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Older Americans living in nursing homes, long-term care centers, senior housing, and other assisted living facilities are at high risk for COVID-19 infection and complications—but that’s not the only thing they’re battling. Experts say loneliness and social isolation are hitting older adults especially hard during the pandemic. Key Takeaways Nursing home staff members are doing more to combat loneliness and encourage resident engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic.Isolation and loneliness are also issues for older adults living at home, as many community centers have been forced to close and they may not be able to visit with family and friends....

Inflammation caused by psoriatic arthritis (PsA) can increase your risk for additional diseases (comorbidities), like heart disease, hypertension, and stroke. Research from 2017 found that having psoriatic arthritis also can increase your risk of kidney disease. In this article, we’ll discuss the connection between psoriatic arthritis and kidney disease, as well as the causes, prevention, and treatment methods. What Is Psoriatic Arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory type of arthritis that develops in some people with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that causes itchy, scaly plaques on the skin....

Maintaining good eye health is important for your overall quality of life. Eyesight can affect everything from reading and performing tasks at work to communicating with others. If you have problems with your vision, there are ways to improve your eyesight naturally without lenses or surgery. Natural remedies can’t permanently fix conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. But healthy habits like regular exercise and eating a more nutritious diet can help improve your eye health and eyesight....

What Is Imitrex? Imitrex (sumatriptan) is an injection used to treat acute migraine and cluster headaches. It belongs to a class of medications called triptans. Triptans work by binding to certain receptors in the blood vessels of the brain and certain nerves that contribute to headache pain. This causes the narrowing of the blood vessels, which stops pain signals from being sent to the brain. Imitrex is a prescription drug, which means you need an order for it from your healthcare provider....

Intractable epilepsy is diagnosed when someone has had years of uncontrolled seizures. This means medication no longer works well enough to control their episodes, and their seizures are frequent, severe, and affecting their quality of life. Research shows that up to 40 percent of people who have epilepsy will eventually develop intractable epilepsy, also called drug-resistant epilepsy or refractory epilepsy. Symptoms The main symptoms of intractable epilepsy are continuing seizures even when taking anti-seizure drugs....

“Nadir” is a term that refers to the lowest point of anything. In medical terms, “nadir” could mean the lowest concentration of a drug in the body. Regarding chemotherapy, it typically describes the point at which blood cell counts are at their lowest after a chemotherapy treatment. It is commonly referred to as the “nadir period” or simply “nadir” among healthcare workers and patients. This article will explain more about nadir and what it entails, as well as how to manage it and what you should watch out for....

Nymphomania is an outdated term previously used to describe excessive sexual desire in assigned females. Today, healthcare providers refer to hypersexual behavior as hypersexuality disorder, compulsive sexual behavior, or sex addiction. This article discusses the meaning of nymphomania. It also covers characteristics, causes, and treatment for nymphomania, or hypersexuality. Nymphomania Meaning Nymphomania is a term dating back to the 19th century. Then, society considered assigned females with insatiable sexual desires to be delinquent, and physicians viewed nymphomania as a medical condition....

Oral sex is a type of sexual activity in which the mouth and tongue are used to give or receive sexual stimulation. Types of oral sex include fellatio (oral-penile sex, or a “blowjob”), cunnilingus (oral-vaginal sex), and anilingus (oral-anal sex, or “rimming”). Many people enjoy oral sex. It may be used as a prelude to sexual intercourse to arouse and lubricate the penis, vagina, or anus. Or, it may be used on its own as a satisfying form of sexual pleasure leading to orgasm....

Personality disorders are mental health disorders that involve ongoing thoughts and behaviors that prevent a person from functioning well in society. Nearly 10% of the United States population struggles with at least one personality disorder. It is possible for personality disorders to be comorbid, meaning the same person can have a personality and another mental health condition. Also, they can have features of more than one personality disorder at the same time, either within the same cluster or in different clusters....

