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Electrical shock occurs when an electrical current travels through the body. Injuries from electrical shock happen when someone accidentally comes in contact with an electrical source, such as a frayed cord or a downed power line. This article discusses the causes, signs, effects, and prevention of electrical shock. Causes An electric shock occurs when someone has direct contact with a high-voltage current that travels through the body. Several things can cause an electric shock, including:...

Erythrasma is a superficial infection caused by a bacteria known as Corynebacterium minutissimum, which naturally resides on the body. It is characterized by the development of a discolored patch, primarily in folds of skin. There are two types: Interdigital erythrasma primarily develops between the toes, while generalized erythrasma is more widespread and commonly seen in people with type 2 diabetes. The rash itself is not considered serious but may serve as an early warning sign of a more serious condition....

Earlier this month, President Joe Biden showed his support in the waiver of intellectual property (IP) protections of the COVID-19 vaccines. The proposed waiver, first introduced by India and South Africa, intends to allow member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to waive IP rights for products and technologies that can prevent, contain, or treat COVID-19—including vaccines—for the duration of the pandemic. Key Takeaways The U.S. government has shown its support in waiving intellectual property rights for the COVID-19 vaccines....

A fish allergy, as opposed to a shellfish allergy, is one in which your immune system reacts abnormally to a finned fish such as tuna, halibut, or salmon. It is a somewhat less common form of food allergy, affecting women more than men and adults more than children. Fish allergies often develop during early childhood but, in contrast to a milk or egg allergy, usually persist well beyond school age. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include skin rashes, respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal distress, and anaphylaxis (which requires emergency attention)....

Katy McLean just wants to go for walks again, or do the dishes. Key Takeaways Post-COVID care clinics have popped up in 41 U.S. states and Canada to care for people with long COVID, or post-viral symptoms of COVID-19.These clinics offer meetings with specialists and individualized care. They also conduct research for future treatment of long COVID.Mandatory referrals and residency requirements can be barriers to access. But as a result of her now 10-month battle with post-viral COVID-19 symptoms, both activities are outside her range of movement....

Immunizations are a major part of childhood doctor’s visits. Between birth and age 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 15 different immunizations, several of which require four spaced-out doses, and one (DTaP) which requires five. But in adulthood, routine vaccinations can start to feel a little less routine. Some vaccines, like Tdap, need a booster every 10 years. (The CDC also recommends a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy....

If you have to have your wisdom teeth removed or if a child has many cavities that need fillings, you may worry about the safety of anesthesia used in oral surgery. However, studies show that oral anesthesia administered by dentists and oral surgeons in office settings is safe, and it helps ease patients’ anxieties about pain during dental procedures. More than a third of adults fear going to the dentist. This can prevent them from getting regular checkups and cleanings, hurting their oral and general health....

How can you maintain a positive attitude and keep your head up during cancer treatment? First off, it’s important to say that you don’t always have to be positive. In fact, allowing yourself to grieve and allowing yourself time to vent your anger, frustration, and fears with a good friend is just as important as staying positive. You honor yourself when you allow yourself to express the emotions you feel—whether positive or negative....

There are many precautions and protocols that doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff follow to help prevent the spread of infections within a medical facility. Healthcare workers are trained to adhere to rules outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) known as standard precautions. Standard precautions apply to all patients and their care. They include basic hygiene practices, such as hand washing and disinfecting equipment, and safety guidelines that must be used when dealing with blood or handling needles....

Obesity pretty clearly increases one’s risk of many medical issues. But while society and medical experts have placed great emphasis on maintaining a “normal” body weight, the excess risk posed by being merely overweight—having a moderately elevated body mass index (BMI), as opposed to being obese—is actually less clear. This news obviously seems to send some mixed messages. Learning more about what the research says can help you better understand your health....

Menopause is the stage when a woman’s menstrual cycle (period) stops for 12 months in a row. It marks the end of her fertile, reproductive years. Common side effects caused by changing hormone levels during menopause include hot flashes, mood changes, and sleep disruption. Many women also experience an average weight gain of about five pounds after menopause. The keto diet is a very low carbohydrate, high-fat diet that some people recommend to ease menopause symptoms and balance hormones....

Libido (also called sex drive) means the overall interest a person has in sexual activity. It is separate from sexual arousal, which is the body’s response to sexual stimuli. A low libido does not always indicate a problem, but it may be related to a medical condition or can cause a person distress, particularly if there has been a drop in libido. Statistics vary, but up to 20% of men experience low libido sometime in their life....

Not having enough of the mineral magnesium may play a role in causing or worsening type 2 diabetes. Science on this topic is still emerging. It may make sense to talk to your healthcare provider about whether magnesium testing or magnesium supplements would be appropriate for you. This article explores the role of magnesium in the body and how low levels are linked to type 2 diabetes. Learn how to get tested and what to do to treat or prevent low magnesium....

What Is Mavyret? Mavyret is a combination product containing two antiviral drugs, glecaprevir, and pibrentasvir. The Food and Drug Administration approved it to treat certain types of chronic (long-term) hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir belong to a class of medications called HCV NS3/4A protease inhibitors and HCV NS5A inhibitors, respectively. Both active drugs work together to decrease the amount of HCV by preventing its replication and spread in the body....

Depression and multiple sclerosis (MS) often coexist and can contribute to each other. The disease process of MS itself can produce depression, as can the psychological impact of living with this chronic neurological concern. Further, some of the symptoms of MS overlap with those of depression, so it can be hard to know if you are experiencing worsening of your MS or a bout of depression (either related or unrelated to your disease)....

Newborn screening is important for the early detection of inherited genetic and metabolic disorders, allowing doctors to preemptively treat or manage affected babies to reduce illness, disability, or death. The screening is performed soon after birth and involves a simple blood test alongside a non-invasive hearing test. Currently, in the United States, there are 35 genetic and metabolic disorders for which screening is recommended and 26 secondary disorders for which screening may be performed....

Parkinsonism, also known as atypical or secondary Parkinsonism, is a condition that impacts movement and causes symptoms similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease. These include muscle stiffness, slow movement, speech impairment, tremors at rest, and more. The most common type of Parkinsonism is drug-induced Parkinsonism, which can be caused by prescription medications taken to treat another condition. Parkinsonism is also called atypical Parkinsonism, secondary Parkinsonism, or Parkinsonism plus. Potential Causes There are several possible causes of Parkinsonism, but most people with Parkinson’s symptoms will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which is called idiopathic Parkinson’s (idiopathic means “unknown cause”)....

Pediatric growth hormone deficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not make enough growth hormone, which stimulates growth of bone and other tissues. The pituitary gland, a small, bean-shaped gland located near the base of the brain and attached to the hypothalamus, affects almost every body system. When the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which helps regulate the pituitary gland, is damaged or malformed, a growth hormone deficiency can result. Injury to either organ can be congenital or acquired....

Lung cancer is described based on where the disease originated. Cancer that starts in the lungs and is unrelated to any previous cancer is called primary lung cancer. Secondary lung cancer, on the other hand, is cancer that spreads to the lungs from another part of the body. A second primary lung cancer is a new lung cancer that develops in the lungs unrelated to the original cancer. There is also is a type of lung cancer referred to as lung cancer of unknown origin....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints and entheses (the areas where tendons and ligaments meet bone) throughout the body. PsA affects about one-third of people with the autoimmune skin condition psoriasis. PsA might also affect the spine, leading to back and hip pain. There is no way to prevent PsA. There is also no way to know which people with psoriasis will go on to develop PsA....