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Vaginal splinting is the term used to describe the process in which a woman uses her fingers to press on the vagina to help ease stool out of the rectum. This is typically done when a woman is constipated or experiences incomplete evacuation (the sensation that the bowel has not been cleared even if it has). This article explains what is involved with vaginal splinting and describes some of the medical conditions in which vaginal splinting may be used to help empty the bowel....

The ventricular system consists of four ventricles in the brain. Ventricles are a communicating network of chambers filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The ventricular system is the pathway for the CSF and is critical to the central nervous system’s overall functioning. Developmental anomalies that impact the ventricular system include hydrocephalus and neural tube defects. Anatomy The pair of lateral ventricles are the largest of the four ventricles in the brain. They are located in the largest part of the brain, the cerebrum....

Verapamil is a medication sometimes prescribed to prevent migraine headaches. Available as a generic product and under brand names Calan and Verelan, verapamil is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers that primarily are used to treat high blood pressure, angina, irregular heart rate, and other cardiac conditions. Verapamil is rarely among the first drugs prescribed to prevent migraines, and it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for this use....

It can be pretty scary to hallucinate something while you are trying to fall asleep. These dream-like sensations may occur more commonly in certain scenarios. What is the definition of a hypnagogic hallucination? Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of these sensations and their connection to sleep with this overview. Symptoms A hypnagogic hallucination is a vivid, dream-like sensation that an individual hears, sees, feels, or even smells and that occurs near the onset of sleep....

The terms “incidence” and “prevalence” refer to the number of people who have a particular medical condition. “Incidence” means the number of people who are newly diagnosed with a condition, while “prevalence” of that condition includes newly diagnosed people, plus people who were diagnosed in the past, and, if the information is obtainable, people who haven’t been diagnosed. These terms are confusing, and some people use them interchangeably even though they do not mean the same thing, and are not interchangeable....

Do you know the difference between a fracture and a break? This terminology ranks in the top 10 of misunderstood medical jargon, right behind the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. For something that happens in sports quite a bit, it’s too bad that coaches and players will often ask whether a bone is broken or just fractured. Fracture vs. Break There’s no difference between a fracture and a break....

The basic movement of the yoga Cobra pose is to arch the spine backward. This pose has benefits that include strengthening your back muscles. However, it may need to be modified or avoided if you have certain back problems. People with facet joint problems and/or spondylolisthesis would likely do well to take a cautious approach to this movement, or possibly even skip it altogether. This is because in general, facet joint problems are irritated when the spine is arched, and spondylolisthesis could be worsened....

Vitamin and mineral supplements are unlikely to protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, or death, according to updated guidelines by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). Key Takeaways Experts say that many vitamin and mineral supplements don’t offer any benefits when it comes to protecting against cancer or cardiovascular disease.Beta carotene supplements may actually increase lung cancer risk for certain individuals.Vitamin and mineral supplements can interact with certain medications and you should speak with a trusted healthcare provider before starting a supplement routine....

There is no specific research on the safety and effectiveness of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in people with breast cancer. However, there is research to support getting the vaccine for people who have cancer, in general. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is spread through direct sexual contact. Almost all cervical cancer cases can be attributed to an HPV infection. Getting the HPV vaccine will help reduce the likelihood of developing cervical cancer....

Confused, dazed, and can’t remember things? While these symptoms can be caused by Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, there could be another, possibly reversible, cause—medication. Too many medicines, called polypharmacy, can affect your ability to think clearly, remember, and make appropriate decisions. Drug-Induced Cognitive Impairment According to one study, cognitive impairment was present in 22% of those taking five or fewer medications, while that rate increased to 33% in people who took more than five medications and 54% in those taking 10 or more medications....

Heel pain is a very common symptom in adults, but children and adolescents may also complain of it. There are several conditions that can cause heel pain in young people. Explore when it may be normal growing pains and when heel pain may indicate a more serious condition. Growing Pains Affecting the Heel When a child complains of heel pain, it is often thought to be growing pains, a normal phenomenon during childhood and adolescent growth spurts....

Villous atrophy occurs when your intestinal villi —the microscopic, finger-like tentacles that line the wall of your small intestine—erode away, leaving a virtually flat surface.  Since your intestinal villi are responsible for absorbing the nutrients contained in the food you eat, losing them to villous atrophy can result in serious nutritional deficiencies. Celiac disease is the best-known cause of villous atrophy. When you have celiac and you eat foods containing the protein gluten (contained in the grains wheat, barley, and rye), the gluten triggers an attack by your immune system on your intestinal villi....

It’s normal for a newborn to appear cross-eyed for the first few months of life. This is typically due to under-developed eye coordination and usually goes away by 4 months of age. Crossed eyes in babies older than 4 months, however, may indicate an eye condition known as strabismus. This occurs when the eye muscles don’t coordinate eye movements correctly. If caught early, it may be corrected with glasses or therapy, although sometimes surgery is needed....

People often use dose and dosage interchangeably, but these terms have different meanings. By adding the suffix -age to the base dose, we are implying a regulated amount. It can be compared to the difference between the words mile and mileage. This article describes the difference between the two terms and provides a few examples of each. Dose and Dosage Definitions The American Medical Association (AMA) Manual of Style is the definitive guide on medical writing and style....

If you have lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE) and want to donate blood, it’s important to know that some organizations and blood banks will accept your donation whereas others will not. And even when lupus doesn’t automatically disqualify you, eligibility criteria usually require that the disease be inactive or in remission. Potential risks to you also need to be considered, and you and your healthcare provider should discuss whether donating is a good idea for you....

Jackhammer esophagus, or hypercontractile peristalsis, is an esophageal motility disorder that is characterized by esophageal spasms that involve all or most of the muscles of the esophagus. The spasms are so intense and tend to last for a long time, making the name of the disorder, jackhammer esophagus, an adequate description of how a person with the disorder might feel. Causes The underlying causes of jackhammer esophagus are not well understood but the condition may be caused by abnormalities in the nerve pathways that control the esophagus or an increase in the amount of acetylcholine....

Comparing smoking to obesity is, in a way, like comparing bad apples to bad apples. Both are unhealthy and can lead to a host of serious health concerns. But if you had to choose which poses more of a risk to you, you—perhaps based on decades of messaging—might say smoking. No doubt, smoking is one of the worse things you can do to your body. But as more and more research digs into the impact of excessive weight on life expectancy, obesity may very well be even more concerning....

Keratitis is an eye condition in which the cornea—the clear, round dome covering the eye’s iris and pupil—becomes swollen or inflamed, making the eye red and painful. In some cases, keratitis can affect your vision. Noninfectious keratitis may develop after a minor injury to the eye, by wearing your contact lenses too long, or by a foreign body entering the eye. Infectious keratitis is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites....

If you find that you have more migraines when you spend time at work in an indoor setting like an office, the lighting may be to blame. People who are prone to migraines tend to be highly sensitive to light, including bright light, flickering light, high-wavelength light (red), and low-wavelength light (blue). Three main types of office light are common migraine triggers: The glow of a computer screen, the glare from overhead incandescent lighting, and the flicker from fluorescent lighting....

When you’re a teen with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), dealing with the symptoms of the condition can seem overwhelming. The good news is there are many ways that you can manage the effects of your condition, including lifestyle strategies, over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, and prescription medications. Acne Acne is actually very common in girls with PCOS due to high levels of androgens, such as testosterone. Talk to your doctor about a skincare routine, and consider using traditional over-the-counter acne treatments to control breakouts, such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide....