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As a dying person comes to terms with her own mortality and begins to prepare for death, she may use life review, or life reconciliation, as a way to find closure and a sense of completion. A life review doesn’t follow a predictable pattern, and no two people can be expected to experience life reconciliation in the same way. That said, there are five common stages of a life review that are helpful to understand: expression, responsibility, forgiveness, acceptance, and gratitude....

Whether you’re exercising, gardening, playing with your kids, or doing housework—any of these bending movements have specific names based on the direction that your spine goes while performing them. There’s flexion, or bending forward; extending, which is an arching back type movement; side bending, also known as tilting; and rotation, or twisting. Let’s explore perhaps the most frequently performed spinal action of all: flexion. A familiar movement for most of us, spinal flexion is the act of bending forward....

The stapedius muscle is a muscle within the ear that stabilizes the stapes bone of the inner ear. It’s the smallest skeletal muscle in the body and plays an important role in hearing. This article will discuss the stapedius muscle’s anatomy, location, associated conditions, and treatment. Anatomy Shaped like a sickle, the stapedius muscle is often described as the smallest skeletal muscle in the human body. However, some sources suggest its average size may be larger than the often-cited 1 millimeter length....

Anxiety in the U.S. is by far the most common mental health condition, and it can range from a fleeting feeling of unease to a more serious, ongoing disorder. Researchers have long explored genes and environmental factors together in order to examine their effects on the risk of developing anxiety disorders. Key Takeaways A new study reveals that discrimination can be an important factor that increases the risk for psychiatric disorders, even after accounting for genetic risk....

Osteoarthritis affects the knee joint more than any other joint. The knee joint contains three bones—femur, tibia, and patella—and three compartments. Osteoarthritis can affect one, two, or all three of those compartments. When all three are affected, it is called tricompartmental osteoarthritis. Each of the three compartments is named after the two bones that join together within the compartment. They are: Medial femorotibial compartment (the inside compartment)Lateral femorotibial compartment (the outside compartment)Patellofemoral compartment (the kneecap and femur) Diagnosis A physical examination may provide the first indication of which compartment is affected....

The first time your child gets something stuck up their nose may be a frightening experience. This is known as a foreign object nasal obstruction. This usually happens to curious children who just happen to think it might be a good idea to see if a watermelon seed might sprout up there. Kids naturally have the curiosity to put things where they don’t belong. They rearrange your cupboards, put things in power outlets, and they even put things up their nose....

In a year of changing rules and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, Howard University has prioritized consistency. Key Takeaways Despite changing guidance from health authorities, Howard University in Washington D.C. has maintained its mask mandate throughout the pandemic.The university credits the mandate, along with other health safety protocols, for keeping case positivity rates low at the school.Keeping COVID-19 policies consistent is key to keeping the school community safe and healthy, according to the provost at Howard University....

Wilms tumor (also called nephroblastoma) is a childhood cancer that affects the kidneys. A large mass within a child’s abdomen or abdominal swelling is usually the first sign. This mass or swelling is often noticed incidentally when a parent is changing or bathing their child. Diagnosing Wilm’s tumor is a multi-step process and involves a medical history, physical examination, and various blood and imaging tests. A biopsy (tissue sample) is needed to confirm the diagnosis....

Anemia is a term that is used to describe a low red blood cell count. There are three different general types of blood cells — red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Red blood cells are the part of blood that carries oxygen to all the parts of the body. Why Are People With IBD at Risk? People who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk for anemia. One reason for this is the poor absorption of vitamins and minerals that can occur because of inflammation or diarrhea....

Supplying the medial portions of the frontal and parietal lobes, the anterior cerebral artery, also known as the ACA, is one of a pair of arteries that play an essential role in delivering oxygen to the brain. Arising at the termination of the internal carotid artery, its course curves upward and towards the middle of the brain, making up a portion of a ring of arteries located at the base of the brain called the circle of Willis....

