Posts

Showing posts from May, 2024

7 best natural antibiotics: Uses, evidence, and effectiveness - Medical News Today

Image
Certain natural substances have antibacterial properties, including garlic, ginger, and honey. While these may be of benefit as part of a balanced diet, they are not a replacement for prescription medication. Prescription antibiotics, such as penicillin, have helped people to recover from otherwise fatal diseases and conditions since the 1940s. However, many people may consider alternative treatments, such as natural antibiotics. Some people may experience side effects after taking antibiotics, such as feeling sick or diarrhea. Other people may also experience an allergic reaction to certain antibiotics. As such, while natural options cannot replace prescription medication, they may still provide some benefit. In this article, we look at the evidence behind seven of the best natural antibiotics. We also discuss which to avoid, and when to see a doctor. With an ongoing increase in drug-resistant bacteria, research is investigating natural compounds as a potential source and inspiration

Psoriasis | Causes, treatments and cures, according to experts - Women's Health UK

Image
Welcome to Skin Solutions : an expert-led guide to understanding your skin. Knowing that skincare isn't one-size-fits-all, we've spoken to the industry's top dermatologists and aestheticians to answer all your questions about your skin type or concern. Whether dealing with a bout of acne, a rosacea flare-up or eternally dehydrated skin, our Skin Solutions series shares science-backed advice and product recommendations from the pros. When you think of psoriasis you probably envision inflamed and rough skin that pops up every now and then. While that's true, the symptoms of psoriasis are far more complex than just dry skin. Whether you're dealing with it for the first time, or you are days into yet another flare-up, you'll know just how irritating psoriasis can be. The non-contagious, inflammatory and often chronic condition is characterised by swollen plaques that sit on the skin, which can also become very itchy. As troublesome as psoriasis sounds, it's

Deschutes County confirms case of human plague in local resident - Deschutes County

en español Deschutes County Health Services has confirmed a case of human plague in a local resident. The individual was likely infected by their symptomatic pet cat. "All close contacts of the resident and their pet have been contacted and provided medication to prevent illness," said Dr. Richard Fawcett, Deschutes County Health Officer.    Symptoms of plague usually begin in humans two to eight days after exposure to an infected animal or flea. These symptoms may include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches, and/or visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes.   If not diagnosed early, bubonic plague can progress to septicemic plague (bloodstream infection) and/or pneumonic plague (lung infection). These forms of plague are more severe and difficult to treat.  Fortunately, this case was identified and treated in the earlier stages of the disease, posing little risk to the community. No addit

Living With C diff: A Young Woman's Battles With a Typically Older Person's Infection - Contagionlive.com

Image
Minnie had to battle a lot of infections when she was young, and therefore was regularly prescribed antibiotics. She explains it got to the point where her providers would look to be proactive and put her antibiotics when they thought an infection was coming. "I had been working with an OBGYN for some other issues, and she just kept putting me on antibiotics. And eventually, I started getting these weird cramps and my bowel movements changed. And she didn't know what to do with that," Minnie explained. "So she tried to treat me for a little while and then shipped me off to a GI [gastroenterologist], which was the right choice." Although she credits her GI as someone who has helped her, Minnie's age threw her provider as he did not expect her to have C diff at such a young age and thought it was irritable bowel syndrome. Finally, after about year, her GI tested her for C diff. This was her official introduction to C diff , and the beginning of multiple battl

Dark Spots on Face (Melasma): Causes and Treatment - Health.com

Image
You may have dark spots on your face due to melasma, a skin condition in which patches of brown spots appear on the skin. Those patches—also known as hyperpigmentation, a general term for skin discoloration—tend to appear on the cheeks, chin, forehead, nose, and upper lip. Although the patches may cause concern, melasma isn't dangerous. While it can affect anyone, melasma most commonly occurs in people with dark skin tones. It often appears during pregnancy and is known as chloasma and the "mask of pregnancy." You can treat the condition for cosmetic reasons if you're wondering how to get rid of the dark spots on your face. Sun protection, however, is key to reducing the appearance and preventing melasma. Here's what you need to know. Getty Images With melasma, treatment goals include reducing melanin production and evening out your skin tone. The time it takes to achieve those goals varies, but you may see results within three to 12 mo

