Posts

What Is Firvanq? Firvanq (vancomycin) is an orally prescribed antibiotic medication used to treat infections of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract in people 18 and younger. This antibiotic is specifically approved to treat Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (including methicillin-resistant strains). Firvanq’s primary ingredient, vancomycin, is commonly given as an injection to treat different infections; however, Firvanq itself is available as an oral liquid solution used to treat GI infections, specifically....

A headache on the right side of the head is often caused by a migraine, tension, or cluster headache. A right-sided headache can also be a symptom of chronic health conditions like arthritis or trigeminal neuralgia. Though less common, a headache on just the right side can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like bleeding in the brain. This article will go over the possible causes of a headache on the right side....

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. Women experience heart disease differently than men. Understanding those differences can help women access the appropriate healthcare resources quickly. Reducing risk factors and focusing on prevention are important to decreasing the negative impact of heart disease in women. Causes of Heart Disease in Women Heart disease encompasses different heart and blood vessel conditions, such as coronary artery disease, vascular disease, high blood pressure, and heart failure....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s impaired immune response attacks its own joints. It can cause significant pain, swelling, and disability. Many people prefer looking for treatment options beyond the standard medications used to treat RA that include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics. Holistic medicine has emerged as one potential option. This type of healthcare focuses not only on treating the condition but more widely on preventing a flare-up of the disease and on improving your overall well-being....

Late fall and winter are usually prime seasons for travel. People visit out-of-town friends and family for the holidays or head to warmer climates to temporarily escape the cold weather. Key Takeaways In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many states and cities have put travel restrictions such as quarantine mandates and testing requirements in place. Some states and cities have steep fines and other penalties for violating orders.Although travel restrictions can be hard to enforce, experts say we should follow those orders out of a sense of responsibility to others and to mitigate virus spread....

Learning how to insert a tampon may seem intimidating if you have never done it before. A tampon is a soft, cotton or rayon-based product used to absorb menstrual blood before it leaves the vagina. It is one of the most convenient menstrual products on the market. A girl can start using tampons at any age, even during her first period. Inserting a tampon is not hard and doesn’t hurt if done properly....

Hypernatremia is an elevated concentration of sodium ions in the blood that can happen after decreased fluid intake. It may not cause any symptoms, but it can increase the risk of other medical problems and even death. Hypernatremia is an especially big problem in hospitalized patients, where it may affect around 2% of people admitted. Even more people may have hypernatremia at some point during hospitalization. Infants and elderly people are particularly at risk....

A hysterectomy is performed when you had a medical condition that makes the removal of the uterus, and cervix necessary. A hysterectomy can be performed in several ways, from a full abdominal surgery to minimally invasive laparoscopic or vaginal methods. The type of surgery you have will depend on your situation, the reason for your hysterectomy and your health history. The decision should be made by you and your healthcare provider....

A preservative-free flu shot is a type of flu vaccine that does not contain the antimicrobial agent known as thimerosal. Thimerosal, a mercury-based compound, is an ingredient in some vaccines because it prevents the growth of bacteria, fungus, or other microorganisms that might contaminate a vial when a needle is inserted. Some people seek out preservative-free vaccinations because they’ve heard that vaccine ingredients like thimerosal can cause autism, a claim that clinical researchers have repeatedly been debunked....

Measles is an extremely contagious viral infection caused by exposure to a person infected with the virus. Sneezing, coughing, and talking can spread it, but the virus can even live on surfaces and the air for a limited time—long enough to infect someone new. Before routine measles immunization began in the United States in 1963, there were about 3 to 4 million cases of measles each year. Though vaccination has virtually made measles a worry of the past in the United States, it is still a concern in other countries....

Moderna’s personalized cancer vaccine was shown to reduce the risk of recurrence in patients with stage 3 or 4 melanoma in a phase 2b clinical trial. This is the first demonstration of efficacy for an investigational mRNA cancer treatment in a randomized clinical trial. Key Takeaways Moderna shared data from a phase 2b clinical trial on a cancer vaccine to prevent recurrent melanoma.The vaccine uses mRNA technology—the same platform that Moderna and Pfizer used to create their COVID-19 vaccines....

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The condition can be acute, coming on suddenly and resolving in about a week, or it can be chronic, worsening over time and requiring long-term management. Serious complications can occur with pancreatitis, and it can become life-threatening. As such, prompt diagnosis and treatment, possibly with surgery, are crucial. Pancreatitis is the most common reason for gastrointestinal-related hospital stays in the United States. ...

Peer pressure is any type of influence, positive or negative, that comes from a peer group. This peer group may be of similar age (e.g., children in the same classroom) but can also be defined by other commonalities, including motherhood, professional affiliations, and your local neighborhood. Peer pressure occurs throughout the lifespan, but learning to cope by building self-confidence and surrounding yourself with positive influences may help prevent problems with peer pressure from arising later....

Perennial allergic rhinitis is a chronic allergic condition that causes nasal congestion and a runny nose. Unlike other types of allergies, it doesn’t go away during certain seasons or months of the year. You may feel like you have a permanent cold that won’t go away. Perennial allergic rhinitis is sometimes known as “hay fever,” even though it does not always include an allergy to hay and it doesn’t cause a fever....

A wound is any type of injury that punctures the skin. While taking care of a wound is important, so is caring for the skin around the wound, known as periwound skin. You might notice that this area is sensitive or that it has a red tinge, which is known as periwound erythema. Continue reading to learn more about periwound skin, including how to care for the periwound area and avoid complications....

Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for an increasingly common condition known as text neck. Text neck refers to neck pain triggered by a handheld device like a smartphone or tablet. It occurs when you keep your neck in a forward flexed position for hours while texting, internet surfing, or reading from your mobile device. Although long-term relief can only be achieved by altering your smartphone habits, physical therapy can help resolve the symptoms of text neck when rest and anti-inflammatory drugs are unable to provide relief....

Some common signs and symptoms of psoriasis are raised plaques and scales on the skin. These occur because the immune system malfunctions and causes inflammation throughout the body, which leads to skin cell overgrowth. According to a study published in 2021 in the journal JAMA Dermatology, psoriasis affects 7.5 million American adults. Anyone can have psoriasis, regardless of age, gender, or skin color. Different types of psoriasis affect different body areas....

Red clover is a perennial plant with the scientific name Trifolium pratense. This wild herb also belongs to the legume family, along with beans and peas. Red clover is native to Europe and Asia but is now a naturalized plant in North America. Red clover contains isoflavones—like biochanin A, formononetin, and genistein. Red clover is thought to work through these plant chemicals, which may have some estrogen activity. For this reason, isoflavones are also called phytoestrogens....

The skin symptoms of plaque psoriasis are characterized by areas of dry, inflamed “plaques” usually covered with silvery, flaky scales. They can cyclically worsen and improve over time. Additionally, the effects can take a psychological toll on people who have the disease. Several medical conditions also commonly affect people who have psoriasis, and these conditions cause additional symptoms along with the symptoms of plaque psoriasis. Common Skin Symptoms Psoriasis is mainly characterized by its skin symptoms....

An essential nutrient, cobalamin—better known as vitamin B12—benefits your body in many ways. These include helping your body produce energy, boosting memory and mood, making red blood cells and DNA, and improving your heart health. Vitamin B12 is water-soluble, which means that your body can’t store it in fat tissue. As a result, you need to get this vitamin through food. Sources of vitamin B12 include clams, beef, chicken, salmon, milk, eggs, and fortified nutritional yeast....