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Antibiotics cannot kill viruses, so they’re ineffective for treating viral meningitis, a less serious form of meningitis. People with viral meningitis usually get better with rest and fluids. What Are Antibiotics? Antibiotics are medicines that fight infections caused by bacteria. They work by seeking out and killing the harmful bacteria. According to the National Institutes of Health, appropriate antibiotics for meningitis treatment can reduce the risk of dying from bacterial meningitis to below 15 percent....

A study published in November 2019 in the journal Inflammatory Bowel Diseases showed that mental health problems among veterans with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are widespread. Researchers discovered that among 60,000 IBD patients listed in the Veterans Health Administration database, the overall prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder has more than tripled between 2001 and 2015 — climbing from 10.8 percent to 38 percent in that time period....

About 25 percent of homeless individuals experience a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at some point in their lifetime, the study found. In comparison, a previous study found only about 2.6 percent of people in the general population experience a moderate to severe TBI involving loss of consciousness. “Individuals who are homeless or marginally housed are a vulnerable population and often have complex health challenges,” says lead study author Jacob Stubbs, of the British Columbia Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute in Vancouver, Canada....

These findings add to a growing body of evidence that undiagnosed infections are increasing virus transmission. “A low level of infection awareness has likely contributed to the fast spread of omicron,” said Sandy Y. Joung, an investigator at Cedars-Sinai and the first author of the study, in a news release. Antibody Tests Found Evidence of Omicron Infection The study included more than 2,000 Cedars-Sinai healthcare workers and patients. All took two or more blood tests to look for evidence of COVID-fighting antibodies....

Black Americans are not only at double the risk of white Americans for multiple myeloma but also develop it about five to 10 years earlier, according to the National Cancer Institute. Research published in February 2020 suggests that Black people may respond better to newer treatments than white people but are still twice as likely to die from it. Why Does Myeloma Affect Black People More Than Other Ethnicities? Researchers are still studying why Black Americans are more likely to develop multiple myeloma than other ethnicities are....

Although cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide (after heart disease) this is the first study to look at a multitude of factors on a global level, according to the authors. The findings were published on August 20 in The Lancet. “This study illustrates that the burden of cancer remains an important public health challenge that is growing in magnitude around the world. Smoking continues to be the leading risk factor for cancer globally, with other substantial contributors to cancer burden varying,” said Christopher Murray, MD, DPhil, co-senior author and IHME director, in a statement....

Neuropathic pain, on the other hand, tends to be chronic and less sharp. “The character and quality of neuropathic pain tends to be pain that’s burning or electric in character,” says Vernon Williams, MD, a sports neurologist and the director of the Center for Sports Neurology and Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sini Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. Additionally, he says, the pain will often be associated with other symptoms, such as: (3)...

He’s far from alone. ”Y’all can keep this 3 eyed demon phone,” tweeted Juice Wayne (@visecs). “Hahahahaha SO happy there’s a million tweets about the new iPhone 11 and how it’s messing with peoples #trypophobia, when I AM PEOPLES,” added Aida Keene (@AidaGoose). “Please stop showing the pics to explain what trypophobia is YOU’RE FREAKING ME OUT.” And when a woman in the Philippines (@donbosconovitch) posted an image of what that freaking out looks and feels like it went viral, earning more than 10....

The new drug is indicated for the treatment of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and active secondary-progressive MS as well as management of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), a first episode of neurologic symptoms that may be an early sign of MS. According to a press release issued by the company, Biogen holds the exclusive, worldwide license to commercialize the new drug and intends to make it available in the United States in the near future....

A condition called androgenetic alopecia is a common cause; you may also have heard it called female pattern baldness. Women have several choices for treatment, including minoxidil (Rogaine). But the most commonly prescribed hair loss treatment for androgenetic alopecia in women is actually oral contraceptives (in combination with another medication). Hormone Replacement Therapy for Hair Loss Hormones and Hair Loss Hormones can affect nearly every process and part of the body — including your hair....

