Pain relief is one of the most important aspects post-treatment or after a surgery. Opioid medications are prescribed to relieve the pain experienced by the patients because the medications contain chemicals that help relax the body. The medication is intended for a simple purpose; pain relief. However, prescription opioid addiction is common among people who started using the medication for pain relief. As a result of the intended relaxing effects of opioids to relieve pain, often patients crave more even when there is no need for the same. Hydrocodone, oxycodone, oxymorphone, morphine, codeine, and fentanyl are common opioid medications recommended by medical professionals. It is common for these medications to trigger a substance addiction of varying severity. In such cases, opioid overdose reversal using naloxone has shown significant improvements for de-addiction. It is imperative to identify the signs of an addiction before deaddiction can be administered to any patient. Manipulating the dosage or frequency of opioid medication, ingestion of opioids that do not form part of the doctors prescription, and even deliberate intake of opioids when there is no need for the same are all indicators of a developing opioid addiction. Substance and opioid abuse is a common problem among Hollywood celebrities, and they have been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons due to the opioid addiction.

An opioid is a class of drugs that include pain relievers such as hydrocodone, fentanyl, tramadol, and oxycodone, and recreational (illegal) drugs such as heroin. Opioids are also referred to as narcotics. Health care personnel administer very small amounts of opioid as a pain reliever in case of a serious injury or a major surgery. It is also prescribed as a pain reliever when a person is undergoing chemotherapy sessions to treat cancer. Prescription-based opioids are generally safe if taken for a short period of time. It can turn into addiction or dependency if taken for a longer time or misused by mixing them with another illegal or recreational drug. Opioids affect breathing. People on high doses of the drug can have slower breathing, which can even be fatal. A recent study revealed that more than 30,000 deaths were recorded in our country (and around 70,000 deaths around the world) due to an overdose of opioids present in pain relievers and heroin. One of the treatment approaches to counter opioid overdose could be administering naloxone. Opioid overdose reversal with naloxone is usually used by doctors to flush the opioids from the body. Naloxone is a medication that reverses the overdose effects of the drug.

A family nurse is medical professional who specializes in educational and clinical training in family practice. They are highly qualified, which makes them well trained in providing extensive and personalized care to patients. Family nurses are trained to provide required care to children and adults both in the context of a family setting. They help the patients maintain their health and wellness over the long term while focusing on preventive care alongside. Reasons to hire a family nurse Most people hire a family nurse as there has been a decline in the number of primary care providers and their requirement can be fulfilled by a family nurse. Family nurses are well trained in helping the patient manage their acute and chronic illnesses, which helps the patients improve their quality of life. They hold a long history of engaging themselves in caring for their patients, who can be anyone from children to adults. Family nurses also educate their patients on their illnesses and the practical measures they must take for improvements. There are several roles of a family nurse that one should know about. Role of a family nurse A family nurse monitors health and wellness and minor illnesses of people of all ages.

In the medical world, diagnosis is a term used for procedures doctors and medical practitioners take to determine the nature of the disease or a disorder and distinguish it from other possible conditions. A diagnostic procedure helps health professionals take one disease over other possible diseases and start working on treating its symptoms with the intention of curing the disease of its roots. Traditionally, a medical diagnostic procedure includes systems that are required for automated testing, reagents used for biological testing and identifying the type of bacteria or virus to measure certain hormone or marker of disease, and software that help process and interpret biological test results. The medical diagnostics are a part of medical tests that are designed to find medical conditions, diseases, and infections. These medical tests come under vitro medical diagnostics, which are tests done on samples of blood or tissues taken from a patient’s body. The role of a vitro diagnostic test includes microorganism that may be causing an infectious disease and to help doctors understand the most appropriate treatment. Role of medical diagnostics Medical diagnostics tests help improve patient care, contribute to consumer safety, and help doctors save money on many treatments to cure a disease.

An inflammatory condition, ankylosing spondylitis affects the joints of the spine. It is triggered by severe inflammation of the spinal joints that, in turn, causes immense chronic pain and discomfort. As a result of the fused vertebrae, the spine becomes less flexible and its structure may change to form a hunched posture. This can then result in breathing problems as the ribs get affected. Men are at a higher risk of suffering from ankylosing spondylitis as compared to women. A progression of this condition can also lead to ankylosis. This is the formation of a new bone in the spine that leads to its segmentation. Each section gets fixed and fuses to become immobile. The effects of ankylosing spondylitis can extend beyond the spine and cause inflammation or pain in other joints of the body such as the heels, ribs, hips, shoulders, and feet. In more severe cases, the eyes, lungs, and heart may become affected too. There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis; however, effective treatment coupled with the right management techniques can aid in reducing its complications. Here are some methods that can work wonders in managing ankylosing spondylitis and helping one live an active lifestyle: Dietary changes:

