The common peroneal nerve, also called the common fibular nerve, is a peripheral nerve that branches off from the sciatic nerve. It and its branches supply sensation and some motor function to the lower leg and top of the foot. Anatomy The sciatic nerve’s roots leave the spinal cord in the two lowest regions of the spine—the lumbar and sacral regions. The roots they join together and run down through the buttocks and the back of the thigh....
Corneal topography is a procedure used to monitor and measure changes that may occur to the shape and integrity of the cornea of your eye. A corneal topographer projects a series of illuminated rings, referred to as a Placido disc, onto the surface of the cornea. The rings are reflected back into the instrument. After analyzing the reflected rings of light, the computer generates a topographical map of the cornea. The images produced by the topographer can be helpful for your eye doctor when analyzing the health of your eyes....
Last week, Anthony Fauci, MD, endorsed layering two masks as a way for slowing and curbing the spread of COVID-19. Although this recommendation has gained traction online as the safest way to protect yourself from COVID-19 and its highly transmissible variants, some experts say that promoting double masking can be harmful. Key Takeaways There is no data to suggest that double masking provides extra protection against COVID-19 transmission.Asking people to double mask may decrease mask compliance, according to doctors....
Results from Phase 1 clinical trials show Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is able to produce an immune response against the novel coronavirus. The results, published on July 14 in The New England Journal of Medicine, indicate the company’s vaccine induced anti–SARS-CoV-2 immune responses in all 45 participants. Key Takeaways The first human trials of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine show it can elicit a strong immune response against the virus.The vaccine caused only mild side effects....
While you can’t get it at the deli in the U.S. right now, lab-grown meat is one step closer to being a reality. In November 2022, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that cultivated meat is “safe for human consumption.” Key Takeaways The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently deemed meat that is grown using animal cells as being safe for human consumption.While these alternatives to traditionally-produced animal meats are not yet available for consumers, the FDA’s decision is a key step in the process....
In anticipation of another COVID-19 surge, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently recommended vaccine makers to update their booster shots to include components of the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. Key Takeaways The FDA recently voted in favor of Omicron-adapted booster shots to have stronger immunity against the circulating and emerging variants.Pfizer and Moderna have developed different kinds of Omicron-adapted booster candidates that elicit a higher immune response against Omicron subvariants....
Hip replacement surgery has long been used to treat hip arthritis in elderly patients. However, concerns arise when a patient in his 40s, 50s, or younger, has severe hip arthritis that is not relieved with non-operative treatments. Once reserved for elderly patients, hip replacement surgery is becoming more common in the younger, active population. How Young Is Too Young? No one can definitively answer this question, but what we do know is that the benefits of performing hip replacement surgery in younger patients may outweigh the risks of surgery....
The phrase “on the rag” is a slang term for menstruation. This phrase likely originated sometime during the late 19th century. When a woman was menstruating, she was “on the rag” or “riding the rag,” phrases that literally described the way most women up until then managed their menstruation. Women would layer pieces of absorbent cloth or other material together until they created a pad of rags that was sufficiently thick enough to absorb their menstrual flow....
What is homeostasis? Like most medical terms, there’s a dictionary definition, but that’s not always very helpful in understanding what a concept actually looks like and how it operates in the body. Biology dictionaries define homeostasis as “the tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback controls, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions.” In terms of asthma, homeostasis refers to your body’s respiratory system functioning correctly without increases in inflammation or other parts of the pathophysiology of asthma negatively impacting you....
Laryngeal cancer is cancer of the larynx (sometimes called the voice box), which is an organ located in the front of the esophagus. It lies on top of the trachea and in front of the pharynx The larynx assists in breathing, speaking, and swallowing. Laryngeal cancer can form a tumor, which may push on nearby structures surrounding the larynx, and it spread to other parts of the body. This article describes the symptoms and impact of laryngeal cancer....
