Current Health Articles Archives - Healthhype

Leg Joint Pain

Dr. Chris — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:25:42 +0000

Joint pain in the legs can make walking and standing difficult, often contributing to a change in gait. The pressure of supporting the upper body weight when suffering with a joint disorder can aggravate joint pain and swelling and it is important to seek appropriate treatment or it can hamper daily functioning. The knee and ankle are prone to a number of joint disorders, although diseases affecting the smaller joints of the toes can be equally painful and disturbing. Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and occurs due to the wearing down of cartilages in the joints, and occurs more frequently in the elderly. Women are more affected than men. Hereditary factors and a history of joint injury may be among the risk factors for developing osteoarthritis. It is a chronic degenerative disease which can affect any joint but leg pain occurs when it involves the hips, knees, and low back area. There is pain in the joints during and after movement such as walking, stiffness of the joints (especially on getting up in the morning or after a period of inactivity), and restriction of joint mobility. X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) help in diagnosis, and [...]

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Low Breast Milk Supply

Dr. Chris — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:51:17 +0000

New mothers are often concerned about their breast milk supply. A common fear is that breast milk production will be insufficient to meet with a newborn’s nutritional needs. In most cases, a mother’s breast milk supply will be adequate and will not hamper the baby’s growth. However many nursing mothers do experience a low breast milk supply, due to hormonal and/or physiological factors. For mothers who are keen on breastfeeding, simple measures such as proper feeding techniques and good nutrition may be sufficient. Similarly, many mothers become obsessive about their breast milk supply. A perceived lack of breast milk causes great stress and anxiety for mothers wishing to breastfeed. If a baby is gaining weight in accordance with the baby’s growth chart, is active, appears healthy and able to feed frequently, then the breast milk supply is likely to be adequate. Breast Anatomy and Physiology of Breast Milk Production Breasts are underdeveloped at birth and start to grow in size during puberty as a result of hormonal stimulation. Pregnancy and lactation cause further growth in breast size but the size of the breast is not related to the amount of milk production. During pregnancy the breasts enlarge and the glandular [...]

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Anatomy and Function of the Uvula

Dr. Chris — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 20:31:52 +0000

The uvula is the elongated hanging structure visible at the back of the throat. It is sometimes called the hanging ball in the throat and is suspended above the tongue. Anatomy The roof of the mouth is divided into two sections – the hard palate at the front and the soft palate at the back. The uvula hangs from the middle of the soft palate and lies a short distance above the back of the tongue. It is composed of mucus membranes, connective tissue and muscle and it is flexible to ensure that it can fulfil its functions. Sometimes, the uvula may be naturally elongated, short (stump) or divided into two lobes (bifid or cleft uvula). Functions The uvula has two main functions : It blocks the passage into the nasal cavity when swallowing. This ensures that foods or fluids do not enter the nasal passages. It plays a role in articulation – assisting with the speech The uvula also plays a part in snoring although this is not an intended function. It vibrates vigorously in those that snore and is partly responsible for the rough sound during snoring.

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Slow Blood Flow, Sluggish Circulation in the Legs (Diagram)

Dr. Chris — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:47:16 +0000

The legs, particularly the lower leg and foot, are the most prone to circulatory problems due to its distance from the heart and the range of disorders that may arise within the long and extensive network of leg arteries and leg veins. This can therefore affect the flow of blood from the heart to the legs via the arteries or from the legs to the heart via the veins. When the blood flow is hampered, it is essentially slowed down and may not reach the leg at a rate that is sufficient to maintain the oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues of the lower leg or feet. This is seen in poor leg circulation problems affecting the arteries – arterial insufficiency. If the flow back to heart is disrupted, due to problems in the vein(s), the blood will pool in the legs and the circulation becomes sluggish. This is seen in venous insufficiency as a result of varicose veins, superficial thrombophlebitis or deep vein thrombosis. Leg Artery Problems Arteries carry oxygen and nutrient rich blood to the legs from the heart. When the flow of blood to the legs is compromised, the tissues of the legs become starved for [...]

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Spleen Location, Anatomy and Function

Dr. Chris — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 23:24:50 +0000

What is the spleen? The spleen is a spongy oval-shaped organ and is roughly the size of a person’s fist. It is located in the left upper quadrant (hypochondrium) of the abdomen, just under the left ribcage. The spleen has many important functions in the body involving the storage of blood and immune activity but it is not a vital organ. It can be removed surgically (splenectomy) without significantly impairing the quality of life although a person may be more prone to infections. Location of the Spleen Where is the spleen? The spleen lies within the abdominal cavity and is almost entirely tucked behind the left ribcage. It is only palpable on the anterolateral abdominal wall (below the left costal margin) if it is enlarged. It sits against the diaphragm and the posterior abdominal wall in close relation to the ribs. Its location is helpful in protecting this very fragile organ but at the same time, the protective feature of the ribs can be to detriment of the spleen. In the event of a fractured rib, the spleen can be pierced by the rib and rupture. The spleen lies behind the stomach, above the left colic flexure and to the [...]

