The word pulmonary is used to describe issues pertaining to the lungs. It is derived from the Latin root word pulmo, which means lung. If someone has pulmonary disease, this means they have a lung disease, which may affect their ability to breathe well. This article looks at pulmonary conditions, their diagnosis, and their treatment. What Are Some Pulmonary Problems? There are many conditions that are classified as pulmonary in nature....
In the age of COVID-19, telehealth for eye health has broader appeal than ever before. Besides the convenience of being able to undergo an eye exam in the comfort of your own home, this virtual approach has the added benefit of keeping both you and the eye care professional clear of any possible disease exposure. Not surprisingly, many offices are now offering a swath of remote ophthalmic services for nonemergency cases....
Dry eye is a condition in which tears do not properly lubricate the eye. This can lead to a painful and irritating sensation in the eye(s) and serious complications, including blurry vision and vision loss. Read on to learn why your eyes could be dry, as well as prevention and treatment methods. What Are Dry Eyes? Millions of Americans suffer from dry eyes. While it might seem like a simple irritation, it is a major symptom of dry eye syndrome....
What Is Adzenys XR-ODT? Adzenys XR-ODT (amphetamine) is a controlled prescription medication that treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adzenys XR-ODT is a brain stimulant thought to work by raising naturally occurring brain chemicals—dopamine and norepinephrine. This medication contains amphetamine, which has a high potential for abuse and dependence. For this reason, Adzenys XR-ODT is classified as a controlled substance, meaning the federal government tightly regulates its handling, storage, and distribution requirements....
A compression bandage is a type of stretchy bandage that is wrapped around a body part to place pressure on it. It is commonly used in first aid as part of a therapy known as RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), and helps to reduce pain and swelling by restricting blood flow. These bandage wraps are typically used to treat sprains and strains. But, they can also help to keep a body part stabilized, such as when there has been a rib fracture....
What Is BiDil? BiDil (hydralazine hydrochloride and isosorbide dinitrate) is a fixed-dose combination (FDC) prescription medication made up of two drugs, hydralazine hydrochloride and isosorbide dinitrate. Hydralazine hydrochloride is an arteriolar vasodilator that relaxes and widens your body’s veins and arteries to make it easier for the heart to pump blood. Isosorbide dinitrate belongs to a class of drugs called nitrates and is specifically categorized as a nitrate vasodilator. Nitrates work to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow....
Chest pain is always an alarming symptom since it usually makes everyone—both you and your healthcare provider—think of heart disease. And because chest pain may indeed be a sign of angina or of some other cardiac (heart) problem, it is always a good idea to have it checked out. But heart disease is only one of the many types of conditions that can produce chest pain. One of the more frequent causes of non-cardiac chest pain is chest wall pain, or musculoskeletal chest pain....
Although vaccination efforts continue throughout the United States—and some people are even able to receive booster shots—COVID-19 remains a concern. Key Takeaways COVID-19 is not the only respiratory illness that public health officials are concerned about this fall. Influenza (the flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also pose risks.People can get more than one of these respiratory illnesses at the same time.All three viruses can cause similar symptoms; however, they are not treated the same way....
“Dactylitis” is the clinical name for when your fingers and toes are swollen, tender, warm, and inflamed due to a psoriatic arthritis (PsA) flare-up or an associated condition. The name comes from the Greek word for finger (“dactylos”). With dactylitis, your fingers can become so swollen that they look like sausages, which is why this condition and characteristic symptom is sometimes referred to as “sausage fingers” or “sausage digits.” Swelling in the toes can make it difficult to get around....
What Is Desonate? Desonate (desonide) is a topical gel applied to the skin to treat eczema (atopic dermatitis). It belongs to a group of medications called corticosteroids (steroids), which work by reducing inflammation and itching—two symptoms anyone with eczema knows the importance of controlling. Desonate is a prescription medication, so you’ll need to talk to your healthcare provider to determine if this treatment is right for you. What Is Desonate Used For?...
