LexiMed Educates is going to take a look at some strange, funny and sometimes weird medical myths and the stories behind them. The Myth True or False? The facts…. Cold weather makes you sick. False Eyeing the dropping temps with trepidation since they typically trigger a cold or flu? Turns out, Mother Nature isn’t to […]
Medical Myths
Every day advances are made in modern medicine to enable people to live longer, healthier lives. The internet has made medical information more easily accessible than ever before and people are becoming more aware of the importance of looking after their health. However, a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing. Surprisingly, there are many […]
Pituitary Gland Disorders
The Pituitary Gland The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain, attached to the hypothalamus, which controls its function and is approximately the size of a pea. Known as the master gland, it produces hormones that control other glands, and has a role in many body functions. The pituitary gland is divided […]
Aspiration Pneumonia
Overview Aspiration pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs and airways caused by breathing in foreign material, either from the mouth or regurgitated from the stomach. The foreign material can be made up of oral or gastric content including food, liquid, vomit, saliva or nasal secretions. This can lead to significant infection in the lung. Causes […]
Cirrhosis
Overview Cirrhosis is a chronic condition of the liver characterised by abnormal liver function and structure, as a result of damage caused by inflammation of liver cells. Inflammation and regeneration that is associated with dying liver cells leads to the formation of scar tissue. Surviving cells multiply as they try to replace dead cells, resulting […]
The Spleen
Overview The spleen is an organ found in virtually all vertebrate mammals. It is located in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. In the average healthy adult it weighs around two hundred grams and it is about the size of a fist. The spleen has several main functions. It filters the blood and removes […]
Heart Bypass
In this article on the heart we are taking a look at heart bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft. Heart bypass surgery is carried out to reduce the risk of death from coronary artery disease. It involves taking arteries or veins from other parts of the body […]
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
The term Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease can be broken down into gastro, which means of or relating to the stomach, oesophageal meaning relating to the oesophagus, and reflux which means to flow back. It is a common condition in which the stomach contents leak backwards from the stomach into the oesophagus, which is the pipe attaching […]
The Human Nose
The human nose is a sense organ which allows us to smell. Another word for smell is olfaction. The olfactory receptors in the nose help to identify food, mates, predators, and provides both sensual pleasure in the odour of flowers and perfume, as well as warnings of danger, for example spoiled food, fire or chemical […]
Pulmonary Embolism
Overview An emboli or an embolus is a foreign object, quantity of gas or air, a bit of tissue or tumour or a blood clot that travels through the circulatory system to another location. A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung. A blood clot or thrombus forms in one of the body’s […]