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The shoulder joint is the junction between the chest and the arm. The range of movements and the strength of the muscles around the shoulder depend on two shoulder joints, many muscles, tendons, and bones of the upper arm and the upper back. There are two joints at the shoulder. The glenohumeral joint: The ball-and-socket junction of the top of the arm bone and the socket of the shoulder bladeAcromioclavicular joint: The junction of the collar bone with the shoulder blade Most shoulder motion occurs at the ball-and-socket glenohumeral joint, but for full motion of the shoulder, the acromioclavicular joint must also be functioning normally....

Easy, cost-effective, and tasty, meal delivery services and kits have exploded in popularity over the past few years. In fact, one global consumer research platform found that 48% of Americans tried a meal delivery service at least once in 2021. Key Takeaways Meal delivery services are popular but in the United States, they are not necessarily regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).An increasing number of food safety issues have been linked to meal delivery services....

Supporting a loved one with breast cancer may be something you feel simultaneously eager to do and confused about how to begin. Patients’ days are often consumed with seeing doctors, receiving treatments, and dealing with side effects. They may have a hard time keeping up with routine responsibilities or feel emotionally burdened by the impact of their disease. What this means is that being there for a loved one with breast cancer can take many forms—and there’s no doubt that the help you provide will be needed....

When half of the face loses its ability to move, it is often a sign of a stroke. One side of the mouth droops, and it may be impossible to fully close the eye on that side as well. A smile is transformed into what looks more like a lopsided smirk. The appearance of these symptoms is always a reason to get medical help as soon as possible, because you do not want to miss the chance to get the best medical treatment for what could be a stroke....

Does sleep apnea go away? The answer is no, although it is a common question among people with a sleep apnea diagnosis. While there is no cure for this chronic condition, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can reduce your sleep apnea symptoms. Losing weight, for example, can lower the risk of sleep apnea due to obesity. Or, surgeries including tonsillectomy can be done in both children and adults, with some success noted particularly when treating kids....

Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is an herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. A member of the mint family, skullcap is rich in nutrients including antioxidants known as flavones that reduce the effects of oxidative stress on various tissues in the body. In particular, Chinese skullcap contains baicalin and baicalein, two compounds that have been studied for a wide range of healing properties. Uses In alternative medicine, skullcap is sometimes recommended for the following:...

The most common symptoms of chondrosarcoma are bone pain (which can be quite severe), redness, and swelling near the thigh, arm, pelvis, or knee—the areas most commonly affected by the condition. Because the exact causes of chondrosarcoma are not well known, its signs and symptoms frequently overlap with many other common diseases, making it difficult to diagnose. In this article, learn about the signs, symptoms, and complications of chondrosarcoma. Common Symptoms Since chondrosarcomas grow from tumors inside of bones, they can cause bone pain, a severe form of pain....

Contractions are a normal part of pregnancy, particularly toward the end. Consistent contractions are one of the main signs that you are in labor. However, sometimes you may think you are going into labor when you are not. These types of contractions are called false labor contractions—generally referred to as Braxton Hicks contractions. Types True labor contractions normally come within 24 hours after your water breaks. They involve muscles in your womb tightening and then relaxing....

When considering causes of weakness, it’s very helpful to imagine an electrical message shooting from the cortex of the brain down to the contracting muscle. Along the way, the impulse travels through the spinal cord into the anterior horn, out the spinal nerve roots, down the peripheral nerves, and finally to the neuromuscular junction. The neuromuscular junction is where the electrical signal causes neurotransmitters to be released from vesicles at the end of the nerve (the terminal)....

Pfizer’s COVID-19 booster appears to protect against the Omicron variant for at least four months, according to a new preprint study. According to the researchers, the study provides the “first glimpse of the neutralization durability against Omicron.” Key Takeaways CDC data shows that a third dose of any mRNA vaccine is effective against hospitalization and deaths from the Omicron variant.A lab study shows that booster protection persists for at least four months....

