Teens who binge drink or abuse prescription opioids may be more likely to engage in other risky behaviors, too, two new studies suggest. Adolescents who binge drink are more likely to drive drunk or ride with drivers who are under the influence in early adulthood, and they’re also more apt Read more…
Glossectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the tongue. The procedure is performed to treat cancer of the mouth, tongue and throat. When a part of the tongue is removed, it is known as partial glossectomy whereas total glossectomy involves the removal of all of the tongue. Read more…
Vitiligo is a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of the skin losing its pigment. The patches of skin affected become white with contrasting margins. The disease is due to the destruction of melanocytes, the melanin-producing cells in the skin by immune cells. Vitiligo may be a source of great Read more…
The chemical, p-phenylenediamine (PPD), “is a strong contact allergen used in hair dye known to cause allergic contact dermatitis,” Dr. Cezmi Akdis, of the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research in Davos Platz, and colleagues write in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Both private and occupational exposure Read more…
Can you live without a pancreas? – Overview The pancreas is both a digestive organ and an endocrine gland. As a digestive organ, it produces enzymes that break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats in the small intestine. As an endocrine gland, it produces the hormones insulin and glucagon, which help Read more…
It’s a common and persistent myth that static stretching improves running performance and decreases the risk of injuries, researchers say. Instead, an active warm-up can help with running performance, and progressive training can reduce injury risk, they write in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. There’s evidence stretching can help Read more…
Types of Surgical Sutures Surgical sutures are medical devices used to hold body tissues together after an injury or surgery. There are various types of surgical sutures and they are classified based on several factors such as absorbability, origin and structure of the surgical suture. Sometimes, “sutures” are used interchangeably Read more…
Can You Live Without a Brain? – Overview The human brain is the command center for the human nervous system. It receives signals from the body’s sensory organs and outputs information to the muscles. The brain consists of the cerebrum, the brainstem and the cerebellum. It controls most of the Read more…
Humility is not the boldest of personality traits, but it’s an important one, studies find. And it’s hard to fake. In their day jobs, research psychologists don’t typically need safety goggles, much less pith helmets or Indiana Jones bullwhips. There’s no rappelling into caves to uncover buried scrolls, no prowling Read more…
Singapore will ban advertisements of certain fizzy drinks and juices, its health ministry said on Thursday, part of a raft of measures to curb consumption of sugar in the city-state, which has some of the world’s highest diabetes rates. Under the measures, further details of which will be released next Read more…
Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures. Epileptic seizures are episodes that can vary from brief periods to long periods of vigorous shaking which can result in physical injuries. If you are asking the question, “can surgery fix epilepsy”, you must Read more…
Periacetabular Osteotomy – Overview Periacetabular osteotomy is a surgery carried out to treat a condition called hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint where the acetabulum (socket) does not fully cover the femoral head (ball), resulting in an increased risk for joint dislocation and osteoarthritis. Symptoms Read more…
People who get even a small amount of exercise may be less likely to die prematurely than their more sedentary counterparts, a research review suggests. Researchers examined data from 10 previously published studies that used accelerometers that track movement to measure the exact amount of active and sedentary time spent Read more…
Nigeria marked three years free of endemic wild polio on Wednesday, with health officials saying the nation’s progress in fighting the crippling viral disease could result in the whole of Africa being declared polio-free early next year. The three-year milestone sets in motion a continent-wide process to ensure that all Read more…