Bodies...The Blog

The Importance of Vitamin D

5-21-11

Rickets are defined as the softening of bones in children, due to the deficiency or impaired metabolism of Vitamin D, phosphorus, or calcium. Rickets can lead to fractures or deformity and is the most frequent type of childhood disease in many 3rd world countries. The lack of calcium in a child’s diet may lead to Rickets, which can be cause by severe diarrhea, vomiting, or severe malnutrition. While this can occur in adults, famine or starvation can lead to this during the early years of development. The adult version of this condition, Osteomalacia, is typically caused by the lack of Vitamin D in one’s diet.

Predicting the Weather with Achy Joints - More than a Myth?

5-18-11

Can a pain in your joints really predict the weather? Up to two-thirds of people with arthritis believe this to be true because the decrease in temperature or increase in moisture can worsen a person’s symptoms. There are not many scientific studies supporting this claim and healthcare providers do believe that this claim is often misguided. However, a recent research study shows that the effect of humidity, temperature, and barometric pressure can influence a person’s joint pains.

What Happens When You Break a Bone?

5-14-11

The skeletal system is made up of 206 bones, hard dense tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. Bones have adapted over time to provide support for the body, anchor muscles and allow them to contract, and allow limbs to move. Additionally, bones act as the body’s source of calcium and are always going through changes under the control of hormones. Because of these things, bones are vulnerable to a large variety of injuries.

Ancient Medical Practices in Mexico

5-5-11

The Ancient Mayans practiced medicine in several different ways, blending mind, body, religion, ritual and science. The shamans, or medicine men, had vast medical knowledge and often times were able to suture wounds with hair, repair fractures, or perform dental surgeries using jade or turquoise for fillings. Mayans used herbal remedies for treating symptoms and most of the treatments were commonly eaten, smoked, snorted, or rubbed on the skin.