A red eye happens when the small blood vessels on the surface of your eye widen or break. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage when a vessel breaks, or injection when vessels simply dilate. The white part of your eye, the sclera, is covered by a clear, thin layer called the conjunctiva that holds these … Read more

A clogged ear is a common and frustrating problem. The pressure, the muffled hearing, and the feeling of fullness can make it hard to focus on anything else. Most of the time, you can fix it at home with simple techniques that target the specific cause, whether it is earwax, fluid, or pressure changes. The … Read more

Yes, you can use tampons with an IUD. This is a common question, and the short answer is that tampons do not pull out or dislodge a properly placed intrauterine device. The IUD sits inside your uterus, while a tampon sits in your vaginal canal, and the two are separated by your cervix. However, there … Read more

Gas and bloating are among the most common digestive complaints, and most people experience them at some point. You can reduce gas and bloating by identifying your specific triggers, adjusting how you eat, and addressing underlying digestive conditions when they exist. For most people, simple changes like eating more slowly, staying hydrated, and tracking which … Read more

Yes, chiggers are active in Virginia. These tiny mites are a common nuisance from late spring through early fall, thriving in the state’s humid climate and grassy, overgrown areas. While their bites are intensely itchy and annoying, chiggers in Virginia do not transmit diseases, and their bites can be effectively treated and prevented with a … Read more

A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak happens when the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord escapes through a tear or hole in the protective membranes, called the dura mater. This fluid acts as a cushion, and when it leaks, it can cause a distinctive headache that gets worse when you sit or stand and … Read more

A sunburn is your skin’s visible reaction to too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The immediate answer to what helps is straightforward: cool the skin, moisturize it, and manage the pain with over-the-counter options while your body repairs the damage. For most people, a sunburn is uncomfortable but temporary, and you can do a lot at … Read more

Yes, schizophrenia can cause insomnia, and sleep problems are a core part of the condition for many people. Insomnia is not just a side effect of the medication or a minor annoyance; it is often deeply connected to the illness itself. For many individuals, difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early is … Read more

Being bored is not a character flaw. It is a normal signal that your current situation is not giving your brain enough stimulation. The quickest way out of boredom is to shift your attention to something that requires active engagement rather than passive consumption. Start with a simple physical action like a short walk, a … Read more

Iron is a mineral your body needs to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every tissue. Without enough iron, your cells do not get the oxygen they need to produce energy, which is why fatigue is the most common symptom of iron deficiency. Iron also supports … Read more