A virus is a small piece of genetic material that looks for a host to live inside and multiply. They are so small, in fact, that billions of viruses can fit on the head of a pin. Unlike bacteria, which can survive on its own, viruses need a living host to survive. When a virus enters the host cell, it takes over the cell’s command center and begins to make copies of itself....
Should you see a healthcare provider about your cut or scrape? Maybe you tripped over your 4-year-old’s LEGO castle and cut yourself as you fell. Or perhaps that thumbtack you stepped on looked dirty and you can’t remember when you last had a tetanus shot. How do you know when it’s time to seek professional medical care? When You Need to See a Healthcare Provider Whether you should see a healthcare provider about a cut or another skin injury depends on its shape, severity, location and risk of infection, and whether medical care could lessen scarring or improve healing....
A nutritional supplement called 5-HTP is among the more popular supplements used for treating fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS). 5-HTP stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan, and it’s an amino acid that your body makes naturally. You might recognize “tryptophan” as the stuff in turkey that’s rumored to make you tired–5-HTP is a form of that. 5-HTP has several roles in your body, but the one that drew the interest of FMS and ME/CFS healthcare providers and researchers is that it’s one of the ingredients your body uses to create serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter (chemical messenger in the brain) as well as a hormone....
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that often is prescribed as a prophylactic medication for migraine headaches. Although it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing migraines, a few studies have shown that it can be effective for this off-label use. In fact, according to the 2012 guidelines for preventing episodic migraines (defined as headaches that occur fewer than 15 times per month) established by the American Headache Society (AHS) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), amitriptyline is a level B medication for migraine prophylaxis, meaning it’s regarded as “probably effective....
Burkitt lymphoma, typically found in children, is a rare, but aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that starts in special white blood cells called lymphocytes (which help defend the body against disease). It was first discovered in African children and is closely associated with that region. The cancer is also linked to other diseases, including Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and certain chromosomal abnormalities. Though it’s considered an aggressive form of cancer, Burkitt lymphoma is usually treatable....
Clay shoveler’s fracture is an avulsion fracture, with avulsion referring to a sudden pulling or tearing away of something. Avulsion fractures typically result from excessive, sudden contracture of muscles that are attached to the spinous processes. (An example of such a muscle is the trapezius.) This unique, forceful, contraction can occur in certain shoveling activities; hence, the name. When a clay shoveler’s fracture occurs, a break which results in the detachment of the spinous process of one (or more) vertebrae in the upper spine takes place....
Did you know that your sweet tooth could make you age faster? Here’s what you need to know about a process called the cross-linking theory of aging— and how sugar makes us age. What Is Cross-Linking? When you heat onions or toast bread, the sugar molecules in the foods bond to protein molecules. This bonding, which in cooking is called caramelization, is a result of the sugar molecules attaching to protein molecules....
“Intercostal retraction” is a term used by medical professionals for when the intercostal muscles (the muscles between the ribs) pull inward when a person is inhaling. It is most commonly seen in people with asthma or other chronic lung diseases, but it may also occur in children or adults who have a respiratory illness and are having trouble breathing. When looking at the chest of a person with retractions, they may have a skeletal appearance....
Flexion is the medical term for bending an arm or leg. Techically speaking, it’s a physical position that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at a joint. It occurs when muscles contract and move your bones and joints into a bent position. Hyperflexion Hyperflexion occurs when a joint is flexed beyond its normal range of motion. When the joint is hyperflexed, it is moved beyond the maximum safe flexion....
Follicular cysts are functional or simple, noncancerous cysts that grow in the ovaries. Follicular cysts occur during ovulation, the menstrual cycle phase when a follicle releases an egg from one of the ovaries. This article discusses symptoms, causes and risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of follicular cysts. What Are Follicular Cysts? Follicular cysts are a type of benign ovarian cyst caused by normal hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Usually harmless, these fluid-filled sacs grow on the follicles where the egg develops during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle....
