What Can Ejection Fraction Tell You About Your Heart?

Ejection fraction (EF) measures how well the heart pumps blood. What Is Ejection Fraction? Ejection fraction (EF) is a way to measure how well yourheartpumps blood. asiseeit/iStockphoto But it doesnt push out all the blood inside itonly a portion. That portion is your ejection fraction. This measurement focuses on the left ventricle, the hearts main pumping chamber. A higher ejection fractionup to a certain pointmeans the heart is pumping well....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 400 words · Craig Tran

What Can I Do for Arthritis in My Knuckles?

Knuckle painand stiff and sore fingers are most often the result ofarthritisof the hands and fingers. Peter Dazeley / Getty Images What Causes Knuckle Pain? Each hand is composed of 27 different bones. Peter Dazeley / Getty Images This area is referred to as the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint. In arthritis, the cartilage breaks down over time, causing pain and increased difficulty moving the joints. Knuckle pads, also called Garrods nodes, are commonly misdiagnosed as arthritis in knuckles....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · Wendy Nelson

What Can Kids Take for an Upset Stomach?

In some cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medication to treat severe vomiting. Can Children Take Medicine for Nausea and Vomiting? The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend the use of anti-nausea drugs in children. Getty Images / ibnjaafar However, in more severe cases, healthcare providers may prescribe medications to manage vomiting. Zofran (ondansetron)is a commonly known anti-nausea drug in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. Still, you should always consult your child’s healthcare provider before giving them any medications....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 294 words · Regina Carlson

What Can You Do If Your ADHD Medications Aren't Working Anymore?

Lately my ADHD medication has not been working for me, TikToker @abbey.n.darby told her followers. This disruption to regular prescriptions may have contributed to increasing reports of ADHD medications failing to work properly. How Has the Adderall Shortage Affected Patients? Illustration by Zack Angeline for Verywell Health But these changes in medication can take some time to adjust to. What Can You Do If You Feel Like Your Medications Aren’t Working?...

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 178 words · Anna Stevens

What Can Your Sleeping Position Tell You About Your Mental Health?

Andrii Lysenko / Getty Images Could the way you sleep reveal something deeper about yourmental health? While compelling, there’s little evidence to back it up. Rather than sleep position, recent research has focused on how sleep quality affects both physical and mental health. Andrii Lysenko / Getty Images The most significant connection research has found is howstress and sleepimpact each other, regardless of your sleep position. In addition to controlling our sleep-wake cycle, cortisol helps us regulate our metabolism and reduce inflammation....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 104 words · Melanie Brown

What Cancer Can Cause Itchy Skin?

However, other causes of itching are more common. It’s uncertain exactly how often itching occurs as a symptom or first symptom of cancer. A 2019 study explored how often those with itching had cancer compared to individuals without itching. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin The cancers that were most commonly associated with itching included: The researchers also divided patients by race. Signs of cancer-related itching may include: Cancers That Cause Itching Several cancers can cause itchy skin....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 727 words · Samantha Jackson

What Causes a Black Line on the Nail?

A black line on the nail could be normal, such as when it is just a color variation. They are typically due tomelanonychiaor splinter hemorrhages, both of which stem from multiple underlying factors. Melanonychia Melanonychia is characterized by black or brown discoloration of the nail plate. DragonImages / Getty Images It’s relatively common, accounting for about half of allnail discolorationcases. It can affect one or multiple nails on the fingers and toes....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 308 words · Kurt Hancock

What Causes a Bruised Heel and How to Find Relief

A bruised heel is an injury to the fat pad that protects the heel bone (calcaneus). The longer you’ve had heel pain, the more time it can take to heal. This article discusses a bruised heel, including causes, diagnosis, home remedies, and medical treatments. PixelCatchers / Getty Images PixelCatchers / Getty Images What Are the Symptoms of a Bruised Heel? Bruised Heel vs. Broken Heel It can be challenging to distinguish between a bruised heel and a broken heel....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 296 words · Seth Thomas

What Causes a Bump on the Eyeball?

A bump on your eyeball is cause for concern but most of the time, it isn’t harmful. This article takes a closer look at some types of eyeball bumps and their symptoms and causes. It discusses treatments for a bump on your eyeball and when to see a healthcare provider for care. Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health The growth can be made up of fat, protein, or calcium....

April 18, 2025 · 5 min · 871 words · Charles Walls

What Causes a Crackling Sound in Your Ear?

Treatment may focus ontemporomandibularjoint (TMJ) disorder,eustachiantube dysfunction, or other underlying diagnosis. Talk to your healthcare provider about care, which also can involvephysical therapyor possibly surgery. This can occur after an ear infection has cleared up and may last for months. Maskot / Getty Images GERD has been linked to several ear conditions. If ear congestion persists, you may need to undergo one of these surgical procedures. Earwax Buildup Earwax is normal and helps to protect and lubricate the ear canal....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 413 words · Tara Rodriguez

What Causes a Deviated Septum and How Do You Fix It?

Adeviated septumis when your septum is in an abnormal or crooked position. This wall ofcartilageand bone divides your nose into its left and right chambers. There is a wide range of possible causes for a deviated septum. The problem can be present at birth. It can also occur due totrauma, certain diseases, or as a result of aging. Treatment can relieve severe symptoms and restore your septum to its normal place....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 377 words · Heather King

What Causes a Diabetic Coma?

It’s characterized by a state of unconsciousness. Tempura / Getty Images What Is a Diabetic Coma? A diabetic coma is a medical emergency that can happen with either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Tempura / Getty Images It can develop over days or even weeks if the abnormal blood sugar level is not detected. A person in a diabetic coma is unconscious and can neither move nor respond to their environment. A coma can lead to long-term physical and psychological problems....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 424 words · Russell Powers

What Causes a Fear of Bees?

Fear of bees, also known asapiphobiaormelissophobia, is a common phobia. It is characterized by an intense and irrational fear of bees that can affect your quality of life. This fear can be triggered by seeing a bee or simply thinking about them. Letizia McCall / Getty Images Bee phobia is a throw in of specific phobia. Letizia McCall / Getty Images What Is a Bee Phobia? Bee phobia is categorized as an animal phobia, which is a key in of specific phobia....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 383 words · Dana Guzman