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The midbrain functions as a relay system, transmitting information necessary for vision and hearing. It also plays an important role in motor movement, pain, and the sleep/wake cycle. The midbrain, also called the mesencephalon, is a part of the central nervous system. It is located below your cerebral cortex and at the top of your brainstem. Anatomy The midbrain is the most superior region of the brainstem. Structure Your brainstem connects your brain to your cervical spinal cord (neck) and consists of three main parts:...

Delusions are a false belief about something that is not true or not real. However, people with delusions believe they are true even when presented with evidence to the contrary. Delusions are often a sign of an underlying mental health disorder, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, or delusional disorder. Delusions can also be a sign of brain injury, intoxication, or a side effect of another illness. Delusions can be categorized by type, or by underlying themes....

Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 33% of women and 20% of men will sustain a fracture because of osteoporosis. Because of the widespread prevalence of this condition and its potential to cause significant disability, many people seek out complementary treatments to be used alongside more traditional interventions. Vibration therapy is one potential example. This article will explain how vibration therapy works and will discuss what the research says about its potential benefits and risks in people with osteoporosis....

Taking as many steps as you can in a day by walking or doing other physical activities offers many health benefits, like preventing heart disease, lowering blood pressure, and relieving stress. Key Takeaways A recent study found that walking 3,800 to 9,800 steps a day may reduce a person’s risk for dementia. Health experts say that taking more steps a day is better than taking no steps at all, and it may help cut down your risk for mental decline as well as have other health benefits....

Gender blindness is an ideology where a person chooses not to see differences between genders. Gender blindness can be harmful. It can further gender inequalities because it ignores historical differences between people of different genders. The reality is people are treated differently throughout their daily lives (whether that’s in public, in relationships, or in healthcare settings) because of their gender. These are factors we cannot ignore as we try to treat all individuals with respect on the road to gender equality....

If you have appendicitis, your appendix will need to be removed as soon as possible with a procedure called an appendicectomy or appendectomy. The appendix is a small organ in the lower right abdomen (belly). It’s part of the digestive system, but you can live without it. Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency in the world. Internationally, it affects about 100 out of every 100,000 adults. In the United States, about five to nine out of every 100 people get appendicitis, requiring emergency surgery....

Breast cancer has a five-year survival rate of approximately 90%. After a mastectomy (surgical removal of one or both breasts) for breast cancer, you may consider breast reconstruction surgery. It is a very personal choice with different kinds of surgical approaches. Reconstruction is sometimes done during a mastectomy, months or years later, or not at all. Your surgical team may offer different kinds of breast reconstruction, including surgery to recreate breasts using your own tissue or the insertion of breast implants....

What Is Bydureon BCise? Bydureon BCise (exenatide) is a prescription drug used along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults and children 10 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Bydureon BCise is not insulin. It belongs to a drug class called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. These drugs work by helping the pancreas make more insulin, which helps lower blood sugar. It also slows the emptying of the stomach, which decreases your appetite....

Virtually all colon cancer develops from polyps in the colon. Polyps don’t always become cancerous, but your risk of developing cancer increases with the number and size of colon polyps you have. In addition, a personal or family history of polyps puts you at higher risk for colon cancer. This article explains colon polyps, how they impact your cancer risk, and more. What Are Polyps? A polyp is a growth that occurs along the intestinal or colon wall....

Crepitus is the abnormal popping or crackling sound in either a joint, like a knuckle, or in the lungs. It may be faint or loud enough for people to hear. It often comes with a popping or crunching sensation, which can sometimes be uncomfortable or painful. The term crepitus is derived from the Latin for “rattling” or “creaking.” Crepitus is not a condition, but rather a descriptive quality. Healthcare providers use it to help pinpoint the source of a problem....

What Is Disulfiram? Disulfiram is a prescription tablet used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) by helping you abstain from drinking. It belongs to a drug class called aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. Disulfiram is usually not the first choice for people with AUD. It is meant to help you maintain abstinence from alcohol, not reduce alcohol consumption while you are still drinking. This medication blocks an enzyme that breaks down alcohol in your body, producing a sensitivity to alcohol that causes unpleasant reactions like nausea, chest pain, fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure....

Dry skin is a condition in which low water levels or oil in the skin can create a tight, uncomfortable feeling, among other symptoms. Dry skin is common, though it can sometimes be a sign of more significant health issues. This article covers the symptoms, types, and causes of dry mouth, diagnosis and treatment of dry skin, and when to get help for dry skin. Symptoms of Dry Skin The most common symptoms of dry skin are:...

Eating disorders are mental health conditions that involve disturbed patterns of thinking and behavior related to food, weight, and body shape. Around 30 million people in the U.S. (including an estimated 20 million women and 10 million men) will meet the criteria for at least one eating disorder during their lifetime. Research suggests that eating disorders are on the rise. Eating disorder prevalence rates increased from about 3.5% from 2000 to 2006 to 7....

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is an inflammatory skin condition that causes scaly, itchy, painful rashes and other symptoms. Depression is a mental health disorder that can include apathy, sadness, worthlessness, loss of interest, sleep disruption, and more. A recent 2022 study found that people with eczema have a 64% increased risk of depression. In this article, learn more about the link between eczema and depression. The Connection Between Eczema and Depression It makes sense that the painful and distressing symptoms of eczema and the social isolation and stigma that surround it could contribute to feelings of depression....

Ella was approved as emergency contraception by the FDA in August 2010. Ella consists of just one oral pill (ulipristal acetate, 30 mg). Ella can be used by women to prevent an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure with just one pill that can be taken immediately. Ella is most effective if taken right away, but it can be used for up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex....

Endometrial cancer, the most common type of uterine cancer, starts in the cells of the endometrium—the lining of the uterus that is built up and then shed each month in menstruating females who are not pregnant. The disease is more common after menopause. It’s typically curable, and factors such as the stage and effect of hormones on the tumor can determine individual prognosis. Endometrial Cancer Symptoms The most common symptom of endometrial cancer is unusual vaginal bleeding that occurs between periods or a year or more after menopause....

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is a drug used to treat an enlarged prostate and chronic prostate inflammation. It is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in older men and one of the 200 most prescribed drugs overall, according to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Flomax was granted approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1997. In 2009, the drug manufacturer Boehringer Ingelheim lost its patent for the drug molecule, and, as a result, there are numerous low-cost generics now available....

A fine needle aspiration (FNA) is one option for a lung biopsy, which is done to confirm or rule out the presence of lung cancer. It involves using a thin needle to extract tissue from the lung so its cells can be examined in a lab. Also referred to as a percutaneous biopsy or a transthoracic biopsy, an FNA is the least invasive way to get a tissue sample for analysis....

Getting your ears pierced is a popular thing that can be done by medical and non-medical professionals. Earlobe piercings are most common, although other parts of the ear, including areas with cartilage, can be pierced as well. Body piercings in the nose, belly button, and other areas are popular, too. Regardless of location, a new piercing needs to be performed and treated with care. This article looks at how ear piercings are done, how to care for a new piercing, possible complications and things to consider before a piercing, and why getting your ears pierced shouldn’t be a DIY project....

A cerebrovscular accident (CVA), also known as a stroke, is a significant medical event that may cause serious functional impairments. If you have had a stroke, then you understand how this can limit your ability to move around and perform your normal work and recreational activities. Care for a stroke begins immediately in the hospital. You must be stabilized and continually assessed to ensure an optimal outcome. In the hospital, you will encounter several different healthcare professionals who will work with you and your family to help you recover to the greatest extent possible....