#“in treatment for symptoms of [insert disorder here]”

[thevoidofstars]

Not diagnosed, not medically recognized, but a secret third thing

[chillian-murphy]

Experimental Treatment

SUMMARY: after numerous failed attempts to treat your anxiety, you enroll in an experimental drug trial run by Dr. Jonathan Crane (OR: how you became Dr. Crane's bimbo fuckslave)

WORD COUNT: 5.4k

WARNINGS/ADDITIONAL INFO: Smut 🔞, dub con, drugging, mention of anxiety disorders, bimboification, brainwashing kinda??, breast/nipple play, oral sex (m receiving), piv, Jonathan is manipulative and possibly a nevernude

beta'd by @pawnsong

You shifted nervously as you sat in Dr. Crane’s office for the first time. You’d tried numerous treatments for your trauma-related anxiety, but nothing seemed to work. It had been about a year since you had been beaten, tied up, and left for dead in a supply closet by one of Gotham’s many aspiring criminals, and you haven’t been able to eat, sleep, or generally care for yourself since. When you heard about an experimental treatment study happening at the local university, you enrolled as quickly as you could, moving faster than you’d ever moved in your life. You knew there was no one therapy or pill that could fix everything, but at this point, you were desperate for any sort of relief that could be offered.

The man that entered was much younger than you expected; you always pictured the doctor running a drug trial to be much older, maybe even a bit weathered from the stress of working in such a nightmarish city. Instead, he was small, slender, and had an almost angelic baby face.

“Tell me about what brings you here today.” He sat down without looking up from his chart.

“It should all be there, but to summarize: about a year ago I was assaulted and have been experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, and nightmares since. I can’t eat more than a few bites of food at a time without vomiting, and can’t remember the last time I’ve had a few night’s sleep. I’ve tried talk therapy and a slew of medications, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines, but nothing seems to work.”

By this point, you’ve gone over your symptoms and previous treatments so many times that you had a well rehearsed script you relied on when recounting them. You worried that listing everything off in such a matter-of-fact way would lead people to think you’re just seeking drugs for recreational reasons, but fuck, what didn’t you worry about these days?

“As I’m sure you were told when you were applying for the trial, my background is in pharmacology and I’ll be putting you on an experimental drug of my own creation. I won’t bore you with the specifics of how it works, but you’ll receive a fast-acting injection once a week, and it should calm your nerves and improve your sleep. The exact effects aren’t well documented as of yet, which is why you’re here. All of the proper consent forms should be in order, so if you like, I can start you on the injections here and now.”

“Yes, please, whatever gets me my life back the soonest.” As nervous as you were to be injected with something you knew almost nothing about, part of you was almost giddy to be given something that might finally work.

“The drug can have some sedative effects, so no driving, at least for the first 24 hours. Do you have someone to pick you up? Family, a roommate? A boyfriend, perhaps?” Dr. Crane continued to inform as he prepared a syringe.

“I took public transport. Not a lot of people in my life.” you chuckled nervously.

“All alone. What a shame.”

Before you could mentally register his comment as odd, you were startled by the coldness of an alcohol wipe rubbing against your arm and the sharpness of a needle being inserted.

“You should start feeling the effects in about 5-10 minutes. I’m sending you home with a packet detailing what you should expect, as well as my phone number if anything unusual happens. It might be difficult, but I want you to take detailed notes on everything you experience, and we’ll review them when you come in for your next dosage.”

It proved a bit difficult to make your way home as the medication’s effects set in. Your body felt heavy and sleepy, and you had trouble concentrating; even reading the familiar train schedule felt impossible. Thankfully, some sort of muscle memory kicked in and you made it home safely, letting your brain turn off and follow your usual routine out of habit alone. The mindlessness felt weirdly comforting, you barely realized that you had moved from your spot on the subway until you were at your front door, fishing around for your keys in your bag.

The rest of the night went by pretty uneventfully, following your usual routine, with the addition of writing down your response to the medications in the journal included with Dr. Crane had provided you with. For the first night in as long as you could remember, you settled into a deep, dreamless sleep that lasted the full night.

*********************************************************

A week had passed since your initial meeting, and you were in Dr. Crane’s office again to go over how the medication had affected you and to receive your next dosage. You brought the journal you had taken notes in, although you were unsure how helpful it would be since you had mostly jotted down bullet points instead of writing down your experiences in-depth. It was the most you could do, since you were having trouble concentrating after you were dosed. Shit, that was another thing you should’ve written down.

The doctor entered quietly and greeted you with a tense smile, the kind of polite grimace you’d make upon accidentally making eye contact with a stranger in public. He motioned for you to hand over your journal of notes as he sat, and you passed it to him while trying to avoid looking at him as much as possible. He had never done anything to make you uncomfortable aside from being a bit terse, but he still gave you an uneasy feeling. 

“Let’s look at what you’ve written down. Your notes are brief, but at least they’re organized.”

Once again, terse. It was tempting to want to interrupt and explain how hard it was to focus on writing every little thing down when you kept forgetting where you were or what you were doing, often wandering into a room only to realize you couldn’t remember why you went there, but speaking up felt like too much trouble all of a sudden. After all, wasn’t Dr. Crane being soooo nice, offering to help you with your anxiety?

You had no idea where that thought came from. Weird.

“Grogginess, that’s to be expected, the drug was designed with sedative qualities. Forgetfulness, once again, not uncommon. Sleeping through the night? Good. Breast growth? I’d like you to elaborate.”

“I started getting my appetite back and gaining weight—“

“Weight gain is typical if you’re eating more regularly than you were before,” he interjected before you could finish. God, did he think you were fucking stupid?

“But I only seemed to gain weight around my breasts and hips.”

“Are you saying you’d rather have a double chin and beer belly?”

“Well, no…”

“Then I don’t see what the problem is.”

“I can’t fit into any of my old bras. Bras are expensive.” It really felt like talking to a brick wall.

“Understood.” He scribbled a few quick notes before looking back up at you. “Is there anything else?”

“Not that I can think of.” Relief sank in when you realized this meant that your meeting was wrapping up.

“Then I’ll give you your next dose and let you go. Please continue to take notes, even if they are brief. Any information you can give me is immeasurably helpful.” He gave you what must’ve been his version of a reassuring smile, tight and forced, before motioning for you to roll up your sleeve and receive your next shot. A cold jab in the arm was administered, and you were on your way.

*********************************************************

The next week passed largely without note, the intense brain fog from the first dosage had lessened into a sort of ditzy forgetfulness, which was still inconvenient but easier to live with. You misplaced things, forgot what you were doing, and lost track of time regularly, but somehow it all seemed easier to just laugh off. Had it not been for a reminder on your phone, you probably would’ve forgotten all about your weekly meeting with Dr. Crane.

The usual unease you felt around him was gone; you were almost looking forward to talking to him. He was the only one you could really talk to about everything that had happened since starting the trial, and how good you’ve been feeling, how your racing thoughts have slowed, and how sometimes you didn’t seem to think at all. It was a relief you never knew existed.

You were so caught up in thinking about not thinking that you hadn’t noticed Dr. Crane entering, sitting down, or speaking to you until he cleared his throat impatiently.

“I said, do you have your notes from this week?”

“Oh, right, here.” You casually tossed over your journal, even though your notes were even more scant than the first week. You had written just three things: 

boobs keep growing

really sensitive

really horny!!

thoughts not happening

“This is the second time you’ve mentioned your breasts.” It didn’t take long for Dr. Crane to skim your brief notes. “Would you mind showing them to me?”

Despite his relaxed posture, his stare felt about a thousand times more intense as you squirmed in your seat.

“That feels inappropriate.”

“I’m a medical professional. I assure you, I’m only trying to verify what you’ve reported.”

Cautiously, you pulled the front of your top down, exposing yourself to him. To your surprise, doing this didn’t make you feel nervous or vulnerable, despite always feeling rather timid about being seen naked in the past. Showing off for the doctor felt weirdly <i>right</i>, like the best thing you could do in any situation would be to do what he says.

He scooted forward on his wheeled office chair, leaning in to examine you closer, never losing the icily neutral look on his face. It’s not that you wanted him to leer, but something, anything other than stony professionalism would’ve gone a long way, especially as he reached out to touch you.

“You’ve gone up… two, maybe three cup sizes? Have you taken any measurements?” He cupped your round, heavy breast lightly, as if to evaluate it. His hand was surprisingly warm, you always assumed that his cold personality would extend to his touch, and that being handled by him would be like being prodded by a metal instrument.

“I dunno… enough that men have started being nicer to me.” Measuring hadn’t even occurred to you. A lot of things stopped occurring to you. It was so much easier just letting yourself not think.

“And you said they’re sensitive.” Gentle cupping had turned into squeezing, firm enough to make you aware of just how strong his hands are. You wanted to moan and lean into his touch, but you didn’t want to make things any more awkward than they already were.

“Yes” you squeaked out. “Really sensitive.”

“You also wrote down that you were, in your own words, really horny. Now, I’m going to need some elaboration, is that an increase in sex drive, or more like constant arousal? I need you to be as descriptive as possible.” He rolled your nipple between his fingers before turning his attention to your other breast, giving it the same treatment.