Yeast Infections in Dogs: How to Treat and Prevent - Daily Paws

Image
Have you noticed your dog scratching frequently, shaking his head, or compulsively licking his paws? These are all signs of a pup who's dealing with a yeast infection. These infections commonly develop on the paws, ears, armpits, skin folds, or your dog's hind end. This overgrowth of yeast is considered a fungal infection since yeast is a type of fungus. It's not contagious, but it makes skin incredibly itchy and will get worse if it isn't treated. A yeast infection can develop due to allergies or medications and can easily be treated topically or orally. Here is what you need to know about yeast infections in dogs. What Causes a Dog Yeast Infection? Malassezia is a type of yeast that naturally lives on a dog's skin, in his ears, and in his anal sacs. Normally, it's kept in check by a healthy immune system. When the yeast grows out of control, it irritates the skin and causes yeast dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). Some dog breeds are

Brandi Rhodes Reveals First Endometriosis Symptoms Doctors Missed - TODAY

Image
About three years ago, Brandi Rhodes, a yoga and Pilates instructor, and former WWE professional wrestler, was pregnant with her daughter when she felt what she calls an "internal pain." "It felt like something inside, whether it was an ovary or my uterus, just felt really irritated and aggravated," Rhodes, 40, tells TODAY.com. Her doctor at the time told her that it was simply something that some women feel and it would go away after she gave birth. But that didn't happen. "The biggest shock was postpartum, when this was supposed to be going away, it definitely was not going away," Rhodes says. Her doctor then suggested pelvic floor therapy, and while the specialists Rhodes saw over the next three years were skilled and knowledgeable, the therapy only helped a little bit. She started to experience other symptoms as well, like irregular menstrual cycles, heavy periods and severe bloating. "One day I'd wake up in the morning and I felt normal a

5 Skin Infections You Can Get From the Gym - Health.com

Image
What kind of rash can you get from a gym? You may catch several types of skin infections from the gym, including a staph infection and ringworm. Research has found that bacteria live on 10% to 30% of gym surfaces, such as equipment, the floor, and yoga mats. Simple actions can save you from common skin infections and other illnesses that easily spread while you sweat. Read on to learn about skin infections you can catch at the gym and ways to prevent them. You might contract a skin infection through contact with different surfaces at the gym. Certain types of bacteria, viruses, and fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, including: Bottoms of smelly gym bags Floors of community showers Insides of running shoes Skin infections that spread through the air can also occur. A study published in 2018 found that germs can spread easily through the air if there's a lot of carbon dioxide, such as when a lot of people are exercising and breathing heavily.

This fungus turns cicadas into zombies who procreate until they die - National Geographic

Image
How does the fungus make cicadas so energetic? Scientists have long been puzzled about how exactly the fungus energizes cicadas. Research has produced a leading theory—they're essentially high as a kite. It turns out that the fungus that infects periodical cicadas—the broods that emerge every 13 or 17 years—is filled with cathinone, a type of amphetamine and part of the family of stimulants known as speed. Cathinone occurs naturally in one type of plant, but as Gwin noted in the episode, nobody had ever recorded a fungus quite like this.   ( What scientists are learning about the realm of medicinal fungi . ) "We found the same compound, the same exact compound in Massospora-infected cicadas," Kasson said. "And they were loaded with it, which tells us that amphetamines are probably contributing to this prolonged wakefulness."   But this chemical compound isn't the same in every infected cicada. When Kasson studied the chalky fungal plug stic

The 12 Best Athlete's Foot Treatments of 2024 - Verywell Health

Image
Athlete's foot is notorious for causing itchiness, burning, cracking, and peeling skin between the toes and on the bottoms of your feet. These symptoms can often make it uncomfortable to walk or go about your day. To make matters worse, this condition doesn't resolve on its own . Fortunately, you can quickly and effectively treat athlete's foot with several different over-the-counter medications .  To help remedy fungal infections, we researched dozens of athlete's foot treatments and evaluated them for their effectiveness, price, accessibility, active ingredients, and application type . The result is a roundup of remedies in every form available. From gels, creams, and powders to sprays, foot soaks, and wipes, you will find what you need to address this painful, itchy condition . Here's what you need to know about athlete's foot and the best ways to treat it. What Is Athlete's Foot? Athlete's foot—also known as tinea pedis