Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which blood sugar (glucose) levels are excessively high. It’s the most common form of diabetes, affecting more than 34 million Americans, or just over 10% of the U.S. population. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases in the country. Type 2 diabetes is associated with a range of lifestyle risk factors including obesity and lack of exercise....
Many things can cause vaginal itching (vaginal pruritus) during and after your period. At any time during your menstrual cycle, infections, skin conditions, sensitivities, certain medications, or diseases may cause vaginal itching. However, if you experience itching during your period, the culprits may be hormonal changes or allergies to tampons or other menstrual products. Treatment for vaginal itching depends on the cause. This article covers reasons for vaginal itching during and after your period, how to manage the itching, and when you should see a healthcare provider....
Rapid-acting insulin, also called fast-acting insulin, is a type of synthetic (man-made) insulin. It is an injectable medication prescribed for people with diabetes to help control glucose (blood sugar) levels. It is absorbed into the bloodstream quickly—typically within minutes—to mimic the action of bolus insulin, the surge of insulin released by the pancreas in response to the ingestion of food. For this reason, it is injected just prior to meals and snacks....
What we now know as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was signed into law on November 29, 1975. It was then known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142). When the law was reauthorized in 1990, it was renamed and has since been known as IDEA. This civil rights bill guaranteed a public school education for children with disabilities. It also changed the approach to special needs education by guaranteeing access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for every child with a disability....
There are many birth control options available to teenagers for pregnancy prevention, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and managing monthly cycles and hormones. For sexually active teens, healthcare providers typically prescribe implants and intrauterine devices (IUDs) first because of their effectiveness and reliability. This article discusses birth control options for teens, including benefits, risks, and side effects. What Are the Best Birth Control Options for Teens? Different types of birth control (contraception) prevent pregnancy differently....
The symptoms of thyroid disease in males tend to be the same as in females, but there are several that are distinct: Sudden increases in hair loss Low libido (reduced sex drive) Decreased muscle mass and strength Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) Erectile dysfunction (inability to get or maintain an erection) Delayed ejaculation (difficulty reaching a climax and ejaculating) Premature ejaculation (climaxing early due to hypersensitivity) Testicular atrophy (shrinking testicles) Loss of fertility (due to low sperm count or quality) Hip and vertebral fractures (commonly older males with hyperthyroidism) Some are noticeable, particularly if you are under 40 when symptoms like sexual dysfunction are relatively uncommon....
An arthritis diet focuses on incorporating foods that can help reduce the production of inflammation-producing chemicals in your body. Whether you have an inflammatory form of the disease, like rheumatoid arthritis, or a type that causes, but is not caused by inflammation, like osteoarthritis, controlling and reducing inflammation is essential to reducing pain, stiffness, and swelling. As a blueprint for a long-term healthy eating pattern, an arthritis diet can be a helpful way to help manage arthritis and its symptoms, especially when used in combination with medication and other lifestyle changes....
Lockdowns or shelter-in-place policies were key in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only did global stay-at-home orders help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, but they also bought time for elected officials and healthcare experts to better understand the virus and plan a response to it. Key Takeaways Lockdowns were important in the early days of the pandemic, but experts say they are not sustainable.Instead of restrictive measures, health experts want people to follow COVID-19 prevention measures, including wearing a mask, social distancing, and proper handwashing....
There is some research supporting certain health benefits of saunas, including improved lung function. However, the evidence is not sufficient to support the use of saunas as a treatment for specific conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This article explains the general effects of saunas, how they may impact lung health, and how to stay safe while using one. Types of Saunas Sauna bathing is known as whole-body thermotherapy or heat therapy....
Bacterial arthritis—also called septic arthritis and infectious arthritis—is a rare and sometimes serious infection of one or more joints. It occurs when an infection spreads to a joint and causes inflammation of the joint and surrounding tissues. The terms “septic arthritis” and “infectious arthritis” refer to infections from all sources, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In contrast, “bacterial arthritis” refers to bacteria as the source of infectious or septic arthritis....