“It’s both. I’m just… always horny, and I come so much harder now. Sometimes I sneak off during work to rub myself in the bathroom. I can’t help it, it just feels so good, so much better than it did before.” You knew it was for the study, but telling him this much, especially while he touched you like this, felt… weird, like it shouldn’t be happening. But you didn’t want it to stop.

“Are you aroused right now?” If your brain wasn’t clouded by how much you were turned on, you would notice the subtle smirk on his face. Instead, you just nodded eagerly.

“Now, I’ll have to stop touching you so I can write all this down. You’ve given me some crucial information, and as a thank you, you’re welcome to grind against my shoe and get yourself off while I record everything you just told me.” He casually extended his leg as an invitation.

You dropped to your knees promptly, bare breasts bouncing with every movement, and stared up at him dumbly as you straddled his foot. He barely glanced at you while he jotted notes down, even as you rubbed yourself against the shiny black leather of his shoe. It didn’t take long at all for you to climax, and when your orgasm hit you, it hit you so hard that it was honest-to-god disorienting. It took you a moment to remember where you were as you shuddered and fell backwards to the floor.

This was enough to finally get Dr. Crane’s attention. You stared back up at him with big, doe eyes as you finally realized how bizarre and even <i>wrong</i> it was for a doctor to grope you and encourage you to masturbate in front of him.

“Good girl. Cover yourself and let me give you your next dose.”

The faint bit of praise sent shocks down your spine as you pulled your top back over your breasts and climbed back into your seat, and the way Dr. Crane touched you as he administered the injection felt gentler than usual, almost tender. As soon as the drug entered your bloodstream, any apprehension you had about what just happened quickly disappeared.

*********************************************************

“These… aren’t notes in any way, shape or form.” Dr. Crane rubbed his temples in frustration as he looked at the page of doodles you handed him, mostly hearts, stars, and smiley faces.

“I couldn’t think of anything to write. I thought I would make it pretty instead.” you shrugged as you sat with your legs folded in a criss-cross on the couch in his office, not noticing or caring that the position hiked up your already short skirt in a way that revealed your lacy panties. It was true, you couldn’t remember a single thought, new effect, or even what you did from day to day over the past week.

“If you can’t record and report how the drugs are affecting you, you won’t be of any use to the trial and we’ll have to take you off the drug.” he chided, as if explaining himself to a small child. “Because right now, you’re just wasting my time.”

“But I like the drug! I feel better!” you whined, rocking back and forth and pouting for emphasis. “I’ll be good. I promise. Just tell me what to do.”

“Can you tell me anything? Anything at all?” His tone was becoming more condescending, to the point where it got through to even your druggy little brain. He stared at you, daring you to say something, but all you could do was stare back at him dumbly. “That’s what I thought.”

“I’ll have the nurses prepare the outtake forms. I wish you could have been more useful to me.” He spoke curtly as he stood and gathered his belongings, not even dignifying you with eye contact. You were nothing but a broken tool to be discarded.

“But I need this!” You desperately attempted to stand and follow him as he left, but were unable to unfold your legs and spilled on the floor, catching the leg of his pants and staring back up at him with big, pleading eyes.

You were desperate, you were pathetic, you were suddenly useful again.

“I’m surprised you’re this determined to stay in the trial. I suppose we do have one last option: since you’re unable to record your own data, I will have to watch you and take notes myself. I have a spare room in my apartment that you can move into, which should be more comfortable than being committed to the hospital and allow me more access to observe you. Is that something you would consent to?”

You nodded eagerly, although you’d agree to anything as long as it meant not going back to the anxious, overthinking mess of a person that you were before. It was so much simpler being simple.

“I’m taking a big risk on you. I need you to do something for me, to show you’re serious about wanting to continue with the trial.” He gestured towards the growing bulge in his pants, which was mere inches from your face. You stared silently, not sure he was inferring, but your mouth instinctively watered and dropped open when he nudged your head towards his clothed dick.

You pawed at his tented trousers until he got impatient and undid the zipper himself and freed his erection from his boxer briefs, and you quickly got to work bobbing your head over his length, lavishing the head with your tongue. Your eyes watered as you pushed as much of his cock down your throat as you could, making yourself gag lightly but never enough to deter you. You didn’t care that drool was dribbling down your chin, Dr. Crane’s cock was all that mattered.

He grasped a fistful of your hair, reinforcing the rhythm of your movements, and shoving you further down on his cock. No matter how visibly uncomfortable you were, you never pushed back or struggled, you just accepted your place as a living fucktoy. Mascara was running down your cheeks and your skin was flushed and glassy with sweat, almost looking like the plasticky sheen of a blow-up doll.

Dr. Crane grunted as he came in spurts down your throat, still tender from the rough treatment. You didn’t waste a single drop of what he gave you, and ran your tongue over his slit to collect any remaining seed. Once you swallowed everything, you wiped the saliva from your face and smiled up at him sweetly.

“Can we go home now?”

*********************************************************

You had lost count of how many days it had been since Dr. Crane brought you home, in fact, most of your life outside of the past few weeks had been something of a blur. It didn’t matter, though, as being his pretty little pet didn’t require you to think much. You spent most of your days lounging about, watching porn, staring out the window, or oohing and aahing over the pretty clothes he brought home for you. It took him a while to settle on a style when he replaced your wardrobe, dressing you in everything from latex minidresses to 1950s housewife apparel, but eventually found that he favored soft, feminine babydolls in light colors like pink and white.

You were admiring the ruffled hem of the slip you were wearing when you heard him unlocking the door to his apartment, and you immediately rushed over to greet him. Seeing him was the best part of your day, and you couldn’t wait to sit in his lap and talk to him about your busy day of watching yourself edge in front of the mirror.

It had become something of a routine, he would settle into his favorite recliner after coming home from work, and you’d straddle him with your breasts in his face while he felt you up and vented about whatever was bothering him. His job at the university was soooo stressful, apparently conducting experiments on unwitting students is “frowned upon,” whatever that meant. You were always happy to make him feel better.

“…and the dean can’t even appreciate the validity of my work. Opening up the skull of a live subject is the most reliable way to observe changes in the brain, regardless of whether or not the ethics board likes it.” You had no idea what he was even talking about, but you did your best to seem sympathetic, hugging his neck and pulling his head into your chest.

“My day was hard, too. My vibrator stopped working and I had to rub myself by hand.”

“Did you try changing the batteries?”

You thought about what he said for a few seconds and fell into a fit of giggles.

“Duh! Batteries go in the vibrator! You’re so smart, you always think of the best things.”

“That’s why I do all the thinking in the relationship. You just look pretty and keep your holes ready.” He frowned at you in faux concern, as if you were capable of having thoughts of your own.

“I do keep my holes ready!” You bounced excitedly in his lap. You were so, so good at having holes and keeping them ready. Dr. Crane even told you so.

“Wanna show me how nice and ready they are?" his hands skimmed over your body, from the top of your waist down to your thighs and then around back to your ass, which he squeezed firmly, making you gasp softly. You raised the hem of your slip and pulled your panties to the side, revealing your pussy, which was wet from edging all day. You were never allowed to let yourself come while he was gone, that was a special privilege that only he was allowed to give you.

“Beautiful. And your ass?”

You rose from his lap, turned around, and bent over to show him the plug you’ve had in for the past hour.

“I started with the small one and put the bigger one in when you texted me, just like you asked." The plugs always felt weird and you didn't like the bigger ones, but if Dr. Crane wanted you to wear them, then obviously there was a good reason. He’s so handsome and smart, you’d do anything he said.

“Good girl." His praise made your heart sing as he fucked the toy in and out of you. He knew anal play frustrated you, and it was so cute to watch as you tried not to squirm as the bulbous plug disappeared in your ass. Maybe he’d lock your pussy away in a chastity belt and make you masturbate anally all day instead of your usual edging.

Dr. Crane could hardly believe how much his little experiment had changed you. When he started the trial, it was mainly to indulge his curiosity about how the antidote to his fear toxin would affect people with no fear toxin exposure, and most of the other participants reacted to it the same way they would to any other common anxiolytic, save for one particularly unfortunate person who had their fear response reduced so drastically that they walked into oncoming traffic without realizing it was dangerous. But you? You turned into the perfect fuckdoll: always aroused, eager to please, and too oblivious to notice the strange hours he kept as both a professor and as Scarecrow.

Of course, there were some down sides: he had hoped to mold you into something of a stepford wife, not only taking care of his needs in the bedroom but other domestic duties as well. Yet after your third time nearly setting the kitchen on fire while trying to cook a simple meal, he had to accept that you had simply become too airheaded to trust with anything but sex.

“Can we fuck now? My pussy needs you." You whined, interrupting the train of thought that had pulled Dr. Crane’s focus away from you.

“Good girls don't whine like that, sweetheart. I could fuck you, but for that I think I’ll make you wait until after dinner.” He chided. You were so much fun to toy with when you got desperate.

"But I am a good girl! Let me show you.” You pouted and begged.

“If you’re an extra good girl, you’ll be quiet while I’m cooking dinner and then we can fuck.” His tone was equal parts syrupy and condescending, “if not, you can spend the rest of the night gagged and locked in your cage. The choice is yours.”

