According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the adverse effects from smoking tobacco account for nearly 443,000 deaths each year, or one in five of all deaths in the United States. Smoking tobacco causes a wide variety of…
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Chronic heartburn and acid reflux, which occurs more than twice a week, is a symptom of GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). The Mayo Clinic reports most people are able to cope with the burning and discomfort common in GERD by using…
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Chronic back pain can interfere with your work, hobbies and family responsibilities. It can also be very challenging to treat. One of the difficulties is that there are many causes of chronic back pain. While each case is different, chronic…
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The abs are the structural powerhouse of the body. Good posture, force production with sports, and body stabilization are all key components that a strong set of abs can give you. When it comes to building your abs, exercise is…
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Most people know dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) as a garden weed, but this rugged little plant has been used to make a delicious and nutritious tea for centuries. The root is dug up in the fall when the inulin (a natural…
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Your skin can suffer sun damage on any day, in any weather–indoors and out. Pink skin that feels hot and painful to the touch represents mild sunburn. Red, blistered skin that persists and peels is severe, and can become a…
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Overview Peppermint oil is extracted from the leaves of peppermint plants. These plants grown most predominantly in Europe, create an oil high in menthol, the active ingredient in peppermint leaves. Menthol is used in products ranging from skin lotion to…
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Caffeine is a substance found in many beverages such as colas, coffee, tea, some plants, chocolate and many medications. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and can affect the body’s metabolism in several ways. According to John Hopkins Medical Center,…
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Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the thick connective tissue (plantar fascia) that runs between the heel and the toes. The plantar fascia is like a rubber band that contracts and stretches with each step. When too much stress is…
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Overview Acne is a disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands produce oil known as sebum which travels to the surface of the skin via the follicles. The follicles can become clogged, especially when the production…
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Canker sores, also called aphthous ulcers or aphthous stomatitis, are painful lesions inside your mouth. The Mayo Clinic states that there are many causes of canker sores, including stress, mouth injury, allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, certain diseases, nutritional imbalance and immune…
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1. Rest as Often as Possible Rest is essential when you have fibromyalgia. You’re going to feel fatigued much of the time, anyway — not to mention the fact that insomnia is a big symptom of this condition. Your energy…
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Scientists classify bacteria by gram stain. This staining method was developed in 1884 by a Danish bacteriologist named Christian Gram. This method is still used in labs today. Bacteria that are called gram negative have this name because they lose…
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Overview High blood pressure is a common cardiovascular condition that occurs when the pressure of blood against your artery walls becomes too high. High blood pressure–also called hypertension–can cause a number of problems, including an increased risk of heart disease…
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Almost everyone has had some experience with headaches, a term used to describe pain in any area of the head. Headaches can be occasional and infrequent or can be a chronic problem. Most headaches are not severe, but some people…
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Overview Cross country ski equipment has changed considerably since the days of knickers, bamboo poles and three-pin bindings. The equipment on the market today is sleek, flashy and geared toward skiers of all shapes, sizes, and competitive bents. Although ski…
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It’s healthy to get in shape and tone your body. Strengthening and toning core muscles, such as the obliques and abdomen, will help improve your posture, flatten your stomach and make you look and feel better. The simple exercises that…
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Overview Gout, a form of arthritis, may come on suddenly, causing intense pain, swelling and redness in a joint. Although gout frequently strikes the big toe or joints in the hands or feet, it may target any joint. Triggered by…
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Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is when the thyroid gland no longer produces enough thyroid hormone to maintain the normal functions of metabolism. A deficiency of thyroid hormone can have many different causes, but it is usually an autoimmune disorder….
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Overview In 2003, the National Center for Health Statistics reported that there were 1.5 Americans over age 65 living in nursing homes. That figure is expected to double by 2030. Although the U.S. Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 guaranteed…
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If you spend much time outdoors in the summer, the delicate canvas of your skin is wide open to a variety of minor injuries, such as insect stings, barbecue burns and scrapes from a biking accident. Key to healing your…
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Overview The Pilates method of exercise and the Alexander technique feature totally different movement styles, but these complementary alternative therapies often are used in conjunction. Both of these techniques can enhance postural alignment, reduce muscular tension and promote coordinated and…
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The calves are made up of two major muscles: the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The gastrocnemius gives your calves a rounded, defined appearance, and the soleus defines your calves along the sides of your legs. These muscles should be trained…
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Overview Botulism is a muscle-paralyzing disease that is caused by the bacteria called Clostridium botulinum. There are three types of botulism: infant botulism, foodborne botulism and wound botulism. All forms of botulism are serious medical conditions that require medical attention….
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Lipo 6X is a popular dietary supplement that combines active ingredients such as caffeine, yohimbe, guggulsterones, synephrine and several others to increase the body’s abilities to burn fat. Not enough studies have been done on side effects of Lipo 6X…
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Systemic lupus erythematosus, often abbreviated to simply lupus, affects at least 1.5 million Americans, the Lupus Foundations of America (LFA) reports. Lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks organs and joints, affects mostly women of childbearing age and attacks black and…
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1. Join Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous is the main support group used by people with any kind of drug addiction. Borrowing on the principals established by Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous uses group dynamics, sharing, accountability and reliance on a higher…
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Cross country skiing is a winter sport known for its vigorous nature and its celebration of the outdoors. Like other sports or competitive activities, cross country skiing has its own set of rules to which participants must abide. In competitive…
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For water sports enthusiasts, kayaking can be not only a great adventure, but a fun way to get outdoors and enjoy nature. What’s more, kayaking can be done by virtually anybody just by learning some basic kayaking skills. You’ll need…
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Although reasons to smoke cigarettes might be limited to a few mental and physical effects, reasons to quit smoking are numerous. In addition to reversing financial and health concerns, quitting brings you freedom from addiction and a healthier lifestyle for…
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