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The human body has about 656 to 850 muscles. Each of these muscles has a role to play in different bodily functions. Some muscles are used to move the body and others are used in bodily processes such as breathing, sneezing and digesting. Groups of muscles often work together to provide movement and achieve important bodily functions. Some muscles such as those in your arms and legs can be controlled by conscious thought, whilst others such as your heart complete their jobs without you thinking about it. It is common for muscles to twitch and move with and without us noticing. What makes a muscle twitch? Read this article to learn the answer.
Dizziness is a fairly common occurrence amongst people of all ages. Dizziness is a feeling of light-headedness or loss of balance. Some experience a short dizzy spell, whereas others lose their sense of equilibrium and may even fall over. The feeling of spinning or motion of yourself or objects around you is often referred to as vertigo. Dizziness can be caused by a number of different factors and usually has a non-serious cause, but can be a symptom of a more serious problem.
Having a balanced diet is considered to be an important key to maintaining good health. A balanced diet is one that includes all the food groups in the right amounts. No one food group will provide a person with all that is needed to grow and maintain a healthy body and mind. Many illnesses require a balanced diet to aid in the recovery process. Let’s take a look at why eating a balanced diet is so important.
Yellow fever is a dangerous infectious disease that is transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. It occurs in the sub-tropical and tropical regions of Africa and South America. In 85% of cases the disease is relatively mild and lasts 3-15 days. However, in 15% of cases yellow fever enters a second phase that is fatal approximately 20% of the time. The symptoms during the first stage include; fever, headache, chills, back ache, nausea and/or vomiting. In the second stage fever reoccurs and may be accompanied by jaundice (liver damage), abdominal pain, bleeding of the eyes and mouth and bloody vomit. Let’s take a look at what causes this dangerous illness.
The liver is a vital organ in the body that has many important functions. It is an important part of metabolism, protein synthesis, hormone production and detoxification. The liver also produces bile, which is a compound that aids digestion. It is estimated that the liver has over 500 different functions and it is considered necessary for survival. In fact, there is no way to survive without a functioning liver in the long term. If you want to know where this major organ is located in the body, continue reading to find out?
Freckles are dark spots or concentrated areas of melanin found on the skin and are often more noticeable on people with fair skin. The number, color and size of freckles can vary from person to person and are most noticeable on the face and arms. Freckles are genetic and you are more likely to have freckles if your parents do. Freckles often fade with age and many people who have freckles as a child “lose” their freckles as they get older. What cause freckles to develop? Read on to find out.
Menstrual Cramps are a tightening sensation felt in the abdomen or pelvis of a woman when she is experiencing her menstrual cycle. They can range in severity from mild to severe and last anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days. Most women experience them at some point in their menstrual cycle, but there are a small percentage of women that do not. Many women do not develop menstrual cramps with their first few menstrual cycles, but most do develop them within the coming months and years. In most cases the cramps are treated by taking over the counter pain medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Lymph nodes are small pea or bean shaped organs that are located widely throughout the body. They are a part of the immune system and are interconnected via the lymphatic system. They act as filters protecting the body from foreign materials such as bacteria and viruses. Every lymph node in your body is home to many white blood cells called lymphocytes and macrophages. These white blood cells protect the body and cause immune responses to bacteria and viruses.
Cystic fibrosis, also referred to as CF or mucoviscidosis, is a disease that affects the respiratory, endocrine, reproductive and digestive systems. The most common, and dangerous, symptom that occurs in patients with cystic fibrosis is difficulty breathing; often caused by a secondary chest infection. However, other symptoms may include; thick mucus build-up, coughing, skin that tastes salty, sinus infections, stunted growth, diarrhea, and infertility. It is detectible before birth, but most commonly is discovered by a sweat test. Let’s take a look at what causes this disease.
Asthma is a lung disease that causes the narrowing of the airways. People who have asthma have very sensitive airways that react to different triggers, which causes it to become difficult to breathe. When an asthmatic person comes in contact with their trigger, such as smoke, pet hair, perfumes, pollens, their airways begin to narrow and excess mucus is produced. The muscles in the airway tighten and in some cases spasm. This makes it hard for the person to breathe and causes a lack of oxygen in the body. Asthma can be mild or severe and is usually most common in children. If you suspect that you may have asthma it is best to get it diagnosed so that the correct medication and treatment can be delivered.