Health

Refine Search

What is the history of the chicken pox vaccine?

Merk further attenuated the strain, and it was used to develop the chicken pox vaccine. The invention of the chicken pox vaccine is accredited to Michiaki Takahashi. He started working on a chicken pox vaccine after his son suffered from the condition. By 1972, he was experimenting with the vaccine in clinical trials. After several years, Japan and other countries started using the vaccine. It was not until 1995 that the Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine in the U.S. and added to the childhood immunization schedule, according to The New York Times.The FDA delayed approving the v..

Continue Reading

What is a healthy diet for liver disease?

In order to consume the right amount of proteins, the patient should consume 3 ounces of meat or fish, one large egg, 1 standard cup of milk, 1/2 cup of tofu or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, states Drugs.com. A liver disease may cause the patient to develop fat indigestion complications, so the patient should consult a dietitian in case of such problems.\nSodium may cause the body to retain fluids, which worsens the complication, explains Drugs.com. High-sodium foods that the patient should avoid include meats and related products, certain soups, table salt, frozen foods and packaged foods. ..

Continue Reading

What can be expected while recovering from a mastectomy?

Health professionals can advise on light exercises that may help alleviate discomfort. Patients should perform only the recommended exercises, taking care not to overexert themselves, as this may affect their recovery, cautions MedlinePlus. Patients can usually resume most normal activities approximately two weeks after surgery.\nMastectomy patients may return home with drains that evacuate excessive fluids from their chests, which surgeons typically remove one or two weeks into recovery, states MedlinePlus. Patients may have stitches that dissolve on their own, or clips under the skin that re..

Continue Reading

How can I lose 50 pounds fast?

Losing weight quickly is possible through moderated eating and regular exercise, but to maintain the weight loss and keep it off, dieting is not the answer. A lifestyle change is the only tried and true method. Though advertisers for diet products promise a slender figure in a short period of time, no diet supplement has been proven to work, as stated at WebMD. The FDA does not regulate over-the-counter weight loss products, and the use of them leaves the consumer risking his own health.\nEven when applying a lower-calorie diet and a regimen of regular exercise, it is best to be cautious about..

Continue Reading

What can you do to relieve burning and itching skin?

Treatments to relieve burning and itching skin depend partly on the reason for the irritation, WebMD says. For example, the skin can become itchy when switching to a new household product, such as a certain laundry detergent or a harsh cleaning product. The easiest treatment method is to avoid using harsh products and switch to gentle cleaners. Scentless moisturizers and those without added chemicals can also relieve itchy skin. A good alternative is petroleum jelly.\nIf the itchy skin is due to a fungal infection, such as jock itch, then the individual should keep the affected area as clean a..

Continue Reading

What is ProTime in blood testing?

A normal prothrombin time ranges from 11 to 13.5 seconds in people who do not take blood thinners, states MedlinePlus. Increased clotting times are caused by bleeding disorders, liver disease, vitamin K deficiency and disseminated intravascular coagulation. DIC causes small clots to form inside the blood vessels, reducing the number of platelets in circulation, explains NYU Langone Medical Center. The lack of platelets causes bleeding to occur in other parts of the body.\nPeople who take blood thinners generally have a target prothrombin time of 1 1/2 times the normal value, states the Clevela..

Continue Reading

What are the benefits of receiving spinal shots for back pain?

Doctors also use spinal injections to diagnose disorders of the spine and spinal nerves, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports. In these cases, the doctor injects a short-acting local anesthetic into a specific nerve or joint. If the injection relieves the patient's pain, the doctor uses a more permanent technique, such as injecting a long-acting steroid or "burning" the nerve with radiofrequency ablation, to provide long-term relief.\nWhile spinal injections have been used for the treatment of back pain since 1952, their long-term efficacy is still highly debated, notes Sp..

Continue Reading

What are some different methods of family planning?

Family planning also helps reduce infant mortality due to ill-timed pregnancy and birth, unintended pregnancies, and the need for unsafe abortion. The use of contraception provides additional protection against sexually transmitted diseases, reports the World Health Organization. Planned Parenthood advises couples to learn about each method, consult their doctor or health worker, and choose the method best for them.

Continue Reading

What is an MRI safety list?

The safety checklist also ensures that those with internal metal objects do not enter the MRI machine to avoid catastrophic consequences. Lahey Hospital & Medical Center explains that MRI scans are not recommended for those with internal metal and medical devices, and women who may be pregnant. Besides contraindications with metal, MRI screenings do not pose any other health risks to patients.

Continue Reading

Why might a doctor recommend a D-dimer test?

The test measures a substance produced when a blood clot breaks down, notes WebMD. Any value less than 250 micrograms per liter or 1.37 nanomoles per liter is considered normal. Low or normal levels mean that an issue with blood clotting is unlikely. Elevated levels mean that a blood clotting problem is more likely.\nA positive D-dimer test doesn't tell a physician where the blood clot is located, nor does it point to the cause of clotting, states Lab Tests Online. Furthermore, D-dimer levels can be elevated in other conditions such as trauma, cancer, post-surgery and infection. Heart att..

Continue Reading
Showing 8091 to 8100 of 10000 (1000 Pages)