The heart has four chambers: the right ventricle and left ventricle on the bottom, and the right atrium and left atrium on top. Together, the four chambers pump blood through the body. This article focuses on the heart’s right ventricle and provides an overview of what it does. Right Ventricle Function Just like there are four chambers in the heart, there also are four valves: the tricuspid, pulmonary, mitral, and aortic valves....
Paronychia is an infection of the layer of skin surrounding the nail (known as the perionychium). It can develop when bacteria enters broken skin near the cuticle at the base of the nail or when an irritation damages skin around the fingernails or toenails and allows fungus to grow. Treatments depend on the type of infection. Paronychia is one of the most common hand infections and is seen frequently in children as a result of nail biting and finger sucking....
Stroke and pain can come together as a result of a lacunar infarct (stroke) in an area of the brain called the thalamus. This important area serves as the relay station for sensory information from all over the body. Usually, such a lacunar stroke is specific to areas of the thalamus that receive information about pain, temperature, touch, vibration sense, and pressure from all over the body. When a stroke leads to pain due to damage in these areas, people are said to suffer from the Dejerine-Roussy syndrome....
Telehealth—a way to receive healthcare services remotely through various communication technologies—allows for the delivery of care without in-person interactions. There are many times telehealth visits are appropriate, including visits for gastric cancer. When to Use Telehealth for Gastric Cancer Telehealth visits for gastric cancer can be a convenient option for a visit with your cancer team. These appointments may be with various members of the team, including an oncologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant....
In medical terms, liver cancer is also known as “hepatocellular carcinoma.” The liver cells called hepatocytes make up 80% of your liver. Scarring of your liver is usually caused by cirrhosis, which is recognized as the main risk factor for liver cancer. Cirrhosis can be caused by hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and viral hepatitis, alcohol abuse, autoimmune diseases, hemochromatosis, and other diseases that lead to chronic inflammation of the liver. Chronic hepatitis B or C infections may also lead to liver cancer....
If I could give women only one piece of health advice as they age, it would be this: Put the responsibility for your health in your hands. If you don’t advocate for yourself, how can you expect others to? As a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist in the Atlanta area, I have had the opportunity to treat women at every pivotal life transition. And while each life stage comes with its own set of questions and challenges, the menopausal stage for women may feel like an accumulation of all the stages packed into one....
When it comes to medications for chronic pain, there are seemingly countless choices out there. How do you know what pain medication is right for you? Different types of pain medications are prescribed for different diagnoses, but there are still many choices available. Sometimes, you may have to try a few different kinds of pain medication, or even a combination of a few, in order to get relief. NSAIDs and Acetaminophen NSAIDs and acetaminophen are non-opioid analgesics, pain medications often used for mild to moderate chronic pain....
Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissue freeze from exposure to extremely cold temperatures. While it’s mild form, frostnip, causes redness and numbness that can be self-treated with proper first aid, more advanced stages of frostbite require emergency medical attention. Frostbite treatment includes controlled rewarming, and potential interventions such as IV fluids and medications. Proper and prompt treatment of frostbite is essential to preventing complications, including permanent damage. Here’s what you need to do to handle your case properly....
Understanding what happens in your body during an asthma attack may help you understand how and why your healthcare provider provides certain treatments or asks you to avoid certain things. Asthma attacks are common and have a tremendous societal impact: Asthma leads to nearly 2 million emergency room visits each year.Worsening asthma symptoms result in 14 million healthcare provider visits and 439,000 hospital stays.An asthma hospital stay lasts on average more than 3....
The Wim Hof breathing method was developed by the Dutch athlete Wim Hof. This breathing technique aims to increase energy and focus, boost the immune system, and decrease stress levels. Wim Hof breathing combines fast breathing with periods of holding your breath. This article discusses Wim Hof breathing techniques—what they are, how to do them, and their benefits and risks. What Is Wim Hof Breathing? Wim Hof is an extreme athlete who earned the nickname “The Iceman” for his extraordinary ability to withstand freezing temperatures—swimming under ice, running barefoot in the snow, and spending long periods submerged in cold water....
