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Health advocacy includes actions related to providing access to care, securing resources, tackling health disparities and inequities, and navigating the healthcare system. Health advocacy matters because it helps people get the services and support they need. It also addresses concerns and barriers to health care. This article is part of our series looking at how Black Americans navigate the healthcare system. According to our exclusive survey, 1 in 3 Black Americans report having experienced racism while seeking medical care....

Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a key symptom of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). It causes a spike in symptoms and a massive energy crash after what other people would consider minor exertion. PEM is one of the most debilitating symptoms of ME/CFS. As of yet, no drugs specifically treat it. But you can use strategies to help manage it, including pacing your activity and taming stress. This article walks you through practical approaches that may help you manage PEM....

Upper abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes, from indigestion and heartburn to gallstones or a liver abscess. Much of the time, the pain is temporary and resolves on its own. Sometimes, however, upper abdominal pain is caused by something that requires immediate medical attention, like a heart attack. The upper abdomen contains the lungs, heart, liver, gallbladder, and upper GI tract. Knowing which organ or part of the body is affected can help you and your doctor determine the cause and type of treatment you need....

“How are you doing today?” “What’s going on in your world right now?” “How do you feel?” These might seem like simple questions a caring friend would ask. However, in the present day of mental health care, they can also be the start of a conversation with your virtual therapist. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are bringing psychotherapy to more people who need it. It is becoming clear that AI for mental health could be a game changer....

A good night of sleep should have you feeling well-rested and awake the next day. If you are feeling tired upon waking up, or throughout the day, you may be experiencing some underlying issues that are impacting your night’s rest. Discover more on the differences between feelings of tiredness and sleepiness, what may be causing unrefreshing sleep, and how to relieve tiredness. Sleepiness vs. Tiredness Feeling tired and feeling sleepy are phrases that are often used interchangeably....

A hypoechoic nodule is an area of swelling or abnormal cell growth on the thyroid. The term “hypoechoic” refers to the way the nodule appears on an ultrasound: dark. When a nodule appears hypoechoic rather than anechoic, radiologists know it’s likely solid and not liquid-filled. A solid nodule is more likely than other types of nodules to be cancerous. However, the risk is still low, and a hypoechoic nodule is more likely to be benign than it is to be cancerous....

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and upper section of the small intestine. Getting a diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease may require some testing that must be done in person. However, some management of a peptic ulcer might be done via telehealth. During the public health emergency of COVID-19, being able to access healthcare professionals through a phone call or video chat has become commonplace and has proven to be helpful....

Have you tried to sign up for health insurance only to be told you’re not allowed to buy health insurance until open enrollment? If you go to a car dealership to buy a car, the dealership doesn’t refuse to sell you a car until next November. But with most types of health insurance, you can’t buy a policy whenever you want. This is true whether you’re trying to buy a health plan on the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange in your state (or directly through the insurer, outside the exchange), enroll in the plan your employer offers, or even sign up for Medicare....

Blood in the stool is there because of bleeding somewhere in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This can be due to many causes, including peptic ulcer disease, anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and several other medical conditions. Blood in the stool usually looks blood-red or maroonish. Blood that comes from the upper GI tract and is digested as it moves through the gut may be black and tar-like. Because blood in the stool may be a symptom of something serious, like cancer, it should never be ignored....

An ablation is technically a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Your experience on the day of your procedure will depend a lot on the type of ablation you will have and how well your body handles it. Ablation can be done on an outpatient basis. For more delicate ablations—like a cardiac ablation—your healthcare provider may want to keep you overnight for observation. This article looks at some common types of ablation and how they work....

When faced with a cold or flu, people will often turn to over-the-counter (OTC) supplements that promise to “boost” their immune system. One such product is an American dietary brand known as Airborne. It offers a range of supplements composed of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and herbal extracts that are said to offer immune support. Sold in a variety of formulations—including tablets, lozenges, gummies, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets, and powders—Airborne was initially marketed as an “immune booster” capable of preventing the common cold....

Gonorrhea, otherwise known as “the clap,” is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or disease (STD) caused by a bacteria called Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It spreads through sexual intimacy rather than casual contact, but recent research suggests it could spread through certain types of kissing. Cases surged at the end of 2020, with a 111% increase since 2009. An estimated 677,769 new cases were reported in 2020. After chlamydia, it is the second most common STD in the United States....

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. In pregnancy, chlamydia can lead to a variety of complications, including preterm labor and low birth weight. The infection may also be passed vertically (from the pregnant person to the baby) during delivery. This article will discuss the symptoms of chlamydia during pregnancy, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and when to see a healthcare provider. Symptoms of Chlamydia During Pregnancy In many cases, chlamydia doesn’t produce any symptoms, and it is possible to be infected without realizing it....

Bronchitis is a condition characterized by swelling and inflammation in the tubes that carry air to your lungs, known as the bronchi. Some types of bronchitis cause a low-grade fever. Acute bronchitis is inflammation caused by an underlying infection, like a cold or the flu. Acute bronchitis can cause a fever. Chronic bronchitis, however, is inflammation that builds over time, most often due to smoking. If you have chronic bronchitis, you’re unlikely to have a fever....

While a missed period is one of the more obvious early signs of pregnancy, there are several other symptoms to be on the lookout for if you’re trying to conceive. Symptoms vary from person to person—including those who experience no early signs of pregnancy. Implantation Bleeding Implantation bleeding is often the earliest sign of pregnancy; however, it most often goes unnoticed. About one in four women experience light bleeding in early pregnancy....

On April 23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it is recommending that people who are pregnant receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Key Takeaways The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that pregnant individuals receive a COVID-19 vaccine.Expert groups recommend pregnant women balance available data on vaccine safety, their risks for a COVID-19 infection, and their individual risk for infection and severe disease.Preliminary research did not find any obvious safety concerns for pregnant individuals who received the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or their babies....

The anatomy of the foot and its function can predispose to common foot problems. Common causes of foot pain include plantar fasciitis, bunions, flat feet, heel spurs, mallet toe, metatarsalgia, claw toe, and Morton’s neuroma. If your feet hurt, there are effective ways to ease the pain This article provides an overview of foot anatomy and foot problems that come from overuse, injury, and normal wear and tear of the foot....

Obtaining an accurate muscular dystrophy diagnosis is one of the challenges the condition presents. Generally speaking, muscular dystrophy is caused by an absence or dysfunction of a protein called dystrophin, which works by creating a bridge between your muscle fibers and the surrounding area, helping to transfer your muscular contractions to adjacent areas. When this protein is not working properly or is absent, muscular wasting and weakness occur. Testing for this protein, amongst other tests, helps properly diagnose muscular dystrophy....

The kidneys filter blood by removing waste and excess water. They keep a delicate balance of minerals in the body while also releasing hormones and managing blood pressure. With chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney function declines. The main causes of CKD are diabetes and high blood pressure. Other causes include infections, polycystic kidney disease, and lupus. People with kidney disease can develop skin rashes. These rashes are due to the kidneys’ decreased function....

Low-carb diets are popular and controversial at the same time. When not used with proper overall nutrition in mind, a low-carb diet can potentially lead to long-term health effects. Among those are an increased risk for gout, a form of arthritis, and osteoporosis. Popular Diets Low-carb diets come in many varieties, and the buzzwords “low carb” are found on many food labels. Low-carb diets that have generated a lot of publicity include:...