As your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of dementia progresses into the later stages, there are often multiple treatment decisions that must be made. One that family members may face is the use of a feeding tube. What Is a Feeding Tube? A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube is a type of feeding tube commonly used for people with dementia (and many others without dementia, as well). The decision to place a PEG tube in someone results in surgery where a tube is connected to the stomach and comes out of the abdomen....

In the early days of the pandemic, fear and panic skyrocketed. And due to social distancing measures, many turned to social media, taking these feelings online. Key Takeaways A new study found that at the beginning of the pandemic, news-related posts on Twitter were anxiety-ridden. But as deaths climbed, those responses became less concerned.This may be in part due to desensitization, where constant threat and anxiety numbs your response and goal-oriented behavior....

Ascites is the abnormal or extra accumulation of peritoneal fluid in the abdomen (belly). While ascites is most commonly caused by cirrhosis, it can also be caused by heart failure, pancreatitis, infection, cancer, and more. Healthcare providers use a variety of blood tests, imaging procedures, and paracentesis to diagnose ascites. Treatment focuses on treating the underlying cause, if possible, and relieving symptoms. This article reviews the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of ascites....

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), your body and your mind find different strategies to cope with chronic pain. However, the pain cycle may actually cause you to feel more chronic pain over time. After you have an injury or develop a painful condition, your body will try to adapt. For example, if you develop rheumatoid arthritis in your knees, you may find that you walk more stiffly or bend your back to pick something up instead of relying on your knees....

It seems like a lifetime ago since the coronavirus pandemic’s early frenetic days, when healthcare workers were overstretched and hospitals across the country were desperate for space, supplies, and support. More than six months in, some regions seem to have the virus under control; others remain in the thick of it, and no one is sure what the next six months, smack in the middle of flu season, will bring....

Acalculous gallbladder disease is a type of cholecystitis, or inflammation of the gallbladder. This type does not involve the presence of gallstones, which are small, crystal-like masses that can form in the organ. The other type, calculous cholecystitis, is caused by gallstones. Interestingly, the symptoms of acalculous gallbladder disease are similar to those of this other form of gallbladder inflammation. Acalculous gallbladder disease symptoms can be chronic (slowly progressing with intermittent or vague symptoms) or acute (sudden and severe)....

Hashtags on social media can help popularize ideas, but what happens when hashtags help popularize dangerous thoughts and actions? Key Takeaways A recent study found that Instagram posts containing hashtags related to self-harm have been on the rise.More posts mean a higher risk of exposure to the content, which can be harmful.Experts say that policy changes, such as improved post flagging, and increased and organized attention from parents, schools, and friends can help....

What Is AtroPen? AtroPen (atropine) is an injectable medication used to treat certain poisonings in adults and children, including insecticide and nerve agent poisonings. AtroPen belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergics. It blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger) called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine affects many functions in the body, including heart rate, secretion production, and smooth muscle contraction. During an insecticide or nerve agent poisoning, levels of acetylcholine become too high....

Magnesium citrate is an osmotic laxative that comes in a liquid form. It is a combination of the element magnesium and citric acid. Magnesium citrate benefits include: Treating occasional constipation Treating acid indigestion Clearing the large intestine of stool before a test, such as a colonoscopy, or an operation on the digestive system Magnesium citrate can be bought without a prescription in a drug store, or it may be prescribed....

Berberine is a compound (specifically an isoquinoline alkaloid) found in some plants. It is yellow, so it has been used as a dye. Berberine is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some of the plants that contain berberine include Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), Rhizoma coptidis, Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal), Berberis aquifolium (Oregon grape), Berberis vulgaris (barberry), Berberis aristata (tree turmeric), Tinospora cordifolia, Coptidis rhizome, Arcangelisia flava, and Cortex phellodendri. Berberine has been studied for its potential effects, including controlling an irregular heartbeat and lowering lipid levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels....

Boron is a naturally occurring element found in plant foods. It is considered a nonessential nutrient for humans. You take in boron from foods, but you can also get boron from supplements. Boron supplements have several alleged uses. However, evidence for benefits of boron is either mixed or limited. This article will review boron, its possible benefits, and what is known about dosage and risks. Uses of Boron Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, medical doctor, or other healthcare professional....