A dental bridge is a permanent appliance that replaces a missing tooth or missing teeth. It has several pieces that are fused together to fit into the open space where your tooth or teeth used to be. Dental bridges are an alternative to partial dentures. A bridge can help you eat and speak more effectively and also make your teeth look better. A dental bridge can be made of different materials, including gold, alloys, or porcelain....
A foot ulcer (an open wound) or infection that does not get better may indicate the need for a foot amputation. Around 60% of lower extremity amputations, including feet or toes (unrelated to trauma), occur in people with diabetes. This article discusses why foot problems may lead to amputations in a person with diabetes, foot symptoms to monitor when you have diabetes, and what happens before and after a foot amputation....
Eczema is a chronic recurring skin disorder linked to an overactive immune system. It is also called atopic dermatitis. The condition can show up on any part of the body, but it’s usually found behind the knees and in the creases of the elbows. The main symptoms of eczema are skin dryness, redness, itching, and a scaly rash. Other symptoms of eczema include skin discoloration and crusting. Eczema symptoms can change depending on the severity and stage of the disease....
“Erythematous mucosa” is a term to describe the inflammation and redness of the inner lining of the digestive tract. Erythematous mucosa is associated with conditions such as gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon, or large intestine), and proctitis (inflammation of the rectum). This article will discuss the various underlying conditions that may cause inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract, their causes, symptoms, treatment options, and more....
What Is Evrysdi? Evrysdi (risdiplam) is a prescription medication used to treat spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in adults and children. Evrysdi belongs to a group of drugs called survival motor neuron 2 (SMN2) splicing modifiers. Evrysdi works by increasing the production of an essential protein called survival motor neuron protein. People with SMA have trouble making this protein; low levels can cause muscle weakness and breakdown. Evrysdi is available as an oral solution....
In a new article published on October 26, Anthony Fauci, MD, and his co-authors concluded that achieving normalcy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic will require the continued use of “low-tech” interventions, such as mask-wearing and social distancing. Key Takeaways Public health experts say that low-tech interventions, like wearing a face mask and social distancing, are necessary to achieve normalcy as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.Mask-wearing continues to be a top measure not only for preventing the transmission of COVID-19, but also saving lives....
Several inhalers and nebulizer solutions used for treating asthma are available as generic formulations, including albuterol, levalbuterol, ipratropium, budesonide, fluticasone/salmeterol, and others. They are bioequivalent to the brand versions, which means that they are expected to have the same action on the body. Brand name inhalers may be more familiar to you than generic versions, especially if you have been using asthma inhalers prior to the approval of these generic versions....
A health insurance deductible is an amount you have to pay toward the cost of your healthcare bills before your insurance company begins to cover your costs. Deductibles can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on your insurance plan and they typically renew every year. If your health insurance comes with one or more deductibles, you’ll end up paying out of pocket for some services. Once you’ve paid the full amount of the deductible, your insurance shares or fully pays the costs for your care....
It’s clear that exercise helps people with early- and middle-stage Parkinson’s disease. What isn’t clear is exactly what type of exercise helps people with this illness. It’s also unclear what intensity of exercise helps. Recently, researchers have taken great interest in exercise as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease. Traditionally, Parkinson’s disease has been treated using medications and surgery; however, exercise is a low-cost, noninvasive intervention with few negative side effects other than minor aches and pains....
Under the Affordable Care Act’s employer mandate, large employers (those with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees) must offer health insurance to their full-time (30+ hours per week) employees or face a financial penalty. There’s wide latitude in terms of the coverage that large employers can offer, but in order to comply with the employer mandate, the coverage has to provide minimum value and be considered affordable for the employee....
Overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition characterized by the sudden and frequent need to urinate that is difficult to control, often leading to leakage and incontinence. Because the exact cause of OAB is unknown, the condition can be difficult to treat and often requires a multifactorial approach involving lifestyle, medications, and specialized procedures. Surgery is rarely recommended but may be pursued if no other options are available and the person’s quality of life is severely impacted....
Mask mandates have largely been lifted across the country for indoor places, planes, and public transit. But the striking down of mandates leaves immunocompromised people and unvaccinated individuals, like kids, vulnerable to infection. Key Takeaway A mask is still effective even if you’re the only one wearing one.For maximum protection, wear a high-quality and well-fitting mask.You should take community transmission, vaccination rates, and the ventilation and crowding of a venue into consideration when determining your COVID-19 risk....
Ileostomy and colostomy are two types of ostomy surgery that treat diseases and conditions affecting the digestive system. Both include the creation of a stoma, by which a small piece of intestine is brought through the abdomen. A bag or a pouch is worn on the abdomen to collect stool as it leaves the body through the stoma. However, there are some significant differences between an ileostomy and a colostomy. In a colostomy, the piece of intestine to form a stoma is from the large intestine (colon)....
Indica and Sativa are the two main types of marijuana plants. In general, Sativa is energizing, and India is relaxing. Indica and Sativa plants are also crossbred to create hybrids. However, every strain is unique and affects individuals differently. Sativa (Cannabis sativa) strains are commonly recommended for daytime use. They tend to be uplifting and cause more of a cerebral or head-high. Indica (Cannabis indica) strains are usually recommended for relieving pain and insomnia....
Interventions are grouped events staged by family or support networks to make a person who is in deep denial about their addiction aware of the impact their addiction is having on their life. It also helps the person set goals for engaging in treatment. Entertainment media have popularized dramatic interventions, but a successful intervention often requires professional help for conveying messages of care and concern. Read on to learn about the steps for planning a successful intervention....
Like many viruses, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, undergoes many genetic mutations as it spreads across a large population. Scientists are only beginning to understand these variations and their impact on health outcomes, especially in children. Key Takeaways Children’s Hospital Los Angeles conducted the largest pediatric genomic COVID-19 survey to date.The study reports a possible link between certain SARS-CoV-2 mutations and disease severity.Samples showed high levels of genetic variation in California....
What Is Letairis? Letairis (ambrisentan) is a prescription medication used to treat adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), or high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery. It belongs to a class of drugs called endothelin receptor antagonists. People with PAH have high levels of endothelin, a naturally occurring substance that causes the pulmonary artery to become too narrow, which leads to increased pressure. Letairis works by blocking the effects of endothelin to help prevent narrowing of the blood vessels....
Lip twitching is when your lip shakes or trembles uncontrollably. It develops when the muscles of the lip involuntarily move, usually due to some kind of muscle-related condition. A lip twitch is often quick and feels like a quiver. Read on to learn more about what causes lip twitching and what you can do about it. What Causes Lip Twitching? There are many causes associated with lip twitching. Caffeine Caffeine is a drug found in coffee, tea, some snack foods, and soft drinks....
The connection between smoking cigarettes and cancer has long been proven. Smoking cigarettes is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States, and leads to 480,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that in 2019 approximately 34.1 million American adults were regular cigarette smokers, and more than 16 million were living with a smoking-related disease. Researchers defined a “current smoker” as someone who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime or who reported smoking some days or every day....
Megaloblastic anemia is a type of blood cell deficiency with larger than normal red blood cells and enlarged and abnormal red blood cell precursors (megaloblasts) in the bone marrow. This type of anemia often develops due to vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency or vitamin B9 (folate) deficiency. These deficiencies can occur for different reasons, such as malnutrition or gastrointestinal conditions. The symptoms can include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and other effects. Treatment generally involves getting enough of these vitamins, either in the diet or with supplements....
