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If you regularly exercise, you may be wondering if you can continue to do so before or after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t offer specific advice on physical activity and vaccination. However, there is research that suggests that working out before you get vaccinated may help boost your body’s immune response, which is how the body reacts to potentially harmful invaders. Key Takeaways...

Living with lung cancer can be incredibly difficult to cope with. Online lung cancer support groups can provide a much-needed community as you navigate your lung cancer journey. This article will cover the types of support options available to you, the benefits of support groups, and how to find the right group for you. Online Lung Cancer Support Groups If you have a lung cancer diagnosis and are looking for support, you are not alone....

People who have been infected with COVID-19 are at an elevated risk of developing certain brain disorders for as long as two years after the infection, according to a new study conducted by the University of Oxford. Key Takeaways People who have had COVID-19 are at higher risk of certain brain conditions such as brain fog, psychosis, seizures, dementia, and epilepsy up to two years after infection.Researchers said people who got sick with COVID-19 weren’t at an increased risk of developing mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, over the long term....

For transgender Americans, access to necessary health care can be fraught with challenges. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits discrimination on a wide variety of grounds for any “health program or activity” that receives any sort of federal financial assistance. But the specifics of how that section is interpreted and enforced are left up to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR)....

What Is Dovato? Dovato (dolutegravir and lamivudine) is an orally administered combination drug that treats human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infections in adults aged 18 and older. HIV-1 is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and is the most widespread form of human immunodeficiency virus. Dovato works by helping the immune system to lessen the amount of HIV in the body. Made up of two primary ingredients, lamivudine is in a class of medications called nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)....

When should an adult who has physical or mental health conditions that interfere with road safety give up driving and the convenience and autonomy that comes with it? Key Takeaways An online driving decision aid can help older drivers with health conditions that may interfere with their driving make the decision on when to stop.A new study shows that the decision aid helped reduce internal conflict in a group of older adults and increased their knowledge about whether they should continue driving....

Dry skin in and around your ears can be uncomfortable, itchy, and even painful. The skin may appear red and flaky. In severe cases, the skin around the ears can even become infected. Dry skin has a variety of causes, and skin around the ears can become dry due to environmental factors like cold, dry air or chronic skin conditions like psoriasis. Causes There are several possible causes of dry skin in your ears, and most can be classified as either environmental, part of aging, or a result of a chronic skin condition....

From hospitals and hair salons to restaurants and resorts, establishments of all kinds have turned to fever scans as a primary COVID-19 screening method. However, new evidence shows they probably fail to detect most people who are COVID-19-positive. Instead of keeping us safe, they’re serving as artificial security blankets. Key Takeaways Fevers only occur in about 5% of COVID-19 patients, rendering fever scans inefficient at detecting infections.Most data about symptoms comes from hospitalized patients, which represent only a small portion of people with COVID-19....

If you are in chemotherapy, you may notice your fingernails and toenails start to change. This is a common effect of many cancer treatments, along with skin changes and hair loss. Some people in cancer treatment just don’t like how their changing nails look. Other times, their nails also become painful and infected. This article covers the changes you might expect, what you can do to ease your symptoms and cope, and when you should call your doctor....

A break or tear in the anus is called an anal fissure. It can occur at any age but is more common in babies and children. The cause is usually constipation (hard stools), though there are other less common reasons a fissure can occur. If constipation is the cause, treating that problem will be important to healing the fissure. Other treatments include home remedies such as sitz baths, topical and oral medications, injections, and surgery....

If you’re enrolled in the Florida Medicaid Medically Needy “Share of Cost” program, you need to know how to use this complicated health insurance correctly. If you use it incorrectly, you’ll pay more than necessary or miss out on Medicaid coverage you could’ve received. This article will explain what Florida Medicaid’s “Share of Cost” program is, how it works, and what you need to know in order to maintain your benefits....

Depending on the severity of the concussion, there is a loss of normal brain function, and the effects from a concussion can last for days, weeks, or longer. The length of a concussion also depends on what subtype of concussion a person has. This article discusses how long concussions can last. Types of Concussions There are five grades of concussions, which are grouped according to symptoms. The following explains the grades and symptoms:...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) does not have a cure, but there are treatments that can address its symptoms and complications. For example, medications can be used to help regulate menstruation, while lifestyle approaches (like exercise) can help reduce related risks like metabolic syndrome. Work with your healthcare team to find which PCOS treatment options are advised in your case, and know that it may take some time to find the optimal approach....

Crohn’s disease is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the body’s digestive system, causing inflammation and irritation in the bowel and large intestine (colon). This results in symptoms like abdominal pain, cramping, severe diarrhea, weight loss, bloody stools, and fever. Crohn’s disease goes through periods of remission and periods in which the symptoms and inflammation suddenly reactivate, known as flare-ups (or flares). Flare-ups aren’t always predictable, but they can be managed and treated with medication, dietary adjustments, and surgery....

As is the case with some other health concerns, cases of lung cancer in women have characteristics that differ those in men. Whether due to lifestyle choices, environment, and/or biology, women are more likely to develop lung cancers that are not associated with smoking. They are also more likely to have lung cancer cases that can be managed with treatment. Long considered by some as solely a “man’s disease,” data proves that that is not the case today....

Meningitis is inflammation of the meninges, which make up the three-layer lining that surrounds and protects the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Babies under age 2 are at the highest risk of getting infectious meningitis, and young babies can have serious long-term effects of meningitis. Treatment involves close management of fevers, reduction of swelling around the brain, seizure treatment, and sometimes antimicrobial treatment to target the infection. Prevention is important and involves vaccination and avoiding exposure by keeping the baby away from anyone who could have a contagious infection....

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Symptoms of MS including muscle weakness, pain, and cognitive issues typically start between ages 20 and 40 and are caused by the breakdown of what’s called the myelin sheath (the protective coating around nerve cells that helps to carry information from the brain to the body). Treatment for MS can help slow the progression of this breakdown, and therefore slow symptom progression, but there is no cure for MS....

Though there is no cure for multiple sclerosis (MS), current treatments often involve disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that can reduce the frequency of symptom relapses and slow the progression of the disease. Other medications are also used to address specific symptoms. Natural remedies can also play a role in managing MS symptoms and possibly slowing the advance of the condition. These include diet changes, exercise, and stress management. Some herbal supplements have also been studied for possible benefits....

Whether you travel by plane, automobile, train, or boat, if you’ve experienced motion sickness, you know how easy it can make your trip unpleasant. Besides a nauseating feeling, motion sickness can bring on dizziness, clammy hands, uneasiness, or vomiting. While there’s no single explanation for why only some people get motion sickness or why they can get it in some situations but not others, here are simple strategies that may help to prevent or reduce the symptoms....

You may be concerned about preventing obesity because of creeping weight gain, a family history of obesity, a related medical condition, or even just an overall concern about staying healthy. Whatever your reason, the goal is a worthy one. Preventing obesity helps you reduce your risk of a host of associated health issues, from heart disease to diabetes to some cancers and much more. Like many chronic conditions, obesity is preventable with a healthy lifestyle—staying active, following a healthy diet, getting adequate sleep, and so on....