The brain contains three main parts: the forebrain, the midbrain and the hindbrain. The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. Located in the forebrain, it is divided into the frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe and temporal lobe.
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A tingling sensation, a symptom also known as paresthesia, can result from many different conditions and diseases. The conditions most likely to cause tingling in the fingers include those that affect the nerves and blood vessels.
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Plasma is the liquid portion of the blood. This slightly yellow fluid is made up of 90 percent water, according to the Franklin Institute. Although often thought of as less important than the cells of the blood that carry oxygen and provide immunity, the plasma is equally important.
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Skin cancer, the most common type of cancer, results from the abnormal and uncontrollable growth of skin cells. Skin cancers can affect many parts of the body, such as the trunk, legs, arms and face and most often affect areas exposed to the sun.
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Headache is a general term to describe any pain felt in the head, scalp or neck region, but not all headaches are alike. The International Headache Society developed a headache classification system for doctors to use as a diagnostic tool to help them determine the most effective course of treatment.
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Seizures occur when a group of nerves in the brain suddenly produce a surge of electrochemical impulses. This surge in brain activity interrupts normal functions resulting in symptoms thatoften mimic a stroke.
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Beta blocker drugs are also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents. They work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine (also called adrenaline) on beta receptors, which are molecules that receive signals from the nerves.
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The human body requires three types of macronutrients – those nutrients needed in large amounts, including carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Although all macromolecules consist of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon, the amino acids that make up proteins contain between 15 and 25 percent nitrogen and some contain sulfur.
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Milk contains water, proteins, minerals, fats and carbohydrates (lactose is the milk sugar). Those who are allergic to milk have a reaction to the proteins, which in cow’s milk are whey found in the liquid portion and casein found in the solid or curd portion.
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A peptic ulcer describes an open sore or lesion found on the lining of the digestive tract. Peptic ulcers can occur on the lining of the stomach, known as gastric ulcers, or the lining of the upper portion of the small intestine, known as a duodenal ulcer.
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Autoimmune diseases occur due to a malfunction of the immune system, causing it to attack healthy cells and tissues in the body. The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association reports that 23.5 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease, which is higher than the 22 million who suffer from heart disease.
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The immune system, which includes bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph nodes and the white blood cells, functions to recognize and eliminate foreign invaders. When the immune system fails to differentiate between foreign invaders and normal healthy cells, autoimmune disease results.
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A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain uses powerful magnets and radio waves to produce a detailed picture of the brain and nerve tissues.
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From single-celled organisms such as bacteria to humans, cells are the basic structural and functional units of life. An adult human body consists of more than 37 trillion cells, according to an estimate published in the November-December 2013 issue of the "Annals of Human Biology."
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The human digestive tract functions to break down food particles into smaller molecules the body can absorb through the lining of the small intestines.
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A runny nose occurs when the membranes in the nasal passages become irritated and inflamed. The irritation causes an increase in mucus production that leads to the runny nose and nasal congestion. A fever, defined as a body temperature greater than 99.
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Learn about the common medicines that can increase blood pressure, including NSAIDs, antidepressants, birth control pills, and decongestants. Discover how these medications affect your blood pressure and take steps to manage hypertension naturally.
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Your liver, one of the largest organs in your body, stores energy and nutrients, makes proteins and enzymes, breaks down and removes harmful substances and produces cholesterol.
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Asparagus is a vegetable belonging to the lily family, which also includes onions, leeks and garlic. Eat asparagus as part of a heart-healthy diet, as it contains no fat, no cholesterol and very little sodium.
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Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys are unable to perform their function of filtering excess fluids and waste from the blood. As the disease progresses, waste builds up in the blood and damages other organs.
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