black cohosh

Cough: 19 Tips on How to Stop a Cough

Coughing is a reflex that helps a person clear their airways of irritants. There are many causes of an excessive or severe cough including irritants like cigarette and secondhand smoke, pollution, air fresheners, medications like beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, the common cold, GERD, lung cancer, and heart disease.Natural and home remedies to help cure and soothe a cough include staying hydrated, gargle salt water, use cough drops or lozenges, use herbs and supplements like ginger, mint, licorice, and slippery elm, and don't smoke. Over-the-counter products (OTC)to cure and soothe a cough include cough suppressants and expectorants, and anti-reflux drugs. Prescription drugs that help cure a cough include narcotic medications, antibiotics, inhaled steroids, and anti-reflux drugs like proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, for example, omeprazole (Prilosec), rabeprazole (Aciphex), and pantoprazole (Protonix).

Why Am I Having Menstrual Cramps but No Period?

Menstrual cramps may happen even without a period. Learn more about menstrual cramps without a period, when they can happen, what causes them, and what to watch out for. Menstrual cramps are a type of abdominal pain women get when they have their period. Menstrual cramps may occur after running due to dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, hypothyroidism and pregnancy.

Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the "change of life." Menopause symptoms and signs include hot flashes, night sweats, irregular vaginal bleeding, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, urinary incontinence, weight gain, and emotional symptoms such as mood swings. Treatment of menopausal symptoms varies and should be discussed with your physician.

How Soon Before Labor Do You Have Diarrhea?

Diarrhea may be a sign that your labor will start within 24-48 hours, but there are other more reliable signs that labor is approaching.

Labor Symptoms (Early Signs)

Every woman's experience with labor and delivery is unique for each woman, and thus "Normal" labor varies from woman to woman. Some of the common signs and symptoms of normal labor include the "baby dropping," increase urination, back pain, contractions, and diarrhea.

How Long Does It Take to Go Into Labor After Being Induced?

The time it takes to go into labor after being induced can take anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 days. Learn what to expect when inducing labor. Check out the center below for more medical references on labor and childbirth, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Can Sperm Survive in Menstrual Blood?

Sperm can survive in a woman’s reproductive system for up to 5 days whether the woman is menstruating or not. Thus, even if a woman has sex during her period, sperm from ejaculation may remain inside her reproductive system and may fertilize the egg if ovulation occurs.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body. Early RA signs and symptoms include anemia, both sides of the body affected (symmetric), depression, fatigue, fever, joint deformity, joint pain, joint redness, joint stiffness, joint swelling, joint tenderness, joint warmth, limping, loss of joint function, loss of joint range of motion, and polyarthritis.

Sex and Menopause

Pain Management and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Second Source article from WebMD

Cold and Cough Medicine for Infants and Children

The safety of giving infants and children over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medicine is important for caregivers to understand. While there is no "gold standard" recommendation for giving infants and children OTC cold and cough medicine for fever, aches, cough, and runny nose, a few standards have been recommended.

Menstrual Cramps

Second Source WebMD Medical Reference

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the time in a woman's life when she is approaching menopause. During this time a woman starts to develop symptoms of declining estrogen levels that may include mood swings, painful sex, night sweats, hot flashes, and weight gain. Every adult woman eventually will experience perimenopause.

Is a Cough Contagious?

There are many types of coughs: for example, dry cough, wet cough, a barking cough, whooping cough, stress induced cough, acute cough, and chronic cough. Cough is a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. Treatment of cough as a symptom is generally with OTC lozenges and liquids. The cause of the cough will be necessary to treat.

Is It Good to Cough Up Phlegm?

It is good to cough up phlegm because it helps clear viruses and bacteria from your body when you are sick with a respiratory illness. Learn about the best ways to clear mucus from the lungs and check out the center below for more medical references on cold, flu, and cough, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

16 Early Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Signs & Symptoms

Early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and signs vary differently from person to person. The most common body parts that are initially affected by RA include the small joints of the hands, wrists, and feet, and the knees and hip joints. Joint inflammation causes stiffness. Warmth, redness, and pain may vary in degree.

What Is the Best Infusion for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?

Learn the four most effective DMARDs for rheumatoid arthritis infusion therapy, which aim to control RA symptoms, reduce complications, and improve quality of life and lifespan.

