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There are many commonly used treatments for high blood pressure (hypertension), which means that no single drug works the same or “best” for everyone. The wide range of high blood pressure medications to choose from also means that, as long as you and your healthcare provider are patient and persistent, it is extremely likely you’ll find an effective and well-tolerated treatment regimen. Drug Types and Choices in Treatment There are five major categories of medications that have been proven effective in treating hypertension:...

Mold, also known as fungus, is a type of multicellular organism found throughout nature, as well as indoors. If you have a mold allergy, it can trigger symptoms of hay fever such as a runny nose, cough, and headaches. An allergic reaction to mold occurs when the body has an immune reaction to mold exposure. Diagnosis can take time, and identifying the source of mold can be challenging. Medications can help alleviate the effects of a mold allergy....

Postpartum insomnia is a relatively common problem for new mothers. Insomnia refers to trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Adjusting to life with a newborn while experiencing physiological changes can make sleep feel impossible in the postpartum period. Postpartum insomnia is fairly common for new mothers and you may have sleep problems even before your baby is born. This article will describe the symptoms and causes of postpartum insomnia, as well as its relation to postpartum depression, and prevention tips for improving sleep....

Prednisone is a commonly used medication to help reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and reduce discomfort. It is part of a group of medications called corticosteroids, which are also referred to as steroids, and is a synthetic version of the corticosteroids that are naturally produced in the body. It is commonly used to manage symptoms of inflammatory diseases such as: Arthritis Multiple sclerosis Severe allergic reactions Lupus Asthma Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Other autoimmune diseases Other uses for prednisone include the management and relief of the symptoms of other conditions, such as an acute respiratory infection by helping to reduce inflammation in the airway, making it easier to breathe....

Though about 1 out of every 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime, people diagnosed with cancer are at a higher risk for developing the condition and related complications. The main reason for this is because cancer and its treatments can compromise your immune system, which makes it harder for your body to fight off infections. Read on to learn more about the relationship between cancer and shingles, and the shingles vaccine’s safety and effectiveness for people living with cancer....

Adderall is the brand name for a stimulant medication made with the chemicals dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Adderall is commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy (a disorder marked by excessive sleepiness). For people with ADHD, Adderall can help with symptoms like difficulty regulating focus, low impulse control, and restlessness. When prescribed incorrectly or taken at too high of a dose, Adderall and other amphetamine-derived medications can cause irritability and anger....

Dehydration is a common side effect for people living with diabetes. It’s related to your blood sugar levels and how hard your kidneys are working to manage fluids in the body as a result of higher blood glucose. Staying well hydrated means drinking enough fluids to keep your body healthy and that’s important for people who don’t have diabetes, too. But when you’re managing diabetes, you need to be selective about the beverages you choose, avoiding those that cause your blood sugar to spike....

Ulcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the large intestine (colon). It can also cause signs and symptoms in other parts of the body outside of the large intestine. Ulcerative colitis is treated with medications, lifestyle changes, and, in about 10%–15% of cases, surgery to remove the colon. The different forms of ulcerative colitis have varying symptoms and affect specific parts of the colon....

Ultrasound therapy is a noninvasive treatment in which sound waves are used to penetrate soft tissues, increasing blood flow. This can help relieve pain, improve circulation, and promote tissue healing. As such, ultrasound therapy is often used to treat injuries and muscle spasms, as well as chronic issues like neck or back pain. Typically a physical therapist, a professional who helps individuals manage pain and improve mobility, administers this treatment. Occupational therapists, professionals who help individuals with acts of daily living, may offer ultrasound therapy as well....

If you’re like many women, perimenopause—the years during which you transition to menopause—may be an overwhelming time filled with irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood disturbances, and difficulty sleeping. In addition to all of these symptoms, this seemingly daunting time may be made worse by an increase in migraine frequency. Here’s why and what you can do to manage your migraines as you get closer to menopause. Changes During Perimenopause The early stages of perimenopause are characterized by fluctuating estrogen levels and shorter menstrual cycles....

