a photo of colorful autumn leaves falling from a tree; photo courtesy of Unsplash The article The Choreography of Balance, part 1 explored the complex mechanisms which the body uses to maintain physical balance. This article, The Choreography of Balance, part 2 , will examine the incidence of falls in the U.S., risk factors for falls, ways to address risk factors and also explore fall prevention for everyone, regardless of age. Incidence of falls in the U.S. According to the

Photo courtesy of Unsplash Is it time to give yourself a break from technology? Our lives are inundated with social media and screen time. From doom scrolling to binge-watching, it seems we are constantly glued to a screen. Have you been wondering if it’s time to put your screens down? Could you imagine what your life would be like if you weren’t buried in your phone, tablet or laptop? Is it time for a digital detox? Studies have shown that endless screen time is detrimental

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

Introduction Meat has been a dietary staple for millennia, valued for its high-quality protein, essential amino acids, iron, zinc and vitamin B12. However, in recent decades, a growing body of large-scale epidemiological research has raised concerns about meat consumption, specifically red and processed meats, and the risk of chronic diseases. What is “red meat” and “processed meat”? Red meat  typically refers to beef, pork, lamb and similar meats. Processed meat  refers to m

Smartphone, Cell Phone, Mobile Device Take a minute to think about how your cell phone spends it's day. It starts on a charger overnight, so it's ready to conquer the busy day ahead. Once it's owner picks it up, it must be constantly ready for use, by the owner, and anyone else that picks it up. Smartphones are used for internet searches, social media browsing, chatting with friends and family, taking and sharing photos/videos. listening to music, audio books, and podcasts, f

Image Credit: Shutterstock/File What Is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)? The MoCA is a quick, usually 10-15-minute screening test used to check basic cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. It can help identify early signs of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or other conditions that can affect how we think. What the MoCa Measures The MoCA helps detect subtle changes in thinking that may not show up in daily life. It measures several areas of c

Communication in the operating room (OR) is not only necessary to ensure that cases run smoothly, but also to ensure that patients are kept safe. The two primary goals of an OR nurse are to ensure that surgeons have all the necessary equipment to perform surgery and to ensure patient safety during these procedures. This can only occur when communication is present and effective. Where does communication start? When the surgeon schedules a surgery, they must communicate with t

In recent years, the world has watched skies turn orange from California to Canada, Australia to Greece. The smell of burning forests, once a distant problem, now drifts into cities thousands of miles from the flames. Wildfire smoke has become one of the most visible and dangerous signs of a warming planet and it’s reshaping the way we think about air, health, and preparedness. A Growing Global Threat Wildfires are not new, but their frequency, size, and intensity have increa

Abstract Stress has become a pervasive health concern, contributing to a range of psychological and physiological disorders. Meditation, a key component of many mind–body interventions, has been widely explored as a nonpharmacologic approach to mitigating stress and promoting overall well-being. This article synthesizes findings from recent clinical and observational research examining the effects of meditation on stress reduction. Evidence from randomized controlled trials a

According to UN Weather report, there were approximately 489,000 heat-related deaths annually between 2000 and 2019, with 36 per cent occurring in Europe and 45 per cent in Asia. With global warming making extreme weather phenomena more and more common, heat waves have also begun to break records. While some may welcome the seemingly sunnier summers, for millions this weather anomaly entails being hit hard physically and economically. Rising temperatures bring with them droug

By: Jessica Chhoy What is it?: White coat hypertension is a condition where a patient's blood pressure is higher than normal in healthcare settings, but is normal at home. Illustration of patient anxious from healthcare provider Why is it a Concern?: An inaccurate blood pressure reading can lead to a patient receiving medication that is not necessary. Taking unnecessary medications can lead to many side effects and the potential of damaging certain organs. Specifically, a pat

Find your way to be productive by incorporating the Pomodoro method to accomplish all of the tasks that you have been dreading! Get work done and find your way to do it faster.

Executive summary Topical finasteride is widely prescribed as a safer alternative to oral finasteride for hair regrowth. However, there is no single guideline for its dosage for desired outcomes. This report provides an overview of how to find the perfect dose of topical finasteride in treating androgenetic alopecia.  Introduction  If you are struggling with androgenic alopecia (AGA) or patterned balding, you are certainly not alone. Around 20 to 30 million people report horm

Introduction: The Hidden Danger in Your Pocket We often think of drunk driving as the most dangerous behavior on the road. But in recent years, another culprit has risen to the top: distracted driving, particularly texting behind the wheel. Unlike alcohol, smartphones are everywhere, and the temptation to respond to a buzz or notification is hard to resist. The result? Thousands of preventable injuries and deaths every year. The Numbers Don’t Lie 3,000+ deaths annually  in th

By Vanessa Muller, PharmD As a pharmacist in Washington State, I see every day how access to vaccines protects our communities. The ability for patients to walk into a pharmacy and receive recommended vaccines without delay isn’t a coincidence, it reflects deliberate state policies designed to make prevention straightforward and equitable. In September 2025, Washington joined California, Oregon, and later Hawaii to form the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) a regional partner

Image from Pathology Reference Laboratory What is Pathology? The prefix "path-" means disease, while the suffix "-ology" means the study of. In medicine, terminology is read backwards, so when combined, the meaning of pathology is the study of diseases! Furthermore, pathology is the "study of diseases and their effects on the body"(Support3). Why is Pathology so important? Pathology is so important because without it, we would not know why we get sick, how diseases spread,

Understanding the Spread of Infections Infectious diseases are caused by harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that invade the body and disrupt normal function. These diseases can spread through air, water, direct contact, or insect bites. Understanding their transmission helps us recognize the importance of preventive measures, especially hygiene, in limiting their impact on individual and public health. How does hygiene prevent inf

It is vital to recognize the serious impact the opioid overdoses have had in America. Establishing preventative and corrective response measures on the part of government and nonprofits are critical.                                                                                Opioids are involved in the highest percentage of overdose deaths. [1] They originate from natural substances found in the opium poppy plant to produce pain relief. [2]  Opioid Use Disorder represents

We've all watched a TV scene where a character has a seizure. They fall to the ground, shaking violently. A crowd gathers, and the hero shouts for someone to call 911, STAT!  Understanding Seizures Far from looking like a moment on your favorite medical drama, seizures take many forms, and they don’t always mean you need to call an ambulance. A seizure happens when a person's brain experiences a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity. This can affect their movement, sen

Image from VUMC NEWS Influenza viral infection causes the flu- We have all had the flu and experienced the symptoms that come along with it, including fever, chills, coughing, runny nose, fatigue. Generally, within a few days we are able to recover, however, there are some individuals that are at high risk to whom the flu can be quite dangerous. Generally, we are accustomed to the fact that every year there are seasonal flu outbreaks and epidemics, however, there can also be