Saliva is a necessary part of the digestive process. It begins when enzymes are produced to initiate the breakdown of foods during chewing. The continual production of saliva keeps the mouth moist.
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When you have chicken pox, the varicella-zoster virus that caused it remains in your system but lies dormant for years. When the virus reactivates, for any number of reasons, it appears as a localized rash called herpes zoster, or shingles.
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Sinus headaches develop due to inflammation or infection of the mucous membranes that leads to congestion, swelling and pain in the sinus cavity. Mucous or air that becomes trapped within the congested sinuses cause a headache.
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According to the 2000 U.S. Census, 34.3 percent of lesbian couples and 22.3 percent of gay male couples were raising children. The Census data also found that same-sex couples raising children live in 96 percent of the counties in the United States.
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Vitamin K is an important nutrient that plays a large role in blood clotting. This fat-soluble vitamin is found naturally in foods such as leafy green vegetables, as well as in dietary supplements.
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Human viruses cause a variety of maladies, depending on the virus type and the tissues infected. All humans contract multiple viruses throughout the course of life. The severity of viral illnesses ranges from mild to lethal.
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Most women experience at least one vaginal yeast infection, and many deal with recurrent infections. Yeast called Candida albicans accounts for most of these infections, which usually clear quickly with topical antifungal medicine.
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Skin bleaching is popular with darker-skinned people to obtain a more even skin tone, but skin bleaching cream is also often used to lighten sun damage and age spots on the skin in people of all skin colors.
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With aging, the large intestine or colon may develop small pockets known as diverticulae -- or a single diverticulum, if you develop just one pocket. Doctors call this medical condition diverticulosis. Most people with diverticulosis never develop symptoms.
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When you go to the doctor, she checks your heart rate by feeling your pulse. With each beat of the heart, a wave of blood is pushed from the heart into the circulation. These waves can be felt as pulsations in arteries close to the skin surface, such as those in the wrist and neck.
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Platelets are a component of the blood that help prevent bruising or stop bleeding. If you do not have enough platelets in your blood, you may need to have a blood platelet transfusion. This treatment infuses your body with blood platelets that have been donated by another healthy person.
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Hammer toes are caused when the tendons on the top and the bottom of the toe contract or become rigid. Typically, the second toe is most likely to be bent and to suffer from hammer toe syndrome.
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Allergies and swollen lymph nodes can both be unpleasant, but the two are generally not related. An allergy occurs when your immune system erroneously overreacts to a harmless substance. An allergy-triggering substance is called an allergen.
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The stomach flu, medically known as viral gastroenteritis, is an infection of the intestines. Although most people catch the stomach flu by ingesting contaminated food or water, you also can pick up this infection by coming into contact with an infected person.
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Vitex, a medicinal plant also known as monk's pepper or chasteberry, offers several purported medicinal benefits for women coping with infertility, hormonal disturbances, PMS and breast conditions.
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Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms. Known as your gut microbiota, these friendly bacteria and yeasts help you digest food, produce vitamins and function as a vital part of your immune system.
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Even if you don't have chronic constipation, you’ve probably experienced random bouts of bowel irregularity. The food you eat, the medications you take and the amount of time you spend moving your body can all affect digestion, as can anxiety and illness. Drinking apple juice may provide some relief.
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Adults who suffer from a cough can choose from many over-the-counter medications to ease symptoms. But when an infant gets a cough, different rules apply. Since over-the-counter cough medications are not recommended in young children, it’s challenging to find a quick and effective remedy to manage symptoms.
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Commercial table salt consists mainly of sodium chloride, an electrolyte mineral compound that directly affects human blood pressure. When you consume salt, it dissolves in food liquid and stomach fluid, and your body absorbs the minerals when they reach your small intestine.
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The baseline core temperature for most humans is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Your body temperature fluctuates throughout the day depending on physical activity, body heat loss and environmental factors.
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