When you are living with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), figuring out what to eat can be a confusing process. This is especially true if you are trying to lose weight or battling symptoms of hypothyroidism, like bloating or fatigue. The foods you eat can play an important role in managing the disease. This article offers tips to improve your diet and help ease hypothyroidism symptoms. Protecting Thyroid Function Goitrogens are substances found in foods that may interfere with thyroid hormone production, especially for people with iodine deficiency, which is rare in the United States....
Dry eyes and floaters are both common eye ailments that affect people as they age. Dry eye is a condition where the eyes don’t produce enough quality tears to lubricate, clean, and moisturize their surface. This causes symptoms including redness, itching, and burning eyes, and it can lead to vision problems if it’s not treated and vision changes if severe. Eye floaters are shapes that appear in the line of vision....
Facial nerve palsy is the diminished function of the facial nerve or one of its branches. Bell’s palsy, which results in the complete inability to move one side of the face, is the most common cause of facial nerve palsy. This condition completely or partially improves within a few months, and it doesn’t cause harm to overall health. There are other types and causes of facial nerve palsy, and they tend to be longer-lasting and more concerning than Bell’s palsy....
Fiber supplements are nutritional products that are available over the counter at drugstores, health food stores, big box stores, and online. They come in a variety of formulations, including capsules, powders, and pills, and contain one of three types of fiber: psyllium, methylcellulose, or polycarbophil. Fiber supplements are typically taken to maintain a healthy digestive system, prevent or treat constipation, or help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. While generally regarded as safe, they can cause side effects such as bloating or gas, particularly if overused or not taken as directed....
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by unstable moods, impulsive behaviors, and volatile relationships. It is common in both general and clinical populations, affecting roughly 1.6% of the U.S. population and 20% of the psychiatric inpatient population. BPD is usually treated with psychotherapy. Unlike other mental disorders, medication is typically not the first-line approach to treating BPD. No medications are approved by the FDA for the treatment of BPD at the moment....
The decennial United States census is a short form each citizen is required by law to fill out every 10 years. The U.S. Census Bureau provides the collected data to lawmakers and federal agencies to determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding will be spent annually in communities for healthcare and assistance programs over the next decade. Key Takeaways Data from the 2020 U.S. census helps determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding will be spent annually on healthcare and assistance programs in communities over the next decade....
Before selecting a doctor, you may want to make sure that they haven’t been disciplined in the past by their medical board for unsafe behavior. You make also want to make sure that they haven’t had any malpractice suits filed against them. Malpractice suits may be filed if a patient experiences injury, harm, or death due to inappropriate medical care. This article explains how to find out if your healthcare provider has ever received complaints or has had a malpractice lawsuit filed against them....
Many young people struggle with the question of when to start birth control, particularly when it comes to the birth control pill. Nearly 65% of American women ages 15–49 use contraception, and 13% of those rely on the pill. Some people take the pill to prevent pregnancy, while others use it as medication to help with painful periods, migraines, or other medical conditions. Whether you’re sexually active and looking to avoid pregnancy or taking the pill for another reason, it’s important to know when to start birth control and when birth control starts working....
A glucometer is a small, portable device that lets you check your blood sugars (glucose levels) at home. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use a glucometer. First, you’ll put a test strip in the device. Then you’ll prick your finger to get a small drop of blood that you can put on the strip so it can be analyzed by the glucometer. Also called glucose meters, these devices can tell you in seconds if your blood sugar is too low, too high, or on target....
Hyperbaric chamber therapy or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT therapy) is a medical treatment in which sit in a hyperbaric chamber, an enclosed space filled with pure oxygen. Air pressure is kept two or three times greater than normal to help the body take in more oxygen, which can help heal wounds, treat carbon monoxide poisoning, and more. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy was first used in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Later, it was used to treat decompression sickness, a hazard of scuba diving....
