Yes, anyone who takes opioids, a type of pain medication, is at risk for developing addiction. Individual addiction risk is affected by length of time using opioids and personal history. It is difficult to determine who will develop dependence or abuse of these drugs. Opioids are extremely addictive, partially due to their activation of the…
The keto diet is a diet that limits carbohydrates to less than 50 grams a day. The remaining calories and nutrition comes from fat and protein. The purpose of shifting to a high-fat low carb-diet is to make your body shift from using carbs and glucose for energy to using fat for energy, this process…
High blood pressure can have serious effects on your lifelong health. But thankfully there are several ways to decrease blood pressure, even without medication. One of the best ways to decrease your blood pressure and keep it down is by losing weight and decreasing your waistline. Blood pressure will often increase as weight increases. Also,…
Dermatologists can be able to help control acne, avoid scarring and skin damage, or make scars less noticeable. Usually the first line for acne treatment includes good hygiene and over the counter medications. If after a couple weeks or months these methods do not work for you, then your dermatologist may have to prescribe stronger…
In the United States, there are two vaccines that may be used to protect against monkeypox, JYNNEOS and ACAM2000. Both vaccines that may be used for the monkeypox virus are based off of the smallpox vaccine as the two viruses are closely related. Those who should consider getting vaccinated include individuals that have been identified…
Monkeypox virus is a disease that typically affects rodents or nonhuman primates, but may occur in humans. It is native to Central and Western Africa but may spread due to international travel, imported animals, or close contact with an animal or person with monkeypox. The symptoms of Monkeypox include: fever, rash, headache, muscle aches, chills,…
Sending an invitation to your friends and family is quick and easy. Simply follow the steps below. 1. Log into your Umedoc account 2. Click the “Invite Friend” button at the bottom left corner of the dashboard 3. Input the name, email, and mobile phone number of your friend or family member 4. Click the…
Palliative care is an important part of a medical team that helps to manage diseases and improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Palliative care is specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It is focused on providing patients with relief from the symptoms, pain and stress of a…
Not all antibiotics are created equal! For many years scientists have studied ways to tailor antibiotics to kill specific bacteria without killing others. This type of work is ongoing and painstaking, but incredibly beneficial to society as a whole to prevent antibiotic resistance. The mechanism of action of antibiotics varies by class of the medication,…
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most prevalent endocrine-metabolic disorders in females affecting 5 to 10% of women (UpToDate). The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Women with PCOS can struggle with infertility (irregular periods) and weight gain, as well as with excessive facial and body hair growth, hair loss, and type II…
Fun in the sun can sometimes be limited by medications that interact with sunlight exposure. Some medicines contain ingredients that may cause photosensitivity, this means increased sensitivity to sunlight that can cause sunburn-like symptoms, a rash or other unwanted side effects. (Food and Drug Administration). Photosensitivity can occur after exposure to ultraviolet light – either…
The human body is a host for billions of organisms that work to keep us healthy by balancing pH, aiding in digestion, and protecting certain tissues. As strange as it may seem, fungus is one of those organisms that live within your body, specifically the yeast kind called candida. Normally, candida does not cause any…
Dermatological diseases, such as measles and chickenpox, cause a distinctive rash that helps medical providers diagnose a patient. COVID-19 is different because there is no single COVID-19 rash, and it’s also an inconsistent symptom – it does not occur in every case of the infection. When a patient with COVID-19 does develop a rash, it…
Occasional headaches are extremely common and typically benign. Chronic headaches are less common and sometimes hard to diagnose. Finding patterns in chronic headaches can provide clues to the cause of the pain. Keeping a headache diary might help determine your headache type. Note when they occur, your symptoms, and potential triggers, such as food, stress…
