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People with autism think differently than others, and social acceptance isn’t necessarily a primary motivator for them. Perhaps, as a result, people with autism don’t attend closely to others’ social behaviors nor do they imitate what others do, say, or wear in particular settings. They are rarely motivated by social rewards or by the threat of losing social opportunities. None of this means that people with autism dislike social engagement (some do, some don’t), nor does it mean that autistic people never get lonely....

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is a type of bacteria that is common in the environment. It is responsible for many infections, including ear infections, skin infections, boils, and sepsis. It’s normal for people to have some staph bacteria on their skin or inside their noses. The bacteria are not causing an active infection or harm, but some of these people are “carriers” and can spread the germ to others. Carriers can also become infected if their immune system becomes stressed or through a cut in their skin....

Thyroid surgery (thyroidectomy) involves the removal of some or all of the thyroid gland. This operation may be done to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including thyroid cancer, symptomatic goiter, or a thyroid gland that is producing excessive thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). This butterfly-shaped gland is located at the base of your neck in front of your windpipe (trachea). It produces hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism and temperature. While a partial thyroidectomy may not impact this, total removal of the thyroid means you will need lifelong hormone treatment to maintain these functions....

Alpha-tocopheryl acetate (ATA), also known simply as tocopheryl acetate, is a synthetic form of vitamin E found in dietary supplements and skincare products. ATA is known for its antioxidant properties in which cells are protected from the damaging effects of compounds known as free radicals. It is also considered the most stable and active form of vitamin E and the best option overall for treating vitamin E deficiency. Tocopheryl acetate can be found in thousands of skincare products where it is used as a skin-conditioning agent....

What Is Vyndamax? Vyndamax, also known as tafamidis, is a prescription oral medication used to treat cardiomyopathy caused by a rare disease known as transthyretin amyloid (ATTR). Tafamidis works by binding to and stabilizing a normal protein produced in your liver known as transthyretin (TTR ). In ATTR, this protein becomes folded incorrectly, which can cause problems with the heart and other organ systems. Vyndamax slows down the process of this protein incorrectly folding....

Post-claims underwriting happens when an insurance company accepts an application for coverage and then waits until if and when the policyholder files a claim to adequately assess the risk involved with covering that particular policyholder. Post-claims underwriting can occur with any type of insurance, including health insurance. Medical Underwriting Basics To understand post-claims underwriting, you have to first understand how medical underwriting works in general. The basic idea is that insurance companies want to minimize risk by thoroughly evaluating an applicant’s medical history—or in the case of an employer group, by evaluating the group’s overall claims history....

Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver. The inflammation can be caused by many different things, including medications, viruses, exposure to chemicals, environmental toxins, autoimmune disorders, and alcohol use. Within the context of HIV, there exists a high rate of co-infection with certain types of viral hepatitis, most specifically hepatitis C (HCV). In fact, epidemiological research suggests that as many as 30% of Americans with HIV may also be infected with HCV....

Abdominal migraine is a type of migraine that causes abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Despite the name, this condition does not cause migraine headaches. Abdominal migraines are common in children. Some studies suggest up to 9% of school aged children may experience them. They are much less common in adults, though they do still happen in this group. Abdominal migraines are treated in much the same way as migraine headaches. Over-the-counter pain medication and prescription medication can help relieve symptoms....

Athlete’s foot treatments range from home remedies like hydrogen peroxide to over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal products and prescription medications. The one that will work best for you depends on the severity of your case and the fungus you’re infected with. There are more than 40 different types of fungus that cause athlete’s foot, and some are more stubborn than others. These may require prescription drugs like Lamisil (terbinafine) or Diflucan (fluconazole)....

Bloating is a common problem that affects the digestive system. It happens for a variety of reasons, and can cause the abdomen to become distended (stick out). Bloating may cause symptoms such as feeling fullness, pressure, or tightness in the stomach. It can be mild and not last very long or it could be severe and more painful and disruptive. This article discusses the symptoms and potential causes of bloating. It also covers lifestyle factors that may affect bloating and when to seek tests or treatment for symptoms....

