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If you’ve ever wondered whether your body is wired to stay up into the wee hours of the night and sleep late into the morning, you may have delayed sleep phase disorder. Key Takeaways For those with delayed sleep phased disorder, a genetic mutation elongates the body’s biological clock.This disorder causes people to stay up late at night and sleep later into the morning.The mutation impacts the production of hormones like melatonin, which is important for regulating the sleep cycle....

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It is an artery, meaning that it carries blood away from the heart. The abdominal aorta enters the abdomen through the diaphragm at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebre and continues to just below the umbilical area, where it splits into the right and left common iliac arteries. The aorta supplies oxygenated blood to most of the body. Since so much blood flows through the aorta, it is an extremely sensitive blood vessel during trauma or certain types of medical conditions....

Abdominal obesity refers to the presence of excess fat in the abdominal area. The abdomen is the part of your body between your chest and your pelvis. Those who are “apple-shaped” tend to store excess body fat around their stomach and abdomen. Abdominal obesity is often referred to as “belly fat.” Also Known As A 2019 study describes abdominal obseity as: Belly fatCentral obesityIntra-abdominal fat Example: Abdominal obesity raises the risk of some health problems, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease....

Some of the signs and symptoms of anal cancer are non-specific and are similar to other less serious conditions. For that reason, it’s important to get symptoms involving the anus and/or changes in bowel movements checked out by a physician. Cancer of the anus is considered rare when compared to other forms of cancer. It’s estimated that 0.2% of people will be diagnosed with anal cancer in their lifetime. However, the rate has been increasing by about 2% each year....

Anthropometric measurements are those that characterize human body dimensions (size and shape). These measurements are primarily of bone, muscle, and adipose tissue (fat). The word combines the Greek root words anthropos (human) and metron (measure). Typical Anthropometric Measurements Height, standing Height, sitting Weight Waist circumference Waist-to-hip ratio Waist-to-height ratio Body mass index, or BMI (weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meters) Grip strength Skinfold body fat measurement Scientific Research Anthropometric measurements are valuable in scientific research because, if recorded using standardized methods, they are objective and not prone to the perceptions or opinions of the scientists involved....

Is bad plastic surgery akin to pornography in that we can’t necessarily define it, but we know it when we see it? We’ve all seen the pictures of celebrities who have taken the “pursuit of perfection” a step or two too far. We’ve watched as everyday people have become celebrities for no other reason than their outrageous plastic surgery exploits. We’ve read the news stories about those who have given their lives in exchange for a chance at a more svelte physique....

A stroke can affect any location in the brain. A brainstem stroke is usually small in size but may cause substantial symptoms. The brainstem is the region of the brain that physically and functionally connects higher-level brain activity with the rest of the body. It is also the control center for several life-sustaining functions, such as breathing and heart regulation. The brainstem is located deep in the brain and extends down towards the back of the head, right where the skull and the spine meet....

If it seems like you have a lot of gas in the morning, or you’ve been told that you fart in your sleep, there are a few reasons this could be happening. Changes in your anal sphincter are why you may fart so much at night or first thing in the morning. This ring of muscle keeps the anus shut. However, it is more relaxed during sleep and will spontaneously relax as you awaken, which makes it easier for gas to escape....

Churg Strauss Syndrome, also known as Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), is a rare autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Symptoms Churg Strauss Syndrome primarily affects the lungs but can affect many organ systems. The symptoms depend on which organs are affected, though the majority of patients have asthma or asthma-like symptoms. A key feature of Churg Strauss Syndrome is a high number of white blood cells called eosinophils (hypereosinophilia)....

Everyone knows that kids should be physically active and need to exercise regularly to be physically fit. Whether they are overweight or at a healthy weight, regular physical activity is considered by most experts to be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. That doesn’t mean that every child needs to spend four or five hours a day training for the Olympics or practicing with a select baseball or soccer team....

Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, is one of the cardiac conditions associated with sudden death in young athletes. Significantly restricting exercise is necessary to reduce potential complications, including the risk of sudden death. Exercise restrictions can be frustrating for young athletes. Because this condition often has no early symptoms, you may feel well enough to compete, and you may be tempted to disregard medical advice. Ignoring your healthcare provider’s instructions, however, can be very dangerous....

The technical term for experiencing facial flushing immediately after drinking alcohol is alcohol flush reaction. Alcohol flush reaction is also sometimes referred to as Asian flush syndrome, Asian flush, or Asian glow because of the approximately 36% of East Asians (Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans) that exhibit such facial flushing after drinking alcohol. Symptoms The degree of symptoms varies from person to person, but generally, symptoms of alcohol flush reaction include:...

The gene abnormality for Huntington’s disease, an increase in CAG repeats, is found on chromosome 4. Genetic testing can help identify this disease. What Is Huntington’s Disease? Huntington’s disease begins around age 40 on average and, less commonly, begins during the teenage years. Those with Huntington’s disease have a life expectancy of about 10-20 years after the onset of symptoms. The condition causes substantial disability and increased dependence on caregivers as it progresses....

It is hard to fall asleep when you are stressed. If your mind is buzzing with thoughts or your body is burdened with tension, it can be impossible to doze off. Insomnia is often worsened by anxiety, but how might simple breathing exercises help? Learn about one of the most popular relaxation techniques to ease your difficulty sleeping. Simple Exercises to Focus on Breathing Breathing is a lot like sleep: it should come naturally, and you shouldn’t have to think about it....

Fortunately, it does not happen that often but cochlear implant (CI) failure can occur. For a variety of reasons, a newly implanted cochlear implant may need to be surgically removed and, depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible to get a new implant. Why Do Cochlear Implants Need to Be Removed? There are several reasons why a cochlear implant may need to be removed. However, as technology and procedures improve, this is becoming less common than it was when the implants were first introduced....

If you have your pupils dilated for an eye exam, they may stay dilated for several hours. Your eye health provider dilates your pupils so they can get a clear view of the internal structures of your eyes, like the lens, optic nerve, blood vessels, and retina. They will use special eye drops to either stimulate the muscles around the pupil to contract or relax the muscles so that they open....

In a world increasingly dependent on technology, bright screens are more commonly part of our everyday life. These screens range broadly in size and purpose: televisions, computers, tablets, smartphones, e-books, and even wearable tech. How does this artificial light, especially when viewed at night, potentially impact our sleep? Learn how light at night affects our body’s circadian rhythm and whether it might contribute to insomnia and difficulty awakening. In addition, consider ways to reduce light exposure and counteract its effects....

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid travels up the esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in your chest, commonly known as heartburn. Heartburn and reflux can be occasional issues or chronic and ongoing problems. Longstanding frequent reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus, leading to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This article discusses how to get rid of reflux acid. It provides 12 things you can do to prevent acid reflux attacks....

Terminally ill patients in hospice or palliative care settings might experience dyspnea (difficulty breathing) as they near the end of their lives. Dyspnea may be related to an underlying disease, such as lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a secondary cause such as pneumonia. Oxygen therapy is usually the first line of treatment, but there are other non-medical interventions that may help, too. What Is Dyspnea? Dyspnea is a shortness of breath or difficult or labored breathing that can sometimes occur suddenly....

If you have a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or another lung disease such as asthma, learning how to use a bronchodilator inhaler is important for your health and self-care. Bronchodilator Inhalers A bronchodilator is a medication used to help relax (dilate) the smooth muscle of your airways. When your airways are relaxed, more air can flow in and out of your lungs, allowing you to breathe easier. Bronchodilators often provide fast relief for symptoms of shortness of breath....