Although it is the source of much amusement, passing wind through the rear is also the cause of much embarrassment when it occurs in public. It is a normal act that occurs in every person from time to time. However, there are instances where it can be excessive and therefore cause significant distress due to its social >> Read More ...
What is a neuron? A neuron is a nerve cell although the word is sometimes also used for a nerve supporting cell. Our nervous system is primarily made up of two types of cells – the nerve cells (technically called the “neurons”) and the supporting cells (technically called the “glia” or “glial >> Read More ...
Moving the position of your legs is a normal habit when one is sitting for long periods, or even when standing. In fact it helps with blood circulation in the legs and feet when stationary or we may find that our legs ‘fall asleep’ so to speak. However, there is certain disorders where leg movements are >> Read More ...
The heart wall has three layers and the thickest of these is the middle muscular layer. This is known as the myocardium. It is also the most active part of the wall since the heart is a pump that contracts and relaxes to circulate blood. Even a minor injury or damage of the heart muscle can affect blood circulation, lead >> Read More ...
Most of us classify different types of coughing by simple terms. One such term is a ‘wet cough’. This means that mucus is either coughed up or can be heard in the airway and lungs when coughing. A wet cough is a common occurrence in life, often following a cold or the flu, but usually clears up within a few >> Read More ...
Tumors are abnormal growths and the word elicits much fear in people. We have all heard of tumors in the skin, stomach and bowels, throat or lungs, bone and the bladder. We also know that tumors can occur anywhere in the body but what most people do not know is that tumors may even occur in the heart. Although uncommon, >> Read More ...
Sweat or perspiration is the body’s way to cool itself. We tend to sweat more when we are hot and less when are feeling cold. Most people see sweating as an uncomfortable and undesirable process but it is actually a life saving mechanism. Sweating excessively is one of the more commonly known abnormalities with >> Read More ...
We all experience itching now and then. Sometimes it is due to skin irritation while at other times it occurs for no known reason. Intense and persistent itching, especially where there is a rash, is usually a skin disease. However, sometimes ongoing itching has no physical cause. It can be related to nervousness or >> Read More ...
Ear problems are one of the common complications of flying. It is not always a problem for every person. Some may feel a slight discomfort, other a slight popping sensation when landing or even with takeoff. However, many people experience a more severe form of this ear problem. It is painful, affects hearing, may trigger >> Read More ...
Most of us will experience a sore throat several times in life. It tends to come with the flu or a cold and often goes away in a few days without need for medication. In most of these cases we give little thought to what is happening in the throat. Located within the throat are small clumps of lymphoid tissue, a part of >> Read More ...
