Around 21 million Americans have diabetes, the University of Rochester Medical Center reports. Diabetes, an increase in blood glucose in the blood, affects the circulatory system in a number of ways. Circulatory problems from diabetes can cause increased disability and potentially life-threatening complications.
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L-carnosine, sometimes called simply carnosine, is a combination of two amino acids, alanine and histidine. Your body manufactures carnosine, found in high concentrations in skeletal muscle, the lenses of the eyes, the brain and the nervous system.
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An abnormally high number of platelets in pregnancy is far less common than low platelet levels. High platelet levels are either essential, or primary, meaning that an excess of platelets are being made in the bone marrow.
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Bones might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of calcium, but calcium performs other tasks in the body besides building strong bones. Calcium also helps transmit nerve impulses and regulate muscle contractions.
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Most conventional doctors don't believe that adrenal fatigue actually exists, according to MayoClinic.com. Many alternative practitioners, however, diagnose adrenal fatigue in people who have several non-specific symptoms, including fatigue, weight loss, body aches and skin rashes such as hives.
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Vitex, also called chasteberry or chaste tree berry, is used mainly as an herb to benefit hormonal problems. Vitex is used to treat breast pain and premenstrual symptoms.
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Inositol hexaphosphate, sometimes called vitamin B-8 or simply IP6, is a chemical found in a number of foods, including beans, grains, nuts and seeds. IP6 is also sold over-the-counter as a dietary supplement to treat depression and as an antioxidant and cancer prevention agent.
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Trigger thumb, also called stenosing tenosynovitis, is caused by a problem with the flexor tendon, which bends the thumb, and the tunnel it moves through. The tunnel is made up of a series of rings, or pulleys, that keep the tendon close to the bone.
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The carotid artery carries blood from the heart to the head and brain. There are two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck. Over time, carotid arteries can become clogged with plaque as a result of coronary artery disease.
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Ovarian cysts are common in women during reproductive years. Ovarian cysts are usually functional meaning they develop from the egg containing follicle that matures during the menstrual cycle, according to “A Gynecologist’s Second Opinion,” by William Parker, M.D.
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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.
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The average menstrual period lasts four to seven days; periods that last longer or that are excessively heavy are classified as menorrhagia. Menorrhagia can have many causes, from fibroids to endometriosis to ovarian dysfunction.
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Diabetes causes changes in blood sugar levels that can occur suddenly, especially after eating. While most diabetics focus on how high their blood sugars rise after eating, a sudden drop in blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, can also cause serious problems.
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Hot flashes, sudden sensations of heat accompanied by facial reddening, sweating and, sometimes, rapid heartbeat, nausea, headache and anxiety, most often occur in menopausal women, but can occur in women -- or men -- as young as age 31.
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Falls occur commonly in pregnant women, due to changes in the center of gravity and the relaxation of joints and soft tissue that occur in pregnancy.
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The optic nerve carries electrical impulses from the retina at the back of the eye to your brain for processing. Any disorder that damages the optic nerve can cause permanent vision loss. Certain vitamins may help treat optic nerve disorders.
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Diabetes causes higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, which can damage small blood vessels in the eye. Many people with diabetes suffer vision complications that develop slowly over the course of their disease.
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Your blood glucose levels can determine whether you have or are at risk for developing diabetes, a condition in which your body no longer effectively processes and absorbs glucose from the bloodstream. Blood glucose levels fluctuate during the day, particularly after meals.
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Allergic reactions occur when a person’s immune system produces antibodies called IgE against the allergen. The next time the person encounters the substance, IgE tells the white blood cells to produce histamine, which rapidly produces allergic symptoms such as itching, rash, wheezing and edema.
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Constipation is one of the well-known banes of pregnancy. Your bowels turn sluggish during pregnancy for a variety of reasons, ranging from pressure on the bowel to usage of medications such as iron supplements.
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