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Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses sugar (glucose) for energy. When a child’s blood glucose level is too high, it can lead to complications over time. Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common in children and adolescents. Children with type 2 diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels. They may also require regular oral medication or insulin injections. This article will provide an overview of type 2 diabetes in children, including the symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options....

Your immune system produces five types of antibodies, each of which has distinct methods of defending your body against disease and infection. Antibodies are specialized Y-shaped proteins made by the immune system. They help fight disease by detecting viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) and working to destroy them. Harmful infectious organisms are identified as invaders due to their antigens, which are distinct molecules on their surface. Each antibody produced by your immune system binds to a specific antigen—with a fitted molecular shape—and then either destroys the pathogen or tags it so other immune cells will recognize it....

“Overweight” and “obese” are medical terms used to describe when a person has excess body fat. Research estimates that by the end of this decade, the population of adults around the world who are overweight will reach roughly 38%, while adults with obesity will reach nearly 20%. While obesity and excess weight can affect physical health in many ways, it can also severely impact mental health. This is due to weight stigma, which is defined as discriminating or stereotyping based on a person’s weight....

Wearing high heels may be fashionable and make you feel taller and sexier, but at what price? High-heeled shoes can cause a plethora of foot problems while impairing stability and increasing the risk of injury. Leg, back, and foot pain are among some of the more common complaints. Long-term use can even cause structural changes in the foot itself, leading to bunions, hammertoe, neuroma, equinus, and other conditions that may require surgical correction....

As the Delta variant continues to drive a surge in COVID-19 cases, some corporations are considering whether to charge unvaccinated workers more for their health insurance. Key Takeaways Nearly three-quarters of private insurers who had waived the cost of COVID-19 hospitalization earlier in the pandemic have since rescinded that policy.Some companies are now considering whether they can hike insurance costs to encourage people to become vaccinated.Experts say singling out unvaccinated people could be tricky legally and ethically....

Type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to hold you back from traveling on airplanes. It’s important to be prepared, though, and let the right people know of your medical condition in advance. Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn’t use the hormone insulin effectively, which can cause high blood sugar (glucose). This article will help you organize your travel plans and be ready to fly with less worry....

What Is Amrix? Amrix (cyclobenzaprine) is a prescription medication used to treat pain and tenderness caused by muscle spasms. Amrix belongs to a group of medications called skeletal muscle relaxants. These drugs work on receptors in the brain and nervous system, causing your muscles to relax. Because Amrix is available as an extended-release capsule, you’ll only have to take your dose once per day. What Is Amrix Used For? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Amrix to treat muscle spasms caused by acute musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain and neck pain....

Asthma irritants are airborne substances that act as an asthma trigger when inhaled. They differ from allergens in that they do not generate an immune response. Instead, they irritate already inflamed airways and trigger asthma symptoms—wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and chronic cough. By identifying asthma irritants in your home, at work, and elsewhere in your environment, you can find ways to avoid them and reduce your risk of an attack....

An itchy red rash after using skincare products is a clear sign of an allergic reaction. But sometimes skincare products can cause more subtle symptoms, like dryness and flakiness, pimple-like bumps, and uneven skin tone. This may be due to irritation caused by a certain ingredient. This article includes a list of skincare products that most commonly cause irritation or allergic reactions, along with specific ingredients that might be responsible. It also covers the symptoms you should look out for, how to respond to severe reactions, and more....

While bladder cancer is relatively common, the average five-year survival rate is quite high at 76.9%. This rate has improved over the past several years, and a person’s chance of survival is influenced by many factors. These factors include the type, stage, and grade of the cancer. Survival rates are also classified by the stage: localized, regional, and distant. If the cancer is found earlier, the chance of survival is higher....

Breast cancer and ovarian cancer can be linked for several reasons. Hormonal factors can be at play in both cancers, and there are also several gene mutations, most notably BRCA1 and BRCA2, that increase the risk of both cancers. Knowing more about each of these cancers and how they are related can help you talk with a healthcare provider about your risk. This article will explore the connection between breast cancer and ovarian cancer, the risk of developing each cancer, and the treatment, management, and prevention of these cancers....

Calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystals are microscopic, crystal-like formations that can accumulate in certain people’s joints, particularly older individuals. While pyrophosphate is a naturally occurring chemical in the body, when it is coupled with calcium, the resulting crystal formations can collect in your cartilage and lead to a form of arthritis called calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease (CPPD)—also known as pseudogout. The sections below provide more information about this frequently misidentified condition, including its potential causes and the treatment options that are available....

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a chameleon in the medical world. Its symptoms mimic many other conditions and there is not a single symptom that is the gold standard of all carbon monoxide poisonings. In other words, it’s very difficult to identify, but there are a few changes you should be aware of. Frequent Symptoms The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are vague and related to many conditions. Early Symptoms Carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin to create a molecule called carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which interferes with the body’s ability to transport and use oxygen, especially in the brain....

Sarcoidosis is a disease of unknown cause that produces granulomas—clumps of abnormal cells similar to scar tissue—in various organs in the body. These granulomas can interfere with the normal functioning of the affected organs, and thus can produce a dizzying array of symptoms and medical problems. Because the sarcoid granulomas can be so widespread, people with this condition can experience symptoms involving the lungs, eyes, skin, nervous system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine glands—and the heart....

Vaginal yeast infections are common around the world. Three out of four women experience the infection at least once. But in areas where women have limited access to health care and information about menstrual health, these infections can pose disproportionately large issues. Key Takeaways Researchers from India are testing color-changing menstrual products to help women self-diagnose yeast infections. The products are meant to help women in low-income and rural communities where there are barriers to receiving treatment....

The new coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, has appeared and spread extremely quickly, making its way to over 200 countries since its December 2019 discovery in China. This particular type of respiratory disease is caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. It’s part of a larger family of coronaviruses, the majority of which cause only the common cold. As of 2021, this article is no longer being updated. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page....

Difficulty sleeping is a common problem that affects us all at one point or another. Having trouble falling or staying asleep, waking up feeling tired, and having challenges with your memory, decision-making, and irritability due to not getting good rest are all associated with sleep difficulties or even a sleep disorder. If the symptoms associated with your difficulty sleeping interfere with your quality of life and daily functioning, a healthcare provider can help you figure out what might be causing it and how it can be treated....

Disenfranchised grief is a natural emotional reaction following a loss that is not openly accepted by society. It is normal and expected to grieve after any loss, but not all losses are viewed equally by those around us. Not feeling welcome or comfortable to outwardly mourn or express the emotions that come with a loss can be isolating and can prolong and complicate the grieving process. This article will define disenfranchised grief through examples, show how to recognize disenfranchised grief, and explain how it compares to other forms of grieving....

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women and their second leading cause of cancer-related death. According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight women will have breast cancer in their lifetime. In 2021, as many as 281,500 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the United States, and 43,600 will die from it. It’s important to screen for breast cancer at regular intervals to detect cancer when it is most treatable....

Mosquitoes bite. It’s usually just a nuisance. But with each bite, it might be more. There’s a small chance they may be spreading disease, and although that seems scary, remember that just having mosquitoes and viruses around is not enough. It has to be the right virus for the right mosquito in the right place. Mosquitoes can create a bit of a problem if the right viruses and other pathogens are present....