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Insulin is a hormone that helps to regulate blood sugar. People with diabetes may need to inject insulin if their pancreas makes inadequate amounts or when they are unable to use their own insulin efficiently. If you currently take insulin or are about to start, it’s important to understand best practices for injecting insulin. Understanding insulin injection sites and the importance of site rotation may prevent skin damage. Inject Into Fatty Tissue Insulin is meant to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin) into fatty tissue, such as the abdomen, outer parts of thighs, backs of arms, and buttocks....

Local anesthesia involves using medications (local anesthetics) to numb an area of your body. It’s used to prevent pain during and after surgery or other medical procedures, such as dental work or getting stitches. With local anesthesia, you won’t feel pain from the procedure but you’ll stay awake and aware of what’s happening around you. This article discusses how local anesthesia works, what drugs are used, and which procedures it may be used for....

Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue. This can cause problems with the heart and blood vessels, eyes, bones, and other systems. Ultimately, this can lead to life-threatening complications, like aortic dissection. The condition occurs in around 1 in 4,000 individuals. It was named for Antoine Bernard-Jean Marfan, who first described it in 1896. Marfan Syndrome Symptoms Marfan syndrome can cause many different symptoms related to problems in different parts of the body....

Patellar mobilizations are a hands-on treatment used to address movement limitations in the knee joint. The patella (or kneecap) is a bone that is located in a shallow groove (called the trochlea) at the bottom of your thighbone (femur). This important anatomical structure connects to both the quadriceps muscles (via the quadriceps tendon) and the tibia bone (via the patellar tendon) and plays an influential role in the knee’s ability to bend and straighten....

Phantom breast syndrome refers to sensations women may “feel” in their breast after a mastectomy or other breast surgery for breast cancer. This can include not only pain, but non-painful sensations such as itching, heaviness, and more. While phantom breast syndrome is common, it is less talked about that many issues, and women do not often mention these symptoms to their doctors. We will look at the incidence of phantom breast syndrome, why it occurs, risk factors, and how it may be treated when painful....

If you have a child that has a functional limitation or disability, and if this limitation limits their participation in school, they may be a candidate for school-based physical therapy (PT). Physical therapists who work in schools are integral members of the educational staff, and they provide several benefits to children with and without disabilities in the school environment. If you are injured or ill and have pain or difficulty moving around, you may benefit from the skilled services of a physical therapist on a temporary basis....

Smallpox was a contagious disease caused by the variola virus. The typical symptoms of smallpox include a skin rash, back pain, headache, fatigue, and high fever. Around 30% of people who contracted smallpox died. Due to the success of the smallpox vaccine in the 1960s and 1970s, smallpox was eradicated in 1980. Now, the smallpox vaccine is only given to certain groups, such as certain military service members and laboratory workers....

Common causes of a sore throat include infections, allergens, cancer, cigarette smoke, and dry air. Even the simple act of shouting or singing loudly can injure your throat, causing pain and inflammation. And sometimes, seemingly unrelated health issues, such as acid reflux, can also cause a sore throat. Common Causes The pharynx is the cavity behind the nose and mouth that leads to your stomach and lungs. It is a common target for infection and irritation that cause a sore throat....

During the pandemic, healthcare workers have been praised for working to help patients on the frontlines. But the stress they’ve been under for nearly a year now is leading to sector-wide burnout, particularly in women, a new study finds. Researchers are now asking if praise alone is enough to sustain healthcare workers through the end of the pandemic. Key Takeaways Researchers reviewed studies that looked at triggers of stress for female healthcare workers and interventions in preventing burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic....

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the neck. It plays a role in many areas of the body, including metabolism (the speed at which people burn energy), heart rate, mood, and cognition. The thyroid produces hormones such as thyroxine (T4). Thyroid disease can cause, or be caused by, disruption in thyroid hormone production and regulation. An underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism, while an overactive thyroid is called hyperthyroidism....