Not wanting to spend the night locked in a dog crate, you crossed your arms and sulked, but nevertheless obeyed as you sunk into the couch. Your needy little pussy was aching, but you had to be a good girl for Dr. Crane. Even if it was mean and bad and unfair and… Oh? There’s a plate being placed in front of you, dinner must be ready already.

As soon as Dr. Crane sat down beside you, you snuggled into his side. Physical affection wasn’t something he was used to before bringing you home, and it took him some time to come around to it, but now he was actually starting to enjoy the amount of cuddles and kisses you desired from him. Spooning on the couch while trying to eat wasn’t the most practical thing in the world, although you were determined to find a way to bury your face in his chest while also stuffing it with mashed potatoes.

“Someone’s needy tonight,” he teased as he stroked your hair.

You just hummed contentedly and nuzzled your face into his neck. He was warm and smelled nice, like everything in the apartment. The one time you tried opening the window, it smelled like rot and gasoline, and made you sad and scared as it filled your head with vague memories of your old life.

Dinner passed comfortably and quietly, even as you squirmed to find a position that let you eat and snuggle at the same time. Dr. Crane’s attention was largely on the nightly news playing on the television, nodding along with the crime report. The news was mostly boring to you, except for that one weird time that a woman who looked like you and had your name was reported missing. Dr. Crane told you not to worry about it, though, so you didn’t.

“I’d say you’ve been a very good girl this evening,” Dr. Crane shifted to face you. “Would you like to join me in the bedroom?”

“What’s in the bedroom?” You stared blankly.

“Sex, sweetheart. I’m asking you if you would like to have sex.” Dr. Crane rubbed his temples. Perhaps drugging your brains out but leaving you just smart enough to talk was a mistake.

Sex! Sex was exactly what you wanted! Sex was what you dreamed about all day, edging your pussy and thinking of Dr. Crane. Your face lit up, which he took as a sign to lead you to the bedroom.

As you approached the bed, he toyed with the strap of your chemise, gliding it off your shoulder so it hung suggestively.

“I want this off.” His voice was soft, but his unblinking gazes held all the authority in the world over you.

“Yes, sir.” You made quick work of the garment, pulling it over your head and flinging it to the floor.

“Panties, too.”

Those silently slid off next, leaving you completely nude while he remained fully clothed.

Dr. Crane’s breath stilled for a moment as he took in the sight in front of him. It only took a few weeks of being dosed for your body to reshape into a bouncy hourglass, with full breasts, a slim, defined waist, and a round ass with thighs to match. A soft, trimmed patch of hair adorned your pussy, just above the lips, with everything else kept bare. Occasionally you’d have your pubic hair waxed into a heart, which he found ridiculous, but was easy enough to overlook if it kept you happy.

Once he was done drinking in the sight of your body, he gently shoved you onto the bed and guided your legs open, settling in between. His hand made its way to your eager little pussy, spreading the lips and pressing inside, making you shudder in pleasure.

“Have you been this wet for me all day, baby?” His voice now a low rasp, thick with desire.

“Mmmhmm,” you hummed in affirmation, too lost in the sensation to form words.

“God, you’re good for me.” He growled as he dived on top of you, kissing your neck and fondling your breasts. You couldn’t help but moan when he rolled your nipple between his fingers, tugging lightly. You were always responsive, but especially when he played with your tits.

He trailed soft bites down from your neck to your nipples, gently nipping at any skin he could grasp between his teeth. Once he got to your chest, he got more aggressive, sinking his teeth into you until you whimpered in pain. Your breasts were his favorite. He had never given much thought to the “tits or ass?” question before, but now that he could come home to a soft, inviting pair to play with and suck, he knew where his preference lied.

Feeling satisfied that your nipples were now swollen and pink from both arousal and abuse, Dr. Crane removed himself from on top of you to once again admire your needy body and tease your cunt. Even when he was just fucking you with his fingers, you moaned and rolled your hips as if it was the best thing you’ve ever felt. Some nights it could drag on for hours, he would stimulate you with just his hands or a toy only to withdraw before you could climax, giving pleasure and taking it away over and over to see just how desperate he could make you. It was no secret that Dr. Crane was a sadist, and watching you squirm, cry, and beg was almost as good to him as coming inside of you.

Tonight was different, though, he wanted to fuck. He pulled his fingers out of you and freed himself from his trousers and underwear, making a show of rubbing his cock with the wet essence covering his fingers as he lined himself up with your tight, eager hole. He pushed himself in slowly, savoring how hot and slick you felt around him.

Your life revolved around his cock. If you weren’t sucking on it or being filled by it, you were fantasizing about the next time you would have it inside of you. And now that you were being given exactly what you were craving, you couldn't get enough, grinding back against Dr. Crane every time his hips met yours.

No longer satisfied with the languid pace he had set earlier, Dr. Crane pulled back slightly, helping to lift your hips and push your legs towards your chest, essentially folding you in half so he could penetrate you deeper and harder. His new rhythm was merciless as his fingers dug into your thighs, pistoning his hips and fucking you like his life depended on it. Whatever frustration he felt with his job, his colleagues, and his extracurricular activities, he was now taking out on your pussy and all you could do was grip the sheets and take it. 

Between the powerless feeling reinforced by his rough treatment and the way his cock was hitting your g-spot, you couldn't help but let your eyes roll back in ecstasy. You were fulfilling your ultimate purpose as Dr. Crane’s pet: a pretty toy to play with and look at, and an inviting set of holes to fuck. You could come from the thought alone if you were allowed to orgasm without permission. You met each of his thrusts with short, staccato moans as you arched your back beneath him, sticking out your chest as your breasts bounced with every hammering movement.

Dr. Crane’s breath grew ragged as he approached his own climax, and his motions changed from a fluid rhythm to jerky, rough thrusts.

“Play with your clit. Come for me."

Finally given the permission you’ve been needing all evening, you began rubbing yourself vigorously as he continued ramming his cock into you. It didn't take much to push you over the edge, and as your orgasm hit, you moaned so loud and luridly that it would make most seasoned pornographers blush.

Dr. Crane wasn't nearly as noisy as he joined you in orgasmic bliss, panting heavily as he filled you with his seed. Once he found himself thoroughly drained, he collapsed next to you and silently attempted to catch his breath as you rolled over and snuggled up to his chest.

“Let's go again!" you excitedly chirped while reaching for his softened cock.

“Later, sweetheart, I need to rest.” He had no idea how you recovered so quickly. "Why don't you play with yourself while you're full of my come? I know you like that.”

"It's not the same,” you begged. "I need your cock.”

"How about this,” Dr. Crane's clinical doctor voice was back. "You can warm my cock in your mouth while I grade papers, and once I'm good and ready, I’ll fuck your throat while you ride one of your dildos.”

You made a happy little squeal as you smiled and hugged him tightly. He took such good care of you, keeping you so well-fucked. You had everything you could ever want: you were safe, you were loved, you were happy. And all you had to do was let your brain be turned into cotton candy.

[intothedysphoria]

Billy Hargrove’s story is unattachable from disability

Of course Dacre has said he portrayed Billy as having bipolar and generalised anxiety disorder (and Dacre is a disabled actor himself)

And the Duffers aren’t exactly known for their good treatment of disabled characters or disabled actors

When you look at social representation models for disability in media, a lot of these hegemonic traits fit with Billy pretty fucking well.

“The disabled character as sinister/evil”- throughout the narrative we are told that the way Billy behaves (a lot of which are pretty textbook symptoms of bipolar disorder btw) make him evil and someone to be feared. ESPECIALLY after he’s flayed and is literally seen as inhuman.

“The disabled character as a burden”- Stranger Things presents him as *burdening* Max, preventing her from seeing her friends because he’s *insert fandom mental health diagnosis here*

“The disabled character as sexually deviant”- Billy is seen to be flirting with Karen (never mind that he looks fucking nervous while doing it) therefore he is a sexual deviant and must also be sexually deviant in other ways. (And certain disabilities are absolutely hyper sexualised)

Even the ways the fandom reacts to him are steeped in ableism. I’ve seen him be referred to as a sociopath, as a narcissist, as if npd and aspd aren’t mental health conditions and are instead an insult. The abuse he endures is blamed on him being a “difficult child” for Neil to raise, again pointing at Billy’s disabled traits.

And that’s not even mentioning that abuse is inherently a disability issue.

Abuse is disabling. And disabled people are both more likely to be targeted and less able to escape.

Billy’s story and thus his villainhood is reliant on the fact that he is disabled. He is a disabled abuse victim and therefore he is inhuman in the narratives eyes.

The one heroic he does according to the narrative is die. It is incredibly depressing.

But it is a story which has been thrust on disabled people since the beginning of television. You can consider me disappointed but not surprised.

[catboybiologist]

About to fall asleep ramble time, this has been kicking around in my brain for a bit and I need to get some form of this thought out

I was diagnosed with ADHD and gender dysphoria one day after the other back in August. Extremely stereotypically zillenial of me, I know. Handling both of these has dramatically improved my quality of life. yes yes insert discourse about how much you need to have dysphoria as a diagnosis, it's just a tool for the medical system that's ultimately meaningless, that's not what this is about.

There's one thing that was really, really weird about the experience of getting care for both of these.

