Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as GERD, is a common condition in which acid in the stomach, or bile, rises up into the esophagus. The acid irritates the lining of the stomach and causes GERD symptoms, including heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, sore throat, acid reflux and a sensation of a lump in the throat. Initial treatment of GERD includes over-the-counter medications, but if heartburn persists other approaches may be necessary.
Dandruff also causes itching and scaling on the scalp, and it may worsen in cooler months when the skin dries out more easily. In most cases, dandruff is a chronic condition, but you can control it by using an over-the-counter ...
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, occurs when the leg veins are blocked or the vein valves are damaged, causing blood to pool in the leg veins and preventing it from returning to the heart. Symptoms can include itching, var...
Treating the underlying cause of your dizziness can often help, but that is not always possible. Sometimes alternative treatments can help reduce or eliminate dizziness. Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of your dizzin...
The chemicals in over-the-counter lice treatments cause many families affected by lice to seek alternative treatments. Less toxic options often work effectively in treating lice outbreaks, but results vary. With any lice treatm...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, more serious causes of headaches rarely occur. Over-the-counter pain-relievers offer relief, but several alternative remedies may also help when used as directed. Talk to ...
The years preceding a woman's last period, known as perimenopause, and the years afterward, called postmenopause, present different health needs. Women who elect not to use HRT may find some relief in alternative remedies.
Although causes and cures for rosacea are unknown, certain triggers, such as alcohol, caffeine, heat, hot drinks, spicy foods and sun exposure seem to exacerbate the condition. While individuals with severe cases of rosacea sho...
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration regulates horse chestnut products as dietary supplements that cannot purport to treat or cure any medical condition. Before you use horse chestnut or another natural remedy for your healt...
These pulsing, pounding headaches are often accompanied by nausea, flashing auras and extreme sensitivity to light. Many people rely on over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications for migraines when they strike, but alte...
People with colds tend to suffer with nasal congestion or drainage, chest congestion, sore throats, coughing, sneezing and fevers. Colds often make us feel run down and achy. However, there are available alternative remeies tha...
Alternative means of treating everyday ailments are more popular than ever. People are seeking home remedies for common health issues due to a growing desire to help the body heal itself without drugs. It might be surprising ho...
While the only likely cure is tincture of time, the cough, congestion and sore throat accompanying this viral infection may respond well to a few home remedies.
Making lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine, tobacco and alcohol, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep can help prevent attacks. Your doctor may even prescribe medications to combat migraines and reduce their in...
This condition can cause heartburn that is sometimes severe. If it is allowed to continue, over time it can burn and irritate the lining of the esophagus. However, there are various remedies that might help you to treat this co...
The Mayo Clinic defines rosacea as a "chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects adults." A person suffering from rosacea may have redness in the face and "small, red, pus-filled bumps or pustules." If it's not treated,...
The NDDIC describes gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the more chronic and serious form of acid indigestion, occurring more than two times per week. The most common symptom is a burning pain behind the breast bone, bu...
Eighty percent of gallstones are made up of cholesterol, while the rest are composed of pigment, a waste product of hemoglobin. Individuals with gallstones have several options for treatment including the removal of the gallbla...
With the future of healthcare uncertain and more people finding themselves uninsured or underinsured, many Americans are turning to alternative remedies for flu. Although most people with flu will recover with no treatment at a...
The sufferer is often forced to change or cancel daily activities once the pain starts; this pain can last from a few minutes to days at a time. Common treatment for headaches is over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen o...
Depression is one of the greatest problems in the Western world. According to the Uplift Program, it affects approximately 9.5 percent of the population over 18 or 18.8 million Americans and everyone will at some time be affect...
Symptoms of a UTI include frequent urination, urinary pain or burning and lower abdominal pain. Typically, a UTI is treated with several days of antibiotic medication. If antibiotic treatment is not an option for you, alternati...
An article published by "USA Today" reports that 27 million Americans take some type of drug for this disorder. However, these drugs are not without their share of adverse side effects, leaving many to ponder what, if any, alte...
They can be caused by depression, stress, anxiety, poor diet or sleep habits and even certain medical conditions. Some have difficulty falling asleep. Others fall asleep but then wake easily and have a difficult time getting ba...
Bedsores, also known as pressure sores and decubitus ulcers are common among bedridden individuals. When a person lies in the same position for an extended period, the blood flow can become restricted, causing the skin to break...
Alternative cures for maladies from the common cold to cancer can run the gamut from aromatherapy to gentle massage to herbal remedies or acupuncture. Sorting out the facts from wishful thinking sometimes seems more a matter of...
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection caused by the virus, varicella-zoster. Varicella-zoster is the same virus that causes chickenpox. As with most viruses, there is no cure. Once you contract a virus, yo...
