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Aspiration refers to the entry of food, liquid, saliva, or other materials into the airway instead of the esophagus during swallowing. This can occur when the coordination of muscles involved in swallowing is disrupted. As a result, materials can “go down the wrong pipe,” potentially leading to choking or respiratory Read More…
To function properly, our body depends on many essential processes that are moderated by molecules created within us. Creating these crucial molecules, also called proteins, involves multiple steps and precursor molecules (Figure 1). In the first step, the DNA, which serves as the reference blueprint and contains the vital information Read More…
Areflexia, from the Greek word “a”, meaning absence, is a medical condition characterized by the absence or reduction of reflexes. Reflexes are involuntary response triggered by sensory stimuli that are essential for maintaining proper bodily function. When this complex system fails, it shows as areflexia, which causes a variety of Read More…
Have you ever wondered what part of your nervous system is helping move the muscles of your body? Or your head? An important part of our central nervous system called the pyramidal tract is responsible for voluntary movements made by our body. The pyramidal tract is made up of two Read More…
A person’s voice is a unique and identifying trait. From one aisle in the grocery store, a familiar friend can be recognized by the sound of their voice. Your friends or family can tell if you’re near just by hearing your laugh. People sound different because of the shape and Read More…
Have you ever thought about why doctors tell us to eat protein-rich food? Why eating proteins is so important for our health and wellbeing? Well, it is because of what they consist of and how important proteins are to maintain our body functions under control. Amino acids are organic chemicals Read More…
If you’ve ever felt shaky when speaking in public or after drinking too much coffee, then you’ve likely experienced tremor. Tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic shaking of parts of the body, such as the hands or the head. Everyone experiences a normal, physiological tremor at a certain level, which is Read More…
Dystonia is a disorder that affects the way a person moves. Specifically, people with dystonia have involuntary muscle contractions, which can cause abnormal twisting postures. Dystonia can affect muscles anywhere in the body, including the face, neck, torso, and limbs. The impact of dystonia can vary greatly across individuals. Some Read More…
Incomplete penetrance is a characteristic of a wide range of genetic diseases, including hereditary forms of neurodegenerative disease, heart disease, and cancer. In short, it means that individuals carrying a disease-causing mutation may not necessarily develop disease symptoms. “Penetrance” refers to the proportion of individuals carrying the disease-causing mutation that Read More…
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is an umbrella term that has many meanings. Simply put, AAC is every way we communicate other than speaking. At its core, AAC uses symbols. For a message to be considered AAC, it must be represented symbolically. AAC must stand for something else. A simple Read More…
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