Kidney failure, referred to as renal failure, is a condition most often caused by diabetes and high blood pressure, and can ultimately affect all parts of the body, including muscles, systems and organs. According to the University of Maryland...
Heart disease is to blame as the number one killer of women who live in the United States. Though heart disease may be caused by passed-on heredity traits, the largest risk factor is a high level of cholesterol in the blood stream, says the Rush...
The liver has a variety of functions, including converting food into energy, aiding in digestion and eliminating alcohol from the blood, according to MedlinePlus. Diseases of the liver can result from lifestyle, behaviors or infections. There are...
Living a healthy lifestyle might be a goal for you but not a reality. Knowing you want to be healthy may not be enough for you to actually realize a healthy lifestyle for you and your body. Consider the benefits of being healthy and create a...
The walnut-sized prostate gland produces semen, the fluid that combines with sperm to provide nutrients and protection to the sperm. In addition, the muscle fibers in the prostate gland contract to help push the semen out of the man's body upon...
At your annual physical exam, your physician will likely check your cholesterol level. Your total cholesterol -- and more specifically, the breakdown of your total cholesterol into LDL, HDL and triglycerides -- gives your doctor information about...
People tend to think of calcium as the element most associated with strong bones and teeth. And while that's true, every cell in the body requires calcium to function properly. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) report that low levels of...
If you've just been told that you are one of the 24 million Americans who are at risk for diabetes, cheer up. The news is not all bad. Modern medicine has developed a number of effective approaches to managing the disease and helping you maintain...
High cholesterol has no symptoms, so you need to have a blood cholesterol test evaluated by a health care professional on a regular basis. Cholesterol levels can change over time, and cholesterol tests are usually ordered during your annual...
Lactic acid is a by-product of the process cells use to produce energy. As cells convert glucose to energy, they use oxygen. If there is not enough oxygen within the cell, the cell is still able to produce energy, but also produces lactic acid....
Cholesterol refers to a type of fat produced by the liver. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute indicates that the body makes all of the cholesterol it needs. However, eating certain foods can increase the amount of unhealthy cholesterol,...
The Encyclopedia of Surgery defines a physical as an examination designed to determine your current state of health. In most cases, an average annual physical includes obtaining general information in the form of a patient history, followed by a...
Getting an annual exam helps supplement a healthy lifestyle. What happens in male physical exams depends on factors such as a male's age and any underlying reasons for his visit. For example, a male may suspect that he is ill or be compelled to...
Dysplasia is a term that describes abnormal cell growth on the body. Different types of dysplasia diseases can affect different areas of the body, including the cervix, bones and cardiovascular system, specifically the arteries. Dysplasia diseases...
People tend to have a love affair with the sun, as they flock to the beach and purchase various bronzing agents to create the perfect tan. Unfortunately, the sun produces damaging ultraviolet rays that penetrate the layers of the skin to create...
Finding out that your cholesterol level is through the roof may send you searching for a program or medication to get it back to normal. Your health care provider may suggest the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, or TLC diet. Designed to bring down...
All adults over the age of 20 should have their cholesterol levels tested at least every five years, according the American Heart Association. Cholesterol testing is important to monitoring your risk of developing heart disease, a potentially...
Metabolic syndrome does not have one specific cause, but many, which all contribute to the cluster of conditions known as metabolic syndrome, or Syndrome X. High fat diets, excessive sugar, a sedentary lifestyle and unnecessary caloric intake can...
The determinants of good health involve a variety of factors relative to your specific goals. Healthy is generally characterized by the absence of major medical conditions, eating a sensible diet while keeping your weight within medically...
While the direct cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, several factors can cause you to be more prone to getting it. According to research, there is a correlation to being at more of a risk of getting rheumatoid arthritis if someone else in...
Depending on the reason you are undergoing your physical exam, the instructions from your doctor about what to eat may vary. Follow your doctor's orders about what to eat before your health checkup. If you suspect you may have some negative...
Men should have regular physical exams even if they are healthy. Conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure often do not produce symptoms until advanced stages. Visiting your doctor regularly also helps maintain a relationship in...
The American Heart Association estimates that more than 35.7 million American adults have cholesterol levels that are more than 240 mg/dL. Cholesterol measurements at this level are considered high, which puts these individuals at an increased...
According a report prepared by the Institute of Medicine, if you don't have health insurance, you won't live as long as someone who does. You will also be less healthy overall, and when you do receive medical care, it will be later in the disease...
Cancer is a disease in which abnormal malignant cells begin to grow and spread in the body. These cells eventually form tumors, which, if they remain undetected, may spread to other parts of the body. The type of treatment for cancer depends on...
A Pap smear is a routine laboratory diagnostic test used by gynecologists to detect cell changes in a woman's cervix that might indicate a precancerous or cancerous condition. Until 2003, when the American College of Obstetricians and...
To become and stay healthy and strong, follow the rules you have likely heard throughout your life -- exercise, eat right, get enough sleep and get regular physical checkups. Think of your body as the house in which you dwell. By taking good care...
