If you are exploring in vitro fertilization, the first question after “will it work” is usually “what will it cost.” The answer to how many IVF cycles insurance covers is not simple: it depends entirely on your state, your employer, and your specific plan. Some plans cover unlimited cycles, most cover one to three, and … Read more

Conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye, is an inflammation of the thin clear tissue that lines the inside of the eyelid and covers the white part of the eye. The “cure” depends entirely on the cause — bacterial infections need antibiotics, viral infections must run their course, and allergic reactions require removing the trigger. Most cases … Read more

The bubonic plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis. This germ lives mainly in small rodents and their fleas. When an infected flea bites a human, the bacteria enter the skin and travel to the lymph nodes, causing the painful swelling known as a bubo. While the disease is famous for killing millions in … Read more

Aching jaw pain can stop you mid-bite, wake you from sleep, or make talking feel like a chore. The discomfort often feels like a deep, dull ache in the cheek, ear, or temple. In most cases, the source is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. However, several distinct … Read more

Heavy cream is the high-fat liquid that rises to the top of fresh cow’s milk. It is made by separating this fat-rich layer from the rest of the milk, then pasteurizing it to make it safe. To be labeled heavy cream in the United States, it must contain at least 36% milk fat, though most … Read more

When people talk about “the pregnancy hormone,” they usually mean human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG. This is the hormone that pregnancy tests detect. It is made by cells that form the placenta, and it appears in the blood and urine shortly after a fertilized egg attaches to the uterus. hCG is the earliest reliable chemical … Read more

A hemorrhoid on a woman looks like a small, soft lump or swollen bulge around the anus or just inside the rectum. On lighter skin, it often appears pink, red, or purple, while on darker skin it may look darker than the surrounding area. The skin over the lump is usually smooth and tender, and … Read more

Nasal congestion and ear pressure often go hand in hand. When your nose blocks up, the tube connecting your throat to your middle ear can also swell shut, trapping fluid and creating that plugged, muffled feeling. You can relieve both at home using methods that address the physical blockage directly—steam, saline, positioning, and pressure changes. … Read more

What Are Gallstones and Where Do They Form? The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ tucked beneath the liver. Its main job is to store bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver that helps break down fats. Bile contains cholesterol, bile salts, and a waste product called bilirubin. When the balance of these components … Read more

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts meant to improve your health. For most people, they do not cause diarrhea. But some people do get diarrhea when they start taking them. This is usually a temporary adjustment period, not a sign of harm. Your digestive system is simply reacting to new bacteria. The diarrhea typically clears … Read more