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Tongue | Anatomy, Parts, Pictures, Diagram of Human Tongue

Dr. Chris — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 19:04:36 +0000

The human tongue is a muscular organ that is covered by a thin mucous membrane. It lies partly in the mouth cavity and partly in the oropharynx. It is highly mobile and can be shifted into a number of different positions and also assume various shapes. The tongue’s primary function is often seen as that of being the organ of taste, however, its role in various other activities is also crucial. Functions of the Tongue Taste. The taste buds, the sensory receptors for taste, are located on the tongue. Speech. The movements of the tongue are crucial for articulation. Chewing and swallowing. The tongue helps the teeth and other parts of the mouth with chewing food and passing it down the throat as the first part of the swallowing process. Cleaning. The movements of the tongue dislodge food particles stuck between the teeth, gum and cheek so that it can be spat out or swallowed. Parts of the Tongue The top of the tongue (superior surface) has a V-shaped line known as the terminal sulcus that divides the tongue into the anterior and posterior surfaces. The anterior surface is made up of the apex at the tip and body. The [...]

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Palates | Hard Palate, Soft Palate Anatomy and Picture

Dr. Chris — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:28:45 +0000

The palate is the roof of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities as well as the nasopharynx. It is arched and lined with oral mucosa, which has mucus producing glands on it known as the palatine glands. There are two parts to the palate – hard and soft. The hard palate lies more anteriorly (in front) while the soft palate lies posterior to it (at the back). Hard Palate The hard palate is the fixed anterior two-thirds of the palate that is formed by the palatal processes of the maxillae and horizontal plates of the palantine bones. It is arched (concave) and creates a vault within the oral cavity that is mostly filled by the tongue. The depression running on the midline of the hard palate is known as the incisive fossa. Numerous canals allows the nasopalatine nerves to pass through from the nose. Other foramina allow for the entry of the greater and lesser palatine nerves and vessels. Soft Palate The soft palate is the flexible, posterior one-third of the palate from which the uvula hangs. It is largely muscular and has no bone in it. It has a thicker aponeurotic part anteriorly which attaches to [...]

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Coronary Artery | Blood Supply to the Heart

Dr. Chris — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:55:56 +0000

The heart is a muscular pump located in the thoracic (chest) cavity. It is constantly working to circulate blood throughout the body. During times of physical exertion or emotional stress, the activity of the heart increases. Due to its constant action, the heart needs a good supply of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to sustain the muscle tissue. This is supplied to the heart via the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries branch off from the major artery of the heart – the aorta. There are two main coronary arteries, namely the right and left coronary artery. It arises from the aortic sinuses above the aortic valve just as the ascending aorta leaves the heart. Each coronary artery gives off a number of branches that supply the entire heart. The coronary artery distribution may vary, sometimes slightly or at other times significantly, among people. Coronary Arteries Right Coronary Artery This artery arises from the right aortic sinus and supplies the following parts of the heart : Right atrium Most of the right ventricle Diaphragmatic surface of the left ventricle Part of the IV septum Sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes The right coronary artery is able to supply all these parts of the [...]

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Gallbladder Location, Anatomy, Parts, Function, Pictures

Dr. Chris — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:02:39 +0000

What is the gallbladder? The gallbladder is a long sac that stores bile produced by the liver. Sitting under the liver, the gallbladder controls the expulsion of bile into the duodenum plays an important role in the digestion of fats. It is not an essential organ and is often removed by a surgical procedure known as a cholecystectomy in cases of gallbladder disease or gallstones. Anatomy of the Gallbladder The gallbladder is a pear shaped organ that is about 7 to 10 centimeters long (3 to 4 inches) and 2 to 3 centimeters wide (about 1 inch). It has the ability to hold about 50 milliliters of bile which can be emptied via the cystic duct (gallbladder duct) into the common bile duct. From here, the bile will empty into the lumen of the duodenum. This is explained in detail under Bile Duct Anatomy. The wall of the gallbladder has several layers including the epithelium (inner), lamina propria, muscularis, perimuscular and serosa (outer). Parts of the Gallbladder The gallbladder has 3 parts – fundus, body and neck. The fundus is the bottom of the gallbladder that protrudes from under the liver and visible anteriorly. The body is the main dilated [...]

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Chronic Reflux | Persistent, Constant, Recurrent Acid Reflux

Dr. Chris — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:42:01 +0000

Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (UK ~ gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, GORD) is a chronic condition characterized by constant or recurrent episodes of acid reflux. The persistent backward flow of the acidic stomach contents up into the esophagus eventually leads to a host of complications and therefore proper treatment and management of GERD is essential. While most of us will experience the odd episode of acid reflux after overindulging in food and/or alcohol, sleeping or exercising after a large meal, in GERD the reflux is persistent. It may be exacerbated by the same factors that contribute to acute acid reflux but due to other causative factors, GERD will not resolve spontaneously and will inadvertently recur even after the symptoms ease. Causes of Chronic Reflux In order to understand the cause of chronic acid reflux it is important to look at the relevant anatomy and physiology. Food travels down the esophagus during swallowing and then empties into the stomach. Thickened muscles in the wall of the lower esophagus controls the passage of contents between the esophagus and stomach. This is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and it is contracted at all times. When eating, the LES relaxes slightly to allow [...]

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