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The use of “dip,” such as chewing tobacco or snuff, is associated with several types of cancers, including: Throat and esophagus cancers Oral cancer of the lips, gum, tongue, and cheeks Pancreatic cancer In the United States, more than 2,300 people are diagnosed with these cancer types caused by smokeless tobacco use each year. Of this number, 1,600—about 70%—are oral cancer diagnoses. This article explains chewing tobacco cancer risk and the types of cancer associated with dip....

Substance use disorder (SUD) and physical dependency on substances are not the same. “Substance use disorder” is the medical term for addiction. It can occur without dependency. SUD applies in situations in which a person compulsively uses a substance despite harmful consequences to their health, finances, and/or relationships. SUD creates changes in the brain that make it particularly difficult to stop using the drug. Depending on the substance and the severity of addiction, a person can experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms and cravings when attempting to stop, making it all the more difficult to refrain from continuing using....

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7 every year. There is a tendency to “set it and forget it.” Don’t fall victim to that mindset. Even if you had a great plan this year, it does not mean it’s going to meet your needs next year. This article will review what you need to know about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), also known as Medicare Open Enrollment....

Thyroid nodules are lumps made up of abnormal clusters of thyroid cells that form in the thyroid gland. The lumps can be solid, fluid-filled, or a mixture of both. Most thyroid nodules are benign, meaning that they are not cancerous. In some cases, however, thyroid nodules can be cancerous. Thyroid nodules are very common—studies estimate that ultrasonography detects nodules in about 20% to 70% of adults. They are a lot more common in women than men—women are four times more likely to have them....

It’s a good thing that Jessie’s mom never played softball as a kid or teenager. If she had, the figurines lining the shelf just 4 feet in front of Jessie would have been reduced to a pile of broken pastel glass. But they were still standing in the same spots, gazing off into various directions like the compliant statues they were. Jessie also noticed that the plate used to launch the assault was plastic, not a fancy stoneware plate from the dining room cabinet....

Miscarriage is, unfortunately, very common. The risk is greater if you have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes causes physical changes in the body, like high blood sugar and insulin levels, that put pregnancies at risk. If you are hoping to become pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about any changes you can make to lower your risk. This article provides an overview of why type 2 diabetes raises the risk of miscarriage and what to do about it....

Narcan, also known by the generic name naloxone hydrochloride, is an opioid antagonist—a medication that can help counteract the effects of opioid medications such as morphine, oxycodone, and heroin. This medication is given when an individual has taken too much medication and is experiencing the signs and symptoms of an overdose, which typically includes unconsciousness and breathing too slowly. Narcan is an emergency medication, given to prevent death due to overdose, often by trained healthcare professionals....

Getting a yeast infection before a period is common in women of childbearing age. The shifting hormones that prompt menstruation can cause Candida, the fungus that causes yeast infections, to overgrow. This typically occurs the week prior to a period. These same hormonal changes are also what can cause cramps, mood changes, and bloating. Although the incidence of yeast infections (also known as candidiasis) prior to a period isn’t known, a small study has shown that three out of 10 women showed an increased growth rate of Candida yeast in the week prior to menstruation....

A new study shows that undergoing “smell training” may help some people regain their sense of smell if they lose it or it becomes distorted after an illness—including COVID-19. Key Takeaways Loss of smell or a distorted sense of smell is common in COVID-19 patients.Researchers have determined that “smell training” could help people regain their ability to detect scents.Overall, it’s unclear how much “smell training” helps. For those who are dealing with a lingering loss of smell after COVID or from another cause, it might be worth a try....

While there is no specific diet for thyroid disease, eating well means focusing on balanced meals full of whole foods, including fruits, veggies, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins. An underactive thyroid can slow down your metabolism (the process in which your body converts the food you eat into energy) and cause fatigue, constipation, and weight gain. Choosing more nutritionally dense foods and exercising can help you feel more energized, support a healthy weight, and help you stay on top of your health....

Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that play a key role in your immune system by helping your body fight infection and disease. Having high lymphocytes can mean you have an infection or disease of your immune system. Having low lymphocytes can mean your immune system is not working as well as it should be and you might be at a higher risk for getting infections. There are two types of lymphocytes, called T cells and B cells....

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause different symptoms in females than in males. Unlike males who tend to have higher rates of hyperactivity and impulsivity, females with ADHD are more prone to inattention. This includes difficulty organizing or finishing tasks, following instructions, or paying attention to details. The symptoms of ADHD can also differ in girls and women and may only be noticed in later life when there are problems at work or home, or in relationships....

There is a strong link between anemia and heart failure. Anemia is a condition in which your body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your organs, while heart failure happens when the heart is unable to adequately pump oxygenated blood out to the body. Some congestive heart failure (CHF) patients also have anemia. You can slow the progression of heart failure if it is diagnosed and treated early....

Aversion therapy is a type of behavioral therapy designed to modify or reduce unwanted or dangerous behaviors that may be disrupting a person’s life. Humans are designed to move away from pain and toward pleasure. This activates the reward center in the brain. When it’s activated by specific behavior, a person is likely to repeat that behavior, even if it isn’t good for them. Aversion therapy is designed to stop the reward system in the brain and create a negative experience, such as a painful or uncomfortable stimulus, creating an aversion....

People who have a herniated disc often complain about the lack of non-invasive treatment options, but there are some on the horizon. These include new types of injections to dissolve the extruded disc, therapies targeting nerve pain, and therapies to heal the disc. Some are already offered on the market, while others still have a long way to go. Currently available conservative therapies for herniated disc include physical therapy, injections, and pain medication....

Birthmarks are marks on or under the skin that are present at birth or that develop by 1 to 2 years old. There are several types of birthmarks, and they vary in shape, size, color, and texture. Read on to learn more about the types and characteristics of birthmarks. What Is a Birthmark? Birthmarks are areas of abnormally pigmented cells or blood vessels that cause discolored or raised patches of skin....

The 60 minutes Nora Lieberman spent in her hyperbaric oxygen chamber were rejuvenating. Key Takeaways Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is being studied as a treatment for long COVID.Researches say the treatment, which works by increasing oxygen to the brain, is promising.Because the therapy is not yet FDA approved specifically to treat long COVID, it’s expensive and can be hard to access. Since developing long COVID in March 2020, Lieberman has experienced a range of life-altering symptoms like fatigue, trouble breathing, and cognitive impairments....

What Is Claravis? Claravis (isotretinoin) is a powerful oral medication used to treat severe inflammatory acne that is not resolved by other treatments. It is available in a gelatin capsule form. Claravis treats acne by preventing oil production in glands underneath the skin. When the skin cannot produce excessive amounts of oil, the skin’s pores are unlikely to clog and create pimples. This medication carries a warning against its use in people who are pregnant or can become pregnant unless other forms of treatment have been tried first and have failed....

The race to find a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is without precedent in modern medical history. Not since the AIDS pandemic if the 1980s and 90s have scientists, governments, and businesses come together in a coordinated effort to share knowledge and resources that may one day lead to the development of a fully protective vaccine. Key Takeaways A novel messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine became the first COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use in the United StatesResearchers are working off 10 different existing vaccine models to create COVID-19 vaccinesA vaccine needs to be at least 70% effective to eradicate COVID-19Fast-tracking a vaccine means bypassing safeguards As with the AIDS pandemic, there is much that scientists have to learn about the virus....

Patients with diabetes are at increased risk for developing skin complications as a result of the metabolic disruption that occurs in this condition. The fingers are also called digits, and sclerosis refers to the process of stiffening and hardening of the body’s tissue from inflammatory conditions. Digital sclerosis occurs when the skin of the fingers become tight and thickened, changing the appearance of the fingers and limiting finger movement. Digital Sclerosis vs....