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When autistic people are under the age of 22, they receive a range of free programs and services through government entitlements and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Once they turn 22, however, those entitlements disappear. This, according to some sources, is a “services cliff” over which families fall. The reality, however, is that most autistic adults and their families can and do find support. How Adult Services Differ from Children’s Services The biggest difference between adult and children’s services is that most services provided to children under IDEA are entitlement-based, while the services provided to adults are eligibility-based....

The fear of sharp objects, or aichmophobia, is a type of anxiety disorder known as a specific phobia. A phobia is an irrational, overwhelming fear of something. People who fear sharp objects feel intense fear around knives, scissors, nails, needles, and other sharp items. This article will define the fear of sharp objects, review symptoms of the disorder, discuss diagnosis and potential causes, and provide treatment and coping options. Definition of the Fear of Sharp Objects As with any fear, being afraid of sharp objects can range in severity....

Joint supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and methylsulfonylmethane are used to prevent and treat arthritis pain. However, many joint supplements promise more than they deliver. A Consumer Reports analysis found 44% of the most popular joint supplements fell short of their ingredients list. It is important to know what to look for when choosing a joint supplement. This article discusses joint supplements and the research behind the most effective supplements. It also explains what to look for when choosing supplements and a list of quality products....

Toujeo (insulin glargine injection) is a brand-name-only form of prescription insulin approved to help reduce blood sugar in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Toujeo contains a concentrated form of long-acting synthetic insulin called insulin glargine, which is used to partially replace the body’s natural production of insulin, helping to remove excess glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream. The delivery method for Toujeo is a pre-filled pen, which is used once daily via subcutaneous (under the skin) injections....

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common complication of insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes. Most people taking insulin have experienced hypoglycemic episodes. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, leading to seizures, coma, and death if left untreated, so it’s important to be aware of the signs and know what to do if you experience low blood sugar. This article will discuss hypoglycemia and its risks, symptoms, and management. Risks of Hypoglycemia With Type 1 Diabetes In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin....

If you are an older person who is experiencing difficulty moving around due to surgery, illness, or an injury, you may benefit from working with a physical therapist (PT) who is a geriatric certified specialist. A geriatric specialist is a PT who has proven to be an expert in assessing and managing conditions affecting older persons. Working with this type of specialist can ensure you are rehabbing with an expert who understands the specific needs of people who are in the geriatric population....

There are many reasons that you can feel pain in your tooth when you bite down. A range of conditions causes this kind of toothache, including cavities and damage to the teeth, sinus infection, and gum disease. In addition to causing sharp stabs of pain when chewing or putting pressure on the tooth, these issues can lead to tooth loss and other problems. This article looks at the conditions that lead to a painful bite, when to get help, and treatment options....

Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition that occurs when the thick band of tissue in the bottom of your foot—called the plantar fascia—becomes inflamed. This condition typically causes sharp pain on your heel at the base of your arch, especially when you put weight on your foot. The best way to relieve pain from plantar fasciitis is by stretching your fascia and muscles in your foot and calf. Yoga poses are an effective way to stretch these structures....

What you eat can impact inflammation within the body. More research is needed on the link between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and diet. But a healthy diet, in addition to conventional treatment, may help reduce symptoms and prevent flare-ups in this type of inflammatory arthritis. This article describes how diet impacts ankylosing spondylitis, including foods to include and foods to avoid if you have AS. How Diet Impacts AS It’s well known that what you eat and put in your body daily can affect your health....

Hormones are chemicals made by the endocrine system. They direct functions in multiple systems of the body. When they are imbalanced, it can affect your weight, mood, energy levels, libido, fertility, and more. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is the use of artificial hormones to balance hormone levels and decrease symptoms. Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one version of this kind of treatment. This article reviews what bioidentical hormones are, what BHRT treats, how it differs from other forms of HRT, its benefits and risks, and how to take it....

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common bacterial infection in women. It occurs when the balance of bacteria in the vagina changes. When there are more harmful bacteria than good bacteria in the vagina, bacterial vaginosis can occur. Bacterial vaginosis raises the risk of premature birth and low-birth-weight babies in pregnant women. It is also common in women experiencing infertility. One review found that up to 19% of women experiencing infertility have bacterial vaginosis....

Cataract surgery is a relatively common procedure that treats cataract, a clouding of the eye’s lens. Also known as lens replacement surgery, this procedure involves surgically removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a specialized prosthetic called an intraocular lens (IOL). Though this treatment is quite routine, if your ophthalmologist has recommended it, some preparation will be necessary. Surgery outcomes improve dramatically when you follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. Here’s what you should know before you have the procedure....

Cheilitis is a type of lip inflammation with symptoms of red, dry, scaling, and itchy lips. Many factors can cause cheilitis, such as an infection, chronic lip licking, or exposure to an allergen or irritant. Healthcare providers diagnose cheilitis by reviewing a person’s medical history and performing an examination of the mouth, lips, and skin. Sometimes, other tests like patch testing or a biopsy are performed to determine the root cause of the inflammation....

Among the most important measures of health are cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a lipid that is carried in the bloodstream by specialized lipid-carrying particles called lipoproteins. Cholesterol blood tests (often called the lipid panel) measure the amounts of cholesterol carried by three main lipoproteins—low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)—all of which play a role in cell metabolism. The lipid panel will also measure triglycerides, the most common type of fat in the blood....

In the past, coffee was generally regarded as being “bad” for your heart. Coffee was said to raise blood pressure and cholesterol while increasing the risk of heart attack and cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Recent research has challenged those beliefs and, in fact, suggests that coffee may be good for your heart. Prior studies often failed to take into account other factors that contribute to heart disease in coffee drinkers, such as obesity and smoking....

An enlarged uterus can be caused by a number of different conditions. Most are not harmful. In some cases, though, an enlarged uterus can signal a serious illness, like cancer. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of an enlarged uterus and how doctors treat this condition. Symptoms of an Enlarged Uterus Many women don’t experience any symptoms of an enlarged uterus. Often, their doctor detects it during a routine pelvic exam....

If you’ve recently had a tummy tuck, you will likely want to know when it is safe to resume exercise and sexual activities. Also known as an abdominoplasty, a tummy tuck is a surgery to remove excess skin and fat from the belly. Starting exercise too soon after a tummy tuck can lead to complications such as poor wound healing, scarring, or a need for follow-up surgery. This article offers advice on when you can safely return to physical activity as well as ways to modify your daily activities so that you can heal properly....

Extra Strength Tylenol is a popular over-the-counter medication used to relieve pain, including arthritis pain. However, you must be careful not to exceed the maximum daily dose as an overdose can be toxic to the liver. This article explains how Extra Strength Tylenol differs from regular strength Tylenol or Tylenol Arthritis Pain. It also outlines the maximum dose recommended for adults and children as well as the signs and symptoms of a Tylenol overdose....

An eye twitch (myokymia) is a benign condition that causes involuntary spasms of the eyelid. An eye twitch is common and can be brought on by certain triggers, such as lack of sleep, caffeine, stress, and allergies. These triggers can also cause headaches. This article will discuss common causes of eyelid twitching, why it may occur with a headache, and how to treat it. Causes of Eyelid Twitching and Headaches There are two types of headaches that can cause eye twitching: Migraines and cluster headaches....

Thrombocytosis, or a high platelet count, is diagnosed when platelet levels are greater than 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Many times, a high platelet count doesn’t cause any symptoms or mean something serious is going on. However, having a high platelet count can lead to clotting problems and, in some cases, may be associated with serious conditions, like cancer. The two types of thrombocytosis are primary thrombocytosis and secondary thrombocytosis:...