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Your sense of balance is a very complex sensation that is maintained by several parts of your body. Motion sickness occurs when the body systems that make up the vestibular system, the inner ear, eyes, and receptors located throughout the body that can sense movement (proprioception), lose sync with one another. This is often caused by riding in a car, boat, airplane, or riding a novelty ride at the carnival. It can, however, be caused during any other activity that involves motion....

Prostatitis is a condition that affects the prostate gland and can cause lower urinary tract symptoms and pelvic pain in males. It is the third most common urinary tract condition in males over age 50 and the most common one in males under 50. There are four different kinds of prostatitis, each with different causes. Learn about the common symptoms of prostatitis, and when you should talk to a healthcare provider....

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause gastrointestinal (GI) problems. A study reported in the Journal of Rheumatology followed 813 people with RA and 813 people without RA for 10 years. They found that the people with RA had a 70% higher risk of developing an upper GI problem and a 50% greater chance of having a lower GI issue in comparison to others without RA. Here is what you need to know about GI problems associated with RA, causes, what to look for, and how you can prevent these....

Bedbug bites cause itchy, red wheals on the body, and rarely cause serious issues, such as allergies or anemia. A bedbug bite looks similar to other bug bites—there’s little that differentiates the actual bite mark. Bedbug bites can be mistaken for skin rashes or bites from other bugs. Common Symptoms Bedbug bites typically cause itchy wheals on the skin, usually with a pinkish or red appearance. Bedbugs are a species of insect known as cimex lectularius (cimex is Latin for bug and lectulo is Latin for bed)....

Stepping on a nail may cause a puncture wound on the foot. The wound may look minor, but the puncture may be deeper than it appears. Sometimes, if the wound isn’t severe, it can be treated without medical attention. Other times, the puncture will require more treatment than you can provide at home. This article discusses what to do in minor and major cases of stepping on a nail. What to Do If you’ve stepped on a nail, there are a couple of factors to consider when determining if you should seek medical attention, including:...

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is a part of your shoulder joint that’s comprised of the meeting of your collar bone (clavicle) with the acromion process of your shoulder blade. Problems here can lead to loss of shoulder motion, pain, and difficulty performing tasks that require the use of your arm. If you have shoulder pain, your physical therapist (PT) can assess your condition and determine the best treatment. During the examination, your PT may perform the AC joint compression test....

The hamstring muscles are a group of three muscles located on the back of your thigh. The three muscles are called the biceps femoris, the semimembranosus, and the semitendinosus. These three muscles work together to help bend your knee. They can also help with hip extension, when your hip and thigh move towards the back of your body. The hamstring muscles all arise from a bone on the bottom of your pelvis called the ischial tuberosity....

Cervical has multiple meanings in the human body. The word cervix is derived from the Latin root word “cervix” which means “neck.” For this reason, the word cervical pertains to many areas where tissues narrow to a neck-like passage, and not only in your neck. The term cervical causes confusion because there are multiple cervixes in the body, and they are widely different. Two Main Areas Where You See the Term Cervical The two most common uses of the term cervical are used to describe very different areas of the body:...

Quadriceps muscles are in the front of your thigh tight, which could be why they may be creating a chronic posture problem for you. Two forces may be at play. They may even be happening at the same time: Tight quads can lead to lower back pain because they pull the pelvis down. Tight quads naturally lead to weak hamstring muscles. These are the quads’ opposing muscles, located at the back of your thigh....

The isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 (IDH2) mutation is associated with some types of cancer such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelofibrosis, and brain cancer (glioma), as well as some genetic conditions. Drugs that target the effects of the IDH2 mutation have been developed to treat some of these conditions. This mutation (change in genetic material) affects the gene that provides instructions for making the IDH enzyme found in the mitochondria of each cell....

