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Different types of lung infections can impact various parts of the respiratory tract. For example, pneumonia affects the air sacs in the lungs, while bronchitis impacts the larger airways, or bronchi. Common symptoms associated with these infections include cough, chills, wheezing, and fever. A lung infection can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or fungi. This article will go over what causes a lung infection, the signs and symptoms of a lung infection, as well as when you should see a provider for treatment....

The mean platelet volume (MPV) blood test measures the average size of platelets, the cells responsible for forming blood clots to slow blood loss, prevent infection, and promote healing. MPV results outside of the normal range—8.9 to 11.8 fL (femtoliters)—can indicate an underlying health condition. Usually, newer platelets are larger in size than older platelets. As such, a high mean platelet volume indicates an abundance of new blood platelets. This could be due to recovery from a recent blood loss (such as a trauma or major surgery)....

Osteoporosis is linked to hormone levels in the body, which can affect sexual health. Specifically, a natural lowering of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone as we age can contribute to bone thinning and weakness. During this time, it’s not uncommon to find yourself dealing with sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction, discomfort during sex, or a reduced sex drive. This article discusses how osteoporosis is connected to sexual health, tips on treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider....

Paget’s disease of the breast is a rare type of cancer of the nipple and areola that is often associated with a type of invasive cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ. Paget’s disease occurs in approximately 1% to 4% of all breast cancers. It most commonly affects women between the ages of 40 and 60, especially during menopause. This disease may also appear in adolescents and older people, and in rare cases can occur in men....

While multiple sclerosis (MS) is classically known as a neurological disease that affects young adults, it manifests before the age of 18 in around 5 percent of MS patients. This is known as pediatric MS. Though what’s known about it looks a lot like adult MS, the complexity of MS in children may go deeper given their already vulnerable and changing state. Here’s a look at the realities of MS in children, including symptoms it can cause, how it’s diagnosed, available treatments, and how to help your child cope....

Plan B One-Step received FDA-approval on July 13, 2009, replacing the old two-pill Plan B. This emergency contraceptive consists of just one 1-milligram levonorgestrel tablet. In July 2012, the FDA approved Next Choice One Dose. By February 2013, the FDA approved My Way, and, in February 2014, the FDA approved Take Action. All three are generic one-pill alternatives to Plan B One-Step. (There is also another generic alternative called AfterPill, but this can only be bought online....

Potassium is an important mineral and electrolyte. It works in your nervous and skeletal systems, controls the electrical activity of your heart, and is involved in blood pressure control. Potassium bicarbonate is one available form of potassium supplement. Most people can receive enough potassium through certain foods. However, some health conditions or medications may cause low potassium levels. In this case, potassium bicarbonate, which is one form of potassium, may be prescribed by a healthcare provider....

If you or someone you’re close to has prostate cancer, you’ll hear a lot about the PSA blood test and the PSA doubling time (PSADT). PSA helps medical providers screen for and diagnose prostate cancer at an early stage. But there’s more to the test than just that. The PSADT—a measurement of how quickly the PSA is increasing—is especially important after you’ve been treated for prostate cancer. This article will walk you through why the PSA doubling time is so significant, how your doctors will use it to monitor for recurrence, and what factors will play a role in how a recurrence is treated....

Tecentriq (atezolizumab) is an immunotherapy drug that works to fight off some types of cancer. Immunotherapy drugs affect the way the immune system responds to cancer growth. They also strengthen the immune system to help the body fight and destroy cancer cells. Keep reading to learn about Tecentriq, its uses, side effects, dosages, warnings, and precautions. Uses Tecentriq isn’t a chemotherapy drug. Rather, it is an immunotherapy drug, a type of drug that boosts the ability of the immune system to fight cancer cells....

Fertility is broadly thought of, for women, as the ability to become pregnant. For women having regular intercourse, not becoming pregnant in about 12 month’s time is an indication of possible infertility. There is more to the story, however, especially in women who have a chronic illness such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In order to get pregnant without assistance, one has to have sex that results in making a baby....

Bilirubin tests, which measure the levels of total bilirubin, unconjugated (indirect) and conjugated (direct) bilirubin in your blood, are a group of blood tests that are used to help evaluate a variety of gastrointestinal and blood diseases. Bilirubin is a chemical component inside red blood cells (RBCs). It has a yellowish-brown color that contributes to the color of urine and stool. High levels of bilirubin can cause yellowing of the skin and eyes....

The deadline for healthcare workers to be vaccinated or face termination has arrived in two states and quickly approaches in others. The mandate appears to have compelled tens of thousands of workers to get the shot, setting the stage for employer vaccine mandates nationwide. Key Takeaways In California and New York, deadlines for healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated approached this week. Thousands of employees got the shot before the deadline....

A watershed stroke occurs when the blood flow to parts of the brain, known as border zones, is severely reduced, leading to brain tissue death. The border zones are vulnerable because they are situated furthest away from the three major arteries that service the brain. A watershed stroke, also known as a border-zone infarct, is a medical emergency. It is commonly triggered by a heart attack, severe brain infections, heavy bleeding, or a steep drop in blood pressure....

Immunotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses your immune system to fight malignant cells. The term immunotherapy is actually used broadly for a collection of varying treatment strategies that alter the body’s immune response or use substances made by the immune system to target cancer cells. These treatments are known as biologic therapies. How Immunotherapy Works The theory behind immunotherapy is that your immune system already knows how to fight cancer....

There’s a host of health conditions that may cause a burning throat. Some of them may be more serious than others, but all of them can cause discomfort that needs to be treated. The good news is that it’s fairly straightforward for a healthcare provider to tease out the cause. They will find it based on your other symptoms and a physical examination. This article will help you to learn some common reasons for a burning throat....

A week into 2021, COVID-19 vaccine rollout in the U.S. is behind the goal set forth by the Trump administration’s Operation Warp Speed. The initial plan was to have enough doses available to vaccinate 20 million people before the first of the year, a number the U.S. has currently fallen short of. But experts say they aren’t surprised by the lag. Key Takeaways The U.S. missed its goal of distributing enough doses to vaccinate 20 million people against COVID-19 by the new year....

It starts with a post. Key Takeaways The spread of medical misinformation and rumors during the COVID-19 pandemic is a medical and public health issue. Hundreds have died from following the advice of online health hoaxes.The best way to vet the validity of a story is to look for evidence, research the source, and dissolve any personal biases. Bask in sunlight or bathe in snow to protect yourself from COVID-19. Consume more alcohol or ingest some bleach to ward off the virus....

A standard hearing test may one day be used to detect autism in newborns. Key Takeaways A hearing test performed on millions of babies around the world may be able to spot who will develop autism spectrum disorder just days after birth. Behavioral signs of autism are often present by 18 months, but diagnosis is not typically made before age 3 or 4.An early diagnosis of autism could allow younger children to start therapies or other interventions during a crucial development period, which could have lifelong benefits....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia are two distinct conditions that can both cause reading difficulties. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by trouble focusing, struggling to sit still, and impulsivity, which may affect a person’s overall ability to function at work or school. Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that affects a person’s relationship with reading and decoding language. In addition to overlap in characteristics, it is common for people with ADHD to also have dyslexia and vice versa....

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought more awareness to the challenge of vaccine hesitancy, and the heightened focus has amplified what public health officials and physicians have long known: There are gaps in vaccination for preventable diseases. These gaps are being driven by certain factors, including race and income level. Key Takeaways Research shows that income level continues to be the most significant barrier to vaccination.Younger people seem to be more affected by socioeconomic status and education level when it comes to getting vaccinated....