According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a rare but serious condition caused by reactivation of the herpes virus varicella-zoster, the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles. When this virus gets into your body it can remain dormant in nerve cells … Read More
When we think about depression, lack of motivation, or difficulty focusing and concentrating, the well-known brain chemical serotonin often comes to mind. While it’s true that serotonin deficiency is a problem for many people with depression and other mental health issues, researchers have known for years that other neurotransmitters such … Read More
You lost a loved one, suffered through a divorce, or sent your eldest to college. Now, your heart is aching, your blood pressure is rising, and you’re feeling breathless. If you’re fit and healthy with no history of heart disease, you’re probably suffering from broken heart syndrome, a condition that … Read More
At any given time, trillions of bacteria live in your body, many of which reside in the large intestine. This colonic community of bacteria, known as the gut microbiota, plays a key role in immune function, digestion, weight management, and blood-sugar control, among other functions. Some of these microorganisms cause … Read More
You may know cardiomyopathy as a type of heart disease, but it’s actually more than that. Cardiomyopathy is really a group of diseases affecting the heart muscle. There are several kinds of cardiomyopathies, and each one has its own set of possible causes and outcomes. One of the common characteristics … Read More
Science shows there’s a genetic component to depression that makes people more susceptible to the disorder. So is depression hereditary? Just because you carry the genes doesn’t mean you’ll develop the disease. Your genetic makeup helps determine how likely you are to develop depression if other factors related to the … Read More
