Medicare provides coverage for the healthcare expenses of most seniors and disabled persons in the country. But it does not cover every aspect of healthcare. In general, the basic plans such as Plan A and Plan B cover partial costs associated with hospital care, doctor visits, and lab tests under certain terms and conditions. People usually have to take on additional plans, such as Medicare Advantage, to cover additional expenses that are not included in original plans. Routine physical exams Neither Plan A nor Plan B of Medicare provides coverage for regular physical examinations by a primary care doctor. Unless the examination is related to the treatment or diagnosis of any health disorder, the basic Medicare plans will not cover the expenses. But it does cover routine checkups in some form as a part of wellness checks or preventive care. This includes a one-time health monitoring checkup in the first year of enrolling for Medicare Part B. For the following years, the expenses of annual wellness visits are covered. Hearing aids Medicare plans, including most Medicare Advantage plans, do not cover expenses for hearing aids, which also include routine hearing exams. However, coverage is provided for hearing tests prescribed by primary care doctors to diagnose any ear condition.

Although tiny and invisible to the naked eye, viruses can cause various illnesses and compromise the immune system. Once viruses penetrate the body, they rapidly multiply through the genetic fragments they transport, leading to viral infections. Moreover, as bacterial and viral infections share similar symptoms, getting medical attention is essential to distinguish the type of infection. Listed below are some initial signs of viral infections to look out for. Flu symptoms Fever When viruses enter the body, it’s common for the body to develop a fever to fight them off, making it a common symptom of viral infections. Other viral fever symptoms include cold, cough, and runny nose. Headache The inflammation caused by a viral infection may trigger debilitating headaches. Moreover, viral infections are characterized by colds and fever, which may also trigger and aggravate headaches. Fatigue Fatigue is a typical response of the body to viral infection. This kind of fatigue usually lasts until the body successfully defeats the infection. However, some patients may experience post-viral fatigue, which starts during the viral infection but persists even after recovery. Body pain When the immune system tries fighting against a viral attack, it releases white blood cells to destroy the viruses, causing inflammation and body pain.

Women’s reproductive health requires preventive care and proactive management. While regular visits to a gynecologist are encouraged, it is equally important to be aware of early signs of health concerns that call for immediate intervention. Recognizing and empowering oneself with knowledge about these early indicators can help one improve and maintain reproductive health. Additionally, paying attention to warning signs can help one get early treatment, enabling one to navigate health issues with ease. Irregular periods and excessive bleeding If one experiences persistently irregular menstrual cycle or severe bleeding, it can be a sign of underlying health problems. Women who experience extremely heavy or prolonged periods should consult a gynecologist, as these could be signs of hormonal imbalances or even uterine cancer. Further, persistent heavy bleeding can lead to anemia, causing fatigue and weakness. Breast abnormalities Women should be vigilant about changes in their breasts. Any new lumps, swelling, pain, nipple discharge, or changes in breast size or shape should be promptly evaluated by a gynecologist. While most such symptoms may not be serious, they may indicate conditions such as breast infection or breast cancer, for which timely medical intervention can ensure early detection and better outcomes. Dizziness and excessive eating during periods Feeling dizzy during periods may be a sign of low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or anemia.

Blood circulation is a vital process for an individual to function regularly. The blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the body, including the liver, skin, and immune system. A lack of proper circulation may result in unusual symptoms that could affect one’s quality of life and overall health. However, these signs are often confused with other complications, and therefore, it is important to know the warning signs that may indicate poor blood circulation. Swelling Sometimes an individual may experience signs like swelling (edema) in the ankles, feet, and legs. The symptoms may occur when blood pools in one area of the body. Along with swelling, one may notice stiffness, heaviness, taut or warm skin in the surrounding joints, and pain. Cognitive impairment Blood is necessary for multiple brain functions, such as involuntary breathing, speech, memory, thought, and the ability to walk. The lack of circulation may result in trouble focusing and the loss of memory, which could affect one’s relationships, work, and other activities. Skin alterations Another common symptom of poor blood circulation is changes in the skin. One may develop twisted, bulging blue varicose veins that may appear on the legs and ankles. The symptom may occur when a valve within the vein fails, which could disrupt blood circulation.

The immune system is responsible for defending the body against several diseases and infections. Booster shots are taken to help with improving immunity; however, when you take a booster shot, they can cause flu-like symptoms for a few days. Those with conditions like diabetes and BP should be extra careful to follow protocol. Before getting vaccinations and booster shots, here are some common signs of weak immunity one should be careful of. Frequent sickness A weak immune system cannot fight off foreign virus that enters the body and causes infections. This means an individual is prone to getting sicker than those with a healthy immune system. In cases of immune weakness, the body cannot produce healthy disease-fighting cells, which can counter the source of the sickness. This scenario requires immediate doctor’s attention because it may lead to other complications if not treated soon. Perpetual cold This is another telltale sign of weak immunity. While it is perfectly normal to get a cold, all adults and kids do; if you are constantly catching a cold, then it means your immune system is not healthy enough to build resilience. It usually takes a week to 10 days to get rid of a cold, which includes doctor-advised treatment methods or even home remedies.

