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Last month’s fatal police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., a 27-year-old Black man in Philadelphia, brought a resurgence of demands for an overhaul of the way communities in the U.S. respond to mental health crises. Wallace’s family says he struggled with mental illness. In 2018, about 1,000 people in the United States were fatally shot by police, with 25% of those people living with mental illness. Key Takeaways Some police departments are employing mental health workers to accompany officers on calls....

Prurigo simplex is a form of skin disease. The term prurigo is used to describe the presence of spots on the skin that are extremely itchy. The bumps associated with prurigo simplex are similar to bug bites. Other skin diseases also develop prurigo but are not the same as prurigo simplex. In prurigo simplex, itchy bumps develop without any provocation. In addition, the spots and rash associated with chronic prurigo and other skin diseases develop after scratching, making them secondary conditions....

Despite regulations put in place to reduce lead exposure, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that last year 3.6 million U.S. families were at risk of lead poisoning. Now, a new study demonstrates this exposure could potentially negatively affect children’s personalities in adulthood. Key Takeaways A new study found that higher lead exposure in childhood could potentially negatively affect adulthood personality.Participants who grew up in areas with higher lead exposure were less agreeable and conscientious, and more neurotic....

Soaking up some sunshine may feel like a relaxing way to help you cope with the rigors of cancer treatment. In fact, the vitamin D produced by moderate (and safe) sun exposure has been linked not only with a reduced risk of developing cancer, but improved survival from some cancers. The first step is to know if your chemotherapy medications may increase the likelihood of a sunburn: something you definitely don’t need at this point in your life....

Corns and calluses are areas of thick, hardened, accumulated dead skin cells that are caused by repeated rubbing, friction, or pressure. They can form anywhere on the body but are most commonly found on the hands, toes, heels, or soles of the feet. Both are the result of hyperkeratinization—the thickening of the top layer of skin, known as the stratum corneum. If your shoe repeatedly rubs against a spot on your foot, for example, the inflammation and gradual buildup of scar tissue may lead to the development of a corn or callus....

Thalassophobia is the intense, persistent, and irrational fear (phobia) of large bodies of water, such as the ocean, sea, or large lakes. While thalassophobia is typically caused by a past traumatic event, such as a near-drowning experience or being frightened while swimming, other factors may contribute, including your upbringing, personality type, and even genetics. Thalassophobia is derived from the Greek thalassa (meaning “the sea”) and phobos (meaning “fear”). It is considered a specific phobia, meaning that panic, anxiety, and other negative symptoms are triggered by specific stimuli....

People with diabetes, whether newly diagnosed or not, may have heard that bread is “off limits.” For some people, avoiding bread altogether makes managing their diet easier. Others, though, still want to enjoy breads and wonder what types are among the best options. If you have diabetes, know that you can eat bread. Whole grain breads, such as whole wheat or rye, give you a healthy option. These breads are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein when compared to refined, processed options like white bread....

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that impacts the lining of the large intestine, also known as the colon. It can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, the other IBD, are similar but there are many differences between the two diseases. One key difference is ulcerative colitis affects just the colon, while Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation anywhere in the digestive tract, which stretches from the mouth to the anus....

Black stool refers to a condition in which your stool is an unusually dark color. Stool is the bodily waste left over after digestion. Stool is also known as poop, bowel movements, or feces. You may have black poop because of certain foods, medications and supplements, or underlying medical problems. Black stool isn’t always something to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious health condition. To rule out a life-threatening condition, contact your healthcare provider right away if:...

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. If a pregnancy ends with the fetus’s death after 20 weeks gestation, the loss is classified as a stillbirth. Medically, miscarriage is called spontaneous abortion, a name that stems from the fact that the body suddenly ends the pregnancy. Although many people don’t talk about miscarriages, they are very common. Ten to 15% of pregnancies where the mother knows that she is pregnant will end in miscarriage....

Nonverbal autism isn’t an actual diagnosis. It’s a term used for a subgroup of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who never learn to speak more than a few words. An estimated 40% of people with ASD are considered nonverbal. Nonverbal autism tends to occur in what’s known as severe autism, or level 3 autism. In some cases, a child will eventually learn to speak. For those who don’t, new approaches and technologies are making it possible for kids with autism to communicate in other ways....

The first noticeable sign of breast cancer isn’t always a lump. Sometimes, there are breast skin changes that may indicate cancer. Every skin abnormality on the breast is not automatically a sign of cancer. However, it’s helpful to know how the disease might manifest on the skin so you can monitor any unusual changes. This article discusses skin changes that might indicate breast cancer and when to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis....

What Is Annovera? Annovera (segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol) is a vaginal ring system used for birth control, or contraception. Known as a combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC), Annovera contains both the hormones segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol. These are synthetic forms of progestin and estrogen, respectively, which are hormones found naturally in your body that regulate your menstrual cycle. Annovera is an opaque and white flexible ring made of silicone material, like rubber....

Antibiotics are medicines that are used to treat certain kinds of bacterial infections. They work to clear up infections either by killing bacteria or stopping their growth. They typically have to be prescribed by a healthcare provider. Learn more about using antibiotics, including when and how to take them safely. Antibiotics Drug Information Antibiotics came into broader use in the 1940s, after British scientist Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin (the first antibiotic) in mold....

Bullying is any unwanted or aggressive behavior from someone who is intentionally trying to upset, harm, or have power over you. Bullying occurs among children, adolescents, and teens, either in person, online, or through social media. Adults can also be bullied, both in social groups and in the workplace. Read on to learn more about the main types of bullying, signs someone is being bullied, and how to deal with a bully....

While the number of people with COVID changes daily, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most people who contract the virus have mild illnesses and can recover at home without medical care. Key Takeaways Experts say you may not have to skip your workout if you have COVID-19, but they do recommend that you give your body and immune system time to rest and recover. If you test positive for COVID or have symptoms, you should avoid going to the gym and other public spaces to prevent spreading the virus to others....

What Is Cardizem? Cardizem (diltiazem) is an oral prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems. It is part of the drug class called calcium channel blockers. It widens and relaxes blood vessels in the body and heart, which makes it easier for blood flow. The drug also increases oxygen delivery and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood. Diltiazem is available as a long-acting capsule (Cardizem CD), regular-release tablets (Cardizem), and long-acting tablets (Cardizem LA)....

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is an herb found around the world in Europe, North America, Asia, Greenland, and Australia. Cleavers is described as an edible weed or a wildflower. When it has a sturdy base to climb, it can grow up to 6 feet tall, adorned with small greenish-white flowers. Tiny bristles on the leaves enable cleavers to cling to other plants and become easily stuck on clothes and fur. Cleavers is a popular herbal remedy used to treat and help prevent a variety of ailments....

Clove is a spice that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Cloves have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine to strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, and aid in digestion. Cloves are sourced from an evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) native to Indonesia. Although now, it is grown in other parts of the world, such as South America. The spice is used in savory dishes, desserts, and drinks....

A “drug class” is a group of medications with certain similarities. Three dominant methods are used to classify them: Mechanism of action: Specific changes they cause in your body Physiologic effect: How your body responds to them Chemical structure: What they’re made of This article walks you through how classification works, why it’s necessary, and the types of classification. Multiple Categories Not all drugs fit neatly into a single category. Some drugs are grouped together under one method but not another....