Research-based articles on weight management, joint health, gut health, and natural wellness to help you make informed health decisions.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The short answer is that it is not one or the other — it can be any of them. Bacterial pneumonia is the most common type in adults, but viral pneumonia is also very common, especially in children and older adults. … Read more
Clobetasol propionate is a super-high-potency topical corticosteroid. When you apply it to your skin, absorption into the outer layers begins within minutes. Most of the medication that will be absorbed does so within the first 30 to 60 minutes after application. The full therapeutic effect, however, takes longer to appear — usually several days of … Read more
Using a microneedle roller for hair growth is a straightforward process: clean your scalp and the roller, roll gently over thinning areas in multiple directions, apply a serum or minoxidil afterward, and sanitize the roller for reuse. Most people do this once a week. The goal is to create tiny micro-injuries in the scalp that … Read more
Most women in the United States reach menopause around age 51. The average age is 51.3 years. But menopause is not a single event. It is a process that unfolds over years. For some women it starts earlier. For others it starts later. The range of normal is wide — from ages 45 to 55. … Read more
If you are pregnant and wondering whether you can still dye your hair, the short answer is yes — it is generally considered safe. Major health organizations including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) say that hair dye is safe to use during pregnancy. The concern comes from the fact that your body … Read more
Seeing “T2 hyperintensity” on your MRI report can be unsettling. It simply means that an area of your brain or other tissue looks brighter than expected on a specific type of MRI scan called a T2-weighted image. This brightness signals a higher water content in that spot, which can happen for many reasons—some minor, some … Read more
The sharp burning sensation when you urinate during a yeast infection happens because inflamed tissues are being touched by urine, which is naturally acidic. The yeast infection itself causes swelling, redness, and tiny cracks in the skin around the vaginal opening and urethra. When urine—which has a pH between 4.5 and 8—flows over this raw, … Read more
Blood pressure readings tell you how hard your heart is working to push blood through your body. A healthy blood pressure range is below 120/80 mm Hg, according to the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. The first number, systolic pressure, measures the force when your heart beats. The second number, diastolic … Read more
High blood pressure usually feels like nothing at all. Most people with hypertension have zero symptoms, even when their readings are dangerously high. This is why it is called the silent killer. You can have it for years without knowing. The first sign might be a heart attack, stroke, or kidney damage. That is the … Read more
Fleas can get into human hair, but they do not stay there long. Human hair is not a good home for fleas. These pests prefer animals with fur, like cats and dogs. If a flea jumps onto a person, it will usually bite and then leave within a few hours. The idea of fleas living … Read more