What Helps Acid Reflux and Heartburn From Chemo?

How Chemotherapy Causes Heartburn Heartburn is a symptom ofacid reflux. Chemo can cause GERD by damaging the cells of the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus and LES. When the digestive tract is affected, the esophagus can become severely inflamed, a condition referred to asesophagitis. AMELIE-BENOIST / BSIP / Corbis / Getty Images Acid reflux only serves to perpetuate esophagitis, leading to a worsening of heartburn and other acid reflux symptoms....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 272 words · Matthew Wall DDS

What Helps With Brain Fog in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Whilevitamin B12is suggested for cognitive health, its benefits in RA remain uncertain. Ongoing pain and inflammation from the disease can affect overall health and wellbeing in numerous ways. You might not be able to prevent brain fog if you have rheumatoid arthritis. FluxFactory / Getty Images For this reason, vitamins should always be taken in consultation with a healthcare provider. Does Caffeine Help Brain Fog? Caffeine can temporarily enhance energy, focus, and alertness in some people....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 242 words · Aaron Melton

What High C-Reactive Protein Levels Mean

The liver releases small amounts of C-reactive protein (CRP) to fight infections and inflammation. However, high C-reactive protein levels indicate significant inflammation brought on by a health condition. Levels at or above 10 milligrams of protein per deciliter of blood (10 mg/dL) are considered high. PeopleImages/E+/Getty Images High C-reactive protein signals many possible conditions. What Does a High CRP Level Mean? A high CRP level means that you have mild to severe inflammation in your body....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 392 words · Elizabeth Garza

What If My HIV Test Is Positive?

When confirmed with the appropriate tests, a positive result can be considered definitive evidence of an HIV infection. NAAT testing has helped reduce the risk of this. What HIV-Positive Means Ultimately, an HIV-positive diagnosis means that you have been infected with HIV. Vetta / Getty Images HIV vs. AIDS An HIV-positive diagnosis does not mean you haveAIDS. AIDS is a stage in infection where theimmune system is compromisedand unable to defend itself againstopportunistic infections....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 302 words · Miss Amanda West

What If You Get a Cold During Chemo?

In serious cases, even a simple cold could be life-threatening for a cancer patient. This is why it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to manage and prevent these illnesses. Talk to your healthcare provider before taking any medications to treat your cold or flu symptoms. Verywell / Ellen Lindner Verywell / Ellen Lindner How Does Chemotherapy Increase the Risk of Colds and Flu? Normally, the cells in your body grow and die in a controlled way....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 298 words · Emily Miller

What Intestinal Villi Do and Conditions That Affect Them

Villi are vulnerable to damage by diseases likeceliac diseaseandinflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Such damage can causemalabsorptionwhich, in turn, can lead tomalnutrition,vitamin deficiency, and other health concerns. Agastroenterologistmay be needed to diagnose and treat these digestive disorders. Science Picture Co/Getty Images Villi are extremely small, ranging from 0.5 to 1 millimeters in length (0.02 to 0.04 inch). They are densest at the beginning of the small intestine and begin to thin out toward the end....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 498 words · Steven Edwards

What Is 'Ozempic Face' and Can You Avoid It?

However, the term Ozempic face could be misleading. When people lose weight, they lose it everywhere, Heymsfield said. People are talking about Ozempic face because it’s possible for you to see it. Hiraman / Getty Images Is Ozempic Face Preventable? She added that patients using GLP-1 drugs should drink 12 liters of water each day to stay hydrated. These medications can cause dehydration. What Are the Other Side Effects of Ozempic?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 99 words · Shelly Simmons

What Is a Baker's Cyst?

Baker’s cysts, also calledpopliteal cysts, are fluid-filled sacs brought on by excess knee-joint fluid. This common condition can occur with arthritis or injuries that lead to swelling. This article explains the causes and symptoms of a Baker’s cyst and how it is diagnosed and treated. Alice Day / EyeEm / Getty Images Simply put, a Baker’s cyst can develop after the joint capsule becomes damaged or weakened. Symptoms A Baker’s cyst can be soft to the touch and slightly tender....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 203 words · Ashley Jones PhD

What Is a Barium Enema?

On its own, an X-ray produces poor images of soft tissue. The test is not a reliable means of diagnosis of rectal disorders. It has a limited role following complex surgery. Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell Before the Test The preparations for a barium enema are quite extensive. The instructions need to be strictly followed to ensure minimal discomfort or optimal imaging. Timing When scheduling a barium enema, set aside at least two hours of your day....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 726 words · Samuel Joyce

What Is a Barometric Pressure Headache?

This article provides an overview of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of barometric pressure headaches. It also reviews when to see a healthcare professional for your headache. tuaindeed / Getty Images Symptoms: What Does a Barometric Pressure Headache Feel Like? tuaindeed / Getty Images A barometric air pressure headache can be classified into these two categories: Primary vs. Along the same line, barometric pressure changes can cause a sensation of head compression....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 336 words · Charles James

What Is a Biophysical Profile?

If your healthcare provider recommends one, know that BPP testing is considered safe and it’s non-invasive. The average duration of a BPP test may last from 30 minutes to over an hour. One way to determine the well-being of the baby is through BPP. Limitations BBP is not 100 percent accurate. This could result in additional, and sometimes unnecessary, testing and anxiety. However, the false-positive rates are considered low with this method of testing....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 295 words · Samantha Dorsey

What Is a BiPAP Machine?

It also covers how to get used to wearing a BiPAP machine and the possible risks of the treatment. How Does a BiPAP Machine Work? BiPAP can be used in medical controls (like hospitals) and at home. cherrybeans / Getty Images There are a couple of pressurized air configs your provider can prescribe for your BiPAP machine. The result is prolonged gaps in breathing. In certain cases ofCOVID-19, BiPAP can be used to delaymechanical ventilation....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 155 words · Anna Vang

What Is a Borg? Experts Say This Viral Drink Doesn't Prevent Hangovers

Some even add caffeine and Liquid IV, which is packed with electrolytes. All the water and electrolytes in a borg are supposed to preventhangovers, according to some TikTok creators. But with recipes that call for as much as 17 shots of vodka, most experts are not convinced. That is an extraordinary amount of alcohol. Excessive drinking causes 88,000 deaths in the United States each year. Heavy drinking means consuming more than eight drinks a week for women and 15 drinks a week for men....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 375 words · Judy Phillips