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Showing posts from September, 2021

Are there side effects of eating too many chia seeds? - Medical News Today

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Some people may experience side effects from eating too many chia seeds. These side effects may include digestive issues, allergic reactions, or weight gain. However, for most individuals, chia seeds are a suitable and nutritious addition to a balanced diet. Chia seeds are edible seeds that come from a plant belonging to the mint family, called Salvia hispanica . These tiny dark seeds are a nutrient-dense food rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other essential bioactive compounds. Chia seed consumption may offer health benefits, including lowering blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and improving digestive health. However, certain individuals may experience side effects if they eat large quantities of chia seeds, including those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and allergies. Too many chia seeds may also lead to digestive issues, and if someone overeats chia seeds, it could lead to weight gain. This article explores the side effects and risks of eating too many chia seeds, the heal...

The link between eczema and depression - Medical News Today

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Eczema is a chronic condition that causes patches of dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. It is related to conditions such as asthma, food allergies, and skin infections. Eczema also has links with mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. Mental health conditions may trigger an eczema outbreak. At the same time, an eczema flare-up may cause a person to feel more stressed, anxious, or depressed. They may also experience fatigue and social withdrawal due to their physical and mental health symptoms. However, there are several ways to treat eczema and mental health conditions. This article explores the connection between eczema and depression. It also looks at the potential treatment options and the support available for mental health. Eczema is an autoimmune condition. These conditions occur when a person has an overactive immune system. This creates an inflammatory effect in the body, harming the skin barrier and increasing susceptibility to bacteria, allergens, and i...

10 Best OTC Allergy Medicines Of 2021, According To Doctors - Women's Health

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Allergy season has a sucky way of happening at the exact same time you want to be outside 24/7. So, when spring and fall come, you're left dealing with a bunch of unpleasant symptoms that can make you want to ride out the rest of the season in an allergen-free bubble. Unfortunately, that's not really an option. What you can do is stock up on over-the-counter allergy medicines to get relief from your stuffy nose and watery eyes. But…have you seen all the options out there lately? The good news is that there are plenty of meds to choose from. The bad? That makes it hard to even know where to start. Sure, you can just pick a random option and hope it does the trick, but that can end up costing you time and money—two things you don't exactly have a lot of when you want to feel better ASAP. FWIW, OTC allergy medicines are "very effective" and "as effective as most prescription medicines," says Evan Li, MD, assistant professor of medicine, immunology, allergy ...

9 Best Eye Drops for Allergies 2021 - Healthline

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Best overall eye drops for allergies: Bausch + Lomb Alaway Antihistamine Eye Drops Best once daily eye drops for allergies: Pataday Once Daily Relief Best antihistamine eye drops with redness reliever: Visine Allergy Eye Relief Multi-Action Antihistamine & Redness Reliever Eye Drops Best cooling eye drops: Rohto Ice All-in-One Multi-Symptom Relief Cooling Eye Drops Best itch relief eye drops for allergies: Zaditor Antihistamine Eye Drops Best eye drops for sensitive eyes: Systane Ultra Lubricant Eye Drops Best eye drops for dry eyes: Thera Tears Eye Drops for Dry Eyes Best eye drops for contact lens wearers: Refresh Optive Lubricant Eye Drops Best homeopathic eye drops for allergies: Similasan Allergy Eye Relief Eye Drops The most common cause of eye inflammation? Run-of-the-mill allergies. According to research published in the Cochrane Library, the itching, redness, and tearing associated with eye inflammation is most commonly caused by indoor and outdoor allergens l...

Do you have allergies or COVID-19 symptoms? - WBAY

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) - Sneezing, coughing and teary eyes are all symptoms of this particularly atrocious allergy season. With fall bringing an increase in COVID-19 cases, it begs the question: how can you tell if it's allergies or a case of the coronavirus? Clarifying the key differences between the two can be confusing. "Some of the things that we would not see when it comes to allergies would be things like fevers, changes in muscle aches or shortness of breath," nurse practitioner and allergy specialist at Bellin Health, Rachel Chastain, said. Shared symptoms between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies include nasal congestion and a runny nose. Irritating conditions that have plagued many people this summer and may continue into the fall. "There are a lot of factors that contribute to whether or not an allergy season is significant or more minor," Chastain explained. "It can have to do with weather patterns. It can have to do with humidity or temperature. ...

