Music has always been a part of healing, but now science is showing just how much it can help. In Cleveland, Ohio, cancer patients can ask for a special kind of medicine: live music at their bedside. Studies show that music can make pain feel less intense, reducing it by about 20%. This doesn't mean music replaces medicine, but it can work alongside it to make patien...
In the world of old English texts, Bald's Leechbook stands out as a treasure trove of medical knowledge. This book is like a guide, starting from the head and going down to the feet, filled with herbal remedies and some notes on how well they work. It's not just about herbs though; there are also recipes that mix magic, religion, and symbols. This mix shows how peopl...
Fainting, or syncope, is a common issue with many possible causes. Some are harmless, while others can be serious. To figure out what's going on, doctors need to ask lots of questions. They want to know how often it happens, what triggers it, and if there are any warning signs. It's not always easy to tell if someone is fainting or having another problem. They might...
The story of medicine is often told as a tale of men. But women have always been part of it. They have been patients, healers, and innovators. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked. One such overlooked figure is Dora Gerson. She was a doctor in Dresden. She was one of the first women in Germany to specialize in urology and skin diseases. Her story is a stark ...
The year was 1812. James K. Polk, a young man at the time, was facing a serious health issue. He had a bladder stone, a painful condition that required immediate attention. The solution? A procedure called lithotomy, performed by Dr. Ephraim McDowell. This was not just any surgery. It was a significant event that would later shape Polk's political career. But first, ...
Dementia is a word that strikes fear into many hearts. For some, it's a personal worry, a specter lurking in the background. Joan Presky is one of those people. She has seen firsthand the toll that Alzheimer's disease can take. Her mother battled it for 14 long years. For the last seven of those years, her mother needed specialized care. Her maternal grandfather also...
Imagine a time when medicine was still finding its feet. John Stearne, born in 1624, was a key figure in this era. He was the first to hold the title of Regius Professor of Medicine at Trinity College Dublin. His journey wasn't straightforward, though. Stearne's story begins in Ardbraccan, County Meath. He was lucky to have a powerful family. His great uncle...
The 16th century was a time of big changes in medicine and surgery. Two key players in this transformation were Andreas Vesalius and Ambroise Paré. They were both ahead of their time, making big contributions to their fields. Vesalius and Paré both had a lot in common. They studied together, shared an interest in anatomy, and even had military experience. Bu...
Before computers, learning about the human body was hands-on and fun. In the 1500s, German illustrator Vogtherr created "fugitive sheets, " which were like early pop-up books for the body. These drawings had paper flaps that could be lifted to reveal what's inside. They became so popular that many small printing shops started making them. But the real breakthrough c...
Sure, talking with your family about colon polyps might seem awkward, but it could save a life. Dr. Shukla, a colon and rectal surgeon, wants you to chat about this stuff openly. Start colonoscopies at 45, or earlier if your family's had trouble. Got a polyp? Ask if it's an adenoma and how big. This matters, especially if you're under 50. Surprisingly, younger women ...