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Robert L. Quigley, MD, DPhil, is the Senior Vice President and Global Medical Director, Corporate Health Solutions at International SOS & MedAire. After 25 years working in surgery, critical care, and immunology, he’s using his expertise to advise on crisis management, infectious disease, and health care. Here, he shares his thoughts on what your workplace should do to ensure safety if you’re starting to return to an office. The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations throughout the U....

An air embolism is a bubble of air that enters your arteries or veins, most often as a complication from a medical procedure. When these bubbles travel, they can block blood supply in different parts of the body, like the heart, lungs, or brain. This can lead to serious problems, such as a stroke. Fortunately, air embolisms are very rare. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the different types of air embolisms and their potential causes....

Cinqair (reslizumab) is an injectable biologic drug used to treat a rare but severe form of asthma known as eosinophilic asthma. It is delivered intravenously (into a vein) every four weeks to control asthma symptoms, typically only after asthma inhalers and oral medications fail to provide relief. The most common side effect is mouth and throat pain. There are no generic versions of Cinqair. Uses Cinqair is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as a controller medication for adults 18 and over with severe eosinophilic asthma....

People with fibromyalgia or myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) experience a specific kind of cognitive dysfunction called fibro fog or brain fog. It involves: Short-term memory problemsDifficulty concentrating or multi-taskingTrouble recalling words and names Brain fog can have a tremendous impact on quality of life—as much as pain or fatigue. The effects of brain fog can be so significant that it can even be mistaken for ADHD or dementia. This article explains ME/CFS and fibromyalgia brain fog, the mechanisms behind them, and how medications and other treatments can help clear the fog....

By now, you’ve probably received “the memo”: Certain types of fish are great sources of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, lean protein, and essential vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants in vitamins B2, B12, and vitamin D. However, eating seafood, including fish, is also a well-recognized risk factor for increased uric acid levels in the blood, which can lead to a gout attack. And this is the last thing you want if you already live with gout....

Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable molecules that are made by the body naturally as a byproduct of normal metabolism. Free radicals can also be made by the body after exposure to toxins in the environment such as tobacco smoke and ultraviolet (UV) light. Free radicals have a lifespan of only a fraction of a second, but during that time can damage DNA, sometimes causing mutations that can increase your risk of getting health conditions like heart disease and cancer....

Headaches affect 20% of children ages five to 17. While they are typically mild and not cause for concern, some headaches may be more severe than others, especially if they prevent your child from participating in their everyday activities and routines. Read more about headaches in children and which signs and symptoms to worry about. Causes of Headaches in Children Children can get headaches for a variety of reasons. In some cases, there may be more than one source....

HIV infection can impact the immune system’s ability to fight against infection. It can make people more susceptible to disease. HIV-related skin lesions are caused by a variety of infections. Some of these sores and rashes may also occur in people without HIV. However, they may be more serious and/or more common in individuals with uncontrolled HIV or AIDS. This article describes the different types of skin lesions that can appear in people living with HIV and how to manage these symptoms....

Hookworm is an intestinal parasite that affects more than half a billion people globally. The worms live in the small intestines of those who are infected. Once widespread in the United States, hookworm infections now disproportionately impact poor areas with limited access to sanitation and medical care. The worm’s larvae live in contaminated soil, primarily infecting people by burrowing through the bottoms of their bare feet. Though a safe and effective treatment is available, there are an estimated 576–740 million people currently infected with hookworm worldwide, making it one of the most common neglected tropical diseases impacting humans....

The process of diagnosis for someone dealing with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can sometimes leave the patient and even their healthcare provider frustrated due to the slow pace of assessment and multiple tests required to confidently confirm the presence of the disease. Most commonly, a neurologist will look for specific physical examination findings that are classic to Parkinson’s disease, like resting tremor or rigidity. However, symptoms or signs of Parkinson’s disease may not be obvious....

Hypopigmentation and vitiligo are skin conditions characterized by patches of skin that are lighter than the rest of the body. They occur when specialized skin cells (melanocytes) do not make enough of the skin-darkening pigment called melanin, which leads to partial or complete loss of skin pigmentation (color). “Hypopigmentation” is a general term to describe a reduction in skin pigmentation, which can be present at birth or develop later in life from illness, injury, or certain medications....

What Is Jentadueto? Jentadueto is a combination tablet containing the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor linagliptin and the biguanide metformin. It is used to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Both linagliptin and metformin help lower blood sugar through complementary mechanisms. Linagliptin stimulates the release of insulin in a glucose-dependent manner. Metformin decreases the amount of glucose produced by your liver, increases insulin sensitivity in tissues, and reduces intestinal glucose absorption....

Labored breathing is a general term used to describe when breathing is difficult. The term can be applied to any number of conditions in which breathing is physically impaired. It can also be used if the underlying cause is psychological. If you’re having difficulty breathing and it’s not related to exercise, seek immediate medical help. Unlike shortness of breath and wheezing, labored breathing is not a medical term and is not listed as a symptom in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)....

What Is Lanoxin? Lanoxin (digoxin) is an oral prescription medication used to treat irregular heartbeats associated with mild to moderate heart failure. Digoxin originates naturally from the foxglove plant, which contains an ingredient called Digitalis lanata. Digitalis helps the heart muscle work properly in someone with a rapid or abnormal heartbeat. Digoxin is available orally in tablet and liquid solution forms. It can also be given as an injection into the vein (intravenously) or the muscle (intramuscularly)....

Natural rubber latex is a milky sap from the Hevea brasiliensis rubber tree. Unlike the synthetic latex found in latex paint, this natural latex can cause a latex allergic reaction. Many foods contain proteins similar to latex proteins. Therefore, if you have a latex allergy, you may also have a food allergy. Your body’s immune system responds to them in the same way, causing the cross-reactivity seen in what’s often referred to as the latex-fruit syndrome....

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, but fast-growing type of skin cancer that begins in the top layer of the skin, near nerve endings. MCC typically presents as a discolored bump on areas that are regularly exposed to the sun, such as the face, head, or neck. This article will discuss the causes, symptoms, treatment, and outlook for Merkel cell carcinoma. Merkel Cell Carcinoma Symptoms Typically, the first sign of MCC is the appearance of a red or purple lump or bump on the skin....

Menopause is a universal part of aging for women. During menopause, the body produces less of the hormone estrogen. A person’s menstrual cycle fluctuates and then stops, and other changes and symptoms will occur. Women who have multiple sclerosis (MS) may find their MS symptoms are similar to those of menopause, though the experience varies from person to person. There may be other connections between MS and menopause as well....

Nearly 60% of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) face challenges with sleep, such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, returning to sleep, or getting enough sleep (insomnia). These sleep problems may be due to the direct effects of the condition or a result of problems like fatigue or depression. But there are things you can do to overcome them. Learn more about the link between MS and sleep and how to sleep better with MS....

Ovarian cancer is a serious illness that often goes undiagnosed until it reaches later stages and becomes more difficult to treat. However, researchers in Finland have created a new blood test that can detect ovarian cancer in its earlier stages, potentially saving lives. Key Takeaways Current ovarian cancer screening measures cannot detect the disease in its early stages.A new test that measures specific changes to the ovarian cancer marker CA-125 is 4....

Many of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are manageable, but it is a lifelong condition. In addition to getting treatment, there are a number of strategies you can use to cope with the illness so that you can optimize your own quality of life as well as that of your loved ones. Emotional Living with PD can cause a number of emotional effects, some of which can seem to completely contradict each other....