Over the last few years, it’s become more common for hospitals to ask people to pay their deductibles before medical services are provided. According to one recent analysis, at least three-quarters of hospital systems in the U.S. ask patients to prepay some or all of their out-of-pocket costs for certain services, including things like MRIs, CT scans, and even births. This article will help you understand why this is happening, what rights you have, and how to navigate our current healthcare system....

If a loved one has been severely injured or is extremely ill, they may need to spend a significant amount of time in bed. Prolonged immobility, while beneficial to recovery, can become problematic if it places persistent pressure on vulnerable skin. Unless preventive steps are taken, pressure ulcers, also known as decubitus ulcers or bedsores, can develop. Symptoms Pressure ulcers most often develop on skin that covers bony parts of the body, such as the ankles, heels, hip, and tailbone....

People with one autoimmune disease are likely to develop another autoimmune condition, including those with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriasis. Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system malfunctions and attacks healthy tissues. With AS, the malfunctioning immune system attacks the spine, and with psoriasis, these attacks focus on skin cells. Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of autoimmune spondyloarthritis affecting the spine and leading to vertebrae fusing. The earliest signs of AS are pain and stiffness in the low back and hips....

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is characterized by progressively (increasingly) impaired coordination (ataxia) and the appearance of tiny red blood vessels on certain body areas (telangiectasia). Telangiectasia happens because of permanent widening of groups of blood vessels. A person with A-T can have difficulties with voluntary actions like walking and talking and experience involuntary movements like jerking and tremors. This article discusses the frequent and rare symptoms of A-T as well as its associated complications....

Surgery is a commonly used intervention when treating breast cancer. There are two main types of surgery for breast cancer: a lumpectomy and a mastectomy. The goal of these surgeries is to remove the tumor so that it won’t reappear later in your breast (recur) or spread to other parts of your body (metastasize). The recommended breast cancer surgery for you depends on several factors, including the type of cancer you have, your tumor’s characteristics, and your medical history....

Bronchiectasis, bronchitis, and pediatric bronchiolitis are all disorders of the airways of the lung. However, they are different conditions. Bronchiectasis is a permanent condition in which the airways in the lungs have become widened and scarred. The United States has a high prevalence of bronchiectasis compared with countries worldwide. Bronchitis includes two types of disorders—acute and chronic bronchitis. Both affect the bronchi and bronchioles (the large and small airways of the lungs)....

What Is Ciprodex? Ciprodex ear drops are a combination of ciprofloxacin (a quinolone antibiotic) and dexamethasone (a corticosteroid) used to treat ear infections. Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic that works by killing bacteria. Dexamethasone reduces inflammation-causing chemicals in the body. Together, the combination medicine reduces swelling and discomfort in the ear. Ciprodex is a prescription medicine available as a suspension (liquid) in the form of ear drops. What Is Ciprodex Used For?...

People with ankylosing spondylitis may also experience problems with their digestion. As many as 30% of people with ankylosing spondylitis have symptoms that fit the criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Between 6% and 14% of people with ankylosing spondylitis also live with a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It’s thought that ankylosing spondylitis is associated with particular genes. Genetics plus other environmental factors may lead to inflammation that affects the spine and other body systems, including the digestive system....

There are many factors that contribute to or cause coronary artery disease (CAD). While genetic predisposition does play a role, recent research indicates that lifestyle and environmental factors play an even greater role. Atherosclerosis, the main cause of CAD, can make the coronary blood vessels (those that supply the heart muscle) stiffen and more prone to forming blood clots. High levels of LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol, increase the risk of CAD....

Dry eye can leave your eyes feeling scratchy, burning, and sensitive to light. Dry eye is either caused by not enough tears being produced or the tears that are produced are not of good enough quality to keep the eye’s surface moist. Dry eye can result when glands around the eye produce fewer tears due to age or other reasons, or the makeup of the three layers of tears (oil, water, and mucus) isn’t sufficient....