Nearly four months after the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved, Americans are increasingly getting accustomed to vaccination, while adjusting to loosening restrictions and business reopenings nationwide. Key Themes From Our Survey Vaccine rejection is at an all-time low. Americans are split on whether they support verifying their vaccination status—through vaccine passports—as they return to public spaces. People are most likely to support vaccine passports in situations where other forms of verification already exist, like international travel....
Although the skull may appear to be one bone, it is actually made of five connected bones that are separated to allow the baby’s head to pass through the birth canal. The skull bones, joints, and fontanelles work together to allow your baby’s brain to continue to grow after birth as well. Bones of an Infant’s Skull An infant’s skull is made up of five individual bones. These bony plates are able to overlap one another during birth so your child can fit through the birth canal....
Angioedema refers to deep-tissue swelling with different causes. Angioedema is like hives (urtica) under the skin and is most commonly caused by an allergic reaction to a trigger and lasts a few minutes to a few days. This article will explain what you need to know about types of angioedema, who is at risk for it and why, and the importance of screening and early detection. Overview Angioedema is a swelling (edema) of the tissue layer located under the skin or mucous membrane....
As of mid-January 2023, the XBB.1.5 subvariant is responsible for nearly half of all COVID-19 cases in the United States. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), XBB 1.5 is the most transmissible Omicron subvariant yet. Key Takeaways A recent study found that the bivalent COVID-19 boosters produce neutralizing antibodies against Omicron subvariant XBB.So far, it appears that the bivalent boosters may provide protection against XBB.1.5 as well.It’s hard to predict how an XBB....
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many have wondered whether you needed to get vaccinated after being infected with COVID-19, or if natural immunity would offer enough protection. Key Takeaways Public health officials urge everyone to get vaccinated against the virus, even if you’ve previously had COVID-19.New research shows those who are vaccinated have better protection against serious future infections. Public health experts have continuously stressed the importance of getting vaccinated for broader and longer-lasting immunity, even if you’ve had COVID-19 before....
The natural process of menopause can trigger changes in many parts of your body and affect your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Whether or not you have been diagnosed with IBS, you may find that as you reach a certain age, you start to have more frequent bowel symptoms. Although studies haven’t yielded clear-cut evidence about why menopause affects the way the stomach works, some research has been done in this area....
Dry mouth is a condition related to having insufficient saliva. The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia. Everyone has a dry mouth occasionally, especially when nervous, upset, or under stress. This article can help you better understand dry mouth—what it is, its causes and symptoms, and how to manage it. What Is Dry Mouth? Dry mouth happens when your body doesn’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. But saliva does more than that....
Eating two avocados every week may lower the risk of developing heart disease, according to a new study. Key Takeaways A new study found that eating two servings of avocados each week may support heart health.Eating avocados instead of certain saturated fat sources, like cheese, yogurt, and processed meats, was also found to lower heart disease risk.Avocados are one source of “healthy” fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, experts say there are other similar options if avocados are not accessible....
The frequency of dairy yogurt consumption was associated with a reduced risk of proximal colon cancer decades later, according to a new analysis of previous studies. The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December. Key Takeaways Studies show that those who consume yogurt appear to have a reduced risk of developing colon cancer years later.Probiotics found in fermented foods like yogurt may play a key role in colon cancer risk reduction....
The relationship between cranberry juice and urinary tract infection (UTI) prevention just became a little more official. Key Takeaways Manufacturers of certain cranberry-containing items can now highlight the relationship between the fruit and UTI prevention on product labels.Only qualified claims are allowed, meaning language must clarify that the data is limited. On July 21, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it will not object qualified health claims printed on cranberry beverages containing at least 27% cranberry juice and cranberry supplements containing at least 500 milligrams (mg) of cranberry fruit powder....