Cervical cryosurgery, also referred to as cervical cryotherapy, is the freezing of small areas of abnormal tissue in the cervix to destroy cells and prevent them from becoming cancerous. Cervical cryotherapy is most often used for the treatment of cervical dysplasia, a change in the cervix that is considered precancerous. The procedure may also be used to treat certain other gynecological conditions that result from superficial cellular changes. What Is Cervical Cryosurgery?...
More than eight months since the first case of COVID-19 was detected in the United States, states and cities across the nation have responded differently to the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways Cities and states across America have had different responses to the coronavirus pandemic.Experts say that it’s unfair to make comparisons because many factors that have impacted how states have responded to COVID-19 were put into place before the pandemic.Access to health care, public health infrastructure, communication and guidance, and other socioeconomic factors all play a role in how cities and states have responded to the pandemic....
Craniosynostosis syndromes, or syndromic craniosynostosis, are conditions in which premature fusion of one or more of the baby’s cranial sutures occurs in the womb or shortly after birth. There are around 200 known craniosynostosis syndromes. These syndromes are differentiated by the suture type and the gene mutation causes. Craniosynostosis syndromes either occur by chance, with no explanation, or are caused by genetic abnormalities. If left untreated, the abnormally shaped skull that results from craniosynostosis can cause neurologic, visual, and respiratory problems....
Dairy can play an important nutritional role in your diet because it’s rich in nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. But it’s not the only source of those nutrients. Many people choose to follow a dairy-free diet because of an allergy or intolerance, personal preference, or ethical reasons. While it may sound challenging to eliminate all dairy from your diet, with the right nutritional substitutions, going dairy-free can be a healthy, stress-free option....
Dark circles under the eyes are a common complaint, especially of women. The circles of darker skin can appear when you’re tired or experiencing allergies, and some people are more prone to them than others. It’s important to note that dark circles under the eyes are not dangerous, and they do not require treatment. However, many people want to know how to get rid of dark circles under their eyes for cosmetic reasons....
You may have been told that you need to have a dexamethasone suppression test if your healthcare provider suspects you have a condition known as Cushing’s syndrome. The test evaluates your body’s ability to respond normally to a type of hormone known as glucocorticoids. A dexamethasone suppression test can help your practitioner diagnose Cushing’s syndrome, or eliminate it as a possibility. Purpose To more deeply understand the purpose of the dexamethasone suppression test, you have to first learn about glucocorticoids and how they are regulated in your body....
You may feel tired due to many health conditions, including diabetes. Both mental and physical aspects of diabetes can cause fatigue. This article will explore what fatigue looks like and why it might happen in a person with diabetes. What Is Fatigue? Fatigue is more than sleepiness, an occasional lack of energy, or an uncontrollable need to sleep. When you have fatigue, it may appear as an overwhelming lack of physical and emotional energy or motivation....
Double eyelid surgery, known more formally as Asian blepharoplasty, is a procedure in which an upper-eyelid crease is created. This is often done for those of Asian descent who may not have a visible crease but who desire one. The idea is usually not to Westernize their look. Many wish their eyes to have a less puffy appearance and to make applying eye makeup easier. What Is Double Eyelid Surgery? Double eyelid surgery is performed on an outpatient, scheduled basis....
It is recommended that pregnant people get a flu shot during pregnancy to help protect against severe cases of influenza (the flu). Normal changes in the immune system during pregnancy can increase a pregnant person’s risk of serious complications from the flu that could result in hospitalization and, in some cases, even death. Research has shown that it’s safe to get the flu shot during any trimester of pregnancy to help protect both the pregnant person and their baby from influenza-related health problems during and after pregnancy....
Many Black Americans experience high levels of stress. This may be due to racism, prejudice, institutional inequities, income inequality, and unfair treatment in school, healthcare, and workplace environments. This article is part of Health Divide: Heart Disease Risk Factors, a destination in our Health Divide series. Chronic stress can deteriorate your health over time, and sometimes its damaging effects are only noticed after it’s too late. Cortisol is the main stress hormone in the body, governing the fight or flight response when you feel like you are in danger, as well as a plethora of bodily functions including mediating the stress response, immune function, metabolism, and inflammatory response....
