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

Introduction Right-sided heart failure is a condition where the right ventricle of the heart loses its ability to pump blood effectively. Normal Mechanism- The right ventricle’s primary job is to receive deoxygenated blood returning from the body (via the veins) and pump it into the lungs to get oxygen. When the right ventricle weakens, blood backs up in the veins, causing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues and organs. This is the reason that right sided heart failure is

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive genetic neuromuscular disorder primarily affects males. It is the most common type of muscular dystrophy with one in 3,500 new born males developing DMD worldwide. Females inherit the defective gene and pass it on, thereby serving as carriers. The average age of diagnosis is 5 years. Cause of DMD: The missing muscle protein DMD is causes by a genetic mutation in the DMD gene, located

What happens when eyes twitch? If you've ever felt an involuntary movement around your eye, you know it can be annoying and sometimes concerning. Harmless common muscle spasms of the eyelid are called myokymia, and have a variety of causes. Myokymia can be caused by tiredness, consumption of too much caffeine, and stress. Myokymia is harmless and doesn't lead to other issues, but some forms of eyelid spasm warrant a call to your doctor. If both of your eyes twitch at the sa

Post-nasal drip is a common annoyance, especially when someone has a cold or allergies. It occurs when mucus gathers at the back of the throat or drips back from the nose to the throat. It can feel like a tickle or an irritation at the back of the throat. It often happens when our bodies produce more or thicker mucus than usual. There can be many reasons for post-nasal drip. Reasons for Post-Nasal Drip Post-nasal drip can occur because of bacterial infections, the flu, chroni

A meniscus tear is among the most common knee injuries, though the term itself can sound more alarming than the injury often is. Each knee has two menisci, small C-shaped pieces of cartilage that sit between the thigh bone and shin bone. Their job is to cushion the joint, help absorb shock, and add stability when you walk, squat, pivot, or run. When one of them tears, the knee can still work, but it often becomes painful and swollen. How Does a Meniscus Tear Happen? There a