Atopic is a term used to describe an IgE-mediated response within the body following exposure to external irritants. The Difference Between Atopy and Allergy Most of us are acquainted with the term “allergy.” We understand that it is an exaggerated body reaction to an external irritant. Allergies cover a broad range of reactions. Atopy, on the other hand, refers to a genetic predisposition to diseases in which IgE antibodies are produced in response to even limited exposure to environmental triggers that don’t typically bother other people....

Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a cancer of the immune system, called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It’s not breast cancer, which often originates in the milk ducts. BIA-ALCL is thought to be caused by textured breast implants, which house bacteria in the scar tissue that grows as the breast tissue heals after the surgical procedure. This article discusses the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for this cancer. Though it was first reported in 1997, it wasn’t until 2011 when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had enough evidence to make the connection between lymphoma and a specific type of breast implant, the Biocell textured saline and silicone-filled implants and tissue expanders....

Bronchopneumonia is a lower respiratory tract infection that is characterized by generalized inflammation throughout the lungs. This subtype of pneumonia is caused by bacteria and is found predominantly in children. This article discusses the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of bronchopneumonia. Symptoms The symptoms of bronchopneumonia and its severity vary widely. Your symptoms may be more severe if you fall into one of the following high-risk categories: You are immunocompromised....

Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD, is a condition that impacts the stomach and the esophagus. The stomach is full of acidic fluid that helps break down food contents. Sometimes the acidic fluid in the stomach refluxes, or moves back up into the esophagus. This can cause burning and irritation in the esophagus, a pain very similar to when you get a hot liquid on your skin and it burns. The burning sensation with GERD is commonly also known as heartburn since the irritation in the esophagus can cause a burning discomfort in the chest....

A visit to the gynecologist’s office might not be the most exciting thing on your calendar this summer, but taking the time to get a Papanicolaou test (or, pap smear) is important—the simple screening can be lifesaving. The National Cervical Cancer coalition recommends that anyone with a cervix between the ages of 21 and 29 get a pap smear every three years, and those 30 to 65 get co-tested with a pap smear and an HPV test every five years....

Cytopathology and cytology are diagnostic processes by which the cells obtained from biopsy, fluid samples, scrapings, or brushings are specially prepared and examined with a microscope. This article will go over the difference between cytology and cytopathology. It will also explain how histology is different from cytology, and the difference between cytopathology and pathology. Cytology Uses A cytology smear is a diagnostic test. A common example is a Pap smear, which is a cytology test used to screen for abnormal cells on the cervix, even when there is no sign of disease....

Although you may hear the terms dementia and Alzheimer’s disease used interchangeably, it’s important to know they are distinct concepts. Dementia is the general term used to describe a decline in cognitive function. Alzheimer’s is a specific health condition, although it is the most common cause of dementia. The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia Dementia is a decline in cognitive function that includes problems with thought processing, judgement, reasoning, memory, communication, and behavior control that have an impact on a person’s ability to live a normal life....

The diagnostic criteria for autism don’t discriminate based on gender. But recent research suggests that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may look quite different in girls—so different, in fact, that it can be difficult to diagnose. This is because most early studies of autistic children were focused on boys. One researcher at the Kennedy Krieger Interactive Autism Network raised this question in a report on girls with ASD: “Researchers looking at differences between boys and girls with ASD have often not found much difference....

Disordered eating refers to a range of irregular eating behaviors that may or may not warrant a diagnosis of a specific eating disorder. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, are diagnosed according to criteria specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Some estimates state that 5% to 20% of people in the population struggle with symptoms that do not meet the full criteria of an eating disorder....

The Mediterranean diet is not intended to be a weight loss diet; rather, it’s a way of eating that is similar to the diet of those living near the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean diet consists of large amounts of vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, whole grains, olive oil, seeds, herbs, and spices. It also includes fish, seafood, eggs, cheese, and poultry, and it recommends infrequent red meat and sweets. Improved Cognitive Functioning A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who consistently ate a Mediterranean diet demonstrated better current cognitive functioning....