Diseases & Health Conditions

Overview When you take a drink of an alcoholic beverage, the alcohol doesn’t get digested the way food does. Instead, it passes directly into the bloodstream. When blood passes through your lungs to pick up oxygen, some of the alcohol…
Read more

1. Understand the Rubella Virus German measles, also called 3-day measles, are caused by the rubella virus, a form of togavirus that infects its host’s respiratory tract. It is transmitted primarily through exchange of bodily fluids, particularly saliva and mucus,…
Read more

Overview Amebic dysentery, which is also known as amebiasis, is the result of a parasitic infection that commonly affects the intestines. It is caused by Entamoeba histolytica and is most commonly found in underdeveloped areas. Infection comes from eating swallowing…
Read more

Overview What you eat can have a significant impact on the severity of any acid reflux, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms or complications that you experience. When you indulge in certain “trigger” foods, you can aggravate reflux and make…
Read more

Overview Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder characterized by abnormal redness of facial skin and the development of pimple-like pustules. In early stages of the disorder, redness may come and go. However, rosacea-related redness typically becomes permanent and may extend…
Read more

HA-MRSA is the acronym for hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of staph infection that is resistant to most of the antibiotics typically prescribed to treat it. MayoClinic.com points out that most infections of MRSA take place in the hospital…
Read more

Overview HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is the virus responsible for the disease AIDS. Scientists have studied HIV extensively in an attempt to find weaknesses in the virus or its mode of action that they can take advantage of to…
Read more

Overview If you suffer from heartburn, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you’re probably aware that what you eat has a big impact on how you feel. Specifically, there are a number of “trigger” foods that may cause or…
Read more

Shingles, or herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the chickenpox virus. Once an individual comes down with chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissues near the spinal cord and brain. MayoClinic.com points out that years later the…
Read more

Bipolar disorder, commonly referred to as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes changes in energy level, mood, activity levels, and the ability to accomplish goals and tasks in a timely fashion. According to the National Institute of Mental…
Read more

Tuberculosis, or TB, causes an infection in the lungs, but can also infect other parts of the body. TB spreads easily through airborne droplets, and repeated exposure to an infected person generally causes an infection. Two kinds of tests help…
Read more

Overview A food allergy is a reaction that a person experiences when consuming a food which his body cannot tolerate. Allergies range in severity and can even be life-threatening. Pediatrician Dr. Bill Sears states that common symptoms of allergies include…
Read more

Alcoholism is an addiction characterized by a chronic dependency on alcohol. Unlike alcohol abusers, who drink too much but are not dependent on alcohol, alcoholics feel a compulsion to drink uncontrollably. Alcoholism can lead to family and work problems, and…
Read more

Nausea is an uneasy and uncomfortable feeling that usually accompanies vomiting. Nausea can occur as a result of food poisoning, a brain tumor and certain medications among other reasons. It can be acute or it can be chronic depending upon…
Read more

Remicade, or infliximab, is a medication used to treat inflammation in the body. It is often a second-line treatment; that is, doctors often prescribe it after other treatments have failed. According to Drugs.com, Remicade is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis,…
Read more

According to the Mayo Clinic, laser resurfacing removes aged or sun-damaged skin to enable new, younger-looking skin to replace it. It is used to treat many skin conditions that result from sun damage, including fine to moderate wrinkles, age spots…
Read more

The University of Maryland states that adults in the United States suffer from two to four colds a year while children can have up to 10. The common cold is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a viral infection of…
Read more

Overview Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. When used in moderation, it can help people relax and unwind. But overuse hampers your motor skills, impairs your judgment and can lead to depression and emotional problems. The risk is especially…
Read more

Overview Several different classes of medications, each with multiple specific agents in each class, have analgesic (pain-killing), antipyretic (fever-reducing) or anti-inflammatory (inflammation-reducing) properties. These classes of medications include corticosteroids, non-steroidals, opiates and other miscellaneous agents, like acetaminophen. Some medications require…
Read more

The epithelial skin layer in humans is the outermost layer of skin that we can see and touch. Often called the “epidermis,” this layer of skin cells does not have its own vascular system and therefore does not bleed following…
Read more

Overview Acetyl-L-carnitine, or ALC, is a chemical compound derived from the amino acid carnitine. The human body produces it naturally, with the greatest concentrations appearing in the muscles, the brain and the testicles. ALC is sold as a dietary supplement,…
Read more

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, affects 4 percent to 12 percent of American school-aged children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Although ADHD is most commonly diagnosed after children enter school, most experts agree that the tendency to…
Read more

Chemotherapy is one of several treatment options available to patients with cancer. Patients who choose this form of cancer therapy receive chemotherapeutic drugs orally, topically or by injection. The length of chemotherapy treatment depends upon the stage of cancer a…
Read more

Overview The heart performs a very important function in the body, delivering oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to every part of the body. It also transports de-oxygenated blood to the lungs for oxygenation. The pumping action of the heart enables it…
Read more

Overview Approximately 6 million American adults over the age of 18 suffer from panic disorder, the National Institutes of Health states. Panic disorder is different from normal stress or experiencing anxiety in certain situations. Panic disorder can be debilitating and…
Read more

Overview According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the United States. Combined, those chronic diseases claim the lives of more than a million Americans each year….
Read more

Overview An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Currently there’s no cure for asthma, but proper diet, medication and avoidance of allergens can help those with the condition manage their…
Read more

Seborrhea dermatitis, also referred to as seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff, is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that results when the sebaceous glands secrete excessive amounts of oil. It commonly affects the scalp, face and chest, causing itching, redness, dryness and…
Read more

Many types of bacteria can inhabit or infect the human body. Those that live harmlessly in or on the body are colonizers. Bacteria that cause disease are pathogens. Certain bacteria may be colonizers, but can cause disease under specific conditions….
Read more

Staphylococcus is a group of gram-positive bacteria that appear as clusters of grapes under the microscope. More commonly called staph for short, this bacteria proves responsible for a variety of infections of the body, some of which can become life-threatening….
Read more