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Up to 20% of the population is allergic to dogs—the most popular household pet in the United States. Dogs have certain proteins in their dander (dead skin), urine, and saliva that trigger allergic reactions in people whose immune systems are sensitive to them. This reaction can cause allergic rhinitis, asthma, hives (urticaria), and other allergy symptoms. Many people with this allergy who wish to have a dog seek out so-called “hypoallergenic” breeds in an attempt to avoid allergic symptoms....

Vaccines have saved untold numbers of lives over the years, and the disease of smallpox has been virtually eradicated by vaccination. People who could be exposed to smallpox in laboratory settings and select military divisions still get the smallpox vaccine. In 2022, public health authorities also authorized the smallpox vaccine to prevent mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). However, the traditional form of smallpox vaccine poses serious risks to people with eczema (atopic dermatitis)....

It’s likely that you have experienced a sore throat at least once in your lifetime. This is a common symptom among children and adults, and doesn’t always lead to a visit with your healthcare provider. Most sore throats are caused by viruses or bacteria and can be managed at home. In some cases, however, an unusual cause may lead to your sore throat and call for more in-depth care. This is especially true when your sore throat doesn’t go away, or the pain can only be felt in a particular part of the throat....

Ten years ago, researchers found that about one in three cases of Alzheimer’s disease was associated with modifiable risk factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity. Key Takeaways Risk factors linked to Alzheimer’s have changed in the past 10 years and differ based on sex, race, and ethnicity. The study found that eight modifiable risk factors, including midlife obesity, low educational attainment, and lack of exercise, were most associated with developing future Alzheimer’s....

What Is Tamiflu? Tamiflu (oseltamivir) is an antiviral medication used to treat the flu (influenza A and B). It helps to reduce symptoms and prevent the virus from multiplying in the body, giving your immune system time to get rid of it. You can also take Tamiflu to prevent influenza infection if you have come into close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the flu. Tamiflu may come in capsules or oral suspension (liquid) form....

Telehealth is accessing health care remotely through the use of technology such as videoconferencing. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, telehealth has been widely used, and many more healthcare professionals are offering telehealth visits than ever before. Asthma is a common respiratory disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Prior to the pandemic, studies showed that telehealth can be used effectively to manage asthma and that treatment outcomes are best when more than one type of telehealth is used, particularly telehealth consultation and case management....

Despite important technological advances that have contributed to an increase in life expectancy, there remain stark racial differences in health outcomes across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of Black morbidity and mortality are higher than for most other racial/ethnic groups. Black Americans have higher rates of low-weight births and substantially higher rates of infant mortality than other racial groups. Black children also experience higher rates of chronic health conditions, such as asthma and obesity, across socioeconomic status....

Mammary glands are found in the breasts of humans and other mammals. Regulated by the endocrine system, mammary glands respond to the hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy and following birth. The mammary glands are responsible for lactation, also known as milk production. Breast cancer, which most often forms in the mammary glands or breast ducts, is the biggest threat to breast health. Statistically, 1 in 8 people with breasts will develop breast cancer in their lifetime....

Going to the dentist is a whole new experience during the pandemic. From having your temperature taken at the door to rinsing your mouth before it’s touched, there are a few added safety measures you can expect. Key Takeaways Dentists have enacted several infection control practices during COVID-19 that will likely be the standard post-pandemic.A high-concentration oral iodine solution was found to destroy the virus causing COVID-19 in lab tests, but still needs human trial data to show clinical efficacy....

Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that can occur with certain lung and medical conditions when you breathe. It is common, and sometimes wheezing is a sign of a medical emergency. You can have wheezing without other symptoms, or you can also have other symptoms, such as shortness of breath. There are many possible causes, such as asthma and allergies. You need to have an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your wheezing so you can get effective treatment....

As Katherine Lucas McKay goes back to in-person work, she is hoping for one major company shift: the acceptance of workleisure. Key Takeaways During the COVID-19 pandemic, many workers have been dressing more casually if they work from home.Wearing less restrictive clothing over areas where people experience chronic pain can be more comfortable and help manage pain.Flexible dress codes can allow people with chronic pain to dress in a way that better accommodates their condition....

