Overview Allergies are the result of an unusually sensitive immune system responding to substances known as allergens. Patients with mold allergies have a strong reaction to certain kinds of mold. These allergies are often worse from July until the end…
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Overview Like other forms of neuropathy, a patient with alcoholic neuropathy has damage to her nerves. Depending on the type of nerves affected, the patient can have problems with sensation, movement or autonomic functions, like urination. While excessive alcohol use…
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Just a decade ago, most gallbladder removal surgeries required five- to eight-inch abdominal incisions and a six-week recovery period. Today, around 80 percent of gallbladder surgeries, known as cholecystectomies, are done laparoscopically, through several very small incisions, the Comprehensive Center…
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Overview Fibrocystic changes (FCCs) in the female breast are an extremely common occurrence. Estimates suggest that one-third of women between the ages of 20 and 45 years will develop this problem. FCCs are benign, meaning non-cancerous, and with rare exception…
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October 29, 2013 Sexual and Reproductive Health
In 1948, Dr. Arnold Kegel developed exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor particularly for women after going through childbirth. Today, these exercises are still a staple for the pregnant and postpartum woman but are also recommended for…
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Women who abuse drugs during pregnancy face increased risks for many different problems for both themselves and their babies. Four of the most common complications associated with substance abuse are miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery and birth defects. With…
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1. Talk to Your Doctor Family doctors are trained to deal with a wide range of illnesses, including psychological illnesses. If you or one of your family members has symptoms of bulimia, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He should…
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1. Concoct the Perfect Bowl of Chicken Soup Chicken soup is the most popular home remedy for a cold. Studies have shown that the zinc in chicken can help with the symptoms of a cold. While you can buy canned…
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Neuropathy, a condition in which the nerves are damaged, affects the three types of nerves in the body: sensory, motor and autonomic nerves. For example, damage to the sensory nerves alters the patient’s ability to feel changes in temperature. When…
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October 29, 2013 Diet and Nutrition
The South Beach Diet is based on the premise that fat is caused by bad carbohydrates. According to “The South Beach Diet” author Arthur Agatston, bad carbohydrates lack fiber, are highly processed, and are often founds in breads and snacks….
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Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disease characterized by decreased thyroid function. It can affect almost all organ systems and can often present with vague symptoms, making diagnosis tricky. It can result from a variety of causes, including previous thyroid surgery, autoimmune…
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Overview Even though allergies and asthma are separate health issues, their symptoms can overlap. To make matters more confusing, sometimes allergies can trigger asthma attacks, too. Defined as “allergic asthma,” this condition currently affects over 2.5 million children in the…
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Smokers are familiar with the Surgeon General’s warnings printed on the sides of cigarette cartons: “Tobacco Use Increases the Risk of Infertility, Stillbirth and Low Birth Weight.” The dangers of smoking during pregnancy are well established, and a mother can…
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Blood transfusion risks range from mild to severe reactions. Some occur infrequently, while others are more common. Some occur within minutes, and others can take weeks to manifest. Risks depend, in part, on the blood product being transfused. Blood products…
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Water polo is a team sport played in a swimming pool. There are six players per team in the field and one goalkeeper. The game is similar to basketball in that all players (besides the goalkeeper) move from end to…
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Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm in which the heart quivers instead of beating regularly. This occurs because the command center of the heart fails to coordinate activity with the pumping center. People may thus experience tiredness or the…
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Good posture improves blood circulation, energy levels, muscle tone and breathing. The shoulder girdle aligns with the spine and pelvis bones and is very important in correct posture. It is also referred to as the pectoral girdle and consists of…
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Male impotence is characterized by an inability to maintain an erection well enough to engage in sexual intercourse. It is also called erectile dysfunction. Impotence has many causes and is more common in older men. It is not, however, a…
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Overview Heartburn, also referred to as acid reflux, is a common side effect of pregnancy. Some heartburn sufferers have experienced the pain of acid reflux before, while many other women experience heartburn symptoms for the first time while they are…
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October 29, 2013 Sexual and Reproductive Health
1. Pharmaceutical Assistance From Impotence Drugs There are several prescription medications, such as Viagra or Revatio (branded versions of the drug sildenafil citrate), available on the market to treat erectile dysfunction. While they offer a temporary fix for the problem,…
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Infant botulism is a rare illness, occurring fewer than 100 times per year in the United States, says KidsHealth.org. Infants are more susceptible to the illness because of an immature immune system. Symptoms of botulism develop between three and 30…
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October 29, 2013 Children's Health
After babies are born, their patterns of sleep include sleeping through most of the day. According to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, newborns usually need about 16 hours of sleep per day. As they get older, they sleep…
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October 29, 2013 Sexual and Reproductive Health
Being pregnant is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. There are many changes that occur during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. The 40 weeks are broken into the first trimester, second trimester and third trimester. The…
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Although breathing is a natural process, the Discovery Health website explains that many people do not understand how doing it improperly affects their lives. “Breathing incorrectly can produce tension, exhaustion and vocal strain, interfere with athletic activity and encourage aches…
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1. Continue Your Normal Oral Health Regimen Wearing braces requires that you augment, not change or abandon, the way you normally clean your teeth. Don’t focus on the apparatus to the exclusion of the teeth or gum line. If you…
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Overview Whether you are a Major League Baseball hopeful or a weekend warrior, all baseball and softball players must learn how to hold the bat properly. Holding the bat correctly allows for increases in the number and distance of hits….
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1. Doctor’s Office Treatments The raspy, wheezing that your child makes, that unmistakable sound called stridor, is probably the most alarming symptom of laryngeotracheobronchitis, commonly called croup. Croup is also characterized by a cough that makes your child sound like…
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October 29, 2013 Children's Health
Overview One of the steps of potty training your child is helping him stay dry at night. Although he may be able to spend the day accident free, it may be several months to years until he is trained at…
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Cancer cells circulating in the blood are usually tumors of the blood cells themselves, known as leukemias. The World Health Organization recognizes more than 32 unique leukemias arising in children and adults. Acute leukemias usually have a more rapid onset…
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Overview Being left-handed in modern society can be very difficult and frustrating. However, when playing baseball or softball, batting left-handed can actually be an advantage. Since left-handed batters are rare, most pitchers have a difficult time pitching to them and,…
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