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Inhalers deliver medicines that can improve your ability to breathe. In bronchitis, they are usually prescribed only for chronic bronchitis and severe cases of acute bronchitis. Inhalers contain medicines that treat bronchitis symptoms in different ways and have various side effects. Let’s review bronchitis first and then dive into the different inhaler treatments commonly prescribed for bronchitis. What Is Bronchitis? During bronchitis, the bronchi, the tubes that lead from your mouth to your lungs, swell up and start producing protective mucus that triggers coughing....

Melatonin is a chemical that your brain makes when it gets dark outside. It’s known as the sleep hormone because it tells you when to go to sleep and wake up. You can buy melatonin supplements in most grocery stores or pharmacies. Studies have shown that these supplements are safe and have fewer side effects than many prescription sleeping pills. This article will go over how melatonin is used, what the side effects and risks of using melatonin are, and when to see your provider about sleep issues that melatonin is not helping with....

When you are first diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), you might be relieved to finally know what’s going on with your body. But you might also feel scared about your future and worry about how to cope. Even when you’ve been living with MCTD for some time, you may have questions and need support. While there is no cure for MCTD, there are things you can do or pay attention to that can improve your quality of life....

Many of us wish others a happy Mother’s Day every May, but for a lot of people, Mother’s Day is filled with grief and sadness. This is especially true for those who have lost a child or pregnancy or who have experienced the loss of a mother or mother figure. This article discusses grief, why Mother’s Day can be so difficult for some people, and ways to celebrate and honor the loss of a mother or child....

A mouth swab drug test is a screening tool that takes a saliva sample to detect certain substances in your system. Mouth swab drug tests are used in various settings, such as workplaces and rehabilitation facilities. These tests are more cost-effective and less invasive than other drug tests, like samples of someone’s hair, urine, blood, or sweat. This article will explain how mouth swab drug tests work, what substances they can detect, how long it takes to get results, and more....

Pelvic pain can affect both women and men and can be related to any of the many structures in the abdominal cavity. In women, it is often related to conditions affecting the female reproductive system (such as endometriosis or ectopic pregnancy). In both women and men, however, it can also be related to the kidneys, the bladder, or the gastrointestinal tract. Pelvic pain is often described as a dull ache, pain, or pressure in the abdomen below the navel....

A pregnancy test is a way to determine if you’re pregnant by using a urine test stick at home or giving a blood sample at a doctor’s office. You can buy an over-the-counter (OTC) pregnancy test at a pharmacy or grocery store, or get a free pregnancy test at your local health department, community health center, or Planned Parenthood. Pregnancy tests check your urine or blood for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone your body releases when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of your uterus, marking the beginning of pregnancy about six days after conception....

If a child with autism is school-aged, you’re facing an unprecedented challenge as they head back to school after the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are most schools opening with new rules and expectations, but they are also preparing for the possibility of additional COVID-19 spikes. Some schools are still requiring masks, others are requiring vaccines for those who are eligible, and yet others are continuing to provide at-home or hybrid options for families....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints. In some cases, joint inflammation from rheumatoid arthritis can spread to surrounding nerves, leading to nerve damage, numbness, and tingling sensations. Symptoms like numbness and tingling shouldn’t be ignored as these are signs of a disease complication or that your rheumatoid arthritis is worsening. This article discusses the connection between rheumatoid arthritis and numbness and tingling and how to find relief....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks tissues surrounding the joints. In some cases, the inflammation affects other parts of the body as well. Headaches are a known symptom of RA and result, in part, from inflammation of the head and neck. This article explores the link between RA and headaches and how to cope with and treat headaches as a symptom of RA....

Stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), along with stage 3C and stage 4 NSCLC, are considered advanced lung cancer. In general, when cancer reaches this point, it’s treatable but not considered curable. Although the road to feeling well and seeking possible remission may be tough, there is hope. Recent advancements in treatment have been improving survival rates and helping those with late-stage lung cancer manage symptoms. This article will go over what stage 3B NSCLC is, in addition to several treatment options that can help you enjoy a higher quality of life and a better prognosis....

Stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), also called metastatic lung cancer, is the most advanced stage of this disease. It refers to any size and type of NSCLC (adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma) that has spread from one lung to the other lung, to another region of the body, or to the fluid around the lung or heart. Stage 4 NSCLC is not curable but it is treatable....

If you know or love someone who has diabetes, it’s important to show your support in a way that is not judgmental or critical. Despite our good intentions, sometimes our actions or comments can make living with diabetes more difficult. One in 10 people in the United States. (34.2 million or 10.5% of the population) have diabetes, and 88 million people are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. More children and adolescents are also being diagnosed with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes than ever before....

The axillary nerve, which is also called the circumflex nerve, emerges from the posterior cord of a network of nerves called the brachial plexus right at the level of the armpit. It’s a major peripheral nerve of the arm, carrying fibers from the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae (C5 and C6), which are in near the base of the neck. The axillary nerve’s primary purpose is to supply nerve function to the shoulder joint and three muscles in the arm, but it also innervates some skin in that region, as well....

Yogurt can be a healthy source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and good bacteria. However, yogurt can also be loaded with added sugar or artificial sweeteners. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep an eye on how much and what type of yogurt you eat. You don’t have to forgo the creamy treat; you just need to know which yogurts are best for you. This article explains what’s in yogurt and how different types of yogurt vary so you can choose the brands and varieties that are appropriate for people who have diabetes....

The causes of uterine fibroids are unknown, but there is evidence that multiple factors–such as race, age, family history, the number of micronutrients, and stress—play a role in their growth. This article is part of Uterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series. Black women are especially burdened by fibroids. Not only are Black women more likely to get fibroids and experience severe symptoms, but they often get treatment later or may get inappropriate treatment due to systemic racism and implicit bias in the U....

If you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids or suspect you may have uterine fibroids, you can take control of your health. While every fibroid journey is unique, suffering in silence and enduring pain is unfortunately all too common for Black women. This article discusses the emotional, physical, social, and practical effects of uterine fibroids, along with insights into the impact on Black women. Emotional If you have fibroids, it’s likely that your pain isn’t just physical, it’s emotional, too....

If you have suffered an injury or illness that results in pain or loss of functional mobility, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist (PT) to help you recover. Your PT will likely use several different techniques to help you return to your normal level of activity. One relatively new tool that some therapists are incorporating into their practice is virtual reality (VR). Virtual reality headsets are often seen as a toy; people use them to play video games by immersing themselves in a virtual world....

Golfer’s elbow, known more precisely as medial epicondylitis, is an injury to the tendons attached to the medial epicondyle. It is considered an overuse injury in which repetitive force places stress on connective tissues, causing pain, inflammation, and a reduced range of motion. Golfer’s elbow is similar to tennis elbow but differs in that it involves a different movement and the medial (inside) rather than lateral (outside) epicondyle. Golfer’s elbow can be diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging tests if needed....

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when crystals of uric acid build up in one or multiple joints in the body. This condition typically arises without warning and can cause sudden and intense pain. While gout is traditionally managed conservatively with medication and lifestyle changes, this is not always effective. In rarer cases, more advanced and debilitating versions of the disorder may need to be treated surgically....