Alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs in your lungs. The function of the alveoli is to move oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules into and out of your bloodstream. Alveoli are an important part of your respiratory system, which includes the parts of your body that help you breathe. This article discusses the structure and function of the alveoli. It also describes some of the medical conditions that can affect alveoli....
An aortic aneurysm is a localized dilation of the aorta, the main artery in the body. The chief reason it is considered a problem is that sometimes aneurysms can rupture, leading to catastrophic internal bleeding. However, other serious complications are also possible. Most typically, aortic aneurysms develop quite gradually, over a period of several years, so never grow to the point that rupture becomes likely. Such aneurysms rarely produce any symptoms....
Artichoke leaf extract, made from artichokes found in grocery stores, is thought by some to offer numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol in the blood. Others contend that it can promote weight loss, treat acid reflux, prevent hangovers, or even “cleanse” the liver. The evidence supporting these claims is generally weak. Artichoke leaf extracts are taken by mouth and mainly sold in capsule or gelcap forms. There are also concentrated liquid forms you can take with a dropper....
Osteo Bi-Flex is a dietary supplement that helps maintain joint health. It’s often recommended as an over-the-counter treatment for people with knee osteoarthritis and is one of the best-known supplements in this category. As with any supplement, you should speak with your healthcare provider before taking Osteo Bi-Flex. Your medical history may indicate that it’s not right for you, and it may interact with other medications. It’s also good to know what’s inside this supplement and what scientific research says about the effectiveness of its ingredients....
If you have pain in your upper arm or shoulder, you may have irritated your biceps tendon, a condition known as biceps tendonitis. The pain may limit your shoulder motion and make performing normal work and recreational tasks difficult or impossible. Physical therapy for biceps tendonitis can be helpful to decrease pain, improve shoulder strength and range of motion, and improve functional mobility and use of your arm. Anatomy of the Biceps Your biceps muscles are located in the front of your upper arms....
What Is Caplyta? Caplyta (lumateperone) is an oral prescription drug used to treat schizophrenia or bipolar depression. It is available as a capsule that is taken by mouth. Caplyta is in a drug class called atypical antipsychotics, or second-generation antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics have fewer side effects than older or first-generation antipsychotics. The exact way Caplyta works is not entirely understood, but it is thought to act on dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain....
Many foods can cause allergies, but some are more common than others. Almost 90% of all serious food allergies are related to proteins (allergens) in nine foods: milk, soy, egg, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, and sesame. These foods are often ingredients in other foods, so avoiding them requires diligence, including careful label reading and other measures. Even then, there may be times when exposures happen unknowingly. This article covers what you need to know about the most common food allergies....
With many people still unclear about when they are eligible for their COVID-19 vaccines and how to sign up for an appointment when they are, clever ideas to connect arms with shots are popping up in local communities. Key Takeaways While COVID-19 vaccines are allocated on a state level, actually distributing the shots is largely the responsibility of local communities.Volunteer organizations have become crucial to helping those who are eligible but confused about getting vaccinated signed up for an appointment....
Newer treatments for lung cancer allow people to live longer, but some of the treatments have debilitating side effects. Further, living with the disease can be difficult because of several emergency complications. Read on to learn more about possible emergency complications from lung cancer, how to prepare for them, and how to cope after the event. Oncological Emergencies of Lung Cancer Airway Obstruction A significant number of people with lung cancer will develop obstruction of the airways....
When somebody has a stroke, it means that some part of their brain tissue has died. Stroke is usually caused by the interruption of blood flow to part of the brain. Common vascular problems that can lead to stroke include a blood clot or problems involving blood vessels in the brain, such as an aneurysm or inflammation. After a person has had a stroke, the doctor will attempt to determine the specific cause, since the underlying cause of a stroke often determines the best therapy....
Eating disorders are medical illnesses marked by severe disturbances in a person’s eating behaviors. Those with eating disorders often have an unhealthy obsession with food, body weight, and shape. This can affect a person’s emotional, mental, and physical health. Learning to recognize early warning signs of an eating disorder in yourself or a loved one is key in seeking treatment before it potentially becomes life-threatening. Signs, Symptoms, and Traits People with eating disorders may initially appear healthy....
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes an itchy, inflamed rash on different parts of the body. The rash often flares up in response to triggers like certain product ingredients, temperature changes, foods, hormonal shifts, stress, or infection. In addition to the visible skin manifestation of eczema, many people living with eczema report that the condition also deeply affects their sexual life. This article discusses the link between eczema and sexual health and possible treatment options to help you cope....
No one will argue that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is good for everyone with sleep apnea. Many people struggle valiantly to try to overcome the difficulties they have using a CPAP, but as many as 30 to 50% of people with sleep apnea end up not using it. If you have persistent symptoms of sleep apnea and don’t use your CPAP, you should have a conversation with your sleep doctor to review alternative treatments, including potentially using an oral appliance and trying some exercises, as long as you do not have severe sleep apnea....
If you have been prescribed continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat your obstructive sleep apnea, you may wonder before beginning therapy: how can I get used to this? It may take a little effort to adapt to using the CPAP therapy machine, but by following a few simple recommendations you may find that it is easier than you expect to start using treatment. Let’s discover how to use a CPAP....
Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and is necessary for proper brain functioning. Excitatory neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that excite, or stimulate, a nerve cell, making it able to receive critical information. Glutamate is made in the body’s central nervous system (CNS) through the synthesis of glutamine, a glutamate precursor, meaning it comes before and indicates the approach of glutamate. This process is known as the glutamate–glutamine cycle....
Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)—also known as mucopolysaccharides—primarily function to support the most important structural proteins of the skin: collagen and elastin. Glycosaminoglycans are water-binding molecules that can hold nearly 1,000 times their own weight, which helps provide moisture to the skin. Though GAGs are best known for increasing hydration of the skin, they are also essential in keeping epidermal and dermal cells healthy and keeping collagen and elastin in good condition. For these reasons, they are an incredibly popular ingredient in skincare products....
Hemorrhoids, commonly referred to as piles, can be caused by straining during a bowel movement or by conditions such as pregnancy or obesity, which place undue pressure on the lower abdomen. By doing so, the veins in and around the anus can begin to stretch and swell abnormally, causing pain, burning, and itchiness. As frustrating as hemorrhoids can be, even scientists are not entirely sure why some people develop them and others do not....
Connective tissue diseases are autoimmune disorders that cause inflammation of collagen and elastin fibers. Connective tissues are found all throughout the body. A connective tissue disorder not only affects blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, bone, and skin but also the nearby organs. Examples of common connective tissue diseases include: LupusRheumatoid arthritisScleroderma About 25% of patients with one of the above conditions (or another connective tissue disease like dermatomyositis or Sjogren’s syndrome) will end up developing a secondary connective tissue disease with time....
Any vaginal bleeding that occurs during a time when you aren’t on your menstrual period is considered abnormal. Fortunately, irregular vaginal bleeding, also known as uterine bleeding, is usually not serious and can often be treated easily. However, this spotting could also be a sign of a more serious condition, like fibroids, an infection, or polyps. Read on to learn more about the causes and treatment of abnormal vaginal bleeding....
Lanolin is a waxy substance that sheep naturally produce to protect their wool. Because lanolin’s properties are similar to those of the sebum (oil) secreted by human skin, it is a popular ingredient in moisturizers, hair care products, and soaps. It is also widely promoted as a natural remedy for sore nipples due to breastfeeding. The lanolin in the products you buy comes from sheep raised for their wool. Lanolin also goes by the names wool grease, wool yolk, and wool wax....
