Inhalers are medical devices used to deliver a dose of medication into your lungs to improve your breathing. You breathe in (inhale) to get the medicine into your airways, and it can be used for conditions like asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and more. Many manufacturers use consistent colors on the inhaler to show the kind of medication in the device. This makes it easier to identify the right inhaler at a glance....
What Is Klisyri? Klisyri (tirbanibulin) is topical medicine used to treat a precancerous skin problem called actinic keratosis on skin exposed to the sun (e.g., face, scalp). Actinic keratosis is a common skin condition caused by too much exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet rays). It happens more in Caucasians over 40 years of age. Tirbanibulin is a microtubule inhibitor. It works by stopping and preventing certain signals that increase in actinic keratosis....
Migraines are severe headaches that can cause pulsing or throbbing pain and often include nausea, vomiting, and light sensitivity. They are the most common type of headache found with an imbalance of hormones, especially estrogen. The experience of having migraines while pregnant varies from person to person. Many people have fewer migraines while pregnant, while some get migraines for the first time. This article discusses migraines and their impact on fertility, gestation, and the postpartum period, the time after the baby is delivered....
Orudis is the most common brand name of ketoprofen, a medication that reduces fever and inflammation and eases pain. In the U.S., only a prescribed oral form of this drug is available; however, topical and over-the-counter forms are available abroad. It is also sold under the name Oruvail, among others. A medication of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class, it’s often indicated to take on menstrual pain as well as discomfort, tenderness, soreness, and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, two disorders of the joints....
A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy is a procedure in which a flexible feeding tube, called a PEG tube, is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the stomach. For patients who are not able to swallow food on their own, a PEG tube allows nutrition, fluids, and medications to be delivered directly into the stomach, eliminating the need to swallow by bypassing the mouth and esophagus. Who May Benefit Feeding tubes are helpful for people who are unable to feed themselves as a result of an acute illness or surgery, but who otherwise have a reasonable chance to recover....
If you have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know how exhausting, unpredictable, and painful the condition can be. But things like early diagnosis and treatment, and good disease management can all help to lead to positive outcomes. There is plenty you can do to live well and have a good quality of life with and despite RA. Here are some tips to help you to manage RA pain, fatigue, and other symptoms....
Sagittal craniosynostosis is a type of craniosynostosis, a common birth defect that causes the bones in a baby’s head to fuse prematurely. The bones in your child’s skull are connected by joints called sutures. These sutures usually stay flexible until your little one’s second birthday, giving their brain room to grow. When your baby is born with craniosynostosis, one or several of their sutures fuse together, causing the skull to be misshapen....
Teenagers today are exposed to more risks than ever before. From online bullying and school shootings to alcohol and opioid abuse, teens have higher levels of stress than in years past and increasing rates of suicide. For parents and caregivers, this means having difficult conversations with their increasingly independent children about making smart choices about health and safety. If you’re one of those caregivers, arm yourself with facts about the top 10 teen health issues as well as resources to help navigate the stormy waters of adolescence....
Most people experiencing menopause are all too familiar with the hot flashes and night sweats that mark this transition to a last period. These are vasomotor symptoms, which means they’re related to nerves that regulate blood flow and affect the narrowing and widening of blood vessels. You may feel a sudden feeling of warmth that starts in the face and upper body. It can also lead to excessive perspiration. This article discusses what hot flashes feel like and how common they are....
Back pain is one of the most common reasons for seeking health care. Depending on what’s causing your back pain, you may need to see a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists are doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating certain inflammatory disorders. This includes inflammatory joints diseases, such as arthritis, and autoimmune conditions like lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome. This article helps you understand when you should see a rheumatologist for your back pain, and the differences between rheumatologists and other specialists who often treat back pain....
If you feel tired all the time, you are not alone. Research estimates more than one-third of American workers are experiencing fatigue. One in five adults experiences excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) at least three days a week. While it may seem normal to be tired all the time in this day and age, it isn’t. Fatigue that is not relieved by rest should be evaluated by a medical professional. Fatigue—a lack of physical or mental energy—can be caused by lifestyle factors, medical conditions, sleep disorders, or mental health conditions....
Believe it or not, by 2056 there will be more senior citizens than kids according to the U.S. Census. Truly, the aging population is on the rise. The Census also estimates that by 2029 the over-65 crowd will comprise 20% of the total population. And as we age, so do our spines. While there are a number of possible back conditions that you or your loved ones may encounter, the more common of these are usually related to osteoporosis and degenerative changes that affect discs and other structures....
Thousands of substances are added to various foods for the purposes of coloring, flavoring, and preserving them. Additives are usually only a very small component of foods, but a small number of them have been suspected of causing various adverse reactions. Food Additives The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) keeps a list of all of the food additives currently used in the United States. Food additives can be categorized into a handful of groups:...
Having anemia—a condition defined by not having enough healthy red blood cells—means that your organs and other tissues are not getting a normal amount of oxygen. This sounds significant, and it certainly can be. But symptoms of anemia vary depending on the extent of the condition, as well as the type of anemia you have. Many people with mild anemia actually do not have any signs or symptoms at all. Or if they do, they may attribute some of them to other causes....
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving the airways. During an asthma attack, narrowed breathing passages make it harder to breathe, which can cause a variety of sounds as you inhale and exhale. Some sounds are loud enough that you can hear them on your own. A healthcare provider can detect others with a stethoscope. That’s why listening to your lungs with a stethoscope is an important part of a physical examination....
If you have Parkinson’s disease, you may wonder whether vitamins might be helpful for the condition. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition that impacts dopamine-producing neurons in the area of the brain that controls movement. When these nerve cells become damaged or die, dopamine production is reduced, causing movement problems. Symptoms differ from person to person but may include tremors during rest, hand tremors, other body tremors, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), limb rigidity, and issues with gait and balance....
Breast reconstruction after mastectomy includes several options, and implants are a common choice. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved saline, silicone, and highly cohesive silicone gel (“gummy bear”) breast implants for this use. While these implants have similarities, it’s important to understand the differences to decide which is right for you. This article reviews common features of each type of implant, including size, shape, and texture, as well as possible risks or complications....
About three per 1,000 children in the United States have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the most common childhood disability. Some children born with cerebral palsy can maintain independence, while others need help with self-care. Since cerebral palsy is a lifelong condition that affects thousands of children and adults, it helps to understand the prevalence, risk factors, and survival rates of the condition. Cerebral Palsy Overview Cerebral palsy occurs when the brain is permanently damaged while a child is still in utero (the mother is pregnant), during delivery, or shortly after birth....
A cervical biopsy is a minor surgical procedure in which a sample of tissue is taken from the cervix, the cylinder-shaped structure connecting the vagina and the uterus. A cervical biopsy may be needed if you had an abnormal Pap smear, if your healthcare provider noted an abnormality during a routine pelvic exam, or if you are at high risk of cervical cancer. This article will review the use of cervical biopsy, why it’s needed, how it is performed, and what happens with the results....
The digestive system helps break down the foods we eat so our bodies can absorb the proper nutrients. During digestion, the unnecessary particles of these foods are turned into waste that becomes stool, which is excreted from the body during a bowel movement. When the digestive system isn’t working as it should, a person can become constipated. Constipation occurs when the body does not pass stool regularly. It and can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and difficult bowel movements....
