Posts

Meditation is a mind-body practice used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being. Today, meditation is practiced by some as a secular, non-spiritual form ofstress management. Focused Meditation Focused meditation is the practice of focusing your senses on a specific sensation or object. Patrik Giardino / Getty Images It is often combined with breathing exercises (referred to in Hindi aspranayama) to keep your thoughts focused. The aim of mindful meditation is to maintain attention on the present moment while rhythmically inhaling and exhaling....

A medusa piercing is a bang out ofbody piercing. It uses a stud that passes through yourphiltrum. This is the midline indent just under your nose and above your upper lip. Alex Liew / Getty Images Like other body piercings, a medusa piercing needs proper care to reduce the risk ofinfection. Alex Liew / Getty Images Medusa Piercing in Philtrum: Does It Hurt? While everyone experiences pain differently. Your pain level can vary based on your tolerance, the skill of your piercer, and your aftercare....

This fear can causeanxietywhen encountering or thinking about a large object or something related to it. A specific phobia is an irrational, persistent fear of an object or situation that can lead topanic attacks. It can interfere with daily life, including work and relationships. Justin Paget / Getty Images Fortunately, like most phobias, megalophobia is treatable and manageable with coping strategies. Justin Paget / Getty Images What Is Megalophobia? Megalophobia is an extreme and lasting fear of large objects or vast spaces....

We all breathe, we all eat, we all travel. We are all susceptible to infectious diseases. Some of us, sometimes the most vulnerable, are the most susceptible. Dr. Coffee first started research in infectious disease over 15 years ago. She was interested in understanding the dynamics and spread of infectious diseases like HIV. She’s published in multiple journals, includingAIDS. She is a clinical doctor as well, working with patients with infectious diseases, primarily HIV and TB....

Melaninis a pigment made by specialized cells in the skin calledmelanocytes. Melanin production increases with sun exposure to help protect against harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Production Melanin is produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. Illustration by Zoe Hansen for Verywell Health Melanocytes have a protein on their surface called themelanocortin1 receptor (MC1R). The MC1R gene gives instructions for making the melanocortin 1 receptor. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone produced in thepituitary glandregulates melanin production in the skin....

Sometimes melanoma also occurs on the conjunctiva or eyelid. This cancer is most common in older people and peaks at around age 70. It is found more often in men than in women. Verywell / Laura Porter Ocular melanomas account for around 5% of melanomas. In other words, they are not usually visible in the mirror. It is much like the tool your optician or physician uses to look at your eye....

Mitochondria have their own DNA, which is always inherited from the mother. However, MELAS syndrome is often not actually inherited; the mutation in this disorder commonly occurs spontaneously. The syndrome affects all ethnic groups and both males and females. CNRI / Getty Images The disease often is fatal. Since there is no cure for MELAS syndrome, medical care is largely supportive. These are not truestrokes, hence the term “stroke-like.” Other common symptoms related to encephalopathy are recurrent migraine-like headaches,seizures, vomiting, and cognitive impairment....

Its important to seek competent providers, communicate, and advocate for yourself as you seek care. The key to living with and managing it is to separate the facts from the fiction about this condition. However, this disorder can also arise in those with lighter skin. Zoe Hansen / Verywell These cells are primarily found in the basal layer of theepidermis, or outer layer of skin. Julie Bang / Verywell People may confuse melanocytes with what they produce and store: melanin....

Melatoninsupplements are best known as sleep aids. It may also have analgesic effects to help reduce painand anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Your body uses the neurotransmitterserotoninto make melatonin. ViktorCap / Getty Images People withfibromyalgiaand chronic fatigue syndrome are believed to have dysfunctional serotonin metabolism. Does that mean these conditions are linked to melatonin problems as well? It actually may not, but research on that isn’t totally clear. That lead to a belief that melatonin supplements may be an effective treatment....

The use of melatonin supplements has increased among all age groups. Theres limited research on using the supplement in children without these conditions. Safety Concerns One safety concern is toxicity. Blend Images - Inti St Clair / Getty Images Reports ofmelatonin poisoninghave increased in recent years. Additionally, some of the studied melatonin products contained other substances requiring prescriptions. Dosing and Frequency There are no specific guidelines on how much melatonin kids should take....

Melatoninoverdose is not common or typically life-threatening but there are questions about how much melatonin is too much. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. AnnaStills / Getty Images Dosage People take melatonin supplements to boost their own production levels. AnnaStills / Getty Images There is no specific recommended dose of melatonin. Melatonin Overdose Taking too much melatonin is not more effective and can have the opposite effect....

Melena is when blood causes stools to appear black, tarry, and foul-smelling. Melena is not a disease itself but rather a symptom of a condition that’s causing the bleeding. Kevin Brine / Getty Images What Causes Melena? Kevin Brine / Getty Images Stools maylook black and appear tarrybecause they contain blood. The blood is dark because it is coming from somewhere in the upper digestive tract. This means that there is a medical condition present that is causing bleeding....

Ibuprofen and meloxicam are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that treat inflammation and pain. Meloxicam is a stronger anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen so it’s only taken once a day. It is available by prescription only, while ibuprofen is available over-the-counter (OTC). SDI Productions / E+ / Getty Images Your healthcare provider might recommend meloxicam or ibuprofen to treat arthritis pain andinflammation. NSAIDs decrease the production ofprostaglandins. Prostaglandins are substances that promote pain, fever, and inflammation throughout the body....