This article is part of our series looking at how Black Americans navigate the healthcare system. According to ourexclusive survey, one in three Black Americans report having experienced racism while seeking medical care. In aroundtable conversation, our Medical Expert Board called for better representation among providers to help solve this widespread problem. Key TakeawaysDuring the pandemic, abuse of substances such as opioids has been on the rise.The Black community is disproportionately affected....

A program of aerobic exercise canimprove the symptoms of diastolic dysfunctionand enhance the quality of life. Gpointstudio / Getty Images Overview The beating of the heart is divided into two phases—the beating phase (when the heart muscle contracts and ejects blood into the arteries), and the relaxation phase (when the heart fills with blood to prepare for the next heartbeat). The beating phase is calledsystole, and the relaxation phase is called diastole....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Afrin WorksHow to UseDosagePossible Side EffectsWho Should Not Use Afrin Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents How Afrin Works How to Use Dosage Possible Side Effects Who Should Not Use Afrin This article explains how Afrin nasal spray works, how to use it, and possible side effects and drug interactions that may limit its use for some people. Verywell / Joules Garcia...

As we age, changes in our body can affect the way medications are absorbed and utilized. We become more sensitive to medications, and we are more likely to experience increasedside effects, drug interactions, and other adverse drug reactions. Simon Winnall / Taxi / Getty Images Effects of Medication Types, Interactions, and Dosing Schedules Older adults are more likely to have one or more chronic illnesses, such ashigh blood pressure, high cholesterol,type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease,arthritis,chronic obstructive pulminary disease(COPD), depression, etc....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOver-the-Counter TherapiesMedicationsSpecialist-Driven ProceduresLifestyleFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Macular Degeneration GuideCoping With Macular Degeneration Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Over-the-Counter Therapies Medications Specialist-Driven Procedures Lifestyle Frequently Asked Questions Next in Macular Degeneration Guide Verywell / Laura Porter According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology,vitamin supplementationmay slow the progression of intermediate non-exudative AMD, which is often referred to as the dry form of AMD....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDry SkinFlat FeetShortened Achilles TendonHammertoeToenail ChangesSeborrheic KeratosisArthritisCirculatory Problems Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Dry Skin Flat Feet Shortened Achilles Tendon Hammertoe Toenail Changes Seborrheic Keratosis Arthritis Circulatory Problems Aging takes its toll on your feet as it does with the rest of your body. Given the amount of stress we place on our feet over a lifetime, it’s easy to see why these problems occur....

Your nails can show signs of aging as you grow older. Like hair, nails change over time, due to disease, internal processes in the body as itages, nutritional deficiencies, or external factors like long-term exposure to chemicals or ultraviolet light. Over time, these changes affect growth rate, texture, thickness, shape or contour, and color.This article goes over some of thechanges you may observein aging nails, what causes them, and when you should see a healthcare provider....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCarcinogenic EffectsDrinking HabitsGeneticsEffect on Survival Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Carcinogenic Effects Drinking Habits Genetics Effect on Survival In 2020, research from the University of Liverpool Institute of Translational Medicine strongly suggested thatalcohol use disorder(AUD, a.k.a. alcoholism) is an independent risk factor of lung cancer, especiallysquamous cell lung carcinoma. The study contends that the same genetic variations that can predispose a person to alcohol abuse may also increase a person’s risk of lung cancer....

Drinking alcohol excessively (frequently or in large amounts) can have harmfuleffects on your body, including your eyes. Heavy alcohol use may cause problems with your vision and overall eye health. Some temporary effects occur when you drink, and other effects take time to develop and can be permanent. This article describes the potential effects of alcohol on your eyes.Moyo Studio / Getty ImagesDecreased Visual PerformanceYour overall visual performance may be altered since drinking heavily impairs brain function....

Hero Images / Getty Images Because of this relationship, alkaline phosphatase can help your healthcare provider determine whether or not your cancer has spread. How much alkaline phosphatase you have can be measured with a simple blood test. However, an elevated level of this enzyme does not automatically mean someone has cancer. How Alkaline Phosphatase Relates to Cancer Prostate cancer, when it spreads beyond the prostate, usually moves to the bones....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-ChecksClinical EvaluationLabs and TestsImaging StudiesDifferential DiagnosesFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Self-Checks Clinical Evaluation Labs and Tests Imaging Studies Differential Diagnoses Frequently Asked Questions An accurate, early diagnosis ofAlzheimer’s diseaseallows appropriate treatment to begin sooner, which is why it’s important to schedule an evaluation if you or someone you know is showing some of the signs and symptoms. The healthcare provider will do screening assessments as well as review symptoms and medical history, but may also consider imaging to rule out other possible explanations for what one is experiencing....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHome Remedies and LifestylePrescriptionsComplementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)Frequently Asked QuestionsNext in Alzheimer’s GuidePrevention of Alzheimer’s Disease Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Home Remedies and Lifestyle Prescriptions Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Frequently Asked Questions Next in Alzheimer’s Guide If you or someone you know has been diagnosed withAlzheimer’s disease, you may feel scared, frustrated, and more. While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s at this time, there are many ways to treat thesymptomsand even help manage the disease’s progression....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat They TreatList of 5-ASA DrugsSide EffectsWhen to TryDo 5-ASA Drugs Work?Frequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents What They Treat List of 5-ASA Drugs Side Effects When to Try Do 5-ASA Drugs Work? Frequently Asked Questions Aminosalicylates (also called 5-aminosalicylic acids or 5-ASA) are a type of disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) given to control inflammation. They have been used to treatinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for many decades....