Diseases & Health Conditions

Traditional migraine symptoms are well known—one-sided head pain, light sensitivity and, possibly, visual or hearing changes (called auras). Migraines occur repeatedly and can last for hours to days. Triggers include hormone levels associated with the menstrual cycle; foods (often specific…
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Your bones go through a constant process of breaking down old bone and replacing it with new bone. During childhood bones grow because new bone is created faster than old bone is broken down. Having strong bones is referred to…
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A small shrub endemic to North America, bloodroot owes its name to its bright-red tuber, which pulses with a caustic fluid similar in appearance to human blood. When dried or extracted, this sanguine plant may offer a few medicinal benefits….
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Schizophrenia causes immense suffering for the afflicted and their families. In her 1999 book, “Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide,” Kay Redfield Jamison, Ph.D., describes schizophrenia as the most severe and frightening of the psychiatric illnesses. Fortunately, medications called antipsychotics offer…
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Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) that overly expands lung sacs, thereby trapping air and destroying lung tissue. Causes of emphysema include long-term smoking or genetic predisposition. People with emphysema experience shortness of breath, coughing and mucus production….
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes conditions such as asthma, emphysema and bronchietasis, where there is decreased airflow. People with COPD have symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty filling the lungs with air, coughing, and mucus production. As the…
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1. Look At Family History Since bulimia has a genetic component, according to psychological studies, the first step in preventing bulimia is to investigate your family tree. See if any relatives have been bulimic, and find out how closely they…
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Overview Digestion is the process by which the body breaks down foods into small molecules which pass through the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. In healthy digestion, meals are processed and eliminated smoothly, without discomfort. However, diets high in acidic…
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If springtime gardening is always followed with a runny nose or if you constantly sneeze while visiting that friend with the cute pet, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), 54.6 percent…
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Cancer is a potentially fatal medical condition in which the cells in the body grow at an extremely rapid rate. According to the Mayo Clinic, cancer symptoms include a fever, fatigue, weight changes, trouble swallowing, a persistent cough, changes in…
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Positive energy and positive health often go hand in hand. Taking care of yourself emotionally and physically promote positive energy. Similarly, negative factors, such as physical illness, emotional disorders and poor self care, frequently do the opposite. If you experience…
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According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are several different depression diagnoses that vary in length and severity of symptoms. Depression is considered a mood disorder, and depending on its type and severity, can affect up to 25 percent of…
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Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is an over-the-counter medication indicated to alleviate nasal and sinus congestion or pressure associated with hay fever, allergies or the common cold. This medication is part of a class of drugs called nasal decongestants and acts by decreasing…
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A bladder infection, also called cystitis or a urinary tract infection, can be caused by many things. You need to treat this infection properly, so it does not spread and cause serious complications. A bladder infection can cause a fever,…
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Thousands of kinds of bacteria are present in the environment naturally. When certain pathogens enter the food supply and are ingested, they can cause food-borne illness. Most cases of food-borne illness can be prevented with proper food handling techniques. Bacteria…
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According to the Breathing.com, nose breathing has many health benefits, mouth breathing has few. Nose breathing cleans, warms and humidifies the air you breathe, and is associated with increased oxygen extraction from air and decreased heart stress. Mouth breathing, on…
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SMZ-TMP (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) is a prescription antibacterial medication used to eradicate certain types of bacterial infections from the body. Common brand names include Bactrim and Septra. This medication is administered orally (tablet or oral suspension) or intravenously (IV) and…
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The sun’s rays are the greatest threat to your skin. Because you need sun exposure for vitamin D and skin protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sooner or later you will experience damage to your skin. Forgetting to cover up can…
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Cognitive therapy is a type of therapy used for several mental illnesses, specifically depression. Cognitive therapy focuses on the thoughts, emotions and behaviors of the patient and how they are related to their symptoms of depression. The basic theory of…
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Overview Colitis, also called ulcerative colitis, is a condition in which the lining of the colon gets inflamed. The mucous membranes can develop ulcers and the condition can be mild to severe. According to “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” by Phyllis…
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A flu shot offers protection against influenza, a virus that infects the respiratory system. Common symptoms include high fever, cough, mucus production, body aches, weakness and chills. It can last for a week or longer and is fatal in some…
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Chickenpox is a type of herpes virus also known as varicella zoster. It usually affects children but can also strike adults. Victims can develop hundreds of red, itchy, liquid-filled spots on the skin. These symptoms are often preceded by stomachache,…
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1. Confront the Truth About Your Drinking You can’t stop drinking if you don’t believe that it’s a problem. Before you can quit, you first need to acknowledge the fact that alcohol is damaging your life and then resolve to…
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1. Keep a Headache Journal Journaling your headache frequency and severity will help you identify potential triggers and establish a treatment plan. Use your journal to record information about each headache, including the time it occurred, its duration and the…
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Kidney cancer is a very lethal form of cancer. The National Cancer Institute reported that 49,096 Americans were diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2009, and 11,033 people died from the disease that year. There are many forms of kidney cancer….
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Overview Asthma is a disorder that produces episodic attacks separated by times with few or no symptoms. Attacks usually start abruptly with shortness of breath and wheezing. Triggers can be environmental irritants or allergens, diet, exercise, stress and emotion. Cromolyn…
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory influenza viruses are highly contagious due to the ease with which they are transmitted from one person to another, often before the infected person develops symptoms. Seasonal respiratory influenza illnesses,…
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1. Frequent Massage Therapy Helps Getting a massage one to two times a week has a great pain reducing effect if you have fibromyalgia. The kneading and rubbing involved in a massage releases pain-relieving endorphins into your system and makes…
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Bronchitis can be either acute (short term) or chronic. It occurs when the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs becomes inflamed. Acute forms of bronchitis often get better on their own, but chronic bronchitis is a…
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Most people have at least some moles, with the average person with light skin having between 10 to 40, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Moles can be raised or level with the skin, and while they’re usually…
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