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During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, people took advantage of that option. In 2020, online sales increased by 43 percent from 2019, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Maybe your retail activity contributed to that boom in online sales — either due to safety concerns, convenience, boredom, or fun. Maybe there’s been a time or two (or more) that you questioned whether your spending got out of control. How can you tell if your shopping habit is a problem?...

It’s typically caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications that block dopamine receptors, but it can be caused by some other drugs as well. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat a number of mental illnesses and mood disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Lip smacking, puckering, or pursingTongue thrusting or protrusionGrimacingRepetitive chewing motionsRapid eye blinking It can also cause rocking, jerking, flexing, or thrusting of the trunk or hips and repetitive writhing, twisting, or dancing movements of the fingers or toes, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (PDF)....

These targeted therapies can often identify and attack cancer cells more effectively than conventional chemotherapy can — and usually with fewer side effects. Here’s what you need to know about this promising advance in cancer medicine. 1. Targeted therapies are more precise than standard chemotherapy. “Traditional chemotherapy is designed to kill any rapidly dividing cells, which tend to be cancer cells. But because they don’t have a specific target, they kill healthy cells as well,” explains Edward Garon, MD, director of the thoracic oncology program at Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of California in Los Angeles....

What Does an ENT Specialist Do? In addition to graduating from medical school (usually four years), a board certified ENT specialist has completed at least five years of specialty training and passed a certification examination for the American Board of Otolaryngology. ENT specialists are experts in both the medical and surgical management of the following: Conditions of the ear. You may need to see an ear, nose, and throat doctor if you have an ear disorder or condition, such as a hearing impairment, ear infections, disorders that affect balance, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or pain in your ear....

RELATED: Your Coronavirus Questions, Answered Many studies have found that the antioxidant extracellular superoxide dismutase (EcSOD) helps protect against ARDS and other heart and lung diseases, according to a review published in May 2020 in the journal Redox Biology. And that protective effect may include helping prevent the severe complications occurring as a result of COVID-19, the article notes. Zhen Yan, PhD, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville and the lead author of the paper, says that while it’s important to point out that evidence has not yet included people with COVID-19 (because the disease is too new), the data has implications for people with it and those at risk....

Not only can dehydration worsen your Crohn’s symptoms, but Crohn’s can also increase the risk of dehydration, which can cause headaches, constipation, muscle cramps, and dizziness. In severe cases, dehydration can have even life-threatening health effects. The good news is that it’s usually possible to avoid dehydration, as long as you’re aware of what can cause it and are drinking enough of the right fluids. Still, if you have Crohn’s, you may need to work harder to stay hydrated than most people, especially if disease-related factors put you at high risk for dehydration....

“Reconstruction is a voluntary and deeply personal choice,” says Melissa L. Pilewskie, MD, a surgical breast oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. While some women will undergo the surgery, others want a more minimal approach, she says. “They just want to get through treatment and not add anything else, or it’s simply not important to them.” The same study in JAMA Surgery found that — reconstruction or not — almost 87 percent of the women were satisfied with the decision they made....

In addition to seeing a psychiatrist regularly, I now work with an integrative health physician who tests my nutrition levels every year. If you haven’t ever tested your nutrition levels, you might inquire with either your psychiatrist or primary-care physician. The supplements can be expensive, but you can make it back two- or threefold by not having to see your psychiatrist as often. You should talk to your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you’re on prescription drugs....

If you want a healthier way to enjoy fried foods like fries, chicken, and veggies, air fryers are a great option because they use far less oil than traditional deep-frying methods. Most air fryers only require a mere tablespoon of oil, substantially cutting down on calories. But before you take the plunge, you should know “air fryer” is a bit of a misnomer. Air fryers are actually akin to convection ovens....

Coffee is the original plant-based beverage, made from beans that contain polyphenols, plant-based compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds are believed to help prevent the cellular damage and inflammation that has been associated with many chronic diseases, according to a review published in the Journal of Antioxidants. Coffee also contains small amounts of vitamins and minerals, like riboflavin, niacin, and magnesium, potassium and manganese, according to the U....

