Internal organs

We have many internal organs. We cannot see our internal organs. However, these organs help the body function smoothly and stay healthy and alive. The internal organs are the

• brain,

• lungs,

• heart,

• liver,

• stomach,

• small intestine,

• large intestine,

• bladder and kidneys.

Brain: the brain is in the skull or head. The brain is the control center of the body. It receives messages from all parts of the body, understands them and sends a response.

Lungs: Both lungs are in the chest cavity. The ribs are protected. Lungs help us breathe. Heart: The heart lies between the two lungs. The heart is the pumping station of the blood supply. It supplies blood to the whole body. It's about the size of a fist.

Liver: The liver is the largest gland in the body. It is located in the upper right part of the abdomen. The liver stores food. It cleans the blood. It also helps with digestion.

Stomach: Abbey is located in the upper part of the abdomen. Food goes into the stomach and stays there for 3 to 4 hours. The stomach helps digest food.

Small and large intestine: The small intestine is a very long tube in the lower abdomen. It is surrounded by the large intestine. They also help in the digestion process.

Bladder and Kidneys: These organs are located in the lower abdomen. The kidney is a bean-shaped organ. Two kidneys lie on either side of the spine in the lower back. The kidneys clean the blood by removing waste. The bladder is a muscular organ that stores urine before the body expels it. 

 

The Brain 

Your brain is an important organ that controls many bodily functions. Your brain receives and interprets all the sensory information you encounter, such as sights, sounds, smells and tastes. Your brain has many complex parts that work together to help you move.

 

what is brain?

 

Your brain is an important organ. All of your emotions, feelings, desires, and everything that makes you a unique individual comes from your brain. This complex organ has many functions. Receives, processes and interprets information. Your brain also stores memories and controls your movements. Your brain is part of your central nervous system (CNS). It connects to your spinal cord.

 

FUNCTION

Your brain receives information from your five senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste. Your brain also receives input including touch, vibration, pain and temperature from other parts of your body, as well as autonomic (involuntary) input from your organs. It interprets this information so that you understand the meaning and can relate to what is happening around you. Your brain can:

1. Thoughts and decisions.

2. Memories and emotions.

3. Movements (motor function),

4. balance and coordination.

5. Understand different sensations including pain.

6. Automatic behaviors such as breathing, heart rate, sleep and temperature regulation.

7. Regulation of organ function.

8. Language and language functions.

9. The fight or flight response (stress response).

 

ANATOMY.

What are the most important parts of the brain? The structure of your brain is complex. It has three main sections:

Cerebrum: Your brain interprets sights, sounds and touch. It also controls emotions, reasoning and learning. Your brain makes up about 80% of your brain.

Cerebellum: The cerebellum maintains your balance, posture, coordination and fine motor skills. It is located in the back of your brain.

Brainstem: Your brainstem regulates many automatic bodily functions. You cannot control these functions, such as heartbeat, breathing, sleep and wake, and swallowing. Your brainstem is at the bottom of your brain. It connects the rest of your brain to your spinal cord.

 

What are the lobes that make up your brain?

Each side of your brain has different lobes (parts). While all the lobes work together to ensure normal functioning, each lobe plays an important role in some specific functions of the brain and body:

Frontal Lobes: The frontal lobes are at the front of your brain, just behind your forehead. It is the largest lobe and controls voluntary movement, speech and intelligence. The parts of your frontal lobes that control movement are called the primary motor cortex or the prefrontal gyrus. Areas of your brain that play an important role in memory, intelligence, and personality include your prefrontal cortex, as well as many other areas of your brain.

Occipital Lobes: These lobes at the back of the brain allow you to perceive and interpret visual information. Your occipital lobes control how you process shapes, colors and movement.

Parietal Lobes: The parietal lobes are near the center of your brain. They receive and interpret signals from other parts of your brain. This part of your brain integrates many sensory inputs so you can understand your environment and the state of your body. This part of your brain helps you understand what's going on around you.

Temporal Lobes: These areas of the brain are near your ears on each side of your brain. The temporal lobes are important for remembering words or places you've been. It also helps you identify people, understand language, and interpret other people's emotions.

Limbic Lobe: The limbic lobe is located in the middle part of your brain. The limbic lobe is part of your temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. Important parts of your limbic system include your amygdala (especially known for regulating your fight-or-flight response) and hippocampus (where you store short-term memories).

Insular lobes: The insular lobes are located in the deep temporal, parietal, and frontal lobes. The insular lobe is involved in processing many sensory inputs, including sensory and motor inputs, autonomic inputs, pain perception, hearing perception, and general body perception (perception of your surroundings).

 

Difference between the left and right hemispheres of the brain?

Your brain is divided into two parts: the left and right cerebral hemispheres. Both parts of the brain are connected by bundles of nerve fibers (white matter), which are called the corpus callosum. The right side of your brain controls the movement of the left side of your body and vice versa. Your left brain is usually the "dominant" hemisphere - but not for everyone. Most right-handed people are predominantly left-hemisphere dominant. Some patients whose left hand right hemisphere is dominant. Often the dominant hemisphere is responsible for your speech and language functions. Your non-dominant (which is the right hemisphere for most individuals) is responsible for your spatial awareness and processing what you see. About 1 in 10 right-handed people and about 1 in 3 left-handed people have right-hemisphere dominance. This means that their speech functions are usually central to the right side of their brain. Many times this is the normal variant, but in some people with brain tumors or epilepsy, the dominance can be shifted by a process called plastic brain surgery.

 

What are the bones and tissues that protect your brain?

A bony structure called the skull surrounds your brain. Your skull is part of your skull. All the bones in your skull protect your brain from damage. Between your brain and skull you have three layers of tissue called the meninges:

Dura mater: The outer layer lines your entire skull. Parts of the dura mater form folds that separate the right half of your brain from the left.

Arachnoid: The middle layer of the meninges is a thin, fragile layer of tissue that covers your entire brain.

Pia mater: The inner layer has blood vessels that run across the top of your brain.

Between your arachnoid and pia mater tissue is a clear substance called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF also includes your spinal cord through the vertebrae (bones of the spine). CSF nourishes and protects these vital organs of the nervous system.

 

What is gray and white matter in the brain?

Substances called gray and white matter make up your central nervous system. In your brain, gray matter is the outermost layer. It plays an important role in your daily routine. White matter is your deeper brain tissue. It contains nerve fibers that help your brain send electrical signals faster and more efficiently.

