An EKG can show that a heart attack is happening or has happened, but it cannot directly show a blocked coronary artery. The test records the heart’s electrical activity, and a blockage only becomes visible on an EKG when it causes detectable electrical changes — which does not always happen. This is one of the … Read more

If your legs jump or twitch at night, you are not alone. The most common cause is a harmless muscle contraction called a hypnic jerk, which happens as your body drifts into sleep. Another frequent cause is periodic limb movements during sleep, or a simple muscle twitch known as a fasciculation. Most of these movements … Read more

CCM in healthcare most often stands for Chronic Care Management. It is a billed care service for people with two or more serious ongoing conditions, built around a structured care plan and regular contact with a care team between office visits. Medicare pays for it, the patient usually owes little or nothing, and the benefit … Read more

Sanitizing toys in a daycare means cleaning them first with soap and water, then applying a disinfectant or sanitizer that is appropriate for the toy’s material, and letting it air dry completely. Toys that go in mouths need sanitizing daily. Large plastic play equipment and dress-up clothes need it weekly. Soft toys that cannot be … Read more

Small flies in a house almost always come from one thing: a wet, organic food source where larvae are already developing. You get rid of them by finding that source, removing it, and breaking the life cycle before the next generation hatches. Traps and sprays kill the adults you can see, but they do nothing … Read more

Going up and down stairs on crutches is a skill, not a test of courage. The rule that keeps you safe is simple: the good leg leads going up, and the crutches plus the injured leg go first going down. Move one step at a time, keep your hands on the rails or crutches, and … Read more

Wrinkles under the eyes come from a mix of thin skin, constant movement, sun exposure, and the natural loss of collagen and fat that happens with age. The skin around your eyes is the thinnest on your body, which is why it shows wear earlier than almost anywhere else. You cannot stop time, but you … Read more

If you want genetic testing before pregnancy, the usual first stop is your OB-GYN or primary care clinician. They can order carrier screening and refer you to a genetic counselor. Direct-to-consumer kits exist, but they are not a substitute for clinical testing and should not be used to make pregnancy decisions. Most people who ask … Read more