Latest from Health Line
Health Line
6 hours ago
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- Health Line
Should You Be Concerned about White Stool After Diarrhea?
While white stools can result from certain over-the-counter medications, they can also be a symptom of a more serious condition. The color of your stool can tell a lot about your health, so any time you see a different color in the toilet bowl, it's natural to wonder why. If you've recently had a bout of diarrhea, you may have pale or white-colored stool. These light-colored stools can be the result of various factors, so it's important to note your symptoms and get a diagnosis from a doctor. Keep reading to learn about the more serious causes of white stool, including symptoms and treatments. Antidiarrheal drugs If you've been taking large doses of certain antidiarrheal drugs, such as bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol, Kaopectate), this could result in very light stools. Your stool color should return to brown after you stop taking the medication, so you don't have to do anything. However, if you continue to have white poop after a few days, you may need to consult a doctor. Blocked bile duct A lack of bile can often cause white stool or stool with a claylike consistency, which can indicate a more serious problem. What is bile? Bile is a digestive fluid. Your liver produces it, and it's stored in your gallbladder. During the digestive process, bile is excreted into your small intestine to break down fats into fatty acids. Among other important functions, bile helps eliminate cholesterol and waste products, such as bilirubin. Bile also gives your stool its typical brownish color. A lack of bile in your stool is often the result of a blockage in the bile duct, which is a tube that delivers the bile to the small intestine. A number of conditions can cause a blockage, including: Symptoms of bile duct obstruction Along with white stools, you may also experience symptoms such as: jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, or both) abdominal pain (upper right side) nausea vomiting fever dark urine Treatment for a blocked bile duct Your doctor will recommend treatment based on the underlying cause. For example, for gallstones, your doctor might suggest a cholecystectomy, which involves surgery to remove the gallbladder. For liver flukes, your doctor may prescribe albendazole or praziquantel. Liver disease White stool can sometimes be a symptom of liver disease. There are many causes for liver disease, including: infection, such as: hepatitis A hepatitis B hepatitis C cancer (and other growths), such as: liver cancer bile duct cancer liver adenoma genetic conditions, such as: alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (a condition where the body doesn't produce enough of the AAD protein) hemochromatosis hyperoxaluria and oxalosis (when oxalate build ups in urine, blood vessels, bones and organs) Wilson's disease immune system abnormality, such as: autoimmune hepatitis primary biliary cirrhosis primary sclerosing cholangitis (a rare liver disease that affects the bile ducts) other conditions, such as: chronic, heavy alcohol use nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Symptoms of liver disease Along with white stools, you may also experience symptoms such as: jaundice abdominal swelling and pain chronic fatigue nausea vomiting swelling in the ankles and legs dark urine bruising skin itchiness loss of appetite Treatment for liver disease Your doctor will recommend treatment based on the specific diagnosis. While some liver problems require medication or surgery, many can be addressed with lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a moderate weight or stopping alcohol use. In all cases, treatment for liver disease should include careful monitoring of your liver function. Liver disease that leads to liver failure may ultimately require a liver transplant.