It’s a common experience to wonder why the bottom of your foot hurts. In fact, 77% of adults say that foot pain has affected their life in one way or another. Whether your foot pain is near the toes or at the heel, the pain may affect you with every footfall. Depending on the injury or condition, you may feel symptoms that range from a shooting pain to a constant ache....

What Is Caduet? Caduet is an oral pill that combines two prescription medications: Norvasc (amlodipine) and Lipitor (atorvastatin). It is used in people for whom treatment with both amlodipine and atorvastatin is needed. Amlodipine belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers and works by relaxing blood vessels. Amlodipine can be used to lower blood pressure or treat chest pain (angina). Atorvastatin is a statin medicine, also called an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, that decreases cholesterol by limiting how much cholesterol your liver makes....

Getting recommended cancer screenings can help spot cancer in the earliest stages when treatment is most likely to work. However, some significant barriers can keep people from getting recommended cancer screenings, including a lack of awareness or time, high costs, inadequate access, and fear of what the screenings might entail or reveal. Here are some of the most common barriers to cancer screenings and what you can do to overcome them....

Meningitis has a wide range of causes. Some types are contagious infections you can catch from another person, and some types are infections that you can get from contamination in the environment. Vaccination and avoiding exposure to infectious pathogens can substantially reduce your risk of infectious meningitis. Some types of meningitis are not caused by an infection and are not contagious, but there are steps you can take to avoid noninfectious meningitis as well....

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, women and mothers have overwhelmingly taken on an onslaught of responsibilities at home. Whether it’s caring for loved ones, homeschooling children, or securing vaccination appointments for older relatives, it’s been widely reported that they’ve had to bear the brunt of additional labor. Key Takeaways Along with the physical challenges of COVID-19, many women experienced an added psychological distress caused by the amount of unpaid work required to take on at home....

There is a close association between diabetes and liver disease. In some cases, diabetes can cause progressive liver scarring, leading to a liver injury known as cirrhosis. Diabetes can also speed the progression of liver disease, increasing the risk of severe and potentially life-threatening complications like liver failure or liver cancer. In addition, there is evidence that having a liver disease can contribute to the onset of diabetes. Studies suggest that anywhere from 30% to 40% of people with liver cirrhosis in the United States have diabetes and that having diabetes independently increases the risk of complications and death from liver disease....

Having the flu is like having a pretty miserable cold in most cases. But for some, such as pregnant people, the flu can become much more serious. It may also affect the baby. The best way to avoid severe complications is to get the flu shot. Flu and Fertility Generally speaking, any illness or threat to the immune system can affect your fertility. If you are actively sick, your immune system and stress levels can work against your efforts to conceive....

Eye mucus is normal and essential to good eye health. It’s produced in the eye conjunctiva, a clear tissue that protects the eyeball and eyelids, along with oil from the meibomian glands along the eyelash edge. There are several reasons why you may have goopy eyes. While it is normal to have a little “gunk” or eye discharge in the morning, some causes of eye discharge are more serious and may require medical attention....

Getting a vasectomy can cost anywhere between $0 and $1000 in the United States. It can be done in an office setting with local anesthesia or as an outpatient surgical procedure. Many private insurance companies will cover the cost of a vasectomy, but it is not an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act. A permanent form of birth control, vasectomies are more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. It is also the most cost-effective method of birth control over the long term....

The treatment for a sinus infection depends on the type of sinusitis and the source of the inflammation or infection. For example, you might need antibiotics to clear up a sinus infection or a short course of steroids like prednisone for sinus infection symptoms. Acute viral sinusitis can usually resolve on its own, acute bacterial sinusitis can usually be cured with antibiotics, and anti-fungal medications might be needed for treating fungal sinusitis....