Stay Hydrated to Keep Your Muscles Happy

Credit: iStock Water balance is one of the most important functions of the body. The cells in the body require a stable environment to survive and work like they should. As originally put by the 19th century French physiologist Claude BernardMD: “La fixité du milieu intérieur est la condition de la vie libre, independante” (The … Continue reading Stay Hydrated to Keep Your Muscles Happy

Antihistamines: Beyond Allergy Relief?

Credit: iStock Allergies are one of the most common chronic conditions in the world—in the U.S., as many as 50 million people have them. Many people regularly take antihistamine medications to relieve allergy symptoms that may include itching, skin rashes, runny nose and wheezing. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine, which is a very strong … Continue reading Antihistamines: Beyond Allergy Relief?

Photoblog: Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference 2022

Kidney Camp attendees, 2022. Credit: Michael Hultström Earlier this summer, the American Physiological Society, in conjunction with the American Society for Nephrology, hosted the Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. APS member Michael Hultström, MD, PhD, traveled from Sweden to attend “Kidney Camp,” as the meeting is affectionately nicknamed. … Continue reading Photoblog: Control of Renal Function in Health and Disease Conference 2022

Too Much Salt? Try Some Fiber

New research in rats finds a diet high in the prebiotic fiber inulin offered a protective effect against the damage of a high-salt diet.

How a Virtual Model May Help Prevent and Stop Kidney Damage in Black Adults

Credit: iStock Scientists who study physiology and in other biomedical research fields—including anatomy, biochemistry, pathology and pharmacology—network, collaborate and communicate about the latest research at the American Physiological Society (APS) annual meeting at Experimental Biology (EB). This week’s post explores how a virtual model may help prevent kidney damage in Black adults in the U.S.  Thousands of physiologists from … Continue reading How a Virtual Model May Help Prevent and Stop Kidney Damage in Black Adults

Are You Thirsty? Here’s Why.

Credit: iStock Water makes up about 70% of body weight in a typical adult. Humans can’t easily adapt to a lack of water, and you may begin to experience the effects of dehydration with as little water loss as 1% of your body weight. Humans are unique because, unlike other animals, we respond not only … Continue reading Are You Thirsty? Here’s Why.

Why ‘Physiology’ Is Important to the Nobel Prize Name

Many physiologists and physicians around the world look forward to the first week of October. It’s not the crisp, cool autumn air or the promise of enjoying one more pumpkin spice latte before they disappear from coffeeshops that beckons, although those things are nice too. It’s the anticipation of learning what top scientific research has … Continue reading Why ‘Physiology’ Is Important to the Nobel Prize Name

Probiotics for Gout, New Therapies for Heart Disease and More Discussed at APS Research Conference

The number of people who develop long-term health problems such as obesity, high blood pressure and kidney disease increases every year. Because these chronic conditions affect so many, it is important to better understand what causes them. International scientists who study the kidneys, heart, blood vessels and other organs recently gathered to discuss the relationship … Continue reading Probiotics for Gout, New Therapies for Heart Disease and More Discussed at APS Research Conference

Baking Soda, Body Fat and Blood Tests: Research from the APS/ASN Renal Conference

If you don’t know what “renal” means, you’re probably not alone. The main organs of the renal system—sometimes thought of as our personal plumbing system—are the kidneys and bladder. The renal system gets rid of waste through urine and helps regulate blood pressure. Current research shows that renal health relies on many other body systems … Continue reading Baking Soda, Body Fat and Blood Tests: Research from the APS/ASN Renal Conference

Spotlight On: Your Kidneys

Most people don’t think about the function of their kidneys daily, but these essential organs are very important. The main job of the kidneys is to regulate the transport of water, salt, blood and nutrients in the body, while removing waste—through urine—that is no longer needed. Each day, these two bean-shaped, fist-sized organs filter about … Continue reading Spotlight On: Your Kidneys