text stringlengths 59 1.12k |
|---|
and the sense of fear is stored in the hippocampus area (267).” It is that nagging, persistent memory that creates the vicious circle of the fear of a panic attack |
causing an attack itself. The research suggests a smaller amygdala could indicate a dysfunctional aspect of that region of the brain (274). In other words, the little amygdala is causing |
big worries that lead to negative physical reactions. Being an excitable part of the brain, the amygdala works day and night to even affect our sleep. This is how we |
intensely feel emotion in our dreams, whether it is bliss, terror, love or awe (Schacter, Gilbert, Wegner 5.2.2). The amygdala is acting with the visual association area of the brain, |
conjuring emotionally stirring images that can result in a nightmare and waking up from a scary dream. Why am I compelled by the amygdala? I suppose it is my frequent |
interaction with it. Certain emotional memories persist in my mind. Some are good but I can’t seem to shake many that are bad. Recollections of painful events and personal losses |
come back to me every now and then. I still feel these events and that is my amygdala at work. Personally, hard life experiences have almost always resulted in hard |
lessons. It is not like Dr. B.F. Skinner experimenting on a rat, but it can be fear conditioning of sorts. The term, “once bitten, twice shy” could be about reacting |
to memories of real pain stored in the amygdala. Sometimes, with those persistent memories, I wonder if I only knew then what I know now? It is not about so |
much about knowledge but rather it is wisdom and that is something time and experience can produce – or I would at least hope so! The amygdala is there to |
remind us of what experiences felt like so we can avoid them if possible. Those little “almonds” strung together in the middle of our brain could be the roots of |
our own wisdom – which means knowing how to go about current situations because we are frequently reminded by feeling similar past experiences. Hayano, F., Nakamura, M., Asami, T., Uehara, |
K., Yoshida, T., Roppongi, T., Otsuka, T., Hirayasu, Y., Inoue, T., (2009) Smaller amygdala is associated with anxiety in patients with panic disorder. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences 63 266–276 Schacter, |
Adorable 3-Year-Old Helps You Remember the Elements For the uninitiated, ‘The Elements’ is a song written in 1959 by musical humorist and mathematician Tom Lehrer, which recites the names of all the chemical elements on the periodic table. Actor Daniel Radcliffe famously sang it on a British chat show and helped introd... |
fan is three-year-old Rose, who first attempted to sing the catchy tune when she was just two. A year later, she recites it again, but this time amazingly well (and adorably). Wow, even three-year-olds are capable of making us adults look dumb these days. Tom Lehrer must be proud to know his song continues to live on t... |
At a Glance Why Get Tested? To screen for or diagnose a chlamydia infection When to Get Tested? For screening: may be recommended if you are sexually active, pregnant or considering pregnancy, or at increased risk for this sexually transmitted disease (STD) For diagnosis: when you have symptoms of this |
STD, such as such as vaginal discharge and abdominal pain (for women) or unusual discharge from the penis or pain on urination (for men); when a newborn has conjunctivitis A swab or brush of cells or secretion from the infected area or a first-catch urine sample Test Preparation Needed? Tell |
your doctor about use of antibiotics or, for women, douches or vaginal creams within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples, as they may affect test results. You may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you last urinated before collecting a urine sample. Follow any instructions you are |
given. The Test Sample What is being tested? This test is looking for evidence of infection by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States and is especially common among people 15 to 25 years of age. The Centers for |
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2.8 million Americans are infected with chlamydia each year and notes that women are frequently re-infected if their partners don't get treatment. Actual incidence may be higher since many people do not experience any symptoms and their cases go undiagnosed and unrepo... |
over one million new cases are reported each year. Diagnosing and treating chlamydia is very important to prevent long-term complications and spread of the infection to others. Chlamydia is generally transmitted through sexual contact (oral, vaginal, or anal) with an infected partner. Risk factors include having multip... |
or previous infection with another STD, and not using barrier contraception consistently. An infected mother can pass the infection to her baby during childbirth. These babies are in danger of developing conjunctivitis, an inflammation that can threaten eyesight, and pneumonia. About 75% of infected women and 50% of in... |
