Diseases & Health Conditions

Diarrhea in children and infants is the elimination of loose stools. Diarrhea most commonly occurs in response to gastrointestinal infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses, according to the National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). It can also be brought…
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The Greek physician Hippocrates, considered by many as the “father of Western medicine”, once said, “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Certain foods are considered functional foods, that is, they contain healing properties above…
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Overview Mannose is a simple sugar with a molecular structure that is the mirror image of glucose. While mannose is naturally occurring in many plants and fruits, extraction from these sources changes its structure slightly. The extracted product is known…
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According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), since the start of the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic in 1981, nearly 600,000 people have died of the infection in the United States. The virus causes acquired…
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GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused by a backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus that irritates the cell tissues. It is characterized by frequent heartburn that recurs more than twice a week. Other symptoms include sore throat,…
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According to the Mayo Clinic, a sinus headache is a headache resulting from a sinus infection. The sinuses become inflamed and swollen as the result of the infection, placing excessive pressure on various parts of the head, including the ears,…
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Contrary to popular belief, agoraphobia is not the fear of people or public areas. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, individuals with agoraphobia suffer from the fear of having a panic attack. Crowds and…
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All narcotics are derived from opium and are called either opiates or opioids. Narcotic painkillers used in today’s medicine consist of the opioid family, and are legally available through prescription from a doctor. The most common of these forms of legal…
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According to the Yale Substance Abuse Treatment Unit, opiates are a pain relieving class of drugs that include heroin, methadone, and oxycodone. Opiates may cause a feeling of euphoria, in addition to drowsiness and mood changes. When opiates are used…
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Bipolar disorders involve distinct periods, called episodes, during which disturbances in mood and behavior are present. Episodes may be depressive, manic, hypomanic or mixed. Major depressive episodes are characterized by depressed mood and lack of interest for at least two…
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Trichomoniasis, caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the most common curable sexually transmitted disease (STD) in young, sexually active women. The disease affects both men and women, however,…
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Cocaine is a highly addictive street drug that produces a sense of extreme joy when it triggers the release of higher than normal amounts of biochemicals in the brain. The drug is classified as a stimulant and heightens energy, alertness,…
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Prescription medications can help improve symptoms of depression and in many cases attempt to restore the balance of chemicals in the brain that were imbalanced and often the cause of symptoms. Several medications are useful in treating the symptoms of…
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According to the National Kidney Foundation, more than 26 million Americans suffer with some form of chronic kidney disease. The causes vary widely and range from heart disease and hypertension to diabetes and genetics. Early detection and treatment with medication…
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The diagnosis of celiac disease can sometimes be difficult. Celiac is also known as “the great imitator” because many of its symptoms can resemble those of numerous other health conditions. Some people will experience skin rashes, others may have more…
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Alcohol abuse is defined as using alcohol to the point of impaired judgment, social repercussions and recurring legal consequences in a frequent manner, says the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. If you are an alcohol abuser, you use…
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Bipolar disorder is a form of mental illness that produces high and low mood swings. It is broken into several forms. Bipolar I is the traditional form known previously as manic-depressive disorder, and is characterized by long periods of depression…
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Opiates are a class of drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain. Drug formulations containing opiates often include another other pain medication, like acetaminophen, in order to achieve a synergistic effect. Commonly prescribed opiate formulations include: Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin…
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Herpes of the mouth is an incurable viral disease known by several different names, including herpes labialis, cold sores and fever blisters. The American Social Health Association advises that somewhere between 50 and 80 percent of adults in the United…
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Antidepressants are medications used to treat major depressive disorder. Signs and symptoms of depression can include feeling sad, worthless and anxious. A depressed person also typically has trouble concentrating and sleeping and may have negative feelings that could include thoughts…
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Breast cancer involves the transformation of breast tissue cells into cells that grow uncontrollably. Breast cancer cells can absorb available nutrients resulting in the death of normal tissue, and can metastasize, meaning they spread to other sites in the body….
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In 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General expanded the list of known diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. Researchers have determined that because smoke circulates throughout the body, tobacco use can damage almost any organ, not just the lungs. From cancer to…
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The Bach Flower Remedies were discovered by Dr. Edward Bach at the Bach Centre. The flower remedies number 38 and plants are designated to a certain mental state or characteristic. The original Bach Flower Remedies system has additions to the…
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Overview Willow bark contains salicin, a potent pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent. Thousands of years ago, those seeking comfort from this herb chewed on leaves or the bark to treat and reduce fever. The salicins in white willow bark were…
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According to the Mayo Clinic, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin’s disease, is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body’s immune system. The lymph nodes, the spleen, the bone marrow, and the thymus gland are…
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The bark of Salix alba, or willow, has been used as an herbal remedy for over 2,000 years. Chewing on willow bark relieved pain and inflammation, and willow bark supplements continue to do so today. The University of Maryland Medical…
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Education is one of the most effective means of drug abuse prevention among children. Cocaine use can rob a child of her future and, in some cases, her life. Knowing the facts about this drug may prevent and save a…
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Food allergies affect approximately 2 million children in the US, according to staff at the Cleveland Clinic. Common food allergens include milk, eggs, wheat, soy and peanuts. Your body produces an immune response when you consume products that you may…
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The lungs contain a number of specialized cell types that facilitate the transfer of oxygen from air in the lungs into the bloodstream, to allow oxygenation of tissues throughout the body. Lung cancer develops when any of the cells within…
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Smoking is the leading cause of cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute, but some adolescents and younger smokers may dismiss that concern, believing that cancer is far in the future. However, all smokers should know that smoking won’t affect…
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