Hiccups, an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, cause the vocal cords to produce the "hic" sound as they close. In the medical field, hiccups are known as singultus. If hiccups last longer than 48 hours, seek medical attention. The doctor...
An injury to your back is nothing to take lightly. Acute and chronic injuries may place pressure on nerves leading to weakness, pain and loss of function of extremities. Getting a proper diagnosis of the problem is required before a medical...
Sound waves in the air reach the fluid in the inner ear and are sent as signals to the brain. The inner ear also helps keep a sense of balance. In Meniere's disease, there is a buildup of fluid in the inner ear, which leads to vertigo. A...
Acoustic neuromas are a type of tumor that arise from Schwann cells. Schwann cells are designed to cover and protect nerves in the body. Typically an acoustic neuroma will develop on the vestibular nerve, which runs into the ear. Acoustic...
The inner ear is important because it is responsible for both hearing and balance. The ear has three main parts. The outer ear directs sound waves towards the inner ear, where the eardrum vibrates. The vibrations go through the ossicles, which are...
Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly referred to by the abbreviation MRI. An MRI scan is a noninvasive medical procedure used to detect a wide range of diseases and conditions. The MRI machine uses a magnetic field and radio signals to create...
Facial pain can be so painful that it really does hurt to blink. Facial pain can be localized to one spot or it can occur over a large area. Facial pain may feel like it's a burning or searing pain, a throbbing pain like a toothache or it can...
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI for short, is a type of noninvasive imaging procedure that lets a doctor view inside the body. A brain MRI scan may be recommended if a doctor suspects that a patient has some type of brain problem, such as a...
Acoustic Neuroma and Meniere’s Disease both affect the inner ear, causing similar symptoms of vertigo--a sensation of spinning, even when still--and gradual hearing loss. The symptoms arise from different causes and doctors must make an...