Most treatment and public talk of transition and motivations to transition are about misery. How much despair your birth sex gives you and how gender affirming care is the only stopgap against suicide (oftentimes, used as a barrier to entry that it should only be given when it's at the suicidal point). How crushing dysphoria is.

In contrast, most of the public perception of ADHD is this cutesy, "omg look I'm so quirky" kind of thing. People talk of ADHD "superpowers" and how neat it is to have hyperfixations (I'm low key starting to dislike that word, even though it's an accurate description of many things- it's very overused).

My actual experience has been almost exactly the opposite.

I absolutely had gender dysphoria, and still do, and misery associated with being AMAB. But is that what defines my trans experience? No, and in fact, it feels like a more incidental blip in it. My trans experience has mostly been defined by joy, by feeling my mind and body slowly make me more and more content with my default existence day after day. And the exploration of it all! The social roles, the romantic dynamics, the friendship dynamics, even small aesthetics like clothes and makeup, and again, the body and mood changes. It's incredible and it brings me joy so much of the time. That, more than anything, has defined my trans experience.

In contrast.... ADHD has objectively made nearly every aspect of my life more miserable. Working with my therapist and my pysch, as well as feeling what it's like to be properly medicated, have shown me extremely well how much the constant feelings of misery I always seemed to have were caused by ADHD. ADHD means being unable to receive a baseline level of dopamine to function under normal circumstances, so your brain starts looking for any way it can get new sources. And wouldn't ya know it, novel stimuli are a perfect way to do that. Keep in mind that dopamine isn't just "the pleasure molecule" it's a neurotransmitter with a broad range of functions. If you don't have ADHD, or even if you do, I want you to think about how miserable of an existence that is. Your default state is depression and inability to do things. It has been for me for most of my life. Additionally, anxieties creep into your head and distract you far more easily. You're less functional. You can't do simple things most of the time. You're distracted and have anxiety spikes easily. Continuous tasks are hard. And day in, day out... You are miserable. Almost constantly.

Oh also, you're easily addicted to extreme novel stimuli. For me, it was self harm. And when that stopped working... Well, I was in a state of mostly background depression that was only punctuated by spikes of massive, overwhelming anxiety that my brain hooked itself on. At a certain point, I just wanted it to end, by any means necessary.

It's been almost ten years since that day, and at this point I can genuinely say that I'm glad I'm still here.

But it wasn't dysphoria that did that (it contributed a bit, but still wasn't the biggest factor). Or a depressive disorder. Or bipolar. Or whatever the big, more "scary" mental illnesses or neurodivergencies are. They tried to treat me for some of them, and it ended horribly. My symptoms fit mixed presentation ADHD perfectly, including my physiological response to stimulants. They don't fit anything else. I likely don't have any strong comorbidities, unless you count the symptom-level anxiety and depression. ADHD did all of that to me. The "cute and quirky" one.

By the time I got around to a diagnosis, my pysch was astounded that I made it as far as I did with symptoms as severe as mine. Tackling ADHD has removed so much misery from my life, it's indescribable. Adderall has been the only thing that has ever actually gotten rid of my constant anxiety.

It's not fucking cute. Keeping with this being the flip side to my dysphoria, I do try to keep it light most of the time, and I join in on all of the classic "whoopsie doopsie my ADHD" trains and jokes. You don't have to stop making those, hell, they're fun. There are cute and funny parts to having ADHD, and ways it's made my personality what it is. But don't forget that this is also something that makes people genuinely suffer well beyond the "oopsie I'm such a procrastinator!!!" Type thing.

Idk where this thought is going. It's just kind of an observation that's been kicking around in my head for a bit. So uh. Hope it at least generates discussion? Feel free to add your experiences if you think it'll help you. But fuck I need to sleep lol

[sophieinwonderland]

Please talk about traumagenic systems formed from psychosis and delusions, not DID or OSDD, and IFS parts and how brain fragmentation works on psychosis or delusions!

I just got diagnosed with it last month, I’m interested about what you have to say.

Oh... This is... actually really complicated.

My views on this have evolved a lot over the years and I find myself often wondering where the line even is between psychotic and dissociative experiences, if there is one at all.

I think many of the systems who say they formed from psychosis could qualify as having DID, OSDD or Partial DID.

Further complicating things is that individual headmates can have delusions of their own.

Say for instance that someone is hearing a voice that claims to be an alien. This voice is heard in a way that is similar to an inner monologue.

This is what's called a thought insertion delusion. A belief that thoughts in your head are coming from an external source. That's what psychiatrists would consider it. The "person" has a delusion that someone else is putting thoughts in their heads.

But I would argue that this form of delusion inherently involves dissociation. If the "alien" thoughts feel coherent and intelligent enough, then perhaps the issue is a headmate who has a delusional belief about themselves.

And this isn't just me saying this. Actual psychiatrists have been arguing that many psychotic symptoms might actually be dissociative in nature.

Others have said the intelligent voices psychotic disorders may be dissociated parts of the system.

And that traditional strategies focused on getting rid of voices in these voice hearers may actually be harmful to them.

That particular paper was published in 2016 before Partial DID was added to the ICD-11 in 2019. But it makes me believe there's a need for Partial DID to be a diagnosis in the United States, and to apply it with these cases of intelligent hallucinatory voices.

Additionally, it's not just voice hearing and thought insertion either. Another big one is so-called "delusions of control" where control over some of your actions are attributed to an external source.

That sounds a lot like how motor intrusions from other headmates are described. And it's hard to look at case studies of delusions of control and not think these are a lot of systems who are misdiagnosed and treated using ineffectual methods.

This case study even seems to describe the problem mentioned in the earlier paper on treating hostile voices. She's diagnosed at 23 and responds to the voices by telling them to leave her alone. They become more aggressive and even start controlling her. And she's still suffering nearly 20 year later.

The belief the actions are from external people may be a delusion, but I'd be inclined to believe what she's experiencing could just be a result of an introject who believe they're actually their source. And if 20 years of traditional treatment didn't work, I wonder if she might benefit from the sort of treatment proposed in the article on treating hostile voices.

Here's an instance of a man in the same paper whose controlling voice was believed to be a woman he met in his youth.

The paper claims this as pure delusion and nothing more. And obviously, he's not being mind-controlled by an external woman he used to date.

But the possibility that this is a headmate (or "dissociative part" as psychiatrists would call it) who is merely believed to be that woman is never brought up.

That's despite it being well-documented that alters can have false beliefs about themselves, such as believing themselves to be an angel or a demon.

THIS IS IN THE DSM-5!

So if we accept possession states like this are dissociative, and that the alter is simply believed to be an external agent, why aren't psychiatrists treating these "thought insertion delusions" and "delusions of control" the same way???

...

This might have been a bit rambly, but my main point is that I think A LOT of experiences that are currently classified as psychotic would be better classified as dissociative, and should be recategorized.

It wouldn't be the first time. ASD was considered a form of childhood schizophrenia until the 80s, and DID was once a type of hysteria.

In my opinion, there needs to be similar restructuring when it comes to these intelligent voices and "delusions of control", where they should be reclassified as as dissociative. Particularly under the new category of Partial DID.

[springtrappd]

i still think about "afton has dissociative identity disorder" guy sometimes not because he was outright wrong but because of how utterly insane the way he was wrong was. because the thing is that he wasn't wrong! afton does display various symptoms that indicate something is up with his sense of self*; he experiences extreme mood swings and shifts in personality, he references his various personas in the third person, doing elaborate dance routines to declare that that version of himself is dead, that he has numerous masks that he switches out at all, and just. Everything about him-as-spring-bonnie in tse**. i'd have to reread the trilogy to get you complete sources, but absolutely none of the things he says (or thinks of himself) are normal***, and they draw attention to this in the text every single time it happens. and naturally this is all up to interpretation, but it's a completely reasonable one to make given the circumstances****

like he was so so close to getting it but the ableism- and conspiracy-worms ate his brain and he jumped to "william afton has a split personality and is scott's secret self-insert meaning that the entire character is scott explaining that he, Real Guy Scott Cawthon, has dissociative identity disorder" rather than. just. "you can easily interpret afton as displaying symptoms of mental illness". which he does and you can.

CLICK HERE FOR FOOTNOTES:

[*] - psychiatric labels are names given to collections of symptoms to better categorise them for treatment/study; human beings are multifaceted beings by nature and thus often exist outside their narrow confines. it is pointless to argue the distinction between personality, mood and dissociative disorders in this context, as these titles are -- again -- tools to aid understanding. they exist to fit us; we do not exist to fit them. fictional characters, as entities that do not exist, cannot be definitively diagnosed or expected to behave in ways that satisfy the more psychiatrically-minded; however, viewing them through such a lens allows for a new perspective on their actions, and that is something vital to media analysis. the use of labels here are tools to assist in your understanding of what i'm discussing, not definitive statements of what something is (or isn't). He like definitely has a personality disorder though have you seen this guy, jesus christ

[**] - whether he's actually himself here (just concussed) or outright possessed is up to you. this is just a possible take on it, not necessarily the definitive one. i'm demonstrating an argument.

