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Physiology
12 months ago

What Are the Impacts of Stress on the Body and Mind?

It’s late afternoon, and you have an hour’s worth of work piled on your desk with a tight deadline looming. Yet, you have to leave in 30 minutes to pick up your children from school. The clock is ticking, and the stress is mounting.   Our stress response, commonly referred to as the “fight-or-flight” reaction, can be triggered by everyday challenges such as work pressures, financial worries, traffic congestion and family obligations. But how do these stressors affect our bodies and mental health?   In this article, we will explore three types of stress and examine how prolonged exposure to stress can impact you mentally and physically.  Types of Stress  There are three main types of stress that a person experiences:   Acute stressThis is short-term stress that everyone faces from time to time. It typically arises from temporary challenges, like meeting a deadline or having an argument

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Physiology
1 year ago

How Do Vitamins Work? The Science Behind Their Absorption

Many of the foods we eat naturally contain vitamins and other nutrients, while others are fortified, such as milk with added vitamin D. Still, some people lack certain essential vitamins due to their diet, age, gender, genetics or other factors. To compensate, many take supplements, such as multivitamins, that deliver a variety of vitamins and minerals in every dose.  How do vitamins work in the body? Let’s explore this topic and examine the ongoing controversy surrounding supplement efficacy within medical and scientific communities.  How Do Vitamin Supplements Travel Through Your Body? Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how vitamins travel through the human body:  You swallow the vitamin supplement, and it moves down the esophagus to the stomach.  In the stomach, digestion begins. Digestive acids and enzymes begin to dissolve the supplement, but it’s not fully digested here. The remaining portion travels to the small intestine, where it’s further broken down by digestive enzymes and fluids from the liver and pancreas

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Physiology
1 year ago

Drugs That Treat Multiple Conditions: Hydroxyzine

Throughout the pharmaceutical world, there are numerous drugs that help people manage multiple conditions. Topiramate, developed to treat seizures, doubles as a migraine treatment. Bupropion, typically prescribed as an antidepressant, also aids in smoking cessation. Minoxidil, developed to treat high blood pressure, is perhaps better known for reversing hair loss.   Clinical trials determine the effectiveness and safety of drugs before they’re approved for public use, but sometimes these trials reveal unforeseen benefits. Hydroxyzine is a prominent example of this type of versatile medication, and one we’ll explore its multiple uses in this article.  Hydroxyzine: A Versatile Medication  Hydroxyzine, a prescription antihistamine typically administered orally, has applications beyond stopping runny noses

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Physiology
1 year ago

How Does Nicotine Replacement Therapy Relieve Addiction?

”From a scientific standpoint, nicotine is just as hard, or harder, to quit than heroin.” This jarring statement from nicotine researcher Dr. Neil Benowitz may explain why so many people struggle with giving up nicotine for years, or even a lifetime.  When individuals use conventional cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco or e-cigarettes, the bloodstream quickly absorbs the chemical nicotine and transports it to the brain. The brain responds by releasing dopamine, the “happy hormone,” producing a pleasurable sensation. The body eventually grows accustomed to that sensation and becomes dependent on nicotine to produce it. When a smoker quits cigarettes, they may begin to feel angrier, sadder and hungrier due to the lack of stimulation from nicotine

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Medical School
1 year ago

How This Program Helps Prepare You for Medical School

Medical school is a challenging but ultimately fulfilling endeavor for most students. Completing it positions you to make an immeasurable impact on the lives and health of others in a rewarding profession.   In recent years, however, about 60% of applicants have not been accepted into medical school — even as doctor shortages increase. In fact, some industry organizations have forecast a physician shortfall approaching 86,000 by 2036.    These figures underscore the importance of submitting a standout medical school application. Your application should clearly demonstrate that you not only meet the requirements but also possess the skills, credentials and determination needed to tackle the rigors of medical school and become an M.D.   The University of Florida’s College of Medicine offers an online Master of Science in Medical Sciences with a concentration in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology program that can set you up for success in the medical school application process and beyond. Here’s how this program can benefit you as an aspiring medical school student.  The Difference Our Degree Can Make Our online master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology can help prepare you for medical school in several ways:   MCAT-Aligned Curriculum  Our program features curriculum designed to prepare you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) — a key requirement for medical school admission

