Mucus

Doctors do not believe that hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) causes rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a small number of case reports suggest it may trigger reactive arthritis, a type of joint swelling and inflammation. It is a myth that HFMD causes RA. In rare cases, it may cause reactive arthritis, which is similar to RA. However, reactive arthritis is a distinctly different condition. Doctors do not fully understand what causes RA, but researchers think genetic and environmental factors likely play a role. It is possible that some viruses could trigger a reaction in the immune system that leads to RA. However, no recent research has looked at HFMD. People with RA, an autoimmune condition, are at risk for infections. Additionally, treatments for RA suppress immune function. Read on to learn more about HFMD and RA. There is no strong scientific evidence that HFMD causes RA. Some research, however, suggests that people may develop joint pain after HFMD infection. The coxsackiev...

After seeing influenza cases fall to less than 200 in North Dakota during the 2020-21 flu season the health department is reporting a healthy jump in numbers this year. The state has documented 10,217 confirmed cases to date – second highest tally on record. The department's Levi Schlosser says while flu numbers were up – the number of North Dakotans rolling up their sleeves for a flu shot was down.  "For the 2021-22 flu season 35.5% of all North Dakotans six months or older got their flu vaccination which is down from 38% the previous year." Schlosser says vaccine makers are currently monitoring world flu activity so they update the composition of the shots prior to the next campaign. Statewide the department has confirmed 39 deaths this season. 2019-20 flu season: 12,472 Adblock test (Why?)

Rats. New York City (NYC) has had more cases of leptospirosis in 2021 than in any other prior year. And 2020 still has a little over two months to go. That's according to a recent NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene advisory. So far this year, the Big Apple has already had 14 reported cases of people infected with the spirochete bacteria Leptospira interrogans . And leptospirosis isn't the "it's just leptospirosis, I should be able to make our date" type of infectious disease. Of the 14 cases, 13 have landed in the hospital with liver and kidney failure, two had severe lung disease, and one ended up dying. What's probably the most common way of getting infected with Leptospira interrogans in NYC? Well, urine for a surprise. It's rat urine. Yep, who would have known that rat urine could be a bad thing? When rats are infected with the bacteria, they can excrete the microbes through urine. That can leave soil, water, food, or anything e...

How often should we poo? If you Google this question, you're likely to find an answer along the lines of three times a day to once every three days. But this leaves room for substantial variation. The true answer is: when you feel the urge. In fact, habitually putting off the urge to poo and slowing the bowel "transit time" may be associated with a higher risk of problems such as bowel cancer, diverticulosis (small pouches of the bowel lining protruding through the bowel wall), haemorrhoids and anal tears, and prolapse. That's why the golden rule of gastroenterology is to always heed the "call to stool" when the urge strikes. Read more: A poo dose a day may keep bipolar away. When it comes to mental health, what else could poo do? Eating often triggers the urge Back in the early 20th century, physiologists determined that a powerful stimulus to open your bowels was eating food and they referred to...

Soon, the coughs, sniffles and sneezes will be flying and drugstores will be well-stocked with the usual cold and flu remedies. If you tend to gravitate toward natural treatment options, you've probably seen elderberry products on the shelves season after season. From cough syrup to lozenges, gummies to immunity juice shots, this rich source of antioxidants is considered by some to be a Holy Grail solution for treating colds and the flu. Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy But elderberries didn't become popular overnight. Elderberry extract has been used medicinally for centuries to fight infections, clear up complexions and boost immunity. Keep reading to find out why elderberry products have become so popular and if they really live up to the hype. What a...

What Is Sudafed 12 Hour? Sudafed 12 Hour ( pseudoephedrine ) is a decongestant medication. Decongestant drugs cause the mucous membranes in nasal passages to contract, which decreases swelling and secretion of mucus. The main ingredient in Sudafed 12 Hour is called pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine works by shrinking swollen nasal passages and reducing swelling and stuffy nose (congestion). It helps open up the nasal airways and drain the sinuses. Pseudoephedrine is typically available over-the-counter (OTC). However, depending on the state where you buy it, you may need to show your ID to purchase it. Pseudoephedrine is available under several brand names, including Sudafed 12 Hour (the extended-release formulation), Sudafed (the immediate-release formulation), and various dosage forms. It is also available generically. Drug Facts Generic Name :   Pseudoephedrine Brand Name(s) : Sudafed, 12 Hour Cold Maximum Strength, Biofed, Cenafe...

(ET, ) - It was the most watched episode in Shark Tank history when sisters Anna and Samantha Martin won over the Shark Tank panel. N ever before had the judging panel unanimously decided to each invest millions of dollars into a potential company. After buying a staggering 25% share in the sisters' company, the Shark Tank panel have personally mentored the pair, helping them undergo re-branding and re-packing of their miracle product. Touting their discovery as "the greatest step forward in weight-loss history," the judges were quick to offer up their hard earned cash to back the entrepreneurial pair. "We were shocked. The most we were hoping for was some advice…we weren't even sure that we would manage to get any investors," explained Samantha. After outstanding offers from each panel member, the sisters burst into tears. "It didn't feel real. The fact tha...

A yearlong study of more than 60,000 people tested for the coronavirus in San Francisco found intriguing shifts in COVID-19 symptoms over three different surges — including fewer reports of loss of smell, once considered a trademark of the illness — probably because of changes in the virus itself as well as individuals' immunity. More people with COVID reported symptoms of upper respiratory infection — including cough, sore throat and congestion — during the omicron surge than earlier waves, researchers found. Patients also experienced fewer instances of systemic issues such as fever and body aches. Loss of smell was reported by 20% of those who tested positive during the delta surge, but only 5% during omicron. The same study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, also found that most people infected during the omicron surge tested positive for at least five days, and in many cases up to 10 days, after their first positive test. This suggests they may remain infectio...

If you develop pain in your body that limits normal motion, you may have tenosynovitis , a condition in which a tendon and its covering (the synovial sheath ) become inflamed and irritated. Tendons are your body's structures that connect muscles to bones. The inflammation of the tendon and sheath in tenosynovitis may cause pain, swelling, and limited use of the body part affected. Where Do People Get Tenosynovitis? Body parts most often affected by tenosynovitis include: These tendons attach muscles to bones and reside within the synovial fluid, the thick liquid that is between the joints. This synovial sheath allows the tendon to glide and slide normally during use. Irritation of the tendon may cause the common symptoms of tenosynovitis. This article discusses tenosynovitis, including how it is diagnosed and managed, as well as its prognosis.  athima tongloom/Moment / Getty Images  Types of Tenosynovitis There are...