Health Line
12 hours ago
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- Health Line
Symptoms of Dying from Anemia
Key takeaways Anemia is a condition where you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. It can be temporary or chronic, and while often mild, it can become serious and life threatening. Symptoms of life threatening anemia may include: loss of consciousness, stroke, heart failure, respiratory failure, and kidney failure. Mild anemia may show no symptoms, but severe cases can manifest gradually or suddenly. Treating severe anemia takes more than just diet and lifestyle changes, although eating lots of iron-rich foods can help your body make more red blood cells. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying cause, with options like blood transfusions, bone marrow transplants, and medications. Anemia is a condition where you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Anemia can be temporary or long term (chronic). In many cases it's mild, but anemia can also be serious and life threatening. Doctors can help treat many types of anemia, though some chronic types may require continual monitoring and management. Untreated anemia can cause severe complications. Keep reading to learn about the types of anemia that can become life threatening and what the symptoms are. What are the symptoms of anemia? Symptoms of life threatening anemia may include: loss of consciousness stroke heart failure respiratory failure kidney failure Mild anemia may not cause any symptoms. But if your anemia is severe or life threatening, you may develop symptoms gradually or suddenly. Symptoms of anemia can include: fatigue cold hands and feet dizziness headache lightheadedness irregular heartbeat chest pain pale or yellowish skin shortness of breath weakness whooshing sound or pounding in your ears If you have severe anemia, these symptoms may be more pronounced. You may also have symptoms specific to the condition underlying anemia. These might include: dark urine unintentional weight loss numbness or tingling How does anemia become life threatening? Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. When you don't have enough red blood cells, your organs don't get enough oxygen and can't work properly. This can have severe consequences. Types of anemia that can potentially be life threatening include: Aplastic anemia Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow becomes damaged and the body stops producing new blood cells. It can be sudden or worsen over time. Common causes include: cancer treatment exposure to toxic chemicals pregnancy autoimmune disease viral infections It can also have no known cause, which is referred to as idiopathic aplastic anemia. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is a rare, life threatening disease. It causes blood clots, destroys blood cells, and impairs bone marrow function. It's a genetic condition, with the median age of diagnosis in the 30s. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria is related to aplastic anemia. It often starts as aplastic anemia or arises after treatment for the condition. Myelodysplastic syndromes Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of conditions that cause the blood-making cells in your bone marrow to become abnormal. Your bone marrow then doesn't make enough cells, and the cells it does make are generally defective. These cells die earlier and are more likely to be destroyed by your immune system. Myelodysplastic syndromes are considered a type of cancer. They may turn into acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer. Hemolytic anemia Hemolytic anemia is when your red blood cells are destroyed faster than your body can make them. It can be temporary or chronic. Hemolytic anemia can also be inherited, which means it's passed down through your genes. It can also be acquired. Potential causes of acquired hemolytic anemia include: infection certain medications, such as penicillin blood cancers autoimmune disorders an overactive spleen some tumors severe reaction to a blood transfusion Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease is an inherited type of anemia. It causes your red blood cells to change shape. They become sickle-shaped, rigid, and sticky. This causes them to get stuck in small blood vessels, which blocks blood flow throughout your body, depriving tissue of oxygen. Sickle cell disease is more common in people with descent or origin from: Africa the Middle East the Mediterranean Central and South America South Asia Sickle cell disease causes very painful episodes, swelling, and frequent infections. Severe thalassemia Thalassemia is an inherited condition in which your body doesn't make enough hemoglobin. This is a protein that's a crucial part of red blood cells. Without enough hemoglobin, your red blood cells don't work properly and die more quickly than healthy cells. Thalassemia can be mild or severe. It becomes severe if you inherit two copies of the gene that causes it. Malarial anemia Malarial anemia is a main symptom of severe malaria. Many factors can contribute to its development, including: nutritional deficiencies bone marrow problems the malaria parasite entering red blood cells Fanconi anemia Fanconi anemia is a genetic condition that impairs bone marrow and causes you to have a lower-than-normal amount of all types of blood cells. It often causes physical differences, such as: malformed thumbs or forearms problems with bone structure changes in kidney shape or missing kidney gastrointestinal changes fertility issues vision and hearing problems Fanconi anemia can also cause an