Causes and How to Overcome Urinary Tract Infections in Men

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when germs grow and develop in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections in men are characterized by symptoms such as frequent urination, pain when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy urine, blood containing urine, and fever. Sometimes, a urinary tract infection can also cause a swollen penis.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infections in Men

The causes of urinary tract infections in men and women are actually not much different. Some of the bacteria that often cause this condition include Escherichia coli, Klebisella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus.

Men are less likely to get urinary tract infections. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of urinary tract infections in men, namely:

• Over 50 years old
• Have an enlarged prostate gland
• Suffering from kidney stones
• Suffering from diabetes
• Using a catheter
• Have a weak immune system
• Doing anal sex
• Have you ever had urinary tract surgery?

In addition to this, urinary tract infections are also prone to occur in men who are not circumcised and men who are less able to maintain the cleanliness of their intimate organs.

Overcoming Urinary Tract Infections in Men

If you experience difficulty urinating and painful urination, pain in your lower abdomen, or blood in your urine, or even a fever, seek medical attention immediately.

After conducting a question-and-answer or anamnesis, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the pubic area and lower abdomen. The doctor may also perform supporting examinations, especially urine tests to detect infections and other disorders in the urinary tract.

If the patient is diagnosed with a UTI, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria that cause UTI. The doctor will also give you painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. In addition to relieving pain, this drug can also reduce fever. To help the UTI healing process, drink plenty of water and don't hold your pee.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections in Men

If you have recovered from a UTI, take the following steps in an effort to prevent a UTI from happening again:

• Always get enough fluids every day.
• Don't hold your pee.
• Keep the pubic area clean and dry.
• Urinate immediately and clean the intimate area before and after sex.
• Avoid using soaps and powders that contain fragrance on the pubic area.
• Wear cotton underwear and avoid wearing tight pants.

Urinary tract infections in men can occur repeatedly if the causes and risk factors are not addressed. To avoid this, do the preventive measures above. If you experience complaints that point to a urinary tract infection, you should immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

Baby Has UTI? These are the Symptoms and How to Overcome It

UTI is one of the common health problems experienced by infants, especially those under 1 year of age. This condition is usually caused by bacteria from feces that enter through the baby's genitals, then rise and develop in the bladder.

This may happen if the way to clean the baby after defecation is not appropriate, the baby has not or has not been circumcised, or the baby has congenital abnormalities in his urinary tract.

Recognize the Symptoms of UTI in Babies

Compared to baby boys, baby girls are more prone to UTIs. This is because women have shorter urinary tracts than men. As a result, bacteria will more easily enter the bladder.

UTIs in infants tend to be difficult to detect. This is because the baby has not been able to convey the symptoms he feels. Therefore, the mother must be observant of the changes experienced by the Little One.

The following are signs of UTI in babies that you can observe:

• Crying while urinating
• Urinating more often and little by little
• Often fussy
• Urine smells bad, looks cloudy or bloody
• Appetite down
• Nausea and vomiting
• Look sluggish
• Fever
• Difficult to gain weight

How to Overcome UTIs in Babies

If you suspect your little one has a UTI, you should immediately take him to the doctor. This condition must be treated as soon as possible, yes, Bun. If not, it is feared that bacteria in the urinary tract will spread and cause damage to the kidneys.

The doctor will check for the presence of bacteria in your child's urine. If so, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat it and to prevent kidney infections. Generally, UTIs will heal after the baby takes antibiotics for 3-7 days.

In addition, you also have to make sure your little one gets enough fluid intake, yes. This can help speed up the recovery process. However, do not give your little one drinks that contain caffeine, such as soda or tea.

If a UTI occurs in a baby under 6 months of age, the doctor may suggest hospitalization. Other conditions that also require hospitalization are if the baby has:

• Spread of bacteria to the blood
• Fever that doesn't get better
• Dehydration
• Throws up
• It is difficult to administer drugs by mouth

UTI in infants should not be underestimated. Mothers should change their diapers regularly to prevent bacterial growth. Also make sure you clean your genitals the right way, especially for baby girls.

Clean the genitals first before cleaning the anus to prevent the transfer of fecal bacteria to the urinary tract. Avoid cleaning the genitals using soap that contains perfume.

UTI in infants is important to recognize and treat immediately. If your little one has UTI symptoms, don't delay to check with the doctor, especially if it happens frequently or makes your little one look very weak.

Often Hot During Pregnancy, Here Are The Causes And How To Overcome It

Often feeling hot and sweating is a complaint that many pregnant women experience. Not only during the day or when the weather is hot, pregnant women can even feel hot and sweat at night or when the air temperature is not too hot.

Reasons for Pregnant Women Often Feel Hot During Pregnancy

Hot during pregnancy is a normal condition occurs. This happens because of changes in the body of pregnant women during pregnancy. The following are some of the things that can cause pregnant women to often feel hot:

1. Changes in hormone levels

During pregnancy, estrogen levels can fluctuate. Changes in pregnancy hormones can make pregnant women feel some complaints, such as morning sickness and an increase in body temperature. When the body temperature increases, pregnant women will feel hot and sweat a lot.

2. Increased blood flow

During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a woman's body will increase to more than 50% of the time before pregnancy. When the amount of blood increases, the blood flow throughout the body will increase. This can make pregnant women feel hotter and sweat more easily.

3. Increase body metabolism

As the fetus grows, the metabolism of the pregnant woman will increase to support the growth and development of the fetus in the womb. Due to increased metabolism, pregnant women's body temperature will also increase and make the body sweat more.

4. Improved performance and heart rate

When pregnant, pregnant women's heart pumps blood harder than usual, so the heart rate also becomes faster. This condition can increase the body's metabolism and trigger a feeling of stifling and hot.

In addition, the condition of the growing fetus and increasing body weight during the third trimester, makes pregnant women more easily hot and sweaty.

Tips for Overcoming Hot Problems during Pregnancy

In addition to making pregnant women uncomfortable, often hot and sweating a lot during pregnancy risk causing dehydration, weakness, dizziness, and fainting. The heat felt by pregnant women can also be felt by the fetus in the womb and can even make the fetus feel stressed.

