Disease Guide: Diagnosis, Symptoms & Clinical Treatment Protocols

For patients and caregivers, understanding clinical progression, diagnostic imaging results, and pharmacological treatment options is vital for managing acute and chronic health conditions.

Fatty Liver and Gallstones

Fatty liver disease, or steatosis, is the most common cause of elevated liver enzymes in the United States, according to the American Family Physician website.

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The Side Effects of Swiss Kriss Herbal Laxative

Swiss Kriss is an herbal laxative used to treat mild constipation and improve bowel regularity. The tablets contain peach and strawberry leaves, anise and caraway seeds and hibiscus and calendula flowers.

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Vitamins Depleted by Alcohol

Used in moderation, alcohol appears to confer some health benefits. The American Heart Association reports that moderate intake of alcohol, 1 or 2 drinks daily, increases HDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of coronary heart disease. However, the adverse effects of excessive use of alcohol are well-documented.

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B12 Under the Tongue

Vitamin B-12, or cobalamin, participates in the synthesis of DNA within your cells; it is essential for the production of myelin, which is the insulating sheath that protects your nerves. Cobalamin deficiency leads to the production of enlarged, poorly-functioning red blood cells.

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Does Fat Slow Digestion?

Fats, or lipids, are an essential part of your diet. According to nutritionist Elson Haas, M.D., lipids are part of every cell membrane and every organ and tissue in your body.

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Can Digestive Enzymes Help GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, affects up to 25 percent of Americans and Europeans, according to a 2009 review in "American Family Physician." Heartburn is the most prominent symptom of GERD, but other symptoms, such as chest pain or pressure, abdominal pain and cough, are not uncommon.

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Healthy Blood Sugar Levels for Pregnant Women

Diabetes that begins during pregnancy is called gestational diabetes. This condition affects 5 to 9 percent of all pregnancies in the United States, and it is becoming more common, according to a July 2009 article in "American Family Physician." Pregnancy also aggravates preexisting type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

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Grapefruit's Effect on Thyroid Medication

Grapefruit is a popular and wholesome breakfast food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, grapefruit is the second leading citrus fruit consumed per capita in the United States. Grapefruits are rich in vitamin A, ascorbic acid, folic acid, potassium, fiber and flavonoids.

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The Stages of a Fatty Liver

Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, is caused by the accumulation of excess lipids within the cells of the liver. Steatosis is the liver’s most common response to injury, and it can occur during pregnancy, as a result of alcohol abuse or toxin exposure or in individuals who are overweight or obese.

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Elevated Liver Enzymes & IBS

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects up to 15 percent of Americans, but what if your symptoms include elevated liver enzymes? Learn about the connection between IBS and liver health, and find out why it's essential to investigate underlying conditions.

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Why Do You Feel Full Very Fast After Eating?

A sensation of fullness following a meal is a normal part of the digestive process. Signals from your gastrointestinal tract to your central nervous system serve as a means to ensure you consume enough calories to meet your energy needs, while simultaneously preventing overconsumption.

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Digestive Enzymes & Gas

Digestive gas, or flatulence, results from bacterial fermentation of undigested food in your intestine, mostly in the colon.

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Can Taking an Antihistamine Help IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is an intestinal condition that affects up to 15 percent of the U.S. population. IBS typically begins in your teens or early 20s and causes intermittent bouts of abdominal pain and altered bowel movements.

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Bloated With an Upset Stomach After Every Meal

Digestion is a complex process that requires coordination of physical and chemical factors. As you place food in your mouth and begin to chew, you are mechanically breaking it down and exposing it to digestive enzymes, releasing nutrients that will eventually be absorbed into your bloodstream.

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B1 and B12 Vitamins to Treat Peripheral Neuropathy

Your nervous system consists of two main divisions. Your central nervous system includes your brain and spinal cord, while your peripheral nervous system is comprised of long, filamentous nerve bundles outside of your skull and spinal column.

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Constant Tiredness With Acid Reflux

Acid reflux is a condition in which stomach contents and acid flow into your lower esophagus -- the tube leading from your throat to your stomach. Heartburn is the most common symptom of acid reflux, but other symptoms can also occur with this condition, including a dry cough, chest pain and a recurrent sore throat.

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About Alcohol and Stomach Bleeding

Although two-thirds of American adults drink alcohol at least occasionally, fewer than 10 percent become “problem drinkers,” and only 25 percent of drinkers experience serious consequences from alcohol use.

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Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase & Cancer

Alkaline phosphatase, or ALP, is an enzyme that is responsible for cleaving phosphate groups from other molecules, such as nucleotides, which are building blocks for DNA, and proteins.

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