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Topical retinoids are prescribed to control blackheads and whiteheads, or comedonal acne. They also called retinoic acid or vitamin A acid. This article looks at topical retinoids and how they work as an acne treatment. It also discusses side effects and precautions for using this medication. What Are Topical Retinoids? Topical retinoids promote the exfoliation of dead skin cells and boost the production of new skin cells. The new cells push dead cells and excess oil out of blocked pores....

Adults with undiagnosed dyslexia may experience various difficulties with reading, writing, or spelling. While many have learned how to compensate over the years, the COVID-19 pandemic and sudden switch to remote-style working from home has some finally seeking help. Key Takeaways The shift to working from home may be harder for adults with dyslexia.Many public misconceptions about dyslexia still exist, even among educators; it’s not seeing letters backwards.Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common in adults with dyslexia who were not identified and appropriately educated as children....

Anger is an emotion that causes you to feel animosity toward someone or something, for example, when someone has wronged you. Circumstances like traffic jams and memories of a bad experience can also trigger anger. While most people consider anger a “negative” emotion, it can also be good for you. For example, it can prompt you to find solutions to problems. On the other hand, since your heart rate, blood pressure, and hormones are affected when you experience anger, excessive anger can sometimes lead to physical health complications and mental health problems....

A gold plan is a type of individual/family or small group health insurance that pays, on average, 80% of covered healthcare expenses for a standard population. Plan members pay the other 20% of healthcare expenses with their copayments, coinsurance, and deductible payments. This article will explain what you need to know about gold plans, and tips for deciding which metal level plan will best fit your needs. To make it easy to compare the value you’re getting for the money you spend on health insurance premiums, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) created new coverage categories for individual/family and small group plans (but not for large group plans)....

Fully vaccinated people can still get infected with COVID—even more than once. As researchers work to figure out why these breakthrough COVID infections happen, they’ve learned a few things that might make a person more likely to get one. Key Takeaways New research shows that people with cancer and dementia have a higher chance of being hospitalized for a breakthrough infection than people who don’t have these conditions.Vaccinated people with pancreatic or liver cancer had the greatest risks of a breakthrough infection while people with thyroid or breast cancer had lower risks....

Benfotiamine is a dietary supplement. It is used to treat diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain) and Alzheimer’s disease. Benfotiamine is a lab-created version of thiamine (vitamin B1). Your body absorbs it better than natural B1. So some people use it to raise thiamine levels. This article looks at the uses and possible side effects of benfotiamine, how to take it, and what to look for when buying it. What Is Benfotiamine Used For?...

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a flowering plant native to the eastern part of the United States and Canada. The root and budding rootstalk (called the rhizome) secrete a red fluid when cut, giving the plant its name. During the fall months, the root and rhizome are routinely harvested by herbalists for use in medicines. Bloodroot has long been used by Native Americans to induce vomiting in a practice intended to cleanse the body of harmful toxins....

Bones are complex living tissues comprised of an inner “spongy” bone surrounded by solid “compact” bone. Soft marrow, which produces bone and blood cells, lies in the center of many bones. There are many causes of bone pain, ranging from a bone bruise or fracture, to less common (albeit very serious) causes, such as bone cancer or infection. Associated symptoms and the quality of your pain (e.g. sharp and stabbing versus dull and achy) can provide clues as to the “why” behind your bone pain, imaging and/or blood tests are often needed to pin down the exact diagnosis....

Everywhere you turn, you are admonished to pay attention to your cholesterol levels, and to a lesser extent, your triglyceride levels. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two forms of lipid, or fat, that circulate in your bloodstream. They are both necessary for life itself. Cholesterol is critical for building and maintaining key parts of your cells, such as your cell membranes, and for making several essential hormones — including the estrogens, progesterone, vitamin D, and steroids....