increased risk of leukemia as well as head, neck, skin, reproductive, and gastrointestinal cancers. What causes life threatening anemia? Anemia happens when your body doesn't make enough blood cells, your body destroys your red blood cells, or the red blood cells it does make are a different shape. For anemia to be life threatening, you typically have a low number of red blood cells. This can affect the ability to deliver oxygen to the different parts of your body. Functioning red blood cells may decrease over time until their low number becomes serious. But sometimes, you can lose red blood cells quickly. Some types of anemia can also cause severe complications that can be life threatening. Different causes of anemia include: Genetics Some conditions that cause anemia are inherited, which means they are passed down through one or both parents through your genes. These conditions include: sickle cell disease thalassemia some hemolytic anemias Fanconi anemia paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria Bleeding Severe bleeding can cause sudden anemia. For example, this might happen after a traumatic injury where you lose a lot of blood. Cancer Cancers of the blood, lymphatic system, and bone marrow can cause anemia. Examples include: aplastic anemia some hemolytic anemias myelodysplastic syndromes Diseases Acquired diseases, including malaria, can cause anemia. Other infections can cause aplastic anemia or hemolytic anemia. Autoimmune diseases are also a potential cause of anemia, as they may cause your body to attack red blood cells. How is anemia diagnosed? To diagnose anemia, a doctor will typically ask for your family and medical history. Then they may do a physical exam. After that, a healthcare professional typically draws blood for several tests. The most common include: complete blood count (CBC) to count the number of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in your blood tests to look at the size and shape of your red blood cells Once a doctor diagnoses anemia, they may do more testing to see whether they can find the underlying cause of anemia. This may include: blood tests for iron and vitamin B deficiencies bone marrow test to see how well your body makes red blood cells check for internal bleeding scans to check for tumors What is the treatment for serious anemia? Treating severe anemia takes more than just diet and lifestyle changes, although eating lots of iron-rich foods can help your body make more red blood cells. Sometimes, treating anemia requires treating the underlying cause. Examples include: chemotherapy for myelodysplastic syndrome eculizumab (Soliris) for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, which keeps your body from destroying red blood cells immunosuppressants for some types of aplastic anemia and hemolytic anemias In all types of anemia, blood transfusions can help replace lost or defective red blood cells and reduce symptoms. However, it usually does not address the underlying cause. Some people may need multiple transfusions over time. A bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant may be an option if you can't make healthy red blood cells. In this procedure, cells from a donor's bone marrow, peripheral blood, or umbilical cord blood are given through a vein, similar to a blood transfusion. This is the only cure for some types of anemia, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. What is the outlook for people with serious anemia? Anemia, in general, causes 1.6 deaths per 100,000 people in the United States annually. It's usually treatable if caught quickly, although some types are chronic, which means they need continual treatment. The outlook for people with serious anemia can depend on the cause: Aplastic anemia In some cases, a bone marrow transplant can cure aplastic anemia. In others, medications can reduce symptoms but aren't a cure. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria Current treatments have increased the survival time for most people with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria to over 10 years from diagnosis. Factors such as age and other health conditions can affect a person's outlook. Myelodysplastic syndromes With treatment, people with low risk myelodysplastic syndromes typically live as long as people without them. You can talk with a doctor to learn about your specific prognostic score. Hemolytic anemias The outlook for people with hemolytic anemias depends on the underlying cause. Hemolytic anemia itself is rarely fatal, especially if treated early and properly, but the underlying conditions can be. Sickle cell disease Sickle cell disease decreases life expectancy. People with this condition typically live to 54 years old on average. However, newer treatments, including newer drugs, gene therapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplants, may improve the outlook of people with sickle cell disease. Severe thalassemia Severe thalassemia can cause death due to heart complications, but better treatments have improved the outlook for people who have it. Treatment involves regular blood transfusions and therapy to remove excess iron from your blood. Malarial anemia If diagnosed and treated quickly, malaria is usually curable. However, severe malaria, which is what causes anemia, is a medical emergency. The mortality rate for severe malaria varies widely, from 9.7% to 50%, depending on factors such as age, location, other presenting conditions, and overall health. Fanconi anemia
Health Line
12 hours ago
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- Health Line
Does Medicare Cover Famotidine?
