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This story is part of a series that explores growing health trends that were shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. Will these trends stay or go away in the post-pandemic era? The social media platform TikTok became a sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among short videos of dance challenges and whipped coffee recipes, young users are also sharing do-it-yourself tips for healthier living. Key Takeaways During the COVID-19 pandemic, TikTok users are sharing do-it-yourself health tips for everything from clearing a stuffy nose to using potatoes to treat acne....

Neutrophils are the most common type of white blood cell. Like all white blood cells, they work to fight off infectious organisms in your body, such as viruses and bacteria. They are also called polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes. Neutrophils can be assessed with a blood test. High or low levels can help diagnose some medical conditions. This article will discuss what neutrophils do, where they come from, and what high or low neutrophil counts mean....

Ongentys (opicapone) is an oral medication taken as an add-on drug to levodopa in people with Parkinson’s disease who experience “off” episodes. “Off” episodes are periods of time when a patient’s symptoms, like tremor or rigidity, return before the next scheduled dose of levodopa is due. As a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, Ongentys works by blocking the breakdown of levodopa in the bloodstream. Therefore, more levodopa is available to enter the brain....

With the constant rise of new COVID-19 variants, experts have continued to question how well the vaccines protect against these new strains. Now, researchers are trying to answer that. Key Takeaways A new analysis found that the COVID-19 vaccine’s efficacy wanes over time.The analysis also shows the vaccines may be less effective against different COVID-19 strains.Experts encourage people to get their booster dose if they’re eligible. A November analysis, which was published in the journal Lancet Microbe, included data from 24 studies to try to determine the level of immunity offered by COVID-19 vaccines against several virus variants....

Most people are aware that smoking cigarettes increases their risk of lung diseases—like cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—but smoking also affects people with diabetes and can increase the complications of that health condition. A 2014 Surgeon General’s report revealed that people who smoke cigarettes are at a 30%–40% higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. Even among people who smoke cigarettes, the report found different risk levels and that the more cigarettes smoked, the higher the risk for developing diabetes....

Strokes are the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious disability. During a stroke, blood flow to an area of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel bursts, causing bleeding in the brain. Women have a higher lifetime risk of stroke than men. A stroke can cause serious physical and cognitive impairment (difficulty in the process of thinking and reasoning) due to brain damage that occurs when an area of the brain is deprived of blood flow....

Mangos are a tasty, colorful piece of produce that is very popular. However, some people can’t enjoy the fruit because they’re allergic to mangos. It’s also possible for people to get allergy symptoms when they eat mango because they have another food allergy. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a cross-reaction between pollens and fruits that the body recognizes as being the same. It’s the mildest of three potential allergic reactions a person can have....

Tidal volume (Vt or TV) is the amount of air you move through your lungs each time you inhale and exhale while you’re at rest. Tidal volume typically measures around 500 milliliters (mL) for those assigned male at birth and 400 mL for those assigned female. Vt is measured by spirometry, which is a non-invasive test. Your tidal volume is an important determinant in many different breathing functions and measurements that are used in analyzing your respiratory system....

The Affordable Care Act resulted in the creation of some new tax forms, including Form 1095-A, Form 1095-B, and Form 1095-C. These forms are sent to individuals and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) early each year, to report details about the coverage that the person had (or was offered) during the previous year. Although there is no longer a federal penalty for not having health insurance, these forms are still a necessary part of the tax filing process for some Americans....

A newborn’s head is pliable and soft to allow the baby’s skull to move through the birth canal. It’s normal for babies’ heads to become misshapen after birth and in the first few months of life. Fortunately, most heads will round out during infancy. However, some babies may need additional help from a healthcare provider. Read more about what to know and when to worry about a baby’s head shape....

Having a pill stuck in your throat is both scary and painful. It can make you feel as though you can’t breathe, cough, or swallow. It can even feel as if you’re choking. Research shows that 15% to 20% of people have trouble swallowing oral medications. If you’ve had trouble swallowing them before, it can make you more anxious and more likely to have trouble each time. If a pill slips down the wrong pipe, it is important to stay calm since it’s easier to handle if you aren’t panicking....

Asthma is a chronic medical condition that tightens and inflames the airways in the lungs. More than 25 million Americans—including more than 5 million children—have asthma. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, coughing, excess mucus, and chest tightness. These symptoms, as well as asthma attacks (when symptoms worsen), can be triggered by allergens (normally harmless substances that trigger an allergic reaction) and other irritants. It’s no wonder that air purifiers can be so enticing....

A blood test, known as a complete blood count (CBC) measures red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. When cell counts are low or expected to become low, bone marrow stimulating drugs can be given to boost your body’s production of these blood cells. These agents have potentially serious risks and side effects, and not all cases of “low counts” are treated with these drugs. In the treatment of cancer, the use of bone marrow boosting drugs is considered supportive care, meaning that the drug does not directly fight cancer, but helps in other ways....

Bronchiectasis is the permanent widening of the airways of the lungs, including the bronchi and bronchioles. It can be caused by diseases like tuberculosis or congenital disorders like cystic fibrosis, leading to coughing, wheezing, and frequent lung infection. Bronchiectasis is classified as an obstructive lung disease along with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Several risk factors can predispose you to bronchiectasis, including smoking and recurrent lung infections. You may need several tests to diagnose bronchiectasis, including imaging studies and pulmonary function tests....

Dysphagia is defined as difficulty swallowing food or liquid. It occurs when you have pain or difficulty moving food from your mouth to your stomach, possibly resulting in choking or aspiration, in which the food is accidentally inhaled into the lungs. Dysphagia should be treated by healthcare provider, especially when it leads to chronic choking or weight loss due to the inability to eat. This article discusses the possible causes of dysphagia and its symptoms....

Este otoño, a pesar del aumento en infecciones que trajo la variente Delta, Sofia Goetz está de regreso en el salón de clase. Ahora, su día lectivo consiste en el uso sin fin de gel desinfectante, distribuir mascarillas a los estudiantes olvidadizos, y recordarles a los compañeros que mantengan la distancia y que no se abracen. Puntos Clave Tener que navegar el aprendizaje en persona este otoño está afectando seriamente la salud mental de los maestros latinos....

An eye stroke is a term used to describe the loss of vision caused by a reduced flow of blood to the eye. There are different conditions associated with eye stroke, some affect the retina (the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that converts light images into nerve signals), and others damage the optic nerve (which carries nerve signals to the brain). Symptoms of eye stroke include sudden blurring or vision loss in all or part of one eye, usually without pain....

Genetic testing is playing a larger role in lung cancer care. These tests can identify specific genetic changes in the tumor cells that might be treatable with targeted therapies. Among the many benefits of targeted therapies is that they can block growth of cancer cells without harming healthy cells. The Role of Genetics in Lung Cancer Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs are altered so that they become cancerous....

What Is Halcion? Halcion (triazolam) is a prescription medicine in the benzodiazepine drug class used for the short-term management of insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Halcion and other benzodiazepines are Schedule IV drugs. They are highly addictive and should be used cautiously. Halcion and other benzodiazepines bind to specific places in your brain called “benzodiazepine receptors,” and can make you feel tired and relaxed. The effect of benzodiazepines, in general, makes them an effective option for treating sleep problems in the short term....

Hearing loss, which includes losing some or all hearing in one or both ears, can occur gradually and naturally or because of injury or illness Reasons behind hearing loss can range from genetics and aging to physical trauma like broken bones to working in loud environments. Illness or repeated infections can also gradually lessen the ability to hear completely, as can earwax or fluid buildup. If hearing loss causes disruptions in daily life, is sudden, or is more apparent in one ear, see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment....