There are trillions of tiny organisms living inside your gut right now—and they may be influencing your emotions more than you think. Section 1: What Is the Microbiome? Microbes are tiny living things that are usually too small to see without a microscope. They can be found everywhere on Earth and living inside our bodies. Main Types of Microbes Bacteria: Single-celled organisms with no nucleus that live almost everywhere. Viruses: Tiny infectious agents that need a host cell

The possession and use of drugs is illegal for all adolescents. Still, there has been an alarming increase of adolescents drug abuse. Adolescence, a time marked by emotional, physical, and social change comes with the allure of drugs that so many give in to for numerous reasons thereby exposing themselves to its danger. However, with the right approaches all hope is not lost for adolescents seeking recovery. Drug Abuse Drug abuse is the extreme use or the misuse of drugs fo

What is Lipedema? Lipedema is an underdiagnosed, chronic condition of symmetrical overgrowth of fat, also known as adipose tissue, that is extremely difficult to control and primarily shows up on the legs. Lipedema adipose tissue exhibits various distinct characteristics in comparison to traditional adipose tissue (2). In advanced stages, lipedema can also affect the arms. The characteristic “cuff phenomenon” occurs at the wrists and ankles as the hands and feet are spa

By Kat Pachas BSN, RN Would you give up your sense of smell to shop on Amazon or watch Netflix? Apparently, some people would. In a study of more than 400 people, researchers asked participants what they would give up their sense of smell for. The answers were surprising. Some chose $10,000. Others chose their cellphone. About 7% said they would give up their sense of smell to shop on Amazon, while 6% would give it up to watch Netflix. ​ So why do we undervalue smell when it

Although we may feel saltier as we age, the ocean is technically saltier. (1, 2) Maintaining healthy sodium (salt) levels can become more challenging as we age. When the body is unable to balance water and salt, illness can occur. Figure 1. An older woman standing by the ocean. (3) What Is Hypernatremia? A sodium level that is too high is called hypernatremia. (4,5) A sodium level can be checked with other electrolytes in a blood test ordered by a provider. A normal sod

What are they? Gallstones are hard, pebble-like pieces of bile that develop in a person’s gallbladder, a vital organ that stores and releases bile (1). They form when the substances in bile harden. Gallstones are most common in older adults, women, overweight people, Native Americans, and Mexican Americans (2). 20% of the European population was affected by gallstone disease in 2020 (3). Being overweight or having obesity can increase an individual’s likelihood of developing

Sophie Maliakal What Is Fatty Liver Disease? Could you have a liver disease without even knowing it? Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. It occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver and often develops without causing noticeable symptoms. As a result, many people are unaware they have the condition until it is discovered dur

UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEMORRHOIDS AND ANAL FISSSURES: Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are the lumps formed from swollen veins in the rectum and around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are developed inside the rectum whereas external hemorrhoids are developed under the skin around the anus. On the other hand, anal fissures are the skin tears resulting in bleeds [1, 2]. Both of them share some common symptoms, that is why most of the times these are confused

Image from: VectorStock What Causes Hiccups? We've all had hiccups at some point in our lives. Some are cute, some are painful, all are distracting and we want them to stop as soon as possible. Hiccups start with a spasm of the diaphragm, which triggers a cascade of other nerve and muscle actions and ends in the sudden closure of the glottis in the middle of the voice box. This curious process involves three nerve branches and a litany of small and large muscles, and the cau

By Dr. Maulee Anand, BDS, MPH Many people think turning red after a drink is just a harmless quirk - something cute, embarrassing, or “just how I am.” But alcohol flush is not a cosmetic reaction. It is the body’s warning sign that alcohol is not being broken down properly, and a toxic byproduct may be building up. What looks like a simple blush can actually point to a deeper metabolic problem with real health consequences, including a higher risk of cancer when drinking cont

By Dr. Maulee Anand, BDS, MPH Introduction The placebo effect is often thought of as “all in the mind,” but modern research shows it is rooted in real biological changes. When people expect a treatment to help, their brains can release natural chemicals that reduce pain, improve mood, or change how symptoms feel. This is important for both everyday medical care and clinical trials. In practice, the placebo effect can change how patients feel, especially for symptoms like pain

Celiac disease is managed through a strict gluten-free diet. However, because gluten-free processed foods rely heavily on rice, patients face an unintended risk: rice efficiently absorbs heavy metals from flooded soil. Studies show that individuals on a gluten-free diet have significantly higher levels of arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can lead to long-term health issues. To minimize this risk, patients should diversify their diets with alternative grains like qui

As people get older, changes in strength and coordination can affect everyday activities like cooking, writing, using tools, or handling small objects. This study looked at how age and sex influence hand skills and grip strength in healthy older adults who were not regularly active in sports. Purpose: The researchers wanted to understand whether hand coordination and finger skill decline with age, whether there are differences between men and women, and whether changes in str

How do Muscle Strains/Tears Occur? Structurally, muscles are made up of thousands of small fibers that are woven together. When these fiber strands are stretched beyond their limit, they tear apart resulting in a strain or tear of the muscle. A muscle strain is an overstretching or minor tearing of muscle fibers, while a muscle tear is a more severe injury involving partial or complete rupture of the muscle or tendon. A muscle tear occurs when the force applied to that muscle

Image from: https://pressbooks-dev.oer.hawaii.edu/anatomyandphysiology2021/chapter/26-electrolytes-and-fluids/ What is an Electrolyte? You have probably heard of electrolytes, and almost certainly have seen advertisements for drinks and powders containing these essential elements. We all need electrolytes to regulate the electrical systems throughout our bodies. Important electrolytes for the human body include sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium, and calcium. Electrolyt

by Kat Pachas, BSN, RN ​ Stress has always been a part of modern life, but it now plays an even bigger role in the daily lives of millions of Americans. The American Psychological Association’s (APA) “Stress in America” survey found that most Americans feel more stressed now than they did five years ago, with 75% reporting physical or emotional symptoms, and that levels have been rising steadily. Everyone deals with stress at some point. Work demands, money worries, caring fo

What Are Terry’s Nails and Why Do They Matter? Terry’s nails are a clinical nail finding in which most of the nail bed appears white, with a narrow red, pink, or brown band at the tip. This presentation is a form of leukonychia characterised by a ground-glass appearance of the nail. Although it may occur with ageing, Terry’s nails are more commonly associated with systemic conditions such as liver cirrhosis, heart failure, and metabolic or blood-related disorders ¹˒⁵. Haemato

By: Linda Boone BSN,RN Imagine living with an internal alarm that never fully turns off, leaving you constantly on edge—startled by sudden noises or feeling as though you might jump out of your skin. This persistent state of tension can create a cycle of anxiety, keeping your body in a “fight or flight” response even in the absence of real danger. When stress becomes chronic, you may alternate between feeling anxious and irritable or emotionally numb and shut down. If your bo

The human body evolved over centuries with one constant: gravity. Without it, our dependence on that ubiquitous pull becomes readily apparent as muscles weaken, bones thin, and even vision is affected. Many of us held our breath watching the recent return of Artemis II, only releasing it when the four-person crew safely emerged from the capsule. Their smiling, triumphant faces in the images captured afterward reflect the excitement we feel about a successful space mission and

One of the most essential networks in our body that supports our overall health, yet is not widely understood, is the lymphatic system. Playing a crucial role in functions such as immunity and fluid balance, it is often known as the body’s drainage network. Current wellness trends around “detoxing” have brought it into the spotlight, and it is gaining more attention. While engaging with lymphatic system–related exercise trends circulating on the internet, it is important to u