Johnaé De Felicis

Travel, Wellness, and Lifestyle Writer

Medical

Forbes •

How Much Does Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Cost?

Medigap is additional insurance that Original Medicare enrollees can purchase from a private health insurance provider, and eligible individuals can use it to help pay for out-of-pocket medical costs. “Medicare is your primary insurance, and your Medigap plan is secondary [insurance],” says Paula Amicarelli, an Ohio-based insurance advisor specializing in Medicare plans. People with a Medigap plan can go to any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, she adds, noting that Medicare’
Forbes •

Asthma Treatments: Inhalers, Nebulizers And Medications

Asthma can be a manageable condition with the proper care and guidance. When creating a treatment plan and determining the best course of action for an individual, health care providers typically base their recommendations on the person’s asthma zone (or symptom severity), which is meant to help them understand where they are with their asthma control, says Melinda Rathkopf, M.D., a board-certified pediatric allergist and immunologist at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“You can create an asth
Forbes Health •

Tally Health Review

Tally Health’s proprietary diagnostic test introduces users to their “biological age,” or the age of their internal bodies, using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology and user DNA collected from a cheek swab. The test is intended to show users how well (or poorly) they’re aging based on their DNA, as well as personal lifestyle and environmental factors. Overall, the experience expands users’ knowledge of what could be contributing to their overall health. Partner Offers feature brands
Forbes Health •

How To Choose An OTC Nasal Decongestant

Over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestants are medications that offer temporary relief from nasal blockages. They come in the form of liquids, nasal sprays, nose drops and pills, which are all available without a required prescription. Nose stuffiness can stem from allergies or sinus infections, which can cause the nasal lining to swell, leading to blockages. Decongestants may be effective in temporarily reducing congestion in the nose, as they are formulated to reopen the nasal passages by decr
Forbes Health •

5 Symptoms Of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Symptoms of high blood pressure can appear differently in each affected individual, as some show symptoms while others don’t. How (and when) a person experiences symptoms varies based on individual circumstances, says Patrick M. Azcarate, M.D., a cardiologist at Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute in Florida. “People can experience symptoms at any pressure that’s elevated for their own respective bodies,” he adds. Worrisome symptoms of high blood pressure, according to Dr. Azcarate, include: Th
Forbes Health •

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common condition that has adverse effects on the digestive system, mostly affecting the large intestine. The condition is categorized as a functional GI disorder—a disorder that affects the way the intestines function. GI disorders may increase digestive sensitivities and can affect the entire digestive tract. They’re also known to alter bowel movements, triggering symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating and constipation. As gut function can be heavily influenced by
Forbes Health •

Best Night Guards (Mouth Guards) For Teeth Grinders Of 2023

If you or someone you know grinds their teeth or clenches their jaw often, it can be a frustrating experience; not only because night grinding can go easily unnoticed to a person while doing it, but can lead to some serious dental concerns as well.

According to Cedars-Sinai, grinding and clenching affects up to 30% of adults during the daytime and over 10% while asleep at night . If you fall into the night grinding category, you might benefit from using a custom fit night guard.

With so many o
Forbes Health •

Oticon More Hearing Aids Review

Oticon is a hearing aid company focused on hearing assistance through brain support. The company uses its patented BrainHearing technology, which sends clear sound signals to the brain to help users achieve better hearing. Partner Offers feature brands who paid Forbes Health to appear at the top of our list. While this may influence where their products or services appear on our site, it in no way affects our ratings, which are based on thorough research, solid methodologies and expert advice. O
Forbes Health •

Swimmer's Ear (Otitis Externa): Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Otitis externa (OE) is an inflammation of the external ear canal that may sometimes spread to the outer ear. Symptoms usually appear a few days after swimming and may include swelling, redness and itchiness in and around the ear. Roughly 10% of people deal with OE at some point, according to research in the journal Deutsches Ärzteblatt International . Swimmer’s ear shouldn’t be confused with a middle ear infection. With a middle ear infection, you can typically still wiggle your outer ear withou
Blue Zones •

Sleeping Less Than 5 Hours Per Night Could Increase Your Risk of Chronic Disease, Study Shows

There’s a scientifically proven relationship between lack of sleep and the occurrence of chronic disease. Lack of proper sleep can increase your risk of you getting a chronic disease. Check available research out there and you’ll see for yourself.