Famotidine is a generic drug that doctors prescribe to treat conditions related to excess stomach acid production, such as stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It's available in over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription strengths, and companies may sell it under the brand names Pepcid AC or Zantac 360. Medicare Part D drug plans generally cover prescription famotidine, though there may be some variation based on the specific plan. Original Medicare doesn't cover OTC famotidine. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may include OTC benefits that members can use toward this medication. Part D coverage for famotidine Medicare-approved private insurance companies sell Part D prescription drug plans. If you have Original Medicare, you can buy a stand-alone Part D plan, whereas people with Medicare Advantage plans often have Part D plans in their coverage. Each plan has a formulary. This is a list of medications that the plan covers. Part D plans generally include prescription famotidine in their formularies. However, since specifics vary by insurance carrier, plan, and location, there's no guarantee that all plans include coverage for famotidine. To learn whether your Medicare drug plan includes coverage for famotidine, consult your plan details or a representative. Over-the-counter famotidine and Medicare Many Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for OTC products as part of their additional benefits. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes OTC benefits, you can likely use them to buy famotidine. Generally, with OTC benefits, members can get a benefits card that works like a debit card. The plan adds funds to the card at regular intervals, and you can use it at participating retailers to buy eligible products. The specific retailer and product lists may depend on the plan, but Walgreens, for example, offers various famotidine products in different strengths and quantities through its OTC benefits program. Famotidine cost with Medicare The cost of famotidine may depend on its strength, quantity, form, and whether it's a generic or brand-name product. Formularies place covered drugs into tiers. These tiers typically correspond with a drug's cost, with lower tier drugs often carrying lower copayments or coinsurance. A plan's formulary may cover multiple versions of famotidine. If so, the oral tablet form is likely to be a tier 1 drug, whereas the oral suspension may be a tier 4 drug. However, this may not be the case for all plans that cover famotidine.
Health Line
12 hours ago
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- Health Line
How to Identify and Report Medicare Fraud
Medicare fraud is when a person knowingly submits false information or misuses the Medicare system to achieve personal financial gain or to receive benefits for which they are ineligible. Medicare has numerous official channels for reporting suspected fraud. While estimates vary, the Senior Medicare Patrol reports that Medicare losses due to fraud could be as high as $60 billion annually. What's clear is that Medicare fraud and abuse are pervasive, put significant stress on the system, and have the ability to affect the care that older adults receive. Medicare fraud can be perpetrated by various people and organizations, including healthcare providers, such as doctors, clinics, or hospitals, as well as criminal groups and individuals. In this article, we'll discuss what Medicare fraud is, how to identify it, and where to report it. Common types of Medicare fraud Medicare fraud can take many forms and can affect both beneficiaries and providers. Common types of Medicare fraud include: Medical identity theft: This can take many forms. It could involve using another person's Medicare number to obtain healthcare services or benefits or using a physician's identifier to fill prescriptions. Billing for unnecessary services: Under Medicare regulations, many procedures only receive coverage if they're considered medically necessary. If a provider intentionally bills for unnecessary procedures, it is a form of fraud. Kickbacks: Kickbacks are when a provider receives some form of compensation in exchange for referrals or utilization of services. An example would be a doctor who receives personal payment from a lab facility for referring patients. Billing for services never rendered: This is when a provider bills Medicare for services or procedures it never actually administered. It may involve falsifying documentation to create the appearance of authenticity. Upcoding and unbundling of services: Upcoding involves billing for services at a higher complexity than those actually rendered. Unbundling involves submitting bills in a staggered fashion to maximize payment when Medicare requires that those bills be submitted together to reduce costs. Vigilance is important in matters related to Medicare and billing. Understanding what to look for can help you identify fraud in practice. As a consumer and Medicare beneficiary, be sure to regularly check your Medicare claims and keep an eye out for irregularities. Look for: unfamiliar charges on your Medicare summary notice line items for services you didn't receive bills from unfamiliar providers If you have regular contact with a healthcare professional, facility, or other provider, you may notice trends that could signal