Poison ivy

Common Vines That Cause Skin Rashes

A rash caused by skin contact with an allergen is referred to by the medical term "allergic contact dermatitis." Allergic contact dermatitis occurs when the body identifies a foreign substance as being a potential threat and responds by releasing chemicals called histamines.

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patient

What Are the Symptoms of Morphine Allergy?

Morphine is a sedative used to treat pain. Often an adverse response to morphine will be due to something other than an immune reaction. True allergies to morphine are rare, but when they do occur, it can be life-threatening.

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Woman with thyroid problems

Cervical Nerve Damage Symptoms

Cervical nerves are nerves that pass from the spinal cord through openings between the vertebrae of the neck. There are eight cervical nerves, which are numbered C1 through C8 from the top of the neck to the shoulders. These nerves are vital to numerous functions in the head, shoulders, arms and trunk.

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MRI Sagittal Brain

What Are the Causes of Myelin Nerve Damage?

The myelin sheath is a fatty layer that protects nerve cells, extending to cover the nerve throughout its length, except in small, unmyelinated gaps known as the nodes of Ranvier.

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spine x-ray

Functions of Spinal Nerves

Thirty-one pairs of nerves exit the spinal cord through openings in the vertebral column. These are spinal nerves. There are four main areas of the vertebral spine: the cervical spine, or neck; the thoracic spine, or chest; the lumbar spine, or lower back; and the sacrum, or tailbone.

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Differences Between Smoking Cigarettes & Marijuana

Cigarette smokers may feel that their tobacco addiction is far less harmful than smoking an illegal drug such as marijuana. Marijuana smokers who abstain from tobacco sometimes boast that their drug of choice is safer than cigarettes. The truth is that both tobacco and marijuana have damaging effects.

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Medical examination

Disorders of the Sympathetic Nervous System

The nervous system consists of three main nerve types. Sensory nerves supply humans with the ability to see, hear, smell, taste and feel. Motor nerves enable the brain to command the muscles of the body. Autonomic nerves regulate the function of the internal organs.

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Smiling doctor checking up on a patient lying down in a hospital bed, holding hands

Common Occurrences After Lumbar Spinal Fusion

Pain and instability in the vertebral joints of the lower spine cause many people to seek medical help. When conservative treatments such as medication, chiropractic adjustment or physical therapy fail to yield results, some may opt for surgery.

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Diseases That Mimic Gout

Gout is a disorder in which uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints. The sharp edges of these crystals irritate the soft tissue of the joints, and cause inflammation and pain. Uric acid crystals are the waste products formed when purines, which are part of the nucleic acids that make up the genes, break down.

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Causes of Really Bad Foot Odor

In most cases, foot odor is the result of a relatively benign condition that can easily be remedied. However, sometimes a doctor must intervene in order to properly diagnose the cause of a persistent odor.

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Eye Symptoms of a Brain Tumor

The functions of the eye are influenced by impulses from several nerves in the skull called cranial nerves. The optic nerve translates visual information from the retina into nerve impulses that the brain can interpret.

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What Hormones Are Responsible for Libido?

Numerous factors can influence the libido. Depression, anxiety, issues with body image or a past history of sexual abuse extinguish the desire for sex. Physical issues such as illness, fatigue and the use of certain medications can also reduce libido.

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legs of young man running in city park fitness concept

What Nerves Affect the Quad Muscle?

The quadriceps femoris, or quad muscle, is located at the front of the thigh and is responsible for straightening the leg from a bent position. As indicated by its name, it is actually composed of four muscles: the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and vastus intermedialis.

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Beautiful pink roses growing in a garden.

Rose Allergy Symptoms

A rose by any other name could still prompt symptoms of allergy in those who are hypersensitive to the plant. Allergies are episodes of mistaken immunological identity. The body’s internal defense system identifies a harmful substance as a threat, and mounts an attack against it.

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Beautiful freshly picked green tea leaves

Tea Tree Oil Vs Vitamin E

Both tea tree oil and vitamin E are frequently suggested for topical use as a remedy for a variety of skin disorders, but these substances vary in their effectiveness and safety.

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Mouth of mature woman

What Are the Treatments for Facial Nerve Damage?

The facial nerve, cranial nerve VII, serves many vital functions. It supports motor function of the facial muscles that allow expressions such as smiling and frowning. It facilitates the detection of flavors through its special sensory fibers in the tongue.

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eczema skin on neck

Causes of Itchy Red Bumps on the Neck

The neck is one of the most frequently exposed areas of skin on the human body. If you have a itchy rash, or dermatitis on your neck, the condition is usually painless, but often unsightly and uncomfortable. No matter the cause of your red bumps, one bit of advice remains consistent -- don’t scratch.

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Oysters entree

How Long Should You Take 50 Milligrams of Zinc?

A 50-milligram dose of zinc exceeds the tolerable upper intake level for zinc for every age group, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Unless your doctor has specifically instructed you to take this dose, you should not take 50-milligram zinc supplements.

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Blood Thinners & Leafy Green Vegetables

Blood thinners such as warfarin or Coumadin are prescribed by doctors for patients who are at risk of serious health complications due to blood clotting. As with most medications, certain foods are contraindicated for patients on blood thinners.

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