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If you have seen a cochlear implant, you may wonder how such a device came to be. The history and development of the cochlear implant, a modern tool for hearing, actually spans centuries. Pre-Modern Times Around 1790, a researcher named Alessandro Volta placed metal rods in his own ears and connected them to a 50-volt circuit. This is the first known attempt at using electricity to hear. Later around 1855, another attempt was made to stimulate the ear electronically....

A sunny day usually brings warmth and cheer. But it can also bring on headaches if precautions are not taken. Let’s take a closer look at how those beautiful sunshine rays may either help or harm your headaches. Sunlight Sunlight itself is a migraine trigger, as revealed by a small study in European Neurology. In this study, people with a history of migraines from a medical clinic in Turkey developed migraines after being exposed to sunlight....

There are many ways to get water out of your ear if you’ve been swimming or have recently taken a bath. You can try tilting your head down, placing facial tissue against your ear, or using ear drops. Having water in one or both of your ears may decrease your hearing, make your ears feel like they need to pop, or otherwise just feel annoying. Leaving excess water in the outer ear canal can increase your chances of developing an infection called swimmer’s ear....

Apple’s health features just got a big upgrade with the latest software, watchOS 9, and the new Apple Watch Series 8. Key Takeaways New features in the Apple Watch and Health app allow users to track their menstrual cycle using basal body temperature sensors.The period tracking feature is meant to help with family planning, rather than preventing pregnancy.Other features include enhanced tools to track heart rhythm, sleep, and medications. The Apple Watch can work as an electrocardiogram, which can help users monitor their heart rhythm and check for heart conditions....

Adopting a low-cholesterol diet after a lifetime of routine can be very challenging. But rather than thinking you need to change everything all at once, you can start with one small change—they add up. Here, nutrition experts share their number one tips for beginning a cholesterol-lowering diet. Start Eating Steel-Cut Oatmeal Eat oatmeal to lower cholesterol levels, recommends Karen Graham, RD, owner of Integrative Nutrition Consultants in Scottsdale, Arizona. “I have been very successful in lowering cholesterol in many of my clients....

Mewing is a technique in which the tongue is placed on the roof of the mouth in an effort to make the jaw bigger and more square. This may be done for aesthetic reasons and/or to correct orthodontic, breathing, and facial structural issues. The “how to mew” technique has received a lot of attention on social media. However, oral and maxillofacial surgery experts warn there’s little evidence to support claims that it can actually change your jaw structure and appearance, or improve your health....

Myxedema coma is an extreme complication of hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). It’s rare and potentially fatal. The condition is also called myxedema crisis. Myxedema coma is most common when severe hypothyroidism has gone untreated for a long time. It rarely leads to a coma. Instead, it causes lethargy due to slowed function of multiple systems. Myxedema is also the name of a skin condition linked to severe hypothyroidism. It causes swelling and thickened skin, especially in your lower legs....

Is it possible to have an orgasm after prostate cancer? How will prostate cancer treatment affect my sexuality? Yes! Nearly all men will be able to have an orgasm following prostate cancer treatment. This is true even in most cases of erectile dysfunction. The nerves and blood vessels that are most commonly damaged by prostate cancer treatments are very important for achieving an erection but are not very important for achieving orgasm....

For most men, one trip to the bathroom will empty the bladder and provide relief for several hours. Men with overactive bladder (OAB) will regularly feel a powerful urge to urinate throughout the day and night. OAB can be life-altering, affect men of all ages, and wreak havoc on your job, social and active lifestyle, and your sleep. Thankfully, there are a variety of approaches available to ease an overactive bladder and get your life back....

Finding the cause of Pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) is an ongoing concern in pediatric neurology, the medical specialty that diagnoses and treats conditions of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) in children. Though rare, PA is the most common type of glioma in children. A glioma is a cancerous tumor of the glial cells that support nerves and help the central nervous system function. Promising research has identified mutations (changes) along a chain of signaling nerve cells that could potentially be treated with targeted therapy....

