Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. Although microscopic, they’re vital to respiration. The alveoli pick up the incoming oxygen and release the outgoing waste (carbon dioxide) that’s exhaled. When the alveoli become inflamed, air can’t pass easily in and out of your lungs. A variety of … Continued

Ear infections can affect people of all ages but are extremely common in babies and young children. Why? Their immune systems aren’t fully developed, which means they’re less equipped to fight off infections. And their Eustachian tubes (small passageways that connect the throat to the middle ear) are smaller and more horizontal, which makes it … Continued

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system (e.g., kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). Bacteria, specifically E. coli bacteria that live in the bowel, are the most common cause of UTIs. Unfortunately, UTIs are one of the most frequent clinical infections in women, accounting for nearly … Continued

Ear infections are extremely common in babies and children because of their shorter and more horizontal Eustachian tubes. These tubes are more likely to allow bacteria and viruses to find their way into the middle ear. They’re also narrower in children and therefore more likely to become blocked. According to the National Institutes of Health, … Continued

Unexpected falls, injuries or illnesses need prompt, high-quality treatment from an urgent care or emergency room facility. But how can you easily decide between urgent care vs. emergency room for your situation? If you need immediate medical attention, your first thought might be to visit an emergency room. However, there are certain situations (e.g., when … Continued

The ankle is a large and complicated joint made up of three bones: the tibia (shin bone), fibula (smaller inner bone) and talus (bone that sits between the tibia and foot) that allow the foot to move up-and-down and side-to-side. All these moving parts make it one of the most commonly injured parts of the … Continued

Getting a mild burn (e.g., from cooking or styling your hair) can leave you running for the nearest faucet in search of cold water. While this may help soothe the stinging pain of a minor burn, would you know what to do if you sustained a more serious burn? (Hint: Lukewarm water may be a … Continued

Everyone knows what a bruise looks like, but may not understand exactly what’s happening under the skin. When the soft tissues of the body experience mild trauma, the small veins and capillaries (the smallest blood vessels in your body) under the skin sometimes break, and red blood cells leak out. When this happens, the red … Continued

COVID-19 is a new respiratory illness that’s affecting people of all ages around the world. As of March 20, 2021, nearly 30 million people in the United States have contracted this illness, and 540,000 of those have died. Though we don’t know everything about it yet, scientists are learning more every day. The good news … Continued