Discs are the pillow-like sacs between your vertebrae that absorb the shock in your spine when you walk, jump and twist. Your discs are constantly filling up and reducing the amount of fluid inside them. Without the thick jelly absorbency in the discs, your spine would break and crack.
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A true food allergy can cause you to go into anaphylactic shock when you ingest the substance to which you’re allergic. Symptoms can be life-threatening and require emergency treatment. In less severe reactions, supplements may reduce your milder symptoms.
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Unfortunately, most cases of prostate cancer are not diagnosed until they’ve reached advanced stages. The disease generally is slow growing and treatment is slow to produce results. L-arginine, also referred to simply as arginine, is a semi-essential amino acid that triggers your body to produce protein.
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While a big bowl of your favorite ice cream may be associated with childhood memories of happiness and carefree living, deeper physical responses may be at work, triggering various moods when you eat the sweet treat. Ice cream causes both a physical and an emotional set of responses in many people.
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Fruits and vegetables provide a slew of vital nutrients, are low in calories and high in fiber. For some people, however, getting enough fresh fruit in their diets is difficult. Eating fruit, especially in large amounts, has a number of disadvantages.
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Fish oil has anti-inflammatory properties and a high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids. The nutrients in fish oil also aid brain function and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, arthritis and cancer, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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The terms salt and sodium often are used interchangeably, but sodium actually is an ingredient of table salt, which also contains chloride and iodine. Many foods, such as those that come from salt water like sea vegetables and seafood, contain significant amounts of sodium.
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Muscle twitches also are called spasms and occur when your muscles involuntarily contract. Twitches usually are short-lived but they can be painful. The most common areas that develop spasms are the hands, feet, toes and thumbs, according to Medline Plus.
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Turmeric is a plant used to make the popular Indian spice curry. According to Medline Plus, the turmeric root is commonly used for medicinal purposes.
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Even women who are malnourished can successfully breastfeed a baby because of the body's inherent abilities to support life, according to UpToDate, a resource devoted to clinicians.
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Depending on the reason you are undergoing your physical exam, the instructions from your doctor about what to eat may vary. Follow your doctor’s orders about what to eat before your health checkup.
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Folic acid is a B-complex vitamin, a water-soluble vitamin primarily found in fortified foods and vitamin supplements. It is not a vitamin inherently found in most foods, and your body does not manufacture it. Folic acid is a stable form of folate, which is inherent in food and the body.
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Calf muscles atrophy for a number of reasons. Disuse following leg surgery, disease, nutritional deficiencies and genetic problems can cause the muscles in the calves to become weak and soft. Exercise, stretching and daily use can help with rehabilitation.
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Botox is the brand name of the formula containing clostridium botulinum, a toxin used to treat weakened muscles, facial twitches and uncontrolled blinking, report doctors at Cleveland Clinic. Cosmetic surgeons inject Botox into areas of the skin to reduce wrinkles and facial creases.
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There are a slew of reasons to incorporate finger exercises in your daily workout routine. Sports such as rock climbing and rowing require athletes to maintain a strong grip. Strong finger muscles also can help for people with arthritis or other debilitating conditions that affect their hands.
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Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, is a method of stimulating the nerves to reduce pain and stimulate muscle tension for toning.
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A normal part of the walking and running gait, foot supination occurs as you place your weight is placed on the outside of the foot, roll the foot forward and raise the arch. When the roll is exaggerated, it's called oversupination. This places undue stress on the feet and legs.
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Cycling requires a high level of endurance training before you can successfully tackle a long-distance ride. According to the Sports Fitness Advisor, cyclists training for long-distance rides should push themselves to the limits to prepare.
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The cervical bones in the spine are numbered one through seven. A disc that absorbs shocks cushions each bone. When the vertebrae become injured or stressed, it can result in neck or back pain, according to the Mayfield Clinic. Pain can be acute or chronic and often can be relieved by rest and exercise.
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People decide to get a nose job, or rhinoplasty, to change the shape or appearance of their noses. The procedure often is done to restore balance to a face, get an unsightly bump removed or to repair obstructed airways.
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