Heather Collins

Antibiotics are a type of medication that are used to treat bacterial infections. Antibiotics have a long history, dating back centuries when people used mold and other natural substances to treat infections (via Microbiology Society). However, it wasn't until the twentieth century that the real magic began. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, a natural antibiotic produced by the mold Penicillium. This was a game-changer in the medical world, as it was the first effective treatm...

Huntington's disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects only a small percentage of the world's population, according to Fondazione LRH. It is a neurological condition that primarily involves the nervous system. The damage is cumulative, resulting in various symptoms that can make daily life difficult. The genetic component was discovered in 1993 and linked to the HTT gene, which produces abnormal proteins that destroy specific neurons in the brain.
Individual symptoms of Huntington's dis...

While chemotherapy is a common treatment, fear of the unknown is a genuine concern. Regardless of how common therapy may be, your experiences and journey will be unique to you. Learning about chemotherapy options, goals, and potential side effects is essential to help prepare your mind, body, and spirit.
There are many different types of chemotherapy, each designed for specific types of cancer or various conditions. The goal of chemotherapy is to cure cancer if possible, but if not, to contro...

Heather Collins, MSN, RN, CNOR is a registered nurse certified in the operating room and nursing leadership. Heather is also a passionate freelance health and wellness writer who enjoys translating complex medical terminology into easily digestible content for the general public.

As an RN, Heather is dedicated to caring for people and serving others by ensuring patients and families receive safe, competent care and are educated and empowered to manage complex medical conditions once they leav...

Heather is a freelance writer for Health Digest.
She writes about health and wellness, healthcare, and general interest topics.
Her work has been published on hospital intranet blogs and by healthcare marketing firms.
Experience
Heather Collins is a freelance writer who currently resides in Texas. She is passionate about healthcare, health and wellness, as well as writing about any topics that will benefit the wellbeing of others. Heather earned her master’s in nursing (MSN) in 1998 and is a ...

Ovarian cancer is often called a silent cancer because it typically exhibits vague or no symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Even though it might be simple to ignore annoying signs, it is crucial to know what they are, especially if they linger or become persistent (via Siteman Cancer Center).
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 19,880 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the United States this year. Furthermore, the disease will claim the lives of more ...

Losing one's sense of smell can be a depressing and overwhelming experience. It can make you feel helpless and deprived of a source of pleasure, such as the comforting aromas of your favorite meals. Everyday activities (cooking and spending time outside, for instance) can become complicated and uncomfortable without the ability to detect smells. This impairment can cause isolation and frustration in a world where scent is heavily relied on for pleasure, enjoyment, and even protection.
A recen...

Have you ever awoken from a night of deep sleep to find your teeth hurting for no apparent reason? A variety of factors can cause tooth pain. Some are simple to resolve on your own, while others require a visit to your dentist.
Teeth are an essential part of our bodies that are frequently overlooked until that inner voice reminds you to brush and floss twice daily. You may believe you are following the guidelines for keeping your smile healthy. But as the Cirocco Dental Center, brushing twice...

Botox was the first drug to use botulinum toxin to reduce the appearance of facial wrinkles, according to the Mayo Clinic. Derived from onobotulinumtoxinA, when injected, Botox causes short-term relaxation or paralysis of the muscles in the targeted area (via MedlinePlus). But while this treatment is most commonly associated with cosmetic use to combat signs of aging, medical advancements have allowed Botox to progress far beyond its initial purpose. In fact, the medical community has develop...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a broad term for a few types of specific lung disorders (via the COPD Foundation). It is a debilitating condition that develops over time due to irritations that harm your lungs and airways. Although different lung conditions fall under the COPD category, they are similar in that they are not curable but can be treated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), emphysema and chronic bronchitis are specific disease exampl...

Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a common type of arrhythmia or abnormal heart rhythm that affects more than 2 million Americans (via Memorial Hermann). According to the American Heart Association, the heart is in charge of pumping blood to all aspects of the body. The heart's electrical system regulates the frequency of its beats and coordinates the work of its chambers. Arrhythmias can occur when electrical activity is disrupted. When A-fib occurs, the electrical signal normally produced by t...

Isn't it amazing how a woman can grow a tiny human in nine months? As a result, it should be no surprise that the female body changes during this process. Some changes may be unexpected or unusual. It is, however, entirely normal for some strange things to occur during pregnancy. After all, another human is inside, and the female body must adapt to produce a healthy baby (via March of Dimes). Even if symptoms are perplexing, there are explanations for them. Like humans, pregnancy is unique; e...

Tonsils are soft tissue masses that sit on each side of the throat. They are a component of the lymphatic system, which defends the body against infection, particularly respiratory infection (via WebMD). Because the tonsils' primary function is to prevent germs from entering the body through the mouth and nose, they can become infected.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, healthy tonsils vary in size, just as people do. In a healthy state, they are typically pink. Tonsils that swell and turn r...

Preeclampsia is a hypertensive condition that typically appears after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Preeclampsia accounts for about 2% to 8% of pregnancy complications worldwide, according to a 2022 study.
You may wonder why your doctor monitors your blood pressure so closely, especially during the last trimester of pregnancy. A rise in blood pressure may be a warning sign that you are developing preeclampsia. In fact, preeclampsia is the cause of 15% of premature births (births that occur before 37...

Are you exhausted from the pain and pressure caused by your sinus infection? It may be comforting to know you are not alone. Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are a significant health issue for about 31 million people in the United States annually (via the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology). These pesky infections, for which Americans spend over a billion dollars each year on pharmaceuticals and over-the-counter medications, account for over 16 million annual doctor v...