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COVID-19 vaccine rollout is slowly increasing across the country, with efforts expected to ramp up as the U.S. adds a third authorized vaccine to its arsenal. However, many of the communities hit the hardest by the pandemic have lagged behind in receiving and signing up for the vaccine. Key Takeaways BIPOC communities, especially Black and Indigenous people, have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Community organizations have amped up their efforts to vaccinate more people of color....

Finger sprains and dislocations are common hand injuries. A sprain happens when the tough tissue that supports a joint is stretched too far. This tissue, called a ligament, can be partially or completely torn. If the damage is bad enough, the joint comes apart. This is called a dislocation. Sprains and dislocations can cause pain and swelling. The injuries commonly happen during sports, at work, or in car accidents. While a dislocation is more serious than a sprain, the treatment is often the same for both injuries....

Some sleep disturbances, such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnea, may be worsened by nasal congestion. A simple device known as a neti pot can be helpful in relieving congestion. What is a neti pot? How do you use a neti pot to treat nasal congestion, allergies, sinus infections, and snoring? Explore the answers and discover whether a neti pot might help difficulty breathing at night. What Is a Neti Pot?...

As demand for the COVID-19 vaccines slows, the U.S. faces a challenge in getting shots in the arms of unvaccinated Americans, who are growing increasingly hesitant. While the number of unvaccinated people is shrinking, this group is becoming more difficult to sway. Key Themes From Our Survey Vaccine hesitancy jumped after the FDA paused the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to blood clot concerns. Unvaccinated people are becoming more concerned about vaccine side effects and less worried about the pandemic....

Gorgeous. Hilarious. Kind. Real. Those are just a few of the words that have been used to describe Jonathan Van Ness since they skyrocketed to stardom four years ago as the grooming expert on Netflix’s reboot of Queer Eye. And while they are all of those things (and more!), it’s that last word that sums them up best. No matter what they’re doing, the 35-year-old keeps it real. Verywell Health had a chance to sit down with Van Ness on the important topic of preventive health for our first-ever digital issue....

Livedo reticularis (LR) is a type of skin discoloration that can occur if there is an interruption of blood flow to the skin. This is often a temporary, harmless phenomenon that is the result of exposure to cold temperatures or stress. It can also appear because of several serious underlying conditions. Skin affected by livedo reticularis usually has reddish-purplish discoloration with a web-like or mottled pattern that forms circles on the legs or arms....

Food allergies are relatively common, affecting up to 8% of children and 2% of adults. Though people can be allergic to beef, pork, lamb, game, or poultry, these meat allergies are less common than other types of food allergies. Part of the reason for this is that many of the proteins in meat that can trigger an allergy (known as allergens) become less likely to do so when meat is cooked....

Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance to senior citizens age 65 and older, and to people with qualifying disabilities regardless of age. To be eligible, you must be a legal U.S. resident and a U.S. citizen, or a legal resident living in the United States for at least five consecutive years, up to the month you apply for Medicare coverage. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965, Medicare initially only had two parts....

What Is NuvaRing? NuvaRing (etonogestrel/ethinyl estradiol vaginal ring) is a form of hormonal birth control available in the form of a vaginal ring. The two primary ingredients, estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and progestin (etonogestrel) are the two female sex hormones present. The vaginal ring is inserted into the vagina (intravaginally) to prevent pregnancy in individuals of childbearing age. NuvaRing works in three ways: By preventing ovulation. Ovulation is the release of eggs from the ovaries....

Oily skin occurs when sebaceous glands in your skin produce too much of a waxy, oily substance known as sebum. Sebum keeps your skin lubricated and protects it against excess moisture, but can leave you with a greasy complexion and increase your risk of pimples and acne breakouts if there’s too much of it. Stress, humidity, genetics, and fluctuations in hormones are just a few of the reasons why your face may be oily....