Therefore, hot during pregnancy should not be underestimated. To prevent and overcome complaints of heat during pregnancy, pregnant women can take the following steps:

1. Wear comfortable clothes

During pregnancy, pregnant women are advised to wear loose and cotton clothes to easily absorb sweat. Likewise with the sheets and blankets that pregnant women use. Choose soft and comfortable materials so that pregnant women don't feel hot while sleeping.

2. Sufficient drinking water needs every day

Pregnant women are advised to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water per day or more when the weather is hot. When traveling outside the house, arm yourself with a bottle of cold water and drink it regularly without having to wait for thirst to come.

3. Consumption of foods and drinks that can refresh the body

To keep the body hydrated, eat foods that contain lots of water, such as fruits and vegetables. Pregnant women can also eat healthy snacks, such as fruit juice or cold yogurt.

4. Limit caffeine intake

Drinking tea or coffee while pregnant can increase blood pressure and body temperature. Therefore, limit the consumption of caffeinated beverages, such as tea or coffee. It is better for pregnant women to drink cold water, fresh fruit juice, or smoothies when they are thirsty.

5. Try swimming regularly

Swimming can be an option for pregnant women to relieve the heat. Not only that, swimming can also make pregnant women more relaxed and prevented from stress, as well as help relieve other complaints during pregnancy, such as back pain and swollen legs.

In addition, pregnant women can also use a fan or air conditioner (AC) so that the room or room feels cooler. Pregnant women can also take a bath with cool water or just wipe the body with a wet towel to cool the body quickly.

If pregnant women want to travel outside the house, bring a fan or a spray bottle filled with cold water to refresh your face. As much as possible avoid direct sunlight for a long time.

Basically, being hot during pregnancy is a normal condition and nothing to worry about. However, if the heat of the pregnant woman is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and muscle aches, it is advisable to immediately consult a gynecologist for treatment.

Mother Feeling Stressed After Giving Birth? Here's How To Overcome It

Having a baby is supposed to be happy. But busy taking care of your little one and completing homework can indeed make you experience stress. Not to mention the lack of sleep, the number of guests visiting, and the breast milk that has not come out smoothly can be a burden in itself. Don't worry, Mother, there's a way out.

How to Cope with Stress after Childbirth

After giving birth, Mother wants everything to go perfectly according to the tips in the book. But reality is not that easy. In order to stay physically and mentally healthy in caring for your newborn, you need to come to terms with reality and take the following steps:

1. Asking relatives for help

Forcing yourself to do things can actually make you feel overwhelmed and stressed. Remember, you don't have to do everything alone. Don't be shy or hesitate to ask family, relatives, or friends to help ease your work.

2. Take care of yourself

After giving birth, it's not only the little one and the husband who need attention, the mother also needs to take care of herself. Walking around the house, getting enough rest time, and consuming healthy foods makes you less stressed. However, as much as possible avoid consuming caffeine and alcohol.

3. Get closer to your partner and family

The busyness of caring for the baby should not make the mother's relationship with her partner tenuous. In fact, working with a partner can help relieve stress. Also, stay in touch with family and friends.

4. Limit the number of guests

It's okay, you know, Bun, to limit the number of guests who want to visit every day. Mother and Little One's rest time should be prioritized.

5. Doing simple relaxation

To get rid of stress, try doing simple relaxation techniques at home. When anxious or panicked, try to take a deep breath, hold it for a moment, then release it. Repeat several times. Although it seems simple, this method can help you to stay calm.

6. Get used to positive thinking

Negative thoughts will tend to cause negative feelings. From now on, try to say only positive things to yourself. For example, “Your little one will sleep peacefully,” or, “I can handle this.”

Be careful if the stress that you have experienced has led to the baby blues syndrome or even depression. Its characteristics include:

• Mother no longer wants to take care of the Little One.
• Feel deep sadness.
• Feeling hopeless and motivated.
• Often feel excessive guilt.
• Excessive anxiety about the little one.
• Constantly having trouble sleeping.
• Loss of appetite.
• Having a panic attack.
• Have a desire to harm yourself or even the baby.

You need to remember that experiencing stress after giving birth doesn't make you a bad mother. Do not be shy to consult a doctor or psychologist to find a way out. Especially if this condition does not improve after 2 weeks and makes you think about hurting yourself or your little one.

Recognizing the Characteristics of Severe Stress and How to Overcome It

Severe stress can be caused by various things, ranging from workload, family problems, loss of a loved one, suffering from certain diseases, divorce, job loss, to being in debt.

Signs of Severe Stress

Severe stress can affect various aspects of life, from emotions, behavior, thinking abilities, to health. Before creating a wider problem, it is important to recognize the characteristics of severe stress so that this condition can be treated immediately.

The characteristics of a person experiencing severe stress include:

• Easily agitated, frustrated, and often looks gloomy.
• Easily offended.
• Feeling that he is not good and worthless, and feels so depressed.
• Unable to think calmly.
• Not energized or excited.
• Can't sleep or have insomnia.
• Easily hurt.
• Frequent headaches.
• Often experience digestive disorders, such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
• Decreased appetite or no appetite.

Various Ways to Overcome Heavy Stress

Severe stress that is not handled properly can increase the risk of various diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, acid reflux disease, asthma, and mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders.

To deal with severe stress, there are various ways you can do, namely:

1. Think positive

It's not easy, but you still have to try to think positively about the problems you're facing.

Try to remind or motivate yourself about the positive things you have and should be grateful for. This method can reduce the stress you experience.

2. Write a diary

Pouring complaints into a writing can help relieve stress. By writing down all your complaints, the worries you feel can be reduced. You may even understand and manage your emotions better afterwards.

3. Tell the closest person

Do not keep the problem to yourself, but try to share what you are experiencing and feeling with family or friends. By telling stories to those closest to you, the burden you feel can be reduced.

4. Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep can also help you deal with severe stress. Try listening to music before bed, so that the mind becomes more relaxed. In addition, you can also take a warm bath before bedtime.

5. Go on vacation

To reduce the stress you are experiencing, take time off work to go on vacation. This can make the mind to be fresher, so that stress can be reduced.