The gingival sulcus is the natural space found between the tooth and the gum tissue that surrounds the tooth, known as the free gingiva. Flossing between your teeth removes plaque and food from the gingival sulcus. During a dental examination, the dentist or dental hygienist may use an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the depth of the gingival sulcus; this is to determine the health of the gums and measure the extent of bone loss as a result of advanced periodontal disease....
Not all penile cancers are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and these cancers remain relatively rare in the developed world. However, research suggests roughly 60% of all penile cancers are linked to HPV, particularly the HPV-16 strain. This article looks at cancer of the penis, why there may be a link to the sexually transmitted HPV virus, and how to protect yourself and reduce your risk of penile cancer. What Is Penile Cancer?...
PCOS is a very frustrating condition in women that can affect your fertility, health, and emotional well-being. It is not surprising that having PCOS can affect your relationships with your partner, family, and friends as well. Here are some factors that can affect your relationships if you have PCOS and what you can do about it. Self-Esteem Issues Besides causing reproductive changes like irregular periods and difficulty conceiving, PCOS can cause a number of distressing dermatological symptoms such as acne, boils, hirsutism, irregular hair growth or hair loss, and skin tags It is also associated with weight gain and associated endocrine problems such as diabetes....
Perilunate dislocations and fracture-dislocations are complex injuries to the small bones of the wrist. These small bones, called the carpal bones, comprise eight separate bones, each about the size of a sugar cube, wedged between the end of the forearm and the long bones of the hand. These carpal bones are critical to allow the complex bending and rotational movements of the wrist joint. One of these bones is called the lunate....
Rosacea is caused by inflammatory redness and dilation (widening) of tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin, typically on the face. Experts believe that it occurs due to a combination of an inherited predisposition and environmental contributors. Rosacea can be aggravated by a number of triggers, including stress and sun exposure. If you have rosacea or a family history of rosacea, knowing the causes and exacerbating factors can help you manage your condition....
Allergies occur when your body overreacts to a harmless substance called an allergen. A runny nose, along with other nasal symptoms such as stuffiness or sneezing, is typically caused by allergic rhinitis—commonly called hay fever. Allergies often worsen during certain seasons or with changes in the weather. Learn more about how allergies cause a runny nose and how to treat it in this article. How Allergies Cause a Runny Nose A runny nose can be caused by exposure to any allergen, including foods you might be allergic to....
More research is showing a link between coronavirus infection and increases in heart complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists heart palpitations or a fast-beating heart as examples of long-term effects of COVID-19. While less commonly reported, COVID-19 can cause long-term inflammation of the heart muscle. Key Takeaways Increased inflammation from COVID-19 infection directly harms the heart by causing irregular heartbeat and blood clotting.Fear of going to the doctor and avoiding the hospital because of the pandemic has been indirectly linked to increased heart complications and at-home deaths....
It should be simple: you’re diagnosed with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, you go gluten-free, and end of problem — you feel great again, with no lingering symptoms. Unfortunately, it’s frequently far from that easy. Studies and anecdotal evidence indicate that a fairly high percentage of people with celiac and gluten sensitivity — it’s not clear exactly how high, but possibly upwards of half — continues to have symptoms even though they believe they’re following a strict gluten-free diet....
Stopain is one of the topical pain relievers available over the counter (OTC). It stands out with its bright red stop sign logo and the product name of Stopain. With the initial onset of joint pain, some people try to self-treat before consulting a healthcare provider. Typically, they check out what’s available in the pain relief section of their local drugstore. There are oral medications, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), Aleve (naproxen sodium), or Advil (ibuprofen)—and topical treatment options, too....
A new collaborative center in Seattle is attempting to go back to the basics of Alzheimer’s research in an effort to better understand the disease. Key Takeaways The Allen Institute for Brain Science received a $40.5 million grant to study Alzheimer’s disease.Researchers hope to better understand the origins of the disease.Previous research based on a popular Alzheimer’s hypothesis has failed, and the field has struggled to move forward. The center, which was created at the Allen Institute for Brain Science, is being funded for five years with a $40....
