Public Health & Safety

Asbestos is a term used for bundles of naturally occurring mineral fibers that were used in the construction of buildings and homes because of their resilience to heat and chemicals and their low...

There are many different health problems that can cause a person to suddenly begin to have trouble breathing. Breathing emergencies can be caused by allergic reactions, asthma, electric shock,...

Typhoid fever is another name for Salmonella typhi. Although it's uncommon in industrialized countries like the US, it's highly prevalent in developing countries where the water supply is more...

Carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of people each year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and U.S. Fire Administration. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in the...

Chantix is a brand name for the prescription drug varenicline. Doctors commonly prescribe Chantix to help patients quit smoking, which raises some questions about whether or not Chantix itself may...

The swine flu scare of 2009 had everyone on guard to the slightest sniffle, cough or tummy ache. One of the more prevalent questions being asked was about the incubation period of H1N1 before this...

Everyone knows the best thing any smoker can do to improve his health is to quit. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as it sounds for most habitual smokers. Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes that...

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 3,000 types of mold exist. These grow in damp, dark environments indoors and outdoors, including in homes. When the mold spores are present...

Clostridium botulinum causes the human illness botulism, which results from a toxin produced by the bacteria. Fortunately, only around 110 cases are reported each year to the Centers for Disease...

Flu season is here and it is important to recognize all of the signs and symptoms of having it! It's especially important to know the signs and symptoms of the swine flu. Here are some to look out...

Oscillococcinum is a commonly recommended homeopathic treatment for the prevention of flu symptoms, manufactured by Boiron and available over-the-counter. With the H1N1 viral infection worries,...

Tens of thousands of people die every year from complications due to smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. Because of the ill health effects caused by smoking, many people around the...

Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the nervous system and eventually causes systemic failure, almost always resulting in death if not treated immediately. The virus is transmitted when an...

Salmonella and E. coli are two intestinal diseases that are caused by bacteria. They are very similar in regards to symptoms and method of infection, so it is sometimes difficult to tell one...

First identified in April of 2009, H1N1 (swine flu) has already spread worldwide. Though most sufferers recover without medical treatment, swine flu can be deadly. People with weak immune systems...

Medical science is able to accomplish a great deal in terms of relieving pain, fixing medical conditions, and improving overall health. Surgery still often is necessary, however, since technology...

Salmonellosis, also known as salmonella poisoning, is a common intestinal disease that afflicts humans due to the consumption of contaminated food products. Although the salmonella bacteria that...

Typhoid fever is a serious condition caused by the salmonella bacteria. Most of the time, typhoid fever is treated with antibiotics and patients recover, but the condition can be dangerous to...

Arming yourself with information about the common cold can help prevent you and your loved ones from getting sick. Additionally, it is important to know the symptoms for the common cold and how to...

Heatstroke is a serious condition that can cause brain damage, organ failure and death. Heatstroke affects people during strenuous activities, such as work or sports, or through exposure to high...

The difference between a sign and a symptom of a disease can be confusing. While the two words seem to be describing the same thing, signs and symptoms have different meanings.

Furosemide is given to patients to help their fluid retention. It is also given to those with congestive heart failure and kidney or liver disease to help reduce swelling. It does so by increasing...

Information regarding marijuana addiction is often conflicting and frequently reflects the biases of the source. Some groups, such as the Drug Policy Alliance Network, and the National...

The H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the Swine Flu, is a widespread health hazard. It is also difficult to tell the difference between H1N1 flu and the regular flu. This article contains...

Tylenol is a name-brand acetaminophen used to relieve pain. According to MedlinePlus, acetaminophen overdose is one of the world's most common causes of poisoning. While generally safe,...

With diseases such as swine flu making headlines, health officials worldwide urge people learn more about communicable---that is, contagious---diseases. But the World Health Organization (WHO)...

Potassium chloride is the most abundant variety of potassium present in the human body. It acts like an electrolyte and works in association with a number of other elements (i.e., sodium) to...

If you have had new drywall installed in your home between the years o f 2004 and 2007, then there is a possibility that you may have installed hazardous Chinese drywall. The drywall is alleged...

There are several reasons for hormonal imbalance symptoms that depend on a person's gender, age and health. Hormonal changes can be a temporary phase or a permanent condition. For the most part,...

Mold is a fungus that grows when an area is exposed to prolonged moisture contact or moisture in the air. Mold can be responsible for a number of medical conditions including asthma and...

Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum or Stachybotrys Atra, commonly grows on cellulose-containing materials used in home construction. For this reason, the potential is high for the...

The side effects of vaccines range from mild and expected to serious and unpredictable, although it is important to remember that the risks involved in not being vaccinated may be considerably...

In 1995 almost 42 million people in the United States were getting their drinking water from private wells, according to a study by the U.S. Geological Survey. While the Environmental Protection...

Iron overload happens when a person's body absorbs too much iron. The iron can build up on the person's tissues and cause chronic problems if left untreated. The most common chronic problem is...

In the United States alone there have been over 4 million cases of roundworm infection reported at any one time. In warmer climates, these infections are common when infected animal feces...

Every woman, when she reaches the age where fertility ends, goes through menopause. The average age to experience menopause is 51, according to the North American Menopause Society, but each body...

Stomach worms infect millions of people around the world, according to Coco Ballantyne, in a Feb. 5, 2009, article at Scientific American.com titled, "Worms 'N' Us: A look at 8 parasitic worms...

Asbestos poisoning is caused by a deadly fiber found in various work structures. Many people who work with flooring, piping and insulation companies are exposed to this kind of deadly poison....

Crack cocaine causes addiction. The Center for Substance Abuse Research attributes the drug's instantly addictive effect to the brief high produced and the intense withdrawal symptoms of crack...

Swine Influenza symptoms mimic the common flu but can carry a few other signs. You start off hacking, sneezing, and with a runny nose. Providentially, you can help recognize swine influenza...

People take medications for everything from common disorders, such as high blood pressure, to more debilitating illnesses, like Parkinson's disease. As you age, your liver's ability to filter...

The tonsils are a part of the immune system in a person's body. The tonsils protect the body from germs, viruses and bacteria that try to invade the body through the mouth or nose. The tonsils may...

The 2009 H1N1 virus, commonly referred to as "swine flu," is a type of influenza similar to seasonal influenza. It is spread in much the same way and yields most of the same symptoms.

Nicotine replacement therapy is one way to help you quit smoking. One therapeutic option is nicotine gum, which, when used properly, has proven to be effective. Although not an instant cure, it...

Mycoplasma infections are incredibly contagious and are most commonly spread among people younger than 40, especially in school-aged children. Mycoplasma ear infections are a rarely seen symptom...

There are many species of mold that have varying effects on a person's health. Possible health risks are allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory conditions. Physical symptoms also vary...

Crack is a highly addictive, free-base form of cocaine. Crack is detrimental to physical and psychological health.

Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces a powerful neurotoxin. Botulinum toxin causes an illness known as botulism, which can cause paralysis and is fatal in severe cases. Food borne...

The swine flu is going by several names: the 2009 swine flu, the H1N1 flu, the 2009 H1N1 flu or virus and the novel H1N1 flu. It emerged in spring 2009 and quickly became an international...

Vitamin D is an important part of the human diet. It helps the body take in calcium and phosphorus from the intestine and distribute it inside the bones. Vitamin D is taken in pill form, through...