Mucus is a slippery substance secreted by -- and covering -- the mucus membranes that line your respiratory tract. Glands in your nose, sinuses and throat generate mucus, which is helpful in cleansing and moisturizing your nasal passages. According to MayoClinic.
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Eighty out of every 100 women have non-cancerous fibroid tumors, also called myomas, by the time they reach the age of 50, according to the University of Michigan Health System.
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An enzyme is a protein that speeds up the rate at which a chemical reaction occurs. Enzymes are substrate specific, meaning that each type of enzyme has a specific type of molecule that it affects. The human body needs enzymes to influence the rates at which biological processes occur.
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Sunlight helps your body produce vitamin D and it regulates your circadian rhythm, or body clock. Certain health conditions, however, can leave you with unpleasant reactions after you go out in the sun.
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Found predominantly in the joints and tendons of the wrists and hands, ganglion cysts are non-cancerous lumps filled with fluids. The causes of ganglion cysts are unknown, but they might be attributed to prior injuries to the areas in which they are found. Ganglion cysts can be painful or not.
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Exercise and physical activity in general is good for your health. Over time, a regimen of cardiovascular workouts helps you maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
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Almost everyone has problems with occasional constipation, and approximately 63 million people in North America have persistent constipation problems, according to an April 2004 "American Journal of Gastroenterology" article.
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Long-sightedness, or farsightedness, is an eye condition where you can see objects clearly at a long distance and they are blurry at a short distance.
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Androgen excess is an endocrine disorder that is sometimes found in women during their reproductive years. While everyone has a combination of male and female hormones, women have more estrogen, and men have more androgen. However, certain conditions may cause women to produce excess androgen.
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Being a teenager can mean dealing with the daily stresses of trying to fit in, keeping up with school work and activities, and body image issues. Some teens are so busy that they gain an unhealthy amount of weight, in part because of poor diet and lack of exercise.
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Tamiflu, also known by its generic name, oseltamivir, is an antiviral drug used for the treatment of influenza. It works by slowing down the rate at which viruses infect cells. However, in common with other antivirals, Tamiflu does not eliminate the flu virus from the body, rather it slows its progress.
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Standard colonoscopy involves the visual inspection of the rectum and large intestine by insertion of a flexible video camera through the anus. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of people report abdominal pain or discomfort after a colonoscopy, according to an October 2011 "Gastrointestinal Endoscopy"
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According to the National Institute of Health, a yeast infection, also known as candida albicans, stems from a natural fungus found inside the body. When the body is out of balance from fatigue or stress, the yeast can grow abnormally. An excess amount of glucose in the body can also cause a yeast infection.
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Being exposed to certain bacteria when a cut or wound occurs can cause a disease called tetanus, or lockjaw. This disease leads to all over muscle pain and tightness, locking of the jaw that inhibits the ability to open the mouth and swallow and, in some cases, death. Tetanus shots can help to prevent this disease.
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The main ingredient in Metamucil, owned by Procter & Gamble, is psyllium husks. Psyllium fiber comes from the seed of the husk of plantago ovata, also called plantago isphagula, and is mainly present in bulk laxatives but now is also used as a non-systemic cholesterol-lowering agent.
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Cocaine is a highly addictive drug that is illegal in the United States. According to Drugs.com, the powder form of cocaine can be snorted up the nose or rubbed on areas of the skin like the gums or genitals. The powder can also be mixed with water and injected directly into the veins.
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Brain swelling, known in medical terminology as cerebral edema, is a manifestation of various brain injuries such as cancer or trauma, and is dangerous because it raises the pressure inside the skull. The skull is a thick chamber that is not compliant, which means it does not stretch.
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Head lice is common in schools and other environments with large numbers of people. Lice can spread by head-to-head contact, but you can also catch it through indirect contact, like using someone else's brush, borrowing someone's hat or even cuddling with an infected person's stuffed animals.
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A member of the legume family, the fenugreek plant has an innocuous appearance, but it packs a potent punch for women of all ages.
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Allergy to shellfish, including crab, is self-reported by 2.5 percent of American adults and 0.5 percent of American children, according to a December 2010 report published in “The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
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