[***] - i do not know your own experiences and you should not judge yourself based on a random tumblr post about five nights at freddy's. it's okay if this aspect of afton's character resonates with you, or if you don't understand why a statement like this would be noteworthy from a psychological perspective. he is a fictional character who has been written the way he was with particular intent; you are a real person with lived experiences that cannot be confined to the page. there isn't (necessarily) anything wrong with you (and it doesn't matter if there is, btw) (see note 1), but this is used as a way to show that there is something wrong with him.

[****] - i have a dissociative disorder. you do not need to know anything more about it than that, and i will not be telling you.

[hauntedselves]

do you have any advice for finding a competent therapist for DID? like questions to ask them, things to look for, things to avoid, etc. ?

generally, finding a therapist for DID is the same process as for any issue, except that they need to be knowledgeable - or willing to learn - about dissociation and complex trauma.

red flags for therapists specific to DID are things like not believing in it or believing its socio- / iatrogenic / therapist-induced, pushing abuse narratives onto you, pushing a specific healing goal onto you, only willing to talk to the host, pushing you to discuss details of trauma (especially if you're not ready or have only just met)...

here's some tips from this-is-not-dissociative, a PDF from Sidran Institute, a question sheet from a DID book, and some tips from @/switchcase (copy-pasting in case of mobile inaccessibility as it's a blog page, not a post):

if you’re worried you can’t afford a therapist:

ask potential therapist if they offer sliding scale and/or payment plans

check your community clinic and see if they have therapists there. community clinics are either free or low cost. many of them (not all) are trauma-informed or sometimes even knowledgeable about DID/OSDD because of the type of people commonly needing to use community clinics. my current therapist is an isstd member and has a waitlist for clients and volunteers at a clinic for the homeless/at risk for free

if you can’t find a dissociative specialist in your vicinity, search for trauma therapists. some will know about DID/OSDD or be willing to learn

if the lowest priced option is still too much for you, see if they’re willing to offer less sessions. once every 2-4 weeks is better than nothing

how to find a therapist: if you have insurance: go to your insurance website and log in. you can crosscheck names here to make sure that someone is covered by your insurance

http://isst-d.org has a directory for people that pay to be members (meaning they go to continuing education stuff or access resources ISSTD has). you can then narrow by zipcode and then crosscheck the names with your insurance page

you can also google “dissociative therapist [zipcode]”. a psychologytoday website will pop up, and basically it’s a yellowpages for therapists that claim to be dissociative specialists. keep in mind they get to put whatever they want on there, so be sure to check if they just claimed they specialize in everything and be sure to interview them

Things to Ask Your Potential Therapist:

do you offer a free initial consultation?

do you take [insert your insurance company] insurance?

do you have experience working with DID/OSDD?

how long have you been working with DID/OSDD?

what methods do you use in treatment?

how do you view clients with DID/OSDD? (this is open ended for a reason, some of their answers will set off red flags)

my goal for therapy is [goal], what would our first steps be?

i have [problem/symptom], is that something we can work on?

do you take continuing education credits, go to conferences, or research about dissociative disorders?

do you have experience with [insert specific trauma]? (OPTIONAL, useful if you have “heavy/unusual” traumas or a trauma that is very important to talk about)

[lightblueminecraftorchid]

Rant under the cut

At the time this posts, I will have had an appointment with a new PCP, discussing several medical concerns that I’ve encountered in recent years.

I feel scared. Scared that I’m wrong, scared that I’m right. And angry. Angry, both at the systems that require me to work past what I can handle and beg for help, and at my body, for not being able to hold me up. I’m ashamed of how much I am capable of doing. I’m ashamed of the recovery time I need. I’m ashamed that I’m still grappling with this internalized ableism, because obviously I would never say this shit to a friend about their needs or capabilities. And yet. Here I am. Thinking this about myself.

There was a comic I came across on here, years ago, about a person struggling with depression. They compared themself to a chipped tea cup: damaged and in need of repair, but not damaged enough to warrant immediate or intense repair. Like the chips in a cup, their symptoms were mild enough that they could be ignored or left untreated. They were still functional, albeit not as well, and not without issues. As a result, they felt small and shunted aside, both afraid of taking up space in depression communities, and angry that their clinicians and peers kept saying “it could be worse! you’re so functional! you don’t need (insert treatment here).”

I feel a lot of solidarity with this person’s experience in this moment.

I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. Google searches give me several answers which vaguely fit some of my symptoms, but nothing fits all of them. Either they fit the bill nominally but are way more severe than what I have going on, or they have a bunch of other symptoms I don’t have. I’ve looked at pages for so many chronic pain related disorders by now, and I still don’t have anything I can walk into the office with and say “I think something like this might be going on”.

When I was getting my autism diagnosis, I knew I was autistic. By that point, I’d known for over a year. It was just a matter of getting a clinician to verify it, so I could access accommodations. This is an entirely different beast. Everything I have is vague and hard to explain. I don’t have any diagnosis that I know of to reference, or another person like me to ask questions to. I don’t have EDS, at least. I’m not nearly that stretchy. That, at least, is easy-ish to check. I probably don’t have POTS, or PCOS, or endometriosis. That’s all the things I know my friends have. Beyond that, I can’t really ask people for their personal experiences with their own disabilities and compare notes. Because it’s incredibly invasive to ask random strangers about their medical history. But with my autism diagnosis, I knew several people who were already self-dx or professionally diagnosed with autism. I could easily talk about my experiences and compare it to theirs. It was easy to tell my clinician what was going on, because I’d already explained it and been told “yeah that sounds right for me, too”. People already knew. There was a lot of external validation for my experiences. It was a lot easier to trust myself, knowing that people I was close to agreed with me.

Now, I don’t have that luxury. Yes, my friends believe me, but they also don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. Nobody does.

And then there’s the added wrinkle of coming to terms with my existing dissociative symptoms, which have possibly been going on for years without me recognizing them as dissociative, because I explained them away by “just being tired/loopy” or “ADHD memory gaps lol”. Working on mitigating my dissociation made my pain symptoms immediately and measurably worse. I have the dual-pronged issue of not being properly aware of my body’s condition, and losing large chunks of time and memory to something I can’t really control.

How do I even give a timeline for how long I’ve been in pain, given that? Or a baseline level? Do I just draw on post-grounding data?

I’ve been making a google doc with a list of everything I can think of. Hopefully I can give that to my doctor, and it’ll be more helpful.

And what if it’s something that isn’t easily fixed, or is poorly understood? Like fibromyalgia? Am I just screwed? I have a future I’ve been working towards. I want to get a PhD and join a clinical practice. I want to move to a new city where my friends are and get a job there and afford my rent. If I actually do have something beyond normal aches and pains, will I be able to do that? What if it’s something progressive, and I have to move back in with my parents? I won’t have a partner to rely on in the future to help take care of me if I need it. I know this is already the reality for a lot of people, and I don’t mean to imply that their lives aren’t worth living, or that they’re tragic figures for needing full-time care. I mean that, for me, moving in with my parents would limit or reverse a lot of the things in my life that currently bring me joy.

And all of this is assuming that I’m not making this up, or exaggerating or hyper focusing on normal life events and conditions, and that this new doctor believes me even if I’m right. Yeah, I was in a lot of pain after standing up for hours at a concert, but wasn’t everybody? Yes, I’m still sore two days later, but isn’t that normal? Yes, my fingers, wrist, and elbow are all sore and tingly hours after doing homework; I was coloring a lot. Maybe my pencil grip is just bad? Maybe it was just a lot of work? It did take me 4 hours. Yes, I run out of energy quickly and want to lay down after one or two big tasks, like grocery shopping or going to class. Doesn’t everyone get tired running errands? What’s the threshold for being tired? What if this is just an autism/sensory thing?

Honestly I’ll be lucky if I can get to even ask these questions. I’ll be happy to get this doctor to look past the number on the scale and actually recommend me something besides cutting down on sugar and carbs.

I guess the central conflict is, I need to somehow convince a stranger to believe me, and I don’t even know if I believe myself. Heaven help me. We’ll see what happens.

[ur-fav-is-schizo]

YOUR FAV IS SCHIZOSPEC↭!!

Hey folks!! I'm Sol (he/it), and imma be the one running this blog!! I noticed that the previous "your fav is psychotic" blogs seemed to be either inactive or deactivated, so I thought why not add another sideblog to the collection, you know? (EDIT: XANDER HE/HYM/IT IS ALSO HELPING WITH THE BLOG NOW)

The ask box is open, so feel free to request any characters! Format it something along the lines of...

"[Insert Character] from [Insert Media] is psychotic!!"

Or maybe, "psychotic and autistic," "a psychotic pwAVPD," "schizospec," or even "a schizo" if you really want. Feel free to go into details too like, "[Insert Character] from [Insert Media] is psychotic, and has [Insert Symptoms]!!" ..or you can just chat to me and share posts, that's chill!! Elaboration on submissions here...!

This place is safe for neurodivergents of all kinds, including disabled pplz btw!!

I'll say outright that pwPDs are welcome here, so if you think "narcissistic abuse" is a valid descriptor of any abuse then go away!! It's also not my place to question other people's experiences, so if you're the kind of person who goes around fake claiming others.. You're not welcome!! I don't care how "cringey" or "obviously fake" someone is, because in my experience that's usually just repackaged sanism!! Any plural/system/what have you is welcome, I'm not interested in syscourse so try not to bring it up. But anywayz, if you get on my nervez I'll justz block u k?

