(HealthDay News) — More than a million cases of shingles are diagnosed in the United States every year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Anyone who has had chickenpox is susceptible to getting the disease. To treat shingles, doctors will usually prescribe one of three antiviral medications — acyclovir,Continue Reading

THURSDAY, Nov. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many patients who have an artery-opening procedure don’t understand or remember information they receive before their surgery, and most have unrealistic expectations about what it will do for them, a new study finds. Researchers examined the effectiveness of informed consent — which isContinue Reading

THURSDAY, Nov. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes on the Thanksgiving table may look tempting, but if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) you should proceed with caution, experts say. GERD is often called chronic heartburn or acid reflux. “When itContinue Reading

(HealthDay News) — About 75 percent of adults will have occasional hemorrhoids, Mayo Clinic says. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can cause itching, pain, bleeding and discomfort. To help prevent hemorrhoids, Mayo Clinic recommends: Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Drink six toContinue Reading

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to natural substances with psychoactive effects — including marijuana, kratom, magic mushrooms and nutmeg — triggered more than 67,300 calls to U.S. Poison Control Centers over nearly two decades. That’s an average of 3,743 calls a year between January 2000 and DecemberContinue Reading