., 32.2 million adults have experienced some sort of vision loss. Around the globe, there are an estimated 285 million people with vision impairment. Among those, 39 million are blind. Some vision loss happens suddenly. Other times, it happens gradually. Partial blindness refers to limited vision, and complete blindness or blindness is when you cannot see anything, including light....

Not getting enough of the trace mineral zinc may play an important role in depression in some people. Zinc is found in oysters, meats, nuts, dairy products, and some other foods. Emerging evidence suggests that some people with depression may do better if they receive temporary zinc supplements along with taking antidepressants or getting other types of therapy. This article discusses the potential role of zinc in depression, causes of low zinc levels, how to get enough zinc through food or supplements, and related topics....

What Is Cortef (Oral)? Cortef (hydrocortisone) is an orally administered prescription medication used to reduce inflammation in the body and to raise the levels of steroid hormones in people with certain medical conditions, such as tuberculosis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Cortef belongs to a class of drugs called corticosteroids, also known as glucocorticoids, or steroids. Corticosteroids work by altering your body’s immune response and reducing inflammation. Typically, the body’s adrenal gland naturally produces cortisol, a steroid hormone involved with numerous body functions....