“Nutrient deficiencies alter bodily functions and processes at the most basic cellular level,” says Tricia L. Psota, PhD, RDN, a lecturer in the exercise and nutrition sciences department at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, DC. “These processes include water balance, enzyme function, nerve signaling, digestion, and metabolism. Resolving these deficiencies is important for optimal growth, development, and function.” Nutrient deficiencies can also lead to diseases....

An article published in September 2017 in the journal Body Image (PDF) defines it as talk that degrades the body shape and weight of oneself and others. Listen closely and you’ll hear it everywhere, all the time in conversation, entertainment, advertising, and other media. Sometimes it’s easier to identify: “I hate how big my thighs are,” or, “I need to lose some weight.” Other times offhand comments, criticism, euphemisms, and jokes can be hurtful and shame bodies in less obvious ways....

But if you love pasta and are willing to make a handful of tweaks to the typical bowl, saying goodbye to this feel-good fare may not be necessary. Though it’s higher in carbohydrates than some other foods, pasta can fit into a healthy meal plan for someone with diabetes, says Toby Smithson, RDN, a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and author of Diabetes Meal Planning and Nutrition for Dummies....

But researchers caution against taking unnecessary antibiotics. Most sinus problems are caused by viruses, which antibiotics don’t treat. Those caused by bacteria may not improve any faster with antibiotics. Fortunately, a variety of natural remedies for sinus infections and pain can effectively provide relief. Some of these approaches are even recommended by physicians, who say that getting sinus mucus flowing can help you feel better while your body successfully fights the infection....

“Biologics have changed the lifestyles of people with RA,” says Stuart D. Kaplan, MD,chief of rheumatology at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, New York. Drugs that are classified as biologics have helped many people with RA reduce their pain and disease activity, according to Dr. Kaplan. Some have even helped make remission more possible, he adds, although he cautions that there’s still no cure for RA. Though biologics may have some impressive benefits, you’ll have to do some prep work before you start them — and remain vigilant while you use them....

But just because CAM therapies exist doesn’t mean that people with bipolar disorder should throw away their antidepressants. “Bipolar is a very serious, lifelong disorder,” says Philip Muskin, MD, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. “If you need an antidepressant, you should take it. These other types of therapies are additional or complementary rather than alternative.” The complementary and non-pharmacological treatments that have shown some benefit for the depressive side of bipolar disorder are:...

While that is the heart of it, there are nuances about starting a walking program that will help ensure you do so safely and in a way that maximizes the benefits you get out of it. “One of the great things about walking as a form of exercise is that almost everybody already walks. It’s just a matter of increasing the amount, and in most cases, the speed of your walking,” says walking coach Dave McGovern, 15-time US Champion racewalker and author of The Complete Guide to Competitive Walking, about making the common practice a workout....

Think twice before you make that a lifestyle — a small, preliminary study published in the February 2019 issue of Nutrients suggests that a cheat day on keto may actually damage blood vessels. RELATED: 8 Steps Beginners Should Take Before Trying the Keto Diet How Researchers Studied the Effects of Keto on the Blood Vessels In the study, nine healthy men drank a solution containing 75 grams (g) of glucose and had blood and vascular testing done to assess their response to the high-sugar drink....

The Benefits of Exercise After Coronary Angioplasty If you don’t exercise and eat a healthy diet after coronary angioplasty, you can put your heart health at risk. Exercise can help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, but the benefits don’t stop there. A study published in 2013 in the Journal of Cardiology and Therapy points to the following benefits of exercise after coronary angioplasty: It helps the entire cardiovascular system, not just the area treated with the procedure....

In ankylosing spondylitis, an inflammatory form of arthritis, inflammation occurs in the joints and ligaments along the spine without a known cause. Instead of protecting your body by fighting off foreign invaders, your immune system mistakenly attacks your own joints, which can result in joint damage and cause joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, according to the Spondylitis Association of America. Reducing inflammation in your body can help ease the symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis....