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Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable bacterial infection. Prevention focuses on treating latent TB (when the condition lives in your body but doesn’t make you sick) to halt the active disease, early diagnosis, and vaccination. This article provides an overview of TB prevention strategies and how to implement them. Tuberculosis Prevention Measures TB is a serious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. Fortunately, there are several prevention measures available. This is especially important for people more vulnerable to TB, such as those living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or frequently exposed to TB....

Progestin-only birth control is a type of hormonal birth control that does not contain any synthetic estrogen. The oral form of this type of birth control is also called the mini pill. Progestin is a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. Because it does not contain estrogen, the mini pill may have fewer side effects than other forms of hormonal birth control. Progestin-only birth control is considered a safer form of birth control for those who are over the age of 35, smoke, or are at risk for heart attack or stroke....

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and gout are types of inflammatory arthritis that cause pain and swelling of the fingers, toes, knees, ankles, and other joints. While they have some similar symptoms and causes, they are very different conditions and are managed and treated differently. This article will discuss the different symptoms of PsA vs. gout, what causes these conditions, how they are diagnosed and treated, and why PsA might increase your risk for gout....

While there is no evidence that infections can cause you to develop MS, you are more prone to having an MS exacerbation if you become sick with an infection. This makes vaccinations, which prevent infections, especially important. If you have multiple sclerosis (MS), most vaccines are safe for you. However, a few might not be. When planning your vaccinations, it is best to first have a conversation with your healthcare provider about the safety of the vaccine before receiving it....

Shin splint stretches are used to prevent and treat pain or tenderness along the pain on the inside of your shinbone, or shin splints. Shin splints are a common problem for runners, joggers, and basketball players. Stretching can help to prevent shin splints and ease the pain. Exercises to prevent shin splints include walking on your toes and walking on your heels. Several stretches can also help relieve medial tibial stress syndrome—the medical term for shin splints....

Fibroids, also called leiomyomas, are benign (noncancerous) tumors that grow inside or on the outer wall of the uterus. Up to 80% of people with uteruses will develop fibroids by the age of 50. Fibroid degeneration is the breakdown of a fibroid through cell death. This is caused by ischemia (a lack of adequate blood supply) in the fibroid. This ischemia is usually the result of a fibroid growing too large for its blood supply, but it can also be caused by mechanical compression (blockage) of the feeder arteries....

A new study published in the journal PLOS Medicine found that glucocorticoids, a type of steroid medication, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in some individuals. Key Takeaways Glucocorticoids, a type of steroid medication, decrease the damage caused by inflammation in some diseases.Prolonged glucocorticoid use may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.Patients and prescribers should discuss the risks, benefits, and possible alternatives to steroid use with their healthcare provider. Previous research had shown that the lowest doses of steroids did not impact cardiovascular risk....

The part of the eye that determines its color, the iris is the muscular curtain that sits near the front between the cornea on the outside and the lens. Primarily, by determining the size of the eye’s “window,” or pupil, this structure serves to regulate the amount of light that gets to the retina (the portion of the eye that initially processes visual information and delivers it to the brain). As such, it displays what is called a “pupillary light reflex,” wherein it constricts when it’s bright out while opening up in lower light conditions....

A transverse baby position, also called transverse fetal lie, is when the unborn baby is sideways—at a 90-degree angle to your spine—instead of head up or head down. A transverse baby can’t be delivered vaginally without posing major risks to both you and the child. Sometimes, a transverse baby will turn itself into the head-down position before you go into labor. Other times, a healthcare provider may be able to turn the baby....

A health insurance “easy enrollment” program is a system that uses data from state tax returns to connect people with available health insurance benefits. Since eligibility for modified adjusted gross income (MAGI)-based Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and premium tax credits are based on income, the data submitted in a tax return can be used to determine whether a household is eligible for any of these programs. This article will describe easy enrollment systems, how states have implemented them, and considerations for using them....

