The coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Known as SARS-CoV-2, the virus has resulted in more than 307 millioninfections and over 5.4 million deaths. Keep up to date with the latest research and information about COVID-19 here. The World Health Organization (WHO) is currently monitoring five variants of concern: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. 01/10/2022 15:00 […]
Eczema is a condition in which patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough. Some types can also cause blisters. Different types and stages of eczema affect 31.6 million people in the United States, which equals more than 10% of the population. Many people use the word eczema when referring to atopic dermatitis, which […]
The term “fast food” generally refers to food that people intend to consume quickly, either on- or off-site. There is plenty of well-researched evidence demonstrating the various negative health effects of eating and overeating fast food, in both the short- and long-term. Many fast food establishments now list the number of calories each item contains. However, this […]
What is the difference between a cold and flu? Influenza (flu) and the common cold are both contagious respiratory illnesses, but they are caused by different viruses. Flu is caused by influenza viruses only, whereas the common cold can be caused by a number of different viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses. Seasonal coronaviruses should not be […]
Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and for seeking medical treatment. It can be uncomfortable and sometimes even debilitating. Back pain can result from injury, activity, and some medical conditions. It can affect people of any age and for different reasons. As people get older, the likelihood of developing lower back […]
Cancer causes cells to divide uncontrollably. This can result in tumors, damage to the immune system, and other impairment that can be fatal. In the United States, an estimated 15.5 million people with a history of cancer were living as of January 1, 2016, according to a 2018 report from the American Cancer Society. In […]
Vaccines undergo particularly rigorous safety tests before receiving approval for use in the general population. However, no drug is guaranteed to be free from side effects, so what are the side effects that children receiving the COVID-19 vaccine may face? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 5–11 years […]
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been on the rise in the United States. In April 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that, in 2019, STIs had reached an all-time high for the sixth consecutive year. In 2019, the CDC received reports of over 2.5 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. […]
Food bloggers, social media influencers, and magazines commonly relied upon for nutrition information often promote so-called clean eating. Many supporters of this concept promise benefits such as weight loss, radiant skin, and improved energy. The fundamentals of clean eating involve choosing natural, nutrient-dense foods and avoiding processed and refined foods. Taking a “clean” approach to […]
The bladder collects urine from the kidneys and expels it when it is full. If a bladder is overactive, a person cannot control when they choose to urinate, and the number of times they urinate during the day. The condition occurs when a person’s bladder squeezes frequently or without warning. As a result, they may […]