Penis size is largely determined by your genetic makeup, but other influences come into play as well. Hormones, lifestyle, and other environmental factors can also affect penis size. Certain lifestyle changes, such as weight loss around the base of the penis, can make it appear longer. Trimming pubic hair can also help enhance the look of your penis. Although these adjustments do not change the actual penis length, they can help you feel more confident....
Plethysmography is a pulmonary function test that measures the health and function of the lungs by determining how much air the lungs can hold. It may be used along with other lung tests to help in the diagnosis of lung disease, to determine disease severity, to see whether treatment is working, or to evaluate the lungs before lung surgery. Lung plethysmography is also called pulmonary plethysmography or body plethysmography and it differs from impedance plethysmography, which is a test for blood clots in the legs....
The term mammary relates to the breasts, specifically, the milk glands in the breast. The word mammal is derived from the word mammary and is used to indicate animals that feed their young via maternal milk glands (cows have mammary glands in their udders.) In other words, the female mammary glands are the breasts. Other words using mammary define structures found within the mammary glands or breasts. For example, the term mammary duct ectasia would refer to a process occurring in the breast duct, in this case, a dilated and blocked milk duct....
The first bowel movement that a newborn passes is called meconium. It’s typically very sticky and thick. Meconium ileus is a bowel obstruction that happens when the meconium is abnormally thick and sticky, which then causes the small intestine, or ileum, to be blocked. Many times, when this happens with an infant, they have cystic fibrosis (CF). Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition present at birth that makes certain bodily fluids much sticker than they usually are....
Also known as dyspepsia, indigestion is marked by a feeling of abdominal discomfort after a meal. Key symptoms include pain or a burning sensation in the upper abdomen. Causes of Indigestion Indigestion often stems from overeating, eating too quickly, or consuming an excess of greasy or spicy foods. Certain emotional issues, such as stress or anxiety, can also trigger indigestion. Indigestion may be particularly common among individuals with the following conditions:...
Nearsightedness, or myopia, is an eye problem that causes objects at a distance to appear blurry. A nearsighted person can see things close to them but have a hard time focusing on objects far away. This article explains nearsightedness types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment. It also covers risks associated with the condition. Types of Nearsightedness Nearsightedness may be mild (called “low myopia”) or severe (called “high myopia”). If you have high myopia, your nearsightedness will usually stabilize in your twenties....
Let’s face it, tight muscles likely contribute greatly to your neck and/or back pain. They may even be the cause of your long-term problem entirely. If you’ve seen a physical therapist for your spine, chances are she has given you some back exercises to do. But what if you’re experiencing an acute back injury or your old injury is acting up? Should you stretch? Should you do back injury exercises at all?...
Postmenopause is the period of time after a woman hasn’t had her period for 12 months. Menopause marks the end of menstruation. The period leading up to menopause is called perimenopause, during which time changes to your menstrual cycle can begin and symptoms can start. These symptoms can continue until postmenopause. During postmenopause, symptoms can stick around, but are usually less frequent or severe. The most common symptoms during postmenopause are hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and urogenital atrophy, which causes vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms, and discomfort with intercourse....
Retrolisthesis is a backward movement of a spinal vertebra relative to the vertebra beneath it. Historically, retrolisthesis has been seen as having no clinical significance. But as research activities continue, associations with pain, decreased functionality, and degenerative changes in the spine are being made. For example, a 2003 study published in The Spine Journal found that African American women had 2 to 3 times more anterolisthesis (forward vertebral slippage) than their Caucasian counterparts....
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune disorder where your immune system attacks joint tissues, causing joint pain and stiffness. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a neurological (affecting the nervous system) condition that causes fatigue and muscle pain, but is not considered a type of arthritis. Although rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia are both chronic pain conditions with overlapping symptoms, the causes of these conditions are not the same....
Shock therapy, known medically as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), is a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric conditions. ECT is generally offered when other treatments are ineffective or there is a need for rapid response. ECT has a stigma attached to it from the early days of shock therapy, but the ECT that is available today is very different from what it was like when first administered in 1938....
Fracture blisters are blisters that form around the area of a broken bone, usually after a severe injury where the bone is shifted badly out of position or crushed with significant force. These blisters are a sign of significant soft-tissue injury. They most often occur over fractures of bones that are near the skin surface. Therefore, fracture blisters are most common with: Ankle fractures Tibia fractures Elbow fractures Wrist fractures Fracture blisters can develop from within 6 hours to up to 2 days after a fracture....
According to a new study, you’re not likely to benefit from having a 3D mammogram unless you have dense breast tissue and a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Key Takeaways A new study has found that digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)—also known as three-dimensional (3D) mammography—is not necessarily more beneficial than a standard 2D mammogram.The research found that DBT did offer benefits for people with dense breasts and a high risk of breast cancer....
As air travel becomes increasingly more restrictive, people can sometimes have a tough time traveling with their medications. Even for domestic flights, security has tightened to the point where even liquid medications can be seized from your carry-on if they are over 100 milliliters (ml), and you don’t have a prescription. So how can those of us who take daily medications avoid such hassles when traveling? There are a few tips that can help....
Infections of the knee joint can be a serious problem. Symptoms of an infection include redness, swelling, and fevers. The treatment of a knee infection depends on the type and location of the infection. The most serious infections occur inside the knee joint where the body’s immune system has a difficult time fighting the infection. Septic Joint A septic joint means that infection has entered into the joint space. A normal joint is where two bones connect....
Tuna and other cold-water fish are considered healthy, but they have relatively high amounts of purines, which can be problematic if you have gout. Purines are chemical compounds that break down to form uric acid, a substance that triggers gout attacks in people who are susceptible. When you have gout or kidney disease, consuming too much tuna (or too much purine from any food source) can result in elevated blood uric acid levels (hyperuricemia)....
What is a quad cane, and how can your physical therapist help you use a quad cane for walking? A quad cane is a mobility device that aids walking and mobility. It is similar to a standard cane, but it has a metal base on the bottom with four small feet that extend from the base. These feet have rubber caps that help reduce slippage on the floor. Quad canes are usually made of lightweight aluminum and are adjustable with a small push button....
Ever wonder how your doctors know what bug you have? At times, it’s not that easy to figure it out. Infectious diseases are often diagnosed following cultures of samples isolated from the infection site. Workers in the microbiology lab need to grow out the bug from the sample, say from your blood or sputum. This sample can then be tested by trying to grow it on many different cultures to see where it grows best....
The American Cancer Society (ACS) updates its guidelines on diet and physical activity for cancer prevention every few years. The last update was in 2012 and now, there are new guidelines out for 2020. Key Takeaways The American Cancer Society (ACS) has new diet and exercise guidelines for cancer prevention.The ACS recommends trying to get 300 minutes or more of activity a week.Red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages, and refined grains should be avoided....
It’s common to have your blood pressure taken at your healthcare provider’s office, but new research suggests that you’ll probably get a more accurate reading by doing it in your own home. Key Takeaways Blood pressure readings can vary depending on where they’re taken.Researchers found that people have more accurate blood pressure readings when they’re taken at home.Getting inaccurate blood pressure readings could cause high blood pressure to be under- or over-diagnosed....
