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If you have diabetes, you may very well be familiar with the types of symptoms a blood glucose reading 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or below causes. The most common symptoms of hypoglycemia include shakiness, a fast heartbeat, anxiety, and hunger. If your blood sugar gets dangerously low, you may have symptoms like confusion, vision difficulties, behavioral changes, seizures, or even loss of consciousness. Hypoglycemia can occur in those without diabetes as well....

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Even so, not everyone responds to metformin in the same way, and, over time, the drug can start to lose its effectiveness and stop working entirely. When used on its own, metformin is often extremely effective in controlling blood glucose (sugar). But, for most people, this effect will gradually wane, requiring the metformin dose to be increased or another diabetes drug to be added to the treatment plan....

Occupational asthma, also called work-related asthma, is a lung disease that occurs when an individual is exposed to certain chemicals, irritants, or allergens in the workplace. The biggest difference between occupational asthma and other types of asthma is that it can usually be reversed when exposure to workplace irritants stops. This article details the various types of occupational asthma irritants, some of the most at-risk jobs, treatment, and prevention. Examples of Occupational Asthma There are three common causes of occupational asthma: allergic reactions, irritant reactions or “irritant-induced occupational asthma” (II-OA), and buildup of chemicals or “sensitizer-induced occupational asthma” (SI-OA), which eventually cause asthma attacks....

What Is Pamelor? Pamelor (nortriptyline) is a prescription medicine used to treat symptoms of depression. It is in a class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The exact way Pamelor works is not known. It may work by blocking the reuptake of substances in the body called norepinephrine and serotonin, allowing more of these substances to circulate. It also blocks acetylcholine and histamine receptors. It is available in 10 milligram (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg capsules....

Peripheral nerves are thin structures located in your arms, legs, and throughout your body. When one or more of these nerves become damaged—as a result of an underlying disease process, medication, or infection, to name a few possibilities—a condition called peripheral neuropathy develops. The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy requires a careful and thorough medical history and neurological examination. Various blood or nerve-related tests are also often required. For the treatment of peripheral neuropathy, a healthcare provider will address the underlying cause behind the neuropathy, as well as prescribe medication(s) to ease symptoms like numbness, tingling, and pain....

Various types of trauma can cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health disorder that is characterized by high levels of fear and disturbing thoughts or feelings related to a specific traumatic event or series of events. People who have PTSD and a history of trauma are more likely to develop a substance use disorder than others as a self-medication strategy. Read on to find out more about PTSD and how substance use disorder comes into play for people who suffer from the disorder....

High blood pressure and high cholesterol on their own are serious risk factors for heart disease and stroke. When both high blood pressure and high cholesterol occur together, they can damage blood vessels, greatly increasing the risk of future complications. To prevent heart disease and stroke, it’s vital to get your cholesterol and blood pressure under control. What Causes High Cholesterol? Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that your body needs to create cell walls and certain hormones....

Regular exercise has health benefits for those with type 1 diabetes, including increased cardiovascular fitness, greater muscle strength, and improved insulin sensitivity. While physical activity is very important in managing type 1 diabetes, understanding exactly how it impacts blood sugars can be difficult and worrisome, particularly for those who are newly diagnosed. This article covers the health benefits of running for people with type 1 diabetes. It also explains how to monitor and manage your blood sugar while running, and how to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) after exercise....

What Is Seroquel? Seroquel (quetiapine) is a prescription atypical antipsychotic that treats bipolar disorder manic episodes, depression, and schizophrenia. It is approved for use in people aged 10 years and older. This drug works by acting on dopamine, a molecule in your brain. Dopamine helps with movement, thoughts, emotions, arousal, and reward. It is also known as the “feel-good” chemical. Too much dopamine in the brain can cause many symptoms in people with schizophrenia, including manic episodes....

A person can contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) when certain bacteria, viruses, or parasites are passed from one person to another through sexual contact. The terms “sexually transmitted infection” and “sexually transmitted disease” (STD) are often used interchangeably. The difference comes down to whether a person has symptoms of infection. A person can have an STI without symptoms, but a person has an STD when an STI causes symptoms and other complications....