Tooth pain may occur because of tooth sensitivity, a mouth injury, decay, an infection, or other issues. How bad your tooth pain is isn’t necessarily a reflection of the severity of the problem, either. And a toothache can be significant even if it is caused by a relatively minor problem. That can make it hard to tell when tooth pain is serious and you need to get to the dentist....

Cindy Officer has worked for Gallaudet University since 1995. She has moved through different positions beginning as a Coordinator in the Tutorial & Instructional Programs department. She is currently Director at the Center for Continuing and Online Education. Cindy and her colleagues often get requests like “Where can I get a tutor? Where can I get a tutor for a deaf child?” and “Is tutoring a reasonable accommodation for an employee who is hearing impaired?...

If your child has a black tongue, you might be worried that something is really wrong. While it can be frightening, it’s usually harmless and easy to explain. Still, you should know certain warning signs to look for. This article will go over what can cause black tongue in children, when you should get medical care for it, and how to get rid of it if it doesn’t go away on its own....

The bone marrow is the spongy part of your bones where oxygen-carrying red bloods, infection-fighting white blood cells, and clot-forming platelets are made. The bone marrow is a soft tissue with many cavities located at the center of bones. It serves as the primary stem cell manufacturer of the body and participates in fat storage and bone remodeling. Healthy bone marrow is essential to living. Sickle cell anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and aplastic anemia are some life-threatening diseases that occur when the bone marrow fails to function properly....

Treatment for high cholesterol can include lifestyle changes such as heart-healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, and smoking cessation. In some cases, medications like statins may be prescribed to lower high cholesterol. Regardless of your required treatment, regular follow-ups with your healthcare provider and bloodwork to monitor your cholesterol levels and tolerance to medication (if prescribed) are essential. Unfortunately, many people have put off routine healthcare visits for chronic conditions like high cholesterol during COVID-19 due to fear of exposure....

What Is Xenazine? Xenazine (tetrabenazine) is a medication option used to treat abnormal and extra muscle movements in people with Huntington’s disease (HD). Xenazine is a vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitor. It’s thought to work by preventing VMAT2 from moving monoamines (naturally occurring brain chemicals) into vesicles. Neurons (nerve cells) make the monoamines—like dopamine—and store the brain chemicals in vesicles. Blocking VMAT2 eventually leads to decreasing amounts of monoamines....

Addison’s disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency and hypocortisolism, is a rare disorder in which the adrenal glands don’t produce enough of the hormones cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. Symptoms tend to come and go and may include abdominal pain, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, salt craving, and the darkening of the skin. During periods of extreme stress or poor health, Addison’s disease can trigger a rapid drop in cortisol levels and a potentially life-threatening event known as an adrenal crisis....

What Is Anafranil? Anafranil (clomipramine) is a prescription drug used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression. It belongs to a drug class called tricyclic antidepressants. It is available in capsule form. Clomipramine increases the concentrations of two brain chemicals (serotonin and norepinephrine). This increased availability may help improve mood, attention, and energy. What Is Anafranil Used For? Anafranil (clomipramine) treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in children 10 years and older, adolescents, and adults....

Although there is no cure for knee arthritis, there are treatments available to help you to keep moving. In addition to treatments your healthcare provider offers, there are safe and effective ways you can treat knee arthritis at home. Arthritis causes inflammation in one or more joints. Pain, swelling, stiffness, and tenderness are the main symptoms. Knee arthritis can be painful and affect your ability to walk or climb steps. And research shows it is a major contributor to both disability and time lost from work....

A chylothorax is a type of pleural effusion (a collection of fluid between the membranes lining the lungs called the pleura), but instead of normal pleural fluid, it’s a collection of chyle (lymph fluid). It is caused by a blockage or disruption of the thoracic duct in the chest. Causes include trauma, chest surgeries, and cancers involving the chest (such as lymphomas). It may be suspected in studies such as a chest X-ray, but the diagnosis is usually made by inserting a needle into the pleural cavity (thoracentesis) and removing fluid....