If the methods above have been done but the severe stress you experience has not been resolved properly, consult a psychologist immediately. A psychologist can help you find the right solution to manage the severe stress you are experiencing.

Purulent Acne, These Causes and How To Overcome It

There are various types of acne, one of which is purulent acne or pustules. This type of acne is characterized by larger, painful bumps.

When a purulent pimple appears, the skin around the pimple will appear redder and slightly swollen. Pimples also appear full of pus that is whitish or yellowish in color.

What Causes Purulent Acne?

Acne occurs when hair follicles or growth sites are blocked by dead skin cells or the skin's natural oil (sebum). When acne is infected by bacteria, the body will naturally fight the bacteria that cause infection. From this reaction, pus is formed in the pimple.

Purulent pimples are generally painful to the touch. In fact, in certain cases, infected acne can cause severe skin infections accompanied by fever symptoms.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of purulent acne, namely:

• Not maintaining the cleanliness of the skin, for example because you rarely wash your face or take a shower.
• The face is often sweaty.
• Hormonal changes, such as puberty or pregnancy.
• Stress.
• Allergic reaction or irritation to skin care products, such as soaps, moisturizers, and cosmetics.
• Eating too many processed foods or foods that are too sweet.

How to Overcome and Prevent Purulent Acne?

Actually, purulent pimples that are small in size can disappear by themselves. However, if the pimple is already festering and getting bigger or painful, there are several ways that can be done to overcome it, namely:

1. Using acne medication

The use of acne medication can be a solution to relieve inflamed and festering acne. Choose an acne medication with the active ingredients of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and sulfur. Make sure you use the acne medication according to the directions on the medicine package.

If the acne is getting worse or worse, you may need antibiotics, tretinoin, or hormonal drugs (such as birth control pills). Even so, the use of this type of acne medication must be on the recommendation of a doctor.

2. Don't squeeze pimples

One thing you need to remember when you have a festering pimple is to avoid squeezing the pimple. Instead of making the pus disappear, this action actually makes the pus go deeper into the pores of the skin around it, thus making the pimple more inflamed, enlarged, and causing acne scars.

Popping a pimple can also increase the number of germs in the pimple, making it more inflamed and making the pimple worse.

3. Routinely clean the face

One way to prevent and overcome the appearance of acne is to keep the facial skin clean. You are recommended to clean your face twice a day on a regular basis, with a facial cleansing soap that does not contain alcohol to avoid irritation.

Then, rinse your face with warm water and use a soft towel to dry your face by gently patting it.

4. Use moisturizer and sunscreen

After cleansing, don't forget to use a skin moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and sunscreen to prevent the skin from drying out. Make sure you choose a moisturizer and sunscreen product labeled noncomedogenic. Avoid using products made from oil because it can cause blackheads and recurring pimples.

5. Be wise in using cosmetics

Some women may use facial cosmetics or make-up to help disguise acne. However, some types of cosmetics can actually cause clogged facial pores and trigger acne.

Therefore, choose cosmetic products that are fragrance-free, oil-free, and labeled non-comedogenic. Also replace cosmetics that have not been used for a long time because they have the potential to have germs in them.

6. Live a healthy lifestyle

In addition to taking care of the skin from the outside, taking care of the health of the skin from the inside must also be done to prevent acne from reappearing. You are encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle by consuming healthy foods for the skin, increasing consumption of water, avoiding cigarette smoke, and managing stress well.

If the various methods above are not effective in dealing with purulent acne or acne accompanied by fever, nausea, weakness, and unbearable pain, then you should immediately consult a dermatologist to get the right treatment.

This is the Cause of Yellow Nails and How to Overcome It

Yellow nails can occur due to a variety of conditions, ranging from simple nail care problems to rare syndromes that are quite complex. However, usually complaints of yellow nails can gradually disappear when the cause is addressed. For that, let's identify the causes of yellow nails and how to overcome them.

Causes of Yellow Nails

With age, the color of the nails will change and look more yellow. However, this yellow nail problem does not only occur in elderly people. The following things can also cause yellow nails, namely:

1. Fungal infection

Lack of maintenance of nail hygiene can lead to fungal infections. One of the symptoms of a fungal infection is yellow nails and thickened skin under the nail that can cause the nail to fall off.

To prevent yellowing of your nails, keep your nails clean regularly and make sure the tools used to trim your nails or beautify your nails are really clean.

2. Lack of vitamin and mineral intake

Yellow nails can also be caused by a lack of vitamin and mineral intake. If caused by this, in addition to yellowing nails, nails will also look dry, brittle, and have an irregular shape.

3. Use of nail polish

If you use nail polish or nail polish frequently, your nails can turn yellow over time. The reason is, the color pigments contained in nail polish may be absorbed into the nails and cause yellowing of the nails.

So, avoid using nail polish too often or rest your nails for a few weeks after applying nail polish, so your nails can "breathe" for a while. Yellow nails can also be caused by using nail polish remover, especially if the nail polish remover used contains acetone.

4. Certain diseases

Yellow nails can occur due to certain diseases, such as psoriasis and diabetes. Yellow nails can also be a sign of yellow nail syndrome. This syndrome is a rare condition characterized by 3 symptoms, namely yellow nails, lymphedema, and respiratory problems.

How to Overcome Yellow Nails

Yellow nails can be treated in various ways. However, the treatment must be adjusted to the cause so that the treatment you do can produce maximum results.

Some of the treatments you can do to treat yellow nails include:

1. Hydrogen peroxide

If your yellow nails are caused by using too much polish, you can treat it by using hydrogen peroxide. This material can remove stains from nail polish that is absorbed into the nail.

It's easy, put hydrogen peroxide in warm water and soak your nails. For maximum results, you can add a little baking soda to the water.

2. Baking soda

In the case of yellow nails caused by fungus, you can use baking soda. Baking soda is alkaline, so it can stop the growth of fungus and ultimately make your nails lighter in color.

How to lighten nails with baking soda is quite easy. You only need to soak the feet that have complaints of yellow nails in warm water that has been mixed with baking soda. However, once soaking can not immediately brighten the nails, yes. This method should be done several times and regularly.