Pneumonia, an infection in your lungs, can affect anyone, but children under age 2 and adults over 65 are at the highest risk of developing it and having more serious cases. Symptoms in children include fever, fast breathing, no energy, vomiting, and cough. In adults, symptoms can be similar to a cold, progressing to a fever, chest pain, muscle aches, shortness of breath, chills, and a productive cough, though some people may first only experience fever and malaise....

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder characterized by ovarian cysts, irregular periods, weight gain, excess hair growth, and more. People with PCOS experience varying symptoms, many of which mimic other diseases. Some people may show no symptoms at all. Because of this, many people with PCOS are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed until symptoms become more severe or obvious to their healthcare provider. Knowing the most common symptoms of PCOS can help you determine when to see a healthcare provider and why it may be worth seeking a second opinion....

Primary progressive MS (PPMS), the now-preferred name for what some still call progressive-relapsing multiple sclerosis (PRMS), is the least common type of multiple sclerosis (MS). It affects about 10% of people who have the disease and produces a gradual decline in physical abilities. This begins early in the disease course, with only a few MS exacerbations or none at all. The treatment of PPMS differs slightly from treatment for other MS types because relapses are not a major part of the condition....

Research shows that what you eat can affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms. Recommendations center around choosing more anti-inflammatory foods. A good example of this way of eating is a Mediterranean diet which is rich in vegetables, fish, and healthy fats like walnuts and olives. Here are some suggestions on how to plan a nutritious plate to keep RA under control. Fatty Fish Cold-water fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids and make an excellent source of protein....

Retinol is a type of retinoid, or a group of compounds derived from vitamin A, typically found in over-the-counter anti-aging skincare options. Retinol products can help your skin feel smoother and look brighter. Retin-A, the brand name for tretinoin, is a prescription-only retinoid used to treat acne, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It is stronger and works faster than retinol. This article explains retinoids and discusses the differences between retinol and Retin-A. It also covers potential side effects and how to select the best product for your needs....

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are a group of medications classified as hormone therapies. Two common SERMs are Nolvadex (tamoxifen) for the treatment of breast cancer and Evista (raloxifene) for osteoporosis (progressive bone thinning). These medications act on a protein in some cells of the body called the estrogen receptor. The estrogen receptor binds to the hormone estrogen, sending a signal to the cell. This signal causes the cells to grow and can exert other effects....

Smoker’s cough is a persistent cough that results from damage to the airways caused by toxins in cigarette smoke. If you smoke and have a cough that lasts more than 3 weeks, you may have smoker’s cough. Over time, smoker’s cough can lead to hoarseness and chest pain. It can also be among the signs and symptoms of lung cancer. One study of young military recruits found that 40% of the 525 subjects who smoked regularly experienced a chronic cough with sputum production; only 12% of the 408 non-smoking participants did....

Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function that leads a person to suddenly collapse, lose consciousness, and stop breathing. The heart stops beating and blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Death can occur in minutes, and almost 90% of cardiac arrests that occur outside of hospitals are fatal. However, survival is possible with a prompt response that includes calling 911, starting CPR chest compressions, and shocking the heart back into rhythm with an automated external defibrillator (AED)....

Children can have swollen lymph nodes, referred to as lymphadenopathy, for a variety of reasons. It’s usually a sign that the body is fighting off infection by activating the immune system. Swollen lymph nodes will usually return to their normal size within a few days when a child gets over an infection. However, lymphadenopathy can be a sign of serious conditions, such as cancer or autoimmune disease, so it’s best to keep an eye on it and have your child’s pediatrician check it out if it doesn’t improve within a few days....

Thyroid medications differ based on their intended use. For example, hormone replacement therapy, such as Synthroid (levothyroxine), is the most widely used drug for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). On the other hand, an anti-thyroid drug, Tapazole (methimazole), may be used for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). In addition, people with thyroid cancer may require radioactive-iodine therapy or chemotherapy. This article explains various thyroid conditions and the common medication treatments. Hypothyroidism Medications The role of the thyroid gland is to produce the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)....