If you’re like many people, your upper back sags and hurts after a few hours at the computer. One reason for this is that as we scrunch in front of the screen, our chest muscles get tight and the upper back muscles become overstretched and weak. Gone is the support for our upper body posture. To help reverse this habit, try this upper back posture awareness exercise. A Posture Exercise for Your Upper Back Sit on a firm chair or stool....
Nociceptors often referred to as your “pain receptors,” are free nerve endings located all over the body, including the skin, muscles, joints, bones, and internal organs. They play a pivotal role in how you feel and react to pain. The main purpose of a nociceptor is to respond to damage to the body by transmitting signals to the spinal cord and brain. Looking at this in more detail, if you stub your toe, the nociceptors on your skin are activated, causing them to send a signal to the brain, via the peripheral nerves to the spinal cord....
Jeune syndrome, also known as asphyxiating thoracic dystrophy, is an inherited form of dwarfism which produces short limbs, a small chest, and kidney problems. Its chief manifestation, however, is respiratory distress due to the small rib cage. It is estimated to occur in 1 per 100,000-130,000 live births and affects people of all ethnic backgrounds. Symptoms Individuals with Jeune syndrome have some physical characteristics in common: A long, narrow, and abnormally small chest with reduced lung capacityShort arms and legs compared to the trunk and overall small stature (short-limbed dwarfism)Kidney lesions which may lead to kidney failure Other symptoms which individuals with Jeune syndrome may have are:...
An allergic reaction to Rituxan, also known as MabThera or Rituximab, is a common side effect of this drug that’s used to treat lymphoma and other diseases. What are the signs of an allergic reaction and how is the reaction managed? Rituxan is a monoclonal antibody, which means that it targets a specific molecule on white blood cells. The molecule, CD-20, plays a role in rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of cancer....
Allergies and asthma can bring about the same symptoms, no matter the season. But you may notice that you’re sneezy, stuffy, short of breath, and so on at certain times of the year more than others. Each season can expose you to different allergens, such as pollen, that are harmless save for the fact that your immune system happens to misidentify them as dangerous. This causes the release of histamines, chemicals that work to clear allergens from the body by triggering allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes, and sneezing....
Astrocytes are the most abundant type of glial cell in the brain and are diverse in their ability to offer several protective functions to the central nervous system. The arrangement of astrocytes is related to the chemical and physical interactions with other brain cells. Astrocytes contribute to the production and maintenance of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a semi-permeable membrane that prevents certain components of the blood from passing out of circulation into the extracellular fluid of the central nervous system....
If you have heart valve replacement surgery, you will be prescribed a blood thinner (a.k.a. an anticoagulant) upon discharge from the hospital. Long-term blood thinner medication guidelines differ depending on what kind of valve is used, be it artificial (mechanical/man-made) or biological (from human or animal tissue). You may need to take this drug for the rest of your life. Both valve types require specific medication regimens, and research has changed over the years to reflect the benefits and risks of blood thinners in particular....
Epilepsy is a seizure disorder characterized by sensory distortions, convulsions, and even the loss of consciousness. It affects around 3.4 million people worldwide and is believed to be primarily related to genetics. While the treatment of epilepsy typically involves the use of medications and even surgery, some evidence has suggested that persons with epilepsy may improve significantly by changing to a gluten-free diet. The Link Between Epilepsy and Gluten Sensitivity Research has shown that the rate of celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder caused gluten sensitivity) occurs at a significantly higher rate in people coping with epilepsy than those in the general population....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is discouraging people from wearing masks with valves or vents in order to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This style mask, designed for construction workers as a barrier from dust, has risen in popularity throughout the pandemic. Key Takeaways The CDC recommends people avoid masks with valves or vents since they do not adequately prevent the spread of COVID-19....
A recent CDC study showed that getting a flu shot and an mRNA COVID-19 booster at the same time was associated with an 8%-11% increased chance of side effects, compared to receiving a COVID-19 booster alone. Key Takeaways A recent study showed that getting a flu shot and a COVID-19 booster together might increase the chance of possible side effects, but the difference is negligible.Not everyone experiences side effects. But some people do, and the side effects from a COVID-19 booster or a flu shot are usually mild....
Many people wonder whether their children really need a flu shot. If they are generally healthy kids, why go through the hassle of getting another shot, right? Unfortunately, not only is this thinking wrong, it could potentially endanger your child. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of the flu every year. Kids are at a high risk of developing complications from the flu, especially children under 5....
A double ear infection, also known as a bilateral ear infection, occurs in both ears simultaneously. It can also start primarily on one side and then develop in the opposite side shortly after. The symptoms of a double ear infection are generally worse than if the infection was occurring in only one ear. The treatment for this type of ear infection is similar to the treatment of a one-sided ear infection....
An elbow dislocation occurs when the upper arm and forearm get separated from their normal position. The bone of the upper arm (humerus) normally touches the bones of the forearm (the radius and ulna). When an elbow dislocation occurs, these bones are separated from their normal alignment. Elbow dislocations are the second most common joint dislocation, following shoulder dislocations. There are two basic types of elbow dislocations. Simple elbow dislocation: A simple elbow dislocation means there is no fracture of the bones around the elbow joint....
If you’re caring for someone who is bed bound or is otherwise unable to move, you’ll find that you need to lift them often, but you may be wondering how to do so safely. Lifting a person can be hard work and you want to make sure you’re protecting yourself and your loved one from an injury. Learn how to lift bed bound people in a stress-free manner with this tutorial....
The CD4/CD8 ratio is one of the blood tests used to monitor your immune system if you have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It compares the proportion of so-called “helper” CD4 T cells to “killer” CD8 T cells, the value of which can help predict the likely course of the disease. T cells are a type of white blood cell that is central to your immune defense. There are four types which serve different functions:...
Teenagers need at least 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week. If your teen has a sedentary lifestyle, it’s important to take steps to encourage them to get up and get moving. Regular exercise can have tremendous benefits for your teen’s physical and mental health. In addition, teens who exercise regularly are more likely to develop other healthier lifelong habits than teens who don’t. This article discusses current medical guidelines for how much exercise teens need and what amount is too much....
Insulin is a medication that needs to be kept at the proper temperature. If it freezes or gets too hot, it can break down and no longer help you control your blood sugar level. This could hurt not only your health but your wallet, since the cost of insulin has risen dramatically in recent years. Read on to learn why proper storage is essential and get tips for preventing your insulin from becoming damaged....
Cities across the Midwest, South, and East Coast are currently experiencing temperature lows. A hurricane-like winter storm—called a “bomb cyclone”—is set to hit New England this weekend. Key Takeaways During a winter freeze, experts recommend limiting your time outdoors to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. In the event of a power outage, the best foods and drinks to have in hand are nutritious and protein-rich and do not require preparation.Non-essential travel is not advised during a winter storm....
This story is part of a series where Verywell Health editors try different health trends and report what they find. For this edition, editor Emma Brink tried establishing a healthier sleep routine. When I was younger, I had the capacity to mentally and physically function well without consistent rest. It’s only as I’ve gotten older that I learned the power and necessity of a good night’s sleep. Key Takeaways Research shows that a lack of consistent sleep is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, anxiety, and depression....
It is estimated that 10%–15% of adults in the United States have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It’s also diagnosed in about twice as many females as males. IBS is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, meaning there are problems with how the brain and gut work together. It is characterized by a group of symptoms that include abdominal pain and changes to bowel movements, which can disrupt daily life. This article will highlight important facts and statistics you should know about irritable bowel syndrome....
