When the immune system works perfectly, antibodies travel throughout our body to kill off germs and other foreign substances. Usually this system knows the difference between good and bad, killing off only the bad particles. But when something...
Halofuginone is a substance that comes from the roots of the blue hydrangea flower found in China. It has been used in Chinese medicine to combat malaria. A 2009 research report from Children's Hospital Boston states that the substance shows...
Hydrangea is an ornamental and medicinal plant native to North America, South America and Asia that has been used for the treatment of urinary tract and prostate disorders in traditional Chinese medicine and by Native American tribes of North...
The medical name for dry mouth is xerostomia, or the absence of saliva. Xerostomia is usually the result of certain autoimmune diseases, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer, and endocrine or nerve conditions. Saliva contains enzymes...
Autoimmune hepatitis is a condition in which your immune system recognizes your own liver cells as a foreign invader and attacks them. The National Center for Biotechnology Information states that autoimmune hepatitis may occur in combination with...
Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. Sadly, this definition does not stress the severity of the disease. There are many types of hepatitis, including a relatively uncommon form known as autoimmune hepatitis. Exercise might help...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, which means that it is caused by the immune system attacking cells within the body. Patients with psoriasis have an immune system that attacks skin cells, leading to uncontrolled cell division and growth....
One of the many factors involved in a woman's ability to become pregnant as well as to maintain a pregnancy is a healthy and properly functioning immune system. The Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) test is given to help doctors identify problems with...
Interstitial lung disease is not one but a variety of conditions. The lung contains tiny air sacs called alveoli that expand and contract during breathing and help oxygenate the body and remove carbon dioxide. Interstitial lung disease causes the...
Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system begins to attack your body. There are over 80 autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and pernicious anemia. Although treatments...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease. In this disorder, patches of skin become thick, red, itchy and scaly. This is called plaque. Psoriasis develops when the immune system destroys skin cells. The skin reacts to this by producing skin cells...
Hypothyroidism is a condition characterized by poor or insufficient production of certain hormones by the thyroid gland. The ill effects of this condition worsen over time and can lead to joint pain, obesity, infertility and heart disease,...
Most people experience dry mouth at some point in their lives, and it's a common occurrence when waking up. In many cases, dry mouth can be avoided by making a few lifestyle or habit changes. But if you experience frequent dry mouth, or dry mouth...
Arthritis, a degenerative condition that targets the joints, may cause you to lose your range of movement and dexterity as the disease progresses. Two types of arthritis, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis result in inflamed and painful...
Many physical and psychological conditions can cause tiredness and fatigue. Lack of sleep or more serious reasons for tiredness and fatigue are concerns to look into. Lack of energy, motivation and the constant need for sleep are some symptoms of...
Approximately one in every 1,000 women between the age of 15 and 29 and one in every 100 women between the ages of 30 to 39 are affected by premature ovarian failure, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Premature ovarian failure is...
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes itchy, red and scaly patches of skin on the body. Psoriasis can go into remission and then reappear. Treating psoriasis can be challenging.
When you have a low white blood cell count, it generally means that the number of white blood cells has dipped to less than 3,500 per microliter of blood, which is one-millionth of a liter. This decline in white blood cells can be a result of many...
White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, function to protect the body from foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. White blood cells consist of five different types of cells including lymphocytes, monocytes,...
The human body benefits from sunlight in many ways. It can positively affect your mood, help regulate your natural sleep cycle and trigger Vitamin D production. However, when it comes to skin, protection is vital to avoid the more damaging effects...
Liver enzymes are special proteins that perform functions inside the cells of your liver. If your liver becomes inflamed, damaged or infected, these proteins start to leak out into the bloodstream and cause higher than normal amounts to appear in...
Auricular acupuncture can offer relief from pain and enhance mobility of arthritis sufferers. Several acupoints of the ear can significantly relieve arthritic symptoms of the shoulder, elbow, neck and lower extremities. However, consult with an...
Low thyroid function, known as "underactive thyroid" or "hypothyroidism," occurs when your thyroid gland -- a gland in your neck that is 2 inches long -- fails to generate enough thyroid hormone. The American Thyroid...
Strands of hair are made of two parts: the follicle and the shaft. The shaft is the visible part of the hair, while the follicle sits below the skin. Hair grows when cells in the follicle divide, pushing cells outward into the shaft. These...
People who have psoriasis may also develop psoriatic arthritis, which affects the joints, often leaving fingers and toes with a sausage-like appearance. The number of joints affected and degree of symptoms varies from few joints on one side of the...
The average age range for menopause is 45 to 55 years old, according to Menopause.org. Menopause that occurs prior to age 45 is defined as early or premature. According to the nonprofit Daisy Network Premature Menopause Support Group (DNPMSG), the...
According to the Hair Loss Learning Center, hair loss affects approximately 35 million men and 21 million women in the United States. Causes of hair loss can be genetic, or it may be a side effect of medication or illness. AltMD reports that...
The menstrual cycle is governed by the interaction of hormones that allow an egg-containing follicle to grow. Follicle-stimulating hormone, or FSH, plays an important role in the recruitment and development of eggs each month. Abnormal FSH levels...
Camel milk, used medicinally for centuries by nomadic people, is the closest to human mother's milk and contains 10 times more iron and three times more vitamin C than cow's milk, according to The Huffington Post. Camels possess unique, powerful...
Views 64
Views 70
Views 49
