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Alleles are copies of genes that influence hereditary characteristics. Each person inherits at least two alleles for a particular gene—one allele from each parent. They are also called allelomorphs. A good example of how alleles are expressed is eye color; whether we have blue or brown eyes depends on the alleles that are passed down from our parents. Because they help determine what our bodies look like and how they’re structured, alleles are considered an important part of the blueprint for all living organisms....

Colon cancer can be a cause of anemia, typically indicated by a lower than normal red blood cell count and hemoglobin level. Anemia though can be caused by many other conditions including other types of cancer. But for colon cancer it may be one of the first signs of a developing malignancy. On the flip side, anemia can be a direct result of radiation and chemotherapy used to treat cancer....

Before undergoing a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), your surgeon will want to evaluate your health status and lifestyle habits to make sure you’re healthy enough for the procedure. In addition to completing some pre-operative labs and tests, making healthy choices before surgery can help improve your rate of recovery. If you’re nervous about undergoing a BBL, knowing what to expect on the day of surgery will ease your mind by giving you a chance to prepare....

The condylar joint, also known as the condyloid or ellipsoid joint, is similar to a ball and socket joint. However, the ligaments and the joint’s oval shape prevent it from rotating. It moves up and down and side to side. The wrist joint is a perfect example of a condylar joint. This article will discuss the anatomy, function, and conditions that are related to the condylar joint. It will also discuss condylar joint rehabilitation....

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on May 13 approved Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a new injection treatment for type 2 diabetes. Key Takeaways Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro, a once-a-week injection treatment for type 2 diabetes, recently gained FDA approval.Experts say this medication represents a groundbreaking advancement in the diabetes community.The drug targets two major hormones that regulate blood sugar levels. Experts say Mounjaro represents an exciting advancement in diabetes management and it could benefit patients who need to lose weight....

If you recently purchased a set of in-the-ear hearing aids, here’s what you should do to properly clean them. When you remove your hearing aids at night, the first thing you should do is carefully wipe them down with a dry soft cloth or tissue. Next, inspect the portion of the hearing aid that fits down into the ear canal. If you see earwax accumulating at the end of the aid, you will need to remove this....

When Annmarie Nguyen’s father tested positive for COVID-19, all she could think was that she did not want to bury another family member—she had lost her mother to COVID-19 in January. Key Takeaways Many Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) doctors are providing culturally competent care to their patients.This involves communicating in their languages and being respectful of individual cultural practices.Culturally competent care can lead to better treatment and more patient satisfaction....

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of many viruses that causes an upper respiratory infection with common cold symptoms. As with other viruses, human metapneumovirus is contagious. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, such as by coughing or sneezing. This article explores how human metapneumovirus spreads, the risk factors for acquiring it, and who might be at higher risk for complications. Common Causes The main way that human metapneumovirus spreads is through respiratory droplets....

Have you seen PARO? Countless people were first introduced to PARO in an episode of the first season of “Master of None” starring Aziz Ansari. But is PARO a real thing? Is there a real robotic baby seal that’s cute, cuddly, and interactive? There sure is. More About PARO PARO is an adorable robotic baby harp seal that weighs about six pounds. PARO was developed in Japan by Takanori Shibata and is equipped with 32-bit processors, microphones, and several tactile sensors....

A coup countercoup (pronounced coo contra coo) brain injury is an injury that occurs both at the site of trauma and the opposite side of the brain. A “coup” injury is the initial site of impact. For example, if you were in a car accident and struck your head on the steering wheel, you might have a “coup” brain injury near the location of the forehead. A contrecoup injury happens at the opposite side of the site of injury, so if you struck your forehead, the brain injury would be at the back of the brain....

Lumbago is a general term often used to describe pain in the lower back. Most of the time, lumbago is due to muscle strains, fatigue (poor posture), spinal stenosis, or arthritis. Fractures, cancer, infection, and vascular disease are less common causes. Getting Your Lumbago Diagnosed The term “lumbago” doesn’t give specific information as to the cause of the low back pain, and it’s not an official medical diagnosis. Low back pain can cause persistent discomfort, and it can limit your activities....

