Your Tea Bag Might Be Shedding Billions of Microplastics
Your favorite tea could be exposing you to billions of tiny plastic particles, new research finds. In a November 2024 study published in Chemosphere, researchers tested three different brands of tea bags for exposure to microplastics—degraded plastic bits that don’t break down and are suspected to impact human health. The team found that brewing tea […]
Intestinal Metaplasia (IM): Symptoms, Treatment & More
Intestinal metaplasia (IM) occurs when the body replaces the cells that line the upper digestive tract (including the stomach and esophagus) with cells that line the intestines. When IM happens in the stomach, it’s called gastric intestinal metaplasia; when it occurs in the esophagus, it’s called Barrett’s esophagus. Intestinal metaplasia does not cause any symptoms […]
8 Medications You Shouldn’t Combine With Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential vitamin that plays a role in inflammation and metabolism (creating energy). The two main forms of vitamin D are ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D is necessary to treat and lower the risk of conditions related to low vitamin D levels, like rickets and osteoporosis. You can […]
Is a New Norovirus Strain Behind the Surge of Infections in the US? Experts Weigh In
A new strain of norovirus makes up the majority of outbreaks nationwide—and it may offer an explanation for the steep rise in infections over the past month. The new norovirus strain, called GII.17[P17], was responsible for nearly 70% of all norovirus outbreaks from September 2024 through the end of December 2024, according to data from […]
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Medication Options
Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes painful lesions under the skin. Many people take years to receive a proper HS diagnosis because it can look like pimples or acne. Without appropriate treatment, HS can worsen and lead to complications, including abscesses (infected, pus-filled lumps), intense pain, and sinus tracts (pus-filled tunnels […]
Types of Drinking Water: Composition, Benefits, Risks
Your body needs water to function properly, as it’s comprised of 50-60% water. Adequate water intake helps cushion and lubricate your joints, regulate body temperature, protect your organs, improve circulation, and remove waste from your body. There are several types of water to choose from to keep your body hydrated and functioning at optimal levels. […]
Psoriasis and Stress: How They’re Connected
Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, thick, irritated patches that often look silvery and scaley. It most commonly affects the elbows, knees, and scalp but can occur anywhere on the body. Psoriasis is a chronic condition, meaning you have it for life. The severity of the condition usually ebbs and flows; you might […]
Perimenopause Weight Gain: Causes and Management
It’s common to gain weight during perimenopause, the time leading up to menopause. Menopause is the stage in your life when you’ve stopped having your period for 12 months in a row and can no longer get pregnant. Perimenopause typically begins in your mid- to late 40s and lasts about four years. During this transition […]
Dry Feet: Causes and Treatments
Dry feet can occur when your skin loses large amounts of water and oil. The dryness may affect the entire foot, including the soles and heels. Anyone can develop dry feet. They’re more common during the winter due to the colder, drier air. Some health conditions may also cause dry skin on the feet. Eczema […]
Radon Poisoning: Signs and Symptoms
Radon poisoning occurs when you become exposed to dangerously high levels of radon, a naturally occurring, odorless, and colorless radioactive gas. Radon is produced when uranium, a radioactive element, breaks down in soil, rock, and water in the environment. It is then released into the air. When you inhale excessive levels of radon, it can […]