Introduction Throughout the day, you encounter minor and major inconveniences. There’s no gas in the car, kids are crying and screaming, or you wake up late because you forgot to set your alarm. These occurrences can build up and contribute to a worldwide phenomenon known as stress. While stress is something everyone experiences, it does not affect everyone in the same way. Cultural background, lived experiences, and social conditions all influence how stress shows up in the

Modern Medicine and Solid Organ Transplant For people with failing organs such as hearts, kidneys, livers, or lungs, solid organ transplantation can represent the difference between life and death. What was once seen as experimental medicine is now one of the most powerful tools in modern healthcare. According to a major scientific journal review, an astounding 41,354 solid organ transplants were performed in the United States alone in 2021, showing how widely this life-savi

By: Nesredin Hassen Yesuf LinkedIn  | Email Introduction Acromegaly is a rare, chronic endocrine disorder caused by sustained overproduction of growth hormone (GH), typically due to a benign pituitary adenoma. The excess GH stimulates hepatic synthesis of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), resulting in widespread tissue overgrowth and systemic complications [1]. Although distinct facial and skeletal changes eventually develop, the onset is gradual, and diagnosis often lags

By Abby Newberry Parathyroid glands, shown in red in this image, are located along the back of the Thyroid gland You have likely heard of the Thyroid gland, which is usually situated in the lower front of the neck and regulates the body’s metabolic functions.  However, you may not have heard of the Parathyroid gland , a close neighbor of the thyroid but with a completely different function.   These two glands are commonly confused because of their similar-sounding names.   Al

INTRODUCTION Well, gout is not really the disease of kings, at least not anymore. These days people of all classes are susceptible to the ravages of this painful malady. The purpose of this article is to review the disease from its history, its cause, symptoms and treatment. The word gout comes from the Latin Term gutta  which means ‘drop’ as it was thought that diseased material was deposited or ‘dropped’ in the joints. It was likely the best observation that could be made

By Jennifer Navarro MSN, RN, NPD-BC Hypertension High blood pressure, also called hypertension (HTN), is a very common health issue in the United States, affecting both men and women about equally. The reasons people develop high blood pressure are complicated, and it can happen to anyone, but it tends to be more severe and starts at a younger age in African American communities, often leading to more health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventio

Pelvic floor disorders affect millions of women, yet they remain some of the most under-discussed conditions in healthcare. Issues such as urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and chronic pelvic pain are often dismissed as a “normal” part of aging, childbirth, or womanhood itself. In reality, these conditions are common, treatable, and deeply connected to quality of life. Urogynecology, a subspecialty that focuses on pelvic floor health, sits at the intersection of wo

By Anne Denk, RN, BSN Migraines affect 37 million Americans, including men, women, and children. Migraines occur due to a variety of factors. While there are multiple pharmacological treatment options, studies have shown that several alternative treatments are beneficial. Massage therapy is one of these alternative treatment options that can reduce the symptoms of migraines. Origins and Impacts of Migraines Migraine headaches occur for many reasons. Contributing factors inclu

Since we were children, we were taught at school that taste is one of our most important sense. Indeed, since we are born, this represents a way to be exposed to the world and learn to discriminate several tastes, which helps us to recognize also specific types of food or feelings when eating them. Of course, human nature evolved progressively to develop sensitive taste skills, at the beginning as a matter of survival. Although now our needs are different, these important gen

For most of us, antibiotics are a quick fix: a small pill that can chase away an infection in a matter of days. But not all antibiotics are created equal. Certain commonly prescribed drugs -- especially a group known as fluoroquinolones -- carry a lesser-known risk: they can damage tendons. From the Achilles to the shoulder, these injuries can appear during treatment or even weeks later, sometimes with sudden, intense pain or long-lasting weakness. Doctors have documented cas

Pain in the ball of the foot can significantly impair walking and quality of life. One potential cause of this symptom is plantar plate injury, a condition that affects a key stabilizing structure of the forefoot. The plantar plate plays an essential role in maintaining toe alignment during gait, and damage to this structure can result in pain, instability, and progressive toe deformity. Management ranges from conservative care to surgical intervention, depending on injury se

Introduction For decades, the field of hepatology faced a glaring therapeutic void. Metabolically-dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly and still widely known as Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH), affects millions globally, driving a rising tide of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite its prevalence, affecting an estimated 5.3% of the global adult population, it has earned a reputation as a "graveyard" for pharmaceutical develop

What is Lymphedema? Lymphedema is a condition caused by an obstruction in the lymphatic system, leading to impaired drainage of lymph fluid. When this fluid accumulates, it results in swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs, particularly the thighs and lower limbs. Contrary to common misconceptions, lymphedema is not a form of cancer; it is a chronic lymphatic disorder. While there is no cure, early detection and proper management can significantly reduce symptoms and imp

By Kristine Burneko, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, APHN-BC Introduction Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines the tridirectional interaction of psychological processes, neurological activity, and immune function. Within clinical practice, PNI provides the mechanistic foundation for mind–body medicine, an evidence-based approach that complements conventional biomedical care by enhancing psychophysiological regulation and response to concurrent treatmen

I broke my toe recently and found myself with a huge bluish green bruise occupying the whole side of my leg. It was interesting to watch the myriad of colours that followed before the bruise disappeared. But it got me thinking - what causes this colour carousel and why does it happen exactly? What Exactly Is a Bruise? A bruise or ecchymosis happens when tiny blood vessels under the skin because of an impact or injury, aging skin and certain medications. The blood leaks into t

by David Cox RN BSN Liver cirrhosis is an increasingly common malady. Hepatic encephalopathy (H.E.) is a serious and common side effect of liver cirrhosis H.E. is often poorly understood by patients and their caregivers People with H.E. are at risk for harming themselves and others. H.E. is treatable, but requires increased vigilance by caregivers to maintain patient and caregiver safety   I once worked as a bedside nurse in a solid organ transplant unit of a major medical fa

Of the many organs and glands within the human body, certain systems are regarded as common knowledge: the beating heart that circulates blood throughout the body, the ballooning lungs that oxygenate the blood, or the twin kidneys that filter out toxins. The endocrine system  and thyroid , on the other hand, often eludes that same common understanding, resulting in an underrepresentation, underdiagnosis, or unawareness of thyroid diseases and disorders. [1][2][3][4][5] This c

Frozen shoulder is a condition characterized by shoulder pain and limited movement, often affecting women during perimenopause. The condition is linked to hormonal changes, particularly the decrease in estrogen, which plays a crucial role in musculoskeletal health. While frozen shoulder typically resolves within 3-4 years, treatments like physical therapy, pain medication, and surgery can help manage symptoms and improve mobility.

We’ve all woken up suddenly from a deep sleep with that painful cramp in the leg. Those few moments before the cramp subsides can feel like an eternity, right? Or maybe you’ve gone to the gym, you’re just finishing your workout, and your calves start twitching and spasming? We’ve all been unfortunate victims of these spontaneous muscle cramps, but what actually causes them, and how can you avoid them? Muscle cramps are way more common than you’d think. It is estimated that ov

https://www.physicaltherapyma.com/blog/womenshealth By Sarah Bersey BSc (Hons) PGDip Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) occurs when the muscles and connective tissues that support the pelvic organs (the hammock-like pelvic floor) are damaged (often by vaginal childbirth) or have become weakened, such as by ageing and/or hormone changes. (APOPS 2025) This can cause one or more organs, usually the uterus and bladder, to shift out of place and to shove into the vaginal space. Over tim