It’s odd, isn’t it? That wistful sense of having been somewhere before, yet knowing full well that this is your first visit. Déjà vu is familiar to virtually all of us, but what exactly is it? Even someone with their feet planted firmly in the realms of logic and science…

Hallucinations are sensory perceptions that appear in the absence of stimuli. Although they are often associated with illnesses such as schizophrenia, these phenomena can occur in the absence of mental ill health. But what explains these uncanny occurrences? There are many types of hallucinations. They can be visual (sight hallucinations), auditory…

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) have found what appears to be the likely order in which COVID-19 symptoms first appear. The study findings reveal individuals infected with COVID-19 will likely experience symptoms in the following order: fever coughing and muscle pain nausea, vomiting, or both diarrhea The research appears…

A recent review and meta-analysis asks whether honey is an effective treatment for a cough and other symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections. Overall, the authors conclude, honey is “superior to usual care for the improvement of symptoms.” However, because data are sparse, questions remain. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs),…

Iron poisoning occurs when an excessive amount of iron accumulates in the body. It can happen naturally or accidentally. The toxic effects of too much iron worsen over time and may result in death. Iron poisoning is always a medical emergency and is especially dangerous in children. What is iron…

Intracerebral hemorrhage happens when blood suddenly leaks in the brain, causing damage to the brain tissue. An intracerebral hemorrhage is a potentially life-threatening emergency, requiring immediate medical attention. What is an intracerebral hemorrhage? An intracerebral hemorrhage occurs after a blood vessel bursts in the brain, flooding brain tissue with blood.…

Mythology and religious texts are full of stories of leaders and heroes sweating blood. This phenomenon is not just fantasy, however, but very real. As well as bloody sweat, people can ooze blood from their eyes, nose, and other mucous membranes in a condition known as hematidrosis. Most studies suggest…

Diaphoresis refers to excessive sweating for no apparent reason. Often, an underlying medical condition or a natural life event, such as menopause, cause this type of sweating. Sweat is the body’s natural way to control its temperature. A person usually sweats due to physical exertion, raised body temperature, or exposure…

Blood pressure is one of the four major vital signs, the others being heart rate, breathing rate, and body temperature. These vital signs can help give a general idea of how well the body and its organs are performing. Changes in a person’s vital signs can indicate an underlying health…

High blood pressure is a dangerous condition that can damage your heart. It affects one in three people in the US and 1 billion people worldwide (1, 2). If left uncontrolled, high blood pressure raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. But there’s good news. There are a number of things you can…

Research about coffee and blood pressure is conflicting. However, it seems that how often a person drinks coffee could influence its effect on blood pressure.  In this article, we talk about how coffee affects blood pressure and what the evidence says. We also discuss when to see a doctor and suggest some alternatives to…

A study suggests that influenza viruses can spread through the air not only in droplets — which a person who has the virus releases when they talk, cough, or sneeze — but also on microscopic dust particles.  Seasonal flu outbreaks are responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of peopleworldwide…

Prebiotics are fibers and natural sugars that stimulate the good bacteria in the gut. Many prebiotic foods are suitable for vegans and people on other diets to eat. These foods include almonds, chicory, garlic, and chickpeas. Prebiotics help beneficial bacteria grow in the gut. They work with probiotics, which are healthful bacteria…

Vegans and vegetarians choose not to eat meat. However, veganism is stricter and also prohibits dairy, eggs, honey, and any other items that derive from animal products, such as leather and silk. Both veganism and vegetarianism are growing in popularity. However, some people may find the differences between these two…

Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and wastes the water and other resources it takes to grow the food. While the average consumer is not a large environmental polluter compared to large corporations, finding ways to reduce food waste throughout the day can help a person avoid contributing to…

Eco-anxiety refers to a fear of environmental damage or ecological disaster. This sense of anxiety is largely based on the current and predicted future state of the environment and human-induced climate change. According to a 2018 national survey, almost 70% of people in the United States are worried about climate change,…

Scientists around the world agree that we are currently facing a climate crisis in which global heating is threatening wildlife and primary resources. This crisis also affects humans by impacting the spread of infectious diseases. In this feature, we look at one such prominent example: the spread of the West…