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There are many causes of high cholesterol—everything from diet, activity levels, and medications—but among the more concerning of these is genetics. Approximately one in 250 people have an inherited form of this condition called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), meaning they’re genetically predisposed to develop harmfully high cholesterol levels. FH specifically refers to excessively elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad” cholesterol due to a genetic mutation, and what’s alarming is that it’s associated with earlier onset of coronary artery disease (CAD), increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke....

Instructions for taking thyroid hormone replacement drugs like Synthroid (levothyroxine) and Cytomel (liothyronine/T3) are very specific for good reason. Taking your thyroid medication the right way can influence how well your body absorbs it. And failing to get the full dose of your medication can throw your hormone levels out of balance. It’s important to understand your thyroid medication so you can effectively manage your thyroid disease. This way you can ensure that you’re doing all you can to help your hormone replacement drug do its job properly....

The Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) premium subsidies (premium tax credits) have no asset test. Neither does the expansion of Medicaid under the ACA. In both cases, eligibility is simply based on income. It doesn’t matter how much money people have in the bank or the stock market, or how much their homes are worth—the assistance available via expanded Medicaid or premium subsidies depends only on income. (Annual income is used to determine premium subsidy eligibility, although Medicaid eligibility can also be based on monthly income....

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease. When someone has COPD, breathing is difficult because the airways become inflamed and thickened. The tissue in the lungs that exchange oxygen becomes damaged, which makes it harder for air to flow in and out of the lungs. Oxygen therapy for COPD is often an effective treatment because it can increase the oxygen that gets into the lungs and bloodstream. Research shows that people with COPD who undergo oxygen therapy have an increased life expectancy and a better quality of life....

Pancytopenia is a descriptive term referring to the combination of low levels of all of the types of blood cells including red blood cells (anemia), white blood cells (leukopenia), and platelets (thrombocytopenia). Symptoms, which often occur due to the reduced levels of these cells, include fatigue, infections, and bruising. There are a number of different conditions that can cause pancytopenia, including bone marrow diseases, some cancers, and some infections; chemotherapy treatment can also cause pancytopenia....

What Is Paxlovid? Paxlovid is not an FDA-approved medicine in the United States. The FDA has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to make Paxlovid available during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Paxlovid is an investigational (being studied) antiviral medication used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and children age 12 years or older (weighing at least 88 pounds) who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, which may result in hospitalization or death....

Postnasal drip is when mucus in your nose drains down the back of your throat. This may happen because your body produces more mucus than it needs or is not able to clear it as quickly as usual. While mucus itself isn’t harmful—it helps protect you from illness and provides lubrication—postnasal drip can cause itchiness or a tickle in your throat, a cough, frequent throat clearing, and hoarseness. Postnasal drip may be temporary—for example, clearing up after an infection passes....

What Is Revlimid? Revlimid (lenalidomide) is an oral medication used to treat certain blood cancers and lymphomas. It is in the drug class of immunomodulators. Revlimid works in a few different ways to kill cancer cells. One of the ways is by stopping cancer cells from making blood vessels to feed themselves. It also can work by helping the immune system see and attack cancer cells. Additionally, Revlimid can stop cancer cells from making more copies of themselves, eventually destroying the cancer cells....

Skin peeling on the hands is typically caused by dry skin or exposure to environmental elements like chemicals or the sun. In other cases, the skin on your hands can peel because of an underlying health condition. This article discusses the causes, treatments, and possible complications of skin peeling on the hands. Symptoms of Skin Peeling on Hands Skin peeling off your hands can be a symptom of exposure to chemicals or the environment or be a sign of an underlying health condition....

A temporary inability to move or speak, fear, and feeling like you’re having an “out of body experience” are symptoms of sleep paralysis. These episodes happen when the transition between rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and waking up is disrupted. Sleep paralysis hallucinations are also common. Different from normal dreaming, you might see, hear, or feel things that are not there. Sensing danger, feeling suffocated, and feeling like you are moving are common sleep paralysis hallucinations....

