Posts

Floortime play therapy helps children with autism build emotional connections and communication skills. Floortime is structured play therapy which can be administered by professionals, parents, guardians, or para-professionals in a huge range of settings. Unlike behavioral therapies, Floortime is focused on helping children and teens to make emotional connections. Floortime is a low-risk, low-cost way to expand a child’s emotional and social skills. You can build a stronger parent or guardian-child bond while having fun....

Gestational diabetes mellitus, often called gestational diabetes, is a common condition in which a person’s blood sugar (glucose) levels increase during pregnancy. While there are some risk factors that make gestational diabetes more likely, it can also occur in pregnant people with no risk factors. The American Diabetes Association estimates that gestational diabetes occurs in 10% of pregnancies in the United States. As long as the condition is detected early and treated, people with this form of diabetes can have healthy pregnancies and deliver healthy babies....

What Is Halog? Halog (halocinonide) is a prescription medication that belongs to a class 2 (high potency) topical corticosteroid class. It relieves certain skin conditions that can cause swelling or itchiness. Halocinonide reduces swelling and itching by shrinking your blood vessels around the affected skin to reduce symptoms. It is available as a topical ointment, cream, or solution applied to the skin. What Is Halog Used For? Halog is used for treating skin conditions that cause itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, or inflammation....

Heart palpitations are noticeable changes in the way the heart beats. They are not a disease or condition, but rather a symptom of one. Most people with palpitations have some type of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). While most arrhythmias are not life-threatening, some can indicate a serious heart problem. Heart palpitations can also be a side effect of certain medications and other substances, such as caffeine and nicotine. This article describes the different ways you might experience heart palpitations, why you may be having them, and how a doctor will diagnose and, if necessary, treat the underlying cause....

Malignant hypertension is often diagnosed in the emergency room when a person seeks care for symptoms produced by severely high blood pressure causing damage to organ systems. The eyes, kidneys, and blood vessels are the organs most commonly affected. The clinical diagnosis of malignant hypertension (or hypertensive crisis) is based on the presence of high blood pressure (measured in both arms) at or above 180/120 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and evidence of organ damage from a urinalysis, achest X-ray, a fundoscopic eye exam, and blood tests....

Mumps is a viral infection that does not respond to any specific antiviral treatment. The infection usually improves on its own, although, sometimes, complications can occur. During the time when you are sick with the infection, supportive treatment and medical treatment can be used to relieve the symptoms of a mild mumps infection. If you develop a severe mumps infection, or if you have complications, you are more likely to need medical management of your illness....

Knowing what to do when you have the flu can get you on the road to feeling better sooner, and it can help protect those around you from also becoming infected with the influenza virus. For most people, flu symptoms can be relieved with home remedies or over-the-counter medications. The symptoms usually last between three and seven days (although coughing can linger much longer). In general, antivirals are not recommended, but if you are in a high-risk group, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to help prevent complications....

Cancer Alley is an 85-mile long area along an industrial stretch of the Mississippi River known for its abundance of petroleum plants and, as the name implies, cancer cases. The area has 45,000 residents and lies in Southeastern Louisiana, between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Compared to the rest of the state, Cancer Alley has a higher percentage of Black and poor, illiterate residents. Once the site of cornfields and sugar cane plantations, it is now home to more than 140 petrochemical plants, rampant air pollution, and—some say as a result—an above-average number of cancer cases....

If you buy your own health insurance (as opposed to getting it from an employer), you’re probably aware by now that there are premium subsidies available through the exchange/marketplace if your income is within the eligible range. And you’ve probably also heard that those subsidies are larger and more widely available through the end of 2022, thanks to the American Rescue Plan. (The subsidy enhancements could be extended for another three years under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022....

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can cause symptoms ranging from exercise intolerance to sudden cardiac death. However, many people do not experience symptoms and may not be aware that they have the condition. Read on to learn more about the symptoms and potential complications of HCM. The Variable Nature of HCM Symptoms HCM symptoms vary widely from person to person. HCM is estimated to affect between 1 in 500 people to 1 in 200 people around the world....

A larger appearing labia may be due to a condition called labial hypertrophy, but it can also be totally normal. Labia come in different sizes and may not even be symmetrical. However, if you notice your labia have become bigger, you may want to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Keep in mind that labial hypertrophy doesn’t always need treatment—it depends on what symptoms (if any) you have. This article discusses the causes of large labia, symptoms you may have, and when to talk with a healthcare provider....

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 1 of every 100 people with penises in the United States is diagnosed with Peyronie’s disease (PD), a condition in which scar tissue on the penis can cause it to bend abnormally. Recent research suggests that the actual rate may be closer to 1 in 10 given that many don’t seek diagnosis or treatment for PD, often because symptoms are mild and don’t interfere with sexual function....

A primary care provider (PCP) is considered your main medical provider. Your PCP is responsible for dealing with the majority of your routine healthcare issues, and for coordinating care with specialists you may need to see. Depending on the type of health insurance you have, your insurer may require you to have a PCP. But even if you’re not required to have a PCP, it’s still in your best interest to have one—they can help you navigate complex health situations if they arise, and will already know you and understand your medical history if and when you need more extensive care....

Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria or yeast) shown to have health benefits. They’re thought to increase the level of “good” bacteria in your intestines, which can help support healthy digestive and immune systems. Probiotics are available in supplement form and are found in certain fermented foods and drinks, such as yogurt, kefir, and pickles. This article reviews the types of probiotics, their possible health benefits, conditions they may help treat, dietary sources, and how to find the right probiotic for you....

Quad muscles, or quadriceps femoris muscles, are a group of four muscles that cover the front and sides of your thighs. The quadriceps are some of the largest and most powerful muscles in your body. They provide the force you need to run, walk, jump, kick, and complete most lower-body movements. The main function of the quadriceps is to keep your knee stable and help you straighten it. Because of the amount of stress placed on them, your quads can be prone to injury....

People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at a higher risk for infections, including COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has caused the current worldwide pandemic. COVID-19 is a highly infectious virus that spreads through airborne respiratory droplets. Anyone can get COVID-19, but because people with RA are more susceptible to infections, their risk for COVID-19 might be higher. People with RA who develop COVID-19 might also be at higher risk for severe symptoms and complications....

The reproductive landscape in Texas has been volatile for years, but a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision is only adding fuel to the fire. Key Takeaways On December 10, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of continuing a law in Texas that bans abortion after six weeks.People in Texas are having to cross state lines and travel far for abortions.This law predominantly affects low-income communities and people of color....

If you have arthritis, you may wonder whether drinking coffee is beneficial or if it might make your condition worse. Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, and there is often discussion about whether it is good or bad for your health. According to the research, when it comes to arthritis, it turns out coffee has both benefits and risks. Risks and benefits vary depending on the type of arthritis and whether you drink caffeinated or decaf coffee....

Osteoporosis often causes very painful fractures, which can take many months to heal. In many cases, the pain starts to go away as the fracture heals. Most new fractures heal in approximately 3 months. Pain that continues after that is generally considered chronic pain. One cause of chronic pain is vertebral fractures. When a vertebra breaks, some people have no pain, while others have intense pain and muscle spasms that last long after the fracture has healed....

Vascular dementia results from impaired blood flow to the brain. After Alzheimer’s disease, it’s considered the second most common type of dementia. Vascular dementia also often occurs alongside Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in mixed dementia. Between 5% and 10% of people over the age of 65 in developed countries have vascular dementia. The risk of developing it increases dramatically with age. Vascular dementia is estimated to account for between 15% and 30% of all dementia cases....