There are two general approaches to treatingatrial fibrillation: There are different indications for both rhythm control and rate control, each with its own inherent risks and benefits. In some cases, both strategies are used together. In general, rhythm control is more effective at reducing symptoms, improving quality of life, and preventing progression of atrial fibrillation and development of related complications like heart failure and dementia. However, the rhythm control strategy can be a problem becauseantiarrhythmic drugsare usually necessary for restoring and maintaining normal heart rhythm....

Key TakeawaysOverall prescription medications for children dropped during the first eight months of the pandemic, but antibiotic prescriptions plummeted.Doctors say factors like fewer infections likely led to the decrease in antibiotic prescriptions.Experts say this shows that antibiotic overprescription is still a problem that needs to be addressed. Key Takeaways Overall prescription medications for children dropped during the first eight months of the pandemic, but antibiotic prescriptions plummeted.Doctors say factors like fewer infections likely led to the decrease in antibiotic prescriptions....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?CausesHow Long It TakesComplicationsPrevention Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What Is It? Causes How Long It Takes Complications Prevention Misuse or overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance.Once bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, it can be difficult—and sometimes impossible—to kill them.They can remain in your body for years and even pass on their antibiotic resistance to other bacteria....

Key TakeawaysA new study found some people can skip an appendectomy and treat appendicitis effectively with antibiotics.Doctors find that some patients are still better off getting surgery.Incorporating antibiotics into treatment for appendicitis will give doctors and patients another option to consider. Key Takeaways A new study found some people can skip an appendectomy and treat appendicitis effectively with antibiotics.Doctors find that some patients are still better off getting surgery.Incorporating antibiotics into treatment for appendicitis will give doctors and patients another option to consider....

Antibiotics for bronchitis are only considered if your healthcare provider suspects a bacterial infection is causing your bronchitis or you are at elevated risk for a bacterial infection after your bout with viral bronchitis. Pneumonia is one such example. Read on to find out more about how to treat bronchitis and the medicines used. ljubaphoto / Getty Images Bronchitis Basics Symptoms of bronchitis can last around three weeks after an initial cold....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDiagnosis of Ear InfectionsDo You Need Antibiotics?Oral AntibioticsHow to Take Oral AntibioticsAntibiotic Ear DropsFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Diagnosis of Ear Infections Do You Need Antibiotics? Oral Antibiotics How to Take Oral Antibiotics Antibiotic Ear Drops Frequently Asked Questions How long an ear infection takes to clear up depends on factors such as what part of your ear is infected and the treatment used....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen to Seek HelpAntibiotics for Pink EyeOther TreatmentsTimeline Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents When to Seek Help Antibiotics for Pink Eye Other Treatments Timeline If your eye is swollen and red, you may haveconjunctivitis, commonly known aspink eye. When the cause of the condition is bacterial, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to speed up recovery. Pink eye occurs when the clearconjunctivathat covers thesclera(the white part of the eye) is inflamed....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Antibiotics Are NeededOveruse and ResistanceCommon AntibioticsOTC TreatmentHome RemediesWhen to See a Provider Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents When Antibiotics Are Needed Overuse and Resistance Common Antibiotics OTC Treatment Home Remedies When to See a Provider Sinus infectionsthat do not clear up on their own may need treatment with antibiotics. Common antibiotics for bacterial sinus infections includethe Z-pak, also known as Zithromax (azithromycin), Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanate), and others....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDo Antibiotics Treat Upper Respiratory Infections?What Are Upper Respiratory Infection Symptoms?Why Antibiotics Are Not NeededWhen Are Antibiotics Prescribed for a Cold?Overuse of AntibioticsHome Remedies for a ColdManaging Antibiotic Side EffectsSummary Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Do Antibiotics Treat Upper Respiratory Infections? What Are Upper Respiratory Infection Symptoms? Why Antibiotics Are Not Needed When Are Antibiotics Prescribed for a Cold? Overuse of Antibiotics...

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of the FluAre They for the Flu?Alternative TreatmentsPreventing the Flu Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Causes of the Flu Are They for the Flu? Alternative Treatments Preventing the Flu What Causes a Cold or the Flu? The viruses that cause the flu are calledinfluenza viruses. The two most common types that cause seasonal flu illnesses in humans are influenza A and influenza B....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Antibodies Defeat InfectionsHow Antibodies Prevent InfectionsCOVID-19 AntibodiesAntibodies From Natural InfectionAntibodies From VaccinationPotential Risks of Antibodies Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents How Antibodies Defeat Infections How Antibodies Prevent Infections COVID-19 Antibodies Antibodies From Natural Infection Antibodies From Vaccination Potential Risks of Antibodies Antibody testscan detect the body’s levels of antibodies against a certain virus. When a test detects antibodies, it means that a person was previously infected or vaccinated for a disease such asCOVID-19....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUnderstanding AnticoagulantsUnderstanding AntiplateletsPreventing Side EffectsWho Should Avoid Anticoagulants or Antiplatelets? Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Understanding Anticoagulants Understanding Antiplatelets Preventing Side Effects Who Should Avoid Anticoagulants or Antiplatelets? Getty Images | Bloomberg / Contributor Anticoagulantsinclude the vitamin-K antagonist Jantoven (warfarin) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as: The effectiveness and safety of anticoagulants depend heavily on whether the appropriate dosage is taken....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Antidepressants?With Low Blood SugarWith High Blood SugarRisk of DiabetesManagementFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What Are Antidepressants? With Low Blood Sugar With High Blood Sugar Risk of Diabetes Management Frequently Asked Questions People withtype 2 diabetesare also often diagnosed with depression. Antidepressants have been shown to help improve diabetes in some cases but, in other instances, they can worsen existing diabetes....