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Psoriatic arthritis, or PsA, is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body mistakenly attacks its own joints and areas of the bone where tendons and ligaments attach. This condition causes pain, stiffness, and swelling that can significantly impact your daily life. PsA often occurs with psoriasis—a condition that causes red, itchy patches of skin. If you’re a busy working adult, you might not think you have much time to focus on self-care....

The pandemic exacerbated mental health issues for many. But according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, the Latinx community felt it particularly hard. Over 40% of Latinx adults surveyed reported symptoms of depression during the pandemic. Key Takeaways A report from the CDC found higher rates for depression, substance use, and suicidal thoughts among Hispanic/Latino-identifying people.Various psychological and social forces perpetuate mental health problems for Latinx individuals....

One of the most essential steps to using condoms correctly is choosing the right condom size. Wearing an external condom that is too big can cause it to slip off, and wearing one that is too small can cause it to break. For maximum protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy, you need a condom that fits securely and comfortably. There are plenty of condom size charts out there that offer a selection of sizes to choose from, but, to make the right choice, you need to do more than “eyeball it....

Rosuvastatin (brand name Crestor, marketed by AstraZeneca) is one of the most commonly used statin drugs. Like other statins, rosuvastatin is prescribed to improve a person’s blood lipid levels and to reduce cardiovascular risk. During the first decade or so that rosuvastatin was on the market, it was widely touted as a “third-generation statin,” and hence as being more effective and possibly causing fewer adverse effects than most other statin drugs....

An enlarged prostate occurs when this walnut-size gland, which rests between a man’s penis and bladder, grows larger than normal. This can be due to normal aging, but it can also be caused by inflammation or cancer of the prostate. Enlarged prostate may cause bladder-related symptoms such as urinary frequency and urgency, and it’s a common issue in men over 50. The outcome is usually very good after treatment. But since cancer is one of the possible causes, it is important not to ignore signs and symptoms of prostate enlargement....

What Is Entresto? Entresto (sacubitril and valsartan) is an oral prescription combination drug used to treat adults with heart failure. It belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis). Sacubitril is a neprilysin inhibitor. It causes blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure. Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Angiotensin II is a hormone. It causes the body to hold salt and water and constricts blood vessels, which increases blood pressure....

A new method of brain stimulation treatment from Stanford University led to unheard-of remission rates in patients with moderate to severe depression. Key Takeaways An experimental brain stimulation treatment from Stanford University led almost 80% of patients with severe depression into remission four weeks after treatment ended.The remission rate is unusually high, and may signify the benefits of tailoring stimulation treatments to an individual’s specific brain activity.This treatment could become another tool that patients, physicians, and researchers have in their toolbox to both treat and better understand conditions like depression....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Novavax’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine today after weeks of evaluating its safety and effectiveness. Key Takeaways The FDA has authorized Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine in the United States.Novavax uses a protein-based technology, a more traditional approach than the novel technologies used by other vaccine manufacturers.Clinical trial data shows the shot to be highly effective with fewer side effects than other vaccines available in the U.S. Novavax is a latecomer to the U....

Since the first cases of HIV were reported back in 1981, an estimated 76 million people have been infected worldwide, resulting in over 22 million deaths and 13 million AIDS orphans. Today, around 38 million people are living with HIV, and, despite advances in treatment and the widespread distribution of antiretroviral drugs, infection and death rates remain alarmingly high. In 2019 alone, an estimated 1.7 million people were infected with HIV—roughly 5,000 per day— while over 690,000 died of HIV-related complications....

Everyone will get a stomach ache at some point in their life, and it’s natural to want to find fast relief. Before reaching for an over-the-counter (OTC) medication, you may want to consider a few home remedies that can help ease bloating, gas, nausea, and abdominal pain in minutes without the use of drugs. This article starts by looking at 11 common causes of stomach aches in adults and children. It then offers seven simple home remedies that people often turn to for relief, whether at home, at school, at work, or traveling....

While infection from tuberculosis (TB) bacteria can affect lung function and cause serious symptoms, there are no apparent signs for many. Without symptoms, this infection is known as latent TB; it can only be detected with clinical testing, and unlike its active counterpart, it’s not contagious. While approximately 90% to 95% of latent cases never develop into active TB, it can be a risk, especially for those with weakened immune systems....

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is an epilepsy syndrome that begins during childhood and is characterized by frequent—often daily—seizures that are difficult to control with medication. While you can live well into adulthood and older age with LGS, there is a moderately higher risk of death due to issues such as injury, seizures, medication side effects, and health problems such as infections. Symptoms The symptoms of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome begin in early childhood, typically before the age of 4....

Muscle relaxers are a group of drugs used to treat musculoskeletal pain, meaning pain involving muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues like ligaments and tendons. Muscle relaxers are sometimes prescribed to people with osteoarthritis (“wear-and-tear” arthritis) as well as those with lower back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal pain. This article explains how muscle relaxers work, when they are used, and which types are available for people with osteoarthritis and other types of musculoskeletal pain....

About the size of a small pea, the pituitary gland, also known as “the master gland,” plays a crucial role in regulating hormone production from most of the other glands in the body. This being the case, it’s essential to numerous functions as well as overall health. Sitting in the brain between its hypothalamus region and the pineal gland within the sphenoid bone (located towards the front of the skull), this gland has two lobes: an anterior and a posterior lobe....

A lumpectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a small portion of cancerous breast tissue or tissue suspected to be cancerous. Also known as a partial mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, a lumpectomy is best for people with breast cancer who only have a single, small area of tissue that needs removal. While a lumpectomy is less invasive than a mastectomy, it still has a weeklong recovery period. During this time, taking proper care of the incision, avoiding strenuous physical activity, and finding a comfortable sleep position is fundamental for healing....

Postpartum anxiety is anxiety that occurs after giving birth. It is normal to be stressed and have anxious feelings after having a baby. After all, your life has undergone a huge change in taking on the responsibility of caring for your baby, often on little to no sleep. While some amount of anxiety is completely normal during this period, postpartum anxiety refers to overwhelming anxiety and uncontrollable worry that inhibits your daily functioning....

Social media can help people stay connected with each other, especially during a pandemic. But a recent study highlights some of the downsides to using these platforms, like the ways problematic social media use can worsen your mental health. Key Takeaways A new study shows problematic social media use can worsen people’s mental health.Experts suggest that social media can be used in a positive way if people use it to build and maintain relationships with others....

What Is Remicade? Remicade (infliximab) is an intravenous (IV) infusion belonging to a drug class called tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. It is commonly used to treat different types of autoimmune diseases. TNF blockers, like Remicade, are biologic medications that work by interfering with the TNF protein. Overproduction of this protein in the body leads to inflammation experienced in many autoimmune diseases. Remicade blocks this protein, reducing the amount of inflammation in the body....

Adults 18 and older in the United States can now get Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine as a first booster dose instead of the updated bivalent COVID booster shot from Pfizer or Moderna. Key Takeaways On October 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the use of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine as a first booster dose.People who are 18 and older and are at least six months past their primary COVID-19 vaccine series are eligible to receive Novavax as a booster dose....

Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is a type of cancer that affects small organs called lymph nodes. Specifically, it affects white blood cells known as B-cell lymphocytes that help the body fight infection. When you have SLL, your body will start to produce immature, cancerous B-cells in the lymph nodes. In the early stages, you may not experience any symptoms, but, over time, the disease can cause the generalized swelling of the lymph nodes accompanied by fever, night sweats, and weight loss....