Parasitic Diseases

Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body doesn't get or process adequate amounts of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, so a deficiency can lead to osteoporosis (low bone density) and fractures (broken bones). Other low vitamin D symptoms include muscle weakness and cramps, hair loss, and tiredness or fatigue. Most people have the vitamin D that their body needs, but as many as one in four adults in the United States are deficient. This is partly because vitamin D isn't quite as easy to get naturally as some other nutrients. Your body makes some vitamin D when you are in the sun, and you can also find it in foods like fish, egg yolks, and fortified foods—as well as in supplement form. Vitamin D deficiency can be hard to diagnose because it either produces no symptoms or its symptoms overlap with many health conditions. The good news: a vitamin D deficiency is relatively easy to treat with supplements once...

Niacinamide ( nicotinamide ) is a form of vitamin B3. "Vitamin B3" can mean niacinamide (nicotinamide) or nicotinic acid (niacin). Some companies may label niacinamide and nicotinic acid as "niacin." However, niacin and niacinamide are different forms of vitamin B3. They have different chemical structures that work differently in your body. For example, niacinamide doesn't reduce cholesterol levels like niacin. Niacinamide is a water-soluble vitamin, meaning it's not stored in the body. You need to consume it through food or supplements. Your body needs niacinamide to create energy. Your cells need it to function correctly. This article discusses potential niacinamide uses, safety, dosage, and more. Dietary supplements are not regulated in the United States, meaning the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve them for safety and effectiveness before products are marketed. When possible, choose a supplement tested by a trusted thi...

While doctors are hesitant to comment on specific prenatal vitamins one way or another, Chenchen Sun, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, says that shopping for a prenatal vitamin can be tricky since there are so many available, and supplements aren't regulated by the FDA as medicine. "The main thing to look for is a vitamin that includes some of the essential nutrients that you'll definitely need in pregnancy," she says. "One of the most important is folate, or folic acid. For a healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy, you need 400 micrograms of folic acid for the purposes of neural tube development." She adds that another nutrient important during pregnancy is iron, as iron deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency among women of reproductive age, and iron requirements increase during pregnancy for fetal development. "Choline, iodine and vitamin B12 are all important for fetal neural development and thyroid...

If the diagnosis is confirmed, it's recommended that all family members who have symptoms be treated. Your doctor will either suggest an over-the-counter anti-parasitic medication or give you a prescription for one, plus may recommend a cream to reduce the itching. The first dose of medication is taken immediately and the second dose is taken two weeks later. Kids can still go to school while they're being treated.  In the two weeks between treatments, you'll have to be diligent about hygiene . Each family member should bathe separately every morning. Wash bedding in hot water and detergent every three to seven days, and launder pajamas and hand towels every day. You'll also want to clean toilet seats frequently, wash toys, wipe off surfaces in bedrooms and avoid shaking out linens and pajamas so you can keep the worms and eggs contained. Another hot tip from Heard: Flood your bedrooms with daylight. Pinworms hate the sun. "There should be an improvement ...

"Keto gummies claim that they can promote energy, focus and weight loss, but there isn't any scientific evidence to support these claims," says Woods. "The safety and efficacy of the use of exogenous ketones in the form of beta-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB) has not been documented in scientific literature." While there isn't much out there in terms of research on specific keto gummies and the different forms and doses of exogenous ketones they contain, there have been a few small studies done on D-BHB supplements in general, and other foods that can increase ketones in the body. In a small 2020 pilot study looking at how the body metabolizes exogenous ketones like those included in some keto gummies, people taking D-BHB supplements had higher blood levels of ketones right after consumption (though ketone levels came back to a normal baseline a few hours later). While the brain uses ketones instead of glucose as an alternate fuel source, when ketone concentrati...

Beta-alanine in pre-workout can cause itchiness, especially in high doses. This symptom typically resolves within 1 hour. To reduce this, people take split the dose or use a slow release formula. Beta-alanine is a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. People who work out and athletes may take beta-alanine supplements to help prevent muscle fatigue and increase performance. Research indicates that when beta-alanine combines with another amino acid called L-histidine, it increases the amount of carnosine in the muscles. Carnosine acts as a PH regulator and reduces the amount of acid in the muscles. In turn, it lessens fatigue that usually comes from high intensity exercise. This article examines why beta-alanine itch occurs and how to stop it. It also looks at other potential side effects of beta-alanine and the alternatives. A common side effect of taking beta-alanine is flushing and tingling of the face, hands, or neck. This itching sensation is known as paresthesia. A 2019 stud...

A strange rash that looks like reddish, brownish, or purplish pinprick red dots on the skin or a purple rash that looks like a bruise needs medical attention. A meningitis rash is a telltale symptom of bacterial meningococcal meningitis. This is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis . Not every person will develop a meningitis rash, so it's important to look out for other symptoms. Read on to learn about meningitis rash, including what it looks like and pictures. Getty Images A meningitis rash is not really a rash but bleeding spots under the skin. This happens when germs enter the bloodstream and damage blood vessels and organs. N. meningitidis bacteria tend to cause the meningitis rash. The rash may also be a sign of septicemia (sepsis). This life-threatening complication causes the body to go into shock and organs to fail. You might develop a meningitis rash on the face. It could be a sign of a severe...