Green space—trees, grass, flowers, forests, parks, or gardens—is more than just “nature.” It’s important to humans’ very existence and wellbeing. And new research shows that’s particularly true for middle-aged adults. Key Takeaways A new study found that exposure to green space could improve processing speed and attention in middle-aged women.Reduce rates of depression may help explain this link between green space and cognition.The study builds on previous research linking exposure to parks, community gardens, and other greenery with improved mental health....

The superior laryngeal nerve is involved in speech and In protecting your airway from food and drink when you swallow. It branches off from the vagus nerve and then divides into two major branches, one sensory (detects sensations) and one motor (involved in movement). Since it provides both kinds of function it is classified as a mixed nerve. Anatomy Nerves originate either from the brain or the spinal cord and travel outward, often branching Into smaller nerves that control movement or sensation....

Teratomas are a rare type of germ cell tumor, meaning they start in reproductive cells that can produce eggs or sperm. They may be malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous). A teratoma may be diagnosed before birth through a routine sonogram (imaging using sound waves) taken during pregnancy. Teratomas are also seen in newborns, children, and young adults. The most common sites for teratomas are the ovaries (organs that produce eggs), the testes (organs that produce sperm), and the tailbone in babies....

A type of e-cigarette that has been gaining popularity among young adults and teenagers is called the Juul. It doesn’t look at all like a cigarette—it is small and rectangular (resembling a USB flash drive). The Juul is small and inconspicuous enough for adolescents to easily hide from parents and teachers. 10/21/2019 UPDATE: Recent illnesses have been associated with use of e-cigarettes (vaping). Since the specific causes of these lung injury cases are not yet known, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends refraining from all vaping products....

Rashes are common skin irritations that may be caused by allergies, diseases, or infections. Bacteria, fungi, or viruses can cause an infection. A viral rash is a skin rash resulting from a viral infection like chickenpox, rubella, or measles. A viral rash often occurs with other symptoms associated with the underlying viral infection. This can make it hard to know the source of the rash and the need for treatment....

Birth control is not one size fits all. Some methods are more effective than others, but finding a method that fits with your budget, goals, and lifestyle is also important. To find which birth control method is best for you, learn about how the different methods work, their effectiveness, the cost, and some of the pros and cons of each option. Birth Control Methods Birth control methods can be broken down into categories based on their mode of use, including:...

Coffee is a popular beverage that can help boost energy. Research suggests that it may also provide antioxidants and nutrients that are good for your health. But coffee has a downside, potentially causing insomnia, restlessness, and stomach upset, especially if consumed in excess. Adding to the risks are studies that suggest that coffee may not be good for you if you have high cholesterol. Coffee is a central part of many people’s daily rituals, and the question is whether the benefits of coffee outweigh the risks?...

As the virus that causes COVID-19 continues to change, the effectiveness of treatments is changing, too. Key Takeaways Antiviral drugs seem to be effective treatments against the Omicron variant of COVID.Monoclonal antibody treatments that were used against the earlier COVID variants are no longer effective.Two antiviral drugs—Paxlovid and molnupiravir—can be taken by mouth. However, they are only effective if taken within five days of the onset of symptoms.People should test for COVID as soon as possible and tell their healthcare provider if they test positive....

Our immune system, or our immunity, is a mechanism that protects our bodies from harmful substances, foreign microorganisms, and even cancer. While originally our immune system was studied in terms of its role in preventing infections, our understanding has evolved and led to a broader view of blood and marrow stem cell transplantation, blood transfusion, cancer, and genetics. Our white blood cells (WBCs) are a part of our immune system and play a prolific role in blood and marrow cancers....

Disposable medical gloves made of latex, nitrile, or vinyl are standard protective gear for nurses and other healthcare providers to prevent the transmission of infection to and from patients. Hospitals in the United States adhere to strict infection control practices, called standard precautions, which typically involve gloves whenever specific medical or sanitation procedures are performed. Gloves are not worn all the time but are considered essential for tasks with a risk of exposure to bodily fluids, such as blood....