In the human body, health is maintained through the interconnectedness of organ systems, proper posture, and stable biochemical metabolism.
More than 30 million Americans have low bone mass, or osteopenia, according to the National Institute on Aging. Low bone mineral density can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become fragile and are more likely to break.
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While there are various types of muscles in the human body, when someone mentions muscle tightness, theyβre usually talking about stiffness in the skeletal muscles.
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Getting tripped up during a sporting event or simply losing your balance while strolling down a sidewalk can have painful consequences. Your knee may take the hit or twist and bend awkwardly during a fall.
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When attempting to gain muscle and improve your body composition, there are many types of workout programs you can use. One potential muscle-strengthening method is to train just one body part a day.
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Gluteus maximus, the largest muscle in the body, helps power you up hills and stairs and supports your hip and pelvis while squatting and lunging. Treatment for a gluteus maximus injury depends on the type and severity of the injury.
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Your nose is comprised of bone and cartilage, separated into two symmetrical hollow nostrils. Open sinus spaces sit in your forehead, at the top of your nostrils. As part of the respiratory system, the nose serves several functions.
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Solid mineral crystals in your bones impart them with the strength and rigidity to support your body and withstand powerful physical stresses. Calcium and phosphorus are the most abundant minerals in your bones, together forming calcium phosphate crystals.
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Everyone needs adequate amounts of calcium to maintain healthy teeth and bones. Besides this, you also need this mineral for proper muscular contraction, ensuring normal enzyme function and blood clotting, and maintaining a regular heart rate.
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The human body contains 3 types of muscle tissue: smooth, cardiac and skeletal. Skeletal muscles are responsible for locomotion and other body movements under voluntary control. The body includes more than 600 skeletal muscles of various shapes and sizes.
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Paralysis, or the inability to move or feel part of the body, is a symptom of many disorders and afflictions. While paralysis can occur due to stroke or back injury, other causes of paralysis are less well known.
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Drainage from the ear -- medically known as otorrhea -- is usually caused by an infection. Take care to clear the drainage and clean the ear using the appropriate method, as improper cleaning can cause additional damage.
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About 8.1 million people in the United States use marijuana, also called cannabis, on a daily or almost daily basis, reports the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Like tobacco, marijuana smoke contains high concentrations of many chemicals, and some of them are known cancer-causing substances.
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Although you doubtless appreciate the role your muscular system plays in your daily activities, you may be unaware of the different types of muscle tissue in your body and the special role each plays in keeping you functioning to your best advantage.
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Enzymes are specialized proteins your body uses to carry out a wide variety of chemical reactions. Without enzymes, these reactions would not occur fast enough to sustain human life.
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As soon as food enters your mouth, it starts the process of digestion. Food needs to be broken down into smaller nutrients so that the body can store or utilize it. Your body produces specialized enzymes that work on digesting the different types of foods you consume.
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There are many different roles that nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, play in the human body and in other living organisms. Scientists continue to identify new and different functions of nucleic acids on a regular basis.
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Blood clots that form to halt bleeding after an injury can be life-saving. But clots that form spontaneously within a blood vessel -- in the calf or elsewhere in the body -- could be a sign of trouble. The calves are the most common site of spontaneous blood clots.
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If you have a knee injury, staying in shape without making the knee worse is a major concern. Cardiovascular exercise is important for general health and also aids in healing injuries by providing freshly oxygenated blood cells to the area.
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Alkaline phosphatase -- commonly abbreviated as ALP -- is a protein found in all cells of the body. The highest concentrations of ALP are located in cells of the liver, bones and bile ducts. ALP in the blood is primarily derived from excess ALP that is released from these cells.
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At some point during your pregnancy, your obstetrician will hand over a small bottle of a sugary flavored drink and ask you to down it just before you come to your next appointment. Within about 60 minutes of taking the drink, you'll have a blood sample taken.
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