 

Which nerves send signals to and from your brain?

Your brain has many types of nerves. Nerves carry messages by sending electrical impulses back and forth between your brain, organs, and muscles. The nerves in your brain are called cranial nerves. You have 12 pairs of cranial nerves running from your brain to parts of your head and face. These nerves are responsible for certain sensations such as hearing, tasting or seeing. White matter is a bundle of glass fibers that binds brain cells. There are many tracts of white matter that connect one part of your brain to another, like structures deep in your brain. This white matter tract can also travel to your brain stem and spinal cord so that information can be passed from your brain to communicate with other parts of your body and information from your body can travel to your brain.

 

What are the other parts of the brain that send and receive signals?

Although most brain cells live on the surface of your brain (called gray matter) and the wiring (white matter) is deep and connects different parts of your brain, there are some nuclei (collections of brain cells) that are deep inside you. life. They contain:

Thalamus: Your thalamus is a structure that lives deep in your brain and above the brainstem. This structure is sometimes called the switchboard of the central nervous system. It carries various sensory information such as sight, sound or touch to your cerebral cortex from other parts of your body.

Hypothalamus: Your hypothalamus sits below your thalamus. It is important in the regulation of various hormonal functions, autonomic function, hunger, thirst and sleep. Your hypothalamus and pituitary gland are important structures involved in regulating your hormonal system.

Pituitary gland: Your pituitary gland sends hormones to various organs in your body.

Basal ganglia: Your basal ganglia are a group of nuclei deep in your brain that are important for controlling your movement, including motor learning and planning.

Brainstem Nuclei: There are a number of nuclei in your brainstem that are involved in various functions, including cells producing a number of important cranial nerves, normal sleep function, autonomic functions (breathing and heartbeat), and pain.

Reticular Formation: Your reticular formation is part of your brainstem and thalamic nuclei. It is part of your reticular activating system (the nuclei plus the white matter that connects these nuclei) located in your brainstem, hypothalamus, and thalamus. The Reticular Activating System (RAS) mediates your level of consciousness, awareness and focus. They also help control your sleep-wake transitions and autonomic function.

 

How many brain cells does a person have?

For many years, scientists believed that the human brain had 100 billion nerve cells (neurons). Today we know the real number is closer to 86 billion. Your brain has two types of cells:

Neurons send and receive electrical nerve signals.

Glial cells help maintain your brain, make myelin (a fatty protective substance found in white matter) and provide nourishment to your brain.

 

How is your brain involved in hormone production?

Inside your thalamus is a small structure called the hypothalamus. Your hypothalamus is part of your limbic system, which controls your emotions. It sends nerve signals to your pituitary gland. It helps control functions such as: taste.

• Body temperature.

• Emotion.

• Hormone production.

• Sleep and wake cycles.

You have a pineal gland in your brain that releases the hormone melatonin. Melatonin controls how melanin supplies pigment to your skin. Melatonin also plays a role in regulating sleep-wake cycles.

 

What conditions or diseases can affect the brain?

About 1 in 6 people have some form of brain disease. There are many types of brain diseases and conditions that vary in severity, including:

Alzheimer's disease and dementia: Progressive loss of thinking (brain) functions such as memory, problem solving or language. 

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a neuromuscular disorder in which the nerve cells in your brain are damaged.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A developmental disorder that affects your ability to communicate, regulate behavior, or interpret social cues.

Brain tumor: An irregular mass of cells that starts in your brain and grows out of control.

Epilepsy: A brain disease that disrupts the activity of nerve cells in your brain, leading to seizures.

Parkinson's disease: A progressive disease of the nervous system that normally begins with tremors (uncontrollable shaking).

Stroke: An interruption of the blood supply to the brain due to a blockage in a vein or a rupture (explosion) of a vein. Can you be born with a brain disorder? Some children are born with a brain disorder. These conditions can be caused by hereditary conditions, genetic differences, or abdominal trauma or childbirth. Can a head injury cause brain disease? Injury can lead to brain damage. If you suffer a head injury, you may have a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a concussion. Rarely, severe brain damage can lead to a condition such as epilepsy or dementia. Many people are recovering from a concussion or brain injury. Repeated head injuries can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition that causes psychological problems. 

 

Care

• What are some tips to keep my brain healthy?

• Other lifestyle habits can keep your brain healthy. To support your brain health,

• you can:

• Get at least seven to eight hours of sleep every night.

• Exercise regularly.

• Drink alcohol only in moderation.

• Eat a diet full of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats.

• Practice puzzles such as brain teasers, crosswords or word searches.

 

Stop smoking. A strong social network can also improve your brain health. Healthy relationships can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure and increase quality of life. As we age, changes in our body and brain are normal. But there are ways to slow memory loss and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Here  are 5 tips to keep your brain healthy.

 

Exercises. The physical benefits of exercise are clear. It is not well known that those who exercise regularly experience less cognitive decline and have a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. Engage in moderate aerobic activity that raises your heart rate for 30 to 60 minutes several times a week. Tennis, swimming, walking and yoga are ways to take care of your body and mind.

 

Get your Zzzzz. Sleep is the most important way to repair the brain, allow it to heal and improve mental health. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night to allow your brain to efficiently consolidate and store memories.

Following a diet low in salt and red meat that promotes plant foods, whole grains, healthy fats, and fat-free egg whites may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

 

Use it or throw it away. Think of your brain as a muscle that needs exercise. Activities that challenge your brain, such as reading, doing crossword puzzles, or playing sudoku and board games, are great brain exercises.

 

Be social. Keeping in regular contact with friends and family can prevent depression and stress and help prevent memory loss.

How much does the human brain weigh? When you are born, your brain weighs about 1 pound. During adolescence, your brain grows to about 2 kilograms. As an adult, your brain weighs about 2.7 to 3 pounds, depending on your gender and body size. 

Kidney

Most people have two kidneys, organs located in the back of the abdomen. The main function of your kidneys is to filter your blood. They also remove waste and balance the fluids in your body. Common kidney conditions include kidney disease, kidney infections, and kidney cysts. see Kidney anatomy.

What are kidneys?

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that filter your blood. Your kidneys are part of your urinary system. Your kidneys filter about 200 liters of fluid each day – enough to fill a large bathtub.

During this process,

• your kidneys remove waste and leave your body as urine (peeing).

