Category: What You Didn’t Know

Testosterone, a key androgen or male sex hormone, significantly impacts numerous bodily functions, including the growth of body hair. Although it’s widely associated with male characteristics like a deep voice and muscle strength, testosterone’s influence extends to both genders. Its balance is crucial for overall health, with imbalances leading to various issues, including hair growth anomalies. The Transformation to Dihydrotestosterone Testosterone transforms into a more potent form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), through an enzyme. DHT primarily acts on the skin and hair follicles, encouraging body hair growth but paradoxically contributing to scalp hair thinning, known as male pattern baldness. This process of follicle shrinkage prevents the replacement of fallen hairs, leading to gradual hair loss. Testosterone Levels and Hair Loss Contrary to […]

Typically, hospitals incinerate limbs, organs, or tissues removed from non-organ donor patients. This practice is in place to ensure safe and hygienic disposal of biological materials. There is no federal law preventing patients from reclaiming their amputated limbs. Generally, patients have the right to request their removed body parts, and many hospitals have procedures for such requests. However, the absence of specific laws means practices can vary significantly by hospital and region​​. Hospitals typically have three approaches to handling requests for returned limbs: ad hoc decisions under tissue policies, explicit provisions in consent policies, or special policies for the disposal of amputations. This suggests a lack of uniformity in how hospitals manage such requests, often leaving the decision to individual […]

In November 1941, Rosemary Kennedy, the elder sister of future American president John F. Kennedy, underwent a radical surgery at the George Washington University School of Medicine. Frustrated by Rosemary’s unpredictable behavior and learning difficulties, her father, Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., sought a solution. However, the aftermath of the lobotomy left Rosemary with the mind of a two-year-old, stripping away her vivacity and charisma. Over 30 years, nearly 40,000 similar procedures were performed in the United States, claiming to treat a range of mental illnesses but often leaving patients helpless or worse. This article delves into the controversial history of psychosurgery and its impact. At the turn of the 20th century, psychiatry faced a crisis, lacking effective treatments for mental […]

The impact of caffeine overconsumption on fatalities has garnered attention. If you’re a caffeine or energy drink enthusiast, you might wonder about the safe daily limits. How much coffee is too much before it becomes a lethal dose? Determining a precise lethal dose is challenging due to individual variability. Caffeine affects people differently, and tolerance levels further complicate predictions. Ethical considerations aside, no credible study provides an exact lethal dose. Without jeopardizing lives, studies offer insights into caffeine overdoses. While pinpointing an exact lethal dose for an individual is near-impossible, research sheds light on potential dangers. The highest recorded human caffeine consumption, around 100 grams, equates to about 1,200 cups of coffee. For adults, doses ranging from 5-10 grams consumed […]

Scars are a testament to the skin’s remarkable ability to heal itself after an injury. Despite their common occurrence, the process of scar formation involves a complex interplay of cells and proteins. At the heart of scar formation is collagen, a key protein that provides structure to the skin. When the skin is injured, fibroblasts, cells that generate collagen, spring into action. During the healing process, these cells migrate to the wound site, where they begin secreting collagen. This collagen initially helps to pull the wound edges together. Although scar tissue is composed of the same type of proteins as normal skin, its distinct appearance is due to the alignment of these proteins. In normal skin, collagen fibers are arranged […]

Can a man test positive on a pregnancy test? The answer may surprise you. Understanding Pregnancy Tests and hCG Pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of a hormone called beta human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In most cases, hCG is a marker of pregnancy, but it’s not exclusive to expectant mothers. Interestingly, some types of testicular cancers can also release hCG into the bloodstream, leading to a positive pregnancy test result in men. However, it’s crucial to note that a negative result doesn’t necessarily mean a man is cancer-free, as not all testicular tumors secrete this hormone. During pregnancy, hCG plays a pivotal role in maintaining the uterine lining (endometrium) during the first trimester. It accomplishes this by stimulating the […]

Paresthesia, commonly experienced as limbs “falling asleep,” is a phenomenon where you feel numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or feet. This sensation usually arises from prolonged pressure on the nerves. For example, when you sit cross-legged or sleep with your arm under your head, you might inadvertently exert pressure on a nerve. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s normal functioning, leading to a temporary loss of sensation in the affected area, akin to water being cut off when a hose is stepped on. The Science Behind Nerve Compression Your nerve cells, mainly located in the spinal cord, extend throughout your body, including your limbs. These nerves have axons and dendrites that facilitate sensation. When there is excessive pressure on […]

Heart palpitations are sensations that many individuals experience at some point. They can manifest as skipped beats, fluttering, pounding, or rapid pulsing of the heart. While palpitations can be disconcerting, they are often benign and not indicative of a serious health issue. Nonetheless, medical evaluation is essential to rule out any underlying conditions that could require treatment. The heart operates through a coordinated effort between its mechanical and electrical systems. The electrical system, primarily the sinoatrial node, initiates an impulse causing the heart muscle to contract, propelling blood through the four chambers separated by one-way valves and a dividing wall called the septum. Palpitations can occur when there are disruptions in this electrical sequence, leading to an awareness of the […]

It’s a fact that might surprise you – consuming an overabundance of carrots can lead to a noticeable change in skin color, giving it an orangish-yellow tint. This phenomenon is known as carotenemia. It’s not a myth, but rather a well-documented medical condition. Understanding Carotenemia Carotenemia occurs when the carotene levels in your body escalate due to the intake of carotene-rich foods, such as carrots. It’s not harmful and is seen quite often in infants who are given plenty of mashed carrots and other carotene-heavy vegetables. The first signs of carotenemia typically appear on the nose and palms. The good news is carotenemia is benign. Although it might give a unique hue to the skin, it’s a completely reversible condition. […]