Dry eye drops are one of the main treatments for dry eye. Also called artificial tears, these drops help to lubricate the eyes. However, not all dry eye drops are the same. Here’s more information on the different ingredients you might find in eye drops, which can help you select the best one to soothe your dry eye symptoms. Best Eye Drops Dry eye drops provide moisture to eyes that have become dry....
Gamma Knife radiosurgery is an advanced surgical technique in which a highly focused beam of radiation is used to precisely destroy areas of tissue. Although it is called surgery, a Gamma Knife procedure involves neither incisions nor a scalpel. The procedure is far less invasive than conventional surgery and offers greater precision when performing delicate operations, primarily on the brain. Because of this, Gamma Knife surgeries can often be performed on an outpatient basis or with an overnight hospital stay....
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is one of the most common heart arrhythmias, affecting millions of people in the United States alone. It is a rapid, irregular heart rhythm originating in the atrial (upper) chambers of the heart, commonly causing palpitations and fatigue. It greatly increases your risk of stroke. Unfortunately, its treatment often remains a real problem for both healthcare providers and patients. Overview The most sought-after treatment for A-fib has been one that cures the arrhythmia with ablation....
While there is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis, some treatments can help reduce your symptoms and slow the progress of the disease. The goal of treatment is to help people achieve and remain in remission for as long as they can. Remission is a state of low disease activity. During this time, the progress of the disease slows, and symptoms lessen. When your illness is in remission, you can function better and enjoy a higher quality of life....
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by fluctuations in mood. A person with bipolar disorder can experience euphoric highs and devastating lows. In up to 80% of cases, bipolar disorder can negatively impact sleep. It may even be triggered by sleep issues in some cases. This article discusses the connection between bipolar disorder and various sleep issues, as well as prevention and treatment. What Is Bipolar Disorder? Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by changes in mood and energy....
Bleach is a powerful cleaning and disinfecting agent with antimicrobial properties commonly used in households. The active ingredient in bleach is sodium hypochlorite, a corrosive chemical made from mixing chlorine and sodium hydroxide. Sodium hypochlorite kills most viruses, bacteria, mold, and mildew. Exposure to bleach can seriously irritate or burn the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth. It can lead to a type of chemical burn known as bleach burn, a serious condition characterized by painful red welts....
Chondromalacia patella affects the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap (patella), causing it to deteriorate or soften. It may be seen as an overuse injury in sports, especially running and cycling, but can also occur in people who have had a kneecap injury. Chondromalacia symptoms include knee pain and grinding when the knee is flexed. It more often affects biological females. This article discusses chondromalacia treatment surgery, as well as nonsurgical options such as rest from training, lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medication, and chondromalacia exercises....
Cosmeceuticals are a class of skincare products that contain biologically active ingredients capable of exerting physiologic changes to the skin. Simply put, cosmeceutical skincare products don’t just make your skin look better temporarily, they can actually create changes in your skin. Cosmeceuticals Walk the Line Between Cosmetics and Drugs The term “cosmeceutical” was coined by Albert Kligman, MD, back in the 1980s as a way to describe a skincare product that does more than a cosmetic but is not quite a drug....
Fibromyalgia does not appear to be a risk factor for severe COVID-19. If you also have an overlapping autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, however, you may be at greater risk for severe disease. This is because the immunosuppressants often prescribed for these conditions can make you more susceptible to COVID-19. This article explains which conditions appear to make COVID-19 more severe, and fibromyalgia isn’t one of them. It also discusses fibromyalgia flares, how to recognize COVID-19 symptoms, and how some of them overlap with those of fibromyalgia....
Crystalline retinopathy encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions characterized by refractile deposits in the retina, which have varied origin and composition. Most patients with crystalline retinopathy do not have pain, but they often report a decrease in visual acuity, night blindness, sensitivity to light, and eyelid twitching. In this article, we’ll discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatments for crystalline retinopathy. Crystalline Retinopathy Symptoms Most people affected by crystalline retinopathy do not have pain....
Staying active is one potential management strategy for dealing with cystic fibrosis (CF). This article will discuss the risks and benefits of cystic fibrosis exercise and will highlight some tips to help you get started. Benefits of Exercising With Cystic Fibrosis When done appropriately, incorporating exercise into your day can provide several important benefits if you have cystic fibrosis. These include: Mobilizing and releasing mucus buildups Improved or stabilized lung function Increased muscle and body mass Improved quality of life Enhanced muscular flexibility and balance Increased overall survival rates In addition to the unique CF benefits noted above, there are several other positive effects that anyone who exercises can enjoy....
Deanne Bray-Kotsur is an actress who is perhaps most recognized for her lead role in Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye. As the first deaf person to star in a television role, Deanne Bray (as she was then known) paved the way for other non-hearing actors. Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye originally aired on the Pax Channel from October 2002 to May 2005. In April 2009, Sue Thomas returned to Animal Planet with a two-hour premiere, then aired Mondays at 9 p....
What Is Estradiol? Estradiol is a transdermal delivery system (a patch) that is used to treat and prevent moderate to severe symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, vaginal itching or dryness, and osteoporosis (bone loss). Transdermal patches adhere to the skin as a way to deliver a drug. They provide a specific dose of medication that is absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream. Estradiol belongs to the class of medicines called estrogen hormones that work by replacing estrogen normally produced by the body....
There are many birth control options available, and it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for you. The stress of covering the cost can be an added burden. But if you’re sexually active, it’s important to adopt a birth control method to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Cost doesn’t have to be a barrier to access, particularly if you have insurance. This article discusses the birth control options available, where to begin your search, and how to get birth control for little-to-no money out of pocket, even if you don’t have insurance....
Heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), is a type of surgery that may be used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). With CAD, plaque has built up in the arteries to the point that it is blocking the supply of blood to the heart. This blockage is usually the result of an accumulation of inflammatory cells and fatty material (composed of cholesterol, calcium, and fibrin) called plaque....
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, which is treated with antibiotics. When used as directed, antibiotics can cure the infection and prevent potentially severe complications like infertility. The choice of antibiotics can vary by your age and whether you are pregnant or not. There are no home remedies or over-the-counter medications able to treat chlamydia infections. Practices like vaginal douching may only make things worse....
If you’ve had liposuction, you may wonder how long the results will last. You are born with a certain number of fat cells. The fat cells that get taken out during liposuction are permanently gone. However, that does not mean that you can’t gain weight after having liposuction. Body fat can also redistribute after liposuction, especially if you don’t take steps to prevent it with your diet and exercise habits....
Elder abuse is any action or inaction that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to an older adult. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an older adult is defined as anyone over the age of 60. Some elder abuse (also sometimes referred to as exploitation) involves a deliberate act- for example, developing a scheme to take money from a vulnerable neighbor. Other abuse can take the form of inaction, such as purposely withholding food or medical treatment....
As the country’s vaccination rollout continues to pick up speed, many individuals have been eager to volunteer at vaccine distribution sites to aid in making herd immunity a reality. Volunteers’ assistance can help speed up the vaccination efforts, especially as vaccine supply increases over the coming months. Key Takeaways Volunteering is a great way to help your local community in its COVID-19 vaccination efforts.Medical professionals can volunteer as vaccinators who administer vaccine shots directly or become part of the monitoring team....
Hypercapnia occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2 levels) are too high in the bloodstream. High CO2 levels in the blood may happen with conditions that make it hard to remove CO2 from the body. These include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), certain neurological and muscle diseases, metabolic disruptions, or damage to areas of the brain that regulate your breathing. Hypercapnia can be a life-threatening health crisis, and severe hypercapnia can lead to death....
