Ashwagandha is an herb that has been used for centuries in the practice of Ayurveda, a medical system practiced throughout India. It is purported to be an adaptogen, an all-purpose health tonic that boosts vitality, enhances sexual function and...
Many individuals experience an increase in fat as they age. Lack of exercise combined with poor diets can increase your odds of developing excess fat over many areas of your body, including your abdomen and torso regions. Loose muscle tone in this...
According to the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, colorectal cancers cause the death of 52,000 people in the United States every year. In developed countries, the incidence of newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer is second only to...
Deadlifts primarily work your lower back, but also work your upper back, legs and abdominals. Heavy deadlifts tax your abdominals directly -- this exercise allows you to bring more weight to bear on your abdominals than any form of crunch or...
Bleeding in the stomach or from the kidneys following exercise are symptoms of serious medical conditions. If left without treatment, many of these conditions can lead to fatal complications. in fact, the bleeding itself, if severe enough, can be...
Deadlifts are an excellent exercise for the entire back, and heavily work the lower back. While some soreness from training is common, you should not experience any sharp or stabbing pain. The deadlift is one of the best exercises for...
Many exercises can help you improve your squat; the key remains figuring out which one will. Each exercise addresses specific weaknesses and strengthens specific muscle groups. Knowing where you fail in the squat, and what muscle groups hold you...
The deadlift is the final lift in powerlifting competition, following the squat and the bench press. The importance of this lift is clearly acknowledged in the powerlifting maxim "the meet doesn't start 'til the bar hits the floor." Powerlifters...
Progesterone is one of many steroid hormones found in both males and females. The adrenal cortex, corpus luteum, which is the follicle that contains the egg during ovulation; and the placenta, during pregnancy, secrete progesterone. The primary...
It takes a combination of diet and exercise for your abdominal muscles to show. While you cannot spot reduce to eliminate fat, you can train to develop the muscles of your abdominals as well as reduce your overall body fat levels. Strong...
Many exercises are good for joint health. Only a few exercises are bad for the health of your joints. Many exercises performed incorrectly can be quite hazardous to not only your joints, but your entire skeletal structure. Every exercise you...
In gastroparesis, your stomach muscles contract sluggishly and ineffectively, and food you eat can sit in your stomach for a long time before passing through your digestive tract. Bulky, high-fiber foods, such as raw vegetables and whole grains,...
Wood chops work your abdominals and obliques, the muscles at the sides of your waist. These muscles do more than just help your posture -- they provide power in any twisting or throwing motion. Strong obliques help generate explosive power for...
Everyone wants a six pack, and everyone wants one right now. It's tough, but not impossible. You might have to change your routine and how you think about exercising significantly, but if you're willing to put in the work it takes, you can...
Your external oblique muscles are the largest group of external abdominals in your body that works with other muscles in your torso, shoulders and anterior hips to move your torso in various directions, such as turning and throwing. It is a large...
The barbell deadlift taxes your legs and back while you strengthen them. Although some amount of discomfort can arise if you perform the exercise correctly, lingering or sharp pain should not occur as part of your training program. Fortunately,...
A hernia of the belly button is known medically as an umbilical hernia. According to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, this condition is most common in infants but occurs in adults as well. Belly button hernia is generally harmless and has a...
Along with the joys of pregnancy come some expected discomforts, such as frequent urination, fatigue and back pain. In some cases, symptoms such as abdominal cramping, feeling faint or heavy bleeding may occur and indicate a serious problem. It is...
Women experience abnormal menstrual bleeding at different points in the menstrual cycle. Some bouts of abnormal bleeding are brief and may subside with no treatment. However, other causes may be linked to medical conditions that require the use of...
The medicine ball is traditionally used in boxing training, to tone and strengthen the abdominal muscles. It is a heavy spherical mass, filled with a variety of solid materials, and bound with a leather skin. There are a number of ways you can use...
Eccentric muscle contraction is the extension of a muscle under tension. In your body, eccentric hip movement is lowering and decelerating of your body during a squat, lunge or downhill walking. Many injuries, such as hamstring strain and groin...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 110.2 million visits to hospital emergency rooms occurred in 2002. Abdominal pain was the most frequently cited reason for visiting the emergency room. There are multiple causes of...
A number of factors go into determining the best elliptical trainers on the market. Review websites, such as Fitness-Equipment-Source.com and EllipticalTrainers.com, take into account the overall elliptical design and engineering, quality of...
Abdominal cramping may present as side pain, stitches in the abdomen wall or sharp pain under the ribcage. Abdominal cramps are disruptive and cause discomfort; persistent pain may cut a run short. Abdominal cramps are a common occurrence among...
Light bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods is called spotting. Spotting can be pink, red or brown and may last for a few days. Spotting has many causes and should never be self-diagnosed. Spotting can also occur during pregnancy and in...
Training your abdominals is more than just knocking out repetitions. Knowing which exercises best serve your purposes and how to schedule them saves you effort that would otherwise be wasted. While exercise may be difficult, results come from...
Fibroid tumors may be experienced by women just entering the perimenopause stage in their later reproductive years. These tumors may cause painful periods, abdominal swelling and heavy flooding during menstrual periods. A number of natural...
Normally, a stomachache isn't a cause for alarm. Even during exercise, it's likely a result of food or your level of physical exertion. Your timing of meals, the amount of food you eat and the intensity of your exercise can all lead to stomach...
According to the Cleveland Clinic, human roundworms are a common parasitic infection found all over the world. A lack of sanitation or personal hygiene is the source of most infection. Most mature roundworms live in the intestines where they cause...
Abdominal strains can occur during many physical activities and can be managed with rest and by staying in shape. Learn how to treat abdominal strains and stay fit in this sports medicine video.
There are three types of hernias: inguinal, umbilical, and hiatal. Learn how to avoid getting a hernia from a certified personal trainer in this health video.