• Most people urinate about two liters a day.

• Your body recycles another 198 liters of fluid.

• Your kidneys also help balance body fluids (mostly water) and electrolytes.

• Electrolytes are important minerals that include sodium and potassium.

 

Who is most at risk of kidney problems?

People with diabetes or high blood pressure are at the highest risk of kidney problems. Accidents or trauma can also damage your kidneys, such as car accidents or sports injuries.

 

 

Function

What do the kidneys do?

Your kidneys have many important functions. Cleans toxins and impurities from the blood. Common waste products include nitrogenous waste (urea), muscle waste (creatinine), and acids. They help your body absorb these substances. Your kidneys filter about half a cup of blood every minute. During: Blood flows to the kidneys through a large artery called the renal artery. Small blood vessels in your kidneys filter the blood. The filtered blood returns to your bloodstream through a large blood vessel called the renal vein. Urine travels through muscular tubes called ureters (yer-it-ter) to your bladder. Your bladder stores urine until you release it through urination (urinating). The kidneys also: Check the acid-base balance (pH balance) of your blood. If your blood doesn't have enough sugar, make sugar (glucose) for yourself. They produce a protein called renin, which increases blood pressure. They produce the hormones calcitriol and erythropoietin. Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D that helps your body absorb calcium. Erythropoietin helps your body make red blood cells. The adrenal gland is located above each kidney. It produces hormones, including cortisol, that help your body respond to stress. Cortisol also plays a role in: Metabolic control. Reduce inflammation. Regulation of blood pressure. Increase in blood sugar.

 

How do my kidneys filter my blood?

Each kidney contains more than one million filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron consists of: Glomeruli: Glomeruli are groups of small blood vessels that perform the first stage of filtering the blood. They then transfer the filtered substances to the renal tubules. The name of this process is glomerular filtration. Renal tubules: These tiny tubes reabsorb and return water, nutrients, and minerals your body needs (including sodium and potassium). The tubules remove waste, including excess acid and fluid, through a process called diffusion. Your body sends the rest of the waste through the collecting chambers of your kidneys. It eventually leaves your body as urine.

 

Can you live without a kidney?

You can survive with only one kidney. Healthcare providers may remove one of your kidneys in a radical nephrectomy. A person may have only one kidney if: Kidneys removed due to cancer or injury. Donate a kidney to another person for a kidney transplant. Born with only one kidney (renal agenesis). He was born with two kidneys, but only one kidney is functioning (kidney dysplasia).

 

ANATOMY

 

Where are your kidneys?

Your kidneys are just below your ribs and behind your stomach. Normally, one kidney sits on each side of your spine. Your kidneys are located between your intestines and diaphragm. The ureter connects each kidney to the bladder.

 

What are the parts of the kidney?

Your kidneys are very complex organs with many parts. Major parts of kidney anatomy include:

Kidney Capsule (Kidney Capsule)

The renal capsule consists of three layers of connective tissue or fat that cover your kidney. It protects your kidneys from damage, increases their strength and connects your kidneys to the surrounding tissues.

 

Bladder artery

The renal artery is a large artery that directs blood flow to the kidneys. In most people, at rest, kidney stones pump more than 5 cups (1.2 liters) of blood through the kidneys every minute. Renal cortex The outer layer of the kidney, where the nephrons (blood filtering units) begin.

 

The renal

cortex also produces the hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which helps make red blood cells in your bones.

 

Kidney medulla

The renal medulla is the innermost part of your kidney. It mostly contains nephrons with glomeruli and renal tubules. The renal tubules drain the urine into the renal pelvis.

 

Stony papilla

These pyramidal shapes move urine through the ureters. Dehydration and certain medications - especially non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - can damage the renal papilla.

 

Renal pelvis

This funnel-shaped structure collects urine and passes through two ureters. Urine travels from the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored. Renal artery This vein is the main blood vessel that carries filtered blood from the kidneys back to the heart. Each of your kidneys has a renal artery.

 

What color are the kidneys?

Your kidneys are reddish brown.

How big is the kidney?

Each kidney is about 4 or 5 inches long, about the size of a fist.

How much does my kidney weigh?

Your kidney weight varies. Differences may include your height, weight, age, body mass index (BMI) and location. For boys and people assigned male at birth, your right kidney can weigh anywhere from 1/5 to about 1/2 pound. (79 grams to 223 grams). Your left kidney may be a little less than 1/5 to a little more than 1/2 pound. (74 grams to 235 grams). Your kidneys can weigh between the weight of one tennis ball and four tennis balls. For women and people assigned female at birth, your right kidney can vary from just over 1/10 to 3/5 of a pound. (55 grams to 274 grams). Your left kidney can vary from 3/20 to 3/5 lb. (67 grams to 261 grams). Your kidney can weigh between the weight of a tennis ball or five tennis balls.

 

RULES AND CONDITIONS

What causes kidney damage?

Your kidneys perform many important functions in your body. Many different diseases affect them. Common conditions that can affect your kidneys include:

Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can reduce kidney function. Diabetes or high blood pressure are common causes of CKD.

Kidney cancer: Kidney cancer is the most common type of kidney cancer.

Kidney failure (kidney failure): Kidney failure can be acute (sudden worsening) or chronic (permanent reduction in how well your kidneys work). The final stage of kidney disease is complete loss of kidney function. This requires dialysis (a treatment that filters the blood instead of the kidneys).

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis): A kidney infection can occur when bacteria enter the kidney through the ureter. These infections cause sudden symptoms. Doctors treat them with antibiotics.

Kidney stones: Kidney stones cause crystals to form in the urine and can block the flow of urine. Sometimes these stones come in handy on their own. In other cases, health care providers may offer treatment to resolve or eliminate them.

Kidney (renal) cysts: Fluid-filled sacs called renal cysts develop in the kidneys. These cysts can cause kidney damage. Caregivers can remove it.

Polycystic kidney disease: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) causes cysts in your kidneys. PKD is a genetic condition. This can lead to high blood pressure and kidney failure. People with PKD need regular medical supervision. There are countless other diseases that can affect your kidneys. Some of these conditions include:

Acidosis: Too much acid builds up in your kidneys, which can cause a number of health problems. It can be life-threatening. Acute or interstitial nephritis: Your kidneys become inflamed, sometimes after exposure to certain antibiotics, which can lead to kidney failure.