Pregnancy is a life-altering experience, and every woman knows that “easy pregnancy” is something of a miracle. During pregnancy, there will be several physical and psychological changes, and not all of these will be pleasant. Another factor that makes pregnant women more anxious is the well-being of their unborn child. Everything that the mother does has an impact on the baby’s health. Hence, doctors often advise expecting mothers to eat healthily and stay active as it makes the pregnancy easier. It is common knowledge that the baby receives all the essential nutrients from what the mother consumes. Therefore, to ensure that your baby is born healthy, you need to maintain a healthy diet. During pregnancy, your body needs more nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. In fact, you might have to add 350-500 extra calories to your everyday diet during the second and third trimesters. Lack of essential nutrients and poor eating habits can prove detrimental to the baby’s health. So, take a look at some highly nutritious foods to add to your diet during pregnancy. Eggs Eggs are superfoods and contain every nutrient you’ll need. A large egg contains 77 calories and is rich in high-quality protein and fat. It contains vitamins and minerals that promote the baby’s health.

Birth control refers to any type of device, method, or medicine used to prevent pregnancy. Most birth control measures are designed for women to use but there are a few products and procedures for men too. There are multiple birth control options available in the market and they work in various ways. Among a range of birth control options, some products are ideal for preventing unplanned pregnancies while others are simply easy to use. Alternatively, there are contraceptives that work well during menstruation and birth control pills that are low in hormones. Following are the most common methods, devices, and techniques concerning birth control. Low maintenance implants Birth control implants and IUDs are low maintenance. Implants last up to five years while the intrauterine device can prevent pregnancy up to 12 years. Used on a schedule Birth control shots, a vaginal ring, patches, and pills must be used on a schedule and are not that effective in comparison to implants and devices. The schedule will vary on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis depending on the product. Used daily Condoms, internal condoms, diaphragm, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicide are products that must be used every single time to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

The American Association of Retired Persons, more commonly known as AARP, is a non-profit organization that aims to “empower people to choose how they live as they age.” The members of AARP are bestowed with several benefits and one of those is insurance. AARP is not an insurance company, but it caters to the unique insurance needs of retirees. Before retirement, these individuals are a part of an organization where health care benefits are provided by employers. Once they retire, they are faced with a tedious task of finding affordable health insurance options. Though AARP doesn’t sell insurance policies, it serves as a one-stop health insurance shopping option for the members’ insurance needs. What does AARP do? Seniors who need health insurance plans can find a wide selection to choose from if they sign up for an AARP membership. These insurance products are made available to the members at discounted rates and from top-rated insurance carriers who are financially stable. AARP strives to improve the quality of life of seniors and has founded coalitions worldwide for this very purpose. After retirees lose the health care benefits that accompanied their jobs, AARP makes it easier for them to find affordable health insurance owing to their affiliation with major insurance providers.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is a non-profit organization that caters to retirees. Specifically, the AARP health insurance membership focuses on providing healthcare benefits at discounted rates from the best providers and insurance carriers. Note that the AARP is not an insurance provider but an intermediary service that connects retirees and seniors to resources for affordable healthcare. AARP health insurance is affiliated to several major providers. Once you are a member, all you have to do is log in and provide the ZIP code to narrow down the coverage options. AARP health insurance The nonprofit organization works in tandem with private insurance companies to offer its members a range of specially selected health insurance plans and fixed-cash hospital indemnity plans with low-cost insurance. AARP health insurance also offers a wide range of Medicarecomplete, MedicareRx, and Medicare supplement plans to help cover anything that is not part of your original healthcare plan. You will find comprehensive AARP Medicare plans for retirees above the age of 50 to avail premium healthcare at affordable prices. What is Original Medicare? Original Medicare consists of Part A that is hospital insurance. It provides cover for inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility stays, hospice care, and also home health care.

Pregnancy can be an exhilarating journey, even though a woman might not feel her best for the entire duration of it. The process is not just different for each woman, but it is also different for the same woman from one pregnancy to the next. Symptoms of pregnancy vary throughout the trimesters and are usually visible after the first 4 weeks. A normal pregnancy lasts for about 40 weeks. Conception and implantation Between the 6th and 14th day of the menstrual cycle, follicles in one of the ovaries begin to mature. After the 14th day, a sudden surge in luteinizing hormone causes the ovary to release its egg. The egg travels from the fallopian tube to the uterus over a course of five days. If this mature egg comes in contact with a sperm that has made its way to the fallopian tube, they combine into one cell. This process is called fertilization. The fertilized egg travels to the uterus for further growth and development, which is known as implantation. Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. Each trimester lasts for 12–13 weeks. Several changes take place in a pregnant woman’s body as well as in the developing baby in the womb during each trimester.