WemaCare

17/12/2025

About 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. That’s not just a number, that’s someone you know. Wemacare is here to raise awareness and encourage early screening. Visit cancer.org/getscreened to learn more and find a screening location near you.

19/11/2024

International Men's Day, celebrated annually on November 19th, recognizes and celebrates the positive contributions of men to society, families, and communities worldwide. It's a day to acknowledge men's achievements, raise awareness about men's health and well-being, and foster positive male role models. The day aims to promote gender equality, challenge harmful stereotypes, and encourage open conversations about men's mental health and other significant issues.
Happy International men's day
Knowledge Plexus

17/11/2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. This makes infections harder to treat and increases the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
Causes of AMR
AMR is caused by the overuse and misuse of antimicrobial medicines. When these medicines are used too often or incorrectly, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites can develop resistance to them.
Factors that contribute to AMR
Several factors contribute to the development and spread of AMR, including:
* Overuse of antibiotics: Antibiotics are often prescribed for viral infections, such as the common cold, which they cannot cure. This overuse can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
* Misuse of antibiotics: Antibiotics may be taken in the wrong dose, for the wrong duration, or for the wrong type of infection. This can also lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
* Lack of access to clean water and sanitation: In many parts of the world, people do not have access to clean water and sanitation. This can lead to the spread of infections, which can then lead to the overuse of antibiotics.
* Use of antibiotics in agriculture: Antibiotics are often used in agriculture to prevent and treat infections in animals. This can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can then spread to humans.
Consequences of AMR
AMR has a number of serious consequences, including:
* Increased mortality: AMR can lead to increased mortality rates from infections that were once easily treatable.
* Increased healthcare costs: AMR can lead to increased healthcare costs due to the need for more expensive and less effective treatments.
* Economic burden: AMR can have a significant economic burden on countries, as it can lead to lost productivity and increased healthcare costs.

16/11/2024

Monkeypox, now officially renamed mpox, is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. It typically presents with flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. The most distinctive feature is the development of a rash that progresses through various stages, from flat lesions to raised bumps, blisters, and ultimately scabs. The rash often starts on the face and then spreads to other parts of the body, including the ge****ls and mouth. While mpox is usually a self-limiting illness, it can be severe in some cases, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Transmission primarily occurs through close contact with infectious body fluids, lesions, or respiratory droplets from infected individuals. Additionally, it can spread through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces. To prevent the spread of mpox, practices like frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with infected individuals, and using personal protective equipment can be effective.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/mpox
Knowledge Plexus

Monkeypox

14/11/2024

When did kidney transplant come into existence?
The first successful human kidney transplant was performed on December 23, 1954, at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Joseph Murray and his team transplanted a kidney from Ronald Herrick to his identical twin brother, Richard Herrick. This groundbreaking achievement was possible because identical twins share nearly identical genetic makeup, minimizing the risk of organ rejection. This successful transplant marked a significant milestone in the field of transplantation medicine, paving the way for future organ transplants and saving countless lives.
kidney transplants are a well-established medical procedure. They are performed to treat chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease, where the kidneys are no longer functioning properly.
A healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is transplanted into the recipient's body. The transplanted kidney takes over the function of the failed kidneys, improving the patient's quality of life and life expectancy.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dm54ki.html
Knowledge Plexus

The idea of transplanting organs is not new. It can be found in myths of the ancient Greeks and was referred to by even older civilizations. But until the middle of the twentieth century it remained largely impossible, a piece of myth, or fantasy, or science fiction. Skin and eyes were among the fir...

14/11/2024

The first heart transplant:
The first human-to-human heart transplant was a groundbreaking medical achievement performed by Dr. Christiaan Barnard at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, on December 3, 1967. The recipient, 54-year-old Louis Washkansky, suffered from severe heart disease and was not expected to survive. The donor heart came from Denise Darvall, a 25-year-old woman who had recently died in a car accident.
Although Washkansky only survived for 18 days, this pioneering surgery marked a significant milestone in medical history. It demonstrated the feasibility of heart transplantation and paved the way for future advancements in organ transplantation. While the initial success rate of heart transplants was low, with many patients succumbing to rejection and infection, significant progress has been made in the decades since. Improved surgical techniques, advancements in immunosuppressive drugs, and better patient selection criteria have dramatically increased the success rate of heart transplants.
Today, heart transplantation is a well-established treatment for end-stage heart failure, offering a lifeline to many patients who would otherwise have limited options. However, the demand for donor hearts continues to exceed the supply, highlighting the ongoing need for organ donation to save lives.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4200566/
Knowledge Plexus

Christiaan (Chris) Barnard was born in 1922 and qualified in medicine at the University of Cape Town in 1946. Following surgical training in South Africa and the USA, Barnard established a successful open-heart surgery programme at Groote Schuur ...

