Search Results for: flu

October 17 to 21 is International Infection Prevention Week, so we present our top articles on infection prevention including stories on rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, fibromyalgia, urinary tract infections, and the flu. During this time, many health organizations raise awareness on infection prevention to educate the public about ways to prevent illness and the risks associated ...click here to read more

Bile reflux is a condition in which bile backs up into the stomach and the esophagus (the tube connecting stomach and mouth). Bile is an important agent that aids in digestion. It is produced by the liver. Bile reflux may accompany acid reflux, but the two are separate conditions. Unlike acid reflux, bile reflux cannot ...click here to read more

Flu vaccination is recommended as an effective preventative measure against the flu, yet many parents believe getting flu shots for their children is unnecessary. Lead author of the study Dr. Scott Field said, “The first and most common reason could encompass a belief that risk for contracting influenza is low in their family as well ...click here to read more

Although last year’s flu vaccine was the most successful yet, low vaccination rates last season have health officials worried for another low turnout this year, especially among the elderly. Dr. Tom Frieden, the CDC director, warned, “Flu is serious. Flu is unpredictable. Flu often gets not enough respect. If we could increase vaccination coverage in ...click here to read more

With the end of summer, the new season kicks in – the flu season. Even if it isn’t quite cold outside just yet, it’s a good time to start preparing yourself for the flu season ahead, and the best way to do that is with the flu shot. Although last flu season was considered quite ...click here to read more

Exfoliation syndrome, an eye condition causing glaucoma and cataract development, is influenced by outside temperatures and sun exposure, as well as patient’s age and gender. Coauthor Louis Pasquale said, “Although many studies from around the world have reported on the burden of the disease, some aspects of the basic descriptive epidemiologic features, which may help ...click here to read more

Meniere’s disease may be caused by fluid buildup in the inner ear along with risk factors for vascular disease in the brain, such as migraine, sleep apnea, and atherosclerosis. Meniere’s disease affects roughly three to five million Americans and causes repetitive violent attacks of dizziness, ringing in the ears, and hearing loss. Until now, its ...click here to read more

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, so we share a selection of our articles explaining the importance and effectiveness of immunization, along with new developments, with regards to fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, shingles, influenza, and norovirus. Vaccination and immunization are important to help ward off illness. For example, the annual flu shot can help lower your ...click here to read more

Patients who may think they have the flu this summer could actually have valley fever, so it’s important to recognize the difference between the two illnesses. Valley fever is suspected in patients with pneumonia and flu-like symptoms who have visited the west or southwest U.S. or live somewhere nearby. Annually, there are 150,000 cases of ...click here to read more

Psoriasis severity may be influenced by puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Female hormones have been found to play a particularly significant role in psoriasis. Psoriasis peaks take place during puberty, after pregnancy (although the condition improves during pregnancy), and during menopause. One third of psoriasis patients present lesions by puberty. Other studies have noted that ...click here to read more

Overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome are influenced by the weakened biological clock. Lead author Dr. Changhao Wu said, “Previously, people have believed that the brain ‘master’ clock controls the ‘slave’ peripheral clocks, but our study is the first to show that in a contractile organ, such as the bladder, its receptors also control these clocks… ...click here to read more

Estrogen fluctuations associated with menopause raise the levels of and susceptibility to stress, while postmenopausal depression increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Estradiol (a form of estrogen) fluctuates during menopause transition, causing heightened emotional sensitivity to stress. When these hormonal changes overlap with a very stressful life event, the result is depressive mood. ...click here to read more

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroenteritis (also known as stomach flu) both affect the gastrointestinal system, but while the former is a chronic condition, the latter is acute. IBS is a functional disorder, which means, it is not a disease per se, so the symptoms don’t have an identifiable cause. IBS patients show no clinical ...click here to read more

Lyme disease and the flu (influenza) may appear similar in the beginning, but they take two different pathways as they progress. The flu is most common during the colder months – October to March – and Lyme disease hits its peak during the hot summer months. A zoonotic disease, meaning it is spread by animals ...click here to read more