Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect many of the everyday tasks we don't generally give much thought to, including using the restroom, comfortably holding urine, or completely emptying the bladder. As the name suggests, LUTS include a broad variety of urination-related issues, such as difficulties initiating the stream, frequent urination, leaking urine, waking up during the night to urinate, or feeling unable to completely empty the bladder. It is estimated that more t

Strep throat vs a sore throat   When researching strep throat, the term pharyngitis comes up quite a bit and some articles even use “strep throat” and “pharyngitis” interchangeably. To start, pharyngitis is simply inflammation of the pharynx, otherwise known as a sore throat. Pharyngitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including both viral and bacterial infections. Strep throat is the result of a bacterial infection, which in turn can cause a sore throat.   Strep throa

What Platelet-Rich Plasma and How is it Made? Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is a treatment that uses a person’s own blood to stimulate healing in tissues. Blood is made up of several parts, among them being platelets and plasma. Platelets are best known for their clotting ability, but they can also carry growth factors that support tissue repair. Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. To perform a PRP injection, a provider will draw a vial of the patient’s blood and spi

What is Pulmonary Hypertension? Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a disease in which the blood vessels connecting the heart and the lungs develop high blood pressure. This can lead to fluid congestion in the lungs and dysfunction of the right side of the heart, known as Right Heart Failure. Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension Symptoms of PH vary from person to person, but commonly include the following: Shortness of Breath (worse with exercise or lying flat) Fatigue Dizziness/lig

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain disorder caused by misfolded prion proteins. These prions destroy brain cells, causing rapid dementia, coordination issues, and muscle spasms. With no cure, care focuses on symptom relief and comfort for patients and their families.

Introduction: A Microbial Defense Becomes Medicine CRISPR , short for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats , was first discovered in bacteria and archaea as a natural defense mechanism against viruses. These sequences store snippets of viral DNA, effectively creating a genetic memory that allows the organism to recognize and destroy invaders. Over decades, scientists have harnessed this system to develop powerful gene-editing tools , with applications now

Recently, a group of neuroscientists at the Scripps Research Institute was rewarded $14.2 million in NIH award to map the body's "hidden sixth sense." Led by a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, a group of scientists will investigate this sixth sense also known as " Interoception ." Here are the scientists who will work collaboratively to investigate interoception : Dr. Ardem Patapoutian, Professor in neuroscience at Scripps Research Institute and Howar

By Jennifer Navarro MSN, RN, NPD-BC What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a constellation of symptoms affecting the genetic, hormone, metabolic, and reproductive systems. It is a hormonal imbalance of the reproductive system.This disorder is the leading cause of female infertility. PCOS affects 1-in-10 women and is associated with amenorrhea (the absence of a menstrual cycle for 3 or 4 months in women who have had a regular menstrual cyc

Introduction Plantar warts are noncancerous growths that develop on the bottoms of the feet. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), most commonly types 1, 2, 4, 10, 27, and 57. These warts are usually circular and flat and often have a rough, cauliflower-like surface. Small black dots may be seen on the wart—these represent tiny blood vessels. Plantar warts are common and typically not serious, though they may become painful if located on weight-bearing areas of t

If you peered into the brain of someone living with depression, what would you see?    In a depressive state, someone may feel hopeless or worthless. Daily tasks become burdensome, and thoughts of death may cloud their headspace. Depression is a serious mood disorder, and impacts 280 million people globally.   To unearth the mental cogs that keep depression turning, scientists have studied how the condition drives physical changes in the brain that disturb its normal function

When asked what my favorite rabbit hole to go down when it comes to medicine, it was no surprise. It is related to a family disease process, mitochondrial disease. At 19, M, my grandson, is a functioning high school graduate with many quirks and twists. Today, one sees a tall, very thin, quiet, long red-haired man with a beard that is patchy in places but covers much of his face.  As you walk past him you notice he is very quiet, even if he is talking to someone. His eyes are

The human body hosts trillions of microbes that live in harmony with us. Far from being mere passengers, these microscopic communities influence digestion, immunity, mood, and overall health. This article explores what the microbiome is, how it affects health, and practical steps to nurture a beneficial microbial ecosystem. What is the Microbiome? The microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes) that reside in and on the

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.

Chemical structure of niraparib. In October 2025, a phase 3 clinical trial from University College London revealed their developments in the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, in which a drug called niraparib was added to a drug regime using abiraterone and prednisone. Phase 3 clinical trials are larger scale studies that test whether a new drug treatment is effective, safe and better than the drugs currently available on the market. These consist o

Have you ever had smallpox? It’s a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that killed an estimated 300 to 500 million people in the 20th century. If you were born in 1980 or later, you most likely haven’t had it. This is because, in 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared smallpox eradicated. But how? Population immunization is a public health strategy that protects communities from infectious diseases by using vaccines. The more people who are vaccinated, the

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

By Jessica Chhoy What is Menopause?: Menopause is when a women reaches the point in their lifetime where they've gone through 12 months without a menstrual period. This generally happens at the age of 52. Menopause Lifestyle Changes What are the Signs of Menopause?: Change in menstrual cycle (heavier/lighter flow than usual) Vaginal dryness Feeling the need to urinate more often Hot flushes and night sweats Sleeping problems Pain in joints Mood changes 3 Stages of Menopause:

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

In recent years, microneedling has become one of the most talked-about skin treatments in dermatology clinics. Often described as a “collagen induction therapy,” microneedling offers a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way to rejuvenate the skin — without the downtime of lasers or surgery. What Is Microneedling? Microneedling is a dermatologic procedure that involves using a device equipped with very fine, sterile needles to create tiny, controlled punctures (micro-inju

By: Brittany M Oral cancer affects the tissues of your mouth and throat. Because early signs are often subtle or painless, it can go unnoticed until it reaches an advanced stage. But with early detection and healthy habits, the outcomes can dramatically improve. What Is Oral Cancer? Oral cancer refers to abnormal cell growth in areas of the mouth and throat. It is generally divided into two main categories: Oral cavity cancer  – This affects the lips, gums, teeth, cheeks, the