Flu Complication Affecting Some U.S. Children: What to Know
Many people who get flu infections experience relatively mild symptoms that can be managed at home. But serious and potentially life-threatening complications are possible, and some doctors are seeing a spike this year in severe neurological symptoms among infected children.Public health officials in Massachusetts reported that physicians in the state have observed a possible increase in the number of...
MMR Booster for Adults: Is It Necessary?
With the current measles outbreak showing no sign of letting up, you may be wondering: If I’m fully vaccinated, am I at risk?The short answer is no. If you’ve received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, you’re likely protected for life. “Most people who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine do not need a measles booster shot, but some...
Solutions for 6 Key Challenges
The thyroid gland may be small, but when it’s working in overdrive, such as what happens with Graves’ disease, it can cause a cascade of physical and emotional effects, including conditions such as heart problems and anxiety.“People are surprised just how powerful the thyroid is,” says Caroline Messer, MD, an endocrinologist and assistant professor at the Donald and Barbara...
Protect Your Mental Health if You Have Graves’ Disease: 5 Essential Tips
Graves’ disease is known for causing physical symptoms such as muscle weakness and fatigue, but it can also worsen your mental and emotional symptoms. In fact, research shows that people with Graves’ are more likely to experience conditions such as depression and anxiety when their thyroid is overactive compared with when their thyroid hormone levels are well controlled.That’s because excessive...
Healthy Living With Graves’ Disease
As with just about any medical condition, there is abundant speculation and misinformation about dietary practices and Graves’ disease.“In terms of an overall diet approach, there’s not a lot of good research out there to show that one approach is better than another,” says Kimberly Dorris, executive director and CEO of the Graves’ Disease and Thyroid Foundation. A review...
7 Triggers to Avoid if You Have Thyroid Eye Disease
Even if you’re using a treatment for thyroid eye disease (TED), your symptoms may still flare up in certain situations — like, for example, if you’re in a smoky bar or under a lot of stress.That’s because your lifestyle habits play a bigger role in managing your condition than you might think. Everything from the food you eat to...
Thyroid Eye Disease Doctors
It can be difficult to treat a complicated autoimmune disorder such as thyroid eye disease, which is why you may need to recruit multiple doctors and experts to your healthcare team if you have the condition.Thyroid eye disease is also known as Graves’ ophthalmopathy, in part because it commonly goes hand in hand with Graves’ disease, which causes an...
8 Ways to Manage Stress With Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Join a Support GroupFamily and friends are often your first line of support, but online and in-person groups offer interaction with others who share the experience of RA. A chance to vent and hear about other people’s experiences can be a huge de-stressor, says Bella Fradlis, MD, a rheumatologist at Garnet Health in Goshen, New York.You can also...
7 Effective Ways to Manage Anxiety in Children With Food Allergies
Food allergies — particularly ones that may lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis — can be stressful for parents and children alike. In one study, 77 percent of caregivers of children with food allergies reported psychological distress related to food allergies, and 52 percent of them said their child experienced similar distress. The most common issue was anxiety about having an...
Rheumatoid Arthritis Neuropathy: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments
Beth Biggee, MD, is medical director and an integrative rheumatologist at Rheumission, a virtual integrative rheumatology practice for people residing in California and Pennsylvania. This first-of-its-kind company offers whole person autoimmune care by a team of integrative rheumatologists, lifestyle medicine practitioners, autoimmune dietitians, psychologists, and care coordinators.Dr. Biggee also works as a healthcare wellness consultant for Synergy Wellness Center in...
