Cetirizine, the generic name for Zyrtec, is an antihistamine. An antihistamine treats the symptoms associated with allergies, hives and hay fever. In addition to seasonal allergies, cetirizine can be used to treat individuals with allergies to pet dander, dust and molds.
Read more →
Ringworm on the arms is also referred to as tinea corporis. Contrary to the name, worms do not cause the skin condition. This common fungal infection of then skin is highly contagious.
Read more →
Hemorrhoids are inflamed and swollen blood vessels in the rectum and anus. This painful condition can occur inside and outside of the body. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, itching and rectal bleeding.
Read more →
Testosterone is a male sex hormone. This hormone is what makes males appear male. The responsibilities of testosterone include producing sperm, growing facial and body hair, building muscle and maintaining a man’s libido.
Read more →
The human papillomavirus, or HPV, causes nonmalignant growths on the skin called warts, according to MayoClinic.com. Warts generally look like raised, rough bumps on the skin. Warts may cause pain and embarrassment. See a physician to determine if the skin growth is a wart.
Read more →
When urine becomes acidic, uric acid stones may form in the kidneys. Kidney stones cause symptoms such as pain in the back or side, burning during urination, blood in the urine and nausea. Lab tests on your urine can determine the acidity level and screen for risk factors that may cause the kidney stones.
Read more →
The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters to connect the kidneys to the bladder, the bladder to hold the urine and the urethra to connect the bladder to outside the body.
Read more →
A routine Pap smear may reveal abnormal cells, usually caused by HPV, on a woman’s cervix. This condition, called cervical dysplasia, may lead to cancer. A loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) removes abnormal cells from the cervix.
Read more →
Roundworms are long, round parasites that may infect humans and cause health problems. Most often, people ingest roundworm larvae or eggs after touching soil, although they may enter directly through the skin, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Read more →
The tonsils are two areas of lymph tissue on each side of the throat. Multiple cases of throat infections involving the tonsils or large tonsils creating problems such as sleep apnea are reasons to have the tonsils removed during a procedure called a tonsillectomy.
Read more →
Benign growths in the uterus, called uterine fibroids, might appear during childbearing years. Up to 75 percent of women develop a uterine fibroid at some point during their lives, and many cause no symptoms.
Read more →
Kidney stones form due to a crystallization of substances in the urine. This common condition occurs more often in men than women, especially during the fourth decade of life. Additional risk factors for developing the masses include dehydration, obesity, high-protein diets and a family history of kidney stones.
Read more →
Your nose is comprised of bone and cartilage, separated into two symmetrical hollow nostrils. Open sinus spaces sit in your forehead, at the top of your nostrils. As part of the respiratory system, the nose serves several functions.
Read more →
Tissues in the body may trap excessive fluid and cause swelling, which is referred to as edema. Individuals commonly notice this swelling in the hands, feet, ankles and legs, according to MayoClinic.com. Small amounts of swelling are normal and usually resolve spontaneously.
Read more →
There are four types of headaches, including tension headaches, inflammatory headaches, traction headaches and vascular headaches. A vascular headache occurs because of abnormal functioning with the blood vessels in the brain. Three types of vascular headaches include migraine, cluster and toxic headaches.
Read more →
Mucinex is an over-the-counter medication used to treat cough and chest congestion associated with a cold. The active ingredient in Mucinex is an expectorant called guaifenesin. Guaifenesin works to help loosen and thin mucous secretions in the chest in order to remove the congestion through coughing.
Read more →
A person can experience swelling in one toe or several toes at the same time. Several injuries or medical conditions can cause toes to swell. Common reasons to experience swelling in the toes include an injury to the toe, gout and psoriatic arthritis.
Read more →
When the body breaks down purines, a substance found in human tissue and in many foods, uric acid forms. Uric acid dissolves in the blood and passes through the kidneys and into urine for elimination.
Read more →
Ringworm is a fungal infection on the skin and may infect different areas of the body. If the fungi infect the area around the groin, referred to as jock itch or tinea cruris, an individual may experience symptoms such as red, scaly patches of skin and itching on the upper thigh, groin and lower abdomen.
Read more →
The appendix is a small finger-like pouch located on the intestines near where the small intestine meets the colon. Stool may block the appendix and cause an infection from trapped bacteria. This infection, referred to as appendicitis, requires surgical removal of the organ, referred to as an appendectomy.
Read more →