Articles

Filter By:

Aging

1 year ago

Why Do We Age? The Science Behind the Aging Process

One moment, you’re scouring your phone’s camera roll for the infamous cake-in-the-hair photo of your kiddo on their first birthday. The next thing you know, you’ve spent an hour absorbed in eight years’ worth of photos, and you’re left wondering where those eight years went. As you watch time fly via photo slideshow, you may also notice a few extra fine lines or gray hairs where there were none a few years ago, which begs the question: Why do we age? Today, we’re exploring five factors that contribute to the aging process.

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

How Do Organs Communicate With Each Other?

Picture this: You’re reaching into the oven to take out a tray of freshly baked cookies. As you’re pulling it out, the kitchen towel you’re using shifts, causing you to burn one of your fingers. Your initial reaction is to acknowledge the pain of the burn, but soon after, your body kicks into gear to repair the damaged skin.

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

What Happens When You Stop Antidepressants Cold Turkey

Antidepressant medications can be extremely effective in helping people cope with potentially debilitating conditions. Often, these medications don’t make a person feel “good” so much as level out their emotions to make them feel normal or stable. Without such medications, many people experience something akin to a frightening roller coaster ride that fluctuates uncontrollably between differing levels of depression.

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

What Is Medical Physiology? A Complete Timeline

Did you know that the total length of blood vessels in the human body amounts to approximately 60,000 miles? To put that into perspective, it’s like traveling from New York City to Los Angeles — and back — approximately 24 times. That’s an extensive network of vessels in one person! Yet, just a few hundred years ago, estimating this number would have been purely speculative (and likely vastly underestimated). So how did we uncover this and many other fascinating insights about our internal workings? It all began with the study of physiology, which has evolved into several specialized subfields over time. Today, we’re delving into the history of medical physiology, tracing its journey from its origins within general physiology to its emergence as a distinct field within the healthcare industry.

Read Article

Program Information

1 year ago

Is a Master’s in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology Right For You?

Are you contemplating a career in the expansive field of medicine? From nurses and physicians to educators and other healthcare professionals, there are numerous avenues to explore, depending on your passions. At UF, our Master of Science in Medical Physiology and Pharmacology caters to a diverse range of aspiring healthcare professionals. Whether you’ve recently completed your undergraduate degree or you’re already working in healthcare and want to broaden your skill set and pursue advanced career paths, our program is designed to meet your needs. Today, we’re discussing the ideal candidates for our program. (Hint: If you’re looking for a stepping-stone to specialized roles in medical research, clinical practice or pharmaceuticals, you’re in the right place.)

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

Kidney Health: Location, Functions and How They Change Throughout Your Lifetime

If you’re considering a career in renal healthcare or are simply curious about organ functionality, you may have pondered the changes in your kidney health over time. While kidneys would ideally function flawlessly from birth to the golden years, that’s not the case. We experience countless changes as we progress through life, and our renal systems are no exception, undergoing their own evolutionary process. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of kidney health, including their location, function and how their role evolves throughout your life. Where Are the Kidneys Located? Think back to playing Operation as a kid

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

Cutting-Edge Insulin Delivery Systems

For over a century, insulin has been a lifeline for millions, helping to regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes in check. But gone are the days of relying solely on painful daily injections. As we mark 100 years since insulin’s groundbreaking discovery, let’s explore how this game-changing hormone — and the way it’s delivered — has evolved, making diabetes management easier and more advanced than ever. What Is the Role of Insulin in Diabetes? Insulin plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar by helping glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where we use it for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is disrupted in one of two key ways: Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, preventing the body from producing insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn’t use insulin effectively or doesn’t produce enough. Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and long-term health risks. So, how does insulin actually work? When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose (a simple sugar)

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology: A Deep Dive Into Heart & Muscle Function

Ever found yourself lost in the labyrinth of graduate-level medical physiology courses, with course names and descriptions blurring together? Fear not, because we’re here to shed light on each course’s distinctive and essential contributions to the field. Today, let’s zoom in on Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology. This course delves deep into the intricate functions and regulation of muscles and the cardiovascular system. It uncovers how the body adapts to factors like exercise, environmental influences and diseases. But what sets Medical Cardiovascular and Muscle Physiology apart, and why should you make room for it in your already packed online course load? Join us as we unravel its fundamentals, explore its relevance for your future career and navigate its course structure. What Is Cardiovascular Physiology?

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

4 Major Factors That Affect Drug Absorption in the Body

In order for any drug to do its intended job — relieve pain, kill an infection, etc. — it must be absorbed by the body. This is a process we often take for granted. We simply swallow a pill or receive an injection and wait for the drug to begin working. But there are many factors that can affect drug absorption within the body, some of which may extend your wait time to feel better and become healthier. Drugs are generally made up of both active and inactive ingredients. The active ingredients are what actually treat the condition of concern (pain, etc.), while the inactive ingredients, such as the cellulose that makes up a capsule’s outer shell, simply make the drugs easier to swallow. Absorption involves the body breaking down the drug, which separates the active ingredients from the inactive ones and enables the active ingredients to enter the bloodstream. Only then will you begin to benefit from the drug’s effects.

Read Article

Physiology

1 year ago

What Is Disease X and How Could It Change the World?

From the everyday uncertainties of choosing what to have for dinner to pondering the mysteries of life and death, our daily lives are riddled with anxieties that add unnecessary stress. But one fear in particular has loomed since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020: the dread of the next major, potentially catastrophic disease. Could it eclipse the unforgettable impact of COVID-19, which has claimed over 7 million lives worldwide? This mysterious threat, referred to as “Disease X,” has gripped the world’s imagination. Scientists and researchers across the globe are working tirelessly to prepare for it. Yet, how do you prepare for something when you don’t know what it is or how it infects people?

Read Article