Braxton Hicks vs. True Labor: How to Tell the Difference

Some pregnant women may mistake Braxton Hicks contractions (false labor) for real labor contractions, especially in the first pregnancy. Real labor contractions occur at regular intervals that become progressively shorter; more painful as labor progresses; are described as a tightening, pounding, or stabbing pain. Braxton Hicks contractions do not occur in regular intervals; do not become longer over time; and may disappear for a period of time and then return. Braxton Hicks contractions occur in third trimester of pregnancy, however, sometimes can occur in the second trimester. True labor contractions begin around your due date (unless your baby is preterm, in which you will be in preterm labor). So how can you tell the difference? Here are a few similarities and differences between Braxton Hicks contractions and True or real labor contractions. Braxton Hicks contractionsBraxton Hicks contractions tend to become more frequent toward the end of pregnancy, and are not as painful as real labor contractions; do not occur in regular intervals; do not become longer over time; and may disappear for a period of time and then return.Labor contractions Frequently one of the early symptoms and signs of true labor is when the contractions begin to occur less than 10 minutes apart. Real labor Real labor contractions occur at regular intervals that become progressively shorter; more painful as labor progresses; are described as a tightening, pounding, or stabbing pain; may feel similar to menstrual cramps; and sometimes Braxton Hicks contractions can be triggered by dehydration, sexual intercourse, increased activity of the mother or baby, touching of the pregnant woman's abdomen, or a distended bladder. Natural and home remedies to soothe and provide comfort for Braxton Hicks contractions include relaxation exercises like deep breathing or mental relaxation; change positions or take a walk if you have been active and rest; drink a glass of herbal tea or water; eat; or soak in a warm bath for 30 minutes (or less). Preterm labor signs and symptomsWhen you have reached 37 weeks, and the contractions are more painful and are increasing in frequency you will have abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping, an increase in pelvic pressure or back pain, and the contractions are more than four contractions an hour.

How Can I Stop Dry Cough at Night?

Dry coughing at night can disrupt your sleep and make you drowsy the next day. Learn about why dry coughing at night occurs and how you can stop or ease symptoms.

What Can I Take for a Cough While Pregnant?

Seasonal flu, colds, and allergies are common ailments affecting most people all round the year. You must always be cautious of any medication that you take. This is especially true in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, given the effects these drugs may have on the unborn or breastfed child.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is considered a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMDD has also been referred to as late luteal phase dysphoric disorder. The cause of PMDD is unknown. Some of the common symptoms of PMDD (not an inclusive list) include mood swings, bloating, fatigue, headache, irritability, headache, breast tenderness, acne, and hot flashes. Treatment for PMDD is with medication to treat the symptoms of PMDD.

Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps (pain in the belly and pelvic area) are experienced by women as a result of menses. Menstrual cramps are not the same as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Menstrual cramps are common, and may be accompanied by headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. Severity of menstrual cramp pain varies from woman to woman. Treatment includes OTC or prescription pain relief medication.

How Long Does Labor Last for First-Time Moms?

Labor is the process by which a baby is born. Labor for a first-time moms typically lasts for 12 to 18 hours.

Does Sex Drive Return After Menopause?

Menopause is defined as when you haven't had your periods for 12 consecutive months. You should accept the fact that it is normal to experience changes in sexual desire after menopause.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a combination of physical and emotional disturbances that occur after a woman ovulates and ends with menstruation. Common PMS symptoms include; depression, irritability, crying, oversensitivity, and mood swings. For some women, PMS symptoms can be controlled with natural and home remedies, medications, and lifestyle changes such as exercise, nutrition, and a family and friend support system.

How Can I Stop My Child From Coughing?

Treatment for cough is not recommended unless the cough interferes with the child’s sleep or activity or is accompanied by a fever. Different age groups of children require different therapies to stop them from coughing. Some good home remedies to treat cough in children include honey, warm milk, hydration, steam inhalation, resting, saline nose drops and other strategies.

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Lupus: Differences and Similarities

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and lupus are two varieties of autoimmune diseases that cause flare-ups. While RA attacks the immune system on the joints, lupus involves many other parts of the body besides the joints. Common RA symptoms involve warm, swollen, and painful joints; morning stiffness in the joints or stiffness after inactivity, joint deformity, fever, fatigue, etc. Lupus symptoms include Malar rash (butterfly-shaped rash involving the cheeks and bridge of the nose), fever, joint pain in the absence of joint deformity, etc.

