The first year of a tobacco use habit holds risks for immediate health problems and the likelihood of an early death. Many people begin smoking or return to smoking with the aim of quitting before too much damage is done.
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Wait for two to three hours after eating before you take collagen pills. Since collagen needs to pass through your stomach and into the intestines without being broken down by stomach acid, collagen supplements must be taken on an empty stomach.
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Foot sprains of the ankle ligaments are common, with about 25,000 occurring each day, according to the the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Sprains usually result from the ankle turning inward. Tears in ligaments are known as sprains, while tears in muscle are called strains.
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While typically not a serious concern, a dry and itchy throat is a common -- and irritating -- complaint, particularly if it occurs frequently or over an extended period of time.
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Dry gangrene describes localized tissue death caused by loss of blood supply. The body tissues are kept alive by a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood, which also carries away tissue waste products.
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Some degree of anxiety when under stress is expected. Anxiety is your body’s way of communicating that something either makes you feel temporarily unsafe or stressed. Your body responds to anxiety in many different ways, causing more numerous and intense symptoms as the level of anxiety increases.
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Normally, the kidneys function as part of the excretory system and help the body filter waste out of the blood, which is then excreted as urine. The kidneys also help maintain a healthy blood pressure level within the body by removing excess salt and water from the blood.
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A fever that comes and goes in babies is alarming to parents. Often times, a fever is caused by a virus. However, if your baby’s fever lasts longer than two days, call her doctor.
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Nicotine is as addictive as alcohol, cocaine and morphine, according to MedlinePlus. Smoking withdrawal results in both mental and physical symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms usually peak in between the third and fifth days and fade after two weeks, but some can last for several months, warns “The New York Times.
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Date fruits are sweet, tropical fruits that you can eat as snacks, with cereal, in yogurt or fruit salads, or even in meat or poultry recipes for extra flavor. They are high in potassium and fat free, but they may be an unhealthy choice if you suffer from kidney stones.
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After discontinuing breastfeeding, it is not uncommon to experience pain in your breasts for several days or longer. Engorgement, plugged ducts and mastitis are painful complications of weaning, especially abrupt weaning.
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Whether in tea, ginger ale or eaten with food, ginger has been used to treat nausea, indigestion and diarrhea for thousands of years. In addition to its traditional use as a digestive aid, ginger is a good source of some vitamins and minerals that are essential to men's health.
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Many pregnant women question the safety and efficacy of taking herbal supplements during pregnancy. Cinnamon bark and cinnamon oil have been used for seasoning and medicinal purposes for centuries.
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Causes of a nighttime cough can vary from minor infections like a cold to more serious problems like asthma. A nighttime cough lasting more than 4 weeks is considered chronic and should be evaluated by a doctor.
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The pancreas is located just behind your stomach in the upper abdomen. It manufactures insulin and other digestive enzymes. Pancreatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the pancreas. It can be acute, which means it occurs suddenly, or it can be chronic, meaning it happens over and over again.
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Your liver helps produce urea, stores vitamins and minerals and aids in maintaining a steady level of glucose in the blood. When it becomes diseased, numerous health problems can arise. Fatty liver disease is one cause of hepatomegaly, but there are other conditions that cause your liver to become enlarged as well.
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Some foods and supplements may make shedding those pesky extra pounds a bit easier. For example, Garcinia cambogia is a fruit and a supplement that may help block body fat production and help you reach your target weight goal. More human studies are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety, however.
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Blocked ears can be painful and can temporarily impair hearing. The most common causes include colds, air travel, sinus infections and impacted earwax. There are exercises you can try to unblock your ears. If your ears remain blocked for more than 24 hours, you should seek medical advice.
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Your white blood cells are components in your immune system that actively seek out and fight various forms of infection. When you exercise, these cells increase their numbers and circulate more quickly through your body.
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Your body needs sodium, but high sodium levels in the blood can cause high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, Americans consume at least 1-1/2 tsp. of salt each day. This is about twice the amount you should consume if you have high blood pressure.
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