Wisdom teeth removal surgery is a procedure to remove the third set of molars. These molars, commonly called “wisdom teeth,” typically appear between ages 17 and 25. The procedure is also called a wisdom tooth extraction. Recovering from wisdom teeth removal can take up to six weeks, but most people can go back to normal activities in a day or two. Most people have at least one impacted wisdom tooth, meaning it doesn’t have enough room to grow naturally....

Migraine is believed to coexist with (and perhaps be intricately linked to) a number of health conditions, such as fibromyalgia, mood disorders, gastrointestinal (GI) disease, insomnia, and heart disease. Gaining knowledge about these conditions may provide clues into your migraine and overall health, and potentially even affect your treatment plans. 1. Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that is characterized by widespread muscle pain, debilitating fatigue, memory loss, sleeping difficulties, and mood disorders, like anxiety and depression....

Having acid reflux and having a headache or migraine can leave you feeling miserable. You might think that’s where the connection ends, but research has shown a strong correlation between gastrointestinal disorders and headaches. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter doesn’t close properly, which allows stomach acid to enter the esophagus, causing heartburn and regurgitation. Migraine is a neurological condition whose primary symptom is four or more severe headaches a month....

Anosognosia is a symptom of some mental health illnesses, as well as neurological conditions, including stroke and dementia. Anosognosia is characterized by someone’s lack of insight or awareness of their condition, which can make treatment difficult to achieve. Read more about anosognosia, including causes, symptoms, and treatment in this overview. Definition The term “anosognosia” was first used in 1914 by Joseph Babinski, a French neurologist. He used it to describe how patients often have a lack of awareness of deficit or illness, specifically in those with left-sided paralysis after stroke....

Bronchitis can turn into pneumonia in some cases if the infection spreads from one part of the respiratory tract to another. Pneumonia and bronchitis are different respiratory infections but they often have similar symptoms, like fever and cough. Bronchitis is usually caused by a virus, while pneumonia is frequently caused by a bacterial infection and will require antibiotics. However, acute bronchitis can lead to either viral or bacterial pneumonia. This article discusses how to prevent bronchitis from turning into pneumonia and when to see a healthcare provider....

Cesarean section (C-section) scar endometriosis is rare and difficult to diagnose, but it is treatable. Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus. It spreads within the pelvis and sometimes develops in the skin of a C-section scar. Endometriosis affects about 2% to 10% of the female population. Only about 0.03% to 0.4% endometriosis cases involve a C-section scar. However, some research suggests that this rate may rise along with the rise in C-sections....

Chlamydial diseases are sexually transmitted and caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. However, this bacterium acts more like a virus. This can affect the way chlamydia infection is transmitted and the risk factors that are important in acquiring it. Chlamydia infections can affect the vagina, cervix, and rectum, among other areas. Fortunately, chlamydia is a largely preventable infection. Learning how Chlamydia trachomatis behaves can give you a better understanding of what makes an infection more likely....

Infection with the West Nile virus is almost exclusively spread through contact with mosquitoes that carry the virus, although other modes of infection have also been identified. Understanding how this virus is spread is the best way to avoid a West Nile virus infection. History The West Nile virus is an RNA virus, classified by infectious disease experts as a member of the Japanese encephalitis virus group. It was first isolated from a blood sample stored in the 1930s from the West Nile area of Uganda....

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 or ubiquinol) is an antioxidant and may prevent cellular damage linked with aging and some diseases. In this article, you’ll learn about possible CoQ10 benefits and side effects, dosages, and what to look for when buying supplements. CoQ10 Benefits Because of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of CoQ10, it has been studied for its benefits for:Heart healthBlood pressureDegenerative brain disordersDiabetes and diabetic neuropathyMigrainesSide effects of statin drugs Heart Health CoQ10 has been studied for its benefit to certain heart conditions (in addition to standard therapies), including:...