have no symptoms; some may experience only mild symptoms. For women, symptoms, if they occur, include bleeding between menstrual periods and after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, painful intercourse, and an abnormal vaginal discharge. For men, symptoms include pus or milky discharge from the penis and inflammation ... |
or of the rectal area (proctitis). Both sexes can experience painful or frequent urination. Chlamydia is easily treated with a course of antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause severe reproductive and other health problems. If left untreated, women may develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) from infections ... |
on the cervix but that can spread to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. This can cause infertility and increase the risk of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy, which is often fatal. Women who are infected and pregnant may experience heavy bleeding before delivery and premature rupture of the membranes. Men may become |
sterile. Both sexes may develop rectal itching and red, swollen, itchy eyes. How is the sample collected for testing? Many different kinds of samples may be used for testing, but not all laboratories can test every kind of sample. A doctor may use a swab or brush to collect a |
sample of cells or secretion from the infected area, such as the urethra, penis, anus, throat, cervix or vagina. Sometimes a vaginal sample may be collected with a swab by the woman who is undergoing testing (self-collection). A first-catch urine sample may be collected in a container provided by the |
doctor or laboratory. NOTE: If undergoing medical tests makes you or someone you care for anxious, embarrassed, or even difficult to manage, you might consider reading one or more of the following articles: Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort, and Anxiety, Tips on Blood Testing, Tips to Help Children through Their |
Medical Tests, and Tips to Help the Elderly through Their Medical Tests. Another article, Follow That Sample, provides a glimpse at the collection and processing of a blood sample and throat culture. Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample? Tell your doctor about use of |
antibiotics or, if you are a woman, douches or vaginal creams within 24 hours before testing vaginal samples, as they may affect test results. You may be instructed to wait one to two hours after you last urinated before collecting a urine sample. Follow any instructions you are given. Ask |
a Laboratory Scientist This form enables you to ask specific questions about your tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. If your questions are not related to your lab |
tests, please submit them via our Contact Us form. Thank you. * indicates a required field NOTE: This article is based on research that utilizes the sources cited here as well as the collective experience of the Lab Tests Online Editorial Review Board. This article is periodically reviewed by the |
Editorial Board and may be updated as a result of the review. Any new sources cited will be added to the list and distinguished from the original sources used. Sources Used in Current Review Kimberly A. Workowski and Stuart Berman. Sexually Transmitted Diseases Guidelines, 2010. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. |
Growth hormone (GH) controls the growth of soft tissue and bone. Elevated GH causes an excess of bone and soft tissue growth. In adults, this can cause a rare disorder called acromegaly. It can cause serious complications and early death if not treated. In young children, bone fusion and growth is still occurring. Exce... |
gland is a small gland located at the base of the brain. It produces many hormones, including GH. In most cases, the elevation of GH is caused by a benign tumor of this gland. In a small number of cases, malignant tumors of other organs (pancreas, adrenal, lung) may be the source of excess GH. Risk factors that increas... |
include: - Family history (rare) - Age: 40-45 years old Symptoms usually develop slowly over time. In children, the bones are elongated and cause soft tissue swelling. If not treated, children can grow to a height of 7-8 feet. Symptoms and complications in adults may include: Abnormally large growth and deformity of th... |
size shoe) - Face (protrusion of brow and lower jaw) - Jaw (teeth do not line up correctly when the mouth is closed) - Carpal tunnel syndrome Skin changes, such as: - Thickened, oily, and sometimes darkened skin - Severe acne - Excessive sweating and unpleasant body order due to enlargement of the sweat glands - Deepen... |
and soft tissues of the throat - Fatigue and weakness in legs and arms - Sleep apnea - Arthritis and other joint problems, especially in the jaw - Abnormally large liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and/or other internal organs, which can lead to: - Irregular menstrual cycles - Galactorrhea (abnormal production of breast m... |
cases The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Acromegaly is often not diagnosed until years after its onset. Blood tests will be done to measure the level of: - Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) - Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) - Other pituitary hormones A gl... |
