Influenza Virus H1N1

Influenza Virus Characteristics

The influenza virus, conversationally called the flu, is an illness that's highly contagious and causes a number of different symptoms. There are many different types, or strains, of the influenza virus.

Read more →
Senior African woman smiling at African doctor in hospital

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Anemia in Women?

Anemia occurs when there is a problem with the red blood cells. Women with anemia may lack sufficient red blood cells or their blood cells may contain low levels of the protein hemoglobin, which carries oxygen throughout the body.

Read more →
Apraxia speech therapy session

How to Regain Speech After a Stroke

A stroke is a debilitating attack that strikes the brain, but can affect the whole body. A stroke can be caused by a clot or a hemorrhage in a blood vessel in the brain, and when blood supply is cut off, serious damage is done to the brain.

Read more →
sperm and egg cell

How to Increase Sperm Without Pills

To maximize a woman's chances of getting pregnant, it's important for a man to consider his own fertility and sperm count. A man needs to produce plenty of healthy sperm so they can fertilize an egg and create an embryo. One possible cause of infertility in men is low sperm count.

Read more →
Young woman playing tennis

Knee Pain From Tennis

When you're all caught up in your tennis match, nothing else matters but the thrill of competition. When you race across your end of the court to thwack the ball over the net, all you're interested in is the look on your opponent's face when you score a point. What you don't notice until after the game is knee pain.

Read more →

What Causes Hot Flashes Besides Menopause?

Hot flashes are one of the characteristic signs of menopause. The sudden wash of heat across your face and entire upper body, sweating, racing heart and nausea are just the beginning. Other symptoms include feeling weak, difficulty catching your breath and a sudden headache.

Read more →
Cocktail  with   fresh tomatoes

Muscle Pains During Fasting

People may fast for a variety of reasons, both spiritual and health-related. Whether you seek spiritual clarity, a detoxification of chemicals and toxins from your body, or a kick-start to your weight-loss program, fasting must be done safely to ensure no ill health effects.

Read more →
Close up of doctor's hands writing prescription

How Does Depakote Affect the Brain?

Depakote is the brand name for the medication divalproex sodium (or valproate semisodium). Depakote is a medication that affects the brain and is prescribed to manage many neurological diseases and conditions, including mania episodes of bipolar disorder, seizures and epilepsy and the prevention of migraine headaches.

Read more →
Senior woman with nurse

Preparing for a Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a major surgery that involves removal of all or part of a woman's uterus, and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well. After a hysterectomy, a woman will no longer menstruate or be able to become pregnant.

Read more →

How to Alleviate Pain From a Pinched Nerve While Pregnant

As beautiful as the miracle of life is, pregnancy can be a literal pain. Carrying around that extra weight can put a real strain on your back, especially when your nerve gets pinched and sends a shooting pain down your back, buttocks and legs. This condition, called sciatica, is a major concern for many pregnant women.

Read more →

Foods to Avoid After Heart Attack

If you've recently had a heart attack, your life has already started to change--and many more changes need to happen in order for you to get healthy and reduce your risk of additional problems.

Read more →

Running Shoes for Heel Spurs

Running is a high-impact exercise that puts significant stress on major joints such as your ankles, knees and hips. Sturdy running shoes that offer plenty of cushion and support and that fit your feet well are important for any runner.

Read more →
Sick baby, Soft focus and blurry, vintage style color effect

Fever in 2-Month-Old Babies

While a fever may not be too concerning for most healthy adults and even older children, fever in newborns can be a very serious matter. Their tiny bodies can't yet regulate temperature, and getting too hot can be dangerous. Fever can also signal a number of serious problems.

Read more →

Advantages & Disadvantages of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is one of the many therapies available as of 2011 to battle cancer. Radiation therapy uses high-energy doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells. It is often used in conjunction with other treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy, to destroy cancer cells.

Read more →

How to Tone Up During Pregnancy

You may think a fit, toned body is a lost cause during pregnancy, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Exercise can help you have a healthier pregnancy, make delivery easier on you and prevent too much weight gain, according to the Nemours Foundation.

Read more →

Remedy for a Bronchitis Cough

If you have bronchitis, you know that hacking cough is one of the worst parts of the illness. And if you have viral bronchitis, you have got to wait out the illness until the virus clears up.

Read more →

How to Prevent the Spread of Diseases

Many diseases and illnesses, including the flu, the common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis, are easily spread by contact from person to person. No one wants to catch someone else's germs, or to give an illness to someone else.

Read more →
Doctor in a hospital

Signs of Infection After Gallbladder Surgery

Gallbladder surgery, called cholecystectomy, is a procedure that removes the gallbladder. It's often necessary due to problems with gallstones or abnormal function of the gallbladder. It can be done laparoscopically or with a more invasive surgery with a bigger incision.

Read more →
Fried Sweet Potato, High Angle View, Differential Focus

Muscle Pain Due to Low Potassium

As an essential mineral, potassium helps your body's many processes run smoothly. Potassium allows your muscles to function properly so that you can walk, run and otherwise go about your day. Without enough potassium -- a condition called hypokalemia -- cells throughout your body suffer.

Read more →