The lumps on your palm are formally termed Dupuytren’s contracture. Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which fibrous tissue builds up and thickens in the skin on the palm of the hand. This fibrosing and scarring usually affects the fourth and fifth flexor tendons, or the ring and pinky fingers. Although less frequently, it can also affect the third tendon, or middle finger. Some of the first signs of Dupuytren’s may be nodules or lumps on the hand that may be tender....

But then the stress started increasing, from work and from the headlines about racism and police brutality over the summer. In response I took on even more work, hoping to distract myself from the uncertainty of the world. Instead, I ran full speed into anxiety and depression. And the bad news — of pandemic-related deaths and devastation as well as of the murders of unarmed Black people — kept coming....

The act of soaking in a natural hot spring is also called hot potting, balneotherapy in a therapeutic and complementary health context, hydrothermal therapy, and immersion therapy. These waters can be found in a variety of settings, from naturally occurring outdoors to being directed into pools at spas and wellness resorts. Because the waters originate from deep within the earth, they accumulate minerals on their way to the surface, explains Marcus Coplin, ND, a primary care naturopathic physician and the director of hydrothermal medicine for the Balneology Association of North America....

In a review article published online May 23 in the Journal of Counseling Psychology, researchers looked at 83 previous studies in which specific types of color-blind ideology were found to increase anti-Black perspectives and give a pass to racist behaviors and attitudes. More specifically, power evasion (the denial of racism) led to these negative outcomes, and color evasion (ignoring race) did not necessarily do so. The researchers noted in the paper that by helping people better understand the individual-level behaviors and ideologies that contribute to anti-Black sentiment, counseling psychologists can help dismantle the systemic racism those behaviors and attitudes lead to....

Regular physical activity reduces pain and stiffness and helps you remain mobile and in an upright posture, says Karena Wu, a board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy at ActiveCare Physical Therapy in New York City and fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. She suggests aiming for at least three 30-minute workouts per week. It may seem difficult to fit in exercise between work, school, and household chores, but there’s good news: Breaking up the 30 minutes into snack-sized bites of 5 minutes throughout the day can be just as effective as one longer workout session....

Some of the classic symptoms of atopic dermatitis include sensitive, dry, and itchy skin that can become discolored, inflamed, or swollen. People with atopic dermatitis can also develop rough or scaly patches of skin, as well as bumps that leak fluid or crust over. People with severe cases of atopic dermatitis may develop symptoms on more than 10 percent of their skin, but the definition of “severe eczema” can vary from person to person....

If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).“The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from becoming sick is getting seasonal influenza vaccinations,” says Cassandra Calabrese, DO, a physician in the rheumatology and infectious disease departments at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “Flu season peaks in January and February, and we recommend people get vaccinated by the end of October,” says Dr. Calabrese. “But it’s never too late,” she adds, as flu activity persists into May some years....

A small study involving laboratory mice suggests that frequent and long-term exposure to the dye (also called FD&C Red 40 and Food Red 17) harms gut health and promotes inflammation. Recently published in Nature Communications, the research found that the additive directly disrupts the gut barrier (which helps prevent bacterial intrusion) and increases the production of serotonin, a hormone and neurotransmitter found in the gut. This reaction changes the gut microbiome, leading to increased susceptibility to inflammatory bowel conditions, according to the report....

Understanding the underlying cause of type 2 — insulin resistance — can help you understand how remission may be possible in some cases. “A lot of times patients think it’s a futile effort, like whatever they do is not going to matter,” says Patricia Happel, DO, associate professor and associate medical director at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. “What I try to do is empower them and educate them about what they can do to manage it, and hopefully, reverse it....

A growing number of women with RA seem to be taking the plunge into motherhood, in part due to better treatments that can keep their disease under control during the nine months of pregnancy, says Megan Clowse, MD, director of the Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy Clinic and associate professor of medicine at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The good news: More is known about how to help women successfully plan their family and carry a healthy baby to term, Dr....