GH level drops. It will not drop in cases of acromegaly. If these tests confirm acromegaly, the following may be done to locate the tumor that is causing the disorder: The goals of treatment are to: - Reduce production of GH to normal levels - Stop and reverse the symptoms caused by excess GH - Correct other endocrine ... |
Reduce the tumor size Treatment may include: The tumor that is believed to be causing acromegaly may be removed. In most cases, this is the preferred treatment. However, drug treatment is becoming more popular as the primary treatment approach. External beams of radiation are used to shrink the tumor. It is most often ... |
Drugs may be given to reduce the level of GH. These include: - Cabergoline (Dostinex)—given orally - Pergolide (Permax)—given orally - Bromocriptine (Parlodel)—may be given before surgery to shrink tumor - Octreotide (Sandostatin)—given by injections (may be the most effective medication for this condition) - Pegvisoma... |
Healthy eating will take center stage as Scotland County joins the rest of the nation in recognizing “National Nutrition Month” this March. Sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the National Nutrition Month program was created to encourage consumers to develop a healthy eating plan. Promoting the theme “... |
Right, Your Way, Every Day,” Cardra E. Burns of the Scotland County Department of Public Health said that healthy eating does not have to be painful. “Eating healthy doesn’t mean taste is compromised and most favorite foods can fit (within a healthy diet pattern),” Burns said. Advising locals to choose |
foods packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, the WIC program director said that it is also important to choose foods that are low in calories. Asked what foods should be included in a healthy diet, Burns praised “fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fat-free or low-fat dairy” as healthy |
meal choices. Included in Burns’ recommendation was a warning: “Be aware of portion sizes. Even low-calorie foods can add up when portions are larger than you need. The key to eating right, your way is moderation with appropriate portion size … combined with physical activity.” According to the Academy of |
Nutrition and Dietetics, there are several ways to “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day.” The personalization of a diet plan is among the most important steps that must be taken to achieve a balanced dietary plan. According to the academy, the easiest way to eat healthy is to find healthy |
foods that you enjoy. Eating foods appropriate for your lifestyle is also important. Whether you live a sedentary lifestyle or the lifestyle of an athlete, each person has unique nutritional requirements. The academy also recommends the incorporation of cultural and ethnic foods into the diet, as a way to keep |
traditions alive and to make eating enjoyable. National Nutrition Month comes just a month after a study was published linking the southern diet with the American South’s elevated stroke risk. Over the past several decades medical science has observed that residents of the southeastern United States are approximately 2... |
more likely to suffer stroke than the rest of the country. Using data from a national survey University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers learned that those most likely to eat the typical southern diet, including fried foods and sweet tea, were at a 41% increased risk of stroke compared with |
those less likely to observe the southern diet. As part of this public education campaign, the Scotland County Department of Public Health’s website has been set up to include a variety of helpful tips, games, promotional tools and nutrition education resources – all designed to spread the message of good |
In recent years, the State of Georgia has been faced with a new crisis: the deadly surge of prescription (Rx) drug abuse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has labeled this emerging form of drug abuse a “national epidemic,” and reports that Rx drugs are the cause of more deaths by overdose than “stre... |
heroin and methamphetamine. A recent CDC study found that in 2009 more Americans died from Rx drugs than motor vehicle accidents, marking the first time drug-related deaths have outnumbered motor vehicle-related deaths since 1979, when the government started tracking drug-related deaths. The 2010 National Survey on Dru... |
for non-medical purposes. Unfortunately, Georgia has not been immune to this growing problem. In 2010 alone, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Medical Examiner’s Office reported there were 560 Rx drug related deaths in the 152 of 159 counties for which it performs autopsies, at least a 10 percent increase since... |
is particularly prevalent among teens. In fact, the CDC reports that one in five high school students school has taken a Rx drug without a doctor’s prescription. Even more alarming, many teens are getting these drugs from friends and family. |
