What is laryngitis? The definition of laryngitis is an inflammation of the larynx (the voice box that contains the vocal cords). In laryngitis the vocal cords that are responsible for sounds made by the voice become inflamed and possibly swollen, which results in a voice change that may sound hoarse, raspy, or low volume; so that others can hardly hear...
What Does High White Blood Cell Count Mean When Pregnant?
What is high white blood cell count when pregnant? High white blood cell count when pregnant is very likely due to stress from pregnancy. Some effects of pregnancy are very obvious, but some are far more subtle. For example, pregnant women experience an average of 50% increase in blood volume. Because you have more blood as a pregnant woman, it’s...
How Can I Get Rid of Back Spasms?
How can I get rid of back spasms? Back spasms are painful, but you can do things to relieve the pain. When your back is stiff or weak, it becomes prone to injury. While most muscle spasms in your back are harmless and can be treated effectively, some indicate that there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed....
How Common Is Female Sexual Dysfunction?
How common is female sexual dysfunction? Female sexual dysfunction is fairly common. Sexual dysfunction is known as recurrent or persistent problems with sexual response, desire, orgasm or pain that can potentially create a strain in relationships. Sexual dysfunction can occur in men and women. Female sexual dysfunction may include problems with sexual desire, arousal, attaining an orgasm, painful spasms of...
Is It OK To Skip the 7-Day Break on the Pill?
There seems to be no additional risks associated with using the pill to suppress the seven-day break (beyond the health risks already linked to hormonal pills or devices). Here is the good news! There seems to be no additional risks associated with using the pill to suppress the seven-day break (beyond the health risks already linked to hormonal pills or...
Is Melancholy the Same as Depression?
What is melancholy? Melancholy is a type of extreme depression that makes people lose interest in almost all activities. Melancholy or melancholia is a severe form of depression and it is now termed “melancholic depression.” The word “melancholia” is a Greek word to describe the feeling of intense sadness and hopelessness. Melancholic depression makes people lose interest in almost all...
Is Orthognathic Surgery Painful?
Orthognathic surgery is jaw surgery. It is performed to correct the conditions of the lower jaw and the face. The surgery aims to realign the jaws and teeth to improve their function and aesthetic appearance. Jaw surgery is usually performed after the growth stops, which is around ages 14 to 16 years for females and 17 to 21 years for...
Is There a Blood Test for Colon Cancer? Screening Methods
Your doctor may order blood tests to look for signs of colon cancer No blood test can detect colon cancer. However, your doctor may order blood tests to get a picture of your overall health, as well as use other screening methods to look for signs of colon cancer. Your doctor may want to test your blood for a substance...
Is Williams Syndrome the Same as Down Syndrome?
What Is Williams syndrome vs. Down syndrome? Williams syndrome and Down syndrome are both chromosomal disorders affecting people from birth. However, Williams syndrome is caused by a missing chromosome, while Down syndrome is caused by an extra chromosome. What is Williams syndrome? Williams syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects approximately one in 25,000 births. The syndrome is named for...
How Accurate Is a Myocardial Perfusion Scan?
What is a myocardial perfusion scan? A mycocardial perfusion scan is an imaging study that shows how well blood flows through the heart muscle. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of cardiac imaging with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is between 44 percent and 70 percent depending on the blood vessels involved. In the United States, one person dies every 36...