What You Should Know About Medications for Osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates are the most common medications used for osteoporosis. However, other types of medications are available, too. This article reviews the factors that go into choosing an osteoporosis drug. IndiaPix/IndiaPicture / Getty Images A list of osteoporosis medications, including their mode of action and side effects, is also provided. A summary chart that includes the drugs' common and serious side effects is also provided. Bisphosphonates Bisphosphonatesare the most commonly used drugs to treat osteoporosis....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 676 words · Andre Walsh

What You Should Know About Stockpiling Plan B

bortonia / Getty Images UPDATE On June 24, the Supreme Court struck downRoe v. Wade. Without federal protection for abortion, it is now up to individual states to regulate or ban the procedure. The drug can be taken at home, but often requires a prescription. bortonia / Getty Images What Are Your Options for Emergency Contraception? There are currently two types of emergency contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 216 words · Steven Gonzales

What You Should Know About the Forefoot

They line up side by side in the middle of the foot. Injuries and inflammation are often suffered to the forefoot during sports activities. These can often be traced back to abnormal weight distribution during these activities. SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI / Science Photo Library / Getty Images Morton’s neuroma is a condition that can cause metatarsalgia pain and occasionally toe numbness. It is sparked by nerve inflammation and irritation between the metatarsal heads....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 154 words · Francisco Johnson

What Your CBC Blood Test Results Say About Your Health

A CBC, also known as a complete blood count, is ablood testcommonly performed before and after surgery. The CBC is very useful because it can indicate many common problems in patients during surgery and their recovery. This is considered screening and is done to catch problems in the early stages before they become serious. TEK IMAG E / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images It is then sent to a lab for processing....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 204 words · Diane Bullock

What Your Estimated Average Glucose Means

It indicates how well you are controlling your diabetes. What Is Estimated Average Glucose? This is the same unit used in home blood glucose monitors. Cade Martin / Getty Images Understanding your eAG can help improve your diabetes management. Your eAG is useful because it is expressed in the same units as your blood glucose monitor results. Your eAG number won’t match your daily glucose readings exactly. Your eAG isn’t just one single reading at one point in time....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 206 words · Kathleen Thompson

What Your Z-Score Means for Your Osteoporosis

This article will explain bone density testing and detail what a Z-score means. This technology passes both high- and low-intensity X-ray beams through various bones to determine their overall mass. Usually, the scan takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Science Photo Library / Getty Images Who Should Get Tested? The same group also concluded thatpostmenopausal womenunder age 65 should also have their bones screened. This is because after menopause, a person haslowerestrogen levels and is at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 314 words · Lisa Stewart

What's a Subvariant? What You Should Know About Omicron BA.2

As of right now, health experts and researchers dont know much about the new subvariant. What Do We Know About BA.2 Right Now? BA.2 is currently present in many countries. Eugene Mymrin / Getty Images Were also seeing presence at high levels in certain locations including several countries in Asia. Were just starting to detect it, the first sequences are just coming in. They are low numbers, but its here, Luban said....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 340 words · Paul Aguirre

What's in Your Stomach's Gastric Juice?

This liquid mixture will help dissolve food once it reaches the stomach and the process of digestion begins. How You Make Gastric Juices The food you chew and swallow is called a bolus. Foveolar cells and mucous neck cells secrete bicarbonate andmucus. Delpixart / Getty Images Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen. Enteroendocrine cells secrete various hormones. However, not all stomach glands contain every key in of cell....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 203 words · John Sweeney

What's It Like to Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

When COVID-19 vaccination began in the U.S.,1 in 5 peopleweren’t sure if theyd get the vaccine. To help demystify the vaccine experience, were sharing the stories of people whove been there. They shared everything from reluctance at being the first in line to tips for others navigating an appointment. Each person has a unique perspective about how being vaccinated has impacted their lives and jobs. Most of the people we spoke with did describe a confusing and jumbled registration process....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 95 words · Stacey Meyer

What's New in Colon Cancer Prevention?

Colon cancer was once primarily a diagnosis for older adults, but the statistics are changing. Experts arent sure why theres an increase in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults. Whilecolon canceroriginates in the colon,rectal cancerbegins in the rectum. But keep in mind that while these tests are convenient, theyre not substitutes for a colonoscopy. Sometimes, an at-home test performed improperly can lead to false results. A colonoscopy is still the gold standard for screening....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 209 words · Terry Bowen

What's Next for Alzheimer's Treatment? Some Scientists Are Betting on GLP-1 Drugs

However, patients taking those drugs tend to see only modest reductions in cognition loss. The other way is to have a single drug, which can have multiple effects. Thats where the [GLP-1s] come in, Edison added. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images It typically takes a trial of thousands of people to establish such an outcome. That study is on its way. But there are other factors that are somewhat within a persons control....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 333 words · Angel Gonzales

What's the Best Body Area to Inject Ozempic?

Its actually recommended that individuals rotate between these different injection sites, Abelovska explained. However, that doesnt make things more comfortable in the meantime. Although nausea is a common side effect, symptoms should never get worse, Abelovska said. Photo Illustration by Amelia Manley for Verywell Health; Getty Images. However, injecting in the upper arm wont reduce unpleasant side effects like nausea and vomiting. These symptoms should subside once the body becomes accustomed to the medication....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 74 words · Diana Cox

What's the Difference Between Flea Bites and Bedbug Bites?

Pictures of bedbug bites and flea bites can be very helpful when trying to determine what is biting you. Bothbedbugand flea bites appear in clusters or groups, with multiple bites found in close proximity. There are several key differences between how and when these insects bite, though. Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health Illustration by Joules Garcia for Verywell Health What Is Biting Me at Night? Bedbugs and fleas share several similarities....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 448 words · Julie Combs