What Is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)? 4 Introduction Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common digestive disorder that affects the large intestine. It can cause discomfort and changes in bowel habits. Symptoms Abdominal pain or cramping Bloating Gas Diarrhea or constipation Causes Stress Food sensitivities Gut-brain interaction issues Hormonal changes Treatment Avoid trigger foods Manage stress Eat fiber-rich foods Medications if needed Conclusion Although IBS is not life-threatening, it can affect your quality of life. Managing diet and stress is key.
Merck's COVID-19 antiviral pill is the second authorized by the FDA The medicine might not get as much use as its Pfizer rival. Pfizer's COVID-19 antiviral pill will already have some competition in the US. As the Associated Press reports, the Food and Drug Administration has given emergency use authorization for Merck's Molnupiravir pill. The treatment limits replication of SARS-CoV-2 by inserting "errors" in the virus' genetic code while an infection is relatively young, ideally preventing mild or moderate cases from becoming severe in high-risk patients. The medicine might not get as much use as Pfizer's Paxlovid, however. Merck's offering will only be available to those 18 years or older versus 12 years for Pfizer's, as there are concerns it might affect bone and cartilage development in younger patients. There are also warnings against using it during pregnancy or while attempting to conceive — the FDA said people should use birth control ...