The muscular system is the collection of more than 600 muscles that make up roughly 40 percent of your body weight. These muscles do far more than help you lift weights or run. They pump your blood, move food through your digestive tract, and expand and contract your lungs with every breath. The muscular system … Read more

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual concerns for men, and the search for a quick fix is understandable. You have three main options to consider: pills, sprays, and other topical products. The short answer is that sprays and topical numbing agents work immediately by reducing sensation, while certain prescription pills work on … Read more

Left thigh numbness is often caused by compression of a nerve in your lower back or along its path through your pelvis and leg. The most common culprit is the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which runs through your groin and down the outside of your thigh. When this nerve gets compressed, the result is usually … Read more

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is the system that responds when you call for medical help in an emergency. It is a chain of people, vehicles, and hospitals working together to get you care as fast as possible. The system starts when you call 911 and ends when you are safely in the hands of hospital … Read more

Most people are trying to make their cookies softer and chewier, so it might feel odd to aim for the opposite. But a hard, crunchy, crispy cookie has its own appeal — perfect for dunking in coffee, crumbling over ice cream, or satisfying a specific craving for snap and crunch. The good news is that … Read more

A red eye happens when the small blood vessels on the surface of your eye widen or break. This is called a subconjunctival hemorrhage when a vessel breaks, or injection when vessels simply dilate. The white part of your eye, the sclera, is covered by a clear, thin layer called the conjunctiva that holds these … Read more

A clogged ear is a common and frustrating problem. The pressure, the muffled hearing, and the feeling of fullness can make it hard to focus on anything else. Most of the time, you can fix it at home with simple techniques that target the specific cause, whether it is earwax, fluid, or pressure changes. The … Read more

Yes, you can use tampons with an IUD. This is a common question, and the short answer is that tampons do not pull out or dislodge a properly placed intrauterine device. The IUD sits inside your uterus, while a tampon sits in your vaginal canal, and the two are separated by your cervix. However, there … Read more

Gas and bloating are among the most common digestive complaints, and most people experience them at some point. You can reduce gas and bloating by identifying your specific triggers, adjusting how you eat, and addressing underlying digestive conditions when they exist. For most people, simple changes like eating more slowly, staying hydrated, and tracking which … Read more

Yes, chiggers are active in Virginia. These tiny mites are a common nuisance from late spring through early fall, thriving in the state’s humid climate and grassy, overgrown areas. While their bites are intensely itchy and annoying, chiggers in Virginia do not transmit diseases, and their bites can be effectively treated and prevented with a … Read more