SIBO, the acronym for a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is being researched as a possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Like many things related to IBS, the issue of SIBO being the underlying problem is complicated and marked by some controversy in the world of IBS research. This overview of SIBO as it relates to IBS can help you decide if this is something you should speak to your healthcare provider about....

The word is spreading about collagen, an important nutrient important for a healthy, vibrant body. But collagen isn’t anything new. You’ve been making it your whole life. The Cleveland Clinic reports that collagen is “the most plentiful protein” in the human body, spread throughout “muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs, blood vessels, skin, intestinal lining, and other connective tissues.” So, why the need to promote collagen on store shelves? Is it something you should be buying?...

Nearly 40 countries have restricted international travel to curb the spread of Omicron, a highly mutated COVID-19 variant. Key Takeaways The U.S. and others have imposed travel bans in an attempt to slow the spread of Omicron.Some experts criticize these bans, saying they don’t buy much time and may disincentivize nations from sharing important epidemiological data for fear of facing repercussions.Focusing on mitigating the virus spread on a more local level may be more effective at this point....

If you’re the primary caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, you may have experienced the honor and privilege of providing care for your loved one. It’s also possible, however, that the challenges of that role are overwhelming at times. Because Alzheimer’s progress involves mental, emotional, and physical changes, being a caregiver can be difficult. In fact, the very nature of caring for someone on a full-time basis can lead to frustration....

The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) release certain hormones that help the body function. The different hormones impact a range of functions, such as regulating heart rate, and blood pressure, helping the immune system, managing physical stress responses, and more. Certain medical disorders, like Cushing’s syndrome or Addison’s disease, cause the adrenal glands to produce too much or too little of their hormones. Anatomy The adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped glands that sit directly on top of the kidneys....

Arthritis mutilans is a severe form of chronic rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis and one of the most advanced types of joint disease overall. It is characterized by severe inflammation that damages the joints of the hands and feet, causing deformity and the loss of use. Less commonly, it can affect the spine and lead to changes in posture and mobility. Early and aggressive treatment of arthritis mutilans is important and should start at the time of diagnosis....

Biceps tendon tears or ruptures are often painful and frightening injuries. Although they typically occur in men of middle age or older, these injuries can also happen to younger and elderly individuals. The most common injury occurs when lifting or pulling on a heavy object, particularly when something slips or starts to fall. Most often, a snap or pop is both felt and heard, and pain occurs around the shoulder or elbow, depending on which part of the biceps tendon is torn....

Back pain is a common symptom experienced in a wide variety of conditions, ranging from muscle spasms, to vertebral fractures, and even certain types of autoimmune diseases. Back pain is not, however, a symptom of osteoporosis, despite many people with osteoporosis experiencing it. This article will dive deeper into the connection, or lack thereof, between osteoporosis and back pain. What Is Back Pain? When people talk about back pain they typically refer to pain in their spine and/or the supporting muscles and ligaments....

Some people feel that visiting a tanning salon regularly or getting a “base tan” for an upcoming vacation can avoid skin damage or sunburns. Maybe you have heard this and are wondering if wearing sunscreen can help. Using sunscreen in a tanning bed will prevent the bronzing of your skin that you are after. In addition, sunscreen is only effective at blocking natural ultraviolet (UV) rays and not the artificial ones emitted by tanning bed bulbs, which are sometimes stronger (and more dangerous) than the sun....

Functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation, is diagnosed when a person is experiencing constipation symptoms, but no specific cause for the problem can be identified. Because the physical cause can be found to explain the symptoms, functional constipation is one of the functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGDs). Symptoms People who experience functional constipation report some or all of the following symptoms: Three or fewer bowel movements per week Hard, lumpy stools The feeling of incomplete evacuation A sensation of blockage or obstruction in the anus and/or rectum Straining during bowel movements Use of fingers to assist in passing stool (digital evacuation) Loose stools are rare without the use of laxatives According to the Rome III criteria for FGDs, constipation symptoms must be experienced in at least 25 percent of all bowel movements....