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In 2020, 1.2 million people in the U.S. misused prescription pain relievers. Prescription drug addiction often starts with medically-prescribed needed use, such as following surgery or injury. Gradually, use becomes misuse, resulting in substance use disorder or addiction. When that occurs, prescription drug addiction treatment is necessary.Read on to learn about prescription drug addiction treatment options, including inpatient, outpatient, medication, and community support. Prescription Drugs and Addiction The most common prescription drugs that lead to addiction include:...

Healthcare systems are getting better at providing care for LGBTQ+ patients. This year, a record 906 institutions participated in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), and 82% were deemed top performers or leaders in LGBTQ+ patient-centered care. Key Takeaways The Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) is an annual report by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation to promote inclusive care for the LGBTQ+ community.The index ranks how well healthcare systems provide care to LGBTQ+ patients....

Chemotherapy can cause a number of side effects. While not the most serious of side effects, hair loss can certainly be one of the most distressing. It is important to note that not all types of chemo cause hair loss. Chemotherapy may also affect hair regrowth. Toward the end of treatment or soon after you have completed your last round of chemotherapy, your hair will start to come back. But when it returns, the texture and color may be completely different from your original hair....

Hyperinsulinemia is characterized by abnormally high insulin levels in the blood. It is a condition associated with type 2 diabetes, but is not technically a form of diabetes itself. Hyperinsulinemia is also a factor in insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. It can be difficult to diagnose hyperinsulinemia, as symptoms are often unnoticeable. It’s usually diagnosed through a blood test when checking for other conditions, such as diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia Symptoms An excess of insulin can result in low blood sugar being circulated throughout the body, and hypoglycemia (or the condition of having low blood sugar) may be an indicator to its presence....

A diagnosis of hyperthyroidism vs. hypothyroidism, or vice versa, comes down to how much hormone the thyroid gland produces. Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid that produces too much hormone and can cause body functions to speed up. Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid that produces too little hormone and can result in body functions slowing down. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. The two conditions also have overlapping symptoms, but in general, hypothyroidism tends to make you feel sluggish and tired, while hyperthyroidism may give you symptoms like a racing heart or high blood pressure....

What Is Inspra? Inspra (eplerenone) is an oral prescription medication used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure. Inspra belongs to a group of drugs called aldosterone antagonists. These medications work by blocking aldosterone—a naturally occurring chemical in your body that causes fluid retention and increases blood pressure. Inspra is also considered a potassium-sparing diuretic since it removes excess fluid from your body without depleting potassium. What Is Inspra Used For?...

Low-carb and lower carbohydrate snacks can serve a purpose for people with type 1 diabetes in a variety of scenarios. For example, perhaps you’re hungry between meals and not ready to figure out your carbohydrates. Or your child with type 1 diabetes wants to eat, but you don’t have their insulin ready. You might be attending a cocktail hour and know you are going to eat a large meal later and don’t want to eat carbohydrates right now....

Abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that flattens the abdomen by removing excess fat and skin and tightening the underlying muscle. Most people recover within several weeks. You may experience swelling and moderate pain during your post-operative recovery, both due to the procedure itself and because of movements you make while your incision is healing. You can get through this period more comfortably by trying several strategies for managing the pain after a tummy tuck....

A mastectomy is the surgical removal of a breast, either to treat or to prevent breast cancer. There are different types of mastectomy procedures depending on an individuals’s diagnosis. This article explains what is involved in a mastectomy procedure. It also covers different types of mastectomy surgeries, potential risks, as well as recovery. What Is a Mastectomy? A mastectomy is performed in a hospital under general anesthesia, or a medication that prevents pain....

Nasal cannulas are medical devices used when people are unable to get sufficient oxygen to keep their body functioning optimally, whether that’s due to a condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), another respiratory disorder, or an environmental change. Nasal cannulas (and the oxygen sources they connect to) are lightweight, easy to use, and affordable. They may be used in a variety of hospital settings, at home, or on-the-go. How They Work A nasal cannula is a small, flexible tube that contains two open prongs intended to sit just inside your nostrils....