It’s easy to think that lung cancer is one diagnosis with one possible outcome. The truth is that there are several types of lung cancer with key differences in what causes them. There are also differences in how each type of lung cancer develops in the body and how it is treated. Most lung cancer diagnoses fall into a few types and subtypes. However, all people with lung cancer have unique experiences, even if they have the same disease....

Dental prophylaxis is dental care done to protect your teeth and prevent gum disease. It involves a full examination of your mouth and teeth, as well as a thorough cleaning using an ultrasonic scaler, pick, or other tools to remove tartar, plaque, and calcifications. The teeth are then polished, and a fluoride treatment and dental sealant are applied. A dental prophylaxis appointment is sometimes simply called a dental check-up or dental cleaning....

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, also known as TIPS, is a procedure in which a stent, a small wire-mesh coil, is placed into a liver vein to form a channel, or shunt, that bypasses the liver. The goal of TIPS is to reduce blood backed up in the liver and other complications of severe liver disease, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. It’s a minimally invasive procedure (not a surgery) that allows an interventional radiologist to place a stent into the liver under image guidance through a small access point in the neck....

There has been some disagreement over the connection between vitamin D levels and breast cancer. Current research shows that having low vitamin D levels might be linked to a higher risk for cancer recurrence. Vitamin D offers additional benefits for people trying to lower their risk of breast cancer as well as for people being treated for cancer. This article gives an overview of vitamin D, the daily requirements, how it might affect your risk for different types of cancer, and its role in your overall wellness....

Vitiligo and psoriasis are skin diseases that can occur separately or simultaneously. The reasons for that aren’t fully understood, but researchers suspect genetic differences point to a common underlying problem with the immune system. This article explores connections between vitiligo and psoriasis, what research has uncovered, plus prevention and treatment for both conditions. Vitiligo vs. Psoriasis About 1% of the population has vitiligo, which causes skin patches to lose all of their melanin (pigment)....

Strabismus is a group of conditions where one or both eyes are not aligned or pointed in the same direction. If one eye is not aimed at the same target as the other eye, two images will result, causing double vision. Although strabismus usually shows up in infancy or early childhood, adults can develop strabismus as well. Overview Humans have six eye muscles per eye that allow for eye movement. These muscles constantly receive nerve signals from the brain that control eye movement and allow the eyes to coordinate movements together so that both eyes are pointed at the same target....

A new COVID-19 variant—XBB.1.5—is making headway in the United States. Also known as the “Kraken” variant, XBB.1.5 carries some key mutations that make it the “most transmissible” Omicron subvariant yet, according to the World Health Organization. Key Takeaways A new Omicron subvariant, XBB.1.5, is quickly gaining ground in the U.S., particularly in the Northeast.XBB.1.5 appears to be more transmissible than other variants, but it’s not yet clear if it causes more severe disease....

Urticaria is the medical term for the skin condition commonly known as hives: red, itchy bumps or welts on the skin. Acute (short-term) urticaria is diagnosed when the hives are present for less than six weeks. Learn about acute urticaria, its symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more. Symptoms The symptoms of acute urticaria, or short-term hives, can range from mild to severe. The most noticeable symptom is the presence of itchy bumps or welts on the skin....

What Is AmBisome? AmBisome (amphotericin B) liposome is an antifungal drug prescribed to treat fungal infections that have spread through the bloodstream to affect the heart, lung, brain, kidneys, and other organs. This medication interferes with the fungal cell membrane to stop fungi growth. AmBisome is given through an intravenous (IV) injection into the veins. Due to its potentially severe side effects, it is only prescribed when a fungal or parasitic infection is so severe that few other treatment options are available....

Many people like to take a gift when visiting a sick friend or loved one in the hospital. However, the right gift can be difficult to find. To make things more difficult, some of the most common gifts given to hospitalized people are not always allowed in every area of the hospital. Keep in mind that hospitals can be very boring places, and they are never as comfortable as one’s own home....