3. Tea tree oil

In addition to baking soda, yellow nails caused by fungal or bacterial infections can also be treated with tea tree oil or tea tree oil. The trick is easy, mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with coconut oil or olive oil, then apply to yellowed nails.

4. Vitamin E

To restore moisture and health to your nails, try using vitamin E. Taking vitamin E supplements or applying vitamin E cream to yellow nails can help stimulate new, healthier nail growth.

If the above methods do not treat yellow nails, it is possible that yellow nails are caused by other conditions that are not resolved by the above method alone. Relax, the condition is not necessarily dangerous, it is possible that a fungal infection of the nails needs to be treated with more potent antifungal drugs.

However, it is still possible that yellow nails are caused by a serious health condition, especially if there are other accompanying complaints. Therefore, if yellow nails cannot be treated with the above methods or even over-the-counter antifungal drugs, check with your doctor.

How to Overcome Drug Allergies Properly

Every drug generally has side effects, one of which is triggering an allergic reaction. In people who have drug allergies, allergy symptoms can appear quickly within hours or slowly within a few days of taking the drug.

Allergy symptoms that appear can vary. In mild drug allergic reactions, symptoms may include rash and itching of the skin, swelling of the lips and face, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

However, allergic drug reactions that occur can sometimes be severe and cause severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, weakness, and loss of consciousness or fainting. This condition is called anaphylactic shock. In certain cases, an allergic reaction to drugs can also cause a condition called Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Some Ways to Overcome Drug Allergies

There are several ways you can do to deal with an allergic drug reaction that appears, including:

1. Recognizing allergy-triggering drugs

This is one of the important steps to overcome the drug allergy you are experiencing and prevent you from allergic reactions that may reappear in the future.

Basically, almost all drugs are at risk of causing an allergic reaction. However, there are several types of drugs that tend to trigger allergic reactions more often, including:

• Antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfa
• Anticonvulsant or anticonvulsant drugs
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, mefenamic acid, and metamizole
• Antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Anesthesia or anesthesia
• Allopurinol gout drug

2. Stop using allergy-triggering drugs

Once the drug that triggers the allergy is known, stop using the drug immediately and avoid using it again in the future.

If you're not sure what medication is triggering a drug allergy, try to remember and record all medications and supplements, including herbal remedies, that you've taken in the last 24-48 hours.

After that, you should consult a doctor and take the note with you so that the doctor can help identify which drug is triggering the allergic reaction in your body.

3. Doing home care

If the symptoms that appear are mild, you can take various ways to deal with drug allergies, including taking cold showers, giving cold compresses or applying calamine lotion to the skin or body areas that feel itchy and a rash appears, and take antihistamine drugs.

4. Taking allergy relievers

Mild allergic reactions usually subside on their own within a few hours or days. This condition can also usually be treated with home remedies.

However, the symptoms of drug allergy that appear can sometimes be severe or never go away. If you experience such drug allergies, you need to immediately see a doctor for treatment.

To treat a severe allergic drug reaction, your doctor may prescribe the following medicines:

• Antihistamines

When you have an allergic reaction, your body produces a substance that triggers an allergic reaction called histamine. This substance can appear when you are exposed to substances that trigger allergies, including food, dust, to drugs.

To overcome the allergic reaction, the doctor may prescribe antihistamine drugs. This drug is often used to treat mild to moderate allergies or allergies that cause severe itching and skin rashes.

• Corticosteroid drugs

Drug allergies can trigger inflammation and swelling in the body. This can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, and shortness of breath. In addition, swelling can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the face, lips, and eye membranes, causing red and watery eyes.

To relieve inflammation that occurs due to drug allergies, doctors may prescribe corticosteroid medications. Corticosteroid drugs are available in the form of oral medications, topical medications, eye drops, to inhalers or inhalers.

• Bronchodilator drugs

Allergic reactions to drugs can cause shortness of breath. In people with asthma, allergic reactions can trigger asthma symptoms to recur. To treat these conditions, doctors can prescribe bronchodilator drugs.

This medicine will help widen the airways so that breathing will be easier. Bronchodilators are available in liquid and powder form for use in inhalers or nebulizers.

• Epinephrine injection

Epinephrine injections are commonly used to treat severe allergic drug reactions (anaphylaxis). Anaphylaxis is characterized by symptoms of weakness, tingling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and fainting.

This condition needs to be treated immediately because of the risk of causing severe complications and even death.

5. Desensitization therapy

This therapy may also be carried out if you have allergies to certain drugs that need to be taken in the long term. This therapy aims to reduce the risk of allergic symptoms recurring in the future.

Desensitization therapy is carried out by giving a small amount of drug or allergy-triggering substance into the body, then gradually increasing the dose until the patient's body can recognize and tolerate the drug.

If you have a history of drug allergies, don't forget to record the type of drug that caused the allergic reaction. The goal is that you can tell your doctor or health care provider about your history of drug allergies before undergoing any medical treatment.

If you do not know what medicines can trigger an allergic reaction, you can consult a doctor for an examination. To determine what triggers your allergies, your doctor may recommend that you undergo allergy testing.

When you have an allergic reaction to a drug, try not to panic and stop taking all the medicines you are taking immediately. If the symptoms that appear do not improve, immediately see a doctor so that treatment can be done quickly and appropriately.

Recognize the Causes of Micropenis and How to Overcome It

Men with micropenis retain the normal shape and appearance of the penis. So, the difference is only in size. However, a micropenis is sometimes also associated with lower sperm counts, so fertility rates may be lower.

Micropenis Signs

To diagnose a micropenis, the penis is measured when it is not erect or tense. When measured, the penis should be pulled forward and the length calculated from the base of the shaft of the penis to the tip.

Here are the criteria for micropenis by age:

• Adult male: penis length less than 9.3 cm
• Children: penis length less than 3.8 cm
• Newborn: penis length less than 1.9 cm

Various Causes of Micropenis

Micropenis can occur alone or in conjunction with other disorders. Here are some of the causes of micropenis:

Hormonal disorders

Hormonal disorders are the main factors that cause micropenis. When in the womb, the baby's body with micropenis does not produce enough androgen hormones, especially testosterone. Alternatively, the baby may produce this hormone, but may not respond normally to it.