Azotemia: Nitrogenous waste built up in your kidneys. Without treatment, azotemia can be fatal. Caliectasia: Excess fluid causes swelling of your calices (where urine begins to collect). Without treatment, caliectasia can lead to kidney failure.

Diabetes-related nephropathy or hypertensive nephropathy: Uncontrolled diabetes or chronic high blood pressure causes kidney damage.

Glomerular disease: Glomerular disease causes inflammation or damage to your glomeruli. Glomerular diseases can cause kidney failure.

Minimal change disease and nephrotic syndrome: Minimal change disease and nephrotic syndrome cause your kidneys to release too much protein into your urine.

Papillary necrosis: pieces of kidney tissue die in the medulla and papilla. The tissue can break and block your kidneys, leading to kidney failure.

Proteinuria: Proteinuria means high levels of protein in your kidneys. This can be a sign of kidney damage. Pyelonephritis: This sudden kidney infection causes edema (swelling) of your kidneys. It can be life-threatening.

Uremia: Toxins that normally leave your body through urine end up in your blood. Without treatment, uremia can be fatal. 

 

 

Bladder

The bladder is a round, sac-like organ that stores urine. It is located in the pelvic area, just below the kidneys and just behind the pelvic bone. Although it is a fixed storage tank, its design is very complicated.

Size

Crete According to Weill Cornell Medical College, the bladder is usually about the size of a large grapefruit. However, it can expand when needed and shrink again when emptied. In fact, it can comfortably hold about 16 ounces (about half a liter) of urine at a time for two to five hours, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). According to the Cleveland Clinic, it's normal to urinate about six to eight times in 24 hours. More frequent visits to the toilet may indicate a bladder problem, even if urination has been common for more than one age.

Function

The bladder is connected to the kidneys by two long tubes called ureters. When urine is produced by the kidneys, it passes through the ureters to the bladder, where it is stored. The bladder has four layers. From the inside out, the epithelium is the first layer in the bladder. It acts as the lining of the bladder. The next layer is the lamina propria. It consists of connective tissue, muscles and blood vessels. The lamina propria is covered by a layer called the muscularis propria, or detrusor muscle. According to John Hopkins Pathology, this layer is made up of thick, smooth muscle bundles. The last, outermost layer is the perivesical soft tissue, which consists of fat, fibrous tissue, and blood vessels. Some parts of the bladder lie below the sac. The opening at the bottom of the bladder is connected to the urethra. The round, muscular sphincter contracts to prevent urine from leaking into the orifice and urethra. When a person urinates, the detrusor muscles contract to force urine out of the bladder, while the sphincter relaxes to open the opening of the bladder and urethra. An opening at the bottom of the bladder drains urine into the urethra, where it leaves the body.

 

Diseases and conditions

Many diseases and conditions can originate from the bladder. "The most common bladder problems I see in women in my practice are frequent urination and leakage," said S. Adam Ramin, urologic surgeon and founder of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, California. Leakage and frequent urges are usually caused by reduced bladder capacity and overactive bladder. An overactive bladder can cause a number of conditions, including constipation and too much caffeine in the system, according to the Mayo Clinic. Urinary leakage, or incontinence, can also be caused by bladder spasms or stress. A bladder sling is sometimes used to treat stress urinary incontinence. "The most common bladder problems in men are frequent urination at night and incomplete bladder emptying. This is usually caused by an enlarged prostate that causes obstruction to emptying the bladder," Ramin told Live Science. A bladder infection can be another cause of frequent urination. Bladder infections, also known as cystitis, are among the most common bacterial infections, according to Harvard Health. About a third of all women will get a bladder infection at least once. Some of the symptoms include burning or pain when urinating, having to urinate a lot even if only a small amount of urine passes each time, a sudden need to urinate, pain in the lower abdomen, and cloudy or bloody urine. Another problem that can arise from the bladder is bladder cancer. About 577,400 people in the United States are living with bladder cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. It usually affects older people, although younger people have been diagnosed with bladder cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some symptoms of bladder cancer include blood in the urine, frequent or painful urination, and back or pelvic pain. Anterior prolapse, also known as bladder prolapse or cystocele, is a bladder problem specific to women. This occurs when the tissue between a woman's bladder and the vaginal wall weakens due to tension. The weakness allows the tissue to stretch and the bladder in the vagina to swell, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bladder stones are caused by concentrated urine that crystallizes in the bladder. According to the Mayo Clinic, people who have trouble emptying their bladder often have problems with urinary stones. Although many kidney stones are so small that they are barely visible to the human eye, one person was found to have an egg-shaped kidney stone that weighed 1.7 pounds. (770 grams) and measures 4.7 inches x 3.7 inches x 3 inches (12 x 9.5 x 7.5 centimeters). However, this is not the largest bladder stone on record. The largest blowstone was 7 inches long, 5 inches thick, and 3.7 inches long (17.9 x 12.7 x 9.5 cm) and weighed 4.2 pounds. (1.9 kg), according to the Guinness Book of World record. 

Promote good bladder health

Sometimes the only option is to hold the urine, but this is not good for the bladder. "Holding urine for a short period of time, usually up to an hour, is usually fine," says Ramin. "Prolonged and repeated retention of urine, however, can cause overexpansion of bladder capacity, transfer of excess pressure to the kidneys, and an inability to empty the bladder completely. These problems can subsequently lead to UTI [urinary tract infection], cystitis, and kidney failure." Drinking plenty of water throughout the day also helps prevent kidney stones by preventing the concentration of minerals that cause stones. The Mayo Clinic recommends asking your doctor how much water your body needs based on your age, size and activity level.

Small Intestine

The small intestine is actually the longest part of the gastrointestinal tract—the long, continuous path that food takes through your digestive system. In the small intestine, food is broken down into liquid and most of the nutrients are absorbed. Waste enters the large intestine.

What is the small intestine?

The small intestine is part of your digestive system. It covers part of the long passage of food through your body called the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When food leaves your stomach, it enters the small intestine, also known as the small intestine. The small intestine is connected to the large intestine, which is also called the large intestine or large intestine. The intestines are responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and settling waste. The small intestine is the longest part of the GI tract and is where most of your digestion takes place.

What are the different parts of the small intestine?

The small intestine has an initial section, a middle section, and an end section. Although there is no real separation between the individual parts, they have somewhat different properties and roles.

