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There are many different types of toothpaste on the market that are used to reduce tartar, prevent cavities, and improve gum health. Around 90 percent of these contain fluoride, a mineral found in relatively low concentrations in fresh and seawater. Depending on where you live, the water supply may also be fluoridated to reduce the risk of cavities, especially in kids. Fluoride toothpaste by far provides a higher concentration of the mineral than any other source....

Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in the spine. Nr-axSpA causes inflammation that leads to stiffness, swelling, and pain. Nr-axSpA is treatable, and treatment is focused on helping a person to feel better and slow down the disease’s progress. Treatment options might include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and biologic drug therapies. Biologic drug therapies are the newest option for treating nr-axSpA. They can help provide symptom relief, prevent joint damage, and improve the quality of life for people who have nr-axSpA....

What Is Botox? Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a prescription injection with various medical uses. It is injected into certain areas of the body by a healthcare provider to treat the following conditions: Certain types of eye muscle problems (strabismus) or abnormal eyelid spasms (blepharospasm) in people 12 years and older. Abnormal head position and neck pain that happens with cervical dystonia (CD) in adults. Prevent headaches in adults with chronic migraines who have 15 or more days each month with a headache lasting four or more hours each day....

Cardiac arrest is a catastrophic event in which the heart stops beating. This means the body is deprived of the oxygen it needs to survive. The American Heart Association reports that more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States each year. Nearly 90% of them are fatal. Beyond the high risk of death, one major concern is the impact of prolonged oxygen deprivation on the brain and the damage that can occur within three minutes of the heart stopping....

What Is Chlordiazepoxide? Chlordiazepoxide is an oral prescription drug used to treat anxiety, preoperative anxiety (anxiety before a surgery or procedure), and alcohol withdrawal (symptoms that occur when someone stops drinking alcohol after a period of excess drinking). It is categorized as part of the benzodiazepine (a group of psychoactive drugs) medication class. It is also occasionally prescribed to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), among other diagnoses. The medication works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain....

Creatinine tests are used to measure the level of a waste product, known as creatinine, in your blood and urine. Creatinine is produced during the normal breakdown of muscle tissue, and because it is produced at a relatively steady rate, labs can use it as a marker to see how well your kidneys are functioning. Creatinine tests are used to screen, diagnose, and monitor kidney (renal) disorders, including chronic kidney disease and acute renal failure....

Choosing a daycare facility for disabled children can be a time-consuming process, not to speak of the emotions that accompany finding the right setting for your child. Parents want to find a facility that offers both the best care for their children and one that their child will be happy attending. Not all daycare facilities are created equal, however. In addition, the laws about the care offered vary from private to public daycare facilities, and from state to state....

For people with type 2 diabetes, regular exercise is a highly effective addition to eating a healthy diet and standard medical treatment for improving insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels. As a bonus, physical activity also helps with weight loss and blood pressure control. Exercise may also help prevent prediabetes from progressing. Benefits Virtually any type of exercise—from walking to vigorous cardio to strength training—can be beneficial for someone with diabetes....

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought drastic changes to our day to day, especially in how often we move our bodies. But a more sedentary lifestyle can have detrimental effects on our health and minds. A recent study links decreased exercise during the pandemic to increased depression in college students. Key Takeaways A new study finds a strong link between depression symptoms and decreased exercise in college students during the pandemic.Short-term exercise intervention didn’t reduce depression symptoms....

Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, helps sculpt or lift the tissues around the eyes. It can be performed on the upper or lower eyelids to remove excess skin and fat and smooth out fine wrinkles. Some seek eyelid surgery for cosmetic purposes—to help tighten sagging skin and bring a more open look to the eyes. Others are recommended for the procedure because skin around the eyes is impairing vision. What Is Eyelid Surgery?...

Scabies is a skin infestation caused by the human itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis). This mite burrows under the skin and lays eggs, causing severe itching and a rash. Infestations are common in cramped or crowded conditions, and an infestation can spread quickly and easily from person to person with prolonged skin-to-skin contact. If you develop a scabies infestation, symptoms may not appear for up to two months, and you can spread the mite during this time....

What Is Glyxambi? Glyxambi (empagliflozin and linagliptin) is a prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to control blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also lowers the risk of heart-related death in adults with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Glyxambi contains two drugs: empagliflozin and linagliptin. Empagliflozin is in a drug class called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Linagliptin is in a drug class called dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, also known as gliptins....

One of the most common medical conditions that people experience is headaches. Between 50% and 75% of people ages 18 to 65 report having had at least one headache in the past year, with 1.7%–4% having chronic cases, defined as having 15 or more attacks a month. Frequent or continuous headache disorders affect not only work and social life but they also can have a devastating impact on mental health....

A thyroid disorder can be a cause of infertility in males and females, and once it’s managed successfully, most couples are able to move forward with their plans to begin a family. Related Fertility Issues Research has linked both hyperthyroidism (often due to Grave’s disease) and hypothyroidism (which typically results from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) to a number of issues that can interfere with fertility in women and in men. In Women For women, issues with the thyroid gland can manifest in several different ways that affect fertility....

Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that causes an itchy rash to appear on the body. Eczema can also be painful; about 61% of adults with eczema experience pain, which is a separate symptom from itchiness. The pain can be described as burning, tingling, or stinging. Eczema can also cause mental or emotional pain that causes symptoms like depression, anxiety, anger, and low self-esteem. Continue reading to learn more about skin pain, burning, and other painful eczema symptoms, as well as why eczema can cause pain and what might give you relief....

In the United States, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women assigned female at birth. Although mortality rates from breast cancer have declined over time, Black women are 40% more likely to die from the disease than White women. While instances are rare, transgender women can develop breast cancer as well. This article is part of Breast Cancer and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series....

In 2020, there were 32,270 new cases of multiple myeloma, making up 1.8% of all new cancer cases in the United States. The five-year survival rate is 53.9%. and there are 12,830 estimated deaths per year from multiple myeloma, accounting for 2.1% of all cancer deaths. Many factors can affect survival rates, such as age and overall health. The survival rate of multiple myeloma has almost doubled since 1975. Survival Rates Survival rates vary significantly by stage of the disease....

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic disorder that is caused by mutations that affect how your body processes low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This article will discuss the risk of inheriting FH, as well as symptoms to be aware of and treatment options. What Is Familial Hypercholesterolemia? FH is a genetic disorder that results in elevated levels of LDL cholesterol in your blood. LDL cholesterol is also known as the “bad” cholesterol in your body....

Plaque is a kind of sticky film found on the teeth. It forms when the bacteria in the mouth is mixed with sugary or starchy food and drinks. The bacteria in the mouth, acids, and carbohydrates from food or drinks mix together and form into this colorless substance. If plaque isn’t removed with regular teeth brushing, it can cause the enamel of the teeth to break down and eventually cause cavities....

What Is Ponstel? Ponstel (mefenamic acid) is a medication that relieves mild to moderate pain. It is also used to ease menstrual cramps. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Like other NSAIDs, Ponstel reduces inflammation and eases pain. This medication is thought to work by decreasing the body’s production of prostaglandins (types of fatty acids called lipids that are made at the site of damaged tissues or infection and act as hormones, causing an inflammatory response)....