Any weekend warrior whose physical activity level increases intermittently has experienced a variety of muscle aches. Pain in the back of the leg below the knee can be a simple annoyance or can be serious. There are a variety of possible causes...
Propanolol, also known as propanolol hydrochloride, is a medication that treats hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), myocardial infarction (heart attack), atrial fibrillation (abnormal heart rhythm), migraine, tremors and...
MayoClinic.com defines gangrene as the decay of tissues that have lost vitality due to an interruption in their blood supply. Gangrene most commonly affects the limbs, including fingers and toes. Dry gangrene refers to a variety of gangrene where...
Heart palpitations are increased or "racing" heart rhythms not related to physical exercise, that are often accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue and anxiety. Palpitations can be triggered by stressful situations that increase adrenalin...
The three most common types of leg ulcers are venous stasis, ischemic (arterial) and diabetic. Treatment for all three types varies, but all three include a recommendation for some form of exercise, including walking.
The heart pumps blood through the arteries, which branch into increasingly smaller blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the body tissues. The veins carry oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. Diseases and medical conditions that...
An ulcer is an open sore on the skin that does not heal properly or is delayed in healing. An ulcer can form on the foot due to poor circulation, loss of nerve supply, pressure from too-tight shoe-gear or an injury. According to the Cleveland...
Heart blockage is a sign of coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease in the United States, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Heart blockage involves damage to the artery and insufficient blood flow...
While the body needs cholesterol in the blood to build healthy cells, a build-up of the waxy substance found in the lipids, or fats, in the blood can lead to heart disease. Excessive cholesterol stifles blood flow through the arteries. When...
Body composition is the percentage of bone, muscle, water and fat you carry. The more fat you have, the higher your risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. The body mass index (BMI) is an internationally used means for measuring your body...
Fats and oils cause more conflict in weight loss plans than any other food group. Fats are important to heart health, but too much dietary fat can cause weight gain and clogged arteries. Insufficient dietary fat can cause deficiencies in vitamin A...
Raynaud's phenomenon is a form of vasculitis, or inflammation of the blood vessels, that occurs when the arteries that carry blood to your fingers, toes, nose and ears go into spasm and contract, reducing the blood supply to those areas. Your...
Normally, your kidneys screen impurities from your bloodstream. The result of this process is the removal of waste materials and excess fluid in the urine. Occasionally, infections, injuries and disease hamper the ability of the kidneys to perform...
Walking is aerobic exercise that improves circulation throughout the body by widening the body's smallest blood vessels called capillaries. As capillaries widen, they deliver increased oxygen to muscles and take away waste products. Walking can...
Wound healing is a normal bodily process and usually proceeds in four phases --- hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodeling --- according to Shujuan Guo, D.D.S, Ph.D. If one or more stages are interrupted, wound healing can be...
You know vitamin D as the sunshine vitamin. Your body can synthesize it when the sunlight's ultraviolet-B rays hit your skin, and it helps aid in the absorption of calcium, which leads to strong bones. Before it has an impact on the bones, vitamin...
Blood moves throughout the body, allowing for movement as well as maintaining the crucial role of keeping the heart pumping. Poor leg circulation is accompanied by cramping or pain in the legs, swelling and numbness. This condition may result from...
Metoprolol is a prescription beta blocker medication used to control high blood pressure and prevent angina. Taken after a recent heart attack, it improves chances of survival. Doctors also prescribe extended-release metoprolol with other...
The bilberry plant, native to Northern Europe, is a fruit very similar to the North American blueberry. Both the berries and leaves of the plant have been used in traditional herbal medicine. Historically, the most widespread use of the berries...
When talking about pulse points, most people only think of the areas near the side of the neck and on the underside of the wrists. But the pulse can also be felt in the lower extremities, such as behind the knee and on top of the feet. These...
Vaccinium myrtillus, known as bilberry, is closely related to blueberry. Like its relative, bilberry is used to make jams, pies, syrups and other tasty concoctions. Bilberry also has a long history of use as an herbal remedy, including for some...
Renal insufficiency, or renal artery disease, is poor functioning of the kidneys, usually caused by a reduction in blood flow. Proper kidney function is disturbed when the arteries in the kidneys become narrowed, decreasing the amount of blood...
Herbal medications are becoming more mainstream in Western civilizations with some clinical trials showing them effective for certain ailments. The more testing and research that is done, the better the understanding of any herb's role in...
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 32% of adults in the United States over the age of twenty have hypertension. Many adults however, are unaware of their uncontrolled high blood pressure due to its quiet presentation....
A certain amount of dietary sodium is essential for good health. Without enough of this nutrient, your body has difficulty maintaining an appropriate balance of fluid. Sodium also plays a key role in the relaxation and contraction of your muscles,...
According to the American Diabetes Association, or ADA, diabetes increases a person's risk for many serious health problems, including end organ damage, heart disease and foot conditions. The complications or characteristics of the disease will...
Walking and running are everyday movements that can be severely compromised when blood clots obstruct the blood vessels in the legs. Sometimes, these vessels dilate and cause excruciating pain. In some cases, blood flow to and from the legs is...
According to the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, 152 thousand coronary artery bypass surgeries were performed in the United States in 2003. Coronary artery bypass surgery requires the surgeon to bypass blockages in the heart arteries to restore...
Cardiac edema is the swelling around the ankles, legs, abdominal wall or chest wall. It occurs when the body is retaining fluids. It is generally a sign of heart disease. Health care professionals will usually prescribe a diuretic to decrease...