Hormonal disorders that occur in patients with micropenis are generally caused by secondary hypogonadism or hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH). In this condition, the hypothalamus gland in the brain cannot secrete enough hormones that function to produce androgen hormones.

Exposure to harmful substances

Studies reveal that exposure of the fetus to harmful substances, such as pesticides and other chemicals, can be a cause of micropenis and other congenital abnormalities.

In addition to those mentioned above, micropenis can also occur due to heredity. Not only that, micropenis generally can also occur together with other abnormalities due to chromosomal abnormalities, such as androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), Klinefelter syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Down syndrome.

How to Overcome a Micropenis

Handling micropenis in children is different from adults. Here is a complete explanation of what you need to know in dealing with micropenis:

Hormone therapy

Basically, micropenis will be easier if treated early. Considering that the genitals of infants and toddlers are still developing, treatment with hormone therapy is considered to have a significant effect in supporting penis growth.

This therapy is done to stimulate normal penis growth. During hormone therapy, the baby or child will be given an injection of testosterone or a gel/ointment containing testosterone which is applied directly to the genitals.

This therapy is most effective when used in children under 3 years of age, but can still benefit boys under 8 years of age.

Phalloplasty

Phalloplasty is a surgical procedure that is more often performed on male teenagers or adults. Phalloplasty is performed to modify the micropenis to a normal size.

Even so, it should also be understood that sometimes phalloplasty has some risks of side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and disorders of the bladder tract.

Having a micropenis often makes adult men feel anxious and lose confidence, especially when having sex with a partner. In this case, it may take the help of a psychologist to provide counseling about how a person sees himself.

Meanwhile, to correct the problem of penis size, adult men are advised to consult a urologist. For parents who suspect that their child has a micropenis, it is best to check with a pediatrician so that the cause can be identified and appropriate treatment given.

7 Causes of Frequent Hunger and How to Overcome It

Hunger is generally divided into two types, namely physical hunger and psychological hunger. Physical hunger occurs gradually and is related to the type and amount of food that was last consumed, while psychological hunger is triggered by psychological things, such as stress, anxiety, or simply boredom.

The desire to eat that arises from psychological hunger can trigger you to overeat and eat foods high in calories and fat. If it lasts for a long time, it is at risk of increasing weight or obesity.

Causes of the Appearance of Easy Feelings of Hunger

There are several things that can trigger hunger, including:

1. Lack of fiber intake

Eating low-fiber foods can cause you to often feel hungry, because the body absorbs foods that are low in fiber faster. Meanwhile, fiber-rich foods take longer to be absorbed by the body, making you feel full longer.

In addition, the intake of high-fiber foods can also affect the release of appetite-reducing hormones.

2. Lack of good fat intake

Lack of good fat intake in the daily diet can make you hungry easily. This is because good fats can provide a longer full effect. In addition, consuming good fats can also increase the production of hormones that trigger satiety.

Foods rich in good fats can be obtained by consuming sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel.

3. Consumption of refined carbohydrates

Foods and drinks that contain refined carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta, and soda, generally do not contain the fiber, vitamins, and minerals the body needs. As a result, you will feel hungry faster.

4. Not drinking enough water

Adequate water needs have many health benefits, including maintaining the digestive system. In addition, water is quite filling and has the potential to reduce appetite if taken before eating.

Therefore, if you feel hungry, try to drink one or two glasses of water first to determine whether the hunger that appears is just because you lack fluids.

5. Skipping meals

A hectic routine often makes eating patterns irregular. Snacks are also a choice of food that is often consumed in the midst of piling work. Although practical, but consuming too many snacks can be bad for health.

Not only that, eating food or snacks on the sidelines of activity can actually increase the desire to overeat. Eating while playing games also makes a person hungry more easily.

6. Eating too fast

Someone who has a habit of eating too fast will be hungry more easily than someone who eats slowly. A study says that people who eat food too quickly generally have a bigger appetite and tend to overeat.

The effect is caused by a lack of chewing frequency and reduced awareness when eating. In fact, these two things are needed to relieve hunger.

7. Lack of sleep

Adequate rest is an important factor in controlling appetite. This is related to the brain's ability to regulate the hormone ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite.

Lack of sleep can increase the production of the hormone ghrelin, so you will feel hungry more often.

Know When to Eat or Stop Eating

If you're still unsure when it's a good time to eat and stop, you can use a hunger scale to figure out the signs your body is giving you.

The hunger scale is made from 1–10 to describe the level of hunger. Generally, a person will enjoy food comfortably when it is on a scale of 3–6. On this scale, the stomach begins to growl and the desire to eat something appears.

If you eat according to this scale, you will feel full longer and avoid feeling bloated or full. You will also get used to managing the hunger that arises.

In addition to applying the hunger scale, there are several tips to reduce appetite caused by psychological hunger, including:

• Try yoga or mindfulness therapy.
• Give a pause at least 5 minutes before taking food to determine whether the hunger that appears in the form of physical hunger or psychological hunger.
• Plan food menus, the number of servings, and the right time to eat.
• Meet the intake of high-fiber foods obtained from fruits and vegetables.
• Complete the menu with broth or vegetable soup.

Sometimes, stress makes you crave mood-boosting foods, such as chocolate or candy. However, if this happens continuously and lasts for a long time, it will have a bad impact on health.

If the various tips above are not effective in helping you control your hunger or hunger has made you experience significant weight gain, consult a doctor for examination and advice on food menus according to your health condition.

Various Causes of Palpitations and How to Overcome It

Palpitations or heart palpitations are conditions that can be experienced by anyone, both children and adults. Although this condition is generally not dangerous, you still need to be aware of the possibility of a serious illness that triggers complaints of palpitations.

