Computer vision syndrome (CVS), a condition involving eye problems resulting from screen time with digital devices, is significantly associated with both insomnia and migraine — with stress as a central mediating factor, new research suggests. Investigators administered an online questionnaire to more than 700 adults, of whom 71% had CVS. Results showed the presence of CVS and higher stress were significantly associated with higher odds of having migraine, with stress mediating the association between CVS and migraine and between CVS and insomnia.

The more years a person drinks alcohol, the kind of alcohol consumed, and the amount consumed can help to predict gout tophi, researchers say in a newly published paper in Arthritis Care and Research. The study, led by Lin Han, PhD, of the gout laboratory, Shandong provincial clinical research center for immune diseases and gout, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao (China) University, helps clarify the already-established relationship between alcohol consumption and gout tophi.

@pinaki One of the issues in managing osteoarthritis so far is that it's often addressed as one disease, commented Andrea Dell'isola, PT, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher from Lund University who was not involved in the study. All of the treatments that have been developed and the treatment process are tailored to take care of one single disease. However, when we look at the characteristics of people with osteoarthritis, we see that roughly 70% of them have other conditions on top of their joint disease. This high comorbidity rate is significantly higher than in healthy people of the same age and sex, he added. So, this means that either there is something linked to osteoarthritis that makes people frailer and more likely to develop other diseases, or there may be links between these other diseases, that we often call comorbidities, and osteoarthritis.

Childhood-onset insomnia is a chronic problem in 43% of children, based on 15-year follow-up data from approximately 500 individuals. Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep (DIMS) is the most frequently reported insomnia symptom in children and teens, but longitudinal data on the trajectory of insomnia symptoms from childhood into adulthood are limited, Julio Fernandez-Mendoza, PhD, of Penn State University, Hershey, and colleagues wrote. Previous studies have shown varying results, notably on the effect of objective short sleep duration (OSSD), they said. The extent to which the effect of OSSD on insomnia trajectories, and whether OSSD affects the development of insomnia in the transition to adulthood remains uncertain.

@gagan Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) reduce blood pressure by limiting the amount of calcium or the rate at which calcium flows into the heart muscle and arterial cell walls. Calcium stimulates the heart to contract more forcefully. When calcium flow is limited, heart’s contractions aren’t as strong with each beat, and blood vessels are able to relax. This leads to lower blood pressure. CCBs are available in a number of oral formats, ranging from short-acting dissolving tablets to extended-release capsules. The dosage will depend on overall health and medical history. Doctor will also take age of the patient into consideration before prescribing a blood pressure-lowering medication. CCBs are often less likely to cause side effects in people over the age of 65.

@Swastika Managing your weight is a big part of your health. When you are overweight or obese, you’re at risk for medical conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. Weight loss can often be achieved through a healthy diet and exercise. In some cases, weight loss surgeries are used, but these also involved changing your lifestyle to keep the weight off. Controlling your weight isn’t a short-term thing — you need to think long-term about ways to control your weight and make changes to your lifestyle. Weight loss should be gradual, and careful follow-up is needed to keep you from rebound weight gain. A few ways you can change your behavior and lifestyle that will help you control your weight include: Learning about nutrition. Changing your eating habits. Increasing your physical activity. Changing your mindset about eating.
Joining a weight loss program. Following any drug therapies ordered by your physician.

Hello, my friend Smita, a 23-year-old woman, would like a recommendation for a nonprescription supplement to help her stay healthy and avoid influenza over the winter. She is staying in Canada. She is a teacher in a local day care center and is looking to use something “natural to prevent the flu” but is confused by all the information she has read online. Smita is frequently exposed to sick children at work and got the flu last year. She does not want to repeat the experience and miss work again this year. She denies any significant medical history and reports only using acetaminophen or ibuprofen occasionally as needed for menstrual cramps. She is allergic to eggs and has not received the flu vaccine since she was a teenager. Please recommend some management for her.

@Trina Low back pain and vaginal discharge rarely constitute an emergency concern, but they can signal the need to make an appointment with your doctor. Seek medical attention if you’re pregnant and your vaginal discharge is greenish-yellow, very thick, or watery, because these symptoms can indicate an infection.
You should also see your doctor if you have:
a green, yellow, or white vaginal discharge
vaginal itching
vaginal burning
vaginal irritation
a thick or cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge
vaginal bleeding or spotting that’s not due to your menstrual period
a vaginal discharge that has a strong or foul odor

@Debraj Since her daughter is only 8 years old, it would be appropriate to refer her to her primary care physician for treatment of allergic rhinitis. Typically, patients who are younger than 12 years should be referred to a physician. Other patients who should be referred to a physician are those who are pregnant or lactating; show signs of a current infection; have symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis, undiagnosed or non-controlled asthma, COPD, or moderate to severe allergic rhinitis; or are experiencing severe side effects of treatment. Since Sheetal is concerned about her daughter taking a medication every day, it may be beneficial for the daughter to undergo allergy testing. The primary care physician can determine whether it would be appropriate for the kid to take her medication during the allergy season. Since she has had multiple infections due to her allergies, it may be beneficial to discuss with her primary care physician whether she should see a pediatric ear, nose, and throat physician.

I sometimes have a sharp pain under my arm - it feels like someone pokes me with a long sharp needle inside of my arm just above my right armpit. when I touch the area, there's no pain at all. It doesn't happen all the time but it can happen at any time and sometimes there can be a couple of times within a few minutes. Since I don't feel any pain after it happens when I touch it, it doesn't seem like I need a physical check. I was wondering if anyone else experiences this same problem, if it's just stress, or if it's serious and I should get it checked out?