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Asthma symptoms result from how your body reacts to allergens and certain environmental triggers. Asthma is characterized by two different responses: Hyperresponsiveness, also called the early phase of asthmaInflammatory response, also called the late phase of asthma Hyperresponsiveness You can almost think of this as twitchiness. Your lungs are irritated by an allergen that ultimately leads to asthma symptoms. Your lungs become exposed to the allergen, which kicks off the pathophysiology of asthma....

Wheezing, a high-pitched whistling sound produced during breathing, is among the most common symptoms of asthma. It can occur when you breathe through your mouth or through your nose and when you inhale or exhale—although it’s most common during exhalations. Wheezing is never normal, but it doesn’t always indicate asthma. It can be a symptom of several other conditions, among them pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and certain vocal cord problems....

When it comes to lung cancer, there are significant differences between the way men and women develop the disease as well as their response to treatment. These differences are helpful to note especially when women look at statistics regarding lung cancer survival. Statistics usually lump men and women together, but for women, the chances of survival are higher at all stages of the disease. We are just beginning to learn how genetic and hormonal influences play a role in the development of lung cancer and what might explain these differences....

Mondini syndrome, also known as Mondini dysplasia or a Mondini malformation, describes a condition where the cochlea is incomplete, with only one and a half turns instead of the normal two and a half turns. The condition was first described in 1791 by the physician Carlo Mondini in an article titled “The Anatomic Section of a Boy Born Deaf.” A translation from the original Latin of the article was published in 1997....

A nap—a period of light or brief sleep during the day—can be a wonderful way to boost your energy and mental health, especially if you have sleep deprivation. A lot of people depend on naps to get through the day. In fact, on any given day, about a third of American adults take a nap. On the other hand, naps may do harm by leaving you groggy or giving you insomnia that night....

Obesity and type 2 diabetes often occur together. This is partly because obesity promotes inflammation throughout the body, potentially leading to changes in normal metabolic functions. For example, these changes can affect the body’s sensitivity to insulin (a hormone that helps metabolize food) and glucose metabolism (breaking foods down into sugar). In turn, these changes directly affect a person’s risk of developing diabetes. This article examines the connection between obesity and type 2 diabetes, including how to treat and manage both conditions....

Reflexology is a complementary or alternative treatment sometimes used by osteoarthritis patients. Once you learn what it is and how it works, you may wonder how reflexology could help osteoarthritis. What Is Reflexology? Reflexology is an alternative, non-conventional treatment given by a reflexologist. According to the Reflexology Association of America, “It can be used with any medical or alternative therapy, or it can stand alone as an effective health maintenance technique....

A sore throat, often called pharyngitis by medical professionals, is often caused by inflammation and swelling of throat (pharyngeal) tissues due to infection or inflammation. Viral infections such as colds or flu are the most common causes, but there can be others, such as acid reflux, allergies, and overuse of the vocal cords. Most often, viral sore throats need only soothing until they pass, but other causes, such as strep throat, require treatment to prevent related complications....

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils. It is caused by a form of bacteria called group A Streptococcus. Strep throat can cause various symptoms like a sore throat and pain. Although a fever is a common symptom of strep throat, it is possible to have strep throat without a fever. This article will discuss the symptoms of strep throat, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention tips. Strep Throat Symptoms A strep throat infection can cause a variety of symptoms that can appear quickly....

We know that humans can live well beyond 100 years. Some, called supercentenarians, go on to live more than 110. How do they do it? New research suggests it may be in their genes. Key Takeaways Researchers found that people who live beyond 105 years tend to have a unique genetic background that makes their bodies more efficient at repairing DNA.Genes are constantly interacting with a person’s environment, so these results from Italy may not be generalizable to other populations....

The coronary sinus is a large vein that that returns deoxygenated blood from the heart muscle to the right side of the heart so that it can be replenished with oxygen. The coronary sinus is located on the heart’s posterior (behind) surface and is positioned between the left ventricle and the left atrium. All mammals, including humans, are known to have a coronary sinus. Anatomy The length of the coronary sinus is from 15 to 65 millimeters (0....

Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate for depot suspension), a GnRH agonist, is a hormonal agent that significantly reduces estrogen levels. The medication works in two distinct phases. Phase one stimulates the ovaries, causing them to produce more estradiol, the most potent of the three estrogens produced by women. In phase two, the messenger hormones that tell the ovaries to produce estrogen decline dramatically. The resulting drop in estrogen causes women to experience menopause-like side effects....

Treat Your Own Neck by Robin McKenzie is a brief book that describes how to ease your neck pain with simple exercises and posture fixes. The book covers a number of common activities—sitting, driving, manual labor, and reclining—showing the wrong way and the right way to do them, and why. It also presents an exercise program and clarifies how to use it depending on the level and timing of your pain....

Ichthyosis represents a group of skin disorders that cause dry, scaly, or thick skin. There are two main types of ichthyosis: hereditary and acquired. Most cases are hereditary and can affect any gender or ethnicity. Acquired cases are most often caused by an underlying disorder such as: Cancer: Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (including mycosis fungoides), lung cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and cervical cancer Sarcoidosis Leprosy Thyroid disease Hyperparathyroidism Nutritional disorders Chronic kidney failure HIV infection Autoimmune disorders: systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis Acquired ichthyosis has also been associated with the use of certain medications, such as niacinamide, Tagamet (cimetidine) and Lamprene (clofazimine)....

Adie’s pupil (also referred to as Holmes-Adie syndrome, Adie’s tonic pupil or Adie syndrome) is a neurological disorder that affects the pupil of the eye and the autonomic nervous system. Patients with Adie’s pupil are more likely to be assigned female at birth and between the ages of 20 and 40. Symptoms People with Adie’s pupil usually develop several distinct symptoms. The pupil of the affected eye first appears larger or more dilated than the normal eye and reacts abnormally to light....

Self-esteem is how a person thinks and feels about their own qualities and characteristics. This is described as either high or low—that is, a person has either high self-esteem or low self-esteem. More specifically, a person who has positive thoughts about their qualities and characteristics would have high self-esteem, whereas a person with negative thoughts about their qualities and characteristics would have low self-esteem. This is important because higher levels of self-esteem translate into improved mental health, and lower levels of self-esteem are related to mental health conditions such as depression....

Though sometimes challenging, social interaction can be beneficial for someone with Alzheimer’s disease. But it can also sometimes be triggering, making a tough situation potentially worse for everyone involved. Understanding more about Alzheimer’s and dementia may help explain some of the interactions you may be having with a loved one who has been diagnosed. It can also help guide you as to what not to do or say to someone with Alzheimer’s, so your encounters can be better for the both of you....

A vaginal discharge is a normal function of a healthy vagina. A typical vagina contains naturally occurring bacteria that create an acidic environment. As part of their self-cleaning process, vaginas produce fluids that then leave the body as normal discharge. A normal discharge usually appears clear, cloudy white, or a light yellowish color. Normal discharge may also contain white flecks or be thin and stringy. Discharge may appear heavier towards the middle of your menstrual cycle....

It’s not uncommon for patients to initially postpone but eventually undergo knee replacement surgery. Certainly, many patients have the procedure done. Every year in the United States alone, more than 600,000 knee replacements are performed. So why the apprehension about something that is supposed to improve a patient’s physical function and relieve pain that interferes with daily living activities? Patients Go Through Stages Before Accepting Knee Replacement Surgery Patients’ pre-op and post-op experiences with knee replacement surgery were analyzed in a study from Kent State University....

A federal judge ruled in favor of Indiana University and upheld its COVID-19 vaccination mandate for students, faculty, and staff for this coming fall semester. Key Takeaways A federal judge recently ruled that Indiana University can require students to get vaccinated against COVID-19.This court ruling may help other colleges and universities that intend to establish vaccine mandates as well.Even without a vaccine mandate, institutions must employ public health strategies to ensure the safety of students, educators, and staff on campus....