potential fraud. These include: unusual billing patterns geographic anomalies suspicious documentation patient complaints How to report Medicare fraud If you suspect fraud may be occurring with a given provider, it's important to notify the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Reporting suspected fraud, waste, or abuse in Medicare programs is key to protecting both the integrity of the Medicare system and the individuals it serves. You can do this in various ways: Contact Medicare by phone at 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Submit a complaint online with the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HSS-OIG). Contact the HSS-OIG by phone at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). Individuals with a private Medicare plan, such as a Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Part D plan, can also reach out to the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) with fraud complaints. You can reach I-MEDIC by phone at 877-772-3379. Before filing a complaint, it's important to collect all relevant documentation to back up your claim. This includes: your Medicare number the subject of your complaint, including information that can identify them the service in question and the date of receipt the cost of the service Summary Fraud and abuse cost Medicare billions of dollars each year. Reporting Medicare fraud is important for protecting individuals and maintaining the integrity of the Medicare system. Always guard your Medicare card, number, and other personal medical information. Additionally, review your Medicare summary notices routinely for irregularities that suggest inappropriate billing. If you think you were billed incorrectly, consider contacting Medicare for clarification. While errors happen, and not all errors are due to fraud, it's best to be safe and report your concerns. The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.
Health Line
12 hours ago
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- Health Line
The Cost Breztri of with Medicare
Breztri can cost $400 or more without insurance, but Medicare may cover inhaler drugs for COPD, including Breztri. That said, the specific coverage and costs vary based on your exact plan. Breztri Aerosphere (budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate) is a metered-dose inhaler designed for adults living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Medicare might help cover the cost of Breztri for COPD, but it's important to check the specifics of your plan, as there's no nationwide rule for inhaler coverage. Each Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan may cover different drugs. However, note that if you need a nebulizer rather than an inhaler, you would typically be covered under Medicare Part B. How much does Breztri cost with Medicare? If you don't have insurance, a 5.9-gram (g) Breztri inhaler costs around $400, while a larger 10.7-g inhaler can cost about $700. Whether your Medicare drug plan covers a Breztri inhaler depends on its formulary, which is a list of covered medications that varies with each plan. If your plan's formulary doesn't include this inhaler, it might offer coverage for a different one instead. If your plan covers Breztri, the amount you need to pay depends on its tier within the formulary. Higher tiers usually mean a higher cost. However, starting in 2025, you'll pay no more than $2,000 annually out of pocket for drugs through Medicare plans. Remember, Part D and MAPD plans are managed by private insurance companies, meaning your deductibles, premiums, and copays will depend on your plan. In 2025, the national base beneficiary premium for Part D is $36.78, and according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Medicare Advantage plans is about $17. If you use a nebulizer and have coverage under Part B, you'll pay 20% of the cost after meeting your annual deductible of $257, as long as you keep up with your monthly premium of $185. How can I get cheaper Breztri with Medicare? Typically, you can get cheaper drugs through your Medicare plan by getting a prescription for a generic version. These tend to feature in lower formulary tiers, making them more affordable. There's no generic version of Breztri, but other medications may be just as effective and more budget-friendly. Your Medicare plan may cover these. In fact, since Breztri can be expensive, your plan might require prior authorization before they approve coverage. This could involve step therapy, where you're asked to try a different, equally effective but cheaper medication first. In addition, AstraZeneca, the company that produces Breztri, offers a cost assistance program that may make this drug more affordable for Medicare enrollees. You'll need to visit the manufacturer's website to check your eligibility. Takeaway Breztri is a brand-name inhaler designed for long-term management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults. Although Medicare drug plans may cover COPD inhalers like Breztri, coverage is not uniformly required. This means your coverage and cost depend on the specific medication and your specific plan. Generally, Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) plan provides drug coverage for Medicare, including for covered inhalers. However, if you need to use the drug with a nebulizer, your coverage would fall under Part B.
