It doesn’t take a lot to make the surface of the skin itchy. The skin is the largest organ of the body and accounts for about 16 percent of a person’s body weight. Most of our skin is covered in tiny hairs, which can pick up movement with even the slightest touch. Furthermore, the first [...]

The human brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons that communicate with each another through axons that carry signal pulses to distant parts of the brain or body. In this way, when an individual reaches for a pencil, the message has been sent at lightning speed from the brain to the arm and hand and back [...]

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in your abdomen that form part of the urinary tract. They are responsible for filtering waste products and useful chemicals from your blood and eliminating the waste products into the urine. Without the kidneys, waste products and toxins would build up to dangerous levels in the blood and damage [...]

Every day the body needs to eliminate toxins and waste products. The kidneys are important organs in this process. They filter blood, urine and waste products as well as regulate vital electrolyte levels. When urine accumulates at the kidneys, it filters through a narrow tube the ureter, into the bladder. When the bladder is full, [...]

When a muscle becomes rigid and contracts its known as an involuntary spasm. Spasms occur when the fibers within the muscle contract, tighten and restrict blood circulation. This can be a result of a message from the brain, a result of sitting in a particular position, or straining the muscle. Spasms usually affect the neck, [...]

The human brain is an amazingly complex organ – controlling all aspects of the human experience from our thoughts, emotions, and sensations to our movements. Our body receives, analyzes, and stores information but also allows us to think, move, see, hear, feel, taste and smell. This is all achieved through a complex process involving electrical [...]

Common inflammation in the joints can cause common symptoms such as pain, swelling, and a deep throbbing or aching. This can happen from a sports–related injury or strain. Nearly all sports injuries cause swelling, and this can usually be seen with the naked eye. Pain, redness and heat may also arise at the site of [...]

Muscles in the leg are made up of elastic tissue, with tens of thousands of small fibers making up each complete muscle. The gluteal muscles, hip flexors, quadriceps, hamstrings and the adductors make up the main leg muscles with the tibialis anterior (shin muscle), gastrocnemius and soleus muscles making up the lower leg muscles. Muscles [...]

The big toe is the largest toe on the foot, and just like the thumb on our hand gives us dexterity, our big toe helps us to maintain balance. Our joints and knuckles on the toes and fingers need to be kept in good working order. Uric acid is found in some foods and it [...]

Deciding to quit smoking is a big decision and often a difficult one to make and stick to. The benefits of smoking cessation are unparalleled as cigarette smoking is one of the biggest contributors to ill health. Quitting can only benefit your health. People who are trying to stop smoking can become extremely irritable and [...]