What Is Claritin? Claritin (loratadine) is an over-the-counter (OTC) medication used to treat symptoms of seasonal or year-round (perennial) allergies and hives in adults and children. It does not prevent hives or prevent or treat a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Claritin is part of a class of drugs known as antihistamines. During an allergic reaction, your body releases histamine. When it binds to specific receptors in your body, histamine can cause allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes and a runny nose....

Recovery from a colonoscopy, an examination of the large intestine used to screen for colon cancer, takes about a day. While the procedure itself takes only around an hour to complete, you’ll need an hour after to recover from the sedative and the remainder of the day to rest and replenish fluids and nutrition. As a general rule, it is best to take the rest of the day off from work after a colonoscopy and give yourself 24 hours to feel 100% normal again....

Conversion disorder, also called functional neurological symptom disorder, is a psychiatric condition in which a person has neurological symptoms, like paralysis or blindness, with no physiological cause. People with conversion disorder are not faking their illness. While there may be no identifiable cause to conversion disorder, it is a very real psychiatric condition that is often preceded by a stressful or traumatic event. This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of conversion disorder....

Lingual crossbite, commonly known as crossbite, is a term used to describe a misalignment of the teeth, or malocclusion. Specifically, a crossbite occurs when your upper teeth fit inside your lower teeth. This misalignment can affect overall dental hygiene, and lead to issues like pain or problems chewing food. This article provides an overview of crossbites, as well as common causes and treatments. What Is a Crossbite? When the teeth are aligned correctly, the upper teeth will fit slightly over the lower teeth....

Exercise is key for disease prevention and treatment and improving overall quality of life, and this is especially true for both people with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors. Exercise can help reduce risk factors and negative side effects of treatment. This article will review the benefits of regular exercise during and after breast cancer treatment, types of exercise, and how exercise can decrease your risk of breast cancer recurrence. Benefits of Exercise With Breast Cancer Regular exercise is important for everyone, but there are particular benefits for people undergoing treatment for those with breast cancer and breast cancer survivors....

Gonioscopy is a type of eye exam performed by an eye doctor (optometrist). It is used to check the front of the eye for glaucoma, which is a group of various conditions that can cause damage to the optic nerve. Specifically, gonioscopy examines an area called the drainage angle. It is a painless exam. This article will detail when an ophthalmologist (a healthcare provider specializing in eye conditions) or optometrist uses gonioscopy, what happens during gonioscopy, and what you can learn from the results....

HER2-negative breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that accounts for about 78% of all breast cancer cases. Its name describes the status of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, known as HER2, in the disease. Not all breast cancer cases are the same. Testing for the HER2 protein helps define key aspects of your illness that affect the type of treatment you receive. HER2 is a protein that exists on the surface of all breast cells....

If you live in more than one place, how does your health insurance coverage work? That’s a question that you might not think of until you’re contemplating the possibility of having homes in multiple states, but it’s worth considering well in advance, as it can be complicated. This article will explain what you need to know to ensure that you’ll have adequate coverage in each location. If you have employer-sponsored health insurance and you have to move back and forth between two or more locations due to your job, your employer has probably already worked out the details....

To diagnose meningioma, your healthcare provider will perform a physical and neurological exam to gather information about your symptoms. In addition, they will likely perform specific imaging tests to view the brain, and if there is evidence of a tumor, they will likely perform a biopsy to determine if it is malignant (cancerous). Meningioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor, but there are several other types of brain tumor that mimic them....

Congestive heart failure can be passed on from generation to generation. Several hereditary factors put people at higher risk if their family members have congestive heart failure, such as high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, and complications from diabetes. A number of conditions can also lead to congestive heart failure, including diseases that directly affect the heart like rheumatic fever and infections such as endocarditis or myocarditis. What is Congestive Heart Failure?...

You might not give much thought to your gums until there’s a problem. Itching, soreness, and inflammation in your gums can be distracting. You can’t talk, eat, or even breathe without involving these tissues. This article will explore why your gums might itch and become sore and options to prevent and treat itchy gums. Causes of Itchy Gums Your gums contribute to the health of your teeth, mouth, and whole body....