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If you’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19, you should have received a card created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This vaccine card documents important information about the doses you received. Key Takeaways Your COVID-19 vaccine card serves as proof of vaccination and is your medical record of which shot you received and when you received it.If you laminated or lost your vaccine card, you should be able to obtain a replacement through your vaccine provider or state health department....

Diastema is a condition involving a noticeable gap between the teeth that is wider than 0.5 millimeters (0.02 inch). Most commonly, these gaps occur in the front teeth, but diastema can involve the back teeth as well. A diastema is very common in childhood until the permanent teeth come in. When present in the permanent teeth, it can be corrected for aesthetic or functional reasons. Symptoms When the gaps occur in the lower teeth, it’s referred to as mandibular diastema....

Egg allergies are among the most common food allergies in children, coming in second to milk allergies and affecting nearly 2% of the population. Typically, an egg allergy is diagnosed before age two. Often, the reaction begins within a few minutes to a few hours after eating eggs and can include symptoms such as skin reactions, stomach upset, or a runny nose. An egg allergy may be difficult to pinpoint as the cause of your child’s symptoms, and a diagnostic evaluation can be helpful in identifying this condition....

About 20% of individuals will experience complications following gastric sleeve surgery, also known as a sleeve gastrectomy. These may range from surgical complications to a lack of weight loss and even relationship problems, and they can occur during the procedure, shortly after, or even years later. This article covers potential gastric sleeve surgery risks. It also discusses ways to prevent complications, as well as when to reach out to your healthcare provider....

If you’ve ever had a headache behind the eyes, the feeling of pressure and throbbing pain can be an unpleasant symptom to deal with. This sensation may be caused by a migraine, tension headache, cluster headache, or sinus headache. Read on to learn what may trigger a headache behind the eyes, when you should consider visiting a healthcare professional, and what treatment options are available to you. Causes Headaches occur when specific nerves that are tied to muscles, blood vessels, and the brain are activated....

Heat rash treatment recommendations typically include taking a cool shower or bath, patting skin dry, and applying topical itch relievers. Sometimes called prickly heat, the rash involves small reddish-pink bumps that can itch and burn. Known medically as miliaria, heat rash develops when sweat glands become blocked, and sweat gets trapped under the skin. Heat rash is typically found in skin folds, such as armpits, groin, elbows, and under the breasts....

Genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over half a million new HSV-2 infections occurred in the United States in 2018. But, the actual number of cases may far exceed this estimate. This is because more and more genital herpes infections are being caused by a related virus known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), the type associated with cold sores....

Almost everyone experiences sleepiness due to lack of sleep once in a while, but hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness) is different than sleep deprivation. This is because with hypersomnia, the need for sleep is not easily explained by something as simple as staying up late, and it does not resolve by catching up on your sleep. Hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness when wakefulness is expected. It’s also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). There are a number of medical causes of hypersomnia, including breathing disorders, neurological conditions, and certain medications....

An insulin pen is a disposable or reusable instrument, the size of a marker, used to deliver insulin. A needle is attached to the tip, and insulin is injected subcutaneously (beneath the skin) into fatty tissue. Insulin is a hormone responsible for bringing glucose to the cells, providing the body with energy. People with diabetes need insulin to control their blood sugar when they do not make any or don’t make enough....

Intra-arterial chemotherapy is a way of delivering high doses of cancer-fighting drugs directly to a tumor’s location. With intra-arterial chemotherapy, cancer drugs are delivered into the artery or arteries located closest to the tumor. Very little medication circulates throughout the rest of the body. This reduces certain side effects while providing a high dose of cancer-fighting medication where it is needed. In contrast, traditional chemotherapy is delivered through a peripheral vein, so it can attack cancer that has spread....

Immunosuppression (the partial or complete lack of an immune response) and an infection with a human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) virus is the ultimate cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS). It is most commonly associated with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) but has other forms that affect different populations. This article looks at the causes of the different types of Kaposi’s sarcoma and which factors place you at an increased risk of this rare form of cancer....

The causes of migraines are primarily neurologic, but also involve genetic factors. Symptoms, including premonitory symptoms, aura, headache, and postdrome phase, involve dysfunction in several parts of the brain, pain pathways, and brain chemicals. There are also many exacerbating factors that are associated with the triggering of migraines. Common Causes Migraines are thought to have a variety of possibly causes, including: Genetics It is very difficult to pinpoint the genetic basis of migraines because it is likely a complex interaction of many factors....

On April 21, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a nationwide medical alert after children in four states were diagnosed with severe hepatitis. Key Takeaways Several clusters of severe acute hepatitis in children have been occurring worldwide since last fall.Experts believe the cases are likely linked to an adenovirus, a group of common viruses that cause illnesses like the flu and the common cold.As of the beginning of May, cases in the United States have been reported in Alabama, Illinois, North Carolina, and Wisconsin....

The word “neurotypical” may be used to describe individuals whose brain develops and functions in ways that are considered usual or expected by society. This term may also be used to refer to those who do not have developmental disorders, like autism. Symptoms of developmental disorders vary, but they may impact communication, motor skills, behavior, as well as social and/or learning abilities. You may hear the term “neurotypical” used in schools, at autism conferences and events, and in therapists’ offices....

What Is Praluent? Praluent (alirocumab) is a prescription injectable medication used to lower bad cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and chest pain in certain adults with heart disease. Praluent is a proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitor. It works by blocking the PCSK9 protein, which improves the liver’s ability to clear bad cholesterol from circulation. Praluent is taken by injecting it under your skin (subcutaneous)....

Quadriplegia is the condition in which both the arms and legs are paralyzed and lose normal motor function. Also referred to as tetraplegia, this diagnosis is actually a symptom of one of several unique underlying causes. While losing your arm and leg function can be severely debilitating, understanding the origins of your extremity paralysis and being evaluated by a trained neurologist can help you discover the treatment options that are available....

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that RA doesn’t go on vacation. And there is growing evidence suggesting RA is less active at certain times of the year and more active at other times due to changes in the weather. No matter how well-controlled your RA is, you may find some weather patterns might make your RA symptoms worse. You might even feel as if you can predict the weather based on how achy and sore your joints are....

Secondary diabetes refers to glucose intolerance. “Glucose intolerance” is a term for health disorders that cause high blood sugar. In some instances, this condition can be caused by other medical problems. Secondary diabetes differs in some ways from other types of diabetes, but it still requires you to control your blood sugar and make lifestyle changes. This article discusses the various causes of secondary diabetes and how they are managed. Secondary Diabetes vs....

Soreness on the inside or outside part of the knee is common, and several different conditions may be to blame. Read more about the many potential causes of pain on the side of your knee and about the treatments available for your symptoms. Causes of Inner Knee Pain The inside or medial part of the knee contains a wide variety of bones, ligaments, and soft tissue structures, all contained within a relatively small area....

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are diseases that are most often spread through sexual contact. Transmission may include bodily fluids or direct skin-to-skin contact. As well, it is possible for a parent to pass an STD to their child in utero, during childbirth, or while breastfeeding. STDs will present differently based on the type as well as whether someone has a penis or vagina. This article will discuss STDs in females specifically....