Here is my own version of the psychosis/schizospec flag, with the symbol, primary colours and moon motif pulled from actuallyschizophrenic, while otherwise being unabashedly inspired by charb's flag. The explanation/description is pretty long so I'll tuck it underneath the read more (along with other ids). Feel free to use thesez!! Just tag me if u do anythingz cool w/ them cause I wanna see!!

The flag centers the symbol of the schizospec/psychotic community: an arrow pointing either way, left and right, (symbolizing the vastness, scope, and diversity of the community) with a wave in the middle (symbolising positive and negative symptoms). It's coloured purple, one of our representing colours, featuring a pink outline to help with the cohesion of the flag.

Behind it are two overlapping circles: one a light grey like silver (our other representing colour), and one a dark purple. White and black can often be seen as ethereal colours (embodying light or the abyss), so I knew I wanted to include them for their otherworldly properties, and so the overlapping is like the inbetweens or overlapping of what we perceive and experience if that makes sense. The overlapping circles also create a crescent moon, another symbol claimed by the community because psychotics are a bunch of "lunatics". It's outlined in grey to help with the cohesion of the flag.

The impression of a pink arrow's point continues to either edge of the flag (also outlined in grey), emphasising the centered symbol while also seperating the top and bottom's colours. Shapes come off the top and bottom of the pink, imitating a wave. The waves on the top half are a lighter purple with a purple background, the bottom a lighter red with a red background (outlined in pink). These are akin to lines on a typical flag.

To pull from charb's description of the colours:

Purple; the good side of schizospec disorders/being proud of being schizospec despite everything. Red; the reclaimation and/or the hatred of harmful tropes of us in media. Grey & Black; the unfortunate bad side of schizospec disorders and the strength it takes to deal with it. Pink; acceptance and the hope for better treatment from others.

And next to that is its geometric counterpart, which should be a BIT easier to reproduce.. But I think it's pretty obvious I made the flag to be more artistic than practical.

The symbol is the same, but the circles have been changed to verticle lines. About a quarter of the flag the silver line, a quarter the dark purple line, the overlapping colour a small slither. This block of lines is outlined by grey. To the left and right are horizontal lines, alternating between large and small lines. Top to bottom, starting with a large line: purple, (pink), light purple, (grey), pink, (grey), light red, (pink), red.

Blog header is my version of the psychosis/schizospec flag. Pfp is Ame-Chan (Needy Streamer Overload), with the purple, light purple, pink, light red, and red stripes as a background.

First image of pinned is the purple, light purple, pink, light red, and red stripes.

Next image is purple, light purple stripes. Followed by the psychosis/schizospec flag, and its geometric counterpart. Next image is light red, red stripes.

Under the cut is the purple stripes again, followed by the red stripes. This text is followed by the first pinned image, repeated.

[drmanishkumargupta]

What is an ERCP and when would you need one?

If you're dealing with persistent digestive issues, your doctor may recommend a procedure called ERCP. But what exactly is ERCP, and why is it necessary? At the Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Center, under the expert care of Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta, we specialize in diagnosing and treating complex gastrointestinal problems. As the Best Gastro Specialist in Ghaziabad, Dr. Gupta ensures that every patient receives personalized and precise care. Here's an in-depth look at ERCP and when you might need it.

Understanding ERCP:

ERCP stands for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography, a specialized medical procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the bile ducts, pancreas, and gallbladder. It combines endoscopy and X-ray imaging to provide a detailed view of these critical structures.

During an ERCP, a flexible tube called an endoscope is inserted through the mouth, passing through the esophagus and stomach into the small intestine. A small catheter is then guided into the bile ducts or pancreatic ducts, and a contrast dye is injected to make the ducts visible on X-rays.

ERCP is both diagnostic and therapeutic, making it a valuable tool for identifying issues and performing treatments like removing gallstones or placing stents to relieve blockages.

When Is ERCP Recommended?:

Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta, recognized as the Top Gastroenterologist in Ghaziabad, often recommends ERCP for patients experiencing specific symptoms or conditions, such as:

1. Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and eyes is often caused by a blockage in the bile ducts. ERCP helps identify and relieve such obstructions.

2. Unexplained Abdominal Pain: Persistent pain in the upper abdomen may indicate gallstones, pancreatic issues, or other bile duct abnormalities.

3. Pancreatitis: Chronic or acute pancreatitis, especially when linked to gallstones or ductal obstructions, can be evaluated and treated with ERCP.

4. Bile Duct Stones: Gallstones that migrate into the bile ducts can cause severe pain and infection. ERCP is highly effective in removing these stones.

5. Suspected Tumors: ERCP can detect and biopsy tumors in the bile ducts or pancreas, helping confirm a diagnosis and plan treatment.

6. Post-Surgical Complications: After gallbladder removal or other abdominal surgeries, complications like bile leaks or strictures can be addressed using ERCP.

The Procedure: What to Expect:

If you're scheduled for an ERCP at the Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Center, here's what you can expect:

1. Preparation: You will need to fast for at least 6-8 hours before the procedure. Inform Dr. Gupta about any medications or allergies you have.

2. During the Procedure: ERCP is performed under sedation or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The endoscope is carefully guided through your digestive tract, and imaging is conducted to identify the issue.

3. Therapeutic Interventions: If necessary, treatments like gallstone removal, stent placement, or tissue biopsy will be performed during the same procedure.

4. Recovery: After the procedure, you will be monitored for a few hours to ensure there are no complications. Mild throat soreness and bloating are common but temporary.

Why Choose Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Center for ERCP?:

At the Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Center, we pride ourselves on providing cutting-edge care with compassion. Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta is renowned as the Best Gastroenterologist in Ghaziabad, bringing years of experience and expertise to every procedure. Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools, ensuring precise results and optimal outcomes for our patients.

Benefits of ERCP:

Minimally Invasive: ERCP avoids the need for open surgery, reducing recovery time and risks.

Dual Purpose: Combines diagnosis and treatment in a single procedure.

Targeted Therapy: Allows precise intervention for bile duct and pancreatic disorders.

Risks and Considerations:

Like any medical procedure, ERCP carries some risks, including:

Pancreatitis

Bleeding

Infection

Perforation of the digestive tract

However, when performed by an experienced specialist like Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta, the risk of complications is significantly minimized.

Conclusion:

If you're experiencing persistent abdominal pain, jaundice, or other digestive issues, don't ignore the symptoms. Consult Dr. Manish Kumar Gupta, the Best Doctor for Gastroenterology in Ghaziabad, at the Gastro, Liver & Endoscopy Center. With advanced diagnostic tools like ERCP and a commitment to patient care, we are here to help you regain your health and well-being. Schedule your consultation today and take a step towards a healthier tomorrow!

[langde01]

Infertility is a condition that affects many couples worldwide, with male infertility contributing to approximately 40-50% of cases. It can be a challenging and emotionally taxing experience, but advances in medical science have made diagnosing and treating male infertility more accessible and effective. Dr. Swapnil Langde, a trusted expert in this field, provides comprehensive care for men facing fertility challenges. Here, we explore the causes, symptoms, types, and treatments for male infertility.

Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility can stem from various factors that affect sperm production, function, or delivery. Common causes include:

Medical Conditions:

Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)

Hormonal imbalances (low testosterone levels)

Infections (e.g., epididymitis, orchitis, or sexually transmitted infections)

Genetic disorders (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome, Y chromosome microdeletions)

Previous surgeries (e.g., vasectomy, hernia repair)

Lifestyle Factors:

Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use

Obesity and poor diet

Exposure to toxins or chemicals (e.g., pesticides, heavy metals)

Environmental Factors:

Overheating of the testicles (frequent sauna use, tight clothing)

Radiation or prolonged exposure to electromagnetic devices

Ejaculation Disorders:

Retrograde ejaculation (semen enters the bladder instead of exiting through the penis)

Erectile dysfunction

Sperm Abnormalities:

Low sperm count (oligospermia)

Poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia)

Abnormal sperm shape (teratozoospermia)

Symptoms of Male Infertility

Male infertility often does not present obvious symptoms apart from the inability to conceive. However, some signs and symptoms may indicate underlying health issues, such as:

Difficulty with ejaculation or low semen volume

Pain, swelling, or lumps in the testicular area

Decreased sexual desire or difficulty maintaining an erection

Signs of hormonal imbalance, such as reduced facial or body hair

Types of Male Infertility

Azoospermia: Absence of sperm in semen.

Oligospermia: Low sperm count.

Asthenozoospermia: Reduced sperm motility.

Teratozoospermia: Abnormal sperm shape or structure.

Immunological Infertility: Presence of antibodies that attack sperm.

Obstructive Infertility: Blockages in the reproductive tract prevent sperm delivery.

Diagnosis of Male Infertility

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment. Dr. Swapnil Langde employs various diagnostic techniques, including:

Medical History and Physical Examination: Assessing medical conditions, lifestyle factors, and family history.

Semen Analysis: Evaluating sperm count, motility, and morphology.

Hormone Testing: Checking levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH.

Scrotal Ultrasound: Detecting abnormalities such as varicocele or blockages.

