Posts

Your thyroid is responsible for making thyroid hormones such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which help control your metabolism and other functions such as your heart rate, cholesterol levels, menstrual cycle, and more. Regardless of whether your thyroid is making too much of the thyroid hormones (leading to hyperthyroidism or Graves’ disease) or not enough of the thyroid hormones (leading to hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease) your mood and weight are among two of the biggest things affected by a thyroid disease diagnosis....

Tight jaw muscles can interfere with the most basic daily tasks, such as talking and chewing your food. Conditions that cause tight jaw muscles can also be quite painful. However, many of these conditions can be treated with medical interventions and home remedies. This article discusses common causes of tight jaw muscles and how to manage your symptoms. Causes of Tight Jaw Muscles Tight jaw muscles can be caused by a variety of medical conditions and lifestyle habits, such as the following....

What Is Tradjenta? Tradjenta (linagliptin) is a prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is available as an oral tablet. Tradjenta is in a drug class called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, which are also known as gliptins because the chemical name of each drug in the class ends in “gliptin.” Tradjenta stimulates the production and release of insulin in the body....

There are two main categories of treatments for colon cancer. Local treatments target one specific area, such as surgery or radiation. Systemic, or body-wide, treatments have a much wider net and include chemotherapy or targeted biologic therapies. Depending on your physical health, stage of cancer, and personal choice, you may elect one treatment or a combination. Surgery Surgical removal is the treatment of choice for most early-stage colon cancers, but the type of surgery depends on factors like how far the cancer has spread and wherein the colon it is located....

Vitamins are necessary for skin health. That said, popping a multivitamin or slathering your face in vitamin-infused skincare products doesn’t guarantee that you’ll end up with glowing skin. Much of our skin’s appearance is determined by genetics. And while a vitamin deficiency might make your skin appear less healthy, taking a supplement won’t necessarily help unless you are deficient in a vitamin involved in skin health. Your whole body needs vitamins to function, not just your skin....

With so many cisgender females on the birth control pill, you might have found yourself wondering what happens if a cisgender man takes birth control? The short answer: not much. There is currently no birth control medication for people assigned male at birth. If a cisgender male takes a birth control pill once or twice, he’s not likely to notice any difference. Taking birth control will also not speed up the process of feminization for people assigned male at birth who are trying to transition to being female....

Disc herniations can sometimes cause low back and/or leg pain. The term “herniate” means to bulge or to stick out. While conservative treatments (such as ibuprofen or physical therapy) are often effective for controlling symptoms, sometimes a herniated disc requires a surgical procedure called a discectomy. What Is a Discectomy? Cartilaginous discs sit between each vertebra in the spine to provide cushioning and support. When the spine or disc is affected by aging or injury, part of the disc can bulge out....

Weeks of testing delays and even faulty testing kits crippled the early response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. As Americans fought to get tested and COVID-19 cases rose around the world, a new market emerged—at-home testing for the novel coronavirus. Testing was hampered by limited test kits, backed-up supply chains, and complicated lockdown orders, but kits that allowed you to collect samples at home and send them to a lab for testing emerged within weeks....

With two parents in their 60s who both have preexisting conditions, Lana,* a resident of Pennsylvania, hoped she’d be able to secure COVID-19 vaccine appointments for them both, sooner rather than later. But met by confusing sign-up systems, she found herself trying to navigate the process alone, and from a different state. Key Takeaways While vaccine rollout has lifted hopes, the process of obtaining appointments has also brought added stress, especially for women....

Over time, the ways environmental pollutants can harm our health have come into a clearer view. But now scientists are shedding a light on eight biological mechanisms exposure to polluted air, water, soil, and food can harm and disrupt. Key Takeaways Researchers have identified eight ways in which environmental exposures can harm health.They say their work emphasizes the importance of strong public health policy regarding pollution and resulting disease risk. Carving out time to spend in natural settings can be good for your wellbeing and mental health....

With pandemic lockdowns, social isolation, and economic insecurity taking a mental health toll on the nation, many hypothesized a rise in suicide rates during the past year. Key Takeaways Preliminary data note a decrease in the 2020 national suicide rate, but do not provide information broken down by demographics.Experts say this data should be interpreted with caution, as the pandemic’s mental toll may not appear directly in the data. The pandemic has led to more explicit conversations about mental health, which can work to inform and improve policy, education, and daily life....

Calcium citrate is an over-the-counter (OTC) calcium supplement. Calcium is a mineral essential for healthy teeth and bones. It is also important for blood vessels, muscles, and nerve health and supports hormone function. Calcium supplements are typically sold in the form of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. Calcium citrate is more easily absorbed than calcium carbonate. Your body doesn’t need stomach acid to absorb calcium citrate, making it the better choice for people who take heartburn medication or have digestive issues....

There are many changes in your body that can happen when you start to exercise regularly. You may have sore muscles, lose weight, sleep better, and gain strength. But what you may not expect is that regular exercise can also cause changes in your menstrual cycle. The changes may be subtle or extreme depending on how your body reacts to your increased activity level. This article covers four of the most common effects exercise can have on your period....

Ready to trade your eyeglasses for contact lenses? Many people excitedly make an appointment to try contact lenses, only to be told they shouldn’t wear them. Several factors may or may not make you a good candidate. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive eye examination and conduct certain tests to determine if contact lenses will work for you. While wearing contact lenses isn’t a problem for most people, there are a few conditions that may make it difficult....

New data shows a sharp drop-off in non-flu vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading doctors and major medical organizations to speak out and encourage routine vaccinations— for children and adults. Key Takeaways The CDC is reporting a large drop in vaccination rates for children and adults due to fears of going to the doctor during the global pandemic.Experts stress the importance of continuing with regular vaccinations.Routine vaccines are important to prevent outbreaks of diseases like measles and whooping cough Childhood vaccinations plunged in the middle of March after COVID-19 was declared a national emergency, according to a May 15 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)....

The duration of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been the subject of debate since the virus first appeared in December. Researchers have yet to reach a consensus—with some studies reporting that immunity is nonexistent, and others reporting immunity persists for three or even four months after recovery. Key Takeaways A new study found that immunity to COVID-19 lasts an average of five months after symptom onset, which is slightly longer than previously reported....

Dark neck is a common condition in which the skin on the neck is noticeably darker than the rest of the body. Also known as “black neck,” dark skin on the neck is typically not a cause for concern and is not contagious. In some cases, it may be a sign of an underlying health issue. This article explores the symptoms, causes, and treatments for dark neck. What Does Dark Neck Look Like?...

A typical menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days with a normal range of between 21 and 35 days. During this roughly month-long cycle, changes in your hormone levels trigger ovulation (the release of a mature egg) and then menstruation (your period) if you don’t conceive. You may not realize that these hormonal changes can affect other body functions as well. This is especially true with regards to women living with diabetes, who are faced with unique challenges and risks when it comes to their reproductive cycle....

Coping with eczema can be a challenge. While it is not a life threatening or dangerous medical illness, eczema is a skin condition that can interfere with your happiness and your quality of life. This condition can range from mild to severe and it can affect areas of your skin that are typically covered by clothes—or it can affect more visible parts of your body, such as your face and/or hands....

Healthy eyes and good vision are important for your quality of life. But even though you may think you are seeing your best and your eyes do not have any noticeable symptoms of disease, they may not be as healthy as they could be. Having an annual eye exam is the best way to protect your eye health. There are also other steps you can take to prevent common eye and vision problems....