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, makes the skin itchy, dry, and inflamed. Although the development of this condition is common in young children, it can affect one at any age. Furthermore, it is chronic and tends to flare up whenever triggered. Some of the most common triggers are dry skin, stress, skin infections, cleaning products, sweat, mold, dust mites, and pollen. Read on to learn more about the mistakes that can make eczema worse. 4 common mistakes that could make eczema worse Choosing the wrong moisturizers One of the best ways to manage eczema and its associated symptoms is to keep the skin moisturized. But choosing the right kind of moisturizer for the condition is easier said than done. Most moisturizers can be found in two forms – creams and lotions. In the case of eczema, one must use non-scented creams and ointments instead of lotions. Scented products contain harsh allergens and must be avoided, while creams contain high amounts of oil to trap moisture in the skin. Taking hot showers and baths While showering or bathing in hot water can be relaxing, it can adversely affect eczema-prone skin. This is because excessively hot water is a common eczema trigger. So, to avoid flare-ups, one must not shower for longer than 10 minutes with hot water.

There is nothing more comforting than a therapeutic shower after a long day. Starting and ending the day with a warm shower is an indispensable part of many individuals’ routines. Besides the obvious advantage of cleansing, bathing has several health benefits, including better sleep, mood enhancement, and cold and flu relief. However, bathing the right way is essential to avoid skin infections and ward off harmful bacteria. Here are some common showering mistakes to avoid: Showering for too long A long shower can be stress relieving and therapeutic; however, showering for too long can deplete moisture from the skin. Chronically dry skin also increases one’s risk of developing eczema, characterized by dry, itchy, and bumpy skin. Hence, it is best to have short and sweet showers of no more than 15 minutes to protect the skin from dehydration. Not moisturizing immediately after a shower While water cleanses the skin and removes dust particles, wiping the skin after a bath can leave the skin feeling dry. Thus, dermatologists recommend applying a moisturizer or body lotion to the skin immediately after a shower to ensure skin suppleness and prevent the skin from drying out. Forgetting to exfoliate frequently The importance of skin exfoliation cannot be emphasized enough.

Your sleep governs the type of day you will have once you wake up. It will determine how energized and ready you are to tackle the obstacles of the week. Therefore, taking care of habits that provide a more restful night is essential. This can help with signs of poor sleep, like headaches, poor appetite, low energy, increased irritability, and fatigue. Here are a few habits that you need to avoid at bedtime: Eating heavy meals Heavy and late meals are an absolute no-no when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. While it does not sound like that big of a deal, the body can feel uncomfortable if you go to bed with the night’s dinner weighing on you. Climbing into bed with the body still trying to digest the food you fed will result in restlessness and disturbed sleep instead of the peaceful one you had hoped for. Ignoring routine A bedtime routine will go a long way toward introducing you to a restful night of sleep. It helps the brain and body calibrate to the settings required for sleep. With a slower pace, it is more acceptable for the brain to slow down and work at a pace that will stop sending alert signals to the body.

Vasculitis is an autoimmune condition that affects the blood vessels in the patient’s body. These vessels are a channel that carries blood to and from different parts of the body. The signs of this condition are commonly based on the body part the condition affects. Some symptoms are common among individuals and can occur irrespective of the location of the affected area. General signs of this blood vessel inflammation disease include loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, and muscle loss. Skin rashes These rashes exhibit variations in appearance, ranging from minor red marks to more extensive and raised lesions. The root cause of skin rashes in vasculitis primarily stems from the inflammation of small blood vessels (small vessel vasculitis). The immune system’s fight against the walls of blood vessels causes harm and leakage, resulting in skin discoloration and rashes formation. Fatigue Fatigue is a widespread symptom across varied conditions, and vasculitis is no exception. The inflammation and impairment of blood vessels can adversely impact the smooth flow of oxygen and nutrients to various organs and tissues, eventually leading to fatigue. This chronic inflammation results in overwhelming fatigue that can substantially diminish an individual’s quality of life. Fever Fever is the body’s natural reaction to infection or inflammation.

Mycobacterium avium complex or MAC is a group of bacteria that causes chronic infection primarily affecting one’s lungs. The condition is seen more commonly in people who already suffer from other lung problems, like bronchiectasis and COPD. In severe cases, the disease may affect organs other than lungs, and people who have a compromised immune system are more at risk. There are a few early signs that should prompt one to seek medical diagnosis. Types of MAC infections MAC disease that affects the lungs and respiratory tract is called pulmonary MAC or MAC lung disease. Disseminated MAC, on the other hand, is a condition that affects patients in advanced stages of AIDS and impacts one’s entire body. Early warning signs of MAC lung infection The bacteria may be present in one’s body long before the symptoms begin to show. Early symptoms of MAC lung disease may vary from person to person and the early signs are often mild. Here are seven warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Chronic cough and shortness of breath MAC bacteria can settle in the lung airways and irritate the delicate tissues, even creating a hold in them if left untreated. As a result, one may experience persistent or chronic cough.