Genetic Testing: Identifying genetic causes of infertility.

Testicular Biopsy: Determining sperm production levels.

Treatment Options for Male Infertility

Treatment for male infertility depends on the underlying cause. Common approaches include:

Lifestyle Modifications:

Adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight management

Avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drug use

Reducing exposure to heat and toxins

Medications and Hormonal Therapy:

Antibiotics for infections

Hormone replacement or medications to improve sperm production

Surgical Treatments:

Varicocelectomy (surgical correction of varicocele)

Vasectomy reversal

Surgery to remove blockages in the reproductive tract

Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART):

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): Inserting washed sperm directly into the uterus.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): Injecting a single sperm directly into an egg.

Surgical Sperm Retrieval: Extracting sperm directly from the testicle or epididymis.

Counseling and Support:

Psychological counseling to cope with emotional stress

Fertility education and support groups

Why Choose Dr. Swapnil Langde for Male Infertility Treatment?

Dr. Swapnil Langde brings years of expertise and personalized care to his patients. His patient-centric approach ensures that each individual receives tailored treatment plans for optimal outcomes. With state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options, Dr. Langde has helped countless couples achieve their dream of parenthood.

Final Thoughts

Male infertility can be a complex and sensitive issue, but it is treatable in most cases. Early diagnosis and intervention can significantly improve the chances of conception. If you or your partner are facing fertility challenges, consult Dr. Swapnil Langde for expert guidance and compassionate care.

For more information or to book an appointment, contact Dr. Swapnil Langde today and take the first step toward realizing your parenthood journey.

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Common Ear Problems and When to Visit an Ear Hospital in Nashik

Maintaining ear health is crucial for your overall well-being, yet many of us tend to ignore early signs of ear-related issues. From infections to hearing loss, ear problems can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated. 

This blog will discuss common ear problems and highlight when you should seek medical care at an ear hospital in Nashik.

Understanding Common Ear Problems

1. Ear Infections

Ear infections are one of the most prevalent ear issues, especially in children. These infections can affect the outer ear (swimmer’s ear) or middle ear (otitis media). Symptoms include pain, redness, swelling, or fluid discharge. If these symptoms persist, visiting an ENT specialist is crucial to prevent complications.

2. Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can occur due to aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises, infections, or underlying medical conditions. While it may develop gradually, sudden hearing loss warrants immediate attention. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.

3. Tinnitus

Tinnitus, characterized by a ringing or buzzing sensation in the ears, affects millions of people worldwide. It can result from noise exposure, earwax buildup, or conditions like Meniere's disease. Persistent tinnitus can affect sleep and concentration, making it vital to seek professional care.

4. Vertigo and Balance Disorders

Your inner ear plays a critical role in maintaining balance. Issues such as Meniere’s disease or vestibular neuritis can cause vertigo, dizziness, or nausea. If you frequently experience these symptoms, consult an ENT specialist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

5. Earwax Buildup

While earwax protects your ears, excessive buildup can lead to discomfort, hearing difficulties, or infections. Avoid using sharp objects to clean your ears, as this may cause more harm. Instead, visit a professional for safe removal.

6. Eardrum Perforation

A perforated eardrum can result from infections, loud noises, or physical trauma. It may lead to hearing loss, pain, or recurring infections. ENT specialists can provide effective treatments, from medication to surgical repair.

When to Visit an Ear Hospital in Nashik

Timely intervention is critical for ear-related issues. You should visit an ear hospital if you experience:

Persistent ear pain or discomfort.

Sudden or gradual hearing loss.

Frequent ear infections.

Ringing or buzzing sounds in your ears.

Dizziness, nausea, or balance issues.

Discharge or bleeding from the ear.

Ignoring these symptoms may worsen the condition, so don’t delay seeking help.

Why Choose an Ear Hospital in Nashik?

Nashik offers some of the best ENT care in India, with dedicated ear hospitals equipped with advanced diagnostic tools and treatments. Here’s why they stand out:

Expert ENT Specialists: Trained professionals with years of experience in treating complex ear conditions.

Modern Facilities: State-of-the-art technology for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Comprehensive Care: From routine check-ups to surgical interventions, ear hospitals in Nashik provide a full spectrum of care.

Patients who have sought treatment here often share success stories of restored hearing, improved quality of life, and compassionate care.

Preventive Tips for Maintaining Ear Health

Prevention is always better than cure. Follow these tips to keep your ears healthy:

Protect Your Hearing: Avoid prolonged exposure to loud noises. Use earplugs in noisy environments.

Keep Your Ears Clean: Use a damp cloth for cleaning the outer ear and avoid inserting objects into the ear canal.

Regular Check-Ups: Schedule routine visits to an ENT specialist for early detection of potential issues.

Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration helps maintain ear health by ensuring fluid balance in the inner ear.

How to Find the Right Ear Hospital in Nashik?

When choosing an ear hospital, consider the following:

Reputation: Check patient reviews and ratings.

Technology: Look for hospitals equipped with advanced diagnostic tools.

Specialized Services: Ensure they offer treatments tailored to your needs.

Some of the most reputable ear hospitals in Nashik are recognized for their skilled professionals and exceptional patient care.

Ear health should never be overlooked. From common infections to more complex conditions, early detection and treatment are key to preventing complications. If you’re in Nashik, you have access to some of the best ear care facilities in the region.

Don’t let ear problems affect your life. Book an appointment with a trusted ear doctor in Nashik today and take the first step toward better hearing health!

[oliviaphleb]

Unlocking Health: The Essential Guide to Therapeutic Phlebotomy Procedures

Unlocking Health: The Essential Guide ⁤to Therapeutic⁣ Phlebotomy procedures

understanding health and wellness ⁤often leads ⁤us to explore various ​treatment options that⁢ can enhance our quality of life.‌ One such treatment is therapeutic ‍phlebotomy,a medical procedure that can help manage specific health conditions by reducing the amount of blood in ‍the⁤ body. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic phlebotomy, including its‌ benefits, procedures, and practical tips ‌for ⁣making the moast out of this treatment.

What is Therapeutic Phlebotomy?

Therapeutic⁢ phlebotomy ⁤is a ⁢medical procedure that ⁣involves the⁢ removal of blood from a patient⁤ to⁤ treat certain medical⁢ conditions. Unlike typical blood⁤ donation, this procedure is performed for therapeutic reasons rather then for donation purposes. ⁣Key conditions managed with therapeutic⁢ phlebotomy ⁤include:

Hemochromatosis

Polycythemia vera

Chronic ⁣venous​ insufficiency

Certain blood ⁣disorders

how ⁤Does Therapeutic ‌Phlebotomy⁣ Work?

The procedure is ⁤relatively simple and typically performed in a clinical setting. Here’s⁣ a breakdown of the therapeutic⁢ phlebotomy process:

Consultation: Before undergoing the procedure,⁣ patients have a detailed consultation⁣ with their healthcare provider to ensure this treatment⁤ is appropriate ​for their ⁣specific condition.

Readiness: After‌ confirming eligibility,the healthcare provider will ⁣prepare ⁤the necessary equipment and guide the patient‍ through the procedure.

Blood Removal: ‍ A needle is inserted into a vein, and a specific‌ volume of blood is drawn. The⁣ amount removed will depend on the patient’s⁤ condition and treatment plan.

Post-Procedure​ Care: After the⁢ blood draw, the patient will ⁣be monitored for any immediate side effects and given instructions for recovery.

Benefits ⁣of Therapeutic phlebotomy

Engaging in therapeutic ⁤phlebotomy offers several benefits to patients suffering from conditions related to‌ excess blood volume or iron overload:

Reduces Iron Overload: Conditions like hemochromatosis lead to excess iron in the body, and therapeutic phlebotomy can significantly reduce thes ⁢levels.

Lowers Blood Volume: In disorders like polycythemia ‍vera, reducing blood volume helps‍ decrease the risk of complications such‌ as blood clots.

Improves Symptoms: ⁢ Many patients⁣ report reduced symptoms and ⁢improved ‍health after receiving therapeutic phlebotomy.

Non-Pharmaceutical Option: This⁣ procedure ‌provides a non-invasive option⁢ to medication for managing certain ‍conditions.

Practical⁢ Tips for Therapeutic Phlebotomy

To ⁤make the ‌most ⁢out of‌ your therapeutic ‌phlebotomy ⁣experience,consider the following tips:

Stay Hydrated: ‌ Drink‌ plenty⁤ of water before and after your procedure to help maintain blood volume ​and assist in recovery.

Follow⁢ Pre-Procedure ​Instructions: adhere to any dietary or medication instructions provided by your ​healthcare provider.

Rest After Treatment: Allow yourself‍ time to recover post-procedure, especially if you experience fatigue.

Keep a Log: Track your symptoms and⁣ any changes ⁣in ​your health ‍to discuss with ⁢your doctor in⁣ follow-up appointments.

Case Studies: Real-life Applications of Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Many patients have‍ benefited from therapeutic phlebotomy. Here are a few⁢ brief case studies demonstrating its effectiveness:

Patient

Condition

Outcome

john ⁣D.

Hemochromatosis

Notable decrease in iron levels; improved ⁣energy levels

Alice R.

Polycythemia Vera

Reduction‍ in blood ⁢viscosity; fewer headaches

Tom S.

