Human Anatomy – Intestines

Described as a long tube stretching from the stomach to the anus, the intestines are in charge of absorbing nutrients and water from food. It is comprised of the small intestine, large intestine and rectum.

As long as 20 feet when uncoiled, with a 1-inch diameter, the small intestine (or small bowel) absorbs the bulk of nutrients from food, by then digested by the stomach. Next to the small intestine is the large intestine, also known as the large bowel or colon. Measuring 5 feet in length, two inches wider than the small intestine, the large intestine saps water from the materials in the small intestine. Consequently, the colon forms the stool, which is ejected out of the rectum.

Should You Take Estrogen After Your Hysterectomy?

Until the early part of 2000, Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT used to be the routine post surgery treatment recommended by doctors for women who have also had their ovaries removed together with a hysterectomy procedure.

Things changed drastically in recent years after the risks of estrogen therapy were exposed and the supposed benefits seemed to have disappeared when further studies were conducted.

Although for most women experiencing “surgical” menopause, doctors still recommend hormone therapy, the public’s acceptance of the treatment has declined.

If you are faced with a tough decision on whether to get HRT or not, this list of pros and cons would be helpful to you.

Recovering From Hysterectomy

After you have had a hysterectomy, your recovery time at the hospital will generally be brief, only about a few days or at most a week. Your recovery time at home, how fast you can resume doing your normal everyday activities, will vary depending on the type of procedure you had.

Abdominal hysterectomy

Most patients who have undergone abdominal hysterectomy go home within three days after surgery, but complete recovery takes anywhere from six to eight weeks. During this time, patients are advised to fully rest at home. You should not be doing any chores not even light housework. Neither should you be lifting for the first two weeks. You are highly encouraged to walk as soon as you feel able enough to do so. In six weeks times, you can already get back to your regular activities, including having sex.

Bipolar Disorder Myths – What You May Think You Know

Awareness about bipolar disorder has been increasing but, as with any medical condition that has gotten a lot of attention only recently, both the people with the disorder and the general public are still under some false impressions regarding the condition.

Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depressive illness. It is a mental disorder in which a person’s mood alternates between severe mania and depression. These extreme mood shifts affect a person’s normal day to day activities.

The following are some of the myths about bipolar disorder that persist today.

Myth #1: Bipolar disorder is rare.

How To Stop Panic Attacks

We all have our fears. And each of us has our own way of dealing with these fears.

Some people let their fears take over their lives. Some people are brave enough to face their fears head on. These people are the ones who succeed in squashing their fears for good.

Maybe it will help to know that 90% of everything that we fear does not come true. But even if we know what makes sense and what doesn’t, most of us still tend to worry too much.

Here are some tips to help you hit the breaks when you feel a panic attack coming.

Remember To Breathe

First things first, take control of your breathing. Concentrate on breathing in and out in equal intervals. Take long breaths and focus all your energy on the way you are breathing. This will help calm down your nerves, slow down your heart rate, and relax your body. You also focus your attention away from the source of your panic attack and you avoid making it worse.

Attack Of Asthma

Breathing difficulty, wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and difficulty in performing normal daily activities are symptoms of an asthma attack.

Bronchospasm is a sudden worsening of the symptoms. The muscles around the airways tighten, the lining becomes swollen or inflamed and thicker mucus is also produced more than normal.

Some other asthma attacks symptoms include:

* Retractions

* The tightened of the neck and chest muscles

* Sweaty pale face

* Pressure or chest pain

* Talking difficulty

* Severe wheezing when breathing both in and out

* Very rapid breathing

Serotonin – How It Affects Your Health

Serotonin is a neural chemical that is responsible for sending signals across the brain. Though this type of neurotransmitter is synthesized in the brain, where its major functions are performed, about 90% of serotonin supply is found in digestive tract and blood platelets. It is estimated that an average adult body has five to 10 milligrams of serotonin.

Serotonin Production

Serotonin is synthesized through a unique biochemical conversion process involving tryptophan, the building blocks of proteins. Tryptophan hydroxylase is used by serotonin-producing cells along with tryptophan to form serotonin, otherwise known as 5-hydoxytryptamine.