Some people treated for hypothyroidism may still experience symptoms even if blood tests show that their thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are well within the normal range. The reasons for this are complex, but the bottom line is that having a normal TSH value doesn’t necessarily mean that all of your symptoms will go away. In fact, your TSH blood tests may say that you are clinically euthyroid (normal), but you may still experience many of the same problems you had prior to treatment, including:...

The Delta variant has taken hold in the United States, driving a worrisome spike in COVID-19 infections, especially among unvaccinated populations. Key Takeaway The Delta variant is highly transmissible, even among vaccinated people.Researchers think some genetic mutations make the virus able to more effectively enter cells, suppress immune responses and increase viral load.Vaccines remain the best tool to protect against severe illness and death from the Delta variant. Delta is the most transmissible COVID-19 variant yet....

What Is Yervoy? Yervoy (ipilimumab) is a medication in the class of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CLTA-4) blocking antibodies. CTLA-4 suppresses the ability of T cells to work. When Yervoy blocks CTLA-4, the immune system can function better to destroy cancer cells. Yervoy treats multiple types of cancer, including: Melanoma (skin cancer) Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) Colorectal cancer (CRC) Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) Malignant pleural mesothelioma (cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and chest cavity) Yervoy is administered intravenously (within the vein) by a healthcare provider....

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a popular and effective treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, but there are other options you can consider—and each has pluses and minuses in terms of effectiveness, how often they’re needed, and more. Injectable Botox alternatives include: Myobloc (rimabotulinumtoxinb) Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA) Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA) Bellafill (dermal filler) Juvederm (hyaluronic acid gel) The benefits of Botox last about four months. Some of these have longer periods between recommended treatments, which may be attractive for both cost and convenience concerns....

An increasing number of higher education institutions are requiring students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before attending campuses in the fall. Among these are Rutgers University, Cornell University, Duke University, and Brown University. Key Takeaways Many universities and colleges are requiring their students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before allowing them to attend fall classes in person.Requiring students to get certain vaccinations before coming to campus isn’t a new protocol.Mask-wearing, physical distancing, and proper hand hygiene will still be necessary for the foreseeable future....

Aldosterone is a hormone that is produced by your adrenal glands, which are small, triangle-shaped glands situated at the top of your kidneys. A primary function of aldosterone is to control your blood pressure. It does so by influencing other organs, like the kidneys, colon, and the urinary system, to regulate the amount of sodium and potassium in the bloodstream. When sodium is retained, water increases as well, resulting in a rise in blood volume and blood pressure....

There is no cure for autism. There are, however, many therapies that can help manage some of the symptoms. Animal-assisted and pet therapies are often considered a good option because they are risk-free, either low-cost or free, and they don’t interfere with other types of autism treatments. People with autism who become animal lovers join the ranks of millions of other people who share their animal-loving passion and interest. Finding a group with a shared interest can be life-changing for people living with autism....

What Is Augmentin? Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate) is an oral prescription drug used to treat certain bacterial infections. Augmentin contains two ingredients: amoxicillin and clavulanate. Amoxicillin is a penicillin antibiotic that works by stopping bacterial growth. Clavulanate is a beta-lactamase inhibitor. It protects amoxicillin from being destroyed by bacteria. Augmentin does not treat viral infections, such as the common cold, the flu, or COVID-19. This medication is available as an oral tablet, chewable tablet, oral extended-release tablet, and oral suspension....

Your back consists of a complex array of bones, discs, nerves, joints, and muscles. The muscles of your back support your spine, attach your pelvis and shoulders to your trunk, and provide mobility and stability to your trunk and spine. The anatomy of your back muscles can be complex. There are several different layers of muscles in your back that are often pulling in different and various directions. Understanding the anatomy and function of your back muscles can help you determine if (and when) you may need professional medical care if you are having a problem with your back....

When it comes to genitourinary cancers in men, most people put their attention toward prostate cancer or testicular cancer. What many people fail to realize is that another form—bladder cancer—is the fourth leading malignancy in men, far outpacing testicular cancer by a rate of about six to one. The symptoms of bladder cancer are often mistaken for other diseases and may include hematuria (blood in the urine) and urinary frequency. If diagnosed early, success rates for treatment—which may involve surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy—are high....