Boils are pimple-like bumps that fill up with pus and become infected. They are unsightly, and if not treated properly the infection in a boil can spread. Once you know what a boil looks like, you should take steps to rid yourself of it carefully before it grows any larger and becomes more complicated to remove.

The American Council for Drug Education reports marijuana, also known as THC for its active ingredient of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, as the most commonly used illegal drug.

Drugs sometimes have side effects that linger for days or weeks after discontinuation. Vancomycin, a potent antibiotic, has long-term side effects that persist and may require medical or drug intervention for resolution; some effects may be irreversible.

After pregnancy, you might be surprised to learn that you have to continue watching what you eat and drink if you are breastfeeding. This is because the things you consume are passed to your baby through your breast milk.

The National Cholesterol Education Program, established in 1985, stresses the importance of getting your cholesterol checked at least every five years. Monitoring your cholesterol levels helps you to understand and control your risk for heart disease.

Kegel exercises are controlled muscle contractions designed to strengthen the muscles between the bones in your pelvis. Men commonly perform these exercises to combat the effects of urine leakage or urinary incontinence.

Blood pressure is defined as the force of the blood against the arterial walls and it is reported using two numbers. The systolic pressure is the pressure recorded when the heart is actively pumping blood through the arteries. The diastolic pressure is the measurement taken when the heart is at rest between beats.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint. This cartilage acts as a shock absorber for the knee joint during physical activity. MayoClinic.com states that any activity that causes a patient to forcefully twist or rotate the knee can lead to a torn meniscus.

Breast development often marks the beginning of puberty, and for many young girls and their parents, it can come as a bit of a surprise. Breast development in puberty may begin as early as 6 years of age.

The amount of cholesterol in your blood is directly correlated with your risk of developing heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Cholesterol tests involve drawing a blood sample from your arm to measure the level of cholesterol components in your blood.

You add hot, spicy foods to your diet because you enjoy the flavor, but you might be unaware of the possible health benefits of capsaicin, one of the natural compounds in these foods.

Maca plants are native to the Andes Mountains in Peru. Maca is available in four varieties -- cream, black, red or purple -- with none being medicinally superior to the others, according to the University of Michigan Health System.