Health

The immune system is the body’s defense system, protecting it from sickness and infection. White blood cells work to find bacteria and viruses in the body and destroy them. When a man has a low immune system function, he is…
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Chemotherapy is a powerful treatment used to destroy cancer cells and help save the lives of people with cancer. It also destroys health cells, causing side effects like low energy levels, weight loss, nausea and vomiting. Chemotherapy can also decrease…
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Plantain, botanically known as Plantago major, is a member of the Plantaginaceae family. It grows on roadsides and lawns; Steven Foster and James Duke write in their book “A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs,” that it is a…
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The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Overuse of the tendon through exercise, accidental injury such as falls that hyper-extend the foot, or other activities that overstretch the Achilles like running uphill, climbing or jumping, can…
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Bitter melon is the fruit of Momordica charantia, a tropical vine found throughout Southeast Asia, India, Africa, China and part of the Caribbean. As the name implies, the fruit, or melon, imparts a bitter taste. Since this plant has such…
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Cushing’s disease occurs sufferers have high levels of cortisol because they have a pituitary adenoma. An adenoma or a benign tumor, has structures which look like a gland. This pituitary adenoma is located in the anterior pituitary gland. It does…
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Pulmonary Edema or abnormal accumulation of liquid in the lungs is a serious condition because it affects breathing; and may lead to death. As fluid fills into the lungs, the tiny alveoli sacs responsible for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange…
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An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves that transmits through body tissues and provides an echo in return, showing up as a real-time video or photographic images. Renal ultrasounds detect and confirm any conditions related to the kidneys, bladder and ureters….
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High Density Lipoprotein, or HDL, is the protective cholesterol that sweeps up potentially damaging Low Density Lipoproteins and Triglycerides and carries them to the liver for storage and disposal. To be effective levels of HDL need to be above 40…
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Regular eye exams help maintain good vision and keep eyes healthy. Most eye care providers perform vision screenings and general eye care. However, if a person has a medical eye condition or a family history of eye disease, it is…
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Overview Your child’s pulse rate is a measurement of the number of times her heart beats in 60 seconds. The pulse rate is typically highest at birth, when the tiny chambers of the newborn’s heart beat rapidly to supply oxygen…
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Cortisols regulate inflammatory and immune responses, appetite and the balance of sodium in the cells. They treat lupus, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, psoriasis, respiratory conditions, low functioning adrenal glands and transplant patients so that their bodies do not reject their new…
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Developing kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, is a common problem. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, at least 500,000 people in the United States go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment of kidney…
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Overview Intraocular pressure, or IOP, is pressure inside your eye. Certain eye diseases, such as glaucoma, can cause your eye pressure to increase, which can cause damage to your optic nerve. Optic nerve damage can cause you to lose some…
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Estrogen is a steroid hormone that is synthesized in the body and secreted into the bloodstream, where it circulates throughout the body, affecting a number of tissues and organs. Estrogen is normally synthesized in the ovaries in females, and to…
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Poison sumac plants contain an irritating, oily sap called urushiol, which triggers a reaction when it comes in contact with the skin. The sap can live in the ashes of burned sumac plants, on an animal, or on other objects…
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Illness, injury and aging can sometimes make it hard to continue what medical professionals refer to as our activities of daily living (ADL). These include such activities as bathing and using the toilet. If your condition is long-term, you may…
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Overview Your heart rate is an excellent measurement of how hard you are exercising on a bicycle. Your heart rate will increase as you pedal harder–such as when you are climbing a hill, riding into the wind or increasing your…
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Bone marrow, the spongy inner part of bones, produces platelets, red blood cells and white blood cells. Bone-marrow testing assesses the health of a patient’s bone marrow. Sampling of bone marrow requires either a biopsy or aspiration procedure. Bone-marrow testing…
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Overview Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the fluids in your eye do not drain normally, thus causing eye pressure, called intraocular pressure, to rise. When your interocular pressure becomes elevated, you risk damaging your optic nerve, which could…
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Overview Dr. Alan Carr, a Mayo Clinic prosthodontist, says that there can be a direct correlation between sinus congestion and tooth pain. He states that the upper teeth are the most affected by sinus issues due to their proximity to…
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Old age dementia generally involves diminished mental capacity to perform daily tasks that involve memory, physical coordination and executive functioning. It is often gradual rather than immediate. The Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center at Northwestern University states that in…
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If you have a child that cannot see things at a distance but not near to his or her face, she is far-sighted. If your child cannot see signs on the road while sitting in the car, he or she…
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Renal disease,often referred as kidney disease, results in gradual loss of kidney function leading to high levels of fluid and waste in the body, according to the Mayo Clinic. Filtering toxins from the blood through small structures called nephrons is…
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Bunion surgery is performed to correct deformed bones of the big toe that cause pain and difficulty walking. Many bunions can be treated without surgical intervention, but over time the patient’s condition may become so painful that his ability to…
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Known in the medical community as pharyngitis, a sore throat can leave a person feeling miserable. Its common characteristics include dry scratchiness and painful swallowing, while its most common cause, according to the Mayo Clinic, is the cold or flu….
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The replacement thyroid hormone, or Synthroid (levothyroxine), is a medication used to regulate the body’s energy and metabolism. According to Drugs.com, Synthroid is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own. It is used…
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An herbal artery cleanse can help rid your body of arterial plaque buildup that can cause severe heart complications. The buildup of debris and heavy metals begins in the blood stream. By taking herbal supplements that can increase your heart…
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A member of the tree nut family, the almond is a nutritional powerhouse, offering numerous health benefits. Available throughout the year, this versatile nut is a simple healthy snack and an easy addition to many savory or sweet dishes. One…
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Brain swelling, also called cerebral edema, can affect the brain’s ability to function. Injuries, infections, toxin exposures and brain tumors can cause brain swelling. The University of Connecticut Health Center notes that two types of brain swelling can occur: vasogenic…
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