Lexapro is the brand name for escitalopram, an antidepressant medication belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Lexapro is a safe and effective medication for most people, but it has possible side effects.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Your heart is responsible for supplying blood to every living cell in your body. To perform this essential task, your heart must beat in a controlled fashion so it can fill and empty efficiently.
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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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Gold is more than just an expensive yellow metal. It has been exploited by physicians for decades to treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and a variety of other disorders.
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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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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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Impetigo is the most common bacterial skin infection in children 2 to 5 years of age, but adults can also be affected by this highly contagious condition.
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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 gas, or flatulence, results from bacterial fermentation of undigested food in your intestine, mostly in the colon.
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Phospholipids comprise an important class of biological molecules that serve both structural and functional roles in the human body.
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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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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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Progressive muscular weakness, muscle wasting, loss of coordination, balance problems and walking difficulties are characteristics of a number of diseases.
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