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, including the spine. Osteoarthritis of the spine occurs when there is deterioration in the discs between the vertebrae. Early diagnosis and treatment help people with osteoarthritis of the spine manage their symptoms. Causes The deterioration in the discs between the vertebrae of the spine can be caused by: repetitive trauma to the spine from accidents, sports injury, work activities, or poor posture aging of the spinal structures beginning when a person is in their 30s overweight or obesity, which puts more burden on weight-bearing joints like the spine a family history of osteoarthritis, particularly of the spine an association with other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, diabetes, and infections With primary osteoarthritis of the spine, the cause is not known and it is usually attributed to the aging process....

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are nurses who have obtained advanced training and certification, often including a master’s degree or a doctorate in nursing. APNs are often referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRPs) and are among a group of healthcare provides described as advanced practice providers (APPs). APPs include APNs as well as physician assistants (PAs). APPs have also been described as physician extenders, and while the term is often used in the healthcare system, some healthcare professionals feel that it overly emphasizes the physician role in supervision of APPs....

People who are infected with COVID-19 are expected to remain isolated and practice safety measures for the health of the public. Experts say a COVID-19 vaccine appointment is no reason to break isolation and put others at risk of infection. Key Takeaways If you are infected with COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone who is, isolate at home for 10 days or until you recover before visiting a vaccine distribution site....

The intervertebral foramen, also called the neural foramen, is the opening between the vertebrae through which spinal nerve roots travel and exit to other parts of the body. The word “foramen” is the singular form, while “foramina” is the plural form. If the foramina narrow, they can put pressure on the nerve roots near them, causing pain. This is called neuroforaminal stenosis. Anatomy The vertebrae are the building blocks of the spinal column....

If you watch any TV, odds are you have been seeing commercials for new anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) called Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, and Savaysa. The commercials claim these drugs are easier to take, are safer, and are just as effective (if not more effective) than Coumadin (warfarin). While these claims are not unreasonable, they do not tell the whole story. The Problems with Coumadin For people who need to be treated with anticoagulant drugs for more than just a few days (for instance, people with atrial fibrillation, deep venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolus ), until recent years the only real option was Coumadin....

The Thompson Test is performed when making the diagnosis of a torn Achilles tendon. This should not be confused with the Thomas test, used to assess hip joint problems. Achilles Tendon Tears An Achilles tendon tear occurs when the tendon that connects the calf muscle to the heel bone is severed. This injury often occurs during sports activities such as basketball or tennis and is felt by the athlete as a sudden sharp pain directly behind the ankle....

Multiple insulin injections each day are a way of life for those with type 1 diabetes. But did you know that where you inject the insulin makes a big difference in its absorption and effectiveness? Here are four tips that will help ensure that your injections are working hard for you. 1. Give injections in the abdomen, thighs, and back of the upper arm whenever possible. Insulin is most rapidly absorbed when injected in the abdomen, followed by the upper arm and thigh areas....

There are several different subtypes of breast cancer, and treatment can vary depending on the type. In 2022, it was estimated that approximately 287,850 women in the United States would be diagnosed with breast cancer. About 10%–15% of those cases would be triple-negative breast cancer, although some studies even estimated the incidence to be as high as 24% of newly diagnosed breast cancers. This article will review some important facts and statistics you should know about this subtype of breast cancer....

A preliminary report shows that the B.1.617.1 coronavirus variant is nearly seven times more resistant to antibodies. This holds true whether the antibodies are from vaccines or previous infection with COVID-19. Key Takeaways Two preliminary studies have found that the B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appear to be more resistant to the COVID-19 vaccines than the original virus, but that the vaccines are still very effective. The two variants hit India in February, where vaccination rates are still low....