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Eczema (sometimes referred to as atopic dermatitis) is a complex skin condition that causes an itchy rash and swelling. An estimated one out of 10 people will develop eczema at some point in their lifetime. Although it typically starts in early childhood, eczema can occur at any age. One of the first things a person with eczema is often told to do is to avoid dairy. While it is true that some people may experience flare-ups (times when symptoms increase) after consuming dairy, there’s research that certain types of dairy may actually help the condition....

Twenty-seven of Cindy Mrotek’s, LBS I, BCaBA, clients at ace Therapies, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) clinic serving children and young adults with developmental disabilities she founded in the Chicagoland area, have Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. However, despite billing the well-known insurance provider for the additional supplies, materials, and clinical staff time needed during the pandemic, all but three patients’ policies have denied coverage. Key Takeaways The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and many private insurance companies are not recognizing the CPT code 99072, which would cover the extra costs providers have taken on to follow COVID-19 safety precautions....

Certain cities in the United States could soon be seeing something new in the sky: drones with a mission to deliver prescription medicines to patients’ homes. Key Takeaways Zipline, a leading drone operator, is partnering with two healthcare companies to deliver prescription medications directly to patients’ homes.This effort is set to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Salt Lake City upon approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.There are concerns over drone delivery including safety, theft, weather conditions, and cost....

Hearing loss is a very common medical condition that becomes more prevalent with age. The greatest amount of hearing loss in adults aged 20–69 occurs in those aged 60–69. In two-thirds of people over the age of 70, some form of hearing loss is present. The effects of hearing loss on quality of life can be profound. Loss of hearing is a gradual process that may take time to detect. Others around you may notice your hearing loss first....

Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is a condition that develops from wear and tear to the body’s joints over time. OA can cause joint pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, crepitus (popping or crackling sounds in the joint), swelling, and muscle weakness. Osteoarthritis affects more than 30 million Americans and can affect any joint, although it is most common in the back and spine, hips, knees, neck, shoulders, fingers, and hands....

As we round out two years of the COVID-19 crisis, pandemic fatigue is settling in. More people are starting to think that getting the virus is unavoidable. But experts say this mindset can be harmful. Key Takeaways While vaccines have changed the course of the pandemic, we are still not in a place where all health measures should be abandoned, experts say.Until everyone is vaccinated or has immunity, the virus will continue to mutate and poses risks—especially to people who are immunocompromised....

Allergies are one of the most common medical conditions in kids. Seasonal allergies (or hay fever) affect more than 7% of children in the United States. If your child has itchy, red, or watery eyes, your child might have allergies. Eye allergies in kids are often caused by environmental allergens, like pollen or mold. Kids often rub their eyes when they’re uncomfortable, which exacerbates allergy symptoms. Read more about eye allergies in kids, including causes, symptoms, and treatments....

What Is Gocovri? Gocovri (amantadine) is a prescription medication option for the treatment of levodopa-induced dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that develops when brain cells that produce dopamine die). It is also used in combination with levodopa-carbidopa medications in people with PD experiencing “off” periods. As a member of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist medication class, Gocovri binds to the NMDA receptors—chemical binding sites in the neurons....

Although dietary changes can’t cure Graves’ disease, it helps to be aware of how nutrition affects the condition. Depending on your treatment plan, you may want to avoid ingredients that stimulate or inhibit thyroid function. People with Grave’s disease can be more susceptible to certain deficiencies. A balanced meal plan will help you feel more even keel with Graves’ disease. Benefits Graves’ disease speeds up the metabolism, producing unpleasant symptoms, like:...

The difference between hereditary (germline) and acquired (somatic) gene mutations in cancer can lead to much confusion. This is especially true if you’re hearing about genetic testing for a genetic predisposition to cancer at the same time you hear about genetic testing for mutations that may be treatable in a cancer already present. Somatic mutations are those that are acquired in the process of a cancer forming, and are not present at birth....

