Mononucleosis is an often harmless infectious illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It is known as “the kissing disease” because it’s contagious and spread mainly through saliva. The virus is very common and a lot of people are exposed to it in adolescence. The symptoms of mono are similar to that of the flu and...
When we hear people discussing high blood sugar levels, the first thing most of us think of is diabetes. Diabetes is an extremely serious condition but long before someone is diagnosed with it, their body will show signs that their blood sugar levels are too high. By educating ourselves on these signs of high blood...
Mae Keane of Waterbury, Connecticut started her first day on the job as a dial painter in 1924. It paid handsomely compared to the other scarce limited options for working women, and it involved working with a “brand new” element, discovered not two decades prior: radium. Just like the other women in the factory, Keane...
Did you know that saying you have a dust allergy is just a nicer way of saying you’re allergic to the proteins and feces produced by dust mites? Did you also know that dust mites feast on the dead skin cells and hair cells you should onto your bed sheets as you sleep? Get ready for...
Want healthy joints? Maybe put down that glass of milk. A study from the University of Central Florida suggests that a bacterium easily acquired by consuming dairy products, beef, or produce grown in cow manure may trigger the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. About 1.3 million...
In the rapidly changing world we live in, have you ever thought, I want my kids or grandkids to be more confident? Confidence. Confidence. It’s a word that carries a lot of weight and for good reason. In Latin, the root word of confidence is fidēs, meaning “faith” – so, confidence means with faith, with...
How many times have you heard people base their love strictly on feelings? Lots of relationship theories emphasize the importance of how couples feel about each other, too. While we’re not dismissing the significance of feelings between two people, it’s important that this felt love is actually lived out. According to American psychological researcher, John...
What do Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Morgan Freeman, Martin Luther King, and Nicole Kidman have in common? They’re all INFJ’s! The string of letters, INFJ, might not mean much to you, but together, they represent an unusual combination of personality traits. So unusual, in fact, that only about 1 or 2% of the world’s population is...
Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid disease, is a condition in which there are lower than healthy thyroid hormone levels in the bloodstream. Since the thyroid is responsible for regulating metabolism, digestion, healthy bones and muscles, heart function, and brain function, the effects of an imbalance are very far-reaching. (1) Hypothyroidism is more common among women than...
The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system produces hormones that regulate the normal functions of the body. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the throat. It has a left and right lobe. The isthmus is the part of the thyroid gland where the lobes...
While many people may not be familiar with the thymus gland it plays a critical role for the immune system. It’s important to note that thymus size and function are determined by factors such as genetics, and pre and post-natal nutrition. (1) Function of the thymus The thymus is an irregularly shaped gland, which is...
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of disorders that affect the connective tissues of the body that support bones, blood vessels, skin, tissues and organs. As a result, people with this disease commonly experience loose joints and stretchy skin. Individuals with this illness also have problems with collagen, which is a protein that adds elasticity and...
