Nearsightedness and farsightedness, also known as myopia and hyperopia, are both common conditions that have affected humanity since ancient times. Unlike many chronic conditions that require surgery or precise medications to treat, these refractive errors can be corrected with lenses that magnify images properly through the eyes. Because of this, we can find evidence of corrective lens usage dating back much further than many modern medical treatments.  Polished magnifying lenses have been...

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking approximately 17.9 million lives every year. The heart is a powerful muscle, pumping about 2 ounces of blood with each beat and beating over 3 billion times in the average lifetime. Cardiovascular disease is the umbrella term for all disorders affecting the heart or blood vessels, including conditions such as heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), and heart valve defects.  Many types of CVDs...

Emergency departments are often hectic and stressful places filled with patients who are uncertain and scared, and healthcare providers who are overworked and overstimulated. Some patients are in the midst of intense distress stemming from both pain and the psychological aspects of anxiety, fear, anger, or hopelessness that are associated with an emergency. The emotions involved in the interpersonal interactions between patients and healthcare providers in an emergency room play a significant...