How Does a CPAP Machine Work to Treat Sleep Apnea?

The History of CPAP Machines CPAP machines have been used for thetreatment of sleep apneasince 1981. It was a remarkable discoveryand one met with initial skepticism. It would take five years before the devices became more widely available commercially. nicolesy / E+ / Getty Images How Does A CPAP Work? Modern CPAP machines work based on the same principles as the initial devices developed by Dr. Sullivan. The pressures are now generated with smaller, quieter motors....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 419 words · Michael Anderson

How Does Alcohol Detection Work in a Urine Test?

The ethanol test is a basic test that measures the amount of ethanol excreted in your urine. Since your body processes alcohol quickly, this test is most accurate within 12 hours of consumption. EtS testing can detect alcohol consumption within 24 hours of your last drink. Iparraguirre Recio / Getty Images A lab test will produce a more accurate result. What Could Skew Results? The test will produce results in minutes....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 213 words · Jennifer Rojas

How Does an Implant for Sleep Apnea Work?

A hypoglossal nerve stimulation implant is a new treatment for sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apneais a condition that occurs in people with narrow throats. When sleeping, the muscles in the mouth and throat relax, causing the airways to become blocked. Ridofranz / Getty Images This leads to poor sleep quality and can increase the risk of several health conditions. This opens the airway, allowing the user to breathe more easily while sleeping....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 281 words · Alexander Castaneda

How Does Ankylosing Spondylitis Affect the Eyes?

Ankylosing spondylitis(AS) is a throw in of inflammatory arthritis that typically affects the spine. Of those affected by AS, around one-third also haveuveitis(inflammation inside the eye). The uvea contains many blood vessels and is made up of theiris, theciliary body, and the choroid. Dimitri Otis / Getty Images Uveitis is a condition that comes up whenever the uvea is inflamed. There are four types of uveitis that affect different parts of the uvea....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 277 words · Nathan Carter

How Does Bird Flu Spread to Humans?

Thats not likely, experts say. Heres what it’s crucial that you know. Can Bird Flu Spread to Humans? Nes / Getty Images So far, there have been no reported instances of human-to-human transmission in the country. How Does Bird Flu Spread to Humans? Even in cases where it has happened, it has not led to continued spread among people. Its not responsible to say absolutely that bird flucannot be transmitted through food, Ogunseitan said....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 324 words · Daniel Barr

How Does Cancer Actually Kill You?

Cancer is not always fatal, but many people do die from the disease. When cancer is found early, cancer is often easier to treat and less likely to be fatal. In these cases, the cancer might be cured by surgery and treatments like chemotherapy. FatCamera / Getty Images This article will go over questions you may have about how cancer causes death. For example, terminal cancer cannot be cured but can be treated....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 698 words · Melissa Harrison

How Does Cancer Become Resistant to Chemotherapy?

Verywell / Michela Buttignol Causes of Cancer Drug Resistance There are two main types of drug resistance. Intrinsic drug resistance is already present before the treatment starts. Extrinsic resistance develops in response to the treatment. Verywell / Michela Buttignol There are many ways that anticancer drugs work. This binding causes a cascade of reactions inside the cell that results in the cell dying. There are many ways that the cells can change these proteins....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 595 words · John Allen

How Does Cialis (Tadalafil) Work?

Cialis is a prescription medication containing the active ingredienttadalafil. Cialis belongs to a group of medications known asphosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors. Healthcare providers commonly prescribe tadalafil to treaterectile dysfunction (ED). Wladimir Bulgar / Getty Images Several things maycause ED. Most commonly, the natural aging process limits blood flow into the penis. ED occurs more frequently in older men. Understanding PAH and BPH PDE5 inhibitors also treat other conditions. One of these is PAH....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 778 words · Travis Hooper

How Does COPD Affect the Diaphragm?

Thediaphragmis a large, dome-shaped muscle located directly below the lungs. You use it to breathe. When you take a breath, the diaphragm contracts and flattens, which causes your chest cavity to expand. OpenStax / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 When you exhale, meanwhile, your diaphragm relaxes and returns to its previous shape. This forces air back out of your lungs. Healthy adults take between 12 to 28 breaths a minute or as many as 40,000 breaths in a day....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 280 words · Kayla Clark

How Does Drinking Alcohol Impact Your Bone Health?

Many people enjoy alcohol, but there is evidence that drinking too much can have adverse health effects. Halfpoint Images / Getty Images How Does Alcohol Affect Your Bones? Osteoporosis is abone diseaseof decreased bone strength and an increased risk for bone fractures. Halfpoint Images / Getty Images This increases the risk of bone fractures andosteoporosisas it reduces bone density. Research shows that alcohol consumption, particularly in high amounts, negatively impacts bones at all ages....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 409 words · Joshua Frederick

How Does Hypothyroidism Affect Your Mental Health?

Hypothyroidismis a common thyroid condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This can impact mental well-being. Psychiatric symptoms like low mood, memory problems, and extreme fatigue are common among people with hypothyroidism. FG Trade / Getty Images FG Trade / Getty Images What Causes Psychiatric Symptoms? Psychiatric symptoms include a variety of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that are tied to mental health challenges. What Does “Psychiatric” Mean?...

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 426 words · Wendy Jordan

How Does Mederma Cream Work for Scars?

This product lists its active ingredient asAllium cepa, or onion extract. This may be especially true if it’s on an area of skin that tends to be exposed. Mederma scar cream is based on using onion extract. JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images Mederma is safe for those ages 6 months or older. But is it worth the money? Will Medermascar creamhelp your scar become less noticeable? Despite what all the commercials say, the research doesn’t support it is better than the usual treatment....

April 18, 2025 · 1 min · 211 words · Michelle Lin

How Does Ozempic Work?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is prescribed to treat key in 2 diabetes mellitus. It works by stimulating insulin to manage blood sugar levels. Semaglutide, as a GLP-1 receptor agonist, works by mimicking incretin. Mario Tama / Getty Images Incretin is a hormone that regulates the amount of insulin released into the blood after eating. Ozempic increases insulin secretion and improves glycemic control (blood sugar regulation). How Does Ozempic Make You Lose Weight? Ozempic helps people to lose weight by curbing your appetite....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 464 words · Andrea Aguilar