How LCLS X-ray pulses can be used to determine the atomic structure of a complicated molecule. A New Kind of Laser SLAC's two-mile-long linear accelerator (or linac) has begun a new phase of its career, with the creation of the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). For nearly 50 years, SLAC's linac has produced high-ener... |
of discovery by using the linac to drive a new kind of laser, creating X-ray pulses of unprecedented brilliance. LCLS produces pulses of X-rays more than a billion times brighter than the most powerful existing sources, the so-called synchrotron sources which are also based on large electron accelerators. The ultrafast... |
to take stop-motion pictures of atoms and molecules in motion, shedding light on the fundamental processes of chemistry, technology, and life itself. Probing the Ultrasmall The diameter of a human hair is about 1/1000 of an inch. The wavelength of visible light is about 50 times smaller than this, so ordinary microscop... |
than a hair, is too small to be resolved with visible light. X-rays, with wavelengths that are even smaller than a molecule, are ideal for imaging at the atomic scale. Capturing the Ultrafast The atomic and molecular world is abuzz with frenetic motion. Because they are so small and light, molecules and atoms react inc... |
the motion of a bullet in flight. This latest advance in stop-action imaging at Stanford has roots going back more than 100 years. Around 1872, Eadweard Muybridge started making stop-motion photographs of people, animals, and trains in motion on Leland Stanford’s farm. He is famous for showing that all four of a horse’... |
click a shutter fast enough to show each stride a horse makes when galloping required tremendous engineering ingenuity. The LCLS provides X-rays of such shortness and precision that stroboscopic experiments can be done with materials on the nanoscale, and even with individual molecules and atoms. How Fast Is a Femtosec... |
Properties of Water Life would not have existed on earth without water. Water molecules are composed of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms. Together, the hydrogen and oxygen molecules form a shape that resembles the head of While water molecules seem to be simple compounds, their properties have profound |
impact on life. Because of the arrangement of hydrogen and oxygen atoms, water molecules have polarized charges (one end is positive and the other end is negative). Due to their polarized nature, 2 adjacent water molecules can form a linkage via a hydrogen bond. The polarized nature of water causes |
other molecules to be either hydrophilic (like water) or hydrophobic (afraid of water). This property allows certain molecules to dissolve in water while preventing others from entering the cell. For example, hydrophobic interaction can hold molecules together. Another important property of water is its ability to faci... |
molecules through osmosis. When 2 aqueous solutions are separated by a membrane that only allows the passage of water molecules, water will move from the less concentrated to the more concentrated side (Shown in the diagram below). Hydrophobic interactions can hold molecules together: 2 or more hydrophobic groups surro... |
water will tend to coalesce since they thereby cause less disruption to the hydrogen-bonded structure of water (Shown in the diagram below. Red hexagons represent hydrophobic material and blue dots represent water molecules.). |
Thank you for signing up! About Eco-Friendly Mattresses As adults, we should spend 7-8 hours each day sleeping in bed, or one-third of our day. Therefore, the mattress we sleep |
on may affect our everyday health. Unfortunately, most mattress makers use petrochemicals in their production, as well as synthetic foam products and chemical protective layers in the construction of our |
beds. As we breathe through the night, sleeping in our skin, these chemicals off-gas are absorbed into our bodies unknowingly. Documented in the book Toxic Bedrooms by Walter Bader, several |
mattresses were sent to an Atlanta-based lab revealing chemical emissions from up to 61 chemicals in a memory-foam mattress. Switching to an eco-friendly mattress will support healthy sleeping and eliminate |
the unseen pollutants from your bedroom. Chemicals in conventional mattresses The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) requires conventional mattresses to undergo a 70-second open flame test in an effort to |
save lives, compelling most mattress manufacturers to use polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as a flame retardant. PBDEs slow the rate of open fire spreading and lower the temperature of combustion. |
According to Environmental Defence, an active Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to protecting people and the environment, PBDEs may cause reproductive and developmental disorders, and can cause cancer. There are still |
a lot of questions regarding the long-term effects to PBDE exposure, reports the EPA's Experimental Toxicology Division. Most conventional mattresses in the US (reported by Mark Strobel, founder of Strobel |
