Amygdala may be best known as the part of the brain that drives the fight-or-flight response. Amygdala or corpus amygdaloideum is a pair of almond-shaped neurons (nerve cells) located deep in the brain’s medial temporal lobe (the part of the brain situated behind the temples within the skull). In humans, this is a subcortical brain...
Clinical depression in the elderly is common. Although, that doesn’t mean it’s normal. Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older. But only 10% receive treatment for depression. The likely reason is that the elderly often display symptoms of depression differently. Depression in the elderly is also frequently confused with the effects...
What is citrulline antibody? Readers Comments 3 Share Your Story Citrulline antibody is present in the blood of most patients with rheumatoid arthritis. It is used in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis when evaluating patients with unexplained joint inflammation. Citrulline antibody is an immune protein (antibody) that binds to a nonstandard amino acid (citrulline) that...
What is appendicitis? Appendicitis is a condition in which the appendix becomes inflamed. The appendix is a finger or worm-shaped pouch that projects out from the cecum (the beginning of the colon). In most individuals, the appendix becomes inflamed because its tissues become infected with bacteria, and pus may develop within the lumen of the...
Facts you should know about vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy Vaginal atrophy is the medical term that refers to the thinning of the wall of the vagina that occurs during the menopause (the time after menstrual periods have ceased) in women. Vaginal atrophy occurs due to falling estrogen levels. Vaginal atrophy may be associated with...
Facts you should know about an actinic keratosis An actinic keratosis is a small, rough spot occurring on sun-exposed skin. Actinic keratoses are also known as a solar keratoses. Actinic keratoses occur most commonly in fair-skinned people after years of sun exposure. Common locations for actinic keratoses are the face, scalp, ears, back of the...
Amblyopia is a condition that occurs in children when one eye has poorer vision than the other. If amblyopia is left untreated, a child's vision will not develop correctly. The child's brain, as it matures, will start "ignoring" the image coming from the bad eye. This causes vision in the affected eye to become even...
What exactly is a common cold? The common cold progresses through four different stages. The common cold or viral rhinitis is an upper respiratory infection caused by several types of viruses. It is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. Over 200 types of viruses have been identified that cause the common cold....
What are dentures? When a person is missing teeth, he or she may experience a variety of problems. The person may become less confident in their smile and have difficulty speaking and eating certain foods. Dentures are appliances that are custom made to replace a person's missing teeth and restore the appearance and oral functions...
Facts you should know about autism Impaired development in communication, behavior, and social interaction characterize autism. Autism and related disorders are now referred to as autism spectrum disorders. Characteristics of autism include impaired development in social interaction, communication, and behavior. The degree of autism varies from mild to severe. Severely afflicted persons with autism can...