Sleep paralysis introduction Have you ever felt like you were awake but unable to move? You might have even felt afraid but could not call for help? This condition is called sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis may leave you feeling frightened, especially if you also see or hear things that aren’t really there. Sleep paralysis may …

What Is Tobacco Addiction? When people are addicted, they have a compulsive need to seek out and use a substance, even when they understand the harm it can cause. Tobacco products — cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco — can all be addictive. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you, and most people that do it want to quit. …

Mental illness is any disease or condition that influences the way a person thinks, feels, behaves, and/or relates to others and to his or her surroundings. Although the symptoms of mental illness can range from mild to severe and are different depending on the type of mental illness, a person with an untreated mental illness often is unable to cope …

Introduction Nerve blocks are used for pain treatment and management. There are several different types of nerve blocks that serve different purposes. Often a group of nerves, called a plexus or ganglion, that causes pain to a specific organ or body region can be blocked with the injection of medication into a specific area of the body. The injection of …

Malignant hyperthermia facts* *Malignant hyperthermia facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to particular drugs that are often used during general anesthesia for surgery. Malignant hyperthermia occurs in 1 in 5,000 to 50,000 instances in which people are given anesthetic gases. Muscle rigidity, breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis), a high fever, increased acid levels …

Oral health and bone disease facts* *Oral health and bone disease facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by loss of bone density; affected bones are more likely to fracture. Tooth loss can occur when the bone of the jaw becomes less dense. Osteoporosis in the jaw bone has been associated with osteoporosis in other …

Nightmares and PTSD Nightmares are dreams that are threatening and scary. Nearly everyone has had a nightmare from time to time. For trauma survivors, though, nightmares are a common problem. Along with flashbacks and unwanted memories, nightmares are one of the ways in which a trauma survivor may relive the trauma for months or years after the event. How common …

What is Khat and what are the street names for Khat? Street terms for Khat: (pronounced Cot) Abyssinian tea, African salad, oat, kat, chat, and catha. Also referred to as qat in Yemen, tschat in Ethiopia, and miraa in Kenya. What does Khat look like? Khat is a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Khat …

Sexual and urological problems of diabetes facts* *Sexual and urological problems of diabetes facts Medically Edited by: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Sexual and urologic complications of diabetes occur because of the damage diabetes can cause to blood vessels and nerves. Both women and men can develop sexual problems from diabetes. Sexual problems in men with diabetes include erectile dysfunction and …

What is screening? Cancer screening looks for a hidden cancer before a person has any warning signs or symptoms. This can help find cancer at an early stage. When abnormal tissue or cancer is found early, it may be easier to treat. By the time symptoms appear, cancer may have begun to spread. Scientists are trying to better understand which …