Is Intermittent Fasting Right for You?

Key TakeawaysIntermittent fasting (IF) is one of the most popular eating patterns among Americans who follow a diet or eating pattern.IF doesn’t restrict what you can eat, only when you can eat.Some studies have shown that IF can help manage weight, reduce blood pressure, and lower cholesterol, but the evidence of long-term benefits is limited. Key Takeaways Intermittent fasting (IF) is one of the most popular eating patterns among Americans who follow a diet or eating pattern....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1272 words · Tammy Smith

Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Hereditary?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIBS in FamiliesAge IBS AppearsWhat Causes IBS?Genetic TestingWhen to See a Provider Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents IBS in Families Age IBS Appears What Causes IBS? Genetic Testing When to See a Provider Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)tends to run in families, but whether that is from shared lifestyle factors, genetics, or both is not well understood. IBS is a common gastrointestinal condition that affects between 10% and 25% of people in the United States and is associated with decreased quality of life....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 1937 words · Stuart Lee

Is It a Bad Year for Ticks? It Depends on Where You Live

Key TakeawaysWhile you might be seeing more dog ticks, it’s shaping up to be an average year for most other types of ticks.Not every tick carries and transmits tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.Your risk of getting a disease-spreading tick bite depends on the type of tick. Your risk also varies depending on where you live. Key Takeaways While you might be seeing more dog ticks, it’s shaping up to be an average year for most other types of ticks....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1332 words · Megan Nichols

Is It a Cold Sore or Pimple?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCold Sores (Oral Herpes)Pimples (Acne)Treating Cold SoresTreating Pimples Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Cold Sores (Oral Herpes) Pimples (Acne) Treating Cold Sores Treating Pimples In some ways, the features of a cold sore vs. a pimple on the lip line are very similar—so much so that you may easily mistake one for the other, especially in a cold sore’s early stages....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1204 words · Douglas Thompson

Is It a Disease, Disorder, Condition, or Syndrome?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Symptoms Lead to a DiagnosisWhat Is a Disease?What Is a Disorder?What Is a Syndrome?What Is a Condition? Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents How Symptoms Lead to a Diagnosis What Is a Disease? What Is a Disorder? What Is a Syndrome? What Is a Condition? “Disease,” “disorder,” “condition,” and “syndrome"seem like interchangeable terms, but they all refer to specific health states. Determining which of these is affecting your health always begins with an analysis of your symptoms....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1122 words · Angela Mason

Is It a HIPAA Violation to Ask Someone's COVID-19 Vaccination Status?

Key TakeawaysAsking someone about their COVID-19 vaccination status does not violate HIPAA.There would only be a HIPAA violation if covered entities—who are required to comply with its privacy standards and rules—disclose vaccination status without authorization.It’s still up to you whether you want to share your COVID-19 vaccination status or not. Key Takeaways Asking someone about their COVID-19 vaccination status does not violate HIPAA.There would only be a HIPAA violation if covered entities—who are required to comply with its privacy standards and rules—disclose vaccination status without authorization....

January 17, 2025 · 7 min · 1358 words · David White

Is it Allergies or COVID-19?

Key TakeawaysWhile upper respiratory symptoms can be signs of COVID-19 or allergies, fever and gastrointestinal symptoms are unique to COVID, and itchy eyes and sneezing are unique to allergies.If you have any uncertainty or your seasonal allergy symptoms seem different this year, get tested and/or seek a doctor’s evaluation.Masks can help protect against COVID-19 and allergies. Key Takeaways While upper respiratory symptoms can be signs of COVID-19 or allergies, fever and gastrointestinal symptoms are unique to COVID, and itchy eyes and sneezing are unique to allergies....

January 17, 2025 · 4 min · 827 words · Kimberly Perez

Is It Alzheimer's Disease or Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVitamin B12 and CognitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Vitamin B12 and Cognition Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Frequently Asked Questions As the name suggests,vitamin B12 deficiencyis when there is not enough of the B12 vitamin in your body. This can cause a multitude of symptoms, including a cognitive decline. Noel Hendrickson / Getty Images The signs of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can mirror the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency....

January 17, 2025 · 8 min · 1597 words · Amy Davis

Is It Autism or ADHD?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesSimilaritiesComorbidityCausesDiagnosisTreatment Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Differences Similarities Comorbidity Causes Diagnosis Treatment The difference between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism is generally seen in conversations and interactions with others. People with ADHD may interrupt and blurt out remarks, while people with autism tend to have difficulty making eye contact and showing empathy. Despite their differences, these two neurodevelopmental disorders also have several symptoms in common....

January 17, 2025 · 11 min · 2241 words · Billy Hensley

Is It Bad If You Don’t Poop Every Day? Here’s What Gastroenterologists Say

Key TakeawaysBowel movements happen at different frequencies for everyone; the average range is anywhere from three times per day to three times per week.Factors like diet, age, lifestyle, health conditions, and medications can influence how often you poop.If you are struggling to poop regularly, experts recommend increasing your fiber intake, drinking more water, and trying over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners, depending on your needs. Key Takeaways Bowel movements happen at different frequencies for everyone; the average range is anywhere from three times per day to three times per week....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1258 words · Christina Morris

Is It Bad to Sleep With Wet Hair?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsImpact on HealthProtecting Your HairPillowcases and Wet HairHair TypeScalp and Hair Conditions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Impact on Health Protecting Your Hair Pillowcases and Wet Hair Hair Type Scalp and Hair Conditions It’s a widely held belief that going to bed withwet haircan be detrimental to your health, but there is a lack of strong scientific evidence to support this idea....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1167 words · Justin Jones

Is It Bad to Stretch Before You Work Out?

Key TakeawaysStatic stretching, particularly before high-intensity activities, may lead to reduced explosiveness and power, according to some research studies.Choosing whether to include static stretching before your workout will depend on your personal fitness goals and the type of activity you’re doing.Experts suggest incorporating other types of movement into your pre-workout routine, such as jogging in place, performing butt kicks, lunges, and body weight squats. Key Takeaways Static stretching, particularly before high-intensity activities, may lead to reduced explosiveness and power, according to some research studies....

January 17, 2025 · 10 min · 2128 words · Christine Martin

Is It Bad to Wear Makeup to the Gym? Here's What Dermatologists Want You to Know

Key TakeawaysNew research has found that wearing makeup while working out—especially if you use heavy, full-coverage products—can be bad for your skin.It may lead to lower sebum levels on the skin, which can lead to itchiness or flakiness.Wearing makeup while working out can be particularly damaging if you have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea, according to dermatologists. Key Takeaways New research has found that wearing makeup while working out—especially if you use heavy, full-coverage products—can be bad for your skin....

January 17, 2025 · 6 min · 1214 words · Andrew Roberts