The chief complaint of gastric reflux disease is heartburn. Stomach acid is pushed back up out of the stomach and into the esophagus, where it burns the lining. Adults are usually able to keep their food down, but infants are not. The Cleveland...
Apple cider vinegar has been touted by grandmothers and alternative health providers as a remedy for various health issues, from gastrointestinal problems to wounds to high blood pressure. While the vinegar may have some health benefits, it also...
According to the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, nearly 2.5 percent of children and 8 percent of adolescents in the United States are diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Although depression is typically not diagnosed...
Complementary and alternative health care providers often treat their patients with homeopathic remedies. Because the remedies prescribed are those that most closely match the presenting symptoms, homeopathic treatments for high blood pressure...
Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine. These popular attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications are in the news regularly. While they can effectively treat ADHD, they are not without side effects, some serious. Alternative treatments for ADHD...
Spirulina, also known as Arthrospira is a blue alga that contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, proteins, an omega-6 fatty acid and essential aminoacids. In North America it is available as an over the counter supplement and alternative health...
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a respiratory infection caused by an individualized strain of the influenza virus. The Mayo Clinic explains that bird flu is not often contracted by people, but, when it is, it can be deadly, with over...
Yeast infections are the result of an imbalance of vaginal bacteria and yeast. Candida, a fungus, begins to grow, resulting in such symptoms as itching, burning and excessive discharge. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists...
For centuries, the bark of the cinnamon plant has been used as both a food and a medicine. Known for its warm, spicy aroma, cinnamon a popular flavoring agent in desserts and beverages. Ground cinnamon bark may also be compressed to form tablets,...
If you have a medical condition such as multiple sclerosis, it is critical that you maintain a balanced diet as part of your healthy lifestyle goals. Mayo Clinic recommends a balanced diet to patients with this chronic neurological condition,...
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the pain, swelling, stiffness and cartilage damage. Conventional treatment approaches include anti-inflammatory drugs and surgery. Pycnogenol, a trademark of Horphag Research Ltd., is...
There are two types of human herpes viruses, Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2. Both viruses often reactivate in the body and cause recurrent infections, affecting the mouth, lips, skin, eyes and genital organs. Conventional treatment in severe cases...
Neuropathy involves a group of medical conditions occurring when peripheral nerves are damaged, and symptoms include pain, numbness and altered sensations in the feet or hands. The most common cause of neuropathy is diabetes, which affects...
A healthy blood pressure below 115/75 will decrease your risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke. Rosemary is a medicinal herb used by alternative health care providers for a variety of ailments, from viral and bacterial infections to...
Yogurt is a dairy product made by adding live bacteria to milk and allowing it to culture. You can purchase yogurt with active cultures in the grocery store, and you can also make it at home using yogurt starters. Yogurt's health benefits include...
Borage oil and other natural prostaglandins, such as evening primrose oil and black currant oil, are sometimes used by alternative health care providers to soften or ripen the cervix for birth. The use of herbs during pregnancy is the source of...
Rosa canina is a perennial herb native to Europe, Africa and Asia, and its fruits, called "hips," and are used for medicinal purposes. In folk medicine, rose hips have a long history of being recommended for respiratory and digestive conditions,...
An allergic reaction is caused by inadequate response from your immune system to foreign substances such as pollen, food, dust or chemicals. Conventional treatment includes antihistaminic and anti-inflammatory drugs. Alternative health care...
Allergies affect children and adults alike and can be caused by certain foods, medications or various pollens. Stinging nettle, a herb with long history of being used as a medicinal herb appears to help improve allergies caused by pollens, called...
L-tyrosine or tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid that the body produces from phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. Tyrosine is involved in the manufacture of the brain neurotransmitter dopamine, and scientists believe that stress and...
Vitamin therapy, a form of alternative medicine, utilizes isolated micronutrients -- which are vitamins and minerals -- for the purpose of preventing and treating disease. Although mainstream health care providers approve of some forms of vitamin...
No one knows what causes ADD, or attention deficit disorder. Ritalin and Adderall are popular pharmaceutical treatments but are not without side effects, some serious. Alternative treatments exist, though the American Academy of Pediatrics, or...
Picture the child who seems run by a motor, who cannot sit still or who constantly seems lost in another world. Impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattentiveness are hallmark symptoms of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Technically...
Asthma is a lung disorder characterized by excess mucus and spasm and inflammation of the bronchi, which are the airway tubes. An acute asthma attack is a medical emergency and has to be treated immediately by a qualified professional. Ginger has...
Nevella is a brand name for the artificial sweetener sucralose, which is salso sold under the name Splenda. Sucralose is produced by treating sugar with chlorine chemicals, resulting in a substance 600 times sweeter than sugar. The official...
If you haven't been able to conceive within a year of unprotected sexual intercourse, fertility experts say it's time to seek assistance. Your choice of practitioner can vary from the conventional -- a family practice doctor, an OB/Gyn or...
Psoriasis, a common inflammatory skin disease, can range in its severity from mild to disabling. Several pharmaceutical and naturopathic treatments effectively reduce the incidence and severity of psoriasis outbreaks. Although the fragrant plant...
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a disease of the central nervous system that has an unpredictable evolution and approximately 350,000 Americans have been diagnosed with MS, says the University of Maryland, Medical Center. If you consider taking...
Diabetes is a common condition characterized by abnormally high levels of glucose in the blood. Conventional treatment includes oral anti-diabetes medication and insulin injections. Adding more zinc from either food or supplements may improve your...
