Overview The eyes may be the windows to your soul, but foot reflexologists are more interested in the windows to your “sole.” Reflexologists believe that your feet are the key to better health. Practitioners of this technique say that by…
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Overview A fever in a small child can be alarming, especially when it occurs in the middle of the night. With doctors’ offices closed and the child possibly displaying other symptoms, it is easy to feel confused and overwhelmed. While…
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April 18, 2015 Diet & Nutrition
Overview Feverfew, or Tanacetum parthenium, is a member of the daisy family. The plant originated in the Balkan Mountains, then spread across Europe. It is grown as a garden flower, and has been naturalized in North America and Australia. Aside…
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Adrenal fatigue occurs when the adrenal glands do not function at an optimal level, especially after periods of prolonged stress. The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, produce adrenaline, cortisol, estrogen, aldosterone and testosterone. When these hormones are unbalanced, the…
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April 18, 2015 Sports & Recreation
Softball is often sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and International Softball Federation. There are numerous rules of the game when playing softball. The rules are very similar to baseball rules. Pitching The pitcher is only allowed to throw…
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April 18, 2015 Weight Management
In order to increase the strength and definition of your abdominal muscles, you need to lose excess fat. You can get strong abs and lose fat by performing exercises that will build muscle, as well as elevate your heart rate…
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The liver is a person’s biggest internal organ. It serves as the body’s filter and also is involved in metabolic processes, helps regulate fat storage, produces proteins, helps regulate blood flow, helps control blood sugar and supports the digestive system,…
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April 18, 2015 Diet & Nutrition
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge. The body needs electrolytes to regulate nerve and muscle function, maintain acid-base balance and maintain fluid balance. Electrolytes such as chloride, potassium, sodium, magnesium and calcium can be lost through sweat and…
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Bilberry is a close relative of the cranberry, blueberry and huckleberry. It has dark purple berries that ripen in late summer and look and taste similar to the American blueberry. It grows to 16 inches tall, with pointed, oval leaves…
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Flat tummies and six-pack abs are a goal for plenty of people, especially just after the New Year is beginning or swim season is drawing close. There is no magic bullet for flattening your stomach. Some people get good results…
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Shoulder injuries caused by overuse or trauma all have one common symptom: shoulder pain. The pain location and speed of onset give clues as to which disorder has occurred. These may involve the muscles, tendons, bursae, ligaments, bones and/or joints…
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Lice are tiny parasites that live on the scalp of humans and feed on small amounts of blood. According to KidsHealth.org, an award-winning health-information website, lice are a very common problem, especially among kids ages 3 to 12. Girls typically…
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April 18, 2015 Skincare & Beauty
Sea salt is popular among gourmet cooking enthusiasts thanks to its rich flavor. Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietitian with the Mayo Clinic, writes that traditional table salt and sea salt are identical chemically, but trace elements in sea water produce…
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April 18, 2015 Diseases & Health Conditions
The blood is made up of a number of cells and compounds, which fall into the general categories of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets, which are suspended in a saline solution called plasma. The cells of the…
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A variety of exercises and herbs can naturally calm your nerves. In addition to avoiding stressors, you can use meditation, yoga and even aromatherapy to calm your nerves without the use of prescription medications. Such modalities can have a beneficial…
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Stress is a normal reaction to any given situation that causes frustration, anger, worry or excitement. Stress is individualized and typically manageable. Anxiety is a more persistent feeling of fear and uneasiness. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),…
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Overview If you are looking for an herbal remedy to knock the edge off of your anxiety and help you sleep more soundly, you may take a look at the herb kava. Known in its native South Pacific as a…
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The body’s digestive system is a self-regulating, self-cleaning system. From the time when food enters the body to the point when it leaves, the body’s chemicals maintain a healthy inner environment, as explained by University of Illinois-Chicago Emeritus Professor Kelvin…
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Millions of people worldwide wear contact lenses every day. However, these alternatives to glasses or surgery can introduce bacterial, fungal or amoebic infection into the eye, causing pain, redness and vision limitations. Infections of the cornea, called keratitis, can occur…
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Overview In order to continue to operate, the systems of the body require nutrients. Blood supplies body tissues with fresh oxygen and and nutrients such as glucose, while carrying away carbon dioxide and metabolic waste. In periods of increased exertion,…
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Shoulder injuries most commonly occur to the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, and may occur due to acute or chronic overuse. An alternate source of injury is a fall or a blow to one of the three shoulder bones. When…
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April 18, 2015 Causes of Breakthrough Menstrual Bleeding
Breakthrough bleeding is bleeding that is not regular or not expected between menstrual cycles. It occurs while a woman is taking oral contraceptives or birth control containing hormones. While the reason behind some breakthrough menstrual bleeding remains a mystery, there…
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Overview The scientific name for kava, a member of the pepper family, is Piper methysticum. The word “kava” refers to both the kava plant and the traditional Polynesian milky beverage prepared from its roots. Purported to produce a state of…
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April 18, 2015 Diet & Nutrition
Overview Bitter melon, the edible fruit of the Momordica charantia plant, grows in tropical and subtropical climates and is used as both food and medicine in a number of cultures. Bitter melon is used as a digestive aid and an…
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April 18, 2015 Diseases & Health Conditions
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, occurs as a sensitivity to outdoor allergens. For sufferers of hay fever, the spring, summer and fall bring itchy and watery eyes, sneezing and a stuffy nose when grass, trees and ragweed bloom. The Asthma…
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, affects as many as 1 million Americans, estimates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a debilitating syndrome that usually requires medical intervention to manage. Most Americans suffer from periods of fatigue now…
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April 18, 2015 Skincare & Beauty
In addition to therapeutic benefits, such as relaxation, pain relief and stress reduction, massage can be a great way for people to connect emotionally and physically, according to the Mayo Clinic. A back massage can be an effective way to…
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Modern living can be taxing on the body’s internal organs, especially the liver and kidneys. The kidneys filter liquid waste, which then passes from the body. Toxic buildup of the kidneys can lead to edema, kidney infections, and eventually renal…
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April 18, 2015 Diet & Nutrition
Probiotic drinks have been advertised in media as beneficial to your health. The packages contain wording like, “Helps strengthen your body’s defenses” on DanActive, and “Scientifically proven to help with slow intestinal transit when enjoyed daily for two weeks as…
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Overview Treatment for skin cancers ranges from simple, topical medications to surgical excisions or microsurgical methods performed with local anesthetic in a dermatologist’s office. Sometimes a biopsy to study the growth gets rid of the cancer, too. Regardless, treatment must…
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