PC THE TOWN

Your spine allows you to help stand up straight and do some pretty amazing movements. It also aids in the control of your ability to feel pain. The �cord� is that nerve that runs from top to bottom through the middle of your vertebrae and connects with the nerves in your body. If the spinal cord is injured, the affects can be debilitating not only physically but also psychologically to the individual, and often to the family. Your world instantly changes. Learning that you, a family member or friend has gotten a spinal cord injury is devastating and overwhelming news, according to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The best way to combat your feelings of helplessness and confusion is to arm yourself with information on what a spinal cord injury is, and what it means in terms of short-term planning and long-range goals. According to this website, http://www.apparelyzed.com/spinal_cord_injury.html , the spinal cord is about 18 inches in length and extends from the base of th...

Over time your joints can age and movement can become painful, especially in your hips. Older men and women are more susceptible to this type of health difficulty. Whether you have just begun exploring treatment options or have already decided to undergo hip replacement surgery, you should consider information that can help you understand the benefits and limitations of total hip replacement.   If your hip has been damaged by arthritis, a fracture, or other conditions, common activities such as walking or getting in and out of a chair may be painful and difficult. Your hip may be stiff, and it may be hard to put on your shoes and socks. You may even feel uncomfortable while resting, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. I f medications, changes in your everyday activities, and the use of walking supports do not adequately help your symptoms, you may consider hip replacement surgery. Hip replacement surgery is a safe and effective procedure that can relieve yo...

In case you don�t know, gasoline is a dangerous and highly flammable liquid that can have some devastating effects on your health if improperly used. Knowing the right way to handle gasoline and the awareness of its potential hazards is critical to having not only respect for the liquid itself, but also the best way to counter any threats to your overall health. Gasoline is a complex mixture of over 500 hydrocarbons that may have between 5 and 12 carbons. Smaller amounts of alkane cyclic and aromatic compounds are also present. Virtually no alkenes or alkynes are present in gasoline, according to Elmhurst College. Gasoline is most often produced by the fractional distillation of crude oil, which is separated into fractions according to different boiling points of hydrocarbons of varying chain lengths. This fractional distillation process yields approximately 25% of straight-run gasoline from each barrel of crude oil. According to HealthLine, gasoline is considered dangerous for your he...

Do you know someone who appears to be a little �scatter-brained�? That person can�t seem to keep a logical thought connected from beginning to end without going off in multiple directions at the same time. Or perhaps they are really hyper-active and full of constant energy, unable to sit or stand still for more than a few seconds. Maybe that even describes you! And, possibly, they may have a kid who constantly �bounces off the walls�, or who are unable to sit still in their seat at school. They, or you, may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder�ADHD. According to the NIH (National Institutes for Health), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). ADHD has three subtypes: Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: --Most symptoms (six or more) are in...

When the temperature dips to very low temperatures, the time to take precautions is at hand. No matter where you live, if your body is not conditioned to be in temperatures below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), you are going to have a hard time dealing with extreme cold. And, when the thermometer dips into the below zero degree range, you cannot survive too long with exposure to those conditions. According to MLive.com, for those that go outside, multiple layers of lightweight clothing are recommended by the Red Cross�as well as hats, mittens, gloves and a scarf to protect your lungs.   People should also be on the lookout for early signs of frostbite, as the very young and the very old are most susceptible.   Those with limited blood circulation like smokers or with increased blood circulation to the face � like alcoholics � are also at an increased risk for developing frostbite, per the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). The areas most vulnerable to developing fr...