Health411

Mosquitos are the world's deadliest animal vectors. When a female mosquito bites a sick animal or human with a virus in its bloodstream it ingests pathogens as well as the blood. While in the mosquito the pathogen survives and multiplies, traveling through the gut to the salivary glands. When the female mosquito goes for her next meal, she uses her proboscis to pierce the skin and draw blood....

Mosquitos are the world's deadliest animal vectors. When a female mosquito bites a sick animal or human with a virus in its bloodstream it ingests pathogens as well as the blood. While in the mosquito the pathogen survives and multiplies, traveling through the gut to the salivary glands. When the female mosquito goes for her next meal, she uses her proboscis to pierce the skin and draw blood....

Coffee is a plant-based beverage made from processed coffee beans with a multitude of chemical compounds including caffeine. This caffeine interacts with our bodies by blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter evolved with alertness, the more tired a person becomes the more adenosine levels rise. Caffeine acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist and blocks these receptors preve...

Coffee is a plant-based beverage made from processed coffee beans with a multitude of chemical compounds including caffeine. This caffeine interacts with our bodies by blocking adenosine receptors. Adenosine is a neurotransmitter evolved with alertness, the more tired a person becomes the more adenosine levels rise. Caffeine acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist and blocks these receptors preve...

Many studies explore the decreased incidents of diabetes and improved glycemic control at high altitude. This research is not only supported by people, it can also be seen in animals like deer and pigs. Many physiological variables change while at high altitudes, making it difficult to pinpoint what specifically is triggering this improved glucose homeostasis. However, a recent study conducted by...

Many studies explore the decreased incidents of diabetes and improved glycemic control at high altitude. This research is not only supported by people, it can also be seen in animals like deer and pigs. Many physiological variables change while at high altitudes, making it difficult to pinpoint what specifically is triggering this improved glucose homeostasis. However, a recent study conducted by...

Throughout history, scientists and researchers have dedicated years of time and effort to understanding the human condition. Many attempts were made to grasp the nature of our bodies and how to heal them, some better than others. There are many medical procedures society has left in the past due to their unethical or completely unempirical nature. Some were no longer used due to new advancements i...

Throughout history, scientists and researchers have dedicated years of time and effort to understanding the human condition. Many attempts were made to grasp the nature of our bodies and how to heal them, some better than others. There are many medical procedures society has left in the past due to their unethical or completely unempirical nature. Some were no longer used due to new advancements i...

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine made in 1796 by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann believed that substances that caused symptoms of disease in healthy people could provide a cure for the sick. This ideology is called similia similibus curentur, in english this translates to "like cures like.” To create these remedies, practitioners repeatedly dilute the substance in water by s...

Homeopathy is an alternative medicine made in 1796 by German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Hahnemann believed that substances that caused symptoms of disease in healthy people could provide a cure for the sick. This ideology is called similia similibus curentur, in english this translates to "like cures like.” To create these remedies, practitioners repeatedly dilute the substance in water by s...

Capital Health is a Level 2 regional trauma center, comprehensive stroke center, regional perinatal center, and emergency mental health screen center. They are an organization that focuses on progressive, quality care above all else. The staff and directors are committed to supporting patient and family needs, assuring they can provide the best medical care and comfort. In today's episode of H...

Ouija boards were invented in 1891, claiming to be a tool used to communicate with the spirit realm. People would buy these boards, trying to reach a lost relative, or party-goers would want to see just who might answer. For over 130 years, groups have been crowding around the Ouija board, but research might have been able to debunk the notion that a spirit may be communicating through a person&#3...

Ouija boards were invented in 1891, claiming to be a tool used to communicate with the spirit realm. People would buy these boards, trying to reach a lost relative, or party-goers would want to see just who might answer. For over 130 years, groups have been crowding around the Ouija board, but research might have been able to debunk the notion that a spirit may be communicating through a person&#3...

In 1974, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John tore his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. Thinking he would never play again, team physician Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first-ever ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgery on John, saving his career. This surgery is now known as “Tommy John” surgery. In today’s episode of Health 411, Dr. Jonathan Karp and student...

In 1974, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John tore his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching elbow. Thinking he would never play again, team physician Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first-ever ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction surgery on John, saving his career. This surgery is now known as “Tommy John” surgery. In today’s episode of Health 411, Dr. Jonathan Karp and student...

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic condition that affects how bones and teeth grow, especially the skull, collarbones, and jaw. While research has been limited, it has recently been more discussed with help from “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo. It is one of the most rare genetic conditions that someone can have, with one in a million people having CCD. In today’s episode of Hea...

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a rare genetic condition that affects how bones and teeth grow, especially the skull, collarbones, and jaw. While research has been limited, it has recently been more discussed with help from “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo. It is one of the most rare genetic conditions that someone can have, with one in a million people having CCD. In today’s episode of Hea...

The appendix is a small organ connected to the large intestine that, for many years, was believed to be a "useless" organ. However, research now suggests that the appendix may play a role in maintaining the body's microbiome and supporting certain immune functions. In some cases, the appendix can become inflamed, resulting in appendicitis; a condition that can become life-threatening...

Our ears are a powerful tool we use every single day to perceive sounds and interpret vibrations as something we can understand. A major issue is that ears can be damaged pretty easily, and the damage can be permanent if we aren't careful. Whether it's prolonged loud volumes from headphones, or loud concerts, many factors can play into damaging ones hearing ability. In today's episode...

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease that slowly breaks down the lining around the body's nervous system which weakens the body's internal signals. The longer someone with MS has it, the worse their symptoms get. There is no current cure for Multiple Sclerosis and no definitively known cause for the disease. In today's episode of Health 411, Dr Jonathan Karp and stude...

Roundup, a widely used herbicide, has been at the center of public debate for years. Concerns about its active ingredient, glyphosate, have led to lawsuits, scientific research, and ongoing discussions about its potential health risks, including whether it may be linked to cancer. In this episode of Health 411, Dr. Jonathan Karp and student producer Dan Loges take a closer look at the science behi...

Stress is something we all experience. Humans, animals, and plants alike all experience stress. But at what point does stress become detrimental to a person's mental and physical health? Today, our host Dr. Jonathan Karp and producer Kaya Basatemur are joined by Mitch Webb, a Somatic Coach for stress and regulation of the nervous system. Mitch is a practitioner that specializes in helping iden...

According to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) “Stress in America” survey, in the last five years, approximately 75% of adults have reported physical or emotional symptoms related to stress. This is a percentage that has risen over the past few decades. This is especially troublesome for the Gen Z population, as the APA reports this generation as having the highest levels of anxiety....

What is Physical Therapy? Physical Therapy is a practice in the medical field that directly works with a wide range of patients from newborns to the aging population. Physical therapists treat patients with a variety of diagnoses that have resulted in functional deficits, such as strokes, injuries, chronic pain, mobility limitations, sports injuries, and so much more. Today our host, Dr. Jonathan...

Although these therapists are called "Speech-language" pathologists, they are trained to work with much more than just speech disorders. So, if speech-language pathologists don't just do speech therapy, what do they do? Today, our host, Dr. Jonathan Karp, and student producer, Kaya Basatemur, are joined by Capital Health's own Marissa Maurin, a speech-language pathologist at Capi...