Introduction Your visual system consists of your eyes, nerve pathways, and your brain. Your eyes are where the visual process begins. Nerve pathways extend from your eyes and carry messages throughout your brain for processing. Your brain interprets what you…

Introduction Whenever you eat and drink, food travels through your digestive system for processing. Your body absorbs nutrients and removes waste products via your digestive system. As water is absorbed from your digestive system, the waste products become more solid…

Introduction Tension headaches are the most common type of primary headache, meaning that they are not caused by an underlying medical disorder. Most people will experience a tension headache in their lifetime. They occur most frequently between the ages of…

Introduction Tennis Elbow is a condition that results in deterioration of the tendon fibers that attach to the bone at the outside of the elbow. Tendons are strong fibers that attach muscles to bone. They are tissues that do not…

Introduction Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition that can develop in a tendon. Tendons are strong fibers that connect your muscles to your bones. Tendonitis most frequently results from overuse of a joint. Symptoms include pain and tenderness. Most cases of…

Introduction Syncope is the medical term for fainting. Syncope results from a drop in blood pressure or heart rate. It may occur because of certain triggers, such as dehydration, stress, or exhaustion. Recurrent syncope may be the sign of a…

Introduction The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is carefully monitoring the cases of swine flu in America. The CDC states that while there is no need to panic, you should educate yourself about the swine flu and take…

Introduction Swimmer’s ear is an outer ear infection. It is also called an external ear infection, external otitis, or otitis externa. It commonly results from an infection that develops in trapped water in the ear after swimming. Irritants or germs…

Introduction Swallowing is a complex process. Swallowing, termed deglutition, allows you to pass food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach for digestion. Swallowing difficulties, termed dysphagia, can occur for several reasons. Certain medical conditions, neurological conditions, or structural…

Introduction A stroke or a “brain attack” is an emergency medical condition. It occurs when the blood supply to the brain is stopped or reduced for a period of time. Your brain controls the life sustaining functions of your body.…