6 Health Complications of Chronic Nasal Polyps
Treating nasal polyps isn’t a one-and-done procedure. The complications from these growths, which develop in the lining of the nasal passages, can linger long after the polyps themselves have been removed, partly because the underlying inflammation that caused them remains.“A misconception is that polyps just need to be removed and that that is the solution, but this is more...
Multiple Sclerosis Medications
Relapsing MS generally encompasses clinically isolated syndrome, relapsing-remitting MS, and active secondary-progressive MS. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the following drugs to treat relapsing forms of MS.InjectionsInterferon beta-1a (Avonex and Rebif) and interferon beta-1b (Betaseron and Extavia) are injected into the muscle (intramuscular) or under the skin (subcutaneous). It's believed that these drugs work by...
What Is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)?
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a genetic disease that causes the heart muscle to thicken. HCM, which often develops at a young age, can make it more difficult for the heart to pump blood, potentially leading to symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, or fainting.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629d86366dc-9b28-4e88-995b-0135e70501d3 The symptoms of HCM can be very mild, and many people go undiagnosed because they...
The 8 Best Winter Fruits to Help Keep You Healthy
You might find yourself gravitating toward squash and other hearty vegetables when winter hits.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976298b81cd54-4cad-44eb-8a8a-e97716b68f1f But don’t forget about fruit. “We still in the winter have a tremendous variety of fruit available to us,” says Marie Ruggles, RD , a registered dietitian-nutritionist in Floral Park, New York, and author of Optimize Your Immune System: Create Health and Resilience With a...
7 Herbs and Spices for Immune Support
Echinacea, a flowering plant that grows in North America, was traditionally used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. Today, this herb is promoted as a dietary supplement for the common cold and other infections. It’s believed that echinacea contains active compounds that stimulate the immune system, helping shorten cold and flu duration and easing symptoms such as sore throat, cough,...
What’s the Level of Threat?
Although the H5N1 strain of bird flu (also called avian influenza) has been circulating in the United States since 2022, many health experts are concerned about the accelerating speed of transmission and the growing risk of a viral mutation that could increase the threat to humans.U.S. farmers have “culled” (slaughtered) nearly 158 million birds in an attempt to limit...
Self-Care for ITP
1. Know Your Body and What to Look Out For“I think an important part of self-care is to know what to look for,” says Terry B. Gernsheimer, MD, a hematologist and professor of medicine and hematology at University of Washington Medicine in Seattle. “To know what a petechia looks like to be cognizant when you bump yourself,...
How to Have a Healthy Sex Life When You Have Multiple Sclerosis
If you feel that multiple sclerosis (MS) has affected your sex life, you’re not alone. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) , sexual response, such as arousal and orgasm, can be affected by damage to the central nervous system, as well as by other common MS symptoms such as fatigue, spasticity , abnormal sensations , and psychological...
7 Top Resources for People Living With Anxiety
Sharing Experiences Stories by and for People With Anxiety Disorders Reading how others deal with their disorder can be liberating. One example, Sanity Break, is a column by Therese Borchard, who has been writing about her struggle with anxiety and depression in a relatable, informed way for several years. The Mighty Elephant Journal ...
Gut Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Connection Explained
While doctors don’t yet understand all the specific connections between the gut microbiome and RA, there is evidence that some foods may promote a healthy gut microbiome and benefit people with RA. These include high-fiber and anti-inflammatory foods, such as:Fresh fruits and vegetablesWhole grainsLentils, beans, and other pulsesBrown riceOatsNuts and seedsFoods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily...
