You will reap the benefits if you take the time and effort to learn more about your Part D options. Take these three steps to enroll in Medicare Part D. Shop around for the best Part D plan.Gather information to complete the Part D application.Sign up for Part D at the right time. Timing is everything when you want to avoid late penalties, especially since you could end up paying them for the rest of your life....
Since COVID-19 vaccine distribution began in the United States in December 2020, the guidance for where doses are allocated and who is eligible to receive them has been challenging to follow. From a federal level, vaccines were originally distributed based on the adult population of each state, but by mid-January, allocation become dependent on how quickly a state could vaccinate. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended healthcare workers and long-term care facility residents be first in line for vaccines, but states were able to create their own priority groups....
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) is one of the more complicated dysrhythmias to treat because it has so many presentations and so many causes. This article focuses on the treatment of cardiac-related unstable tachycardia in the emergency setting by prehospital professionals. Often, treatment options in the field are limited compared to the emergency department. With good assessment skills, however, most paramedics have everything they need to stabilize patients and get them to definitive treatment at a hospital....
A crooked or uneven smile is fairly common—most people do not have complete symmetry to their face. However, some medical problems can cause a lopsided smile, and this can be a sign of a medical emergency. There are many possible reasons for a lopsided smile, and most are not dangerous. However, a sudden change requires urgent medical attention. This article will discuss causes of a lopsided smile, the significance of a sudden lopsided smile, and when to see a healthcare provider....
The signs and symptoms of lung cancer in women can differ from those commonly seen in men. Different types of lung cancer affect different parts of the lungs, and the incidence of types of lung cancer varies between men and women. In addition to traditional symptoms, such as a persistent cough or coughing up blood, women are more likely to first experience fatigue and the gradual onset of shortness of breath....
Metabolic syndrome is a constellation of conditions that together increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular problems, including heart attack. The features of metabolic syndrome are hypertension (high blood pressure), high blood sugar, dyslipidemia (abnormal levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood), and excess abdominal fat. Metabolic syndrome affects between 30% and 40% of adults by age 65. It’s rare to have metabolic syndrome symptoms—so the diagnosis depends on blood tests and other clinical measures....
Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) refers to any systemic treatment of breast cancer, such as chemotherapy, prior to surgical removal of a breast tumor. The goal of NAT is to shrink a breast cancer tumor so that local resection is possible. This is in contrast to adjuvant chemotherapy, which is administered after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells. Studies show that neoadjuvant chemotherapy increases the likelihood of getting breast conservation therapy (such as lumpectomy), reduces morbidity (medical problems), and results in a better self-image....
What Is Pentoxifylline? Pentoxifylline is a prescription medication used in adults to improve blood flow. Improved blood flow, in turn, helps carry more oxygen to your tissues and organs. It also reduces the pain experienced with intermittent claudication. Intermittent claudication is a common symptom of a blood flow issue called peripheral artery disease. Pentoxifylline is in a class of drugs called hemorheologic agents. It works by reducing the thickness of the blood and making red blood cells more flexible....
If you have psoriasis, you may be wondering if it’s safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for people with psoriatic disease, with some considerations regarding immunosuppression. Psoriasis and associated arthritis can sometimes require treatments that suppress the immune system. These medications can put people at risk for other diseases, including COVID-19. Because of this potential immunosuppression, it’s essential for people with psoriasis to obtain COVID-19 vaccination....
Slow-growing prostate cancer is different from other cancers in one critical way: People who experience a relapse, or a return, of their disease after surgery are more likely to die from old age than from prostate cancer. With most common cancers—such as colon, breast, brain, melanoma, or lung—the cancer’s return likely means a poor outcome and often leads to death. But with prostate cancer, remission can last up to 10 years....
Sinus headaches are those that occur due to inflammation and congestion of the sinuses, the cavities (empty spaces) formed by the facial bones of your skull. These headaches are characterized by head pain and pressure, as well as a number of other symptoms, including congestion and watery eyes. You may develop a sinus headache when you have a common cold, when your allergies flare up, or if you develop a major respiratory illness....
Spinal stenosis surgery will entail several months of recovery in order to return to everyday activities. It is normal to have pain after the surgery, and restrictions will be put in place until your spine has healed enough and become adequately stabilized. Benefits of Surgery Spinal stenosis surgery is a procedure performed to relieve pressure from the spinal cord and/or spinal nerve roots by removing structures from the spine, such as portions of discs, ligaments, and bone....
Spotting is light vaginal bleeding that occurs outside of a regular menstrual period. It is different than a normal menstrual period in several ways. Spotting is often harmless but can also be an indication of a problem like a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or uterine fibroids (growths in the uterus). This article will discuss the symptoms of spotting and menstrual periods and the causes of spotting. How Do You Know If It’s Spotting or Your Period?...
What Is Uptravi? Uptravi (selexipag) is a prescription medication used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH (high blood pressure in the blood vessels that carry blood to the lungs). It belongs to a class of drugs known as selective non-prostanoid IP prostacyclin receptor agonists. Uptravi works to lower the blood pressure in the lungs by dilating the blood vessels that supply blood to the lungs. It makes the blood flow more easily through the arteries in the lungs....
A lot has happened on the COVID-19 vaccine front in a short amount of time. Nine months after the pandemic began, vaccine candidates from Pfizer and BioNTech and Moderna each received emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Shortly after, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine received an EUA from the FDA. AstraZeneca, which also released some vaccine efficacy data, is preparing to request FDA emergency use authorization....
What Is Allegra? Allegra containing fexofenadine is a second-generation antihistamine drug used to treat the symptoms of seasonal allergies (hay fever), also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, in adults and children 2 years and older. It can also treat chronic hives (idiopathic urticaria) in children 6 months and older. Allegra is a non-drowsy antihistamine with a low side-effect profile, meaning most people tolerate it well. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine (H1) receptors to reduce allergy symptoms....
Balo disease is a rare and progressive type of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is known for attacking and damaging tissues in the brain and spinal cord, causing areas of inflamed tissues. Balo disease can damage the same tissues, but it also causes large lesions on the brain and spinal cord. The lesions associated with MS look like small spots or blotches, whereas the ones with Balo look like bull’s eye marks, which is why it is sometimes called Balo concentric sclerosis....
Rashes are uncomfortable, no matter where they occur. But there can be something incredibly upsetting about discovering a new butt rash. It’s common to put off treating rashes that appear on your bottom due to embarrassment. Fortunately, there are plenty of common reasons and simple treatments for skin rashes that appear on the buttocks. Skin irritation or infection can lead to an itchy rash, and scratching the itch can worsen the irritation....
A change in urine color can be concerning. Sometimes, dark urine is a symptom of simple dietary changes or medication side effects. However, in some cases, dark urine can also indicate a more significant health condition. The good news is that a simple urine test called a urinalysis and other diagnostic tools can help you and your healthcare provider understand what is causing the change. This article will review dark urine symptoms, causes, treatments, complications, diagnostic tests, and when to see a healthcare provider....
Anxiety is a normal part of life. It is a response to occasional changes or stressful situations that may cause temporary increased worry and discomfort. However, experiencing symptoms that are disruptive to daily living and anxiety that feels persistent, uncontrollable, and overwhelming may indicate that you have an anxiety disorder. Learn about recognizing the signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders and how to manage and treat them. What Is Anxiety? Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions....