Chest pain can have many different causes—some harmless and some life-threatening, including a heart attack. That’s why it’s important to be able to recognize the signs of an emergency. Never ignore chest pain, even if it seems insignificant. You should always discuss it with your doctor. They can determine what tests you need to help find the cause. This article discusses the causes of chest pain and the signs that point to a cardiac emergency....

Pain under or in the left breast could have many possible causes, such as injury, infection, hormones, and lung problems. Sometimes left breast pain can be related to your heart, so it’s important to first rule this out before considering other causes. This article will walk you through the causes of left breast pain, the other symptoms to watch for, and when to see your healthcare provider. Heart-Related Causes of Pain in the Left Breast Some causes of left breast pain are related to the breast itself....

New research suggests potatoes can be a suitable part of a diet for people with diabetes. Key Takeaways A new study suggests incorporating potatoes into a healthy diet can be a safe choice for people with diabetes. Adults with type 2 diabetes who ate a mixed evening meal with skinless potatoes had a lower overnight blood glucose response compared to a meal with low-GI basmati rice.While the glycemic index can be a useful tool, it cannot be used as the be-all and end-all guide for those attempting to manage their diabetes....

What Is Prezista? Prezista (darunavir) is a prescription medication used along with ritonavir and other antiretroviral medications to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection in adults and children 3 years of age and older. Darunavir is an HIV-1 protease inhibitor. It works to treat HIV by preventing the enzyme HIV protease from cutting Gag-Pol polyproteins in infected cells into smaller functional viral proteins and enzymes. This process helps to stop infected cells’ from growing and infecting other healthy cells in the body....

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that can help provide relief for people with chronic pain. Also known as rhizotomy, the procedure involves using electric currents produced by radiofrequency waves to destroy certain nerves. The goal is to block or reduce pain signals to the brain. RFA is most commonly used to treat chronic pain conditions such as arthritis of the spine, sacroiliac joint inflammation, facet joint inflammation, and neck, back, knee, and peripheral nerve pain....

One of the most common blood tests is the red blood cell (RBC) indices. It is a component of a larger battery of tests known as the complete blood count (CBC). The information offered by the RBC indices can provide valuable insights about your current health, possible diseases you may have, or how well you are responding to treatments. Although it is easy to be confused by all of the numbers and abbreviations on the report—MCHC, MCV, MCH, and RDW—it is your interest to have an idea of what they mean....

Secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) is a type of multiple sclerosis that affects around 37 per 100,000 people in the United States. SPMS follows an initial relapsing-remitting phase of the disease and is characterized by steadily worsening symptoms over time. This article will explore secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, focusing on key facts and statistics about disease prevalence, mortality rate, and more. Secondary Progressive MS Overview Multiple sclerosis involves the immune system malfunctioning and attacking the fatty myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers within the brain and spinal cord....

Many people with fibromyalgia say weather sensitivity is part of the condition. However, when you ask what kind of weather affects them most, the answers vary greatly. If you talk to your healthcare provider about the impact of weather on how you feel, you could get any number of reactions—anything from, “I see that in a lot of my patients” to “That’s an old wives’ tale.” So do weather changes have a negative impact or not?...

The sugar (glucose) levels in your blood fluctuate naturally. Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can arise for many reasons, including not eating enough or suddenly engaging in strenuous activity. However, it’s most common in those taking insulin or other medications for type 2 diabetes and those with type 1 diabetes. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous, with symptoms including rapid heartbeat, dizziness, sweating, and irritability. This article discusses the signs of hypoglycemia, what is dangerously low blood sugar, and when it’s time to get help....

A urologist is a physician who specializes in disorders of the female and male urinary tract as well as those of the male reproductive organs. Organs that fall under the realm of a urologist include the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureter, bladder, and urethra as well as the testes, epididymis, prostate gland, and penis in men. These organs are referred to collectively as the genitourinary system. As of 2018 the number of “actively practicting” urologists in the United States was 12,660, a 1....