What Are the Treatments for a Sore Throat?
M ost sore throats are caused by viruses related to colds, so antibiotics, which fight bacteria, won’t help. Instead, treatments for sore throats from colds aim to relieve symptoms such as painful swallowing and scratchiness in the throat. Home remedies may be just as effective as medications to relieve sore throats. However, some sore throats are caused by bacteria — strep throat for instance — and do require an antibiotic. Check with your doctor to be sure. Home Remedies for a Sore Throat Get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids. Gargle with warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of water). Suck on throat lozenges or hard candy. Suck on frozen treats (such as Popsicles). Use a humidifier to create a warm or cool mist in your room....
Read MoreCold and Flu Overview
I s it a cold or the flu? While a common cold, including chest cold and head cold, can be caused by more than 200 viruses, seasonal flu is caused by either influenza A or B viruses. Cold and flu remedies can usually ease symptoms. Antiviral medications like Relenza or Tamiflu are helpful if prescribed soon after flu symptoms start.
Read MoreUnderstanding Back Pain — Symptoms
w hat Are the Symptoms of Back Pain? Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their life. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms. The symptoms for back pain are: Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips. Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity. Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods. Back pain that radiates from the low back...
Read MoreFighting Back Against Dry Skin
A dry skin problem can be uncomfortable and even maddening. Your skin might feel tight and painful; it might look dull or red or flaky. Worst of all is the itchiness — the sort of overwhelming itchiness that makes you feel like you’re infested with fleas, that keeps you awake at night, miserably raking your skin with a back scratcher. “Dry skin is extremely common,” says Barney Kenet, MD, a dermatologist from New York Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center. ”There are probably close to 100 million dried out, itchy people in this country right now.” And if the itching weren’t bad enough, a dry skin problem can be more than just a superficial issue, experts say. “Your intact, healthy skin is your...
Read MoreHIV/AIDS
T he human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that infects cells of the immune system, destroying or impairing their function. As the infection progresses, the immune system becomes weaker, and the person becomes more susceptible to infections. The most advanced stage of HIV infection is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It can take 10-15 years for an HIV-infected person to develop AIDS; antiretroviral drugs can slow down the process even further. HIV is transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse (anal or vaginal), transfusion of contaminated blood, sharing of contaminated needles, and between a mother and her infant during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. More about...
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