Repetitive motion disorders are a large group of conditions that primarily affect the soft tissues, including the nerves, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Repetitive motion disorders include a family of muscular conditions that result from repeated motions performed in the course of normal work or daily activities. Repetitive motion disorders are also called: Cumulative Trauma DisordersRepetitive Stress InjuriesOveruse Syndromes Repetitive motion disorders can include: carpal tunnel syndrome bursitis tendinitis / tendonitis epicondylitis (tennis elbow) ganglion cyst tenosynovitis trigger finger Causes Repetitive motion disorders are caused by:...
When your child is suffering from the miserable symptoms of a cold, it can be tempting to reach for an over-the-counter remedy to help make them feel better. But the fact is, studies have shown that cough and cold medicines to be ineffective in children younger than 6. And while the FDA hasn’t yet issued a guideline for school-age kids, cold medication labels now say these medicines are not recommended for children younger than 4....
Marked by hoarseness or loss of voice, laryngitis is an inflammation of your voice box (also known as the larynx). Located at the top of the airway to your lungs, the larynx contains your vocal cords. Irritation or infection can trigger swelling in your vocal cords, which in turn leads to hoarseness in your voice. Laryngitis can be either short-term (acute) or chronic. If you have persistent laryngitis (lasting more than 2 weeks) or worsening laryngitis you should see an ear, nose and throat doctor as this can sometimes be a sign of larynx or another type of cancer....
Have you ever wondered if there was any difference between dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia? If you’ve ever heard the symptoms of these two disorders, they sound surprisingly alike. That’s because they’re both types of Lewy body dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). Shared Symptoms To understand the difference between PDD and DLB, it’s important to understand that there are two sets of symptoms that occur in both PDD and DLB....
The patella, most commonly referred to as the kneecap, is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. A sesamoid bone is one that is embedded in a tendon and, in the patella’s case, it exists within the quadriceps tendon. This tendon helps hold the patella in place along with other muscles found in and near the quadriceps so it can do its most important job, protect the knee joint. Anatomy The patella bone goes through the process of ossifying (turning into bone) between the ages of three and six years old....
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting approximately 1 in 10 people in their reproductive years. PCOS symptoms include weight gain, ovarian cysts, and irregular menstrual cycles. The condition is related to higher than usual levels of a hormone called androgens that can lead to excess facial hair, acne, and other physical changes. PCOS can be challenging to treat and is associated with increased risks for miscarriage and infertility, liver problems, depression and anxiety, and heart problems....
Pregnancy nausea and vomiting, also known as morning sickness, are very common. In most people, symptoms subside a few months into the pregnancy, but some people have nausea throughout. Experiencing nausea during pregnancy is normal. And while it can make you uncomfortable, it’s not usually a cause for concern. However, it’s possible to experience severe nausea and vomiting, which can cause complications. When Does It Start? The nausea and vomiting that come with morning sickness usually begin early in a pregnancy, at around six weeks....
One of the most popular of the sleep-related apps (or applications) for iPhone, Sleep Cycle works by tracking your movements during the night in order to perfectly time your morning awakening. This app has some pros and cons. How Sleep Cycle Works Sleep Cycle relies on your smartphone’s accelerometer to monitor movement. The idea is that you place your smartphone near you in bed and that it will register movements....
Healthy eyes and vision are extremely important for optimum sports performance. Several important vision skills can affect how well you play your sport. If you want to play at your best, it is essential to make certain you are seeing your absolute best. A complete eye exam by an optometrist will reveal any vision problems that could be hindering your performance. If a problem is discovered, your healthcare provider will be able to recommend options to help you see your best....
Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with arthritis, you may have experienced the unpleasant phenomenon known as joint locking. Arthritis patients in need of knee replacement surgery may experience this condition. Sometimes, individuals with arthritis of the fingers experience it as well. So what exactly is joint locking? It’s a bit shocking when it first happens, but this condition describes when your joints get stuck, and you can’t release them. To make matters worse, joint locking tends to be a painful experience....
