Your body produces an astonishing array of proteins, which perform a wide variety of tasks. Structural proteins, carrier proteins, storage proteins, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, hemoglobin and myoglobin are a few examples of the innumerable...
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because this illness cause next to no symptoms in its beginning stages, it is oftentimes referred to as a silent killer. Yet, according to a study by Dr. John B. Wong, published...
According to MayoClinc.com, Hepatitis B is a liver infection that is transmitted through bodily fluids. In adults, the acute stage of the infection should only last a few weeks, although it may develop into a chronic disorder. Chronic Hepatitis B...
SpineUniverse.com states that 80 percent of the population will experience an episode of low-back pain during their lifetimes. Most patients do not know what causes their back pain. Usually it can be determined that pain is caused by poor posture...
HDL, or high density lipoprotein, is a protective cholesterol that gathers excess fats in the blood and transports them to the liver for disposal. The National Institutes of Health recommend maintaining a level above 40 mg per dL for men and...
Staphylococci, or staph, are widely prevalent bacteria commonly responsible for hospital and community-acquired infections. Early recognition and appropriate treatment can help decrease the length of illness and possible complications. Tests for...
Hemorrhagic jaundice is a condition caused by the bacterium Leptospira found in tropical climates and stagnant water. The organism is not commonly found in the continental United States, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine....
The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a virus that is transmitted via the blood and bodily fluids. HIV attacks the CD4+ T cells, which are blood cells that help the body fight diseases and germs. It may lead to acquired immunodeficiency...
Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that is simply called the "hepatitis C virus." It is spread by contact with the blood of someone who has the infection, explains the Directors of Health Promotion and Education. Hepatitis C can damage the liver....
Meniscus tears are one of the most common causes of knee pain and instability. Traumatic tears may happen playing sports, while degenerative tears happen slowly over time. Severe or unstable tears require surgery. While it is possible to...
Alcoholic dementia, also called Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, is caused by a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that alcohol abuse interferes with the body's breakdown of thiamine, even if the patient...
A groin injury is the result of muscle strain of the adductor muscles in the inner thigh area. There are four primary muscles in the inner thigh that might be strained: adductor magnus, adductor longus, gracilis and the adductor brevis. Pain...
The majority of periodontal or gum diseases are progressive in that they begin with early inflammation known as reversible gingivitis where bacterial plaque, over a period of time, makes gums red, puffy and tender with occasional bleeding. Black...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27,555 people died from chronic liver disease in 2006. The liver is a very important organ, with more than 200 functions. Thus, any disorder that causes severe liver damage is...
The least invasive and simplest treatment for sciatic pain is application of ice and heat. In the two days after the initial pain appears, apply ice packs to the site of discomfort. Doctors recommend cold application for 15 to 20 minutes three...
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the large and small intestines that causes acute diarrhea and vomiting. Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition during episodes is critical in the management of gastroenteritis. Knowing what foods and...
Diverticulitis is the swelling and inflammation of abnormal pouches on the wall of the large intestine. It occurs when the narrow openings of the diverticula trap stool, according to PubMed Health website. Diverticulitis can also occur due to...
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, patellofemoral pain syndrome or PFPS, also known as runner's knee or jumper's knee, is pain behind the kneecap or patella caused by physical and biochemical changes in the patellofemoral...
Liver fluke is a parasitic infection that has two distinct phases: the acute phase and the chronic phase. An acute liver fluke infection occurs when the parasites travel through your body and into your liver, where they mature. Once that's...
Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward from the large intestine. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, approximately 10 percent of people over the age of 40 have diverticula, also called diverticulosis....
A muscle strain occurs when, due to accident or overuse, a muscle becomes torn or stretched. Often painful, these injuries may take months to fully heal before the individual can return to normal everyday activities. While many muscle strains can...
Calf muscle overuse injuries are common among athletes, including runners, football players and soccer players. Additionally, "weekend warriors" who engage in weight-bearing sports requiring bursts of speed may not have sufficient strength to...
Any illness tends to decrease your aerobic capacity. However, you can gain back the capacity lost in the acute phase of an illness if you work with your doctor to come up with the safe program for you. According to the Hepatitis B Foundation,...
Ferritin is an iron-containing protein that serves as a recyclable form of stored iron in the body. Ferritin levels in the blood are an easily measured indicator of the body's total iron stores. These stores can rise and fall with changes in iron...
Your lumbar vetebrae are located at the base of your spinal column and are designed to support your upper body weight. The discs in between your lumbar vertebrae act as shock absorbers and help reduce some of the impact that is transmitted down...
Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid gets in the bloodstream. This is also called hyperuricemia. Uric acid is a natural by-product of digestion, but if individuals produce too much, or if their kidneys don't excrete...
A groin pull or tear is commonly called a groin strain, and involves tearing of the small fibers of the hip adductor muscles. The adductor muscle group is made up of three muscles located along the inner thigh, which function to bring the leg...
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints and often other body sites. A variety of tests are used for diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, including C-reactive protein, or CRP. CRP levels...
Scientists' understanding of coronary heart disease, or CHD, has come a long way since the Framingham Heart Study was launched in 1948. The initial discovery of cholesterol's role in CHD led to a more intensive search for other mechanisms that...