When you “crack” your joint, the popping noise is not due to bone rubbing against bone. Instead, when you crack your joints, the joint space expands and causes the joint fluid to form a gas bubble which subsequently pops causing “cracking” sound. The gas then requires a few moments to redissolve into the fluid before… Continue reading Why is it that when you crack your knuckles they make a popping noise? Will cracking knuckles cause arthritis?
Category: Other
I hear that licorice can make you get high blood pressure. Is this true?
There is some truth to that statement. In susceptible individuals, licorice can indeed elevate blood pressure. In individuals who have a history of hypertension, licorice can aggravate the hypertension if taken in excess amounts. The mechanism is that licorice inhibits the enzyme (11-B hydroxysteoid dehydrogenase) that allows cortisol (the body’s natural stress hormone) to be… Continue reading I hear that licorice can make you get high blood pressure. Is this true?
Is there a medical reason why the age of 25 is the start of a different age bracket for insurance and renting a car?
Aside from 25 being a round number, it is believed that insurance companies chose 25 because the human brain isn’t fully developed until about that age. In fact, the frontal lobe – the part of the brain responsible for inhibiting our risk taking behavior and controlling our impulses – is one of the last parts… Continue reading Is there a medical reason why the age of 25 is the start of a different age bracket for insurance and renting a car?
How much is one Ampule?
An ampule (amp, ampoule) is not necessarily a standardized measurement of volume. Instead, it refers to a single dose of medication pre-packaged in an injectable glass or plastic vessel. For reference, one ampule of bicarbonate is 50 meq (4.2 grams) in 50 mL and one ampule of D50 is 25 grams dextrose in 50 mL.
Which country has the longest life expectancy?
According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s 2006 conference, the nation with the longest life expectancy for men is Iceland at 79.7 years and for women is Japan at 85.3 years.