For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.
As of 2006 diabetes was the seventh cause of death in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Society. By 2007 the medical costs of diagnosed diabetes exceeded $100 billion. Medication is a major factor in treating diabetes.
Read more →
The widow’s peak is a classic sign of male-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. In this condition, the front hairline recedes at both corners, resulting in the M-shaped front hairline known as a widow’s peak. Men as young as 20 can begin to recede at the temples and thin in the crown.
Read more →
Calendula cream is made from the petal-like florets of the calendula flowers. The florets are used fresh or dried and powdered. According to the U. S. National Library of Medicine, topical calendula creams and ointments contain 2 to 5 percent calendula.
Read more →
The circulatory system is the body’s transportation superhighway. As the blood circulates through the body, it brings oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues and picks up the waste products, delivering them to the kidneys and lungs to be expelled. The heart is the pump of this closed-circuit system.
Read more →
The arch is perhaps the most important structural feature of our feet, which bear 200,000 to 300,000 lbs. of stress each mile we walk. Arches absorb the brunt of the pressure our bodies thrust upon our feet with each stride. Arch height may vary significantly from person to person.
Read more →
Mussels, sometimes called "the poor man's oyster," feature glossy dark blue shells and delicately flavored flesh. Rich in protein and minerals and high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, mussels can be a healthful dietary choice. However, not everyone can or should eat them.
Read more →
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ responsible for the production of several digestive enzymes and the hormone insulin.
Read more →
Recovery from abdominal surgery will entail rebuilding your stomach muscles; especially any muscles that were cut to access the abdominal cavity during, for example, a hysterectomy, a cesarean section or an open hernia repair. Do not attempt any traditional abdominal exercises immediately after surgery.
Read more →
Iron is a very important mineral. Red blood cells in the body contain hemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen to the cells. Myoglobin performs a similar function for muscle cells. Both hemoglobin and myoglobin contain iron, although most of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin.
Read more →
When a doctor tests your reflexes, she looks not only for movement of the stimulated muscle but also for speed and briskness of reaction. Slow or diminished reflexes can indicate a localized problem or a remote disease affecting neural function, likely near the spine.
Read more →
Fish offer a number of health benefits. Large, fatty fish like salmon, which eat smaller fish, contain omega-3 fatty acids that have a number of cardiovascular benefits.
Read more →
Dates are a high-fiber fruit that is commonly sold whole or chopped. Dates are considered a common natural treatment for constipation. If you notice that stomach pain follows the consumption of dates, you may need to talk with your doctor to determine the cause.
Read more →
Those pesky dandelions on your front lawn may cause hours of work when you have to dig them out of your grass; however, you may be surprised to find out that those bright yellow weeds are highly respected as medicinal herbs, with a wide range of uses.
Read more →
Sweating is a normal physiological response to warm temperatures, exercise and the consumption of certain foods. However, there are many other possible causes of sweating, according to the Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, including anxiety, substance abuse and numerous acute and chronic health problems.
Read more →
Yellow Jacket is a label of energy pills containing ephedra and caffeine. Yellow Jacket pills contain 25 mg of ephedrine with 200 mg of caffeine. They are also promoted as diet pills. Yellow Jackets are also the street name for barbiturates.
Read more →
If you only develop stomach pain after eating breakfast, assess what you’re eating on a daily basis that could potentially cause irritation to the stomach. Pain in the stomach is caused by a food-induced condition, most likely food intolerance, food allergy or irritable bowel syndrome.
Read more →
Digoxin is a medicine used to treat certain heart conditions. It can be used to treat congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart muscle is weak and unable to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body.
Read more →
Most people associate abnormal calcium levels with bone problems such as osteoporosis, but in fact, calcium functions in a wide variety of very important capacities within the human body.
Read more →
Sciatica is the common name for pain from irritated nerves along the low back, legs and feet. Along with pain, there may be associated numbness and weakness. Sciatica is so common that entire medical specialties are dedicated to diagnosing and treating it.
Read more →
The National Library of Medicine reports that 99 percent of the calcium that is taken into the body is deposited into the teeth and bones and the calcium left over is absorbed into the bloodstream. However, sometimes calcium deposits are unabsorbed and as a result are deposited into the soft tissues.
Read more →