Premature Menopause

Premature menopause is when menopause occurs in a woman before the age of 40. Causes of premature menopause include premature ovarian failure, treatments for cancer and other conditions, surgical removal of the ovaries, chronic diseases of the pituitary or thyroid gland, or psychiatric disorders. Treatment is directed at menopausal symptoms.

11 Home Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a long-term disorder that progressively affects many parts of the body. Home remedies, diet, and lifestyle changes can help reduce pain and discomfort associated with RA alongside medical treatment. Home remedies alone cannot effectively treat RA or prevent the progression of the disease.

Menstrual Cramps and PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) Treatment

Menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include abdominal cramping, bloating, a feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, mood swings, anxiety and more. Treatment for menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms include regular sleep, exercise, smoking cessation, diet changes, and OTC or prescription medication depending on the severity of the condition.

True Labor vs. False Labor and the 5-1-1 Rule

If you are in late pregnancy, it's hard to know when it is 'go' time. You may feel many different sensations and not know if it's true or false labor.

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect Your Ability to Walk? 9 Limitations

Rheumatoid arthritis can impair your walking ability and result in the following nine types of functional limitations.

What Are the 40 Symptoms of Menopause?

Menopause is the end of the reproductive era of a woman's life that is characterized by drastic changes in her emotional and physical aspects. Studies have identified around 40 signs and symptoms of menopause, but not every woman gets all of them.

What Does a Rheumatoid Arthritis Rash Look Like?

Rheumatoid arthritis can cause a raised red, purple, or blue rash that appears on the arms, legs, or torso. Check out the center below for more medical references on rheumatoid arthritis, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

What Are the 4 Stages of the Menstrual Cycle?

The menstrual cycle is divided into 4 stages: menstruation, follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase. Learn more about what to expect during each stage.

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Fibromyalgia

Though rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and fibromyalgia have similar symptoms, RA is an autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome. RA symptoms include joint redness, swelling, and pain that lasts more than 6 weeks. Fibromyalgia symptoms include widespread pain, tingling feet or hands, depression, and bowel irritability. Home remedies for both include stress reduction, exercise, and getting enough sleep.

What Is the Fastest Way To Cure a Cough?

Learn what medical treatments can help ease your cough symptoms and speed up your recovery.

Male Menopause

Male menopause refers to the decline in testosterone production in men. As men age, they often experience many of the same symptoms that women experience in menopause. Testosterone replacement therapy may relieve some of these symptoms.

What Are the Four Stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease categorized into the following four stages and classifications. Learn the causes, symptoms, and complications of RA below.

Do You Go into Labor Sooner with Twins? What to Expect

If you're pregnant with twins, chances are that you can expect to go into labor a little bit sooner than you would if you were carrying just one baby.

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Arthritis

Arthritis is a general term used to describe joint disease. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of arthritis in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing chronic inflammation.

Are Menstrual Cups Bad for You?

Studies show that menstrual cups are generally safe when used properly and the risk of severe side effects is extremely rare.

Can a Menstrual Cup Give You Pleasure?

Since a menstrual cup gives a sense of foreign touch, some women may experience pleasure upon insertion. Check out the center below for more medical references on menstruation, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

How Serious Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that typically affects the joints and other body parts. If not diagnosed early and appropriately treated, RA can lead to permanent deformities, disabilities, and serious systemic complications.

What Are the Signs of Male Menopause?

Andropause is a term that refers to the symptoms and signs that men get when going through male menopause.

What Are the Side Effects of Black Cohosh?

People in the US and Europe have used the herb black cohosh since ancient times for a variety of illnesses ranging from cough and cold to infertility. Side effects of black cohosh may include gastrointestinal upset, skin rash, breast pain, brain enlargement, infection, vaginal bleeding/spotting, joint or muscle pain and infection.

Do Expectorants Make You Cough More?

Expectorants help inhibit the accumulation of mucus and clear the airways during a respiratory tract infection. Check out the center below for more medical references on expectorants, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

What Is the Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle?

The menstrual cycle has three phases: follicular, ovulation, and luteal. Learn about what happens during each phase.

Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are chronic joint disorders. RA is also an autoimmune disease. OA and RA symptoms and signs include joint pain, warmth, and tenderness. Over-the-counter pain relievers treat both diseases. There are several prescription medications that treat RA.

Breastfeeding With Rheumatoid Arthritis

You can breastfeed your baby even if you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, you must always consult your doctor before you start the process.