Duodenum

The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that is nourished by the stomach. It is a short descending chute (about 10 inches long) that curves around the pancreas in a "C" shape before joining the rest of the intestine.

Jejunum

The rest of the small intestine lies in several coils in the lower abdominal cavity. The middle part, called the jejunum, takes up less than half of this remaining length. The jejunum is characterized by many blood vessels, which give it a deep red color.

Ileum

The ileum is the last and longest part of the small intestine. Here, the walls of the small intestine begin to thin and narrow and the blood supply decreases. Food spends most of its time in the ileum, where most of the water and nutrients are absorbed.

FUNCTION

What does the small intestine do?

The small intestine is where most of the long digestive process takes place. This:

Food decomposes systematically.

Absorbs nutrients.

Get the water.

It moves food along the gastrointestinal tract. There is a lot involved in all of this. The process can take up to five hours.

How do the different parts of the small intestine work?

Duodenum

To help break down food, the small intestine receives digestive juices from other organs in your digestive system, including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. The outlets of these organs enter the duodenum. Hormonal glands in the lining of the duodenum signal these organs to release their chemicals when food is present.

Jejunum

After chemical digestion in the duodenum, the food moves to the jejunum, where it takes over the muscular work of digestion. The nerves of the intestinal walls activate their muscles to break up the food (segmentation) and mix it with the digestive juices. Other muscle movements (peristalsis) keep food moving forward slowly.

Mucous membrane

The walls of the small intestine are lined with a thick mucosa that contains many glands that secrete and absorb. In the jejunum and ileum, the mucosa secretes small amounts of digestive enzymes and lubricating mucus as they absorb nutrients from your food. Each section is designed to absorb different nutrients such as water. The thick mucous membrane has so many folds and ridges that its surface is about 100 times wider than the surface of your skin. This is why 95% of the carbohydrates and proteins you consume are absorbed in the small intestine. It also absorbs about 90% of the water it takes in during digestion. The rest is absorbed in your large intestine.

ileum

In the ileum, digestion slows down and peristalsis begins, which gradually moves food waste into the large intestine. The ileocecal valve separates the ileum from the colon. Nerves and hormones signal the valve to open to let food through and close to keep bacteria out. Special immune cells line the ileum to protect against bacteria. ANATOMY Where is the small intestine located? The small intestine is coiled in the lower abdominal cavity below the stomach. The large intestine surrounds it, covering the edges of the abdominal cavity. What does the small intestine look like? It looks like a long, pink or red tube with many folds. This is the width of your pointer. It's the width that makes it "smaller" than a colon, not the length. How long is the small intestine? The small intestine is the longest part of the gastrointestinal tract, about 22 feet long. The lining also has a wide surface that is torn with folds and ridges. If you stretch the lining, it covers the tennis court. What does the small intestine consist of? The tube is lined with many layers of tissue and muscle. The tissues contain nerves, blood vessels, immune cells and lymph nodes.

RULES AND CONDITIONS

What happens when the small intestine doesn't work properly?

The small intestine absorbs nutrients and water from your food. If these functions are impaired, you may experience nutritional deficiencies and watery stools (diarrhea). Muscle movements in the small intestine help break down food and process it in the body. If these movements are reduced, you may experience indigestion and constipation. Various diseases and infections can cause inflammation of the small intestine, which can cause abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

What problems can occur in the small intestine?

Congenital malformations, growth and obstruction, chronic diseases and occasional infections affect the small intestine. Some of these conditions include:

• Celiac disease.

• Crohn's disease.

• Irritable bowel syndrome.

• Enteritis (inflammation, usually due to infection).

• Peptic ulcer.

• Small bowel obstruction.

• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

• SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

• Short bowel syndrome.

• Meckel's diverticulum.

• Superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS).

• Necrotizing enterocolitis.

• Duodenal atresia.

• Malrotation.

• Intussusception.

• Intestinal ischemic syndrome.

• Enterocele (prolapse of the small intestine).

• Cancer of the small intestine.

What medical tests can check the health of my small intestine?

A series of x-rays of the small intestine. CT scan. Endoscopic ultrasound. Video capsule endoscopy. Enteroscopy. Biopsy. Breath test on H. pylori infection. Breath test for SIBO.

 Care

How can I maintain a healthy small intestine?

You can help look after your gut by following these general health guidelines: Eat plants Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains help provide your gut with enough fiber. Fiber helps feed the good bacteria in your gut and helps sweep away debris that can be eaten by less beneficial bacteria. The extra fiber will make you drink more water, but that's a good thing too. Fiber and water help keep your bowels regular, which helps the small intestine keep up with its household. Most fruits and vegetables are also alkalizing, meaning they help with a balanced Western diet. The high acid content can destroy the protective mucus in the intestine. Many other Western foods and lifestyles are acidic, including processed foods, meat and dairy, caffeine and alcohol. We can all benefit from more alkaline foods in our diet. Just eating the plants will take care of all that. Moderate smoking, drinking and medication

Lungs

The lungs are the center of the respiratory (breathing) system. Every cell in the body needs oxygen to stay alive and healthy. Your body also needs to get rid of carbon dioxide. This gas is a waste product produced by cells during their normal daily functions. Your lungs are specially designed to exchange these gases with each inhalation and exhalation. Let's take a closer look at this complex system.

Lung anatomy

This spongy pink organ looks like two inverted cones in your chest. The right lung consists of three lobes. The left lung has only two lobes that make room for your heart.

Bronchial tree

The lungs begin at the bottom of your trachea (trachea). The trachea is the tube that carries air in and out of your lungs. Each lung has a tube called a bronchus that connects to the trachea. The trachea and bronchi form an upside-down “Y” in your chest. This "Y" is often called the bronchial tree. The bronchi branch into smaller bronchi and even smaller tubes called bronchioles. Like the branches of a tree, these tiny tubes extend into every part of your lungs. Some of them are so small that they are the thickness of a hair. You have almost 30,000 bronchioles in each lung. Each bronchial tube ends in a cluster of small air sacs called alveoli (individually called an alveolus). They look like small grapes or very small balloons. There are about 600 million alveoli in your lungs. The tiny bubble formations in the alveoli give your lungs a huge surface area – equivalent to the size of a tennis court. This means there is more room for vital oxygen to enter your body.

 

Respiratory system

The lungs are the most important part of the respiratory system. This system is divided into the upper respiratory tract and the lower respiratory tract. The upper respiratory tract includes:

Mouth and nose.

