Health

There is more than one diet plan which calls itself the Apple Diet, but the essence of all of them is the same: Eat more apples. This is not bad advice, as apples are good sources of a number of...

A torn hamstring is an excruciatingly painful injury that requires immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat. Even with proper care treatment and care, however, a complete tear takes a...

The National Institutes of Health reports that 615,000 Americans suffer from Meniere's disease, a disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo, hearing loss and ringing in the ears. In addition...

Urticaria, most commonly known as hives, are red and swollen welts that appear on the skin. The cause of hives is not always identifiable, but are most commonly linked to an allergic reaction....

A walking cane can be a dashing accompaniment to a formal outfit. However, canes also serve a more important, health-related purpose. Individuals who have a hard time supporting their entire...

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients found in the foods we eat. Together with omega-3s, they form the good fats that keep our hearts and brains healthy.

Triglycerides are a form of fat. If your level of triglycerides is too high, you have a condition called hypertriglyceridemia. This can lead to heart and liver problems as well as pancreatitis. It...

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot that forms in a large deep vein, usually in a lower leg. Treatment for DVT prevents clots from getting larger, helps to dissolve them and prevents them...

All hearing aids function similarly, amplifying sound to compensate for loss of hearing due to injury, disease or age. When shopping for a hearing aid, you should consider your lifestyle, the...

Mederma is an over-the-counter medication designed to reduce the appearance of scars through regular external use. The cream can be extremely effective when used to treat stretch marks caused by...

Hives, also called urticaria, are itchy, red bumps on the skin. They typically appear as an allergic reaction to food or medication but can also be caused from emotional stress and environmental...

Poison ivy is a plant that produces a substance called urushiol---a type of resin---that causes a red, bumpy, itchy rash to develop when it comes in contact with bare skin. It falls into a group...

Necrotizing fasciitis is a dangerous, fast-moving bacterial infection that kills human tissue, skin and fat. Streptococcus pyogenes---commonly known as "flesh-eating" bacteria---is one source of...

Constipation is a condition in which an individual is having bowel movements less than three times a week, and when he does they are often dry and hard and difficult or painful to pass. Some...

Wild yam gel is a topical gel that contains the wild yam herb. This gel, usually made by combining the wild yam with an aloe vera base, has been documented to aid the female hormone system.

When an individual chokes, a foreign object can become lodged in their windpipe or throat. This blocks the flow or air and can cut off oxygen to their brain or kill them. So it's important to act...

DHEA Sulfate (Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate) is a blood test that is used to measure the amount of DHEA Sulfate in a persons blood. A common abbreviation for DHEA Sulfate is "DHEAS".

A person must keep several things in mind when being tested for thyroid problems. In certain cases, having symptoms can be more accurate than a negative blood test.

First-degree heart block is a condition that occurs when signals are impaired from the upper (atria) to the lower (ventricle) chambers of the heart. Also known as atrioventricular (AV) block, it...

A runny nose can be relentless and can persist for several days or weeks. Allergies and sinus problems can trigger a runny nose. But during winter's cold and flu season, many runny nose cases are...

Any diet that advertises a 10-pound weight loss in a period of three days for all participants should be studied with skepticism. The Three Day Diet is one of the more well-known of the very...

If you need to ease the pain of a toothache in a pinch, you can rely on oil of oregano to help alleviate your suffering.

Eating moldy food can cause allergic reactions and diseases. By the time mold is visible on the surface of food, thin threads of mold have typically grown deep into the food. If you see any mold...

An ingrown toenail, medically known as onychocryptosis, is a common nail condition that occurs when one side or corner of a toenail grows into the nail bed. This occasionally results in an...

Dexedrine is a stimulant commonly prescribed to treat ADD, ADHD and narcolepsy. A common side effect of Dexedrine is loss of appetite.

Since ancient times, ginger root has been used to treat digestive disorders. Recent medical studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in treating nausea due to chemotherapy, motion sickness or...

The skin is the body's largest organ. It serves the body by providing cover for the internal organs, providing a barrier to germs, controlling the internal temperature and retaining bodily fluids....

Certain endorphins and brain chemical such as serotonin and dopamine are linked to pleasure. If dealing with a chemical imbalance, you may have a short supply of these essential chemicals. As a...

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that extends from the base of the spine, branches into two parts and runs down the rear of each buttock and leg. When pinched, irritated, inflamed or injured, it...

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans. When the firm and sinewy cartilage in between joints breaks down, their cushioning effect is...

Many different types of life support machines are available. Most involve machinery of some kind. One form of life support is the ventilator, which is designed to force air into the patient's...

Anxiety is characterized by a sense of dread or apprehension, usually with no apparent reason. In contrast to fear, which occurs in response to a clear threat, anxiety has no obvious stimulus.

Weight loss surgery is a procedure designed to reduce weight-related health issues, according to the Mayo Clinic. Surgeons prefer to use gastric bypass surgery, which is safer and has fewer...

Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is a condition in which acid from the stomach flows back into the esophagus--the tube that extends form the back of your throat to your...

You can find massage therapy in a variety of settings, including spas and salons, chiropractor and other medical offices, and massage clinics or private massage offices.

Chemotherapy cancer treatment has saved countless lives. Even so, cancer patients should be aware of the effects chemotherapy treatment has on blood platelets, which are a kind of blood cell.

Exercises to strengthen the lower back and abdomen help to improve posture and also prevent disorders involving lower back muscles, the sciatic nerve, the spine and the joints. Not only that,...

People have a coronary angiogram performed when they may be experiencing heart problems. Such problems may include unexplained pain in their chest, heart failure or a heart valve problem. The...

Yeast is commonly found in the body, but when it gets out of control, it can cause problems for women, especially in the form of yeast infections. Yeast infections are caused by a proliferation of...

Individuals who suffer from lupus know the agony the disease causes. Though treatment has improved in recent years, the disease is extremely deadly in its most serious form. Other ailments can...

Estrogen is a hormone that aids the development, maturation and functioning of the female reproductive system. Ovaries produce most of the estrogen while the rest is produced by the adrenal...

No one likes having the flu. It equates to day after day of misery. Although in the vast majority of cases the body recovers, no one wants to feel this way one minute longer than they have to. In...

No over-the-counter treatment effectively resolves the itchy skin rash caused by scabies, notes the Centers for Disease Control. Scabies medications are available by prescription only.

Cold sores are caused by a virus and, while not dangerous, can be uncomfortable and unsightly. Infection is possible as bacteria can enter the skin through the sore. They usually clear up in seven...

Megace or megestrol acetate is a prescription medication used to treat severe loss of appetite and weight loss in patients with HIV or AIDS. Megace poses a risk for harmful side effects in some...

The urinary system, also called the excretory system, is a set of organs---kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra---that are closely related and that are responsible for the same function in your...

Seizures are a neurological condition characterized by the unrestrained shaking of the body due to sustained contraction and relaxation of the muscles. The continuous generation of electrical...

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition that must be kept in check in order to avoid other serious diseases. Weight control is a key component of an overall healthy lifestyle imperative for...

According to the book "Conquering Chronic Illnesses Without Drugs or Surgery" by Julia Chang, a weak liver causes a host of health problems. These conditions include fatigue, heart palpitations,...

The thyroid is an organ in the neck which regulates hormones and metabolism in healthy individuals. If your doctor suspects that you have a thyroid condition, he may send you to the lab to have a...