Various Causes of Palpitations

There are several factors that can cause palpitations, namely:

1. Psychological

Some of the psychological factors that trigger the onset of palpitations include:

• Worry
• Afraid
• Stress or depression
• Panic attack

2. Lifestyle

Some lifestyle factors that trigger palpitations include:

• Smoke
• Sports or strenuous physical activity
• Consumption of alcoholic and caffeinated beverages
• Consumption of heavy foods that are rich in carbohydrates, sugars, and fats
• Consumption of foods high in MSG, nitrates, and sodium
• Drug abuse

3. Medicine

Examples of drugs that can trigger palpitations are:

• Medicines containing pseudoephedrine
• Asthma medicine
• Antihypertensive drugs
• Antibiotics
• Antidepressant drugs
• Diet pills and herbal supplements

4. Health conditions

Examples of health conditions that can trigger palpitations include:

• Dehydration
• Anemia
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Low blood sugar level
• Hyperthyroid disease
• Heart disease, such as heart failure, heart valve disease, heart muscle disorders, and heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias)
• History of heart attack or heart surgery

In addition to the various factors above, palpitations can also occur due to certain conditions, such as hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

How to Overcome Palpitations

Palpitations are treated depending on the underlying cause. Here are some simple things you can do at home:

Live a healthy lifestyle

Palpitations triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle can usually be resolved by correcting these bad habits. For example, you may feel palpitations if you consume more coffee than usual. These complaints can improve if you reduce your coffee intake.

Do relaxation

If the palpitations are triggered by psychological factors, such as stress, fear, or depression, you can treat them with relaxation techniques.

Sit in a cross-legged position, then slowly inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Repeat up to 5 times and focus your mind on your inhalation and exhalation.

Avoid stimulants

Patients with palpitations triggered by the use of drugs are advised to stop taking these drugs. If complaints of palpitations are bothersome, consult a doctor so that the dose or type of medicine can be readjusted.

If you do not know the cause of the palpitations, but these complaints are frequent and make you restless or uncomfortable, you need to see a doctor. That way, the cause of the palpitations can be identified and treated appropriately according to your condition.

However, if the palpitations you feel last for a few minutes and are accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or heaviness in the chest, seek help immediately or go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital to get an examination and treatment as soon as possible.

Causes of Early Fullness and How to Overcome It

Fullness at the beginning of a meal is also known as early satiety. This condition can also be characterized by feeling nauseous or wanting to vomit while eating. Early satiety is more common in women than men.

Various causes of early satiety

The food we consume will go down from the mouth to the esophagus, then to the stomach, before being passed on to the intestines. The feeling of fullness will generally appear when the stomach is full.

Early satiety can occur when there is a disturbance in the movement of the stomach to push food into the intestines, so that food accumulates in the stomach.

The picture is, when food descends from the esophagus, the stomach is still fully filled with the previous food that should have gone down into the intestine. This is what makes you full even though you have just eaten a few mouthfuls.

This condition is generally caused by gastroparesis, which is a disorder of the stomach muscles that causes it to move more slowly or not move at all. This disorder usually occurs due to damage to the nerves of the stomach that is initiated by diabetes.

In addition to gastroparesis, there are several diseases that can also cause early satiety, namely:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Stomach ulcer
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Gastric tract obstruction
• Tumors in the stomach
• Pancreatic cancer.

Fast satiety also usually appears in people who have dyspepsia syndrome or heartburn.

If early satiety is not immediately checked and treated, you can experience a lack of calories and nutrients due to the small amount of food that enters the body. This of course can trigger various health problems, such as weakness, weight loss, and a weakened immune system due to malnutrition.

Tips to Overcome Early Fullness

Treatment of early satiety needs to be tailored to the underlying cause. If you experience these complaints and happen to have diabetes, your doctor will advise you to control your blood sugar levels.

In addition to addressing the cause, there are some tips you can do to overcome early satiety, namely:

• Eat small portions more often.
• Reduce the intake of fat and fiber because it can slow down the digestive process
• Consume food in the form of liquid, porridge, or puree.
• Take appetite-boosting supplements.
• Keep a diet journal containing what foods you eat, the following portions and when to consume them, in order to maintain a regular eating pattern.
• Consumption of drugs to relieve discomfort in the stomach, such as anti-nausea and anti-vomiting drugs, but of course must be with a doctor's prescription.

Generally, early satiety is harmless. However, if you experience this for a long time and are accompanied by other complaints, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bloating, weight loss, or bloody stools, immediately consult a doctor so that he can be treated.

Characteristics of Burnout and How to Overcome It

Anyone can experience burnout. However, this condition is more common in people who often force themselves to continue working, do not get work appreciation from their superiors, have a heavy workload, or have a monotonous job.

Burnout is triggered by severe stress at work that is not resolved, which makes sufferers lose their enthusiasm for work, and even lose interest in interacting with their social environment.

Burnout Characteristics

Everyone has experienced fatigue and stress at work. However, someone who experiences burnout is likely to feel or display the following characteristics:

1. Loss of enthusiasm for work and fatigue

One of the characteristics of burnout is the loss of enthusiasm for work and interest in the work being done. Continuing to work without enthusiasm can drain a lot of energy and lead to fatigue.

2. Hate the work you do

Burnout can cause stress and frustration at work. This makes it difficult for a person to concentrate, feel incompetent, burdened, and ultimately hate the job he is doing.

3. Decreased work performance

Burnout can also cause decreased work performance. This is triggered by a loss of interest in the work that is being done, so that the results obtained are less than satisfactory.

4. Easily angry

People who are feeling burnout tend to get angry easily, especially if things don't go as expected. In addition, declining work performance can cause work to continue to pile up. This can trigger stress and emotions that make burnout sufferers more sensitive.

5. Withdraw from social circles

The stress and frustration of work causes burnout sufferers to be cynical about the people they work with.

The work they do is considered a burden in life so that they are reluctant or stop socializing with coworkers, friends, or family members who are involved in the work.

6. Get sick easily

Burnout that occurs for a long time or is not handled properly can make the body's immunity decrease. This condition can make a person susceptible to flu, colds, headaches, and stomachaches. In addition, the risk for experiencing sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression may increase.

