Diseases & Health Conditions

Mood disorders include extreme mood shifts and often require medication intervention as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA indicates that mood disorders prove a serious mental illness and include the…
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Methotrexate is classed as an antineoplastic, or cancer fighting; an antimetabolite; and an immunosuppressant. Methotrexate is primarily used to treat cancer. Unlabeled uses are psoriatic arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Methotrexate interferes with cell division, affecting both malignant and healthy…
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Gout is an episodic form of arthritis caused by the buildup of excess uric acid in the blood. It tends to attack a single joint at a time, causing extreme pain, swelling and tenderness. These acute attacks may last for…
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Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by constipation and/or diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and gas. Digestive enzymes, which are molecules responsible for proper digestion, may help prevent or alleviate symptoms of IBS. While some digestive enzymes…
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Commonly found in the eastern United States and areas of Canada, lobelia is a potent herb traditionally used as a respiratory aid by some Native American groups. Though very few studies have been conducted on the effects of lobelia in…
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Overview Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control, or CDC. Although you may watch what you eat and exercise regularly, you may also want to incorporate pistachio…
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Overview Back pain is a common complaint, particularly as people get older. While this can often be chalked up to muscle injury or stress, persistent lower back pain or flank pain can be a symptom of serious kidney disease. The…
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Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD are serious respiratory diseases. They are characterized by blockage in the air passages, bronchial muscle spasms, swelling of the mucus linings and increased production of mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma…
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The National Library of Medicine says that hay fever is an allergic reaction with various symptoms mainly affecting the eyes and sinuses. A person who suffers from hay fever is typically allergic to pollen, dust mites, mold or pet dander,…
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A hernia is a defect in the musculature of the abdomen, a weakness or an actual opening, that can lead to a protrusion of the underlying abdominal wall. Severe cases can be seen and felt on the lower abdomen. These…
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Crystal meth is a dangerous and illegal “street” version of the stimulatory drug methamphetamine that users smoke as a rock or “crystal” form. While methamphetamine remains available legally by prescription for a limited number of medical uses, the amounts prescribed…
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Bipolar disorder, also known as manic depressive disorder, is a mental illness characterized by periods of mania and depression. Periods of mania can cause a patient to feel a sense of euphoria, as if they’re on top of the world….
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Symptoms of an oral allergy can occur when foods or substances are ingested by a person with allergies to those particular foods or substances. The difference between an oral allergy and other allergies is that the symptoms are confined to…
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As of 2006, about 4.5 million U.S. children between the ages of 5 and 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD has three major symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and inattentiveness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Because…
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More than half of Americans have a allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is a common allergic reaction that causes flu-like symptoms, such as stuffy nose, nasal discharge…
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Attention-deficit disorder (ADD), also known as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), is a condition affecting millions of children, the Mayo Clinic reports. Consult a doctor if you think your child suffers from ADD; the condition can be treated with prescription medication, psychotherapy,…
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Overview According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death among women in the U.S. after lung cancer. Improvements in screening and adequate treatment continue to improve the survival…
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Anxiety presents in many different forms, but most types include unpleasant feelings of worry, dread or unease. No medical cure for anxiety exists, but several medications can ease the symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center Website. Medications…
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Asthma is a condition in which the bronchial tubes–those which lead from the windpipe to the lungs–become inflamed and irritated, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma attacks can occur in which the condition is worsened by irritants such as seasonal…
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Overview There are over one hundred forms of arthritis, one of which is psoriatic arthritis. This condition is chronic and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. There are different types of psoriatic arthritis that can range from mild to…
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More than 200 viruses cause what’s known as the common cold, including coronaviruses and rhinoviruses, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Though the cause might be varied, the effects, symptoms and treatment remain the same. Knowing…
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According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, 78 percent of the population experiences headaches at some point. Headaches can range from mild to severe and often cause pain in the forehead, head and neck areas. Headaches can be caused…
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Asthma is a disease of the lungs. It involves inflammation, swelling of the airways and mucus accumulation in the airways. It results in constriction of the airways and the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma is…
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Depression generally occurs when a person is in their late 20s, however, it can develop at any age, according to the Mayo Clinic. While twice as many women than men receive a diagnosis for this illness, this may only be…
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Overview The scientific name for calendula is Calendula officinalis. Commonly known as pot marigold, but not truly related to marigolds, calendula is native to southern Europe. It also grows wild in Washington, California, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut,…
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Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a serious condition that is a result of persistent acid reflux that has caused ulcers (open wounds) in the digestive tract. It is often due to a weakened lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the band of…
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1. Acid Reflux and Tomatoes Tomatoes are a fruit (yes, fruit) with a high acid content. For some people with heartburn or acid reflux, eating tomatoes will aggravate the condition. Although not everyone with acid reflux has a reaction to…
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Overview More than 100 types of arthritis exist, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It affects more than 40 million Americans and is the most common cause of disability in the United States, according to the American Pain Foundation. While…
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Rosacea is skin disorder in which the face flushes, becoming red and warm. People between the ages of 30 and 50 who have fair complexions are the most commonly affected population. Rosacea is quite common, affecting approximately 14 million people…
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The Immune System To understand what an antihistamine does, a person must understand the basic functions of the immune system and the role of histamine. The body has many layers of protection between its internal environment and the outside world….
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