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Childhood vaccines help to protect babies and children from serious and potentially fatal diseases. One of the recommended childhood immunizations is the DTaP vaccine. The DTaP vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects children ages 6 and under against 3 different infections: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). All three infections can cause serious complications. The Tdap vaccine, given to adolescents and adults, protects against the same diseases. Here’s what to know before your child gets the DTaP vaccine....

If you suffer from chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, or gassiness, an elimination diet may help you determine if your symptoms are caused by particular food sensitivities. Here’s how to safely and effectively use elimination diets, along with food diaries and new medical tests, to eliminate the pain in your gut. Elimination Diets: Confirming Allergy Testing An elimination diet, sometimes called an exclusion diet, is a tool used by healthcare providers to confirm the results of allergy testing....

When choosing a contraceptive, it’s important to factor in failure rates. These statistics, which refer to how often specific methods of birth control fail in preventing pregnancy, are one way to measure how effective a particular method is likely to be. The concept of birth control failure rates may sound complicated, but in fact, it’s based on simple and straightforward math. Once you understand how birth control failure rates are determined and what they mean, you’ll be able to use them to make an informed decision about the best contraceptive method for you....

A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted under the skin in the chest to help the heart beat the way that it should. Pacemakers send electrical signals to the heart to make sure that heart rate is never too slow. You might only need a pacemaker for a while, like when you’re healing from surgery. If you have a heart condition, you might need a pacemaker for life....

During the winter COVID-19 surge, about half of the U.S. population may have been infected with Omicron, Trevor Bedford, PhD, a biostatistician at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, told an FDA panel on Wednesday. Now, the Omicron subvariant BA.2 is driving a slight uptick in cases in some parts of the country. Key Takeaways On average, people who are infected with Omicron experience symptoms for a shorter period than those who are infected with prior variants....

Many people question how long they can wait to begin treatment for breast cancer. For any number of reasons, you may wonder whether surgery for breast cancer needs to happen next week, if chemotherapy after surgery (adjuvant chemotherapy) can be delayed for a month or two, or if treatment for stage 4 cancers needs to begin immediately. In order to make an empowered decision in your own care, let’s look at what research is telling us about the effect of treatment delays on survival with respect to several characteristics of breast cancers that may be unique to you....

Meningococcal vaccines protect against bacterial infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis. These bacteria are capable of causing meningococcal meningitis, a condition that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Meningococcal disease isn’t very common in the United States. A study conducted between 2011 and 2015 suggests that fewer than 1 in every 100,000 people contracted it. The condition commonly strikes when children are less than age 1 or during adolescence (adolescents range from age 10 to 19)....

Young adulthood is a time when individuals are typically enjoying independence and exploring new careers, passions, and relationships. Unfortunately, the 20s to 30s age range is also when multiple sclerosis (MS) is most likely to strike. In MS, a person’s immune system attacks the fatty covering (myelin sheath) of nerve fibers within their central nervous system (CNS). The CNS consists of your brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves of your eyes....

What Is Narcan? Narcan (naloxone) is an opioid antagonist (blocker) used for emergency treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose. It is intended to be administered immediately in overdose situations involving opioids where breathing problems or unresponsiveness may be present. Naloxone temporarily counteracts the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression (slowed or decreased breathing), sedation, and low blood pressure. It works by competing for the same opioid receptor binding sites and displacing opioid binding in the central nervous system....

Anti-inflammatory supplements are an alternative treatment for inflammation. Inflammation contributes to many different conditions, from arthritis to digestive diseases. Supplements are not as well-studied as conventional medication. Certain supplements, however, are believed to help reduce inflammation. Some people may choose supplements instead of over-the-counter medicines like Advil (ibuprofen) because they prefer products with natural anti-inflammatory properties. Keep reading to learn about 13 of the best-known anti-inflammatory supplements. If you’re considering trying one, discuss it with your healthcare provider to make sure it’s a good idea for you....

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and life-threatening condition that can occur after changes in specific medications, most commonly after increases in psychiatric drugs. The syndrome was first characterized in the 1960s, soon after the introduction of the first antipsychotic drugs. Fortunately, NMS is less common than it used to be. This is partly due to the introduction of newer “second-generation” antipsychotic drugs, which are less likely to cause the syndrome....

Menopause is a condition where menstruation has stopped for at least 12 consecutive months. Changes during and after menopause can result in painful intercourse, also known as dyspareunia, for many women. However, it can be managed and treatable with a better understanding of the issue and support from healthcare providers. Causes The body undergoes many changes during and after menopause. The main cause of painful intercourse during menopause and postmenopause is the decline in estrogen levels....

Physical therapists, or PTs, as they’re often called, are licensed professionals who work with people that have sustained disabilities, impairments, or limitations in their overall physical function and mobility. These deviations can be the result of disease, injury, or illness. Physical therapists may also work with people to help them prevent injuries. Physical therapists work in a variety of different settings. These include private offices and clinics, hospitals, patients’ homes, and nursing homes....

What Is Relpax? Relpax (eletriptan) is used for the acute treatment of migraine headaches, with or without aura, in adults. It belongs to a drug class called serotonin agonists (which increase serotonin in the brain). It is also known as a “triptan.” Relpax works by shrinking or narrowing enlarged blood vessels around the brain that may be causing a migraine. It is only available with a prescription and as a tablet....

Two common small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) diet treatments include the elemental diet, a type of liquid diet, and the low-FODMAP diet, which focuses on limiting certain types of carbohydrates that are difficult to digest. The goal of treating SIBO is to restore a normal balance of gut bacteria. A SIBO diet can help: Hinder multiplication of gut bacteria Reduce inflammation Address nutritional deficiencies Other aspects of your SIBO treatment plan may include antibiotics such as Xifaxan (rifaximin) and management of the underlying condition (e....

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus and is only known to be transmitted between humans. Live virus is kept for research purposes in only two laboratories in the world: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States and the VECTOR Institute in Russia. The disease was declared eradicated in 1980 following a worldwide program of vaccination and isolation. The last known naturally occurring cases came from an outbreak in Somalia in 1977....

What Is Sulfamylon? Sulfamylon (mafenide) is a topical medication used to put on burn wounds to prevent infection. It blocks the growth of bacteria and fungus that may infect skin or wounds trying to recover from severe burns Sulfamylon is available both as a cream and a solution. The solution is made by mixing a packet of Sulfamylon powder with water before being applied to the skin. What Is Sulfamylon Used For?...

Having chronic high blood pressure, or hypertension, can affect many aspects of your health. Hypertension is the leading cause of other serious health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Therefore, ongoing care is important for people with this condition. This is where telehealth shines. With telehealth, you can access care for high blood pressure from the comfort of your home. High blood pressure is very common in the United States....

Testosterone is a hormone, which is a substance in the body that acts as a chemical messenger. Hormones are made in one part of your body and then travel to other areas to help control how cells and organs work. Testosterone is important for your body to function properly. High or low testosterone levels can lead to unwelcome symptoms. Fortunately, it’s easy to find out if your testosterone levels are in the normal range....

Among the most sinister and widespread threats to public health in the United States is a class of toxic chemicals called polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Key Takeaways PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are human-made compounds that persist in the environment and human body.Decades of research have linked PFAS to health issues like cancers, liver and thyroid diseases, prenatal and development issues, and immunosuppression.In October, the EPA released a plan to limit PFAS in drinking water—the first major step by a federal regulatory body to clean drinking water systems and hold manufacturers accountable....