14/11/2024

Did you know that the liver, often called the body's chemical factory, is responsible for over 500 vital functions? This remarkable organ acts as a filter, detoxifying the blood by removing harmful substances like alcohol, drugs, and toxins. It processes these substances, transforming them into less harmful compounds that can be excreted.
Another crucial role of the liver is the production of bile, a digestive fluid stored in the gallbladder. Bile aids in the digestion and absorption of fats, breaking them down into smaller particles that can be more easily processed by the intestines. Additionally, the liver plays a key role in metabolism, breaking down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy sources for the body. It stores glucose in the form of glycogen, releasing it into the bloodstream as needed to maintain blood sugar levels.
The liver is also involved in the synthesis of essential proteins, including albumin, which regulates blood volume and pressure, and clotting factors, which are crucial for blood clotting. It produces cholesterol and other lipids, which are essential components of cell membranes and hormone production. Moreover, the liver helps regulate hormone levels by metabolizing and inactivating hormones from various glands.
Did you know that the liver has an incredible ability to regenerate itself? If a portion of the liver is damaged or removed, the remaining healthy tissue can often grow back to its original size. This regenerative capacity makes liver transplantation possible, offering hope to individuals with severe liver diseases. However, it's important to note that excessive alcohol consumption, viral infections, and certain medical conditions can lead to chronic liver damage, impairing its function and potentially leading to serious health problems.

Detailed anatomical description of human liver, including simple definitions and labeled, full-color illustrations

14/11/2024

Did you know that the human body is a marvel of engineering, constantly adapting and healing itself? Our immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs, works tirelessly to protect us from invading pathogens like bacteria and viruses. When a foreign invader enters our body, our immune system springs into action, launching a multi-pronged attack to neutralize the threat. White blood cells, the soldiers of our immune system, identify and destroy harmful microorganisms, while antibodies bind to and neutralize pathogens, preventing them from causing harm. Vaccines, a remarkable achievement of modern medicine, harness the power of our immune system to protect us from infectious diseases. By introducing weakened or inactivated forms of pathogens into our bodies, vaccines trigger an immune response, teaching our bodies to recognize and fight off the real thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system
Knowledge Plexus

The immune system is a network of biological systems that protects an organism from diseases. It detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, from viruses to parasitic worms, as well as cancer cells and objects such as wood splinters, distinguishing them from the organism's own healthy tissu...

14/11/2024

Did you know that the human brain, despite accounting for only about 2% of our body weight, consumes a whopping 20% of our total energy intake? This energy-hungry organ is constantly active, even during sleep, processing information, forming memories, and regulating bodily functions. It's a complex network of billions of neurons, each making thousands of connections, creating a vast communication highway that enables us to think, feel, and perceive the world around us. From the moment we're born, our brains undergo rapid development, shaping our personalities, abilities, and behaviors. As we age, our brains continue to adapt and change, allowing us to learn new things and form new memories throughout our lives.
https://www.brainfacts.org/brain-anatomy-and-function/anatomy/2019/how-much-energy-does-the-brain-use-020119
Knowledge Plexus

The brain has some intense energy needs thanks to the unique role it plays in the body.

14/11/2024

Did you know that the human heart, a tireless muscle, pumps blood throughout our bodies, delivering oxygen and nutrients to every cell? This vital organ beats approximately 100,000 times a day, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood. The heart's electrical system, consisting of specialized cells that generate and conduct electrical impulses, coordinates the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle. The heart's four chambers, the atria and ventricles, work together to efficiently pump blood through the circulatory system. The heart's intricate network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, transports blood to and from the lungs and tissues, ensuring the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and the removal of waste products.
https://byjus.com/biology/human-heart/
Knowledge Plexus

Human Heart is a muscular organ, it is mainly responsible for circulating blood throughout the body through blood vessels. Explore its structure, functions and facts only at BYJU'S Biology