Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. They are shaped like tubes and branch into arterioles to reach the organs and tissues. The pumping contractions of the heart propel the blood through all arteries in the body, beginning with the aorta, the main artery in the circulatory system. This article explains the role of arteries in that system, as well as risks to the health of the arteries....
Cytokines are proteins produced by cells, and they serve as molecular messengers between cells. In arthritis, cytokines regulate various inflammatory responses. As part of the immune system, cytokines regulate the body’s response to disease and infection, as well as mediate normal cellular processes in your body. Types of Cytokines Cytokines are diverse and serve a number of functions in the body. They: Stimulate the production of blood cellsAid in the development, maintenance, and repair of tissuesRegulate the immune systemDrive inflammation through interferons, interleukins, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) How Cytokines Work The imune system is complex—different types of immune cells and proteins do different jobs....
There are thousands of varieties of wasps; most are tiny and do not sting. These winged insects use their stingers for self-defense to protect themselves, their hive, or their colony if they view you as a threat. When a wasp stings, its venom releases pheromones (a secreted chemical), which signal other wasps to join in the attack. Wasps can repeatedly sting, making them dangerous, especially in people who are sensitive or allergic to the venom....
Most of the time, swallowing your chewing gum by accident won’t lead to any significant health consequences. The undigested gum will simply pass a day or two later in a bowel movement. However, if you swallow gum regularly, there is a chance that it could lead to complications such as bowel obstruction. Many cases of swallowed gum involve children, but there are rare instances of digestive tract blockage in adults who swallow gum, too....
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is such an important part of chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) that you really can’t understand the disease without understanding the symptom. It’s guided a tremendous amount of ME/CFS research, is theorized to be the key to an objective diagnostic test, and is even behind the new suggested name for the condition — systemic exercise intolerance disease. Still, however, some members of the medical community don’t believe that PEM exists....
Prior to the routine screening of the donated blood supply, people receiving blood and blood products were put at considerable risk for acquiring HIV. In fact, since the earliest part of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, the risk of blood-to-blood transmission was considered so high as to place hemophiliacs as among the high levels of risk (a situation brought to world’s attention with the highly publicized cases of Ricky Ray, Ryan White, and Elizabeth Glaser)....
The scalene muscles are a muscle group in your neck. You have 60 to 70 muscles in your neck, head, and face area. The scalenes are made up of three pairs of muscles, with one set located on either side of your body. When the scalenes are healthy and working in a balanced way, they help support the upright posture of your cervical spine, which is the upper part of your spine....
CD markers, also known as CD antigens, are specific types of molecules found on the surface of cells that help differentiate one cell type from another. In fact, the initials “CD” stands for “cluster of differentiation,” the nomenclature of which was first established in 1982. While some people may be familiar with the terms CD4 and CD8, which differentiate defensive immune cells known as T-cells, there are no less than 371 known CD antigens that “tag” virtually every cell of the body, providing each its own unique marker....
When too much uric acid (a chemical created when the body breaks down compounds called purines) builds up in the joints, it creates needle-like crystals that cause intense pain, known as gout flare-ups or gout attacks. Certain foods or beverages like coffee may affect uric acid levels and gout flare-ups. This article discusses research regarding the advantages and disadvantages of coffee on gout, how to prevent gout, and ways to treat the condition....
Are you experiencing period problems? If so, you are certainly not alone. Most of us do at one time or another during our reproductive years. Women frequently experience a whole array of menstrual cycle disorders. Period-related problems can range from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) to absence of menstruation, heavy periods, and menstrual cramps. Once you find out the cause of your period problems, your healthcare provider has several treatment options that range from taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen for menstrual cramps to something as dramatic and life-changing as having a hysterectomy for uterine fibroid tumors or other conditions....
Even though the symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) vary from person to person, experiencing any one of them (e.g., fatigue, muscle spasms/weakness, and mobility issues, to name a few) can be downright brutal. This is why experts are diligently working to find therapies that, in addition to an MS disease-modifying medication, can further improve a person’s symptoms or even, perhaps, help slow down their disease course. One such therapy that has consistently been found to be beneficial for those living with MS is exercise....
