When to Evaluate a Cervical Lymph Node in Children: Understanding Size Criteria

Palpable neck lymph nodes are  extremely common in children —most are benign and reactive from frequent viral or bacterial infections. However, certain features, including  size ,  location , and  persistence , can signal the need for further evaluation to rule out more serious conditions like lymphoma or metastatic disease. 1. Normal Lymph Node Size in Children Children’s lymphatic systems are more active than adults’, so  small, palpable nodes are normal , especially in the cervical region. A…

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The New Hidden Salivary Glands in Your Upper Throat: What Are the Tubarial Glands?

Just when we thought we knew every nook and cranny of the human body, scientists may have found something new hiding in plain sight—right inside our heads. These mysterious structures are called the  tubarial glands , and if confirmed, they could represent a previously unrecognized set of  major salivary glands . The Discovery Nobody Saw Coming In 2020, researchers in the Netherlands made a surprising observation while scanning cancer patients using a special type of imaging called a  PSMA PET/…

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A Brief History of Nose Jobs: From Ancient Surgery to Modern Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a “nose job,” is among the oldest documented surgical procedures in human history. While in modern times it is frequently performed for aesthetic enhancement, its origins lie in reconstructive medicine, restoring dignity and function to those who had lost their noses due to punishment, disease, or trauma. The First Documented Rhinoplasty: Sushruta in Ancient India (ca. 600 BCE) The earliest known description of nasal reconstruction is found in the  Sushruta …

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Bilateral BPPV: When Vertigo Strikes from BOTH the Left and Right Inner Ears!

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, or BPPV , is one of the most common causes of dizziness. It happens when tiny calcium crystals in the inner ear, called otoconia, become dislodged and move into one of the semicircular canals, typically the posterior semicircular canal. Usually, this occurs only on one side. However, rarely both posterior canals on each side can become affected resulting in bilateral posterior canal BPPV. Treatment requires the displaced crystals from each side to be repos…

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Preventable Risk Factors Associated with BPPV Dizziness Occurrence and Recurrence

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo ( BPPV )  is a common cause of vertigo, and while repositioning maneuvers like the Epley are highly effective for treatment, new research is shedding light on ways to  prevent BPPV from recurring . Metabolic health, hormones, and bone strength all play important roles. Vitamin D and Calcium Metabolism Vitamin D deficiency is strongly linked to recurrent BPPV. Since vitamin D regulates calcium metabolism and bone health, low levels may weaken the inner ear’s…

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The Lumipulse Blood Test for Alzheimer’s: What to Know

The Lumipulse blood test developed by Fujirebio is a new FDA-approved option that can help doctors check for signs of Alzheimer’s disease in people with memory problems. It’s not a screening test for healthy people, but it’s meant for adults 55 and older who already have symptoms of cognitive decline. How it works Alzheimer’s causes certain proteins in the brain to change. In blood, p-tau217 tends to go up and Aβ42 tends to go down. The Lumipulse test measures these proteins and reports a rat…

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