Blood tests called heart damage markers, or cardiac enzymes, detect injury to the heart muscle by displaying an increase in normal levels. The blood test most commonly used called creatine kinase, or CK for short, confirms the existence of heart…
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When you have dandruff, scaling occurs on your scalp, and excess skin cells are shed. Symptoms may include itching, redness and irritation in the scalp area. Dandruff is typically not a sign of a serious medical condition and can usually…
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Butcher’s broom, an evergreen bush in the lily family also known as box holly, has several medicinal benefits, though they’ve only recently been discovered. Both the root and the above-ground parts of the plant are used medicinally. While generally considered…
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The American Heart Association reports that heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to all the organs in the body. It is also known as congestive heart failure and can be caused by…
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Chloraseptic Allergen Block Gel is marketed as a “drug-free way to help prevent nasal allergy symptoms by blocking indoor and outdoor allergens.” This product is a clear topical gel that is applied the edges of the nostrils and the area…
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Liver cirrhosis is the last stage of liver disease. By this time, the liver has suffered repeated injury. It is finally at the point where the damage is usually irreversible. The most common causes of liver cirrhosis in the United…
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Overview During an eye exam, the doctor or his technician will check the pressure inside the eye, using either a quick puff of air or by numbing the eye and gently touching the surface with an instrument. Though a normal…
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Overview Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 26 percent of deaths in 2006, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A treadmill test, or stress test, shows your doctor how…
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During exercise, you will notice changes in your heart rate. Specific heart rate ranges based on the person’s age, gender, exercise intensity and type and fitness level. A slow heart rate, called bradycardia if under 60 beats per minute, sometimes…
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Antiemetic medications are those which are used to combat and alleviate nausea with or without vomiting. There are many antiemetics available for patient use in over-the-counter and prescription form. A physician or pharmacist will determine which antiemetic medication to prescribe…
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A bunion is a lump of bone on the outside of the base of the big toe. When the big toe joint moves out of place, it becomes enlarged, stiff and sore. Because this joint bears much of the body’s…
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A sore throat with a cough may indicate a common cold, which does not require a doctor’s treatment. Other causes of a sore throat and cough may include asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and lung cancer, which are serious conditions that require…
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More than half of all women in America have bunions, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and nine out of 10 bunions occur in women. A deformity in the bone caused most frequently by wearing tight, narrow shoes,…
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Immunodeficiency occurs when the body’s immune system is impaired, making an individual more susceptible to frequent and severe illnesses. Primary immunodeficiency is present at birth, occurring as a result of genetic abnormalities. Secondary or acquired immunodeficiency, on the other hand,…
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Hypertension, characterized by high blood pressure with a reading over 140/90, can be treated with a variety of different types of medications. Left untreated, the disease can cause complications including heart disease, stroke, brain damage, kidney failure, vision loss and…
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Ulcers on the eye typically appear on the cornea, the clear window that lets light into the back of the eye. Corneal ulcers often result from infections, severe dry eye, a foreign body or other inflammatory disorders, says the U.S….
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Overview One of the most common, effective and safest surgeries performed in the United States, according to The National Eye Institute (NEI), cataract removal improves vision in approximately 90 percent of patients undergoing the procedure. Like any other, the surgery…
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The pupil, the black spot in the center of the eye, is essentially a hole that allows light into the eye. The pupil enlarges and constricts as the muscles attached to it respond to stimuli such as light, which shrinks…
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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is the inflammation of tendons from the muscles in the forearm that connect to the elbow. Inflammation in these tendons results in the experience of pain and…
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Jock itch is a fungal infection in the groin area. Dermatophytes, the fungal group that causes jock itch, can infect other areas of the body as well. They can infect the scalp and beard area, causing bald patches. On the…
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The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that nearly 5 million Americans suffer from congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition caused by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient amounts of blood to the other organs of the body. While doctors have…
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Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition that affects the outside of the elbow. Tennis elbow is the inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow. Inflammation causes pain and tenderness…
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It’s important to appreciate the risks and inconveniences associated with drastic weight loss. However, it must be acknowledged that the positive effects outweigh the risks. In overweight and obese people, drastic weight loss lessens the risk of developing cancer, improves…
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According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a painful condition of the elbow caused by overuse. Tennis elbow is the inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of…
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Overview According to Rush University Medical Center, your pulse rate represents the number of times your heart beats in 60 seconds. Adolescent girls and women generally have faster pulse rates than boys and men of the same age. Your pulse…
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Sicilian folk remedies can fit into two main categories: verbal incantations and use of plants, including herbs and vegetables. In the first category, healers perform traditional rituals to cure problems from wounds to worms. As for edible therapy, healers often…
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High density lipoprotein or HDL is the protective form of cholesterol that collects damaging fats throughout the body and transports them to the arteries for disposal. Women are advised to target a level of HDL above 50mg per deciliter and…
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Overview Dialysis is often required for patients with kidney failure. The purpose of dialysis is to compensate for the loss of renal function. Dialysis is not perfect, however, and long-term dialysis treatment can lead to the development of a systemic…
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Overview Ear cleaning is not just a hygiene issue in Asian countries. It is an important part of Asian history and culture, and is a social procedure often done by friends or loved ones. Because the nerves in your ears…
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Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best, and honey has long been touted in folk medicine as an effective remedy for coughs. Honey is a sweet, thick golden liquid made by bees from flower nectar. Most micro-organisms do not grow…
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