How to Overcome Burnout

Burnout that is not handled properly can have a negative impact on physical and mental health. Therefore, if symptoms or signs of burnout appear, it is recommended that you treat them with the following steps:

1. Prioritize

Prioritize work from the most important to the least important. That way, you know which ones to work on first, so you don't waste too much energy.

2. Talk to your boss

Communicate with your boss about your concerns. When you are given too much work, express that the work is burdensome and you need someone else's help to get it done.

If your boss is the trigger for burnout at work, try talking to the human resources department (HRD) about it. They may find the right solution, such as moving you to a different team.

3. Reduce expectations and appreciate yourself

Set your mindset and be realistic, so you can lower your expectations for the work being done. That way, anxiety and stress at work can be reduced. In addition, do not forget to give appreciation to yourself for the achievements that have been achieved.

4. Tell someone you can trust

Try to share how you feel with those closest to you who you can trust. While this may not always be a solution, it can help release negative emotions and reduce work stress.

5. Keep life balance

Keep a good balance of life. You also need to relax and forget about work for a while by going out with friends or doing something you love after work is over. This can clear your head and get you ready to get back to work the next day.

If possible, take time off and go on vacation, because this can also make your mind clear, energized, and motivated again.

6. Change your lifestyle

Apply a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. These things can support a healthy body and a more focused mind, thereby lowering the risk of burnout.

In addition, you can also try to find a new hobby or do new things that have never been done before to overcome burnout.

Burnout at work not only affects your work results, it can strain relationships with those around you and take a toll on your health.

Therefore, if the characteristics of burnout appear, immediately deal with the methods above. If these methods have been applied but you still experience burnout, try consulting a psychologist to get the right treatment or maybe consider job opportunities in other companies.

Recognize the Causes and 4 Ways to Overcome Dry Lips

Unlike other parts of the body's skin, the skin on the lips tends to be sensitive because it does not have melanin, which is a skin coloring pigment that protects the skin from the sun.

Lip skin also does not have glands that can produce natural lubricants to moisturize it. This is what causes the lips to dry more easily than other parts of the skin.

Various Causes of Dry Lips

Dry lips can be caused by various factors, ranging from daily habits and environmental factors. The following are some of the causes:

Sunlight

Not only the skin of the body that must be protected from the sun, but also the lips. If not protected, exposure to UV rays from the sun can also make lips dry and even blister.

Lip licking habit

When your lips are dry, you will subconsciously lick your lips with the intention of wetting them so they don't dry out. In fact, this habit actually makes lips drier.

This is because the enzyme content in saliva can actually remove the natural moisture of the lips.

Lip balm with flavor

Lip balms with flavorings, such as strawberries, cherries, or oranges, do have a nice scent. However, applying a moisturizer with flavoring can actually cause your lips to dry out, because it can trigger you to wet your lips repeatedly, making them dry and chapped.

Irritative chemicals

Some people can experience dry lips when exposed to irritating chemicals. Irritation can cause the skin of the lips to be damaged and inflamed so that the lips are easily dry. These ingredients are commonly found in dyes, perfumes, or harsh soaps.

Use of drugs

Consumption of certain drugs or supplements can also trigger dry and chapped lips, including vitamin A, retinoids, lithium, corticosteroids, and cancer drugs.

Habit of biting metal objects

Some people have a habit of biting paper clips, hair clips, iron straws, and metal jewelry. Well, if you are one of them, try to stop the habit, because it can worsen the condition of dry lips.

In addition to the things above, certain medical conditions can also cause dry lips, such as dehydration, lack of iron and B vitamins, infections, autoimmune conditions, and allergies.

How to Overcome Dry Lips

Dry lips can be overcome easily, namely by living a healthy lifestyle which includes:

1. Meet your fluid needs by drinking water

Adequate fluid needs are very important to prevent the body from becoming dehydrated or dehydrated. This condition can be characterized by various symptoms and one of them is dry lips. Well, by drinking water regularly, you will avoid dry lips.

2. Consume foods rich in B vitamins

Deficiency of B vitamins can cause irritation at the edges of the lips (angular cheilitis). Therefore, eating foods rich in B vitamins, such as eggs, meat, fish, tempeh, tofu, green leafy vegetables, and brown rice, can overcome your dry lips.

3. Use lip balm

Lips do not have oil glands, so they cannot moisturize themselves. Therefore, it is important to use lip balm every day, especially when doing activities outside the home. Use lip balm with SPF to prevent chapped lips from sun exposure

You can also use lip balm products that contain petroleum, cocoa butter, shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, or beeswax. Also, choose a lip balm without fragrance and flavoring.

4. Keep the air moist

Dry air is one of the causes of dry lips. If the air around you feels dry, causing dry skin and lips, you can try using a humidifier or humidifier to keep the air moist.

How to deal with dry lips can be started with a variety of simple ways above. However, if dry and chapped lips do not improve after a few days, consult a dermatologist for proper treatment.

Recognize the Characteristics of Emotional Harassment and How to Overcome It

Emotional or mental abuse is a form of harassment aimed at controlling others by criticizing, humiliating, blaming, or manipulating. This harassment can occur in marriage, friendship, family, or work relationships.

Research shows that about 50% of adults have experienced emotional abuse in their lifetime. Not only adults, emotional abuse can also be experienced by children and adolescents. This is usually experienced by victims of bullying.

Characteristics of Emotional Harassment

Emotional abuse is one of the most difficult forms of abuse to recognize. Not necessarily overtly, this harassment can also be done implicitly and or through manipulative behavior.

Emotional abusers will usually consistently do so to gain control and power in a relationship. This method is also done by the perpetrator to damage the victim's self-esteem.

