Have you ever felt as if you had a lump in your throat? Maybe you are experiencing it now. This is a condition known as globus pharyngeus. It is sometimes described as a ball stuck in the throat or a scratchy type of swelling. You might be surprised to learn that it is quite common. About four in 100 people report experiencing a lump in their throat. Women under the age of 50 experience the ...
It happens when you least expect it. You or a family member has a sore throat, minor sprain, or an unusual rash. When these acute health issues arise, where can you go to get help right away? Even if your doctor’s office is open, there is little chance you will be able to get a last-minute appointment. You’ll want to think twice about going to an emergency room. Not only will you encounter ...
The new flu season is right around the corner, which means the push to get you vaccinated is about to ramp up. In the United States, flu season typically runs from October to May. Many people wonder if the flu shot is worth it and are worried the flu shot can make them sick— as in infecting them with the flu. We are here to help clear up any flu shot misconceptions. The myth that ...
Unless you are superhuman, there is a good chance that, during your lifetime, you’ve been to a doctor who has suggested you undergo diagnostic testing of some kind. In fact, more than 13 billion diagnostic tests are performed every year in the United States. Diagnostic testing is a broad term that covers a wide variety of medical checks, whether invasive or non-invasive, to confirm or rule out health issues. Diagnostic tests generally reveal the ...
No matter what your age, dehydration is dangerous for your health. However, older Americans are at a greater risk for dehydration than any other age group. The side effects can lead to serious health conditions. Knowing the symptoms of dehydration in the elderly and how to prevent it or treat it is important information. Our bodies are made up of about 60 percent water. Your body relies on water and other fluids to function normally ...
Whenever you are about to celebrate another birthday, you should give yourself a very important gift— the gift of good health— by scheduling your annual physical exam. No matter what your age, an annual physical exam is an important step in staying healthy. Its purpose is to detect any health issues you may have before they become serious and more difficult to treat. Table of Contents 1. Review Medical History2. Check Vital Signs3. Examine Heart ...
Don’t have health insurance? You are not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 31 million Americans are uninsured. It’s no wonder that so many people choose to postpone seeking medical treatment as they try to avoid a financial setback from the potential cost of care. Enter urgent care. In most cases, if you walk into an urgent care center without insurance, they will allow you to pay affordable cash ...
Are you experiencing pain in your neck? Particularly on the left side? You are not alone. Severe neck pain on the left side is a common condition. In fact, it ranks as one of the top five pains people complain about to physicians. When this condition occurs, it can lead to endless and sleepless nights. Most of the time, severe neck pain on the left side is the result of physical exertion or sleeping in ...
Is there a vampire in your bed? Maybe, but more likely, it is tiny insects called bed bugs, because they are typically found in and around beds where they feed, hide, and lay their eggs. Bed bug bites are very common in the United States. Almost 100 percent of pest control professionals have treated cases of bed bugs in the past year, with most of them agreeing that bed bugs are the hardest pests to ...
You may have heard the phrase “fight fire with fire.” But have you heard of removing earwax with wax? That is the theory behind an ancient practice called “ear candling,” also called “ear coning” — a controversial method of reducing wax build-up in the ear canal. Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a natural waxy, oily substance produced by glands in the ear canals. It acts as a barrier to keep dirt, viruses, and bacteria from ...
There has never been a more confusing time to cough or sneeze. The slightest sniffle or tickle in the throat immediately has people worrying that they may have contracted COVID-19. However, there are so many other variables still in the mix; the yearly flu season, allergy season, and don’t forget the common cold. It is obvious why figuring out what ails you has never been more challenging. Cold and Flu The common cold and ...
When it comes to children, parents learn to expect the unexpected. Children get sick and hurt all the time – and not always at the most convenient times. Sometimes the child is unwell or injured outside of a pediatrician’s regular business hours, or the doctor’s office can’t fit in a last-minute appointment. Often parents fear the worst when it comes to their children and adopt a “better safe than sorry” approach — heading to ...
For years, when a fever spikes or someone falls and sprains an ankle, the first thought is to get them to an emergency room. It may be time to expand your thinking. Emergency care at a hospital may not be the fastest and most affordable way to deal with unexpected health inconveniences. Urgent care centers offer convenient and affordable medical care for everything from the flu to broken bones to allergic reactions. Like emergency care ...
You need care, and you need it fast. But depending on where you end up choosing your care can give you a heart attack when the bill comes. Emergency rooms and urgent care centers offer a number of the same services. But choosing to seek those services at an urgent care can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars and many hours of time. What if we told you the average emergency room visit costs ...
For many people, flu season comes with the threat of a standard virus that comes around every year. The flu, also called influenza, is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a variety of flu viruses. Four different varieties, in fact: A, B, C, and D. While flu viruses are detected year-round, activity is most common in the fall and winter months — often beginning in October and lasting as late as May. Influenza A Type A ...
Keep calm and carry on? That is easier said than done these days. Instances of panic and anxiety are not uncommon. In fact, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates more than 40 million people are affected by anxiety disorders. Feelings of worry, fear, uneasiness, and dread can be paralyzing and may even make us feel as if something is physically wrong with our body. But how do you know if you are experiencing ...
Have you ever needed immediate medical care for something but weren’t sure where to go? Should you go to your primary care doctor? An urgent care? The emergency room? The choice to go to the emergency room is simple. Emergency care is needed in situations that involve chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, severe headache, severe dizziness, severe vomiting, bleeding that will not stop, or a broken bone that sticks out of the skin. For ...
According to the CDC, it is recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week. Walking is a great way to get the physical activity needed to obtain health benefits. Walking does not require any special skills. It also does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. And during the Covid-19 health crisis we are all facing, walking has become one of the safest and more popular forms ...
We know that many people associate sunscreen with hot, sunny, summer weather. While sunscreen is definitely important during that time of year, it’s equally important during the winter. Even though currently you may be more worried about frostbite and wind chill, if you’re out in the elements while temperatures are freezing, you are at increased risk for overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Remember that more than 90% of all skin ...
Stress is the body’s response to physical, mental, or emotional pressure. Stress causes chemical changes in the body that can raise blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels. It may also lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, anger, or depression. Everyone feels stress from time to time. Everything from work and family responsibilities, current news events to serious life events such as a new health diagnosis or the death of a loved one ...
Table of Contents What Does “Super Flu” Actually Mean? Is the Super Flu Different From the Regular Flu? Why Does
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Table of Contents What Is a Sprain? Common Signs of a Sprain What Is a Fracture? Common Signs of a
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Table of Contents Why Sports Physicals Are Required What’s Required for Sports Physicals? What’s Screened During Sports Physicals? Sports Physicals
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