When someone talks about “scratching” their eye, they are usually referring to an injury to the cornea. The cornea is the clear dome-shaped structure that covers the front of the eye. The cornea protects underlying eye structures (iris, lens, etc.) from injury and helps to focus images on the light-sensing portion of the eye (retina).…...

Cells are the basic building blocks of living organisms. The human body is made up of many different types of cells---skin cells, nerve cells, muscle cells, etc. All cells (with the exception of certain nerve cells) are capable of reproducing themselves. Under normal circumstances, reproduction occurs only when there is a specific need. For example,…...

Fragile, or as many people refer to it, “thin” skin, can affect anyone at any age, but it is particularly common in older individuals. The reasons for this include genetics, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, and the aging process itself. Most of these aging-related changes occur in the middle layer (dermis) of…...

Most people are aware of the many lives that have been saved through early detection and treatment of cancer. A good example of this is regular Pap screening which has decreased cervix cancer mortality by at least 80%. Why then do we not hear much about screening for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer…...

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory illness occurring almost exclusively in countries in the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 30% of those individuals who developed MERS have died from its complications. Recent reports of MERS occurring…...

It is estimated that approximately 80% of us will develop back pain at some point in our lives. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, estimates that approximately 27 million Americans are affected by back pain each year. Misinformation and misunderstanding about back pain abounds. The following are a number of the “myths” surrounding back…...

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 85 percent of the population will develop an allergic reaction if exposed to poison ivy, oak or sumac. The cause for the rash, blisters, and infamous itch is urushiol (pronounced yoo-Roo-shee-all), a chemical in the sap of these plants. Avoiding direct contact with the plants reduces the…...

The first vaccine was developed by Edward Jenner in 1796 as a means of preventing smallpox. Currently, vaccines to protect us from around 27 diseases are available in the U.S., with more under development. Immunization is the process in which vaccines are administered to help develop resistance or immunity to disease. In the medical community,…...