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What Is Microzide? Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide) is a prescription drug belonging to a class of medications called thiazide diuretics, also commonly called “water pills.” It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and fluid retention (edema) caused by certain conditions. It is not exactly known how hydrochlorothiazide works, but it is thought to remove extra salt and water from the body by increasing urine flow. By doing this, hydrochlorothiazide keeps your heart from working too hard to pump blood which lowers blood pressure and reduces swelling....

If you have been injured or ill, had surgery, and are having difficulty with functional mobility, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist. Your therapist can help you recover quickly and safely, and they can offer strategies so you remain healthy. During physical therapy (PT), your therapist may recommend you use certain pieces of equipment to help you recover. Physical therapy tools may be just what you need to safely get moving again, but they may be expensive....

If you experience the sudden onset of a red, swollen, and painful joint, you might be experiencing gout or pseudogout. Both conditions are types of arthritis—an autoimmune condition that leads to joint inflammation—that occurs when crystals build up in your joints, leading to pain and swelling. Gout is caused when uric acid leads to crystal buildup in the joint. Pseudogout, refers to the acute attacks of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), which are caused by calcium crystals in the joints....

Pulmicort (budesonide) is an inhaled corticosteroid used for long-term control and prevention of asthma symptoms. This medication is used on a daily schedule to reduce airway inflammation that leads to bronchospasms and hyperresponsiveness. Available as an inhaled powder for adults and older children (Pulmicort Flexhaler) and a nebulized solution for babies and younger children (Pulmicort Respules), Pulmicort can be used on its own or with a long-acting bronchodilator to prevent asthma attacks....

According to an NBC analysis, almost 240 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed across the United States in the first few months of 2022. That’s about three bills filed every day from January to March. While the legislation takes aim at a range of rights for people in the LGBTQ+ community, over half of the bills specifically set out to restrict the rights of transgender adults and teens. For the people with loved ones that will be directly affected by these bills, it can be hard to know how to best support them....

The scapula, better known as the shoulder blade, is a triangular bone that serves as a joining force between the clavicle and the humerus. This bone is located posteriorly (on the back half of the body). The scapula plays an important role in stabilizing the other bones involved in the rhythm of shoulder motion. Many muscles are located in the area of the shoulder girdle, including rotator cuff muscles, nerve networks such as the brachial plexus, and upper arm muscles....

Skin redness, sometimes called erythema or flushing, is a common symptom with many potential causes. Sunburn, exposure to an irritant, and medication use are just a few. Most cases of skin redness are easy to diagnose and treat. However, skin redness can sometimes be a sign of a health condition like lupus or scarlet fever, or a chronic disorder that could benefit from treatment, such as psoriasis. This article reviews several possible causes of skin redness and their symptoms....

Several factors can contribute to knee stiffness, which is characterized by tightness in the joint, possibly with pain, difficulty moving the joint, and swelling. This problem usually occurs after a period of sitting or inactivity. Injuries and conditions that affect the knee joint, like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), can make knee stiffness worse. This article explains the reasons your knee may feel stiff, how a doctor will determine the cause, and treatment options for different conditions....

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may have a poorer prognosis if they have abnormal sodium levels, according to a new study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Key Takeaways Patients who are hospitalized with COVID-19 may have changes in the level of sodium in their blood. According to a new study, hospitalized COVID-19 patients with high sodium levels have a three-fold increase of dying. Low sodium levels were associated with an increased need for a respiratory ventilator....

A lateral epicondylitis release is a surgery commonly used to treat tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis). It is used when conservative treatments fail to resolve the pain and loss of grip strength caused by this overuse injury. By cutting the damaged tendon at the point where it attaches to the bone, called the lateral epicondyle, the tension in the elbow can be relieved along with accompanying symptoms. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), tennis elbow surgery is effective in around 85% to 90% of cases....

Thyroid disease can sometimes cause repeated bouts of an itchy skin reaction known as hives. In fact, up to 30% of people with chronic hives (also known as chronic urticaria) have underlying autoimmune thyroid disease.Chronic hives are especially common in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that causes hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland). This article looks at the connection between chronic hives and thyroid disease. It also discusses the various tests and treatments used to diagnose and manage this recurrent skin condition....

Peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord (i.e., the central nervous system) to every other part of the body. Peripheral nerves also send sensory information back to the brain and spinal cord, such as a message that the feet are cold or a finger is burned. Overview Damage to the peripheral nervous system interferes with these connections and communications....

A question we are often asked is: Should I take vitamins during cancer treatment? It is an extremely important question considering a few statistics. In 2008, it was noted in the Journal of Clinical Oncology that between 64 and 81 percent of cancer patients were using a vitamin or mineral supplement (in contrast to 50 percent of the general population) and that between 14 and 32 percent of these people started taking supplements after their diagnosis of cancer....

Latex, or natural rubber latex, is a common ingredient in many products people use on a daily basis, including gloves, pacifiers, balloons, athletic shoes, and even condoms. It’s nearly impossible to avoid latex, as 12 million tons are produced every year, and over 40,000 consumer products contain latex. For people sensitive to latex, their immune system has a hypersensitive allergic response to the proteins naturally occurring in the sap used to make latex....

People who use birth control but want to become pregnant typically have questions about when they’ll be fertile again, often while discussing it with their healthcare provider. The answers will likely depend on the method you use and your overall health history. Within a few weeks, you may see signs of ovulation after stopping the pill. It may take months to become fertile if you use Depo Provera injections, but there are many misconceptions about how easy it is to get pregnant once you have stopped birth control....

About 16 million people suffer from dry eye syndrome in the United States. Healthcare practitioners are expecting that dry eye syndrome will increase in prevalence because our population is aging. Also, all of us are using the computer more and even more of us seem to be constantly enthralled with smartphones, digital devices, and tablet computers. All of these activities are associated with dry eyes. Understanding Dry Eye Syndrome Dry eye syndrome is a condition in which your eyes don’t produce enough tears to lubricate and nourish the front part of the eye....

Zomacton (somatropin) is an injectable medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating adults and children who have a deficiency of growth hormone. A lack of growth hormone can cause a variety of symptoms, including short stature in children and weight fluctuations in adults. The medication stimulates physiological actions in the body that would normally occur in response to the hormone, such as bone, muscle, and skin growth in children and metabolism in adults and children....

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are two of the liver enzymes healthcare providers look at when trying to figure out if you have a problem with your liver. Liver enzymes are substances produced by the liver that can be measured with a blood test. High ALT levels or high AST levels may be a sign of a liver problem. When compared to each other, ALT and AST levels can help identify toxins in the liver, liver disease, or liver damage....

A drug class known as biologics may provide relief in some cases of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This form of arthritis usually targets the vertebrae of the spine, causing pain and stiffness, but it can also affect other joints. In more advanced cases of AS, inflammation can spur the formation of new bone. This can cause portions of the spine to become set in a fixed position. The upshot can be debilitating pain and stiffness....

On August 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its guidelines for the 2021/2022 flu season. Included in the guidance are recommendations for influenza vaccination, as well as COVID-19 vaccines. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its annual influenza vaccine guidelines.According to the CDC, it’s safe to get your flu shot and a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day....