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The new recommendations, which come from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and were published March 2, 2020, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), say adults ages 18 to 79 should get screened for hepatitis C. Teens who are at high risk for infections because they inject illegal drugs should also be screened for hepatitis C. “The number of people with hepatitis C in the United States is continuing to grow, and new evidence shows that it is affecting people in a greater range of ages,” says Michael Barry, MD, a member of the task force and a clinician at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston....

That one begged for further investigation. The Deadly Effects of Depression “All-cause mortality” is a way of saying “death.” Not just death directly caused or attributed to multiple sclerosis in this case, but total deaths from any cause. In the case of this study, investigators looked at all-cause mortality (over a 10-year period) in two groups: One group had MS (a combination of relapsing and progressive forms of the disease), and 21 percent of that group also had depression; the control group did not have MS, and 9 percent of that group had depression....

But numb or tingling feet can be caused by a number of conditions other than MS, some of which can be treated or reversed. This means that while MS might be behind what’s happening in your feet, you shouldn’t assume this is the case. And sometimes, numb feet can be a sign of an undiagnosed condition — like diabetes or a nutrient deficiency — that requires urgent treatment. Here are some of the most common causes of numb or tingling feet, along with some of the signs that may point toward one condition or another....

The three main motor symptoms of Parkinson’s are: Bradykinesia A slowing of movement that affects everyone with Parkinson’s. It can make coordinated movement of your arms and hands difficult and lead to trouble with walking and standing. Rigidity Many people with Parkinson’s experience stiffness in the arms, legs, or torso. Other Parkinson’s motor symptoms include: Postural instability Loss of balance is often a problem in the later stages of Parkinson’s....

But what should we do about our cats and dogs? Since the pandemic began, a handful of pets in Hong Kong, Belgium, and New York State — as well as eight lions and tigers at the Bronx Zoo in New York City — have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Most recently, a pug in North Carolina made headlines when it tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to an article published April 29 by WRAL....

But if you experience lingering symptoms, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, insomnia, or mood changes, for weeks or months after the initial injury, you might be suffering from post-concussion syndrome. “It’s a controversial diagnosis because there’s debate about whether post-concussion syndrome refers to a unitary condition,” says Prin Amorapanth, MD, PhD, a clinical instructor of rehabilitation medicine at the Rusk Rehabilitation Center at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City....

What’s more, experiencing a psoriatic arthritis flare can in turn compound stress levels. So it’s essential to take steps to avoid this vicious cycle. Start with these seven simple ways to keep stress at bay and your psoriatic arthritis symptoms under control. 1. Practice Mindfulness Activities and behaviors that use mindfulness — staying focused on the present moment and accepting feelings and thoughts without judgment — can help keep stress at bay and put it in perspective....

There is no limit on the amount of time a patient can take Remicade (infliximab). The drug has been available since 1998, and many patients have been successfully treated and have been on Remicade for more than six years. Of course, the longer you take Remicade, the more immunosupressed you are — that is, less able to fight off infection — and the more risk you run of opportunistic infections....

There are more than 100 types of rheumatic diseases — disorders characterized by inflammation of various connective or supporting structures of the body, including the joints, muscles, and bones. Rheumatic diseases, including all forms of arthritis and spondyloarthropathies (inflammatory spinal conditions), are usually painful, chronic, and progressive, which means they get worse over time. They can also lead to potentially severe complications. For example, rheumatoid arthritis, a condition in which the immune system attacks tissue that lines the joints, can increase your risk of certain cancers and lead to nerve dysfunction, among other things....

“The health benefits of juicing for people with RA come down to the ingredients being used,” says Neal Malik, MPH, RDN, the chair of the department of nutrition and basic sciences at Bastyr University California in San Diego. “If the ingredients aren’t nutritious to begin with, the final product won’t be, either.” Essential Facts About Diet, RA, and Weight Gain Risks While an RA diagnosis doesn’t directly cause people to gain weight, RA symptoms like joint pain and fatigue may make it difficult to exercise to burn calories....

The definition of PTSD has evolved over time as we’ve learned more about it. Now, we know the mental health condition can affect anyone at any age who has experienced some type of trauma. (3) It’s more common than we might think, too. About 70 percent of American adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and about 20 percent of them go on to develop PTSD as a result....

RELATED: Can Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia? Environmental Factors May Be Additional Cause of Schizophrenia It has been long established that heredity and genetics are huge factors in schizophrenia risk. But this study shows that environment also plays a significant role. “The literature suggests a big genetic component, but genes and environmental interaction is extremely complicated. We need to find the mechanism through which income actually matters,” explains Richard G. Frank, PhD, a professor of health economics at Harvard Medical School in Boston, who wrote an editorial in the same issue of JAMA Psychiatry about the implications of this study....

The challenges of teen skin are sizable, says Dr. Wu. “Hormonal surges lead to enlargement of the oil glands, making teen skin oily and creating large pores and blackheads,” she explains. Even though you and your friends are going through puberty together, chances are your skin is looking and feeling a bit different from your BFF’s. That means the skin tip that works for her might not work for you....

Flesh-colored bumps around the eyes can be caused by several conditions. The most common growths that appear in this area are syringomas, which are benign collections of sweat glands that accumulate over time. They generally appear in early to middle adulthood and are most common on the lower eyelids, but they can also appear on the upper lids, the cheekbones, and the sides of the nose. While some cases are hereditary, most of the time the cause is unknown....

“She prayed and asked God if he spared her life, that she would dedicate her life toward helping other young women understand breast cancer,” says Shanda Cooper, Tigerlily Foundation’s chief program officer. While receiving chemotherapy, Karmo founded the Tigerlily Foundation. The name Tigerlily came from Karmo’s love of the flower itself. “Flowers have different seasons — the petals may drop, but they bloom again,” Cooper says. “As someone’s going through treatment, it may feel like they’re going through this sort of ‘winter,’ or a time where their petals have dropped, but they will bloom again, and there’s strength in that....

According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), people over age 65, those who have cancer, HIV or AIDS, or diabetes are all considered at a higher risk of complications due to influenza, and people who fall into these categories should get an annual flu vaccine. Despite this recommendation, researchers from Texas Tech University found low rates of flu vaccinations among high-risk groups, including people over age 50, nursing home residents, and those with HIV or AIDS....

That’s because certain lifestyle choices may actually make RA symptoms worse. Consider these seven surprising factors that could be contributing to your RA aches and pains. 1. Smoking cigarettes “There’s evidence that people who smoke have a higher risk of developing RA and possibly even a more severe form of RA,” says Harry Fischer, MD, chief of rheumatology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. A study published in the December 2020 issue of Preventive Medicine Reports found that people who smoke and former smokers were over 50 percent more likely to be diagnosed with RA than non-smokers....

And even if you’re on an RA treatment plan that’s working for you now, it may become less effective over time, or you may notice more flares. That’s why it’s normal to have to change your treatment strategy through the years. Together, you and your healthcare provider can decide when you may benefit from a treatment switch. But before you make a change, it’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons....

So what causes reactivity? Viruses, for one thing, as well as your menstrual cycle, since there is often breast tissue in the armpit area and that tissue responds to hormones as they cycle. In addition, cuts on your fingers, nicks in your cuticles from a manicure, or a simple scrape on your hand can cause your lymph nodes to enlarge as your body fights off infection. Finally, and most commonly, shaving your armpits can cause your lymph nodes to change because hair follicles can become clogged and slightly inflamed....

One reason it’s important to have this discussion is to decide what precautions are appropriate for preventing sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV. Your risk for being infected with HIV depends on a variety of factors, including what kinds of sex you’re having, how often, and who your partner is/partners are. If you fall in a high-risk group based on your sexual practices or use of intravenous (IV, or injected) drugs, your doctor should be comfortable explaining the methods available to protect yourself from becoming infected with the virus....