Air enters the lungs and exits through the mouth and nostrils.

Nasal cavity.

Air goes from the nose to the nasal cavity and then to the lungs.

Throat (pharynx). Air from the mouth is sent through the throat to the lungs.

Voice box (larynx). This part of the throat helps air into the lungs and prevents eating and drinking.

The lower respiratory tract consists of:

long

trachea

bronchi

bronchioles alveoli

How lungs work

WHAT IS BREATHING?

Breathing consists of two phases called inspiration and expiration: When you exhale, you inhale (inhale) oxygen.

When you exhale, you exhale (exhale) carbon dioxide.

Breath passage

When you inhale, air enters your mouth and nose and travels:

Through the throat into the trachea

into the lungs via the right and left main bronchus

in the small airways of the bronchi

in the smaller tubes of the bronchioles

in the alveoli

Each alveolus is covered by a network of tiny blood vessels called capillaries. An exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place here. Your heart sends deoxygenated blood to your lungs. This is blood that carries carbon dioxide instead of oxygen. As the blood passes through small thin capillaries, it receives oxygen from the alveoli. They return carbon dioxide through the thin walls to the alveoli. Oxygen-rich blood from your lungs is sent back to your heart, where it is pumped around your body. Carbon dioxide is inhaled through the mouth and nose from the lungs and alveoli.

How to keep your lungs healthy

The alveoli remain partially inflated like a balloon even when you exhale. Your lungs make a liquid called surfactant to help them stay open. Surfactant also contains fatty proteins that help keep the lungs healthy.

Your lungs clean themselves.

They produce mucus to trap bacteria and particles. The mucus is then swept away by cilia, the tiny hairs that line the airways. Most of the time you swallow this mucus without noticing. If you have a respiratory disease, your lungs may produce more mucus. Alveoli also contain immune cells called macrophages. These cells "eat" germs and irritants before they can cause infection in your lungs

Diseases and disorders of the lungs

Respiratory disease can be temporary or chronic (long-term). Some types can lead to or be a symptom of lung disease. Common lung conditions include:

Asthma

Asthma is the most common chronic lung disease. Allergic asthma usually begins in childhood. Asthma attacks occur when the airways become narrower and narrower, which slows the flow of air. The lungs are also swollen and inflamed. Asthma can be triggered by allergic reactions, pollution, exercise, other respiratory diseases and cold air.

 

Bronchitis

This chest infection occurs in the main airways, the bronchi. It can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Acute bronchitis comes on suddenly and sometimes spreads to the lungs from an upper respiratory infection like the common cold. Chronic

 

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

This condition is also known as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. COPD gets worse over time. It can be caused by smoking, air pollution, chemicals or a genetic condition. COPD often leads to disability and is the fourth leading cause of death A trusted source In the United States

Pneumonia

This is an infection of the chest deep in the bronchioles and alveoli. Pus and mucus can build up and the lungs can become inflamed. This makes breathing difficult. Pneumonia can happen to anyone. Young children, the elderly, smokers and sick people are at higher risk.

Tuberculosis (TB)

This bacterial infection is spread by airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing. Hard to catch. Tuberculosis can be serious and lead to lung failure. It can also stay in the body without causing symptoms or spreading to other parts of the body.

Stomach

our stomach is a muscular organ that digests food. It is part of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When your stomach takes in food, it contracts and produces acids and enzymes that break down the food. When your stomach breaks down food, it passes through your small intestine. The digestive system consists of the digestive tract - mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine and rectum.

 

About stomach

The stomach is a J-shaped organ that digests food. It produces enzymes (substances that create chemical reactions) and acids (digestive juices). This mixture of enzymes and digestive juices breaks down food so it can pass through the small intestine. Your stomach is part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The GI tract is a long tube that starts in your mouth. It runs to your anus, where waste (poop) leaves your body. The GI tract is an important part of your digestive system.

FUNCTION

What is the function of the stomach?

The purpose of your stomach is to digest food and send it to the small intestine. It has three functions:

Store food temporarily.

Kick back and relax while stirring and breaking up your food.

Make enzymes and other specialized cells to digest food.

How does the stomach move through the rest of the GI tract?

Each part of your GI tract breaks down food and liquids and transports them into your body. During the digestion process, your body absorbs nutrients and water. You then eliminate the waste products of digestion through the large intestine. Food moves through your GI tract in several steps:

Mouth: When you chew and swallow, your tongue pushes food down your throat. A small piece of tissue called the epiglottis covers your windpipe. The epiglottis prevents suffocation. Esophagus: Food passes through a hollow tube called the

esophagus. Below this, your esophageal sphincter relaxes to allow food to pass through your stomach. (The sphincter is an annular muscle that tightens and relaxes.)

Stomach: Your stomach produces digestive juices and breaks down food. Holds food until it is ready to empty into the small intestine.

Small intestine: Food mixes with digestive juices from your intestines, liver, and pancreas. Your intestinal walls absorb nutrients and water from food and send waste products into the colon.

Colon: Your colon converts waste products into feces. This pushes the stool up into the rectum. Rectum: The rectum is the lower part of your large intestine. Holds stool until a bowel movement occurs.

ANATOMY

Where is the stomach?

Your stomach is on your upper abdomen on the left side of your body. The top of your stomach connects to a valve called the esophageal sphincter (a muscle at the end of your esophagus). The lower part of the stomach connects to the small intestine. how big is your belly Stomach size varies from person to person. Your stomach expands when you are full and deflates when it is empty. Because of this, the size of your stomach can vary depending on how young you are and how much you eat.

 

What are the parts of stomach anatomy?

Your stomach has five different parts:

The cardia is the upper part of your stomach. It contains a cardiac sphincter that prevents food from traveling back into your esophagus.

The fundus is the round part next to the cardia. It's under your diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle that helps you breathe).

The body (corpus) is the largest part of your stomach. Physically, your stomach contracts and begins to digest food. Antrum is located under the body. It holds food until your stomach is ready to send it to your small intestine.

The pylorus is the lower part of your stomach. It includes the pyloric sphincter. This ring of tissue controls when and how the contents of your stomach move into your small intestine.

 

Structure

Several layers of muscles and other tissues make up your abdomen:

The mucosa is the lining of your stomach. When your stomach is empty, the lining has small ridges (rugae). When your stomach is full, the lining expands and the ridges become flat.

The submucosa contains connective tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels (part of your lymphatic system), and nerve cells. Covers and protects the mucous membrane.

The muscularis externa is the most important muscle in your abdomen. It has three layers that contract and release to break down food. The serosa is the membranous layer that covers your stomach.

 

RULES AND CONDITIONS

What conditions and diseases affect your stomach?

Gastrointestinal disorders can affect your stomach. Abdominal symptoms can occur under certain conditions, such as heartburn during pregnancy. Or you may have a chronic (long-term) condition.

Common conditions that affect your stomach include:

Stomach ulcers: Erosion of the lining of the stomach that can lead to pain and bleeding.

Gastritis: inflammation of the stomach.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): When stomach contents rise into the esophagus, it causes heartburn or coughing.

Gastroparesis: Nerve damage that affects muscle contractions in your stomach.

Indigestion (dyspepsia): discomfort, pain or burning in the upper part of the stomach.

Peptic ulcer: Ulcers (ulcers) in the stomach or the first part of the small intestine (duodenum).

Stomach cancer: When cancer cells grow uncontrollably in your stomach.

Care

How can I keep my stomach healthy?

You can make lifestyle changes to maintain a healthy stomach and digestive system. You can:

• Drink alcohol only in moderation.

• Drink at least 50 ounces of water each day, depending on your activity level and size. Eat 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day, depending on your age and gender.

• Exercise regularly.

• Limit your intake of processed foods.

• Manage stress with healthy coping strategies such as meditation.

• Stop smoking or using tobacco products.

 

What should I ask my doctor about my stomach?

If you have chronic stomach symptoms, you may want to talk to a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists are doctors who specialize in the treatment of the digestive system. 

liver

The liver is a large organ in the abdomen that performs many important functions in the body, including filtering the blood. It is also considered a gland because it produces chemicals that the body needs. Certain diseases and lifestyles can damage the liver, but there are many ways to protect this important organ.

 

What is the liver?

The human liver is an organ and gland in the human body. It is spongy, wedge-shaped, reddish-brown in color and about the size of a soccer ball. Sizes vary depending on your height and weight. The liver is an important organ that performs hundreds of functions that are necessary to sustain life. It is also a gland because it makes proteins and hormones that other parts of the body need. With an average weight of about three pounds in an adult, the liver is the largest internal organ. Normally, the liver is located on the right side of the body, under the ribs. In a condition called site inversus, the liver is on the left side. Problems related to the liver are called liver conditions. A doctor who specializes in the liver is a hepatologist.

 

What does the liver do?

The liver has hundreds of jobs. Some of the most important are:

Clean toxins (harmful substances) from the blood.

Get rid of old red blood cells.

Produces bile, a fluid that helps the body digest (break down) food.

It metabolizes proteins, carbohydrates, and fats so that your body can use them.

It produces substances that help blood to clot.

It regulates the amount of blood in the body.

Stores glycogen (energy source) and vitamins for later use by the body.

 

What are the parts of the liver?

The liver has two main parts: the larger right lobe and the smaller left lobe. The lobes contain many blood vessels. Blood passes through the liver. The liver filters (purifies) the blood, removing toxins and impurities that eventually leave the body through urine and feces.

What conditions and diseases affect the liver?

Many conditions can affect the liver. The most common include:

Diseases that occur when a person consumes large amounts of toxins, such as alcohol-related liver disease and fatty liver disease.

Hereditary diseases such as hemochromatosis (iron overload) and Wilson's disease (too much copper in the body).

Liver cancer where abnormal cells grow too fast.

Problems where the immune system attacks the liver, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and primary biliary cholangitis.

Viral infections such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. Many of these conditions can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver. Sometimes damaged liver tissue can regenerate or regrow. In other cases, liver disease can cause serious and even life-threatening symptoms.

 

What are the symptoms of liver problems?

If a person has a liver problem, one of the most common symptoms is jaundice. In jaundice, the skin and the whites of the eyes turn yellow due to too much bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellow waste product produced by the liver when red blood cells are broken down. Higher bilirubin levels indicate a possible liver problem.

Other symptoms of liver problems may include:

Accumulation of fluid in the abdominal area (ascites).

It bruises easily.

Ugly skin.

Low blood pressure.

Abdominal pain.

Swelling of the feet or ankles.

Shaking (shaking).

Weakness, loss of balance or chronic fatigue.

Confusion or disorientation

 

How can I keep my liver healthy?

To keep your liver healthy and fit, try following these tips:

Avoid toxins such as chemicals, smoking and illegal drugs.

Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes, or other personal items that can spread viruses.

Drink alcohol only in moderation.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions regarding medications, especially the warning against mixing medications and alcohol.

Maintain a healthy weight, including a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Practice safe sex to prevent hepatitis infection.

Talk to your healthcare provider about hepatitis vaccinations. Wash your hands regularly.

 

When should I seek medical attention?

If you have symptoms of liver problems, especially jaundice or stomach pain, talk to your healthcare provider. Whenever you experience severe stomach pain, seek medical attention immediately.

 

How do I know if I'm at risk of liver problems?

You may be at risk of liver problems if you: Constantly exposed to chemicals. Overweight or obesity. Drink a lot of alcohol. Having relatives with liver disease. Practice poor personal hygiene, such as unprotected sex, sharing personal items, and frequent hand washing.

How to keep your liver healthy?

These lifestyle changes can help keep your liver healthy: Vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Practice safe sex with a condom. Do not share needles or personal care items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.). Exercise regularly.

Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking as they can affect your liver. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink because it takes a long time for the liver to break down toxins from alcohol. Maintain a balanced diet with fiber and fatty fish. 

HEART

Your heart is the main organ of your cardiovascular system, which is the network of blood vessels that pump blood around your body. It also works with other body systems to regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Your family history, personal health history, and lifestyle all affect how well your heart works.

What is a heart?

The heart is a fist-sized organ that pumps blood around your body. It is the most important organ of your circulatory system. Your heart has four main parts (chambers) made of muscle and driven by electrical impulses. Your brain and nervous system control the movement of your heart.

 

What is the function of the heart?

The main function of your heart is to move blood around your body. And your heart: It controls the rhythm and speed of your heartbeat. It maintains your blood pressure. How does your heart work with other organs? Your heart works with other body systems to control your heart rate and other body functions. The main systems are:

Nervous System: Your nervous system helps control your heart rate. It sends signals that tell your heart to beat more slowly during rest and faster during stress.

