A Brief History of the Birth Control Pill

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe First PillHow It WorksBenefitsSide Effects of Modern Birth Control Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents The First Pill How It Works Benefits Side Effects of Modern Birth Control Birth control pills have been used off-label to treat acne for years, but it wasn’t until 1997 that the FDA approved of a combination birth control pill to treat moderate acne in women.Birth control pills are now used to treatendometriosis,polycystic ovarian syndrome, irregular periods, and more....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1230 words · Shane Lucas

A Caregiver's Guide to Coping With Vision Loss

Losing one’s visioncan be frightening, and losing the ability to care for yourself is something none of us want to ever think about. Many of us don’t realize how much we rely on visual cues to accomplish all that we do in a single day. Vision loss—even mild vision loss—can be devastating and life-changing. Some conditions that cause slow vision loss include: Whether it happens to you or someone you love, all sorts of emotions may be experienced....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1406 words · Melissa Murphy

A Complete Guide to Type 1 Diabetes Medications

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsInsulin for Type 1 DiabetesAmylinomimetic InjectablesOther MedicationsOther Treatment Options Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Insulin for Type 1 Diabetes Amylinomimetic Injectables Other Medications Other Treatment Options Treatment typically involves daily insulin injections or the use of aninsulin pumpto manage your blood sugar levels.Individuals with type 1 diabetes may require other treatments depending on the severity of the disease and to manage complications of diabetes....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1575 words · Jaclyn Jackson

A Complete Overview of a Dislocated Shoulder: From Diagnosis to Rehabilitation

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentRecover and RehabComplicationsPrevention Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Types Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Recover and Rehab Complications Prevention The shoulder—a ball-and-socket joint—is the most mobile joint in the body. However, that also means it is easily injured. A dislocated shoulder is an injury that causes the ball at the end of the humerus (upper arm bone) to push out of the socket of the scapula (shoulder blade)....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1615 words · Daniel Franklin

A Couple Was Electrocuted in a Hotel Hot Tub. Here’s How That Happens and What to Do

Key Takeaways On June 11, a couple was electrocuted in a hot tub at a resort in Mexico, tragically resulting in the husband’s death, according to astatementposted to Facebook from the state of Sonora. The couple was identified as Jorge Guillen and Lizette Zambrano of El Paso. In aninterviewwith ABC News, Zambrano shared that the couple decided to get into the hot tub along with their son and a cousin. Shortly after, the couple felt the first shock....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1065 words · Danielle Kane

A COVID-19 Vaccine Ingredient Can Trigger Allergic Reactions—But It's Rare

Key TakeawaysPolyethylene glycol (PEG) and polysorbate are additives in the COVID-19 vaccines. They protect the mRNA as it enters the human cell.PEG and polysorbate are found in many products including skincare, cosmetics, medications, and laxatives.Hypersensitivity to PEG leading to a severe allergic reaction has been reported, but it is not common.Allergic reactions to vaccines are not common, but they are possible. To be on the safe side, when you get in line to receive yourCOVID-19 vaccine, you will be asked if you are allergic toany ingredientsin the shot....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 2101 words · Michael James

A Day-to-Day Look at Living With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComing to TermsDay-to-Day LivingDaily PlanningPhysical Therapy AidsMental HealthFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Coming to Terms Day-to-Day Living Daily Planning Physical Therapy Aids Mental Health Frequently Asked Questions Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is a type ofinflammatory arthritisthat occurs when the immune system malfunctions and starts to attack thesynovium, the linings of the joints. RA causes joint pain and swelling, severe fatigue, sleep problems, and reduced mobility....

January 17, 2025 · 13 min · 2615 words · James Lewis

A Deep Dive Into Fibromyalgia Pain

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFibromyalgia Pain Points on BodyDescribing Fibromyalgia Pain and FlaresFibromyalgia Pain and Brain SignalingFibromyalgia Pain ManagementHow to Stay Ahead of Fibromyalgia PainFibromyalgia Pain With Another Chronic IllnessAdvocating for Yourself With Invisible Fibromyalgia Pain Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Fibromyalgia Pain Points on Body Describing Fibromyalgia Pain and Flares Fibromyalgia Pain and Brain Signaling Fibromyalgia Pain Management How to Stay Ahead of Fibromyalgia Pain...

January 17, 2025 · 17 min · 3564 words · Tami Moss

A Dust-Borne Fungal Disease Is on the Rise as California Faces Worsening Drought

Key Takeaways Dozens of people got sick from Valley fever after attending a California music festival this summer, and at least eight were hospitalized. Health officials in Californiawarnthat the risk of Valley fever—a fungal infection—will continue into early fall. Around 10,000 Valley fever cases are reported in the U.S. each year. Most of the cases are reported in Arizona, while 30% are in California. In recent years, Valley fever cases have risen in the southwestern U....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1164 words · Lindsey Rose

A Flavonoid-Rich Diet May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk by 26%, Study Finds

Key TakeawaysNew research associated a flavonoid-rich diet with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.Flavonoids are plant compounds found in berries, apples, citrus fruits, and legumes.Most Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables in general, so experts recommend consuming more produce regardless of the flavonoid content. Key Takeaways New research associated a flavonoid-rich diet with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.Flavonoids are plant compounds found in berries, apples, citrus fruits, and legumes....

January 17, 2025 · 9 min · 1816 words · Victoria Li

A Fourth Vaccine Dose May Not Boost Protection Against Omicron, Early Data Shows

Key TakeawaysEarly results from clinical trials in Israel that have putCOVID-19 vaccine boostersup against the Omicron variant have not been reassuring.While participants in the trial saw an increase in COVID-19 antibodies, the booster may not help prevent people from catching theOmicron variant.Second boosters are being administered in Israel, but they are not yet offered in other parts of the world. Key Takeaways Early results from clinical trials in Israel that have putCOVID-19 vaccine boostersup against the Omicron variant have not been reassuring....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1592 words · Alison Morris

A Fractured (Broken) Metacarpal: What to Know

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment A fractured (broken)metacarpalis a common injury of the hand. A metacarpal fracture affects one or more of the five metacarpal bones that run from the wrist (carpal) bones to the knuckles.An impact injury, such as a fall or blow to the hand, is usually the cause of a metacarpal fracture. Metacarpal fractures can take more than a month to heal....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 1051 words · Kevin Frazier

A Free New Tool Can Help You Assess Heat and Air Quality Risks This Summer

Key TakeawaysThe CDC released a HeatRisk tool to help people monitor air quality and heat risk.Extreme heat can exacerbate chronic conditions like asthma, heart disease, and psychiatric disease.During extreme heat events and poor air quality, experts recommend staying indoors in a cool space and closing the windows to prevent pollutants and pollen from entering the home. Key Takeaways The CDC released a HeatRisk tool to help people monitor air quality and heat risk....

January 17, 2025 · 5 min · 929 words · Brittany Smith