Technologies, which manufactures toxin-free matresses) also contain the chemicals boric acid, antimony trioxide, formaldehyde and ammonium polyphosphate to meet flammability tests and standards. The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) |
proves these poisonous chemicals may leach to the surface of our beds and are consequently absorbed by our skin into our bodies, but has not restricted or regulated their usage. |
What are eco-friendly mattresses made of? A smart alternative to the nonrenewable and chemical materials used in conventional mattresses is the eco-friendly (and human friendly) mattress. Eco-friendly mattresses generally contain |
sustainable and natural materials such as organic cotton, humanely produced wool, kapok filling and natural rubber. Wool is naturally flame retardant and also regulates moisture, making it ideal for peaceful |
slumber without worrying about mildew and mold buildup. Organic cotton is grown and produced without the harmful pesticides and chemicals used in conventionally produced cotton. Kapok is a natural, renewable |
alternative to down from the sustainably harvested seed pods of Kapok trees. Many eco-friendly mattresses are made from natural rubber or latex, which comes from tapping the wood of rubber |
trees for sap used for production. These environmentally preferable materials are free of chemical components and are responsibly farmed and harvested. Choosing an eco-friendly mattress Fortunately, natural and eco-friendly mattresses |
are more available on the market now. You can find many retailers and ordering options on the Internet or find an organic mattress in a bed store near you. You |
may expect the price of these mattresses to be higher than conventional mattresses, but remember that your investment helps the health of your family. Additionally, some eco-friendly mattresses are even |
biodegradable. Eco-friendly foam mattresses are made from natural latex or rubber which can be made into different densities depending on your preference. Eco-friendly foam mattresses conform to your body, supporting |
peaceful and comfortable sleep. The natural rubber in eco-friendly foam mattresses comes from the sap of rubber trees. Natural rubber or latex is inherently resistant to bacteria, mildew and mold. |
If you're in love with memory foam, there are now natural alternatives to the memory foam mattress called Naturapedic. Regardless of your mattress preferences, it's important to decide what your |
priorities are in relation to your comfort, budget and health, and commit to these values prior to shopping and before you purchase any eco-friendly mattress. Eco-friendly mattress toppers are also |
available to consumers. Eco-friendly toppers are the most economical way to healthier bed health. These can be added on top of your existing mattress, providing extra comfort and keeping natural |
materials closest to your skin as you sleep. Eco-friendly toppers are produced without harmful petrochemical additives, most frequently replacing man-made products with natural fibers such as wool and organic cotton. |
Wool is absorbent and breathable, making it a perfect layer to put between your skin and your mattress. To care for this organic product, simply expose to air and sun |
Lisa G Kahle Therapy Horses for The use of animals to provide service and therapy to enhance people’s health and lives and to provide greater independence has been practiced throughout |
recorded history. Today, many different types of animals – monkeys, birds, pigs, dogs, and horses, to name a few – provide therapeutic benefits to humans with physical and mental illnesses |
as well as providing assistance to people with disabilities. For deaf people of all ages, animals can provide love, protection, and companionship. While the most commonly recognized therapy and/or service |
animals are dogs, the use of horses as therapy animals for people who are Deaf is becoming increasingly popular. The emphasis here on the use of horses for therapy rather |
than is important since the research suggests that horses are not well-suited as service animals. In fact, the Guide Horse Foundation (2005), states the following: 1. The Guide Horse Foundation |
is against the use of riding-size horses indoors because of the risk of injury to the horses, the ... handler and the general public. While our research has indicated that |
Miniature horses make suitable guide animals, large guide animals of any species can create a hazard for the public when used in an inappropriate setting for an animal of that |
size. 2. Miniature horses are not well suited for assisting [people who are deaf]. Horses do not possess the "watch dog" instinct which is important for a hearing assistance animal. |
Horses are known to possess a particular ability to break through the wall of isolation and frustration which can be frequently present in the lives of people who are deaf. |
According to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), an international organization dedicated to serve as a resource and advocate for equine-assisted activities and therapies, “People who are deaf or |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.