What is tetanus? Tetanus, also known as “lockjaw,” is a serious infection caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani. The bacteria lives in soil, dirt and feces. It enters the body through broken skin such as stepping on sharp objects, wounds, or burns. However, it is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person….
What is dehydration? On average, about 60% of a human’s body weight is made of water. Water is essential for the body, in order to function and carry out its daily processes. The National Academy of Medicine recommends a water intake of about 13 to 9 cups daily. Water intake can also come from certain…
What is a calorie? Food and drinks contain calories. A calorie is a unit of energy. The human body needs calories for energy and to carry out its daily processes like your heart beating, lungs breathing and body moving. To maintain the same weight, the calories consumed have to equal the amount burned. Eating too…
What is cardiac arrest? Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops functioning. This is because the heart’s electrical system is not working. Electric signals are how the heart controls the rate and rhythm. During cardiac arrest, the heart does not beat as it normally does and breathing may even stop too. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)…
What is freshman 15? College is an exciting time and a huge lifestyle change. There is so much freedom now that no parents are around and class schedules are much more flexible. This also means learning to take care of yourself. “Freshman 15” is a common term to describe the weight gain students experience in…
After having a stroke, diet is an important part of recovering and preventing another one. Eating healthy foods can help manage risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and diabetes. Along with knowing the proper foods to eat and avoid, it can be helpful to learn how to read food…
What is a Heart Attack? A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when coronary arteries are completely blocked, leading to insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle. When tissues do not get enough blood flow and oxygen for an extended period of time, they necrose (die) and cannot perform their function. There are many…
Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders for both children and adults in the United States. There are multiple anxiety disorders, but they all share a primary feature: excessive fear and anxiety along with related behavioral changes. That is, a person changes their normal behavior to avoid whatever triggers their anxiety. How Do I…