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a severe complication of diabetes that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe or permanent vision loss. The standard of treatment for diabetic macular edema includes a combination of lifestyle modifications—including strict glycemic control through healthy eating and insulin or some other blood glucose–lowering medication—and intravitreal injections with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications and corticosteroids. Laser photocoagulation may also be used if the other treatments are not effective....

It can be distressing to discover head lice. However, you can follow some simple steps to effectively treat the lice at home. For particularly stubborn cases, you can check with your healthcare provider to see if you need a prescription. This article discusses head lice treatments, including over-the-counter and prescription medication. It also looks at-home remedies and complementary medicine. Over-the-Counter (OTC) Therapies The first-line treatment of head lice is using an anti-lice shampoo, such as Nix or Rid....

While there is no cure for juvenile arthritis, early diagnosis and proper treatment can lead to remission, a state of little to no disease activity or symptoms. A treatment plan for juvenile arthritis can include medication, lifestyle modifications, complementary therapies like acupuncture, and sometimes surgery. Juvenile arthritis encompasses inflammatory and rheumatic diseases that develop in children under the age of 16. These diseases include juvenile idiopathic arthritis, juvenile lupus, juvenile myositis, juvenile scleroderma, vasculitis, and fibromyalgia....

People who are pregnant often experience insomnia, or trouble falling or staying asleep. Though it tends to be more common in the first trimester, as well as the third, insomnia is not a reliable indication that you are pregnant. Insomnia in pregnancy is a result of changes in hormone levels and symptoms of pregnancy that can interrupt a good night’s sleep, such as heartburn, leg cramps, or the frequent need to urinate....

The Kasai procedure, also known as hepatoportoenterostomy or Kasai portoenterostomy, is a surgery performed on infants in which blocked bile ducts are bypassed to restore normal bile flow. The flow of bile, a fluid produced by the liver that aids with digestion, can become obstructed when the ducts do not form properly during pregnancy. If left untreated, the condition, called biliary atresia, can cause severe liver damage due to the backflow of bile....

Morning anxiety isn’t an official medical diagnosis or clinical term—however, many people—both with and without anxiety disorders—experience more anxiety in the morning. Learn more about morning anxiety, including symptoms, causes, treatment options, and how to cope. Symptoms of Morning Anxiety The symptoms of morning anxiety are the same as other signs of anxiety, except that they tend to happen soon after you wake up. Common symptoms of anxiety include: Feelings of worry, fear, or impending doom Racing or unwanted thoughts Restlessness Difficulty concentrating Dizziness Lightheadedness Sweating Trembling Shortness of breath Headache Muscle tension Chest pain Feeling suddenly hot or cold....

Niacinamide (nicotinamide) is a form of vitamin B3. Your body needs niacinamide to create energy, and your cells need it to function correctly. Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin, so it’s not stored in the body. You must consume it through food or supplements. The umbrella term “vitamin B3” includes both niacinamide (nicotinamide) and nicotinic acid (“niacin”) to make things even more interesting. And some companies may label niacinamide and nicotinic acid as “niacin....

Today, a simple online search for something like “headache remedies” can leave you convinced that you need a trip to the emergency room…or even worse. You need easy-to-understand advice that won’t alarm you, advice that’s written by medical experts who know what they’re talking about and who genuinely care. When it comes to your health, you need to feel confident in the choices you make and in the information that helps you make them....

A physician (also known as a medical doctor, medical practitioner, or simply a doctor) is a professional who is trained and licensed to practice medicine. There are many different types of physicians, some of whom opt to specialize in fields such as pediatrics, gynecology, or surgery. Those who assume the responsibility of providing continuous, comprehensive care to individuals or families are referred to as primary care providers. Training Whatever the specialty, the route to becoming a physician is similar....

Gene editing has upended many areas of science, from creating pesticide-free food to attempting to bring back the wooly mammoth. Using a technology called CRISPR-CAS9, commonly referred to as CRISPR, scientists are now trying to fix genetic errors that cause disease. Key Takeaways There is only one FDA-approved treatment for sickle cell disease, but it requires a sibling donor.Using CRISPR-CAS9 technology, researchers were successful in targeting a genetic switch that turned off production for a fetal form of hemoglobin....