Posts

Desquamation is the natural process in which skin cells are created, sloughed away, and replaced.The desquamation process happens in the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. The epidermis itself has four unique layers. Each of these layers plays a role in desquamation. Skin Cells are Born Sometimes called cell turnover, desquamation happens every second of the day, without you even noticing. New skin cells are created in the stratum germinativum, which is the deepest layer of the epidermis....

If you have had a colostomy or colectomy, you may be wondering how you should change your diet. While you may need to make some changes, the good news is that you probably will not need to completely overhaul the way you eat. Shortly after your surgery, your healthcare provider and/or a nutritionist will probably help you learn the best way to eat. This article explains how your diet may change right after surgery on your colon....

It may seem like semantics, arguing over the meanings of similar words, but the difference between sleepiness and fatigue really does matter. Not only can discriminating between these distinctive feelings identify different causes, but it may also help to treat certain disorders. Sleepiness Some people lose touch with what it feels like to be sleepy. Sleepiness or drowsiness is the extreme desire to fall asleep. Imagine that you’re sitting after lunch in your most comfortable chair....

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects 1 in 3 adults in the United States. When a person has high blood pressure, the blood flow through the arteries is higher than normal. There are ways to prevent and treat high blood pressure. It starts with your lifestyle. Exercising regularly will keep your heart healthy and stress levels low. In addition, mindfulness activities such as meditation, yoga, and journaling can help reduce stress....

Replacement of dopamine in the form of the drug carbidopa/levodopa is one of the best-established treatments in neurology and allows patients with Parkinson’s disease some relief from their tremor and rigidity. Occasionally, though, dopamine replacement comes with side effects. The best known of these include hypermobility (too much movement) or even hallucinations. Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is another potential complication, occurring in about 4 percent of patients on dopaminergic therapy....

Drinking black tea may lower your risk of death, according to a new study published in Annals of Internal Medicine. Key Takeaways Drinking two cups of black tea or more a day was associated with a lower risk of death, according to a new observational study.Adding milk and sugar didn’t appear to change the results.This study only found an association between black tea and mortality risk, rather than causality. Experts say not to drastically change your dietary habits based on one study alone....

Elopement is a term used to describe an incident where a person with dementia leaves a safe area. This typically involves him leaving the home or facility in which he lives. Elopement can be intentional (“I’m getting out of here!”) or unintentional (“I need to stretch my legs so I think I’ll head over here”). Understanding Elopement Wandering is a common symptom that often develops in dementia and can lead to elopement....

The eustachian tubes connect your middle ears to the upper part of the throat behind the nose. Also called auditory tubes, eustachian tubes keep the middle ears healthy by equalizing pressure, draining fluids, and protecting your middle ears from pathogens that could cause infections. This article will go over the anatomy and function of the eustachian tube. You will also learn about conditions that can affect the auditory tube. Where Is the Eustachian Tube?...

Exercise intolerance (EI) is the reduced capacity or inability of someone’s body to perform physical activities typical for their age. People with exercise intolerance often experience debilitating fatigue when they engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, but EI can also prevent people from doing light exercise and everyday activities. Although various medical conditions can cause exercise intolerance, it is the primary symptom of diastolic heart failure. This article discusses the signs, symptoms, and causes of exercise intolerance....

Leprosy, known as Hansen’s Disease, is a disease from ancient times that still exists today. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucosal membranes. Across the world, there were more than 127,000 new cases in 2020, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 16 million people have been cured of this disabling, disfiguring disease since treatments became available in the 1980s. The first breakthrough came in 1873, when Dr....

Bone marrow edema is the build-up of fluid in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue in the center of your bones. Some healthcare professionals still use the term bone marrow edema. But today, the condition is often called a bone marrow lesion. A lesion is an area of tissue that’s not healthy or normal. This article describes common causes of bone marrow edema. It also explains how the condition is diagnosed and treated....

If you have never done it before, the thought of giving an intramuscular injection can be overwhelming and frightening. However, it’s not as difficult as it may seem. If you have ever gotten a flu shot, you know that while it may be uncomfortable to receive an intramuscular shot, it is not painful. Whether you are giving the shot to yourself or administering it for someone else, doing it for the first time may be a little nerve-wracking....

The Consumer Products Safety Commission gives these fireworks safety guidelines for home use: Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying them.Keep a bucket of water garden hose near in case of a fire or malfunction.Light fireworks one at a time, then move back fast.Never attempt to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully ignited.Never use fireworks while on alcohol or drugs....

Intramedullary (IM) rods are used to align and stabilize fractures. IM rods are inserted into the bone marrow canal in the center of the long bones of the extremities. They may be used in the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone), for example. They are also called intramedullary nails. One of the significant advantages of IM rods over other methods of fracture fixation is that IM rods share the load with the bone, rather than entirely supporting the bone....

With a keratoacanthoma, you develop a red bump or dome on your skin that may resemble a horn. Most cases are seen in older adults. While it may be confused with squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer), keratoacanthomas have little or no risk of spreading to other parts of the body. You may develop just one, or less commonly, you can have several. But only some see this as a distinct lesion....

Most people have, at some point or another, given in to the temptation to pick at a blemish. But for some, the picking goes on to the point where skin tissue is damaged, sometimes severely. This is known as excoriated acne. Excoriated Acne Symptoms Depending on how much the person has picked at the skin, excoriated acne may range in appearance from angry red bumps or scratches, to open red sores, crusting, and scabs....

Lyme disease is caused by an infection from the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Humans may develop the disease after being bitten by an infected tick. There are no reported instances of transmission from person to person or animal to person; it’s transmitted only by ticks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Lyme disease cannot be transmitted sexually, or by kissing or drinking out of the same glass as someone who has Lyme disease....

Lymphangiomatosis is a disease in which many tumors (lymphangiomas) or cysts grow in the lymph system of the body. Although these tumors are not cancerous, they invade the body tissues and cause pain, difficulty breathing, and a variety of other symptoms depending on where they occur. Lymphangiomas may grow in the bones, connective tissue, and organs of the body, and they may obstruct, compress, or destroy tissues. What causes lymphangiomatosis is not yet known....

Macadamia nuts—a type of tree nut that is native to Australia—have somewhat of a bad reputation because of their fat content. However, macadamia nuts are chock-full of healthy nutrients, including iron, vitamin B6, protein, and magnesium. Like other tree nuts, some studies are showing that macadamia nuts might have some heart-healthy benefits, including keeping your lipid levels within a healthy range. What Research Says There haven’t been as many studies conducted on macadamia nuts as other popular nuts, such as walnuts, pistachios, and almonds—all of which have been shown to lower cholesterol....

Many kids have a tough time remembering to brush and floss their teeth twice daily. It’s important to start teaching kids healthy dental hygiene habits from a young age. Having good habits early on will set them on track for a lifetime of good habits. A toothbrushing chart is such a fun way to help kids remember to brush and floss their teeth every day. It also gives you a bit of reassurance knowing that this important daily task isn’t being forgotten....