Diseases & Health Conditions

The bladder, a muscular organ that stores urine, can become inflamed, leading to a condition known as cystitis. This can result from a bacterial or viral infection, although in some cases, it occurs for no identifiable reason. Bacterial cystitis can…
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A migraine refers to a painful headache associated with throbbing or pulsating pain that can occur for about 4 to 72 hours. The University of Maryland Medical Center says that additional migraine symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, fatigue and visual…
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House dust mites (HDM) are the most common cause of year-long indoor allergies and asthma, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Dust mites are microscopic animals related to spiders that feed on skin cells that…
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Senna, an herbal stimulant laxative, is commonly used as a short-term treatment for constipation. Teas made from this harsh laxative enable bowel movements by irritating the lining of the colon, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Moderate doses…
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Springtime brings forth budding flowers as well as heightened allergies. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, allergic diseases affect 40 to 50 million U.S. residents each year. The most common symptom, eye allergies, affect a resounding…
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Overview Acid reflux occurs when a muscle valve in the esophagus does not function properly and allows stomach acid to back up into the throat. Heartburn results to produce burning or painful sensations in the chest and throat. Frequent bouts…
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The human body is remarkably complex and adaptable. It possesses intricate and redundant systems to ensure continued function in the face of substantial challenges encountered through a seemingly countless array of disorders. In most cases, the body is capable of…
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Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the number one cause of peptic ulcer disease. In peptic ulcer disease, sores arise from the weakening of normal protective mechanisms in the lining of the stomach or small intestine (duodenum). Although other causes and…
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Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a distressing condition characterized by persistent, uncontrollable worry about a variety of things. The anxiety is so pronounced that it interferes with an individual’s social and occupational functioning. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental…
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Overview Smoking and drinking often go together, even for people who drink responsibly but may have smoked in the past once in a while. Potential health problems surface when people drink and smoke regularly. Smoking and drinking can become addictions….
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Urinary tract infections are extremely common bacterial infections that often cause symptoms of pain with urination; urinary frequency, which is the sensation that one has to empty the bladder, but very little comes out; urgency, or the feeling that one…
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Tissue swells when it is damaged or injured. Swelling is part of the healing process. An allergic reaction to an insect bite, food or medication alerts the immune system that a dangerous invader is attacking. Swelling is the body’s way…
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Overview The esophagus, or food pipe, is a tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Barrett’s esophagus is a condition where the normal tissue lining the esophagus changes to a tissue that resembles the lining of the…
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Overview According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, compulsive overeating disorder, more commonly called binge eating disorder, is the most common of all eating disorders. It affects about 3 percent of all adults in the…
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Overview Abilify is the brand name of the generic drug aripiprazole. It is an atypical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. During the past 10 years, Abilify has also been used as an “add-on” medication to treat…
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Approximately 24 million men and 21 million women smoke, according to American Heart Association (AHA). These people face a greater risk of stroke or heart attack than non-smokers, among a multitude of other diseases. Knowing the possible health risks may…
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APAP is the scientific abbreviation for acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand name Tylenol in the United States. Acetaminophen, sold over the counter, is a safe drug when taken in doses of less than 4,000mg per day for adults. Doses…
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People have used the bark of Salix alba (white willow) for over 2000 years for its therapeutic benefits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Willow bark contains the chemical salicin, from which scientists originally developed aspirin (acetylsalicylic…
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Overview Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones gradually become weaker and brittle as they are broken down over time. Post-menopausal women are especially at risk of developing osteoporosis, which can lead to easy fracturing of the bones. Alendronate…
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Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways of the lungs. The symptoms of asthma are caused by narrowing or constriction of the airways and inflammation.. Both cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. What triggers asthma symptoms…
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Diarrhea, the name for frequent, watery stools, causes fluids and food to pass through the colon too fast or in too great a volume for proper fluid absorption by the body. Acute diarrhea, which is typically caused by infection or…
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Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) refers to the inability to control behavior. Diagnosis requires one of three different behavior types: hyperactivity, inattentiveness or a combination of both. Cases are becoming more prevalent, affecting up to 15 percent of school-age children…
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Overview Cocaine is an addictive drug that is snorted, injected or smoked. Crack cocaine is a street name for the form of cocaine that is processed into a rock crystal, the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains. The crystal is…
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Overview The Mayo Clinic reports that serotonin is a chemical produced in the brain that is needed for brain function and the creation of healthy nerve cells. Serotonin syndrome is caused when there is an overproduction of serotonin by the…
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Childhood asthma has become increasingly prevalent in children in the last 40 years, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. In fact, the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute states that some six million kids currently suffer from this…
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Suboxone is a synthetic opiate used to treat moderate pain and to treat opiate addiction. Suboxone was first approved to treat opiate addiction by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. It is composed of buprenorphine, an opiate pain killer,…
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Overview Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have difficulty paying attention, exhibit impulsive behaviors and/or exhibit hyperactivity. The specific cause of ADHD has not been determined, though genetic, environmental and dietary factors are thought to play a role. Though…
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Overview Scars result from the wound-healing process. As the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains, more youthful skin tends to heal aggressively, yielding larger, more pronounced scarring. As a result, older scars often are a greater cosmetic concern than newer…
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Chemotherapy is an intense treatment for cancer, which kills both cancer cells and healthy cells. This is why people who undergo chemotherapy lose their hair, for example. People with cancer already have an immune system under stress. While chemotherapy is…
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Warts are skin growths caused by exposure to the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The growths are noncancerous and typically do not cause any serious symptoms. Typically medical treatment is not necessary for warts. However, if the wart becomes bothersome or…
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