Anterior refers to the front of the human body when used to describe anatomy. The opposite of anterior is posterior, meaning the back of the human body. The term anterior is typically used in combination with other words that describe the location of a body part. For example, the belly button may be described as anterior, mid-abdominal, meaning it is located on the front of the body in the middle of the abdomen....
People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often find that they need to use the restroom in a hurry. The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and other advocacy groups and pharmaceutical companies have even developed cards that people with IBD can show when they need to use a toilet in a hurry. Often these are called “I Can’t Wait” cards or “Bathroom Access Law” cards. Even so, in places without accessible public restrooms, people with IBD may be out of luck, and may be refused restroom access....
The malleus, also known as the “hammer” or “mallet,” is the largest of three small bones in the middle ear. The malleus functions with the other bones to transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the inner ear. Conditions that affect the malleus often impact the ability to hear. Anatomy The malleus (“hammer”), incus (“anvil”), and stapes (“stirrup”) are the three bones, also known as ossicles, of the inner ear. The malleus is the largest and the outermost of the bones, which are part of the auditory system....
Eczema and psoriasis are both chronic skin diseases, but they can damage the nails in different ways, whether from discoloration, grooving, pitting, or something else. What Is Nail Eczema? Eczema is a common skin disease affecting about 32 million Americans. It’s also called atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is only one of the multiple types of eczema. Eczema is characterized by red, itchy skin, and can spread from one part of the body to another....
A preauricular pit—also referred to as a preauricular sinus or fistula—is a tiny, abnormal hole in front of the ear. It may appear more like a dimple or a piercing in an odd place. A preauricular pit occurs as a result of fusion problems during the sixth week of gestation, when the ear is developing. Preauricular Pit Symptoms A preauricular pit or opening is the beginning of a sinus tract that weaves itself underneath the skin of the ear....
As part of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Illinois Medical District (IMD) in Chicago is partnering with the American Red Cross to encourage people from racial and ethnic minorities to donate blood. Key Takeaways Frequent blood transfusions are a common and necessary treatment for sickle cell disease, which primarily affects people from racial and ethnic minorities.As part of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, the Illinois Medical District in Chicago is partnering with the American Red Cross to encourage underrepresented groups to donate blood....
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Ben Ray Luján on Thursday introduced a bill that aims to hold online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube liable for allowing users to spread misinformation about vaccines and public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Takeaways A bill proposed on Thursday would target Section 230.Under the exception, companies will no longer be shielded from lawsuits about misinformation spread on their sites related to public health emergencies....
The popular ketogenic diet, also known as keto, may lead to long-term health risks that outweigh short-term benefits, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition. Key Takeaways A new study suggests that the risks associated with a keto diet may outweigh benefits like accelerated weight loss. Researchers say that following a keto diet is especially risky prior to or during a pregnancy, and for people who have chronic kidney disease....
Osteoarthritis studies often refer to symptomatic osteoarthritis or radiographic osteoarthritis. What do these medical terms mean? Can you have one without the other? Symptomatic Osteoarthritis Symptomatic osteoarthritis means that the person with osteoarthritis is experiencing symptoms, such as joint pain, aching, and stiffness. Your symptoms are probably what made you go to your healthcare provider in the first place or to describe your symptoms during a check-up or exam for another complaint....
Cialis (tadalafil), an erectile dysfunction medication, can also treat urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate. Prior to this finding, there were only two options for urination difficulties in those with BPH: Alpha blockers like Flomax (tamsulosin) that relax tissue and muscles around prostate 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) that shrink the size of the prostate over six to 12 months Although alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are effective for helping with urination, they can have side effects that affect sexual function....
The Twinrix vaccine combines the hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine into one syringe. Learn more about this vaccine, including who should be vaccinated, dosing, and potential side effects based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Food and Drug Administration. What Is the Twinrix Vaccine? The Twinrix vaccine is a combination vaccine for hepatitis A and B. How Twinrix Is Administered It’s administered as an intramuscular injection — which means it’s given as a shot into the muscle....
People on the autism spectrum have delays, differences or disorders in many areas. In addition to developmental delays, most have low muscle tone and experience difficulty with gross motor coordination (running, kicking, throwing, etc.). These issues can interfere with basic day-to-day functioning, and they’re almost certain to interfere with social and physical development. Physical therapists are trained to help with these issues. Not only can physical therapists help your child to build muscle strength and coordination, but they can do so in the context of sports, recess, and/or gym....
Research shows that music can be a powerful therapy for people living with dementia. Not only can hearing a favorite song from the past help with memory, but it can also lift a person’s spirits and help them stay motivated. Key Takeaways Walgreens is collaborating with Music Health to provide access to a smartphone app called Vera that causes AI to create personalized song selections for people with dementia.Research has shown that music and reminiscence therapy may improve the psychological and emotional well-being of people with dementia....
A transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a procedure that is done to remove tissue from the bladder that is suspicious for cancer. This procedure can both diagnose and treat cancer in the bladder. This article will review what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Purpose of the Test A TURBT is a surgical procedure used to remove tissue from the bladder to be evaluated under the microscope to look for cancer cells, which is done as part of the evaluation for bladder cancer....
Midodrine is a medication used to treat a condition known as orthostatic hypotension. The word “orthostatic” refers to being in an upright position, and “hypotension” refers to unusually low blood pressure (BP). In other words, when you have orthostatic hypotension, your blood pressure drops as you move into an upright position. A practitioner or other healthcare professional may diagnose you with orthostatic hypotension if your blood pressure’s systolic number (the top number) falls more than 20 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury), or if the diastolic number (the bottom number) drops more than 10 mm Hg when you stand upright....
It’s become entirely normal to weigh more than we should—sometimes much more. In fact, more than one-third of children and adults in the United States are overweight or obese. Many of us know that those extra pounds are not good for our health. Yet, we ignore the connection between increased weight and heart attack, stroke, cancer, and other leading causes of death and disability. But why? Is it magical thinking? Is it because we don’t have the discipline we need to lose weight or keep it off?...
What is the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)? Learn about the anatomy of this brain region in the hypothalamus and how the SCN controls the body’s sleep and wake patterns as well as temperature, metabolism, and hormone release. Discover what happens if the SCN becomes damaged and what other signals may become important. A Word on Circadian Rhythms There are multiple internal processes that are externally influenced by our environment. Earth has a 23 hour and 56-minute daily rotation that provides predictable patterns of light and temperature, food, and predator activity....
Cervical dysplasia is the presence of abnormal cells on your cervix, usually discovered by a routine Pap smear. Doctors use a few different approaches when treating cervical dysplasia. The goal of treatment is to remove abnormal areas of the cervix before they possibly become cancerous. But not all cases of cervical dysplasia require medical treatment. Watching and Waiting For women with mild to moderate cervical dysplasia, “watching and waiting” is often the prescribed treatment....
Many organizations serve the needs of deaf and hard of hearing people, families with deaf and hard of hearing members, and hearing people working in deaf-related fields. New organizations are also forming all the time. Unity Organizations Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance. This group is a lobbying voice for all of the deaf and hard of hearing organizations regardless of their respective missions. Deaf Organizations These organizations are generally associated with deaf people, although hard of hearing people are welcome to join....
Do Epsom-salt baths ease the pains of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? They’re a common self-treatment, but do Epsom salts really do anything? And if so, how? Epsom salts aren’t really “salt.” They’re crystals of magnesium sulfate and they’ve been used as a home remedy for hundreds of years. Many people with these conditions say that Epsom-salt soaks are more helpful and more effective than a hot bath by itself. However, that’s not something we can prove or quantitatively measure on our own....