Changes in the body during pregnancy make an individual more vulnerable to respiratory viruses like COVID-19. And although vaccination is extremely effective at providing protection against severe illness, it cannot completely prevent infection. Key Takeaways A new study found that pregnant people are almost twice as likely to have a breakthrough COVID-19 infection compared to non-pregnant vaccinated people.There are many potential reasons why many fully vaccinated pregnant individuals test positive for COVID-19....

Samter’s Triad, also know as aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease, is a condition of asthma, nasal polyps, and sensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is named after the allergist Max Samter, who published research on the topic in the 1950s and suggested that the symptoms were due to a disease of the entire respiratory tract. Read on to learn more about this condition, its symptoms, and management. Samter’s Triad Symptoms Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease is known as Samter’s “Triad” because of the classic three findings of NSAID sensitivity, nasal polyps, and asthma....

Supartz injection is a therapy that is used to treat symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Its purpose is to restore the cushioning and lubricating properties of the synovial fluid (joint fluid). Supartz is the brand name of hyaluronic acid, which is a component of connective tissue. Using a process known as viscosupplementation, the gel-like Supartz solution is injected into the knee to help relieve pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis. This type of treatment is only recommended if other nonsurgical options have not worked....

Many people with arthritis claim that weather affects how they feel. Some people believe that symptoms of arthritis, such as joint pain and joint stiffness, are influenced by changes in the weather. Is there actually a connection between arthritis and weather? If yes, why is the effect of weather changes on arthritis true for some people, but not for others? And, finally, if this connection exists, what is the best climate for someone with arthritis?...

Juvéderm Voluma XC is a non-surgical, injectable filler—technically called a volumizer—composed of a modified form of hyaluronic acid (HA); hyaluronic acid occurs in nearly every cell of the human body, with 50% of it in the skin. The volumizer is generally used to lift and contour areas of the face like the cheeks and chin. The product is one of several in the FDA-approved line of Juvéderm fillers, which also includes Juvéderm XC, the injectable product that was originally developed for use in the nasolabial folds (or smile lines), and Juvéderm Ultra XC, which was developed for injection in the lips for fullness....

Scorpions are found worldwide. While some assume them to be insects, they are actually arachnids closely related to spiders, mites, and ticks. Scorpions have the ability to kill their prey by injecting venom from a stinger located at the end of their tail. The common striped bark scorpion, Centruroides vittatus, is the type most frequently seen in the United States. It is responsible for thousands of stings every year, most of which are painful but relatively harmless....

Wondering how to prepare a low-cholesterol, heart-healthy Thanksgiving? The key to success is planning ahead and making simple modifications. Follow these seven helpful tips for a delicious, heart-healthy Thanksgiving meal you and your family will love. Whether you are cooking the whole meal, bringing one dish—or primarily eating—there are a number of things you can do to make the holiday a little healthier. Plan Ahead Look for low-cholesterol and low-fat Thanksgiving recipes....

If you or someone you know has lymphoma, you may have encountered products containing Venus Flytrap extract that claim to have anticancer properties. While this marvel of creation certainly deserves attention, there is no evidence that Venus flytrap extracts can be used to treat cancer, and side effects have been reported with its use, so buyer beware. Where Does Venus Flytrap Grow? Seemingly exotic, the Venus flytrap, or Dionaea muscipula, is actually a North American plant native to low-lying swampy areas of the southeastern United States....

There is currently no cure for psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an inflammatory type of arthritis known for causing joint and skin inflammation. But treatments are effective in improving symptoms, including joint pain and swelling. Ongoing treatment is vital to preventing the permanent joint damage PsA is known for causing. Finding the right treatment for PsA can be difficult, especially when first-line therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and traditional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), including methotrexate, prove to be ineffective in managing symptoms and pain....

Reject the diet mentality. That’s the first principle of intuitive eating, an evidence-based approach to feeding yourself that connects the mind, body, and emotions. Key Takeaways Intuitive eating focuses on self-care and listening to your body and cravings.This eating practice includes 10 guidelines that encourage you to reject diet culture and trust your own instincts.Intuitive eating was introduced in a 1995 book and continues to be a popular alternative to restrictive diet trends....