Why You’re Not Supposed to Drink on Antibiotics by Refinery29 You were responsible enough to go to the doctor and get antibiotics for your pesky urinary tract infection, but you also have a happy hour tonight that you do not want to miss. Technically, you're not "supposed to" drink when you're taking antibiotics, but what's the worst thing that could happen if you crack open a cold one tonight? You might have heard from a well-meaning friend that drinking on antibiotics just "makes you get drunker, faster," but it's actually more complex than that. There are two main reasons why you should avoid alcohol while on a course of antibiotics: There's potential for increased side effects, and the alcohol could interact with the drug's ability to do its job, explains Stephen Ferrara, RN, DNP, RNC-BC, associate dean for clinical affairs at Columbia University School of Nursing, who oversees its faculty practice, ColumbiaDoctors Primary Care Nu...

How to Determine If You're Suffering From Vertigo by besthealthmag A doctor and a physiotherapist explain what causes this common condition. “I keep having episodes of severe dizziness where I feel like I’m spinning. What’s wrong with me?” You’re likely experiencing vertigo. We asked two experts to weigh in for a 360 degree health solution. What causes vertigo? The doctor says… The feeling of spinning is called vertigo; and it’s a distinct feeling that’s different from feeling off balance or a little unstable. Vertigo is not a diagnosis but a symptom that can arise from a number of conditions. If vertigo is experienced without other symptoms, it’s likely that it’s resulting from an issue in the ear, where your balance is controlled. Some people experience intense vertigo for several seconds only when they move their head a certain way, like rolling to one side in bed or looking up — this can be a sign of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Others experienc...

6 Reasons Your Period Cramps Hurt so Bad—Other Than PMS by Women's Health If you're the proud owner of a uterus, you're likely well acquainted with cramps. But to understand why you get them in the first place, it's helpful to think of the uterus like a huge muscle (because, well, basically it is)—and it gets a pretty big workout during your period. “Uterine lining builds up over the course of your cycle, and the uterus responds with cramping as a method to control the bleeding [during menstruation],” says Christine Masterson, M.D., chief of the women and children’s service line at Summit Medical Group in New Jersey “If you have a lot of menstrual blood or a blood clot, sometimes the uterus will cramp to expel that.” How Gynecologists Soothe Their Own Period Cramps Most of the time, painful period cramps are super inconvenient, but pretty much NBD...until they're not, like if they affect your daily functioning, says Masterson. So how can you tell t...