Diseases & Health Conditions

Colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon and rectal cancer, is a type of cancer in which cells grow at a rapid rate in the colon and rectum. MedlinePlus says that symptoms of colorectal cancer include bloody stool, unintentional weight loss,…
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The generically named drug azacitidine is marketed in the United States as Vidaza. It is a prescription-level drug called an antimetabolite that is used in the treatment of cancer. Vidaza functions by preventing cancer cells from growing as they normally…
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Antimalarial medications, including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, are used for prophylaxis, treatment and prevention of malaria. They are commonly prescribed to previously-unexposed or immunodeficient people who are traveling to areas endemic for malaria. Some of the medications are also used for…
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Overview Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depression, is a serious brain disorder that causes dramatic shifts in a person’s moods, including serious “lows” called depression, and “highs” called mania. According to a 2003 article published in “Psychology Today,” dietary therapies…
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An apnea is a brief pause in breathing which often happens during sleep. When these apneas cause arousals and sleepiness, a diagnosis of sleep apnea is warranted. This sleep disorder affects about 25 percent of adults. According to 2010 survey…
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An intestinal blockage, also called an intestinal obstruction, can occur in either the small intestine or large intestine. The obstruction may be caused by a mechanical condition, such as an adhesion which binds a section of the intestine, a hernia…
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The flu is common, even in pregnant women. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation points out that flu vaccines are recommended for women who are pregnant to reduce the risk of complications. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy are at…
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Crystal meth is the street name for crystallized methamphetamine, an illicit drug used for its psycho-stimulant properties. Crystallized methamphetamine was first synthesized in 1919 in Japan and was approved for several treatments by the American Medical Association in the 1930s….
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Overview An increasing body of research, starting with a study by Oregon psychiatrist Jules R. Altfas reported in 2002, indicates a link between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and obesity in both adults and children. Fortunately, treatment for ADHD helps some individuals…
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that influenza causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths each year, mostly among children and the elderly. Although most kids with influenza recover without medical care, there are exceptions. Therefore, the CDC urges…
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Overview The Autism Diet is a plan that parents follow as a way to help relieve symptoms of autism. According to Autism Web, some parents have reported that making certain adjustments to their child’s diet has resulted in speech and…
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A stab wound is one that penetrates the skin and the flesh. Depending on the object causing the damage, the wound may penetrate muscle, fat and even organs. Treatment should be administered by a medical professional and not attempted at…
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1. Pursue Hobbies and Daily Activities It is a daily challenge to live with a chronic condition like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and it’s easy to lose interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy. To keep yourself…
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A laminectomy removes the bony posterior arch of one or more vertebrae protecting the spinal cord; this decompresses the spinal cord and nerve roots by widening the space around the nerves, relieving symptoms and in some cases preventing paralysis. The…
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The pneumonia vaccine works by introducing the body to a small quantity of the bacteria responsible for the illness. MayoClinic.com reports that the bacteria helps the body build antibodies to defend itself against future exposure to the illness. The vaccine…
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Physicians may prescribe the generic drug moxifloxacin, an antibiotic, for a wide variety of bacterial infections, the Mayo Clinic reports. This fluoroquinolone-type antibiotic functions to kill bacteria that cause infection. It also may inhibit bacterial growth. The National Institutes of…
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Occasional bouts of anxiety—simply defined as a preoccupation with worrying—are experienced by everyone, but the symptoms may be distressing and hard to dispel. Symptoms of anxiety can include a racing heartbeat, chest tension, headache, shallow and rapid breathing, stomach upset,…
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Overview The bronchus describes the tubes which direct air into and out of the rest of the lungs. Because cells in the bronchus have exposure to airborne toxins, many cases of lung cancer begin in the tissue of the bronchus….
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Ganoderma lucidum is more commonly known as the reishi mushroom. Its polysaccharides may have anticancer and immune stimulating effects. This mushroom also may protect your liver, benefit your cardiovascular system and have antiviral action, according to Drugs.com. The mushroom, which…
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Cancer of bone occurs when cells transform into a new type of cell that grows uncontrollably in the bone and damages the surrounding healthy tissue. Primary bone cancer occurs when the original cancerous cells stems from a bone cell; secondary…
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Facing the challenges of ending tobacco use may become less daunting when people know the concrete benefits and new opportunities that come from quitting smoking. The reduced threat of lung cancer alone would make it worthwhile for most people to…
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Overview You’ll see the perennial bloodroot blooming in the spring. It grows in eastern U.S. and Canadian woodlands. The plant gets its name from its blood-red sap, which contains alkaloids that provide its medicinal properties. These have antibiotic and anti-inflammatory…
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The physical toll that anxiety takes on the body can be severe. Obsessive worrying can lead to headaches, stomach pains and muscle tension. Unrelenting anxiety can zap the body of its energy and lead to intense fatigue or insomnia. Fortunately,…
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“Acid stomach” is a term that may be used to refer to gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This condition, also known as heartburn, occurs when juices from the stomach, including gastric acid, spurt backwards into the esophagus and up into…
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Opiates come from a class of drugs that include morphine, heroin and commonly prescribed pain relievers. Opiates resemble natural chemicals in the brain called opiate receptors, with each receptor providing a different function in the body. The National Institute on…
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Overview While nearly everyone tells a lie from time to time, dishonesty is a way of life for a compulsive liar, who tells tales for no apparent reason and will regularly lie to cover up another lie, according to Truth…
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The prostate, a part of the male reproductive system, is made up of a number of cell types that work together to perform a range of actions that support male reproductive function. Prostate cancer develops when any of the cell…
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Overview When learning a motor skill such as a tennis stroke, how you learn is just as important as what you learn if you want to acquire the skill quickly and permanently. Hitting hundreds of balls in a row degrades…
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The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research explains that alcohol abuse does not mean that a person has a physical dependence on alcohol, although it can lead to alcohol dependence. A person abuses alcohol when he drinks too much,…
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Rhodiola rosea has been used as a traditional medicine in Europe and Asia for hundreds of years. There are many documented uses of Rhodiola in traditional folk medicine, and research is growing in the area of clinical study. According to…
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