Here are the signs of emotional abuse that are important for you to know:

• Calling the victim rudely or inappropriately, such as the name of an animal or inappropriate speech
• Using sentences that are sarcasm, insulting, belittling, or jokes that demean the victim
• Embarrassing the victim in public
• Making threats subtly or blatantly
• Trying to make the victim question his own sanity (gaslighting)
• Punish the victim if he doesn't do what the perpetrator wants
• Making unreasonable requests
• Ignoring the needs of the victim and prioritizing the needs of the perpetrator
• Demanding the victim to spend all his time with the perpetrator
• Accusing the victim of being overly sensitive, selfish, or materialistic when the victim tries to defend himself
• Starting an argument or argument
• Manipulating the victim to feel guilty
• Blaming the victim for the perpetrator's shortcomings
• Monitor victims digitally, including their text messages, social media or email
• Acting very jealous and constantly accusing the victim of having an affair or betraying the perpetrator
• Threatening to hurt yourself, hurt the victim, loved one, or pet
• Abandoning victims, for example by ghosting

Overcome Emotional Harassment This Way

The effects of emotional abuse are just as bad as physical or sexual abuse. People experiencing emotional abuse may feel fear, hopelessness, shame, difficulty concentrating, moody, or certain physical symptoms, such as muscle tension or pain, heart palpitations, pain in certain areas of the body, or difficulty sleeping.

If it occurs over a long period of time, emotional abuse can make the victim withdraw from social life, feel anxious and guilty, and are at high risk for certain mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders, psychosomatic disorders, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

To avoid the bad effects of emotional abuse, there are several things you can do, namely:

1. Limit relationships with emotional abusers

The first way to avoid emotional abuse is to limit or cut ties with the abuser. Cultivate the courage to defend yourself by asking the offender not to speak harshly, yell, or insult.

Do not tolerate the behavior of the perpetrator and start to stop trying to please and refuse the request of the perpetrator.

2. Look for a more positive scope of relationship

Instead of continuing to be stuck in a toxic relationship with an emotional abuser, it's better to find a more positive scope of relationship and can respect each other.

Try contacting an old friend who if it can help get out of this unhealthy relationship. In addition, you can also join a class or community to meet new people.

3. Stop blaming yourself

Victims of emotional abuse may be able to blame themselves. This may be due to the perception that they deserve the treatment or a lack of self-esteem. However, this assumption is not true.

Instead of blaming yourself, try to cultivate self-love and deal with the hurt feelings in a positive way.

4. Focus on yourself

In order to avoid the negative effects of emotional abuse, from now on, focus on yourself.

Apply a healthy lifestyle, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, and managing stress well. Also try to take the time to do me time.

A healthy relationship is certainly based on respect and acceptance of one another. Do not feel that you deserve to experience emotional abuse because this is a form of violence and a violation of human rights.

If you feel hurt, frustrated, confused, depressed, anxious, or worthless because of emotional abuse, try seeking help or talk to someone you trust.

You can also consult a psychologist or psychiatrist for help, especially if you are feeling down, depressed, or even suicidal due to emotional abuse.

Recognize the Signs of a Dry Cough and How to Overcome It

Coughing is the body's natural response to clear the respiratory tract of mucus or foreign objects. In general, there are two types of stones, namely cough with phlegm and dry cough.

A dry cough is usually caused by the flu. However, other conditions can also trigger a dry cough, such as asthma, bronchitis, GERD, allergies, respiratory infections, and COVID-19.

A dry cough often gets worse at night, making it difficult for sufferers to sleep. In addition, a prolonged and severe dry cough can also cause dizziness, headaches, difficulty holding urination, vomiting, fainting, and even broken ribs.

In order not to interfere with daily activities or to cause complications, dry cough must be treated immediately, either naturally or by taking medicine for dry cough.

Signs of a Dry Cough

The signs of a dry cough can vary, depending on the cause. A dry cough that develops quickly or is acute is usually caused by an infection and is accompanied by the following signs:

• Fever
• Shivering
• Body feels sore
• Sore throat
• Nauseous
• Vomit
• Headache
• Have a cold

Meanwhile, a dry cough that appears gradually over a long period of time or is chronic can be caused by certain conditions or diseases, such as exposure to chemicals or irritating substances, smoking habits, acid reflux disease (GERD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). .

If it is caused by a certain disease, the signs of a dry cough that appear depend on the condition causing it. For example, heartburn in people with GERD, or difficulty breathing and wheezing in people with asthma.

How to Overcome a Dry Cough

A dry cough can cause sore throat and discomfort, especially when speaking.

To overcome a dry cough, there are several ways you can do, either using natural ingredients or taking medicine for dry cough. Here are the ways:

1. Gargle with salt water

Salt water is believed to relieve inflammation and overcome a dry cough. You can mix teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.

Gargle with the salt water for 30 seconds while tilting your head. After that, discard the salt water and don't swallow it.

2. Adding honey to the drink

If your throat hurts from a dry cough, honey can be one way to relieve it. Honey has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce inflammation in the throat. You can simply add honey to a cup of tea or warm lemon water.

3. Use a humidifier

The dry air in the room can also trigger a dry cough. Therefore, you can use a humidifier to humidify the indoor air. This can make you feel more comfortable and help heal a dry cough.

4. Consuming hot food or drinks

Warm foods or drinks are the right choice to soothe your throat, especially when you have a dry cough. Hot soup or tea can moisturize and reduce itching in the throat, as well as prevent dehydration.

5. Taking dry cough medicine

If some of the natural ways above are not effective for dealing with dry cough, you can take over-the-counter cough medicine. Make sure you choose cough medicine according to the type of cough and have been registered with BPOM.

Dry cough medicines usually contain decongestants, dextromethorphan, or chlorpheniramine.

Decongestants aim to relieve nasal congestion that usually accompanies a dry cough. Dextromethorphan works by suppressing the cough reflex to reduce coughing frequency. Meanwhile, chlorpheniramine in dry cough medicine functions as an antihistamine.

The combination of dextromethorphan and chlorpheniramine is known to be effective in treating sneezing, runny nose, and coughing caused by the flu.

If you want to take medicine for a dry cough, make sure you choose one that is free of sugar and alcohol, and doesn't cause drowsiness so it doesn't interfere with your daily activities.

In addition to applying some of the methods above, you also need to consume more water or fluids during a dry cough. Fluids will help keep you from becoming dehydrated and keep your throat moist, thereby speeding up the recovery process.

If your dry cough does not go away for more than 3 weeks or gets worse until it causes shortness of breath or a high fever, consult a doctor immediately for further treatment and treatment. Likewise, if a dry cough is accompanied by chest pain, drastic weight loss, or swelling in the neck.