Posts

A major artery of the abdomen, the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is a primary source of blood from the heart for many organs of the midgut, all of which are associated with the digestive system. Via its branches, it supplies important parts of the small intestine, including the lower portion of the duodenum (the first part of the gastrointestinal tract just past the stomach), the jejunum, and the ileum,while also delivering blood to the ascending colon, transverse colon, and pancreas....

If your finger won’t straighten out, you may have an injury known as a mallet finger or a mallet fracture. This type of injury often occurs when your finger gets jammed. This may impact the finger tendon, a flexible band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. This article explains the possible causes of a bent finger. It will also cover first aid, when to see a healthcare provider, as well as treatment options....

Muscle creams, also called muscle rubs, are available over the counter (OTC) and are used to ease muscle and joint pain caused by arthritis or injuries. They contain a wide variety of active ingredients. Some have active medicines that penetrate the skin and enter the body while others contain counterirritants that create a cool or hot sensation as a distraction from pain points. Common OTC muscle creams include BenGay, Icy Hot, Biofreeze, and Tiger Balm....

In a person with a vagina’s health exam, a wet mount is a slide made from a vaginal swab. It is also known as a vaginal smear. The purpose of a wet mount is to determine the cause of vaginitis. Wet mounts may also be a standard part of an annual gynecology exam. To prepare a wet mount, your healthcare provider will swab your vagina—usually during a pelvic exam—and roll the swab onto a slide....

Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. Palpation How to say it: Palpation (pal-PAY-shun) What it means: To examine a body part by touching it. Where it comes from: Latin, palpare, “to stroke or caress” Where you might see or hear it: When your provider does an exam, they may need to feel different parts of your body. To palpate a part of your body means to touch and feel it....

A winter COVID-19 surge is in full swing, with the Omicron variant accounting for 95.4% of all cases in the United States. In an effort to curb the spread, experts are encouraging people to get their booster shots. Key Takeaways Experts say that booster shots do not alter COVID-19 test results and do not turn test results positive. If you test positive after your booster shot, you have COVID-19.You should follow all quarantine and isolation protocols after receiving a positive test....

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the number of things we do in person—whether that’s work and school or doctor’s appointments and errands. As companies like Uber expand the scope of delivery services, it’s becoming easier to make picking up your prescription a remote activity too. Key Takeaways Prescription deliveries are a viable option for picking up medication and limiting contact with others. They also increase accessibility to people who may have trouble getting out of the house because of a disability....

Apert syndrome is a genetic condition that affects an estimated one in 65,000 to 88,000 newborns each year. Common traits in people with Apert syndrome include prematurely fused bones of the skull, fusion of some fingers and toes, among others. Although this condition causes varying degrees of both physical and intellectual disability, people with Apert syndrome can grow to enjoy full and productive lives. If you or someone you know is expecting a baby with Apert syndrome or you are just looking to learn a little more about this condition, it is always helpful to equip yourself with the knowledge of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and coping....

Arthrocentesis, also referred to as joint aspiration, is a procedure where fluid is drained from a joint using a needle and syringe. The fluid is sent to a laboratory for joint fluid analysis. Indications Arthrocentesis is primarily used to establish the cause of the joint effusion. Removing joint fluid has two purposes, a therapeutic as well as a diagnostic purpose. The removal of joint fluid may also relieve pain and pressure on the joint....

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, is defined as blood sugar levels of 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or lower. Symptoms of low blood sugar can include tiredness, sweating, and tingling lips. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, can also be a sign of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar is especially common in people with type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas creates little or no insulin. However, it can also occur in people with type 2 diabetes who take insulin or certain medications....

It’s a common myth that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light can help treat acne—so common, in fact, that a 2012 investigation reported to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce found that tanning salons were touting acne treatment as one of the benefits of their tanning beds (a false claim). But attempting to banish blemishes or prevent breakouts by tanning can do more harm than good. This is especially true for people using medication to treat their acne, as many such products increase photosensitivity, making skin more vulnerable to UV rays and potentially compounding the signs of aging and the risk of skin cancer....

The Epley maneuver is a series of head movements used to relieve symptoms of benign positional vertigo, a typically short-term condition that makes you feel as if your head is spinning in circles. Caused by an inner ear problem, benign positional vertigo—also known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)—is mainly treated with head repositioning maneuvers that help move particles within the ear canal that can cause brief episodes of mild to intense dizziness....

Certain foods can help relieve constipation, a common condition marked by infrequent bowel movements (and sometimes pellet-shaped stools), while other foods can worsen it. Although constipation may require medical treatment in some cases, many people can find relief by eating certain foods and following other smart ways to ease constipation. Fiber-Rich Foods Following a diet high in fiber-rich foods helps protect against constipation, according to the National Institutes of Health. By consuming 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily, you can help your digestive system form soft, bulky stools that are easy to pass....

For a deaf or hard of hearing person, sometimes getting a job is only half the battle. The other half of the battle can be dealing with discrimination on the job itself. (It is discrimination only if the treatment is based on something that is protected by law, such as your hearing loss). What are your options for handling this discrimination and improving your chances of keeping your job? Here are some suggestions....

For many families, the holiday season brings decadent meals, sweets, and drinks. Taking time to celebrate can also mean less time for workouts, adequate sleep, and de-stressing. Key Takeaways You can easily give your holiday meals a nutritious boost without having to miss out on your favorite traditions.Many ingredients can be swapped out for healthier options. For example, use pure maple syrup instead of sugar. You can still enjoy the holiday season without giving up on your wellness habits....

When people think of Parkinson’s disease, the first symptoms that usually come to mind are motor symptoms like a resting tremor, rigidity, or a slowness of movement. But nonmotor symptoms, like mood disorders and sleeping problems, are also common in Parkinson’s. One nonmotor symptom that experts are particularly focusing on is a loss of smell, which occurs in approximately 90 percent of people with early-stage Parkinson’s disease. This loss of smell (called hyposmia or olfactory dysfunction) not only impairs a person’s quality of life, but it’s one of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s....

It’s been well-established that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia carries a stigma, and this stigma can have harmful and debilitating effects for those already coping with the challenge of the disease. So, how can you help? Here are 13 ways to help reduce stigma and empower those with cognitive challenges such as dementia. Share Your Story If you’re dealing with dementia, stop thinking of memory loss and confusion with shame, as if it’s a fault you have....

A lavender allergy is a rare allergic reaction to lavender or lavender oil. Lavender oil is an essential oil made from the lavender flower. If you are allergic to lavender, you may experience allergic contact dermatitis when exposed. Possible symptoms include a rash with redness, swelling, and itching. Linalyl acetate is a fragrance chemical used in most forms of lavender essential oil and is known to cause allergic eczema. This article will provide an overview of lavender allergy, including symptoms, causes, and treatments....

If you’ve been told you could benefit from having a matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) test for your dry eye, you may wonder exactly what that means for you. MMP-9 is an enzyme that has been linked to signs of inflammation on the surface of the eye that may be causing you discomfort. A test can check levels of MMP-9 enzyme if your eye doctor (ophthalmologist or optometrist) suspects you have dry eye or is trying to determine how to best treat it....

Mydriasis occurs when the pupil remains dilated (widened) and doesn’t respond to light changes in an environment. It can happen due to an injury, medications, or psychological factors. Usually, the pupil becomes wider to allow more light into your eye in dim environments and gets smaller to prevent light from entering your eye in bright places. The pupil also dilates in response to factors such as touch, sound, and emotion. In people with mydriasis, the pupil will remain dilated even in bright places and in the absence of any stimulus....