Managing infections involves identifying bacterial versus viral strains, implementing probiotic therapy, and following structured wound care protocols.
A dry tickling cough causes unwanted irritation throughout the day. A persistent cough interrupts school, work and even a good night’s rest, and may be associated with sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis or other underlying conditions. A variety of home remedies and over-the-counter medications bring relief to your cough.
Read more →
Antibiotics are chemicals that have the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, especially bacteria, and are either produced naturally by other microorganisms or synthetically in a laboratory.
Read more →
Nasal congestion is a common ailment that occurs in response to viruses, such as the cold and flu, allergies, sinus infections and other problems. Cleaning out your nose can improve your breathing, help you sleep and reduce your discomfort.
Read more →
A cough is a respiratory reaction that helps protect the lungs from irritating or damage substances. Coughing is a reflex action and involves rapid inhalation, closing off of the throat, increase in internal pressure in the chest, and forceful exhalation.
Read more →
Coughing sometimes serves an important protective function by expelling materials from the airways so they do not reach the lungs. However, a cough is also a troubling symptom and represents one of the most common reasons why patients seek a physician's help.
Read more →
Scrapes occur when you come into contact with an object forcefully enough to remove part of the top layer of skin. Scrapes can easily become infected, as the source of a scrape is rarely a clean object.
Read more →
A sinus infection occurs when the walls of the sinus cavity become inflamed, trapping mucus within the cavity, causing infection to set in, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most sinus infections are the result of seasonal allergies or the common cold.
Read more →
The stomach flu, also called viral gastroenteritis, is an infection that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Young children typically contract this infection by coming in contact with an infected person or contaminated food or water.
Read more →
Coughing is one of the most recognizable symptoms of illness. It can also be one of the most annoying. Frequent coughing can irritate the throat, make the ribs sore and even be embarrassing.
Read more →
Breastfeeding has a range of health benefits for both mother and baby, but when a mom gets sick, she might be afraid that her breast milk will carry that illness to the baby. Fortunately, your baby cannot catch the stomach flu from you through your breast milk.
Read more →
Skin occlusion occurs when something, usually a topical medication, is trapped on and, as a result, gets absorbed by your skin. If you have ever applied an antibacterial ointment to a cut, then covered that cut with a bandage, you have used skin occlusion to prevent infection and speed the healing process.
Read more →
Vomiting and rapid breathing in your two-year-old are alarming and troublesome. Although they are not always cause for alarm, these symptoms sometimes signal a serious condition or infection that requires a doctor’s treatment.
Read more →
If you think taking vitamin C can help prevent getting the stomach flu, you’re mistaken. While vitamin C contains antioxidant properties that may help strengthen the immune system, the only way to prevent the stomach flu is to avoid acquiring the virus that causes it.
Read more →
Not only may over-the-counter medications (OTCs) for cold and cough have undesirable side effects such as nervousness, drowsiness and nausea, but their effectiveness is increasingly being called into question. Many studies, in fact, have found certain OTCs to be no more effective than placebo.
Read more →
The herpes simplex virus is incurable -- once you’re infected, it stays with you for life. That may be a downer, but many people turn to lifestyle changes to help manage the condition and prevent outbreaks of the two types of herpes -- one that brings on cold sores and one that results in genital blisters.
Read more →
Endometrial tuberculosis, also referred to as uterine or genital tuberculosis, is a medical condition in women. This infection is caused by the abnormal presence of a specific type of bacterium, called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, within a woman's endometrial tissues, which line the interior wall of the uterus.
Read more →
Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects your upper respiratory system, causing symptoms such as congestion, cough, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. It is a highly contagious illness and is spread through the air and by touching contaminated surfaces.
Read more →
An inflammation of the brain, encephalitis commonly results from a viral infection, such as the herpes simplex virus. People can contract viral encephalitis by eating contaminated food or getting bitten by an insect carrying the virus.
Read more →
Individually, a tickling or pressure in your chest is associated with a variety of health conditions. Combined, the two symptoms may indicate additional issues, including asthma and a heart attack. Chest pressure is a symptom that always requires prompt medical attention.
Read more →
An infection involves the colonization of tissues in the body by bacteria, viruses or fungi. During the infection process, the infectious agent enters the body, identifies cells containing specific factors that facilitate infection, and then colonizes cells or tissues, leading to disease.
Read more →