MEDICINE

Where Are They Now? Diseases That Killed You in ‘Oregon Trail’

Spoiler alert: They’re still around.

Several factors make people more susceptible to the flu in winter.

Why Is the Flu Seasonal?

Like clockwork, flu viruses seem to strike more people in winter than in any other season—and there are several reasons for that.

7 Vital Facts About Blood

George Washington died after his physician treated his sore throat with bloodletting, but don't let that stop you from learning more about the human circulatory system.

The dogs who pulled off the Nome Serum run might have looked a little bit like this.

10 Things You Need to Know About the 1925 Serum Run to Nome, Alaska

From January 27, 1925 until February 2, 20 mushers and 150 dogs heroically transported desperately needed diphtheria antitoxin to the remote town of Nome, Alaska, saving countless lives in the process. But the event wasn’t without controversy.

Feeling like garbage? That’s your immune system at work.

12 Fantastic Facts About the Immune System

Without our immune system, we wouldn't last very long: this complex network of organs and cells fights off pathogens and helps maintain our health.

7 Need-to-Know Facts About Norovirus

The super-contagious gastrointestinal virus is causing outbreaks across the U.S. Here's how to protect yourself (and everyone around you) from norovirus.

The world of medicine is even stranger than you can imagine.

6 Super-Rare Medical Conditions

From Alice in Wonderland Syndrome to the real-life version of Benjamin Button’s disease, these rare conditions could come straight out of a storybook.

The 5500-year-old trepanned skull of a woman now displayed in a Swiss museum.

A Brief History of Trepanation, One of the World’s Oldest Surgeries

The practice of drilling or scraping a hole into the skull’s cranial vault has been performed for thousands of years.

Here’s What To Pack In Your Go-Bag in Case of an Emergency

Get tips for what to pack in a go-bag, including the essentials you should definitely have stashed away before a natural disaster strikes.

MRSA bacteria bound to a neutrophil, a type of infection-fighting white blood cell.

What Is Antibiotic Resistance?

Public health officials are concerned that we could move back into a situation like that of the early 20th century, before antibiotics were discovered.

8 Questionable Moisturizers from History

Winter is synonymous with dry and flaky skin, but we don’t recommend treating it with these ancient recipes for body lotion.

Searching for ideas on what to spend your FSA funds on this year? Consider these.

14 Creative Ways to Spend Your FSA Money Before the Deadline

Unsure how to spend your FSA money? From new glasses to over-the-counter (OTC) medication, here are some health products you can purchase using FSA funds.

12 Foundational Facts About the Liver

Not only is the liver your largest internal organ; it is in charge of hundreds of bodily processes ranging from fighting infection to manufacturing proteins and hormones to helping your blood clot.

Why Does Your Body Jerk Awake As You’re Trying to Fall Asleep?

Up to 70 percent of people have experienced hypnic jerks, but they’re usually nothing to worry about.

A doctor checks a young girl for swollen tonsils.

10 Facts About Your Tonsils

You might think they’re unnecessary, because so many people have had their tonsils removed—but tonsils actually serve an important role in your immune system.

Super-thin pasta has medical usefulness.

The World’s Thinnest Spaghetti Could Have Surprising Medical Applications

It's 200 times thinner than human hair, and you won't find it at Olive Garden anytime soon.

The Caduceus: The Mistaken Meaning of the Medical Symbol

This ancient symbol, also called the Staff of Hermes, depicts two snakes intertwining around a stick that is capped by wings. It’s used as a medical logo, but for almost all its roughly 5000-year history, the caduceus had nothing to do with medicine.

An Australian Zoo Needs Help Collecting Deadly Spiders and Their Eggs

The Australian Reptile Park is asking the public to capture the Sydney funnel-web spider, one of the most dangerous species in the world.

Why Doctors Warn Against Spending Too Much Time on the Toilet

Here’s another reason to rethink bringing your phone into the bathroom with you.

Going on “fart walks” can alleviate digestion issues.

The Science and Benefits of “Fart Walks”

“Fart walks” could be the answer to your gastrointestinal woes.

Nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is a common anesthetic that only requires a mask over the mouth and nose.

How Does Anesthesia Work?

Anesthesia is a complex mixture of medications that lessen pain during procedures. Different types affect the body in different ways.

Scurvy decimated sailors, explorers, and regular citizens for centuries before a cure for the vitamin deficiency was discovered.

Scurvy—a “Disease of the Past”—Is Making a Comeback

A case study of a man in Australia is highlighting the return of a disease associated with Elizabethan sailors and polar explorers.

Don’t expect 120th birthdays to become the norm anytime soon.

The Average Human Lifespan May Be Reaching a Plateau

Barring some dramatic medical advancements, living into your eighties remains the best-case scenario.

Quitting Smoking Is Beneficial Even in Old Age, Study Finds

Science reinforces that it’s never too late to stop smoking.