Drinking alcohol can contribute to sleep apnea, snoring, and other sleep disorders. The way that alcohol affects your body (especially your airway) changes the amount of time you sleep, how long it takes you to fall asleep, and how you breathe while you’re sleeping. This article will go over how alcohol affects your body while you’re asleep and contributes to sleep apnea and snoring. Alcohol and Sleep Apnea About 20% of Americans are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but only about 10% have been diagnosed....
Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendons transfer force from muscle to bone in order for joints to move. Some tendons, but not all, are covered by a sheath. The inner walls of the sheath produce a small amount of lubrication (synovial fluid), which helps the tendon to move freely. With aging, tendons become less flexible and elastic, making them more prone to injury. Generally, there are three types of tendon disorders: tendinitis, tenosynovitis, and ganglion cyst....
Bacterial perichondritis is an infection of the perichondrium, which is the tissue that surrounds and nourishes the cartilage which makes up the outer part of your ear. There are two common types of perichondritis: bacterial or infectious and autoimmune. This article will focus primarily on bacterial perichondritis. Without proper and prompt treatment, perichondritis can cause a permanent cosmetic change. Common causes usually involve trauma to the tissue and include: Ear piercing, especially high up on the cartilage portion of the ear Surgical trauma Sports injury or other blunt trauma Insect bites Burns Cuts or lacerations of any kind on the ear Poorly treated otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) Autoimmune disease, such as granulomatosis with polyangiitis and relapsing polychondritis Diagnosis The diagnosis of perichondritis is uncomplicated and based on the history of trauma to the ear and the appearance of the area infected....
When most people think of Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms that typically come to mind are those relating to cognitive functioning: memory loss, word-finding difficulties, poor judgment in decisions, and disorientation regarding the day, time or place. While these are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, there’s another symptom that can be challenging for family and friends to cope with: personality changes. Examples Personality changes don’t always develop, but they are a frequent result of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, and one that can be hard to accept for loved ones....
Medication can kill scabies mites. However, some people react to the debris left over after scabies mites die. This is called post-scabies syndrome. This article reviews post-scabies syndrome, including symptoms, length, treatment, and when to seek care. When Does Post-Scabies Syndrome Typically Occur? If you have scabies, it can take about four weeks for medications called scabicides to kill the mites. You may need another series of treatments if you are still itching from mites....
Salivary gland cancer is a rare cancer that affects one of the three main pairs of glands located in the mouth and throat. These glands are responsible for the production of saliva (spit), which lines and lubricates the mouth and throat. Saliva also helps begin the food digestion process. This article will provide an overview of salivary gland cancer, discussing the types, symptoms, and treatment options. What Is Salivary Gland Cancer?...
When you know someone who is recovering from a stroke, it is important to know that social support helps the healing process. Positive relationships and interpersonal interactions can help prevent depression, which may promote optimal health and recovery after a stroke. People with serious health problems such as cancer and stroke often notice that friends and well-wishers can be tongue-tied when they don’t know what to say. Stroke survivors are often met with artificial or exaggerated enthusiasm meant to cheer them up, or, at the other extreme, friends and family members can be tense while trying to avoid saying the wrong thing....
The tonsils are part of the lymph system of the body, which is part of the immune system. The tonsils help the immune system fight infection but are subject to becoming infected themselves, especially in childhood. Anatomy of Tonsils There are three sets of tonsils in the back of the mouth: the adenoids, the palantine, and the lingual tonsils. These tonsils are made up of lymphatic tissue and are typically small in size....
With the legalization of medical marijuana, many states are approving the use of it in a non-traditional way to treat the symptoms of certain conditions, including Parkinson’s disease. Marijuana has two major components to it—tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). Both may help with nausea and muscle pain or spasms, but unlike THC, CBD doesn’t give you the “high” feeling marijuana is most commonly known for. This makes it an enticing, natural way for many to help treat their Parkinson’s disease symptoms....
