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The medulla oblongata is a tail-like structure at the base of the brain that connects the brain to the spinal cord. It carries signals from the brain to the rest of the body for essential life functions like breathing, circulation, swallowing, and digestion. While every part of the brain is important in its own way, the work of the medulla oblongata is essential for sustaining life. This article explains the medulla oblongata’s anatomy, function, and conditions that can affect it....

The peroneal tendons are the tendons that connect the muscles of the outer side of the calf to the foot. These tendons may be affected by inflammation (tendonitis) or tears. Learn more about these tendons and their associated conditions. Peroneal Tendon Anatomy and Function The two major peroneal muscles (peroneus longus and peroneus brevis) are situated on the outside of the leg, just adjacent to the calf muscles. The peroneal tendons course along the outer side of the ankle and attach to the foot, connecting these muscles to bone....

If you have psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the food that’s recommended for you is the same that’s good for people with heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Many of these foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and some fish, have anti-inflammatory properties that can help you manage your condition. Foods that trigger psoriatic arthritis include saturated fats, sugar, alcohol, and simple carbohydrates. They can contribute to weight gain and potentially increase pressure on your joints....

Rejection is not enjoyable for anyone. But for people with a condition called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), getting turned down, criticized, or rebuffed can trigger an overwhelming emotional response. RSD is characterized by extreme emotional sensitivity to being criticized or rejected, whether real or perceived rejection. While researchers are still unsure of the cause, it seems that people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more susceptible to RSD....

Sesame is now considered one of the nine major food allergens by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Key Takeaways The FDA listed sesame as the ninth major food allergen in the United States.Under the new regulations, manufacturers must list sesame as an allergen on labels and work to prevent cross-contact in production.To avoid compliance, some restaurants have started adding sesame into recipes that previously did not contain this allergen. The change, which took effect on January 1, is a result of the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education and Research Act (FASTER Act), which was signed into law in April 2021....

For patients with type 1 diabetes who take high doses of insulin, a new study has shed some light on the possible link between insulin use and cancer. Key Takeaways A recent study has linked high insulin use to cancer risk in people with type 1 diabetes.Previous studies have linked having type 1 diabetes to a higher risk for cancer.It’s unclear how much of a role insulin plays in the link between the two conditions....

If you have had an episode of syncope (a transient loss of consciousness also referred to as fainting), it is important for you and your healthcare provider to figure out what caused the episode. There are many potential causes of syncope, and unless your healthcare provider approaches the diagnosis in a systematic way, things can get confusing in a hurry. This article discusses a straightforward and systematic approach to the diagnosis of syncope....

It may seem strange to read that an HIV infection can cause premature aging, but it seems to be true. Furthermore, premature aging isn’t simply a matter of HIV causing a series of symptoms that are usually found in older adults. Instead, the overall health of individuals with even well-controlled HIV infections is similar to that of people without HIV who are approximately 15 years older. Some of the common health problems of aging that also occur earlier in younger people with HIV include:...

If you’re one of the 60-80% of people who will at some point experience back pain, you may find that one or more of your spinal discs is responsible. Spinal disc pain is common in people with back troubles, affecting about forty percent of cases. The intervertebral disc is one of a number of spinal structures healthcare providers and pain experts call “pain generators.” Essentially, pain generators are places in the body where abnormal physiological activity gives rise to pain....

An aggregate deductible refers to the system most high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) have traditionally used for family deductibles. It works differently than the more common embedded deductibles used in non-HDHP health insurance. Let’s look at how they work, as well as some rule changes that were implemented to protect consumers in plans with aggregate deductibles. Changes That Took Effect in 2016 Aggregate deductibles can still be used and are described in detail below....

As children, most of us had staring contests with siblings or friends. How long could you hold a stare without blinking? Your eyes burned and watered and finally you gave up. Why was it so hard to go very long without blinking? In fact, why do you need to blink at all? Blinking is necessary for two main reasons: clearing away dust particles and lubricating the eyeball. Even though you probably don’t notice it, the average person blinks approximately 15 times a minute....

Allopathic medicine is another term for conventional Western medicine. In contrast to complementary medicine (sometimes known as alternative medicine), allopathy uses mainstream medical practices like diagnostic blood work, prescription drugs, and surgery. An allopathic doctor is typically an MD, while osteopaths (DO), chiropractors (DC), and Oriental medical doctors (OMD) usually fall under the complementary medicine umbrella. This article discusses the history of allopathic medicine, its uses, and its limitations. It also looks at the philosophical differences between conventional and alternative medicine and how these diverse disciplines complement one another....

Bacillus coagulans (B. coagulans) is a beneficial bacteria known as a probiotic. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that may promote health and protect against infections. Similar to Lactobacillus strains, B. coagulans has been used to treat diarrhea and prevent candida infections. Taking B. coagulans and other probiotic supplements while taking antibiotic medications is sometimes recommended to guard against gastrointestinal side effects and yeast infections. In alternative medicine, dietary supplements containing Bacillus coagulans may be used to relieve symptoms of colitis, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as to help heal the lining of the intestines and combat leaky gut syndrome....

Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash is a foaming face wash made especially for oily and acne-prone skin. Unlike most cleansers made for acne-prone skin, Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Removing Foam Wash isn’t medicated. This means it won’t clear up a case of acne. But, because it doesn’t have any medication in it, you can use it along with the acne treatments you’re already using, even those drying prescription acne treatments....

Women face the possibility of a number of pelvic conditions that are specific to females. Some are fine if left untreated while ignoring others could be fatal. Let’s take a look at the symptoms of these pelvic conditions so you can recognize them if they happen to you or someone you love. Asherman’s Syndrome Asherman’s syndrome is the formation of intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) or scar tissue that often causes the front and back walls of the uterus to stick together....

Many parents feel overwhelmed with sadness when their child is diagnosed with autism. Often, that grief is connected with a sense of loss. While their child, of course, is still a part of their lives, some parents feel that they have lost the child they expected or the child they thought they had. Others are saddened by the realization that their child with autism will almost certainly live their entire lives with a disability....

You have certain rights in the hospital. Those include rights to privacy, safety, and culturally appropriate care. Most of the time, you even have the right to leave when you want. That’s true even if your healthcare provider wants you to stay. It’s called being discharged against medical advice (AMA). This article looks at when you do and don’t have the right to leave the hospital early. Your Right to Leave The typical hospitals you think of are generally acute-care hospitals....

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), you may, at times, be unsure which specialist to call about your Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. When you’re living with either of these conditions, it’s important to regularly see a primary care physician, and you may also need to see a gastroenterologist and a colorectal surgeon. Some people with IBD see their colorectal surgeons more often than they see their gastroenterologist—and the reverse is also true....

Narcolepsy can be a difficult condition to manage, with debilitating excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden weakness called cataplexy. So, it is natural to wonder about the long-term prognosis. Though we are gradually gaining a better understanding of the disorder and ways to treat it, the question remains: Does narcolepsy ever go away? Learn about the present theory of why narcolepsy occurs and whether the underlying cause can be reversed. An Autoimmune Element Narcolepsy is believed to be due to an autoimmune process....

The facial artery—also called the external maxillary artery—is a primary source of oxygenated blood to the muscles and skin of the face. It is one of the eight branches of the external carotid artery, Each of the paired facial arteries takes a twisted, bent route as it progresses along the nasolabial fold (the “smile lines” running from the corners of the nose to the sides of the mouth) towards the corner of the eye adjacent to the nose, where it terminates....