Prioritizing sleep is nothing new to centenarians in blue zones regions. As the world’s longest-living population, centenarians are adamant about getting ad
Forbes Health •

Best Eye Drops For Contacts Wearers, According To Experts

Eye drops offer several benefits for contact wearers. Those benefits include the following, according to Dr. Jacob:
• Relief from irritation associated with wearing contact lenses

There are some eye drops that contain ingredients that may help your contacts stay cleaner and last longer, too, adds Dr. Jacob.

Factors to Consider When Buying Eye Drops

When buying eye drops as a contact lens wearer, you’ll want to consider why you need them in the first place.

For contact lens wearers, Dr. Jacob
Forbes Health •

Your Guide To The Best Waterproof Hearing Aids

In certain cases, water-resistant hearing aids may be covered by insurance, depending on your insurance provider and plan. “Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids,” says Dr. Sarow. “However, Medicare Advantage partners with third-party companies or plans to offer hearing aids at a lower cost.”

Eligibility for coverage of water-resistant hearing aids through private insurance varies by plan and provider. If an insurance provider does cover hearing aids, it should cover water-resistant hear
Forbes Health •

Best Eye Drops For Red Eyes, According To Experts

Eye redness can be inconvenient and uncomfortable, as it commonly occurs along with symptoms such as eye itchiness or pain. This discomfort may have you in search of relief, which can come in the form of eye drops. Antihistamine, lubricating and preservative-free eye drops can all be effective forms of treating and providing relief for red eyes.

The Forbes Health editorial team consulted a panel of two medical experts who provided their top picks for the best eye drops for the treatment of red
Forbes Health •

Pulsatile Tinnitus: Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Pulsatile tinnitus can be complex to diagnose because it’s so rare compared to non-pulsatile tinnitus. With pulsatile tinnitus, a person often hears recurring sounds that are synchronous with their heartbeat. “If you hear a consistent throbbing or can hear the regular whooshing of your blood vessels in one or both ears, you likely have pulsatile tinnitus,” confirms Ritu Sharma, Au.D., a Toronto-based audiologist. Sinus issues may heighten the intensity of this sound, according to Dr. Sarow. “Whe
Forbes Health •

Muffled Hearing: Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

Various causes of muffled hearing may either lead to temporary or permanent damage. “The etiology [or origins] will determine its course,” says Dr. Sarow.

“A common cause of temporary muffled hearing is a blockage in the middle ear, typically due to fluid buildup from a cold, an ear infection or allergies,” says Dr. Sarow. A middle ear infection known as otitis media can also lead to a temporary blockage in the middle ear, which can cause significant hearing loss if left untreated.

Ear wax bui
Forbes Health •

PRK Eye Surgery: What To Know

New York City-based ophthalmologist Yuna Rapoport, M.D., and Washington D.C.-based board-certified eye surgeon Michael Brusco, M.D., explain the procedure below:

First, your ophthalmologist will call you in for a thorough examination to ensure that you’re a candidate for PRK. “You need to [refrain from wearing] contact lenses for three to seven days (depending on prescription),” says Dr. Rapoport. Failure to do so can lead to inaccurate eye measurements, as some contact lenses have a reshaping
Forbes Health •

Lens Replacement Surgery: Costs, Risks, Benefits And More

Lens replacement surgery is a corrective vision procedure—encompassing both cataract and refractive lens exchange (RLE) surgery— performed by an eye surgeon or ophthalmologist.

“More and more people are choosing lens replacement surgery not only to correct and restore vision, but also to keep cataracts from developing or progressing and avoid future cataract surgery,” says Michael A. Brusco, M.D., the medical director of Brusco Vision near Washington D.C. A custom lens replacement is also refer
Forbes Health •

What To Know About The Ear Wax Removal Trend—And Whether It’s Safe

Ear wax serves an important purpose, in that the lubricant can protect your ear canal and eardrums from infection. “Some ear wax is actually normal and healthy to protect from germs and bacteria, in addition to keeping the ear canal moisturized and preventing dry skin,” according to Dr. Sarow. Too much wax may cause a sticky situation with your hearing abilities, however.

Ear wax buildup clogs your ears over time, which can reduce your hearing—a sign that removal is necessary. Circumstances tha
Forbes Health •

Custom Hearing Aids: Features, Costs And More

A custom hearing aid is a small, tailored-fit electronic device designed to address mild to severe hearing loss. Custom hearing aids vary based on style and size and are most suitable for adults. Children may quickly outgrow custom hearing aids, as their ear canals frequently change shape. Custom hearing aids are regulated as medical devices by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Licensed hearing health professionals—including audiologists—prescribe and provide these tailored-fit device
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