FutureMD Musings

  What Is an Arrhythmia? Your heart beats because of tiny electrical signals that tell it when to squeeze and pump blood. In a healthy heart, those signals fire in perfect rhythm — like a metronome. But if something interrupts the signals, your heartbeat can become: Too fast → called tachycardia Too slow → called bradycardia Irregular or fluttery → called fibrillation ❤️ Common Types of Arrhythmias Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and too fast. Blood may not flow properly, increasing the risk of clots. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): The heart suddenly starts beating very fast — sometimes over 150 beats per minute! Ventricular Tachycardia: Starts in the lower chambers (ventricles) and can be dangerous if untreated. Bradycardia: The heart beats too slowly, often under 60 beats per minute. ⚠️ Symptoms to Watch For Feeling like your heart is racing, skipping, or pounding  Dizzine...

  🧠 What Are Eating Disorders? Eating disorders are illnesses where people develop unhealthy thoughts and behaviors around food, weight, or body shape. They’re not about vanity — they’re often connected to stress, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem . 🍎 The Main Types Anorexia Nervosa Extreme restriction of food or calories Intense fear of gaining weight Can cause serious health issues like weak bones, heart problems, and fatigue Bulimia Nervosa Eating large amounts of food (bingeing), then trying to get rid of it (purging) through vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise Often tied to guilt and shame Binge Eating Disorder (BED) Frequently eating large amounts of food without purging Feels out of control and leads to emotional distress Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Avoiding certain foods or eating very little, but not because of weight concerns — often due to sensory issues or fear of choking ⚠️ Signs...

  Anemia: Why You Might Feel Tired All the Time 😴 Ever feel constantly tired, dizzy, or like you’re dragging through the day no matter how much sleep you get? You might be experiencing anemia — a common health condition, especially in teens. Let’s break it down. 🧠 What Is Anemia? Anemia happens when your blood doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin. Red blood cells = tiny delivery trucks carrying oxygen Hemoglobin = the protein inside RBCs that grabs oxygen and drops it off to your body’s cells Without enough RBCs or hemoglobin, your body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs , which can make you feel tired, weak, or short of breath. ⚠️ Common Types of Anemia Iron-Deficiency Anemia Most common in teens Caused by low iron intake or heavy periods in girls Your body can’t make enough hemoglobin without iron Vitamin-Deficiency Anemia Lack of vitamin B12 or folate Needed for red blood cell production Chronic Disease A...

  What Are Hiccups? Hiccups happen when your diaphragm (the muscle under your lungs that helps you breathe) spasms suddenly . Normally: diaphragm moves smoothly up and down → steady breathing With hiccups: diaphragm contracts too quickly → your vocal cords snap shut → hic! It’s basically your lungs throwing a little tantrum. 🧃 What Causes Hiccups? Most hiccups are harmless and short-lived. Common triggers include: Eating or drinking too fast 🍕🥤 Swallowing air while chewing gum or drinking soda 🫧 Laughing too hard 🤣 Sudden excitement or stress 😳 Spicy or hot food 🌶️ Temperature changes (like drinking something super cold) ❄️ ⏳ How Long Do They Last? Usually: a few minutes to an hour Rarely: can last days (or even weeks!) — called persistent hiccups — and may signal an underlying medical condition (like stomach irritation, nerve issues, or even certain diseases). 💡 How to Stop Hiccups (Sometimes) People swear by all kinds of tri...

  🧁 What Is Diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble managing blood sugar (glucose). Normally: You eat food 🍔 Your body breaks it into glucose (energy fuel) The hormone insulin (made by your pancreas) helps move glucose into cells, where it’s used for energy With diabetes, there’s a problem with this system: Either your body doesn’t make enough insulin Or your cells don’t respond to insulin properly Result? Too much sugar floating around in your blood = high blood glucose. 🧃 Types of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes Autoimmune (the immune system attacks insulin-making cells) Usually starts in childhood or teen years Requires daily insulin 💉 Type 2 Diabetes Cells stop responding well to insulin (insulin resistance) Linked to genetics, diet, and lifestyle Can often be managed with lifestyle changes, meds, or insulin Gestational Diabetes Happens during pregnancy 🤰 Usually goes away after birth but can incr...

  What Is a Fever? A fever is when your body temperature rises above the normal range (about 98.6°F / 37°C ). Usually: 100.4°F (38°C) or higher = fever 99–100°F (37.2–37.8°C) = low-grade fever Instead of being “just sick,” fever is actually your body’s defense system in action . 🦠 Why Do We Get Fevers? When germs (like viruses or bacteria) invade your body, your immune system sends out little messengers called pyrogens . These pyrogens run to your brain’s “thermostat” (the hypothalamus ) and raise your body's temperature. Why? Because higher temperatures make it harder for germs to grow and help your immune cells work faster. Basically: a fever is your body’s way of fighting back. ⚠️ Common Causes of Fever Infections (colds, flu, ear infections, strep throat) 🤒 Inflammation (autoimmune diseases, etc.) Heat exhaustion or sunburn ☀️ Side effects from medicines or vaccines 💉 Very rarely, more serious illnesses 🩺 What Does a Fever Feel Like? Chills (your body is raising its temp) ...