Sex and Menopause

Menopause is often associated with a change in sexual functioning. Loss of estrogen, bladder control issues, anxiety, stress, health concerns, medications, and sleep disturbances often result in a decrease in libido. Though there are currently no good drugs for treating sexual problems in women, there are ways to increase intimacy with a partner and treat vaginal dryness.

Can You Really Induce Labor Naturally?

Natural ways of inducing labor aren’t backed by science. While you can try the methods listed here, talk to your doctor about whether they’re right for you.

Will Joint Pain From Menopause Go Away?

Whether joint pain from menopause will go away depends on whether the joint pain is purely due to hormonal changes seen in menopause or due to other associated factors.

Why Are Menstrual Migraines So Bad? Where Do They Hurt?

Menstrual migraines involve a drop in estrogen levels before your period and an altered pain perception, which results in excruciating headache pain.

Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Run in Families?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that tends to run in families. Your likelihood of getting RA, however, is not determined by family history of the disease alone. It is also influenced by environmental factors such as age, obesity and smoking.

15 Things Women Should Know About Menopause

Menopause is a phase in a woman's life that challenges her physically and emotionally. Many women deal with menopause without any medical treatments, whereas some women with severe symptoms require therapies.

How Does a Man Deal With Menopause?

Many men do not fully understand menopause or feel comfortable talking about it. Learn about five ways men can help their partners deal with menopause.

What Foods Worsen Rheumatoid Arthritis?

A diet high in processed foods and sugary drinks has been shown to aggravate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Check out the center below for more medical references on rheumatoid arthritis, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Heart Failure?

Rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of various cardiovascular diseases including heart failure and pericarditis. Heart failure is one of the common causes of increased mortality in people with RA.

Why Is Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Common?

Most postmenopausal women are diagnosed with breast cancer due to weakening immune systems and the cumulative amount of exposure to estrogen over the years.

What Can I Do for My Baby’s Cough?

Cough can cause significant discomfort to a baby. The baby may also have difficulty relaxing and sleeping. Numerous illnesses can cause cough as a primary symptom. Coughing is the result of the baby’s airway being affected or irritated.

Is There a Genetic Marker for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Genes and family history can predispose a person to develop rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Check out the center below for more medical references on rheumatoid arthritis, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related disease conditions, treatment and diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.

Sexual Side Effects of Menopause

Menopause marks the end of the reproductive era in a woman's life. Some women view it positively as periods no longer trouble them and there is no chance of getting pregnant even with unprotected sex. However, as estrogen and testosterone levels take a plunge during menopause, some women experience the sexual side effects of menopause.

What Does Labor and Giving Birth Feel Like?

There are three stages of labor you'll progress through during and after a vaginal delivery.

How Can I Improve My Grip Strength With Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by gradual joint inflammation and degeneration. Here are five exercises that reduce muscle stiffness and improve pain due to RA.

Can Early Menopause Cause Breast Cancer?

Early menopause does not cause breast cancer. An increasing age, and not menopause, can increase your breast cancer risk.

What Are the Signs of Starting Menopause?

Learn the five signs that may indicate a woman is starting menopause.

How Can I Stop Menstrual Migraines?

Menstrual migraines are one type of migraine that tends to strike about 2-3 days before the start of your period. Here are 7 ways to prevent or treat menstrual migraines.

Does Menopause Make You More Sensitive to Pain?

Menopause can make you more sensitive to pain due to hormonal fluctuations, especially changes in estrogen levels. Here are 12 ways to manage pain during menopause.

What Are 5 Common Risk Factors to Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder (the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells). Certain factors increase the risk of RA.

How to Manage Menopause Symptoms After Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatment can cause menopausal symptoms due to the way certain therapies affect the ovaries. Learn about how you can find relief.

What Menopause Does to Your Brain

Menopause is a time when you transition from one phase of your life to the next. This change will happen physically as well as mentally. In fact, your brain will undergo significant changes throughout the process of menopause.

Do Anti-Inflammatories Help Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Anti-inflammatory medications can help address symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

What Is the Menstrual Cycle?

During the menstrual cycle, changes occur in a woman’s body to prepare her for a possible pregnancy. Menstruation starts if a pregnancy does not occur. Learn about the phases of the menstrual cycle and how to keep track of it. Check out the center below for more medical references on menstrual periods, including multimedia (slideshows, images, and quizzes), related diseases, treatment, diagnosis, medications, and prevention or wellness.