In the human body, health is maintained through the interconnectedness of organ systems, proper posture, and stable biochemical metabolism.
It eventually happens to almost all contact lens wearers: You fall asleep while still wearing your contacts. With approximately 10 percent of Americans wearing contact lenses regularly, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, concerns about sleeping with contact lenses are common.
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Blood oxygen level is an important medical tool used to determine how effectively you are taking oxygen into your body. If you're in good health, normal blood oxygen levels almost always fall within a very predictable range.
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Anxiety disorders affect around 18 percent of American adults in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The neurotransmitters gamma-aminobutyric acid, serotonin and norepinephrine are all thought to be involved in the development of anxiety disorders.
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The metabolic break down of dietary fats supports many life-sustaining functions. Metabolized fat is stored as a reserve source of energy for use when needed. Fat provides insulation to keep your body warm; the fat beneath your skin is a source of heat when skin temperature drops.
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Gliding joints are also called plane joints or arthrodial joints. The book "Fundamentals Concepts of Anatomy" describes gliding joints as flat bone diarthroses that move in a gliding action that is limited by ligaments. Ligaments are the fibrous tissues that hold bones together.
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Swollen joints are often the result of an inflammatory condition. Chronic swelling, stiffness and mobility are apparent in more than 100 types of arthritis. The disease limits nearly 19 million adults in the U.S. and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports it is the most common cause of disability.
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If you've ever tried to move your ears, you'll notice that it's not the ears themselves that move but the muscles surrounding them. Muscles in the scalp and in the face, jaw and the neck may facilitate movement of the ears, according to Jocelyn Selim in the June 2004 issue of Biology and Medicine.
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During exercise, pain in the knees, ankles, feet, hips and back is common for many people. But for other people, this pain occurs in the ears and causes a sharp earache. With a variety of potential causes, there is no easy answer for ear pain during exercise.
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When your body loses more fluid, such as that lost through sweating, than you consume, dehydration results. Many people experience mild dehydration from time to time. However, profound dehydration leads to serious and sometimes critical electrolyte imbalances, including that of sodium.
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The benefits of regular exercise are plentiful. Both aerobic and anaerobic exercise are proven to help control weight, increase stamina, boost the immune system and improve mood.
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While it may look fashionable, lip jewelry is not without drawbacks. Lip rings, barbells and studs can have both immediate and long-term adverse effects on the lips, teeth and gums. At least 50 percent of people with lip rings experience injury to their teeth or gums.
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Vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin that is essential in many physiological processes. In women, vitamin E plays an important role in the health and maintenance of proper reproductive system function. Deficiencies in vitamin E are common and can adversely affect reproductive system function.
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Tracking your menstrual cycle can be important for a number of reasons. These include determining your normal pattern, which can help you identify changes that could signal a problem.
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The buildup of fatty deposits, or plaque, in the arteries is medically referred to as atherosclerosis. While some accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries is normal, excess buildup hardens and narrows the arteries making it difficult for blood to flow through.
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Lipids are fats. In the body they take the form of phospholipids, cholesterol and fatty acids. Although fats play a role in obesity and disease, your body needs a certain amount of fat to function -- also known as essential body fat.
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Collagen is the most common protein in the human body, comprising about 30 percent of the body's total protein content, according to Medical News Today. Collagen offers a wide variety of skin benefits, but the benefits vary depending upon environmental factors and how your body accesses collagen.
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Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits are tangy, nutritious and delicious. Vitamin C gives these fruits their nutritional punch and the citric acid content gives them tang and great taste. Citric acid is added to many foods and beverages because of its ability to boost flavor.
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Anyone who has ever experienced a toothache is aware of how severe tooth pain can be. In contrast, pain from swollen gums is barely noticeable. There are several reasons for toothaches and swollen gums, including cavities, infection and the perplexing fractured tooth syndrome.
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Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of blood circulation through the body promotes a healthy, strong cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular system -- also called the circulatory system -- consists of the heart, the blood and complex networks of blood vessels called arteries, veins and capillaries.
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Pressure points are specific sensitive areas on the surface of the body. You can exploit a pressure point for many uses. Martial artists quickly disable attackers by using a simple but forced push on a pressure point. Stimulation of pressure points also helps to relieve pain and assists in massage therapy.
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