Endocrine System: Your endocrine system sends out hormones. These hormones tell your blood vessels to constrict or relax, which affects your blood pressure. Hormones from your thyroid gland can also tell your heart to beat faster or slower.

 

ANATOMY

Where does your heart lie?

Your heart is in front of your chest. It is slightly behind and to the left of your sternum (breastbone). Your ribcage protects your heart.

Which side is your heart on?

Your heart is slightly on the left side of your body. It sits between your right and left lungs. The left lung is smaller to make room for the heart in the left chest.

How big is your heart?

Everyone's heart is a slightly different size. In general, adult hearts are about the size of two clenched fists, and children's hearts are the size of one clenched fist.

How much does your heart weigh?

An adult's heart weighs about 10 ounces on average. Your heart may weigh more or less depending on your body size and gender.

What are the anatomical parts of the heart?

Parts of your heart are like parts of a house.

Your heart has:

The walls. 

Chamber

Valves (doors).

Blood vessels (installation).

Electrically conductive system (electricity).

The heart wall

The walls of your heart are muscles that contract (squeeze) and relax to pump blood around your body. A layer of muscle tissue called the septum divides the walls of your heart into left and right sides. The walls of your heart have three layers:

Endocardium: Inner layer.

Myocardium: middle muscle layer.

Epicardium: protective outer layer.

The epicardium is the layer of your pericardium. The pericardium is the protective sac that covers your entire heart. It produces a fluid that lubricates your heart and prevents it from rubbing against other organs.

Chambers of the heart

Your heart is divided into four chambers. You have two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles), one on each side of the heart.

Right Atrium: Two large arteries bring oxygen-poor blood into your right atrium. The superior vena cava carries blood from the upper body. The inferior vena cava carries blood from the lower part of the body. Then the right atrium pumps blood into your right ventricle.

Right Ventricle: The lower right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs via the pulmonary artery. The lungs replenish the blood with oxygen.

Left Atrium: After the lungs fill the blood with oxygen, the pulmonary veins carry the blood to the left atrium. This long chamber pumps blood into your left ventricle.

Left ventricle: The left ventricle is slightly larger than the right ventricle. It pumps oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.

 

Heart valves

Your heart valves are like the doors between the chambers of your heart. They open and close to allow blood to pass through. The atrioventricular (AV) valves open between the upper and lower chambers of your heart. They contain:

Tricuspid valve: the door between the right atrium and the right ventricle. Mitral valve: the door between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The semilunar (SL) valves open as blood leaves your ventricles.

They contain:

Aortic valve: Opens when blood flows from your left ventricle into the aorta (the artery that carries oxygen-rich blood to your body).

Pulmonary valve: Opens when blood flows from your right ventricle into your pulmonary arteries (the only arteries that carry oxygen-poor blood to your lungs).

 

Blood vessels

Your heart pumps blood through three types of arteries:

Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the tissues of your body. The exception is your pulmonary arteries, which go to your lungs.

Arteries carry oxygen-poor blood back to your heart.

Capillaries are small blood vessels through which your body exchanges oxygen-rich blood with oxygen-poor blood. Your heart receives nutrients through a network of coronary arteries. These arteries run above your heart. It serves the heart itself.

 

Electrical conduction system

Your heart's conduction system is like the electrical wiring of a house. It controls the rhythm and pace of your heartbeat. It includes:

Sinoatrial (SA) node: Sends signals that make your heart beat.

Atrioventricular (AV) node: carries electrical signals from the upper chambers of your heart to the lower chambers. Your heart also has a network of electrical bundles and fibers. This network includes:

Left bundle branch: Sends electrical impulses to your left ventricle.

Right bundle branch: Sends electrical impulses to your right ventricle.

Bundle of His: Sends impulses from your AV node to the Purkinje fibers.

Purkinje fibers: Heart chambers contract and pump blood.

 

RULES AND CONDITIONS

What conditions and diseases affect the human heart?

Heart problems are one of the most common types of diseases that affect people. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people of all genders and most ethnicities and races.

Common conditions that can affect your heart include:

Atrial fibrillation (Afib): Irregular electrical impulses in your atria.

Arrhythmia: A heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or beats with an irregular rhythm.

Cardiomyopathy: Abnormal thickening, enlargement, or hardening of your heart muscle.

Congestive heart failure: When your heart is too stiff or too weak to properly pump blood around your body. Coronary artery disease: A build-up of plaque that leads to narrowed coronary arteries.

Heart attack (myocardial infarction): A sudden blockage of a coronary artery that cuts off oxygen to part of your heart muscle. Pericarditis: inflammation of the lining of your heart (pericardium). 

 

How can I keep my heart healthy?

If you have a condition that affects your heart, follow your healthcare provider's treatment plan. It is important to take medications as prescribed. You can also make lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. You can: Reach and maintain a healthy weight for your gender and age. Drink alcohol in moderation. Eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise moderately for at least 150 minutes per week. Limit sodium intake. Manage your stress with healthy strategies such as meditation or journaling. Stop smoking and/or using tobacco products and avoid secondhand smoke.

What should I ask my doctor about my heart?

You can ask your healthcare provider:

How does my family history affect my heart health?

What can I do to lower my blood pressure?

How does my cholesterol affect my heart? What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

What foods should I eat to prevent heart disease?

 

Heart tests Electrocardiogram (EKG or EKG): A trace of the heart's electrical activity. Electrocardiograms help diagnose many heart diseases. Echocardiogram: ultrasound of the heart. An echocardiogram provides a direct view of any problems with the pumping ability of the heart muscle and heart valves.

Cardiac stress test: Using a treadmill or medication, the heart is stimulated to pump at near maximum capacity. It can identify people with coronary artery disease.

Cardiac catheterization: A catheter is inserted into a femoral artery in the body and tied to the coronary arteries. The doctor can look at X-rays of the coronary arteries or any blockages and perform stenting or other procedures.

Holter monitor: A portable heart monitor may be worn if the doctor suspects an arrhythmia. It's called a Holter monitor and it records your heart rhythm continuously for 24 hours. Event monitor: If a doctor suspects a rare arrhythmia, they may wear a portable heart monitor called an event monitor. If symptoms occur, you can press a button to record the heart's electrical rhythm.