Diseases & Conditions Archive

Articles

Do people who have COVID-19 go on to develop other diseases?

Evidence suggests that people who recover from COVID-19 have an increased risk for developing new health problems, including heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, muscle inflammation, blood clots that travel to the lungs, strokes from clots or hemorrhages, or psychosis. This is in addition to permanent damage that can result from having COVID, including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, or other organs; and debilitating fatigue, difficulty thinking, and other symptoms that make it hard to function normally at work or at home.

What could be causing my hand to shake?

Essential tremor causes involuntary shaking, most often in the hands, head and voice. It may be an inherited condition and is different from another well-known tremor disorder called Parkinson's disease. There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes.

Influenza: How to prevent and treat a serious infection

Millions of Americans get influenza during most flu seasons. Good hygiene habits can help you avoid catching the virus, and a flu shot can substantially reduce your risk as well.

Growth hormone, athletic performance, and aging

Some men use growth hormone as an anti-aging treatment, even though it is illegal to market it for this purpose. Studies of test subjects who took growth hormone found a high incidence of side effects such as joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Time to hire a caregiver? 3 tips to help

If you are facing physical or cognitive challenges, hiring caregivers to come into your home can be an effective way to continue living independently. It's not always easy having new people coming into your home, but there are things you can do to adjust to the changes.

Can wearing contacts harm your vision?

Millions of people wear contact lenses, and with proper use and care they are very safe. However, sleeping with lenses in that are not specifically intended for extended wear can increase the risk of infection in the eye's cornea.

High blood pressure? Treat the risk, not the number

People with a high risk for heart attacks and strokes might benefit from taking blood pressure–lowering medications, even if their blood pressure is in the normal or "high normal" range and they have no clear signs of cardiovascular disease.

Chronic gut inflammation: Coping with inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic inflammation in the gut may be due to inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. It’s unclear what causes IBD. Doctors suspect it’s a combination of factors, such as eating an unhealthy diet or using certain medications; altered gut bacteria; having a leaky gut; or genetics. The goal of IBD treatment is remission: suppressed symptoms, lower blood levels of inflammatory markers, and normal-looking bowel and tissue biopsies. Approaches to achieve remission and prevent flare-ups include medication, a healthy lifestyle, and possibly surgery.

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