Diseases & Health Conditions

Uterine cancer, the most common cancer of a woman’s reproductive system, accounts for 6 percent of all female cancers in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. The uterus is a hollow organ that sits in the pelvis…
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Approximately 5 percent of children and adolescents suffer from depression at some point during childhood, according to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. While there are differing opinions as to whether childhood depression is more common in boys…
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An infection in the urinary tract occurs because of bacteria entering the system. The bacteria cause an infection in the bladder or the kidneys. Girls contract bladder infections more often than boys, especially when beginning to potty train. Uncircumcised boys…
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A migraine is a headache that creates moderate to severe pain, usually on one side of the head. The pain is described as pulsing, or throbbing, and is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light, sounds and smells. Migraines…
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New cases of thyroid cancer were diagnosed in approximately 37,200 people in the United States in 2009, according to the American Cancer Society. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that produces hormones that help to regulate various bodily processes,…
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Muscular diseases typically impair the body’s ability to move properly. Diseases under the muscular dystrophy umbrella attack the body’s metabolism and directly lead to faulty muscle energy levels and energy production. Other diseases, such as myasthenia gravis, attack the muscles…
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Depression is not simply a word to throw around when you feel sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness affecting both body and mind; it negatively affects how you behave, think and feel. And more importantly, these symptoms…
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Antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs designed to combat bacterial infections, have saved millions of lives in recent decades. Although these drugs can help treat and prevent life-threatening illnesses, natural alternatives may provide similar benefits with fewer side effects. Depending on the severity…
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A major component of depression is distorted thinking. The negative thoughts associated with depression impact emotions and behaviors. Therefore, acknowledgment of a person’s positive aspects is essential in overcoming depression. Since women are twice as likely as men to have…
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Although anxiety is a normal reaction to stressful situations, it can become excessive and interfere with a person’s ability to cope with everyday activities. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of several anxiety disorders that cause exaggerated fears or concerns. Generalized…
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Most babies will have at least one cold in their first year of life. Unfortunately there are no remedies that cure the common cold–it generally runs its course in seven to 10 days. Home remedies, however, may relieve the infant’s…
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Also commonly called bladder infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are characterized by an urgent and frequent impulse to urinate (often without much success), a burning sensation during and after urination, and a mild ache or cramp in the abdomen. Preventative…
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Crystal meth, meth, speed, crank and tweak are the common street names given to methamphetamine. Crystal meth is a highly addictive stimulant drug that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and is illegal in the United States, according to U.S….
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Overview Menopause is the time in a women’s life when her menstrual cycle ends. Some women going through menopause report feelings of sadness, depression or, simply put, feeling low. Having mood swings is another common description by women experiencing menopause….
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Although they appear solid, bone is a growing, living tissue that constantly breaks down or remodeled. Bones consist primarily of collagen and calcium phosphate. When this process goes awry due to a disease or disorder, fractures and abnormal growth can…
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Overview The polio virus is an extremely contagious microorganism known to cause paralysis and oftentimes death. Polio is an abbreviated term for the disease poliomyelitis. Three different strains of the polio virus exist, but not all forms of the virus…
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Overview The prostate is a gland at the base of the penis that makes the fluid portion of semen. Prostate cancer is the result of cells within the prostate developing genetic mutations that cause them to grow abnormally quickly. Because…
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Overview Teens suffer from mood swings. They have days where they’re angry, sad, irritable or stressed out, but many teens learn how to cope with stress in a healthy manner. Being blue on occasion is normal for an adolescent, but…
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Lymphoma is divided into two main groups: Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s Disease (HD) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Lymphoma is a cancer that originates in the cells of the immune system, according to the National Cancer Institute. The lymphatic system is part…
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Overview Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depression, is characterized by intense mood swings identified as manic and depressive episodes. People with this disorder experience major issues at work and with friends and family members due to the symptoms. Effective…
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Overview Scars are unfortunate reminders of old wounds and injuries. Ugly, red scars mar the surface of your skin and can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance long after your injury heals. While it may not be possible to…
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Herpes zoster–more commonly known as shingles–is the reactivation of a previous infection with the Varicella-zoster virus (VZV). When you first contract VZV, it causes chickenpox. During recovery from chickenpox, VZV does not leave the body but rather becomes dormant in…
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Crohn’s disease primarily affects adolescents and young adults, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). This inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping and chronic diarrhea, but those who have this disease may also complain…
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As defined by Mayo Clinic, neutropenia is a condition characterized by a low amount of neutrophils, the white blood cells responsible for fighting off infection. Due to a low neutrophil count, a person’s immune system weakens, thus compromising his or…
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According to a 2003 study in the “Archives of Internal Medicine,” flu and colds account for more than 100 million doctor visits each year at a cost of over 7.7 billion dollars. Many times, people are unsure which of the…
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The bacterium Clostridium tetani is the causative agent of tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw. The bacteria most commonly enter the body through a skin wound. Clostridium tetani bacteria produce a protein called tetanospasmin or tetanus toxin, which attacks nerve cells,…
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Overview The intestines are responsible for absorbing nutrients and water. The small intestine absorbs most of the nutrients from ingested food, whereas the large intestine absorbs water and compacts fecal matter. Inflammation of either intestine can lead to dysentery (which…
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Antidepressant medications are commonly prescribed to help people deal with the many symptoms of depression. One hypothesis is that people with depression have an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters. According to this hypothesis, the goal…
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Up to a million Americans are thought to have some form of inflammatory bowel disease, according to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA); about half of them have ulcerative colitis and the other half have Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s,…
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Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the main causes of disability in the U.S. Around 55 percent of people over the age of 65 and 9,000,000 adults overall suffer from the condition, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic…
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