Author: Linda Kesselring

Uses of VR in Medical Procedures and Education Virtual reality helps medical professionals plan for and execute complex procedures, especially in the surgical field. This technology is being implemented in medical schools and surgical training programs so that the next generation of doctors can be trained in innovative techniques to prepare for their future in the medical field and the operating room. Revisit part 1 in the blog series Introduction to Virtual Reality in Healthcare. Surgery  VR has been used in surgical procedures since the early 1990s when technology was used to plan out surgeries and present complicated information visually. Read More …

Introduction to Virtual Reality in Healthcare Communication in the healthcare industry can improve healthcare experience and outcomes for everyone involved. Whether it’s a doctor explaining treatment options to a patient or an instructor teaching a class how to perform surgery, medical work relies on clear and effective instructions. However, in situations when verbal explanations can be complicated or difficult to follow, how do we make information easy to understand? One technology that has cost-efficiently increased communication in clinical medicine by “showing” rather than just “telling” is virtual reality (VR). VR, also known as a virtual environment, produces simulations that help Read More …

While “a fatty liver” is a phrase typically heard in association with excessive alcohol consumption or with dry January, even those who don’t consume alcohol can develop a fatty liver. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a disease that affects up to 25 percent of the population world-wide. A healthy liver contains a lipid (fat) concentration of about 5 percent by weight. A person whose liver has a lipid concentration of more than 5 percent is said to have NAFLD. NAFLD encompasses a wide range of conditions, from the slightly above normal accumulation of lipids in the liver and minimal Read More …

Most people have some familiarity with diabetes. A family member, perhaps, takes medication to control it, or maybe a friend is avoiding dessert to keep their sugar levels in check. In the US, 10% of the population has diabetes. Diabetes numbers are ballooning all over the world. It is projected that there will be over 365 million cases of diabetes world-wide by 2030 – a couple million more than the population of the United States today. Diabetes is a metabolic disease which causes high blood sugar. Typically, when we eat, our blood sugar levels increase due to the digestion of Read More …

In the late 70s, scientists discovered that the body contains certain cancer-causing genes, which if mutated, lead to the development of cancer. This discovery unleashed a flurry of research in which scientists tried to identify genes that could be directly implicated in cancer. Scientists found one such gene – the HER2 gene – which is overexpressed in about 20% of breast cancers. This cancer was thus named HER2+ breast cancer. It is a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer; it typically does not respond to traditional chemotherapy, and patients with HER2+ breast cancer have a higher likelihood of cancer recurrence. Read More …

Within marrow tissue found in the center of bones, the body produces red and white blood cells, which are critical to transporting oxygen and fighting off infection. Certain types of cancers can cause serious damage to bone marrow, leaving patients without the blood cells needed to perform these important functions. Using stem cells from either the patient or a donor, doctors can now replace this tissue and allow patients to begin forming their own blood cells again. This procedure, which is known as a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, can be lifesaving for cancer patients. Stem cells are cells Read More …

We are all familiar with the phrases “go with your gut,” “gut-wrenching experience,” or “butterflies in your stomach.” Although these phrases and idioms might be used in very different situations, they all suggest a connection between our gut and our emotions. Scientists have studied this connection for a long time and have identified how our brain can influence our gut. For example, simply thinking of eating can release stomach juices even without the presence of food. However, recent studies have suggested that the gut-brain connection might go the other way around too. The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) refers to the bidirectional Read More …

Adult stem cells exist in several parts of the adult body. These cells have the ability to become specialized cells only for the type of tissue in which they exist. For example, liver stem cells can regenerate liver tissue, and muscle stem cells can regenerate muscle fibers, but not the other way around. Adult stem cells are important for replacing dead cells in the tissue and assist in the healing process after tissue injury. Embryonic stem cells, also called pluripotent, are responsible for the creation of thousands of different cell types that make up our bodies. Pluripotent stem cells are Read More …

The blood-brain barrier is a biological structure that acts to maintain a homeostatic environment within the Central Nervous System (CNS). You can think of it as your brain’s wall of defense. The blood-brain barrier is known as a diffusion barrier because it is semipermeable. This means that it only allows some substances to enter the brain while preventing other harmful substances from circulating in the bloodstream and the brain. This can be thought of as a filtration or vetting system. This semipermeable barrier is achieved through endothelial cells. Endothelial cells line the inside of every blood vessel in the body and Read More …

Fats are confusing. There are some good ones, a lot of bad ones, and it is hard to keep track of the ones you want and the ones you don’t. Hopefully, this article will help keep things straight. The body contains three types of lipids. Lipids are a class of organic compounds that are insoluble in water. One of the least talked about but most important types of lipids in the body are phospholipids. Phospholipids are the main constituent of cell membranes and play an important role in determining what enters the cell and what is left out. The second Read More …

The blood in your body is equivalent to seven percent of your body weight. This important substance has many different elements that make it the main carrier of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and essential nutrients throughout the body. There are four parts of blood: platelets, plasma, and red and white blood cells. When an injury to a blood vessel occurs, platelets, which are fragments of cells, rush in to help the blood clotting process. They bind to the site of the damaged blood vessel and create a layer that the blood clot can build on. Platelets have an active shape that Read More …

Not everyone likes getting their blood drawn at the doctor’s. There’s a needle in the arm, it’s pumped into vials, and then sent off to a mysterious lab. What really happens there, and what do doctors look at to examine your blood and review your health? One of the most common blood tests done that will help answer this question is the Complete Blood Count. The Complete Blood Count, or CBC test, that test that all the doctor’s on TV yell for. This test evaluates the proportions and patterns of different parts of your blood. CBCs are often ordered as Read More …