Endovascular surgery is a procedure that is performed using minimally invasive catheter techniques on the arteries or veins. Procedures include aneurysm repair, grafts, stents, varicose vein repair, and more. Endovascular surgery is often performed on an outpatient basis. Types of Endovascular Surgery Types of endovascular procedures include: Conditions of the aorta (aneurysms or occlusion) Cardiovascular disorders Peripheral vascular disease Carotid artery disease Critical limb ischemia Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) Pulmonary embolism Renal (kidney) vascular disease Stroke Varicose veins Hereditary disorders that result in various types of vascular disorders Leg pain due to poor circulation Advantages of Endovascular Surgery There are many advantages to performing endovascular surgery, including:...

Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is one of several rare inherited disorders called porphyrias. Patients with EPP have mutations in one or more genes that cause them to have decreased activity of an enzyme called protoporphyrin IX in their red blood cells. This leads to a buildup of a protein called protoporphyrin that can make their skin very sensitive to sunlight. Patients with EPP can experience severe pain when they are in the sun or even exposed to some intense artificial lighting....

Almost everyone experiences low back pain from time to time. According to the Mayo Clinic, low back pain is one of the most common reasons people give for missing work. It’s also one of the most common reasons for a doctor’s visit. There are many causes of low back pain, but some of the most commonly cited include poor posture, excessive sitting, improper lifting techniques, accidents, and sudden strains and sprains....

Patellar tendinitis, also referred to as jumper’s knee, is a condition that causes pain in the tendon located beneath the knee cap (patella). This issue, which is primarily seen in individuals who participate in jumping activities, can cause significant soreness and can hamper your ability to exercise, play sports, or even perform your daily activities. This article will discuss exercises that may help reduce symptoms of this condition, and in some cases can resolve it altogether....

Pfizer and BioNTech announced Monday that two of their coronavirus vaccine candidates have received “fast track” designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Key Takeaways Two mRNA-based vaccines have received fast track designation from the FDA.While the fast track status will accelerate the development and potential approval process, Pfizer and BioNTech have declined any federal funding for a COVID-19 vaccine.If clinical trials are successful, initial doses could be ready by the end of the year....

A femoral hernia happens when a weakness in the muscle of the groin allows the intestine to bulge through. The first sign of a femoral hernia is usually an unexplained bulge in the groin area or the upper thigh area. It is usually something that develops over time, not something that a person is born with. It can be difficult to determine if a hernia is a femoral hernia or an inguinal hernia....

Chronic hepatitis C and heavy alcohol abuse increase the chance of developing advanced liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (a form of liver cancer). Both of these conditions compound each other’s effects, leading to the development, progression, and worsening of liver disease. On its own, heavy alcohol intake can lead to a form of non-viral hepatitis called alcoholic hepatitis. When paired with viral hepatitis (in the form of either hepatitis B or hepatitis C), the impact on the liver can be exponentially increased....

Like clockwork every summer, Jessica Wendall*, a product manager based in Maryland, braces herself. As the warmer months roll in, she starts seeing women online and close friends post about their ideal body on social media. The infamous phrase “summer body" permeates her conversations. Key Takeaways Experts say the term “summer body” implies that bodies need to look a certain way in order to enjoy summer.Weight stigma is associated with greater disordered eating, sleep disturbances, and alcohol use....

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our usual forms of relaxing and recharging, and in turn, has taken a toll on mental health around the world. In normal circumstances, you’d be able to decompress with a friend, perhaps by seeing a concert or movie. But with lockdowns, social distancing, and even shuttering businesses, typical forms of leisure aren’t realistic options. Key Takeaways An ongoing study from the U.K. suggests that partaking in creative activities—from singing or drawing to practicing an instrument—can actually elevate your mood during the pandemic....

Acne is often a temporary problem, but acne scars can be permanent. Scarring is part of the skin’s normal healing process after it has been damaged by a wound or injury. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent acne scars from forming. This article will explain causes of acne scars and how you can prevent them. Causes of Acne Scars Acne scars are most often the product of an inflamed lesion, such as a papule, pustule, or cyst....