Some Medications Also Tied to Religious Vaccine Exemption - WebMD

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Sep. 18, 2021 -- A hospital system in Arkansas is requiring employees to confirm that they won't use common medications — such as Tylenol, Tums, and Preparation H — to receive a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine, according to Becker's Hospital Review. The Conway Regional Health System has required the flu shot annually as part of employment, but managers saw a spike in vaccine exemption requests for the COVID-19 vaccine. "This was significantly disproportionate to what we've seen with the influenza vaccine," Matt Troup, president and CEO of the health system, told Becker's. The majority of requests cited the use of fetal cell lines in the development of vaccines as part of the religious exemption. The practice uses cells grown in labs to test many new vaccines and drugs, including common antacids and cold medications. "Thus, we provided a religious attestation form for those individuals requesting a relig...

Vitiligo and race: Prevalence, causes, and more - Medical News Today

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Vitiligo is a skin disorder that causes lighter patches to develop on a person's skin. Vitiligo can affect people of all racial backgrounds. However, vitiligo may be more noticeable on people with darker skin. Vitiligo happens as a result of a loss of pigmentation within a person's skin. Cells called melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which adds color to a person's skin and hair. When a person has vitiligo, melanocytes are destroyed, causing patches of skin and hair to become lighter. Vitiligo by itself does not affect a person's health. However, a person with vitiligo may have concerns about social stigma or ethnic identity issues. This article will look into how vitiligo affects people of different racial groups, its causes, and how it can be treated. Vitiligo is a relatively common condition, affecting around 0.5⁠–2% of people in the world. Vitiligo can develop at any age, but it usually occurs in people between 10 and 30 years old. A study from 2016 found a re...

How to use antihistamines - CMAJ

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Antihistamines are among the most commonly and incorrectly used medicines worldwide Antihistamine use is most strongly supported for treating allergic rhinoconjunctivitis ("hay fever") and urticaria (hives).1 – 3 Avoid off-label usage for conditions where antihistamines have questionable utility, such as in managing asthma, eczema, cough or insomnia. First-generation antihistamines are associated with substantial and sometimes fatal adverse effects First-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine [Benadryl], chlorpheniramine [Chlor-Tripolon], hydroxyzine [Atarax]) cause sedation, injury and impairment in sleep, and psychomotor and cognitive function, including impairing performance at school.1 – 3 Overdose can result in death from anticholinergic and anti-α-adrenergic effects, and QT prolongation (including torsades de pointes). First-generation antihistamines are on the Beers list of potentially inappropriate medications for older persons.3 Newer antihistamines are saf...

Is Dyshidrotic Eczema Contagious? Risk Factors and Prevention - Healthline

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Dyshidrotic eczema, or dyshidrosis, is a type of eczema that affects the sides of the fingers, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. It causes an itching, burning sensation along with clusters of fluid-filled blisters. Dyshidrotic eczema is sometimes related to stress, seasonal allergies, or exposure to certain allergens. Moist hands and feet can also exacerbate this condition. While dyshidrotic eczema isn't contagious, cracked or blistered skin can become infected. Certain types of infections are contagious. Read on to learn more about dyshidrotic eczema's potential for infection as well as tips for prevention and treatment. Dyshidrotic eczema isn't contagious, so you can't pass it on or get the condition from someone else. However, irritated skin can become infected, and this secondary infection can be contagious. This means you may pass it on to another person through direct contact. Dyshidrotic eczema can cause blisters and dry, cracked skin. Scratching...

What's Up Doc? I develop mosquito bite-like hives whenever I scratch or rub my skin - MetroWest Daily News

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Dr. Jeff Hersh  |  Daily News Correspondent Show Caption Hide Caption COVID-19 statistics: Cases on the rise among children as school starts The number of COVID-19 cases among children are on the rise amid the delta variant's surge and the start of a new school year. Staff video, USA TODAY Q: My skin has always been sensitive, but lately it is worse, and now I develop mosquito bite-like hives wherever I scratch or rub. What could this be? A: This sounds like a possible case of dermatographia (from the Latin for skin writing), so this will be the topic of today's column. Check with your health care provider to verify that this is the condition you have developed. More: What's Up Doc? Treatment for dyslexia can be very beneficial An allergic reaction is an overreaction of the immune system to an allergen (a substance that initiates the reaction) ...

18 Common Skin Rash Pictures - How to ID Skin Rash Symptoms - Prevention.com

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Your skin is your body's largest organ, so it's not surprising that plenty can (and does) go wrong with it. Skin rashes are a common issue that can impact pretty much anyone, no matter your age, hygiene, or medical history. "A rash is essentially inflammation in the skin that can be caused by either an external exposure or an internal factor," says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Basically, a rash is your skin's way of telling you something is up, whether you've been exposed to an irritant or you have an underlying medical condition. The unifying feature of all rashes is inflammation, Dr. Zeichner explains. That inflammation could be minor or could greatly impact the color, texture, or feeling of your skin—it all depends on the type and severity of your rash. (Note: Some of the chronic skin conditions listed below, like acne and rosacea, might not be considered rashes b...