Erythrocytosis

improved overall health; better sleep ‌quality

First-Hand Experience: A ⁢Patient’s ​Journey Through Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Linda, a 45-year-old woman diagnosed with hemochromatosis,⁣ found herself overwhelmed by ​her diagnosis.“I was terrified at first, but after ⁢my first therapeutic phlebotomy ⁢session, I ⁤felt a ‌wave of relief. The staff⁣ made me ‍comfortable, and ⁣the process was much easier than ​I expected.” Her story is a testament ⁣to how therapeutic⁢ phlebotomy can positively impact patients’ lives.

What to Expect After Therapeutic Phlebotomy

Post-procedure, patients may encounter various side effects. Here’s a⁢ speedy guide⁣ on what ‌to expect:

Fatigue: It’s‌ common to feel tired after⁢ the procedure; ensure ample rest.

Soreness: The‌ site of blood ⁣draw might ⁣potentially be sore​ or ⁢bruised. Cold packs can ⁢help alleviate discomfort.

Hydration: ​ Rehydration is‌ crucial. Drink fluids to help recover quickly.

Conclusion

Therapeutic phlebotomy is a vital treatment⁤ modality for various medical conditions, particularly ‌those involving iron ‌overload and ‌excess blood volume. Understanding the process and benefits can ‌empower ⁣patients to⁢ make ‍informed decisions about their‌ health care. Remember, always consult with‍ a healthcare professional to determine‌ the best ‍treatment paths for your unique needs. By unlocking health through​ therapeutic phlebotomy, ⁢individuals can enhance their well-being and embrace ​a healthier, more vibrant life.

https://phlebotomytechnicianschools.org/unlocking-health-the-essential-guide-to-therapeutic-phlebotomy-procedures/

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What Is The Treatment of Sciatica?

Treatment of sciatica is varied. Sciatica refers to a tingling sensation, numbness or pain felt in the lower back and also continuing to the lower extreme of the leg. Sciatica pain is a result of the compression of one of the spinal nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. Treatment for sciatica varies depending on the condition of the individual, and focuses visit site here on underlying condition that is causing sciatica pain. Sciatica isn’t a disorder in itself but a symptom indicating the presence of another physical condition.

Various Kinds of Sciatica Treatment

Sciatica treatment varies from exercise regimen, application of heat and ice packs, and oral steroid or anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medication to steroid injections and alternative treatment consisting of acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic treatment. The treatment offered varies according to the physical condition of the patient and the severity of the pain, discomfort or tingling sensation. In some cases the pain is dull – irritating but not debilitating. In other instances there are episodes of acute pain, while some find it difficult to move their leg and perform their regular functions.

Non-surgical Sciatica Pain Relief

In most cases surgery isn’t required and non-invasive methods such as physical therapy and exercising can help relieve the discomfort. Chiropractic care is an important element of sciatica pain relief treatment. Chiropractic manipulation focuses on the spinal column and ensures its proper alignment. This leads to the improvement of many conditions that cause sciatica pain.

Chiropractic Care at the Reliable Healthcare Center

At advanced physical therapy centers there are trained and highly experienced healthcare professionals including physical therapists and chiropractors who understand the unique requirements and health condition of patients and offer customized treatment professionally and cost-effectively. They can also offer manual manipulation of the spinal area for relief from sciatic pain. Chiropractic care is based on scientific principles and the results are increased flexibility of the affected area. It is used to treat a wide array of disorders other than sciatica too, such as herniated disc, back pain, knee pain, whiplash, and arthritic pain.

More non-Invasive Treatment for Sciatica

Sciatica pain relief can also be brought about by simple massage therapy. Massaging facilitates the release of endorphins that relieve pain, while increasing blood circulation and relaxing the muscles. Many other disorders including back pain can be alleviated by massage therapy. Another inclusive form of sciatica treatment plan is acupuncture. The treatment facilitates smooth energy flow through the body by inserting extremely thin needles near the affected area.

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** Opening Health: The Transformative Power of Acupuncture **

Acupuncture, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, has gained immense appeal recently as an alternative technique to health and wellness and health. This time-honored technique includes the insertion of fine needles into certain points on the body to promote power circulation, or "qi," and advertise natural healing. Numerous people are transforming to acupuncture not just for pain alleviation yet also for a vast array of problems, including stress, anxiousness, digestion problems, and even sleeping disorders. As modern-day science increasingly validates these olden techniques, acupuncture is being welcomed by a varied audience seeking options to standard medicine.The advantages of acupuncture expand past mere signs and symptom alleviation; it promotes a much deeper connection in between mind and body, urging general wellness. As practitioners assess each person holistically, they tailor therapies to specific needs, producing a customized experience that can result in extensive changes. Moreover, acupuncture is usually viewed as a complementary treatment, improving the effectiveness of other medical treatments and promoting a well balanced way of life. Whether you are a skilled acupuncture lover or a curious beginner, discovering this ancient method can open up doors to a much healthier and much more harmonious life.

Read more here https://storage.googleapis.com/9uh/Acupuncturetreatment/Rehabilitation/Acupuncture-for-Detox.html

[drgyana]

Heart Valve Disorders: Causes, Symptoms, and Innovations in Treatment

Heart valve disorders are conditions where one or more of the heart's valves do not function properly. The heart has four valves: the aortic, mitral, pulmonary, and tricuspid valves. These valves control blood flow in the heart, ensuring it flows in the right direction. When they don’t work correctly, it can affect the heart’s efficiency and overall health.

Causes of Heart Valve Disorders

Heart valve disorders can occur due to various reasons, ranging from congenital conditions (present at birth) to diseases that develop later in life. Some common causes include:

Age-related changes: As we get older, the valves may stiffen, calcify, or become damaged, which can lead to valve issues.

Infections: Bacterial infections such as endocarditis can damage the valves, making them leak or become narrow.

Heart disease: Conditions like coronary artery disease or heart attacks can affect the function of the valves.

Rheumatic fever: This condition, which often develops after a strep throat infection, can damage the heart valves and cause long-term issues.

Congenital defects: Some individuals are born with heart valve issues, which may or may not be noticed until later in life.

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disorders

The symptoms of heart valve problems can vary greatly depending on the severity and type of disorder. In some cases, you may not experience any symptoms at all, while in others, the symptoms can be quite severe. Common signs include:

Shortness of breath: Feeling winded during normal activities is a common symptom, especially if the valve does not open properly (stenosis).

Fatigue: Constant tiredness or feeling worn out can occur because the heart has to work harder to pump blood.

Swelling: Fluid buildup in the feet, ankles, or abdomen can occur if the heart is struggling to pump blood efficiently.

Irregular heartbeat: A fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest may indicate an abnormal heart rhythm caused by valve problems.

Chest pain: While this can be a sign of various heart conditions, it may also result from a heart valve disorder.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek medical advice. A heart doctor in Bhubaneswar can help diagnose the problem and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Diagnosing Heart Valve Disorders

To diagnose heart valve issues, a heart doctor in Bhubaneswar may use several tests, including:

Echocardiogram: This ultrasound test creates images of the heart and valves, allowing the doctor to see how well they are functioning.

Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG measures the heart's electrical activity and can identify irregular rhythms associated with valve problems.

Chest X-ray: This imaging test can show the size and shape of the heart and highlight any potential issues with the valves.

Cardiac catheterization: In some cases, a doctor may insert a catheter into a blood vessel to assess the heart's function and pressure.

Treatment Options for Heart Valve Disorders

Treatment for heart valve disorders varies based on the severity of the condition. Here are some common options:

Medications: If the valve disorder is mild, medication may be prescribed to manage symptoms, such as blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots or medications to control blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes: For those with heart valve issues, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle is crucial. This includes regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, and managing stress.

Surgery: In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Two primary types of surgery are:

Valve repair: This procedure involves fixing the damaged valve, often preserving the original valve.

Valve replacement: In cases where the valve cannot be repaired, it may be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve.

Minimally invasive procedures: In some situations, doctors may use less invasive techniques such as catheter-based treatments to replace or repair valves without the need for open-heart surgery.

Innovations in Treatment

Advancements in medical technology have significantly improved the treatment options for heart valve disorders. For example:

Transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR): This minimally invasive procedure allows doctors to replace a damaged valve without open surgery. It’s particularly useful for older patients or those who may not be suitable candidates for traditional surgery.

3D printing: Doctors are increasingly using 3D printing to create models of patients' hearts, which can help in planning surgeries and improving outcomes.

Biodegradable stents: These devices can temporarily open a blocked valve or artery and then dissolve after serving their purpose, reducing the need for long-term surgical interventions.

Prevention and Prognosis

While some heart valve disorders are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of developing them. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and seeing a doctor regularly for checkups are key. If a valve disorder is caught early, the prognosis is generally good, especially with the innovative treatments available today.

Conclusion

Heart valve disorders are serious conditions that can affect the heart’s ability to function properly. However, with the right treatment, many people with heart valve issues can lead normal, healthy lives. If you notice any symptoms, it’s essential to consult a heart doctor in Bhubaneswar to determine the best course of action for your heart health. Early diagnosis and advances in treatment techniques are making it easier for people to recover and maintain a healthy heart.