Overdosing on Cold and Flu Medications

While they have some benefits, these medications carry a risk of overdosing. Overdosing of OTC cold and flu remedies is often accidentaldue to errors like misreading product labels or dosing. How an Accidental Overdose Happens Overconsumption of drugs found in cold and flu remedies poses health risks. SB / Getty Images These drugs include: Using these medications with alcohol can also lead to overdosing. Taking too much acetaminophen can potentiallycause liver damage....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 306 words · Richard Hale

Overnight Pulse Oximetry Test to Evaluate Oxygen Levels

An overnight pulse oximetry test is a commonly used screening test that evaluates blood oxygen levels. Your healthcare provider may recommend one if you are suspected of having asleep disorderlike obstructive sleep apnea. This test is also used to qualify for home oxygen use. Hero Images / Getty Images What Is Overnight Pulse Oximetry? Overnight oximetry is a simple test that can easily be done at home. The test typically involves applying a plastic clip called an oximeter over the end of your finger....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 404 words · Robert Stewart III

Overview and Causes of Olfactory Disorders

What are olfactory disorders? What are the causes of dysosmia (a distortion in thesense of smell) and why do they occur? Why is this so important? BSIP / Getty Images Olfaction, our sense of smell, plays a significant role in almost everyone’s life. You may have heard that “taste” primarily smells, and that is true to a large degree. Each receptor is thought to have a special shape that fits these odorants like a key fits a lock....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 167 words · Rickey Elliott

Overview of 3 Types of Surgery Scars

Scars form any time a cut or incision is made in the skin.That’s just a truth. A facelift incision is hidden behind the ears. Liposuction incisions are hidden in the pubic area and the navel. Peter Dazeley / Getty Images Rhinoplasty incisions are hidden inside the nose. 3 Types of Scars Some scars heal as a fine line and become barely perceptible. When a scar does not heal as a fine line, it can cause a great deal of anxiety....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 229 words · Curtis Williams

Overview of Adhesive Allergy

Allergic contact dermatitisoccurs when the skin touches something that a person is allergic to (known as anallergen). Symptoms may include rash, itching, swelling, blisters, and skin darkening. This pop in of allergy can be diagnosed based on a medical history and skin tests. PeopleImages / Getty Images Removing the allergen will usually fix the reaction, though healing may take days or weeks. If the reaction is severe, a healthcare provider may recommend certain medications to relieve symptoms....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 233 words · Donald Davis

Overview of Fatal Familial Insomnia

Neuropsychiatric issues, movement problems, and physiological effects can be the earliest symptoms as well. The symptoms of fatal familial insomnia include: The prognosis for fatal familial insomnia is not good. It is a rapidly fatal disease with a mean duration of 18 months. Verywell / Jessica Olah Causes This is usually a hereditary disease carried from parent to child through an autosomal dominant pattern. Everyone who inherits the gene for fatal familial insomnia is expected to develop the disease....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 589 words · Gregory Fox

Overview of Fatigue Caused by Gluten

One study found that 82% of those newly diagnosed with celiac disease complained of fatigue. In addition to fatigue,brain fogandsleep problemsare common effects of accidental gluten ingestion. How Can You Cope With Gluten-Induced Fatigue? Oleg Breslavtsev / Getty Images Studies have shown thatL-carnitine reduces fatigue in people with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. People withthyroid diseaseorliver diseasemay need to steer clear of L-carnitine supplements altogether. There’s no magic bullet or pill to make you instantly not tired....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 120 words · Aaron Adams

Overview of Fibroids Surgery

They vary in size from smaller than a pinhead to the size of a watermelon or bigger. The vast majority of uterine fibroids are benign (not cancerous). Fibroids are fairly common, affectingup to 80%of people with uteruses by 50 years of age. Verywell / Danie Drinkwater Other less-invasive options are available. This article discusses surgery options for uterine fibroids. Hysterectomy guarantees they won’t return. It has a high success rate....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 625 words · Richard Dillon

Overview of Healthcare Sharing Ministries

The ACA’s requirements for penalty exemptions for HCSM members were outlined inSection 1501 of the law. To be clear, HCSMs sometimes provide excellent coverage of large medical claims. But there’s a reason for that. Paul Burns / Creative RF / Getty Images Internal Revenue Service.Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision. The Commonwealth Fund.Health Care Sharing Ministries: What Are the Risks to Consumers and Insurance Markets? Healthinsurance.org.Insider’s Guide to Obamacare’s Special Enrollment....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 128 words · Ronald Wise

Overview of Hypersomnia and Hypersomnolence

Is it normal if you’re gonna wanna sleep all the time? Hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness when wakefulness is expected. Its also known asexcessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell Hypersomnia can be a symptom of depression. There are several causes of hypersomnolence. This article lists the symptoms of hypersomnia and hypersomnolence, explains the causes, and addresses diagnosis. Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell What Are the Symptoms of Hypersomnia and Hypersomnolence?...

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 503 words · Michael Hayes

Overview of Ischemic Stroke

An ischemicstrokeoccurs when a blood clot blocks blood flow in a vessel that carries blood to the brain. A common risk factor for this punch in of stroke ishigh blood pressure. Approximately 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes. Encyclopaedia Britannica / UIG / Getty Images Types There are two types of ischemic stroke: embolic stroke and thrombotic stroke. It is then carried in the bloodstream, blocking a blood vessel leading to or in the brain....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 165 words · Donna Garcia

Overview of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)

It is not a cancer, but it does increase the risk ofmultiple myelomaand sometimes other blood malignancies. It causes the production of multiple copies of an abnormal protein in your blood. Around 3% of adults over the age of 50 have MGUS, and this percentage increases with age. ER Productions Limited / Getty Images Symptoms MGUS is asymptomatic, though people with MGUS may have a somewhat increased risk of infections....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 842 words · David Wright

Overview of Neutropenia During Chemotherapy

A normal ANC is in the range of 2,500 to 6,000 neutrophils per microliter. In some cases, medications to stimulate the production of neutrophils are used preventively following chemotherapy. Preventative Antibiotics Sometimes antibiotics are used preventatively before you have any signs of infection. FatCamera / Getty Images If you have an infection in this setting, your oncologist will usually recommend hospitalization with intravenous antibiotics. Even if you are receiving these treatments, however, measures to reduce your risk of infection are important....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 118 words · Matthew Mays