How to Stop Hiccups in Infants? Symptoms and Causes
Hiccups are very common in newborns and infants. They occur when the diaphragm (the muscle below the lungs) suddenly spasms, causing the baby to make the characteristic “hic” sound. In infants, hiccups often happen during or after feeding, but they can occur any time. Typically, baby hiccups are a normal, harmless reflex and usually bother […]
Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV): How Dangerous Is It and Who’s Most at Risk?
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an enveloped, negative-sense RNA virus in the Pneumoviridae family – the same family as RSV. Its spherical virion carries surface glycoproteins (a fusion F protein and an attachment G protein, among others) embedded in a lipid envelope (diagram above). First identified in 2001, hMPV has circulated worldwide for decades. It causes […]
Struggling With Sleep Apnea? Natural Remedies That May Help
Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in which the upper airway collapses during sleep, causing repeated pauses in breathing. These interruptions fragment sleep and lower blood oxygen. In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), relaxed throat muscles pinch off airflow, often with loud snoring or gasping. Untreated sleep apnea leads to daytime fatigue and serious health […]
What is the Lump in the Roof of the Mouth: Causes, Symptoms, and Care
A small bump or lump on the palate (the roof of the mouth) is usually benign, but it can arise from many different causes – ranging from harmless growths to infections or (rarely) cancer. Common noncancerous causes include palatal tori (bony protrusions), mucous cysts (mucoceles), fibrous scar nodules (fibromas), oral papillomas (caused by HPV), and […]
The 7 Food Groups of the USDA Food Guide Pyramid
The USDA’s 1992 Food Guide Pyramid was a visual guide to healthy eating. It divided foods into major categories and showed how many servings of each to eat for a balanced diet. The pyramid had five main food groups forming its base, plus fats/oils and sugars at the top (to be used sparingly). (In practice, […]
What is a Stomach Bug and How Does it Differ from Food Poisoning?
A “stomach bug” is the common term for viral gastroenteritis – a viral infection of the stomach and intestines. It causes inflammation of the gut lining and leads to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. People often call it the “stomach flu,” but it has nothing to do with influenza (the true flu attacks […]
Premenstrual Constipation: Hormones, Digestion, and Relief
Constipation is a common symptom in the days leading up to menstruation. Hormonal fluctuations – especially rising progesterone – play a major role by slowing gut motility. Progesterone, a muscle-relaxing hormone that peaks after ovulation, acts on intestinal smooth muscle receptors to relax and slow contractions. Scientific reviews note that progesterone increases nitric oxide in […]
Why Are My Eyes Always Red When I Wake Up?
Waking up to red or bloodshot eyes is common and usually harmless. Often the blood vessels in the clear part of the eye (sclera) become more visible overnight due to simple causes like dryness or allergies. For example, if tear production slows during sleep, the eyes can dry out and turn red by morning. However, […]