How Do Our Bones Connect With One Another

Have you ever seen a full human skeleton either in photos or in a display? Do you notice how there is a structure even if your bones are actually just small pieces? For your body to have a structure, your bones need to be connected to each other. If not, you would be just like sack of metal rods that has no shape and structure.
Your bones are connected to each other by means of so-called joints. They are tasked to provide support to your bones and to allow you to move about. The joints make your bones movable to allow you to reach things, walk and bend. But there are also joints that simply function to protect your internal organs like in the case of your skull that protects your brain.
There are different classifications of joints depending on the type of bone they connect as well as on the function that they serve. For one, you have the immovable fibrous joints. These are the joints that pertain to the bones in your skull and jaw. They are attached to fibrous tissues. By their name, these are joints that are not really allowed to move because the bones that they connect are meant only for protection and support.
The bones in your spine, on the other hand, are connected through the so-termed cartilaginous joints. Contrary to the immovable fibrous joints, cartilaginous joints are partially movable. It means that they are flexible enough for bending and other types of partial movements. Instead of fibrous tissues, these joints are joined together by cartilages.
Finally, you have synovial joints. These are the connectors for your bones in your hips, shoulders and elbows. As your synovial joints are considered freely movable, they may also be found in your knees, ankles and wrists. Synovial joints allow for more movements that the cartilaginous joints. This is why you may notice that you can move your ankles and wrists in a rotating manner unlike the bones in your arms.
Your bones are also connected to your muscles through tendons. This is why your muscles can move along with your bones, therefore enabling them to aid in the way you perform your tasks.
It is suggested that you understand fully all the types of joints that connect your bones together. This would help you in knowing how prone you are to injuries related to broken bones and misaligned joints. If possible, consult with your doctor or osteopath who can let you go through different types of exams to check for the steadiness of your bones and joints.

How Does Frostbite Damage Bones

Some people love winter. They love the winter season because it is synonymous with Christmas and fun family times.

However, just like everything else, there are also negative effects of the cold that the winter snow brings. For one, it impedes most of your activities because it is difficult to move about in heavy winter gear.. You would also find it hard to eat and drink your favorite cold desserts and beverages. But probably the most dangerous effect of the cold is frostbite.

When you get frostbite, it means that the cold has already frozen the skin and tissue of your body. All the fluids inside are already frozen until such time that a medication treatment procedure can be used to try and counter the effects of frostbite. The condition can affect any part of your body exposed to the cold season. They may be your skin, fingers, toes and facial features.

Frostbite starts with a burning or tingling sensation in the affected area. The sensation can further develop to numbness when you are still exposed to the cold. The worse that the cold develops, the more numb you get. This can frighteningly continue until all your sensations are lost. Such is the reason that most people immediately go to a doctor when they experience frostbite.

A lot of your body parts are affected by frostbite. Some of these are muscles, nerves, bones and tendons. Frostbite can cause nerve trauma and infection to the different parts of your body. When the cold weather has reached its way deep into your body, it can accumulate fluids inside but numbs the sensation that they get. Your skin will also turn an obvious color of white due to constricted blood flow, too.

The cartilages between your joints that connect the bones to one another are also compromised. When this happens, even your movement is restricted because you would not be allowed to freely move the affected parts of your body. Tension to the affected area can even lead to losing those body parts. Imagine that parts of your body have already turned into what seems like glass figures that can easily break when they affected with too much friction.

Improve Summer Air Quality - 4 Ways To Minimize The 4 Most Common Summertime Irritants

Summer indoors can mean closing out the heat and keeping unhealthy allergens in the air. Here are 4 irritants to be aware of and some easy-to-do suggestions for minimizing them in your air.
Mold and Mildew Spores---In many places the humidity increases with the arrival of hot weather. Normal coming and going from your home can't help but introduce some of this humidity indoors. Wet swim suits, towels can also provide moisture for mold and mildew spores. Residual moisture from showers and baths can create a haven for these spores on tile and walls in the bathroom.
One of the best ways to reduce the moisture in your air is to hang up wet clothes and towels immediately, use a fan in the bathroom to dry out walls and tiles. Air conditioning will also dry out the air consistently. If there is still a problem in places like the basement an additional humidifier can be worth the cost to prevent mold and mildew from becoming a problem.
Dust Mites---Moisture is one of the necessary conditions for these microscopic bugs to survive. They need dead flakes of skin, darkness, and moisture to thrive. Typically they are found in the bedroom in your bed under the covers. They also thrive on pet dander. So a dog that swims during the summer and then lies down on a favorite rug or pet bed can also be the perfect place for them to breed.
It is the protein in their feces that can triggers symptoms in those with allergies, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Children and senior citizens are most vulnerable. Since these critters are killed by sunlight, letting your bed and your pet's bedding air out before pulling the covers up again is good idea. And washing bedding at least once a week in water that is 140 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter makes it impossible for them to survive.
Pollen---Many folks think that once spring is over the pollen is gone. But if you are allergic to grass and weed pollen you know that this is a nice thought but far from true. Grass pollen is a potent allergen that comes along with summer. Pollen is light and attaches to clothes, hair, packages, and pets. So it is virtually impossible to keep this allergen outside.
Assign grass mowing duties to someone else, and let the pollen settle if possible before venturing out in the yard. Vacuum frequently to keep the floors clear of grains that make their way in on the bottom of shoes and that have settled out of the air.
Pet Dander---Another potent allergen, the protein in these dead flakes of skin can cause flare ups and in many a general feeling of discomfort. Pets that come and go from the outside are great carriers of allergens. And shaking, running, and climbing on the sofa or even the bed can mean you are constantly up close and personal with the very irritants you are trying to avoid.
Talk with your vet about whether bathing your pet is a possibility. Washing allergens and dander away can cut down on the number of irritants your pet bring in, but it can also keep skin healthier and reduce the amount that is available to be inhaled.
All of these allergens are particles of varying sizes. And one of the best ways to filter airborne particulates is to use a high efficiency particles arresting (HEPA) filter that can continuously remove particles as small as.3 microns in size, with a micron being defined as one millionth of a meter.
Taking these simple steps towards insuring healthy air quality during the summer months and throughout the rest of the year can lead to happier, healthier, and more restful times spent at home.

Orthodontic Associates and Affordable Services

Not everyone develops a straight set of teeth as they grow up. Most people suffer from different problems such as teeth overcrowding or misalignment. To fix these problems, you may go to orthodontic associates for assessment and treatment. These professionals offer several solutions for specific problems on your oral health. Using advanced technology, dentists may give you the smile you want for a price.
Cheap orthodontics may be a rare thing for some. Most people think getting braces requires big amount so you can pay for the service. You may find affordable deals on orthodontic treatments now that dentists are developing new methods for easier procedures. Today, your may find other options to align your teeth without the usual pain of wearing braces. Unlike metal brackets that puncture the oral cavity, you may get clear removable devices. Newer dental appliances eliminate the embarrassment from wearing wires on your teeth.
The appearance of the teeth may affect a person's confidence. Getting the perfect set is a dream for many as it improves the quality of their smile. People with better sets tend to be more confident when speaking with others. Those with missing teeth may have difficulty eating or speaking. Orthodontic associates may help in correcting the gaps between teeth while realigning both the upper and lower sets.
Some people, on the other hand, may have problems with overcrowding. They may have not lost their primary sets so their teeth rupture out of the wrong spots. Orthodontic procedures may need to extract some pieces to give way for perfectly straightened teeth. Patients wear traditional braces to pull in or compress the teeth together in a more appealing shape. Removing some of your teeth may affect your jaw. Some orthodontic associates use non-extraction techniques to prevent future problems affecting the jaw area.
Incorrect methods for orthodontics may cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. The forceful movement of the teeth due to ill fitting dental devices affects the overall placement of the jaw. Other factors resulting to this problem are teeth grinding and blunt trauma. People suffering from this often complain about a painful clicking noise whenever they open and close their jaws. Some may even experience lockjaw or the inability to move your jaws open or close. Others may experience ringing in the ears and facial pain.TMJ pain may develop into a serious and irreparable problem if left untreated.
When you feel like you are suffering from the symptoms of TMJ disorder, look for orthodontic associates for a checkup. They may provide the right dental equipment to fix your bite and prevent teeth grinding. You may also undergo therapies to correct the movement of your jaw.
Looking for cheap orthodontics is much easier online. You may find several packages and options for orthodontic treatments. Dental services are affordable when the clinic provides a good payment program. Find ones offering prices and payment modes that fit your budget.

Stethoscope Reviews: The Littmann Lightweight II SE Stethoscope

If you are a medical student, one of your first rites of passage is acquiring your first stethoscope. This is very important because the right instrument can definitely help make your life easier during medical school. Choosing the right unit will enable you to finish your work faster and better. There are many doctors that still use the stethoscope that they bought back when they were just students. One of the best stethoscopes right now that gets a lot of good stethoscope reviews is the Littmann lightweight II S.E. stethoscope. Here are some reasons why you this particular brand and model gets a lot of rave reviews:
It is lightweight - after working a 16 hour shift, the weight of a normal stethoscope will definitely be wearing down on your neck. It does not matter how physically fit you are, working on the hospital for a very long time can be quite tiring. The great thing about this specific Littmann unit is the fact that you will really not notice its weight around your neck. This is because this unit only weighs a total of 118 grams. It's like you are not wearing anything!
Tunable diaphragm - this is the most popular feature of a Littmann unit. A tunable diaphragm means that you will be able to easily hear high pitched sounds and low pitched sounds inside the body of your patient. All you have to do is to use the appropriate side of the chest piece and you are good to go. This feature alone has helped revolutionize medical care all over the world.
Easy to wear - many doctors complain about how earpieces can hurt their ears. This is because of the very hard pressure applied by stethoscopes to their ears. After working with a stethoscope for a few hours, this can really hurt the doctor. However, this is not an issue with a Littmann. Not only do its units have soft - sealing earpieces for a more accurate reading, they also have a very lightweight pressure that ensures the comfort of the doctor at all times.
Very ergonomic - the ergonomic shape of stethoscopes also help in its comfortable use. Doctors do not do any awkward movements in order to use this instrument. Everything just flows naturally and very comfortable for them.
Comes in different colors and customization options - one of the best features of the Littman line is the fact that it comes in many colors and designs. This means you no longer have to compromise with the boring black and silver designs that are available in other stethoscopes. With a Littmann unit, you can do your job and still have some style and look good while doing it.