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Physiology
1 year ago

Becoming an Astronaut: How Space Flight Affects Our Bodies

As children, many of us shared a similar professional goal: We were determined to become astronauts. Little did we know that NASA’s acceptance rate is abysmally low. In 2024, more than 8,000 people applied to become astronauts. Of that number, NASA will only choose between eight and 12 candidates.  Beyond the rigorous selection process, one aspect of being an astronaut that we likely didn’t consider as children is the effect space flight has on our bodies. With drastic changes in gravity and no atmosphere to shield us from the sun’s UV rays, several short- and long-term changes can occur in our bodies while in space.  Settle in and buckle up as we explore the effects of space flight on humans and — for those still interested — the prerequisites for becoming an astronaut.  Immediate Effects During Launch  In addition to the adrenaline spike they may feel during the famed countdown to liftoff, astronauts may experience several other physiological changes during space shuttle launches due to increased G-forces, including:   Difficulty moving limbs  Tunnel vision or brief loss of consciousness  A reduced ability for the heart to efficiently pump blood  Bodily fluids shifting upward, which can cause fluid retention in the upper body  Discomfort in the sinuses due to changes in air pressure  Musculoskeletal Adaptations  If you’re on a commercial mission to space, you’ll likely only be there long enough to appreciate the beauty of Earth from above, notice its curvature  and maybe even experience a few sunsets or sunrises, depending on your positioning

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Medical School
1 year ago

Comparing Graduate Credentials: Medical Physiology vs. Microbiology

If you’re considering a graduate credential, we salute you! The path to securing your dream position can be a long one, and a graduate certificate or master’s degree is often the first step in advancing your career, especially in STEM-related roles.  If you’ve narrowed down your graduate options to medical physiology and microbiology, it’s helpful to understand the similarities and differences between these fields. While these programs may share similar credit requirements and a strong foundation in fundamental biological concepts, they also have some distinct differences.  Let’s explore these differences and help you determine which program aligns best with your professional goals.  Program Curriculum A significant difference between a graduate credential in medical physiology and one in microbiology lies in each program’s framework and content:  Medical Physiology If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I take anatomy and physiology for medical school?”, the answer is yes. Courses focused on anatomy and physiology provide essential knowledge that will help you succeed in medical and other professional schools. The University of Florida’s online MS in medical physiology and pharmacology program offers a broader application of biological sciences, integrating human and medical physiology into clinical settings. It also emphasizes key areas of pharmacology, preparing graduates for roles such as clinical research coordinator, medical educator or healthcare consultant.  Microbiology In contrast, a microbiology program concentrates more specifically on microorganisms and their effects on humans and the environment

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Physiology
1 year ago

Sleep Physiology: The Restorative Power of Rest

We spend about one-third of our lives asleep, making it no surprise that sleep is a favorite activity for many. Yet, few of us consider the internal processes at work as we settle into bed and drift into dreamland.   This is where sleep physiology comes into play. It delves into the biological processes behind sleep, exploring how our bodies regulate it, its effects on bodily functions and the different stages of sleep.  So, grab your favorite pillow and join us as we uncover the essentials of sleep physiology and discover how to enhance your sleep habits for optimal rest and renewal.  The Sleep Cycle Each night, we cycle through two primary phases of sleep:   Nonrapid Eye Movement (NREM)NREM sleep accounts for approximately 75% of your sleep time and consists of three stages: Stage one: This brief phase occurs as you start to fall asleep and lasts about five minutes. Stage two: After we nod off, we enter a light sleep for around 25 minutes. Stage three: This is the deepest phase of NREM and often the hardest to wake from

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Physiology
1 year ago

Gut Flora 101: Key Functions of Gut Bacteria and Health Tips

This very second, you have trillions of microorganisms living inside your body — so many that they make up one to three percent of your entire body weight! While you have a sizable combination of bacteria, fungi and viruses swarming around inside you, most microbial cells in your body consist of different types of bacteria, many of them residing in your gut. 

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